New genre grabs attention

Makoto Shinkai's animation film Your Name, featuring two teen protagonists, will open in mainland theaters on Friday.[Photo provided to China Daily]

Makoto Shinkai's Your Name could make money in China if an earlier Japanese film is anything to go by. Xu Fan reports.

In Japan's animation world Hayao Miyazaki is a master. His classics account for around half of Japan's top 10 highest-grossing hits, but his status is now being challenged by a rising star.

Makoto Shinkai, hailed as the "new Miyazaki" by the foreign media, recently saw his latest animation feature Your Name knock two of Miyazaki's blockbusters off their slots on box-office charts.

The movie, which overtook Princess Mononoke to become the third-highest grossing domestic film in Japan of all time, will open in the Chinese mainland on Dec 2.

In addition to its popularity at home, the film has already proved its mettle beyond Japan. Latest statistics show that Your Name has broken Japanese film box-office records in Taiwan and topped Hong Kong charts in its premiere weekend.

"Personally, I don't quite like animation films, but I watched Your Name not to be seen as out of touch," says Alec Su, a well-known Taiwan-based singer-actor, during his recent Beijing tour.

Xu Zheng, the famous Chinese actor-director behind the Lost franchise, wants every frame in the film to be paused to give a zoom-in look, as the background scenery is breathtakingly beautiful.