One of the most anticipated awards in Oscar 2017 is the Best Animated Feature category, which has set its record-breaking number of animated nominations. "Your Name" or the English translation for the movie "Kimi No Na Wa" has been considered in the Oscar race in February 2017.
The highly-anticipated 89th Academy Awards is three months to go, but everyone is excited about who will receive the highest honor in filmmaking. "Kimi No Na Wa" also known as "Your Name" has been receiving positive reviews and is now an official contender for the Best Animated Feature category at Oscar 2017.
"Kimi No Na Wa" or "Your Name" is a 2016 Japanese animated film written and directed by Makoto Shinkai and was first distributed last August 26, 2016 by Toho in Japan. The animated movie has earned to date 17.9 billion yen or a whopping $170 million U.S. on its first day of release. It is considered as a Box office hit under animated film category, which set a record as the first anime film for gross more than 10 billion yen or 96 million U.S. dollars. The anime film will be competing for Oscar 2017 along with the other 26 animated films that are also considered for the Best Animated Feature category, Forbes reported.
According to Funimation Films, the one who acquired the North American distribution for the film "Kimi No Na Wa" or "Your Name," said that the anime movie is worthy to receive the award at Oscar 2017. Mike DuBoise, EVP and COO of Funimation said that "the stunning animation, rich characters and a storyline" of the film offers a distinct pain and will tear the heart of those who will watch it.
"Your Name" or the Japanese translation "Kimi No Na Wa" is a story of two young souls who met and changed their lives forever after a comet hit a small town in Japan. It's about the two high school students, Mitsuha and Taki, complete strangers, who experienced switching places and switching bodies. The nomination of the film for Oscar 2017 has paved way for the other Japanese animated movies to be recognized, aside from "Spirited Away," which won the Best Animated Feature in 2003.
Alongside "Kimi No Na Wa" or "Your Name" at Oscar 2017, other animated films such as "Angry Birds," "Finding Dory," "Sausage Party," and "Zootopia," were also nominated in Best Animated Feature category. There are more than 20 animated films entries in total that will compete for the Oscar Race. "Kimi No Na Wa" will be available in theaters across the U.S and Canada nationwide in early 2017 distributed by Funimation Films.
