I’ve seen it all before, almost as if in a dream.

But now, I’ll have read the novels . . . and had some time to think.

In 2018, I embarked on a light comparative study over all of the works of Makoto Shinkai completed at the time. It’s a rough-around-the-edges, informal glance at his major and short films through the lenses of love, loneliness, and distance. I would take the time to edit and revise it, but part of me enjoys having a time capsule of my thoughts from back then. I could go in and update the image files and broken links, perhaps. Though, why tamper with old writing when I could revisit Shinkai’s art through a fresh, new adult perspective—one that has since then personally experienced greater joys, denser sorrows, and heavier heartbreaks?

It won’t necessarily be easy, but with Weathering With You rapidly approaching its 5th anniversary and Suzume having surpassed its 1st anniversary last fall (and international release date just this past April) I am more than due for comprehensive rewatch, fresh emotional scars or not.

The skies these days are growing more blue and more thunderous. So this year, this spring 2024, I want to catch Shinkai at the twilight of the season where I find his style resonates with me most. It’s a period as fleeting as the yozakura itself, yet I want to take on this challenge of revisiting his entire filmography before the night ends—and the rainy season begins.

Not only that, but I’ve managed to prepare by reading Makoto Shinkai’s original novelizations of various titles that are available in the States courtesy of Yen Press. Ok technically, once I’ve swept through the rest of The Garden of Words, THEN will I have completed this preliminary step. Still, I think this added insight will alter the way I experience the movies and do so in a mostly positive way. I already know of several animated scenes and characters that, to me, benefit from Shinkai’s novel counterparts. It will be exciting to decide how I might want to incorporate these literary perspectives.

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“We might meet again, then. Just maybe. If it rains.”

– Yukino (The Garden of Words)

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As I’m typing this closing paragraph, the rain is already tapping on my window, urging me to start this project before it stops. As with anything I do for the blog, expect me to be liberal with the time frame. I’m anticipating this will be a breezier post than the last one, nothing too crazy. Though again, I’d like to release these thoughts before we’re all choked by the summer heat. I hope I’ll be able to deliver on that! Until then, stay cool!

– Takuto