Makoto Shinkai Says He Would Remove Boobs Groping Scene from Your Name
An interview that Makoto Shinkai gave to the website Spa! in 2022 has for some reason gone viral again in Japan and later spread to social media. In this interview, Makoto Shinkai reveals that he would remove the scene where Taki, while in Mitsuha’s body, touches her breasts.
Makoto Shinkai Explains Why He Would Change the Boobs Groping Scene from Your Name
According to the director:
“The scene in Your Name where Taki squeezes Mitsuha’s boobs every time he wakes up in her body — I would cut it today. At the time, the justification was that it was a dream and, in a way, his own body, so there was no problem. But I believe today’s audience wouldn’t accept it anymore.”
He added:
“That’s why I even feel a bit anxious when Your Name airs again on TV, like on Friday Road Show (laughs). In just six years, the line between what’s acceptable and what’s not has completely changed.”
Makoto Shinkai also mentioned that one year after Your Name was released, the #MeToo movement began, completely transforming people’s attitudes and sensitivity.
As I mentioned, this is a 2022 interview, and I’m not sure exactly why it resurfaced, but here are some of the Japanese reactions:
Even back then, it already felt like “something out of a late-night anime.”
If they really switched bodies, it would be more natural for someone to want to touch the penis that disappeared.
Shinkai back then didn’t even make the movie expecting that many people to watch it.
Love scenes in movies are fine, but not in anime?
What about the scene of the girl playing basketball without a bra, with her breasts bouncing?
There must be feminists all around him. Poor guy.
These days, even non-otaku people watch anime.
I heard that scene was meant to make men go “whoa!” and make women laugh.
If a high school boy turned into a girl, of course he’d do that — so it’s not a “noise.”
Maybe he lost his sexual desire after getting famous.
If there’s no scene of touching breasts, what’s even the point of a body-swap story between a man and a woman?