Director Makoto Shinkai has been on an absolute roll with recent hits like "Your Name.," "Weathering With You," and "Suzume." These films haven't just dominated the Japanese box office; they've also racked up impressive numbers internationally, cementing his status as a master animator.
Today (May 28), the official release date for the previously announced live-action film adaptation of "5 Centimeters Per Second" was revealed, set to hit Japanese theaters on October 10, 2025. This news immediately sparked a frenzy online. Starring Hokuto Matsumura from the idol group SixTONES, the live-action flick even has Shinkai himself singing praises, calling Matsumura an actor he deeply trusts and their reunion a "fateful connection."
What's even wilder is that Shinkai himself reposted the live-action film's announcement on X, gushing, "It's so beautiful... I'm really looking forward to it!" But he didn't stop there. He then dropped a bombshell, revealing he's currently prepping a brand-new animated film. While details are still under wraps, fans are already losing their minds!
"My new anime film will also strive not to be outdone by this live-action movie, though the official announcement will have to wait a bit longer," Shinkai teased. This statement is being hailed as his official hint that he's back in action, sending fan excitement through the roof.
Fans were absolutely stoked by this stealthy reveal of his new project. Who knew Shinkai would drop such a massive hint in a simple retweet? One netizen summed it up perfectly: "I'll watch the live-action, but I'm even more hyped for the director's new anime!" Another chimed in, "Can't wait for the official announcement of his new work!"
Meanwhile, the live-action "5 Centimeters Per Second" news instantly blew up across Japanese social media. Many original fans initially worried that "a live-action version would ruin the original flavor," but their tune changed immediately after seeing Hokuto Matsumura's name. Comments like "I can accept this!" and "This casting is too powerful!" flooded in.
The film will be directed by Yoshiyuki Okuyama ("My Sunshine") and penned by Fumiko Suzuki ("Yukiko a.k.a."). With Hokuto Matsumura in the lead, netizens are already calling it a "golden combination" that's definitely worth the hype.
It looks like both the live-action "5 Centimeters Per Second" and Shinkai's secretly-teased new anime have fans buzzing with anticipation. Maybe we'll get an official announcement from him soon – fingers crossed!
via： Togetter