Makoto Shinkai (born Makoto Niitsu, February 9, 1973) is a Japanese animation director, screenwriter, and novelist, and a co-founder of CoMix Wave Films. His 2016 film Your Name became one of the highest-grossing Japanese films ever made, briefly surpassing Spirited Away as the top-earning anime worldwide. His work - from 5 Centimeters Per Second to Weathering with You and Suzume - is defined by photorealistic light and melancholic stories of love across distance.
In December 2025, Shinkai publicly confirmed that he is working on his eighth feature-length animated film - he has not yet disclosed details about the title or premiere date.
In November 2025, Shinkai confirmed in a message to fans that he is working on a new project together with his collaborators.
Studio CoMix Wave Films announced plans to open its own cinema CWF CINEMAS in the summer of 2026 in Shinkai's hometown of Saku in Nagano Prefecture.
In February 2025, a live-action adaptation of Shinkai's anime "5 Centimeters per Second" premiered in Taiwan, starring Hokuto Matsumura in the lead role.
In a New Year's message on the X network, Shinkai stated that he spent 2024 working on a new film and promised to announce details in 2025.
