Film from Director Makoto Shinkai Lauded by North America's Top Film Critics

FLOWER MOUND, Texas, April 7, 2017 — (PRNewswire) — The most talked about Japanese anime film in more than 15 years arrives in U.S. and Canadian theaters today as "Your Name.," the global box office sensation from director Makoto Shinkai, kicks-off its theatrical run on some 370 screens across North America. The film has been universally praised by critics ever since its sold-out, one-week Oscar qualifying run in Los Angeles, Calif. in December so much so that "Your Name." just earned a coveted Rotten Tomatoes Certified Fresh rating with positive reviews from 97% of all critics reviewing the film. Top critics have lauded the movie as "vividly realized and emotionally satisfying" (Variety), "thrillingly beautiful" (LA Times), "thoroughly charming and gently comic" (NY Times), "highly watchable" (Washington Post), "a beautiful, captivating piece of work" (RogerEbert.com), "the most beautiful anime since 'Patema Inverted'" (Village Voice) and "simply gorgeous" (San Francisco Chronicle). A complete list of theater locations is available on the official "Your Name." website.

"We're excited to showcase Makoto Shinkai's animated masterpiece 'Your Name.' with mainstream audiences across North America," said Gen Fukunaga, Founder and CEO of Funimation. "It's deeply gratifying to see a hand drawn animated film receive such positive reception – mesmerizing both critics and audiences alike. It is a truly special film that you will not want to miss."

The touching story and beautifully hand-drawn animation of "Your Name." has captivated mainstream audiences both around the world and in Japan, where it surpassed Hayao Miyazaki's legendary works "Princess Mononoke," "Howl's Moving Castle" and "Ponyo" to become the second highest-grossing Japanese animated film ever released there.

"Fans have been clamoring to see 'Your Name.' since its qualifying run in LA last December and we're thrilled to be bringing it to so many locations across the U.S. and Canada," said Mike DuBoise, EVP and COO of Funimation Entertainment. "'Your Name.' transcends the anime genre and will resonate with all mainstream audiences of all ages."

Film Synopsis
The day the stars fell, two lives changed forever. High schoolers Mitsuha and Taki are complete strangers living separate lives. But one night, they suddenly switch places. Mitsuha wakes up in Taki's body, and he in hers. This bizarre occurrence continues to happen randomly, and the two must adjust their lives around each other. Yet, somehow, it works. They build a connection and communicate by leaving notes, messages, and more importantly, an imprint.

When a dazzling comet lights up the night's sky, it dawns on them. They want something more from this connection—a chance to meet, an opportunity to truly know each other. Tugging at the string of fate, they try to find a way to each other. But distance isn't the only thing keeping them apart. Is their bond strong enough to face the cruel irony of time? Or is their meeting nothing more than a wish upon the stars?

For more information about "Your Name." visit the official movie website  here.

Like Funimation on Facebook at  facebook.com/funimation and follow on Twitter at  twitter.com/funimation and on Instagram at  instagram.com/funimation.

About Funimation Films
Funimation Films, the theatrical division of Funimation Entertainment, acquires both anime and live action movies from prominent international filmmakers that appeal to the interests and passion of all types of fans and distributes them throughout North America. The division was launched in December 2014 following the box office success of "Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods" earlier that year. Its debut release, "Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F'," was an instant blockbuster and became the #9 highest-grossing anime movie of all time in North America. Funimation Films has gone on to release numerous movies including most recently "Shin Godzilla." Funimation Entertainment is a subsidiary of Group 1200 Media, a fully integrated, next-generation, independent entertainment studio based in Dallas. For more information on Funimation Films, visit funimationfilms.com.

 

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/animated-masterpiece-your-name-opens-to-rave-reviews-across-us-and-canada-300436648.html

SOURCE Funimation Films

Contact:

Funimation Films Scott Barretto, Funimation Films Email Contact Alex Munson, Rogers & Cowan for Funimation Films Email Contact Web: http://www.funimationfilms.com