Makoto Shinkai is one of the most renowned names in the anime industry, known for directing several acclaimed films such as Your Name, Voices of a Distant Star, and more. He is also the founder of CoMix Wave Films, a studio dedicated to visually appealing animation and focusing mostly on romantic stories. In 2004, Shinkai released his debut feature film, The Place Promised in Our Early Days, which earned him critical acclaim and recognition. However, it wasn’t until his groundbreaking film Your Name was released in 2016 which earned global recognition. Following Your Name‘s release, Shinkai etched his name in history as one of the best filmmakers in the country.
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Throughout his career, Shinkai has released quite a few anime films, all of which offer something new to fans. However, The Garden of Words, which was originally released on May 31st, 2013, in Japan, remains his most underrated film to this day. Although the film performed well in Japanese theaters for an extended period of time and was hosted at many local and international film events, it didn’t gain the same popularity as Shinkai’s other feature-length works. While the film received a physical DVD and Blu-ray release in North America, it wasn’t widely released in theaters. Luckily, the film is also streaming on HIDIVE, and fans can watch it anytime.
What Is The Garden of Words About?
The film is written, directed, and edited by Shinkai, and it also received a manga adaptation a month before the premiere. The manga, illustrated by Midori Motohashi, was later compiled in a single volume. Additionally, a novel written by Shinkai was also released in the same year as the film. With only a runtime of 46 minutes, this heartbreaking film focuses on human connection through mature themes, character growth, and exceptional sound design that’s still praised.
The story centers around Takao Akizuki, a young and aspiring shoemaker who decides to skip class on a rainy morning to sketch designs in a beautiful garden. He stumbles upon Yukari Yukino, a mysterious woman, and offers to make her new shoes. She is skipping work due to problems in her personal life. The duo continues to meet throughout the rainy season, and before they realize it, they form a deep bond. While dealing with personal struggles, these brief encounters helped them alleviate their worries, even if the problems didn’t disappear completely. However, as the season ends, they must confront their truths and put their relationship to the test.
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