If you fell in love with the beautiful animation, heartfelt story and unique characters of ‘Your Name’, you’re probably craving more incredible anime movies to watch next. Well, look no further! Here are 20 of the best anime films that share similar themes, stunning visuals and emotional depth as the beloved ‘Your Name’. Get ready to laugh, cry and be swept away on more unforgettable journeys.
1. Weathering With You
From the same brilliant director as ‘Your Name’, Makoto Shinkai, comes another gorgeous and touching anime film. ‘Weathering With You’ follows the story of a teenage boy named Hodaka who runs away to bustling Tokyo and meets a special girl named Hina who can manipulate the weather. As they grow closer, they must navigate challenges in the big city together. With breathtaking animation of Tokyo’s cityscapes and a poignant message about human connection, this movie is a must-watch for ‘Your Name’ fans.
2. The Garden of Words
Another masterpiece by Makoto Shinkai, ‘The Garden of Words’ is a poetic and visually stunning short film. It centers on 15-year-old Takao, an aspiring shoemaker, and Yukari, a mysterious 27-year-old woman he keeps meeting at a garden on rainy mornings. As they open up to each other, they develop a unique bond despite their age difference. The film’s lush depiction of nature and subtle exploration of loneliness will captivate fans of ‘Your Name’.
3. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
‘The Girl Who Leapt Through Time’ is a classic anime film about a high school girl named Makoto who suddenly gains the ability to leap through time. At first, she uses her power for personal gain, but soon realizes her actions have consequences on others. With a mix of sci-fi, comedy and coming-of-age themes, plus an endearing lead character, this movie is perfect for ‘Your Name’ fans looking for another fun and meaningful adventure.
4. A Silent Voice
For a more serious but powerful film, check out ‘A Silent Voice’. It follows Shoya, a former bully, who seeks to make amends with Shoko, a deaf girl he mistreated in elementary school. As they reconnect, the two outcasts learn to accept each other and themselves. The movie doesn’t shy away from heavy topics like disability, ostracism and mental health, but handles them with grace and empathy. Like ‘Your Name’, it will make you reflect deeply.
5. 5 Centimeters Per Second
Makoto Shinkai’s earlier work ‘5 Centimeters Per Second’ is a romantic drama told in three interconnected segments. It follows a young man named Takaki through different stages of his life as he longs for his childhood friend Akari. Though more understated than the fantastical ‘Your Name’, this film is just as emotionally resonant and visually impressive with its muted color palette and dreamlike atmosphere. It’s a touching meditation on the passage of time, distance and unrequited love.
6. I Want to Eat Your Pancreas
Don’t let the bizarre title fool you – ‘I Want to Eat Your Pancreas’ is a moving story about the friendship between an aloof boy and a terminally ill girl. When he discovers her secret diary, they grow unexpectedly close and learn to embrace life fully. The movie balances humor and heart, with expressive animation and a bittersweet tone. Like ‘Your Name’, it’s a tearjerker that will make you cherish your loved ones.
7. Fireworks
From the producer of ‘Your Name’ comes another supernatural romance, ‘Fireworks’. It follows two middle school students, Norimichi and Nazuna, who run away together using a mysterious orb that can turn back time. Over one summer day that keeps repeating, they learn more about each other and themselves. With vibrant colors, thrilling action and an ending open to interpretation, this movie captures adolescent joys and pains like ‘Your Name’.
8. Children Who Chase Lost Voices
‘Children Who Chase Lost Voices’ is an imaginative fantasy adventure by Makoto Shinkai. After losing her father, a girl named Asuna follows a mysterious boy into Agartha, an underground world where the dead can be brought back. With the help of her teacher, she must find her way home while learning to cope with grief. The movie’s magical setting, mythological influences and theme of letting go make it a good companion to ‘Your Name’.
9. The Anthem of the Heart
In ‘The Anthem of the Heart’, a girl named Jun becomes unable to speak after her words accidentally tear her family apart. Years later in high school, she is tasked with performing in a musical and must confront her past. With colorful characters, catchy songs and a message about the power of self-expression, this underrated gem will appeal to ‘Your Name’ fans looking for another youth drama with a supernatural twist.
10. Patema Inverted
For a unique sci-fi romance, try ‘Patema Inverted’. It’s set in a world where two civilizations with opposite gravities are separated. When a girl from the inverted underground society meets a boy from the surface, they form a special connection and uncover the dark secrets keeping their peoples apart. The movie’s mind-bending concept, political allegory and star-crossed lovers make it a good pick for ‘Your Name’ fans.
11. Mirai
‘Mirai’ is a charming family film about a little boy named Kun who becomes jealous of his new baby sister. When he stumbles upon a magical garden, he meets relatives from different points in time, including his sister as a teenager. These encounters help him learn empathy and acceptance. With inventive visuals, relatable characters and a heartwarming message, this coming-of-age story shares ‘Your Name’s focus on personal growth.
12. Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms
In the epic fantasy ‘Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms’, an immortal girl from a secluded clan adopts a mortal baby boy and raises him as the world changes around them. The movie spans years as it explores the joys and sorrows of motherhood and mortality. With its lush, hand-drawn animation, complex characters and bittersweet tone, this film is reminiscent of ‘Your Name’s emotional depth and visual splendor.
13. Summer Wars
From the director of ‘The Girl Who Leapt Through Time’ comes ‘Summer Wars’, a sci-fi comedy about a teenage math prodigy who must save the world from an AI gone rogue. With the help of his friend Natsuki’s eccentric family, he dives into the virtual world of OZ to stop the virus before it causes chaos in real life. The movie’s colorful digital world, wacky humor and themes of family and heroism make it a fun, uplifting watch like ‘Your Name’.
14. Wolf Children
‘Wolf Children’ is a beautiful, bittersweet movie about a young mother struggling to raise her two half-wolf, half-human children after their werewolf father dies. As the kids grow up and grapple with their dual identities, their mother must learn to let them find their own paths in life. The movie’s gentle pace, gorgeous natural scenery and moving story about parenthood and growing up will appeal to fans of ‘Your Name’s coming-of-age themes.
15. The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
Studio Ghibli’s ‘The Tale of the Princess Kaguya’ adapts a classic Japanese folktale about a tiny girl found inside a bamboo stalk. She is raised by a humble bamboo cutter and his wife, but faces pressure to become a proper noble lady when her beauty attracts suitors. With stunning watercolor visuals and a powerful message about staying true to yourself, this film is a work of art much like ‘Your Name’.
16. Penguin Highway
In ‘Penguin Highway’, an inquisitive fourth grade boy investigates the mysterious appearance of penguins in his town, with the help of a woman working at the dentist office. The movie charmingly captures the wonders and worries of being a kid, with a surreal sci-fi twist. Its mix of childlike curiosity and mind-bending concepts will delight fans of ‘Your Name’s more fantastical elements.
17. Flavors of Youth
‘Flavors of Youth’ is an anthology film with three segments linked by the theme of treasured memories and life-changing moments. From a model reminiscing about her grandmother’s comforting rice noodles to a man reuniting with his childhood love, these stories are full of nostalgia and yearning. Like ‘Your Name’, this movie uses food, places and relationships to evoke powerful emotions.
18. Lu Over the Wall
‘Lu Over the Wall’ is a quirky, colorful movie about a gloomy middle school student who befriends a fun-loving mermaid. As the two make music together and liven up their sleepy fishing town, they also have to deal with prejudice from locals who fear the merfolk. The movie’s offbeat humor, catchy soundtrack and heartfelt message of acceptance make it a joyful watch in the same vein as ‘Your Name’.
19. Napping Princess
Set in both near-future Japan and a steampunk fantasy world, ‘Napping Princess’ follows a girl who can dream herself into a magical land where she is a brave princess. In the real world, she uses information from her dreams to help save her father’s car company from a greedy corporation. With its imaginative premise, plucky heroine and themes of family legacy, this underrated film should appeal to ‘Your Name’ fans.
20. Josee, the Tiger and the Fish
Lastly, ‘Josee, the Tiger and the Fish’ is a sweet romance about a college student who becomes the caretaker for a girl in a wheelchair. As he helps Josee experience the outside world, they fall in love and inspire each other to overcome personal struggles. The movie’s intimate scale, lush seaside setting and life-affirming message make it a heartwarming choice for anyone who loved the central relationship in ‘Your Name’.
So there you have it – 20 incredible anime movies to fill the ‘Your Name’-shaped hole in your heart! Whether you’re in the mood for a supernatural romance, coming-of-age story, sci-fi adventure or moving drama, these films have something for everyone. Grab some tissues and get ready to be enchanted, inspired and deeply moved by the power of Japanese animation. Happy watching!
