The Extraordinary and the Everyday. The Role of Landscape in Makoto Shinkai's Work

Abstract

When creating cinematic worlds, many anime creators draw inspiration from the appearance of real places. A strategy like this grounds the action in real-world locations where the audience may have been before. Makoto Shinkai's animations feature numerous shots set in authentic scenery, but they play more than just a supporting role in his films. His incredible attention to detail sets them apart, infusing familiar views with a significant dose of uniqueness. The artist imitates scenes of a city shrouded in morning mist, dusted with snow, intensely illuminated, and decorated with the reflection of a small rainbow spectrum on the flares of light. Views reproduced in such meticulous detail illustrate the inner world of young heroes struggling with loneliness and longing, revealing their feelings and attitudes. Nature, urban landscapes, and weather are constant elements in Shinkai's storytelling. The article discusses the role of landscape using the examples of films: 5 Centimeters Per Second, The Garden of Words and Your Name.