‘Kimi no Na wa’ considered for Oscar as Best Animated Feature

Kimi no Na wa has rocked the anime world and is now even being considered for an Oscar.  Image Funimation

“Kimi no Na wa (Your Name)” has been gathering a lot of attention for its touching story and stunning visuals–so much so that the movie has been officially put on the Oscar consideration list.

To date, the movie has already earned more than 17.9 billion yen ($170 million) and has been on the top spot of the Japanese box office rankings for almost three months since it’s debut in theaters, reports Forbes.

Penned and directed by Makoto Shinkai, it is a science fiction fantasy story that revolves around the lives of Mitsuha Miyamizu and Taki Tachibana. One day the two suddenly find themselves swapping bodies at intervals and end up experiencing each other’s lives.

Shinkai stated that much of his inspiration for the story stems from the 12th-century tale “Torikaebaya Monogatari,” which is about two siblings who each exhibit characteristics of the opposite sex.

By next year “Kimi no Na wa” will be available to Western moviegoers through Funimation.

Having “Kimi no Na wa” considered for an Oscar is a big event for anime as a medium. Animation is largely considered by Hollywood as a genre rather than a medium on its own right. It is also thought of in the West as something meant only for children. As such, mere consideration for high-profile awards is a rarity.

One of these rare nominations is “Spirited Away” by Studio Ghibli, which won the Best Animated Feature  at the 75th Academy Awards.

With works like “Kimi no Na wa,” and hopefully more like it down the road, animation might finally be recognized as a full-fledged story-telling medium worthy of recognition.  Alfred Bayle

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