Your Name could have been nominated for an Oscar, but this decision ruined everything.

It's been almost 10 years since Your Name ( Kimi no Na wa ) swept the box office around the world. However, its exclusion from the Oscars remains a topic of discussion within the world of anime and international animation. Now, new statements from the film's producer, Noritaka Kawaguchi, have rekindled the debate. These statements point directly to Funimation as being responsible for the film not being nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 2017 Academy Awards. During a talk titled “How Far Can Anime Go? CWF’s Global Adventure,” Kawaguchi offered an honest, unfiltered overview. According to him, this prevented Your Name ( Kimi no Na wa ) from receiving the recognition it deserved from the Academy. He was also joined by Aoi Ishimaru, from the International Business Department of CoMix Wave Films, and Mie Onishi, an advisor in the same area. The statements, reported by outlets such as Gigazine, not only hold Funimation responsible but also underscore the structural changes the Academy has undergone since then. ---

A success without an Oscar

Your Name premiered in 2016 and quickly became a worldwide phenomenon. The supernatural romance about two teenagers, Mitsuha and Taki, who swap bodies and dreams for a cosmic connection to a comet, thrilled audiences of all ages. In Japan, the film grossed over 25 billion yen (approximately $172 million). Its worldwide box office gross exceeded $405 million, cementing it as the most successful anime of the year. Despite its phenomenal success and widespread critical acclaim, Your Name ( Kimi no Na wa ) failed to make it onto the Oscars for Best Animated Feature. Instead, the award went to Disney's Zootopia that year, leaving many Japanese film fans puzzled. ---

The distributor under the magnifying glass

In his remarks, Kawaguchi was blunt: “ Your Name ( Kimi no Na wa ) wasn’t nominated because the distributor was Funimation. If we had entrusted the distribution rights to Sony Pictures, we could have been nominated.” Furthermore, his statement suggests a strategic error and suggests that the company responsible for bringing the film to North American audiences failed to live up to the film’s potential. Funimation, between 2016 and 2021, was one of the leading distributors of anime in the United States. It had a strong presence in the market at the time. However, the company was primarily known for its focus on dubbing and domestic releases. This was more influential than its ability to position titles to compete on the international awards circuit. While Kawaguchi didn't elaborate on specifics regarding Funimation's handling of the matter, he made it clear that "political issues" influenced the Academy's decision. Those factors could have ranged from an ineffective promotional campaign to a lack of presence and influence in the Hollywood circles that traditionally dominate the Oscars. ---

What if Sony had been behind it?

The mention of Sony is no coincidence. In recent years, Sony Pictures has increased its presence in the anime world. This occurred especially after acquiring Crunchyroll. With a more robust media presence, connections in Hollywood, and greater experience in awards campaigns, Sony has become a key player in bringing anime to new audiences and platforms. Kawaguchi himself suggests that, had Sony been behind the distribution, the outcome could have been very different. The implication is clear: Your Name ( Kimi no Na wa ) wasn't without merits to be nominated. It just didn't have the right strategy at the time. ---

An Academy in transformation

During the event, Mie Onishi also addressed how the Oscar voting system has evolved since 2017. “The number of voters has increased tenfold in the last five years,” she explained. “Before, fewer than a thousand people, mostly in small Hollywood circles, decided the winners. Now it's around 10,000.” This expansion and diversification of voters has had visible effects. In 2024, Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, even beating Pixar's Elementary. A year earlier, Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio broke Disney's hegemony, marking a new era in animated film awards. According to Onishi, "the tide has definitely turned." These words give hope that future films by Makoto Shinkai and other Japanese directors will have a better chance of competing on a level playing field. ---

A brighter future for Makoto Shinkai

Your Name ( Kimi no Na wa ) isn't unique. Shinkai's other films, such as Weathering With You and Suzume, have also received international acclaim. While they haven't achieved the coveted golden statuette, recent changes at the Academy and the growing popularity of anime in Western cinema suggest that the doors seem more open than ever. Makoto Shinkai's next project, as well as the long-awaited live-action film based on Your Name, could benefit from this new context. While past disdain can't be undone, global recognition of Japanese animated cinema continues to rise.