Back in December 2020, TV Asahi posted an interview with famous film director Makoto Shinkai, where he talked about his next film and the effects of the ongoing pandemic. He also talked about the incredible success of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, which had already become the highest grossing film of all time in Japan at that point.
He couldn’t give many details about the new film, but he started writing the script around the time the Japanese government announced the state of emergency due to the still ongoing pandemic. The situation also affected the mood of the film, though without much effect on the production. The reason was that it wasn’t yet at a stage where they needed everyone at one place, so most of it was being done from home.
According to ANN: “It’s a story where something major happens that one’s own power can’t do anything to affect. By making this film, I want a part of people to think, ‘We’ll somehow manage to get by, won’t we?'” The coronavirus is a large-scale disaster, but over the decades of our lives, we’ll experience many forms of disaster, I think. Many things in society will come to a dramatic end, or be dramatically changed, but even after that, people will continue to find a way to survive.
In a changed world, people nevertheless manage to find a bit of joy in their lives. Right now, I want to make a film that shows what happens after the apocalypse. Something will end. It is not a film where there is something that has to be held at bay. In the midst of a changed world, what kind of adventures will play out? How will people get in touch with their feelings? How will people live and overcome the shock of change? I want to make a film that depicts the things that we have to confront after the end of the world.”
It’s a story where something major happens that one’s own power can’t do anything to affect. By making this film, I want a part of people to think. ‘We’ll somehow manage to get by, won’t we?'” The coronavirus is a large-scale disaster, but over the decades of our lives, we’ll experience many forms of disaster, I think. Many things in society will come to a dramatic end, or be dramatically changed. But even after that, people will continue to find a way to survive.“
On the topic of Demon Slayer, he said: “No one could have anticipated that in the year of 2020, where people were made to avoid gathering in one place, that Japan’s box office records would get overwritten.” He also admitted that it was a bit frustrating that they weren’t able to achieve similar success, but that it has taught him “the importance of stories.”
The director commented on the film back when it overtook his “your name.” on November 24, 2020. The full tweet from back then was:
Wow, already?! lol
I feel frustrated, but at the same time, I know it’s healthiness of the entertainment (industry) that records are constantly getting updated. I’ll keep on going every day in order to make nice movies as well.
He also previously teased it with an illustration, and you can read about that here. We are still looking forward to the next film from Makoto Shinkai!
Source: TV Asahi via Anime News Network