Funimation Films announced that the Japanese film "Your Name" has made the official Oscar consideration list in the Best Animated Feature category. The film eyes for one of five nomination spots in its category that will be voted on for the 89th annual Academy Awards.
According to the official website of Funimation, it acquired North American distributions rights to "Your Name" earlier this year from Toho Co. Ltd. In Japan. "Your Name" ("Kimi no Na wa" in Japanese) is the current film from the critically acclaimed director Makoto Shinkai, with earnings of around $17.9 Billion Yen at the box office in Japan since opening on August 26, 2016. It's also considered as the number one highest grossing film in 2016 and first anime film to gross more than $10 Billion Yen at the Japanese box office that was not directed by Hayao Miyazaki, the world's most prominent anime director. "Your Name" has exceeded Miyazaki's last two films "Ponyo" (2008) and "The Wind Rises" (2013), and is currently ranked as the number seven highest grossing film of all time in Japan.
"We're thrilled to have 'Your Name.' on the list of contenders for a Best Animated Feature nomination," said Gen Fukunaga, CEO and founder of Funimation. "It is a masterpiece of animation from director Makoto Shinkai and is definitely worthy of Oscar consideration. We look forward to releasing it in theaters in 2017."
As for the synopsis of "Your Name", Animation Magazine said: "Your Name is a beautiful story about time, fate and the hearts of two young souls. 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. 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?"
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