Makoto Shinkai takes "the next Hayao Miyazaki" tag to heart with upcoming film

by Chris MaGee

For years now people have been quoted as saying that anime director Makoto Shinkai was going to be the next Hayao Miyazaki. While I, like so many anime fans, was impressed by Shinkai's films "Voices of a Distant Star" and "5 Centimetres Per Second" I just couldn't see the comparison between him and Miyazaki. Yes Shinkai produces some jaw-droppingly beautiful set pieces for his films, but lovelorn teens separated by great distances don't bring to mind the spunky heroines of MIyazaki's films in my mind. This past week, though, a teaser trailer for Shinkai's upcoming film "Hoshi o Ou Kodomo: Children who Chase Lost Voices from Deep Below" hit the net and I could finally see the comparison making sense.

A story that centers around a female heroine who uses the crystal radio set given to her by her father to go on a magical journey, a sweeping, tuneful orchestral score, lush landscapes, and a clip of a young female character falling with a fiery gem around her next that screams "Castle in the Sky" - all this combined and Shinkai's latest looks like it's taking the Miyazaki comparisons to heart. Check out the trailer below to see what we mean.

Anime fans in Japan will get to see "Hoshi o Ou Kodomo: Children who Chase Lost Voices from Deep Below" when it opens in theatres in May of next year. Here's hoping that anime fans worldwide won't have to wait that much longer after that. Thanks to Anime News Network for this.