Anime movies are a force of nature all on their own. American fans are familiar with the anime movie giants that have made waves in the states and worldwide like Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away by Studio Ghibli. For a while, it seemed that Studio Ghibli films were the only films to be able to successfully crossover and gain industry respect, however, another film started changing the tide.
Mirai hit the scene in 2018 and completely captivated audiences in the United States as well as worldwide. Now fans who missed the theatrical release can enjoy the movie as it was recently added to Netflix both dub and sub.
10 It's By The Director of Wolf Children and The Boy and the Beast
The director of Mirai is no stranger to anime films. Mamoru Hosada started directing movies in 2000 with his first film, Digimon: The Movie. He went on to direct The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and Summer Wars with Studio Madhouse, among others.
In 2011, Mamoru Hosada created his own animation studio, Studio Chizu. The name Chizu means "map" in Japanse and according to producer Yuichiro Saito, Hosada wants movies under the studio to "draw a new map on uncharted land." Under Studio Chizo, Hosada has created Wolf Children, The Boy and the Beast, and now Mirai.
9 It's Based on Mamoru Hosada's Family
Mirai tells the story of a little boy named Kun who was an only child until his parents had his little sister, Mirai. Once Mirai joins the family, the entire dynamic changes and Kun feels jealous and left out. Something mysterious happens and his little sister Mirai appears from the future. Together, they go on an adventure of a lifetime.
Director Mamoru Hosada says the idea for the movie was based on his son and how he reacted when little sister was born. Hosada also stated that he brought his children into the studio and had the animators take notes on their looks and feel.
8 It's The First Non-Ghibli Movie Nominated for an Academy Award
While anime is becoming increasingly popular in the United States, it is rare that anime films are held in the same regard as other films. In the history of the Academy Awards, only 6 anime films have been nominated for an Oscar. Out of those 6, 5 have been Studio Ghibli films. Mirai is the only non-Studio Ghibli anime movie to be nominated.
Although the year Mirai was nominated, the Oscar went to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse, being nominated was a big honor. Mirai also went on to receive a Golden Globe nomination.
7 It's The First Anime Film to Premiere at Cannes
The Cannes Film Festival that takes place in France every year is one of the most famous film festivals. Cannes Film Festival is prestigious because it is invitation-only. Many notable movies have premiered at Cannes and some have gone on to win the top award, Palme d'Or. Last year, Parasite won took home the Golden Palm.
Mamoru Hosada was the first Japanese director to receive a world premiere at Cannes as well as being the first Japanese animation.
6 It Takes Place in Yokohama
Anime has a special way of making its viewers feel as if they live in the world on screen. Whether it's a fictitious world based in the future or a high school set in Tokyo, animators do an amazing job of creating scenes that come to life. When it comes to the animation in Mirai, it goes beyond that and for good reason.
For Mirai, Hosada decided to set the story in Yokahama, a city in the Kanagawa Prefecture. Hosada states that he chose this city because it's "a city that is constantly changing" and Miria is a story of a family that "can change but always remain itself."
5 It's Set is Designed By Architect Makoto Tanijiri
Hosada films are known for their beautiful imagery, especially their changing sceneries. Summer Wars and Digimon: Our War Game takes place partially in a digital world and Wolf Children has a lot of nature scenes in the mountains. For Mirai however, the direction was a bit different.
Unlike his other movies, Mirai takes place primarily in the Kun's house. Kun's father is an architect and as a result, Hosada wanted an architect to design the home. He enlisted the help of a renowned architect, Makoto Tanijiri, the co-president of the architecture firm Suppose Design Office. This was the first anime project for Tanijiri.
4 It Has The Voice Actress From Wolf Children and The Boy and the Beast
Often times when a voice actor works with a studio, they develop a relationship and will continue working on future projects together. This is the case with voice actress Haru Kuroki, who voices Mirai.
Haru Kuroki only has a few anime voice acting credits and they are all Hosada films. She was Yuki in Wolf Children and Ichirōhiko in The Beast and the Boy. However, Kuroki is an established live-action movie and television actress, known for her roles in The Great Passage and The Little House.
3 The English Dub stars John Cho
When hit movies like Mirai are planned to be released in the United States, there is always a big buzz on what American actors will be cast in the films. Big tittle anime films like Princess Mononoke and Howl's Moving Castle spare no expense booking big names like Christian Bale, Minnie Driver, and Jada Pinkett Smith. Mirai has done the same.
John Cho, known for Star Trek and Harold & Kumar was cast in the role of Kun's father. Cho has also lent his voice to another big anime film, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya. John Cho was also announced to play Spike Spiegel in the live-action adaptation of Cowboy Bebop.
2 Features Returning Musical Collaborations
There's no arguing: music makes the movie. A movie's soundtrack can make a memorable impact on viewers who will be always be transported to the feelings they experienced when watching the film.
For Mirai, Mamoru Hosada enlisted the help of composer Masakatsu Takagi, who he also worked with on Wolf Children and The Boy and the Beast. He also collaborated with musician Tatsuro Yamashita for the songs "Mirai no Theme" and "Music Train." They had previously worked together on Summer Wars.
1 It Became A Novel
It is not uncommon for anime movies that are well-received to be adapted into books or mangas. For fans who want a little bit more or maybe a different way to consume Mirai, there is good news. The film was adapted into a novel of the same name by Mamoru Hosada.
The novel, which is available for purchase now, debuted in 2018 and is 192 pages long. While there are no new scenes or changes to the movie in book form, it's a great addition to any library or Hosada collection.