Here's what we found in Your Name.. Every family is different — get a report that reflects yours.
Screen for YOUR familyYour Name. (2016) is a critically acclaimed Japanese animated romantic fantasy film by Makoto Shinkai, renowned for its stunning visuals and emotional storytelling. The narrative centers on two high school students, Mitsuha Miyamizu, a girl from a rural town, and Taki Tachibana, a boy from Tokyo, who mysteriously begin to swap bodies intermittently. This body-swapping phenomenon leads to humorous situations, personal growth, and a deepening connection as they navigate each other's lives. The story evolves into a race against time to prevent a catastrophic natural disaster threatening Mitsuha's hometown, exploring themes of fate, memory, and the power of human connection. The film is generally recommended for teenage audiences (12A/PG) due to its complex plot, some suggestive content, mild language, and intense scenes related to a natural disaster.
The film prominently features gender-bending elements through its central body-swapping premise. These instances include explicit self-exploration of the swapped body, same-sex flirting, and are interpreted by various sources as having 'queer' or 'transgender allegorical' aspects, despite the director's stated intention not to focus on gender issues. While often played for comedy, some actions occur against implied consent, leading to significant parental concern.
1. When Taki (male) wakes up in Mitsuha's (female) body, he repeatedly gropes 'his' breasts, often played for comedic effect. Mitsuha explicitly leaves messages warning him not to abuse her body, highlighting the non-consensual nature of these actions. 2. Mitsuha, while inhabiting Taki's body, flirts with Taki's female co-worker, Ms. Okudera. The film includes scenes where Ms. Okudera is presented in a sexualized way (e.g., camera pans up her body), and she appears more attracted to 'Taki' when Mitsuha's personality is present.
The film is heavily steeped in Shinto mythology and spiritualism, which is central to its plot and themes. This includes ancestral worship, rituals involving a local guardian god, and the preparation/consumption of 'kuchikamizake' (sake made from chewed rice), which serves as a spiritual connection mechanism. These elements are presented as intrinsic to the characters' culture and the supernatural events.
The film contains significant intense and disturbing content, primarily revolving around the impending and actual natural disaster. Scenes depict the destruction of a town, implied mass casualties, and the characters' desperate race against time to prevent further loss. The emotional distress and suspense are central to the latter half of the movie.
Would these 3 concerns matter to your family?
Get a report based on your values — not generic ratings.
Ages 13+ is recommended due to the film's complex narrative, supernatural themes, suggestive content, mild coarse language, and intense scenes depicting a natural disaster and its aftermath. Younger children may find the story confusing and some themes upsetting.
The film's visual style is highly praised, combining realistic details with fantastical elements. 'Your Name.' is the first in director Makoto Shinkai's 'disaster trilogy,' which also includes 'Weathering with You' (2019) and 'Suzume' (2022), all sharing themes inspired by natural disasters in Japan. There are no direct narrative sequels, but a light novel, 'Your Name: Another Side – Earthbound,' explores parallel events from other characters' perspectives. A live-action Hollywood adaptation is currently in development. A specific detailed review from Common Sense Media was not located in the provided search snippets.
What are you watching next?
Screen any title in seconds — even ones no one else has reviewed.
No credit card required — join hundreds of families