From when I first heard about Your Name, I wanted to watch it. Then three months ago I finally bought the DVD and watched Your Name. And of course, I loved it. This has so many qualities that make it almost a perfect masterpiece, sadly the writing isn't that strong. Switch bodies and ask a single question, this is my review of Your Name.
Story: 8/10 [Spoilers!]
Mitsuha wished she lived in the city and Taki wished he lived on the countryside. They switch from bodies with eachother and so their crazy adventure begins. The biggest flaw of Your Name, which is pointed more out then the characters in SAO, are the plotholes. On the halfway it is revealed that they not only switched from bodies, but also travelled through time. It is a excellent plottwist, but when you actually think about it it falls apart. How did they not know that they travelled through time? Couldn't they just look at the date on their Phone? Also, Your Name just doesn't explain things enough, from why they switch bodies to how got suddenly amnesia. The only things that closely resemble a explination is some symbolism and trippy imaginary. Great story, hurt by the plotholes.
Art: 10/10
I just can't deny it: The art is breathtaking. The animations, the light, composition, visual variety, it is all fucking amazing. This is the most beautiful anime I have ever seen… ever!
Sound: 9/10
The OST and the sound design are also fantastic. While the OST is not my cup of tea, I can't deny how quality it is. Such emotional music just gets your heart pumping.
Character: 7/10
The characters are the most underwhelming part of this movie. I could watch Your Name over and over again and I still couldn't tell you what the personalities of Mitsuha and Take were. They are pretty flat and is the only thing that felt not on par with the quality of Your Name. Are they terrible in any way? No, not even close. They do their job and are still enjoyable characters, but man are they underwhelming.
Enjoyment: 9/10
There are only a few anime I was on the edge of crying: Angel Beats, Made In Abyss… and Your Name. It is incredibly impactful and touches your soul in the deepest parts without being shocking like in Angel Beats or Made In Abyss. I loved it. Only if the comedy was a little better and a few scenes were scrapped because they were boring, then I would've give my experience a 10.
Overall: 9/10
Just watch it. The praise it is getting from all around the world is not for nothing. Doesn't matter what kind of anime fan you are or even if are a fan of anime, you should watch this anime. It is something amazing, it is something entertaining, it is something that touches your soul.
It is something special.
