‘Weathering With You’ is Japan’s official entry to the Oscars

The Oscar’s 20-year anime drought is about to end. Last week, the Japan Motion Picture Producers Association (Eiren) selected Makoto Shinkai’s “Weathering With You” as Japan’s official entry for the upcoming Oscars.

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“Weathering With You” will follow the steps of Hayao Miyazaki’s “Princess Mononoke.” Back in 1998, it served as Japan’s first animated entry for the Oscar’s International Feature Film Awards. Sadly, it didn’t win in its category that year. The legendary animation studio eventually won Best Animated Feature Film for “Spirited Away” back in 2003.

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This is Shinkai’s follow-up to his successful sixth feature-length “Your Name.” So far, “Weathering With You” maintains a 100 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes since its release. Forbes describes its animation as incredible, praising its ability to bring “Tokyo to life in a uniquely palpable way.”

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Anime has come so far as a craft, and so did Shinkai’s works. Paired with his mastery of coming-of-age and slice-of-life tales, his films’ intricate landscapes continue to push the medium forward.

Japan knows “Weathering With You” is Oscar-worthy. And as low-key weabs, we’re hoping it can get the recognition it deserves.

Still from Weathering With You