Anime,  Film

Review: Weathering with You (Tenki no Ko)

Hodaka Morishma’s life turns upside down when he meets a mysterious girl called Hina Amano. A girl that is more then meets the eye with abilities out of the ordinary.

Weathering With You (Tenki no Ko) is yet another movie from Makoto Shinkai, the writer and director of Your Name. Just like the director’s previous work, the story here is about two younglings that meet each other and form some form of relationship between them, with a supernatural twist towards it. Even though this is a genre that he has tapped into many times before, this film proves that he can still work within this subgenre without making it feel stale or repetitive.

Like other Makoto Shinkai movies, the film dwells into the subject of questions about what life truly has to offer. Hina’s abilities are similarly used in a way that Haiyo Miyazaki does with the supernatural: give the movie its own identity and give the audience a message. Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke are two prime examples of that.

But even with the message in mind, what makes or breaks a movie like this is its lead(s). I am happy to say that Hodoka and Hina are not only relatable and likable, but their relationship shines throughout the film. You will believe in their relationship from the moment they meet.

The gorgeous 2D cel animation is a marvel to behold. The wish of being able to pause and save a screenshot occurred more often then what I’m able to count. The voice acting was solid around the board. The lead actors Nana Mori and Kotarou Daigo have perfect synergy with each other, making not only the characters come alive, but also their relationship all the more believable.

Weathering with You (Tenki no Ko) is a movie that I recommend. The script and visuals complement each other like cheese on a pizza. Weathering with You is a movie that I cannot wait to get a copy of. Time will tell if it will ages as well for me as Your Name did, but I’m looking forward to know.

Latest posts by Isak Wolff (see all)

Co-host of the Amateur Otaku Podcast. A writer of many things. Loves everything nerdy from anime/manga to comics and video games. Fire Emblem is the greatest of all time.