Experience Japan's #1 film of 2016, from visionary director Makoto Shinkai.

Starring: (the English voice talents of:) Michael Sinterniklaas, Stephanie Sheh, Kyle Hebert, Cassandra Lee Morris, Ben Pronsky, Ray Chase, Laura Post, Glynis Ellis, Catie Harvey, Scott Williams, Michelle Ruff, Katy Vaughn

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"What should I do? Would I annoy him? Would it be awkward? Or maybe he'd be a bit glad to see me?" - Mitshuha, regarding a chance encounter with Taki

Why watch this? More attention needs to be paid to anime films, including this masterpiece.

Plot Summary: The story follows a high school girl in rural Japan and a high school boy in Tokyo who begin to mysteriously swap bodies. They learn about each other's lives and build a connection by leaving notes and messages. When the body-swapping suddenly stops, the boy goes on a quest to find the girl, only to discover a heartbreaking truth about their connection.

Dad's Preview: This intelligent, completely entertaining sci-fi film covers a lot, makes you think, and knows what it is: an impossible love story. It's plot is hard to explain, and that is why it works so well. The viewer is asked to fill in the blanks, based on an incomplete set of facts. It eventually gets where it's going, but is is like savoring a great slice of cheesecake one fork at a time. The part-CGI-part-traditional animation is truly eye-popping. The soundtrack is catchy in a kind of 90's vibe. However, it's the creative story that drives this spanning epic about two longing souls who somehow cosmically connect, and are forced to battle inner and outer obstacles to be together.

CoMix Wave Films; Toho