Makoto Shinkai

Makoto Shinkai, born in 1973 in Koumi, in Japan’s Nagano Prefecture, is a Japanese anime director and artist. After studying literature, he worked as a graphic designer for video games. He became known for anime films including *Children Who Chase Lost Voices*, *The Garden of Words*, and *Your Name* (2016). His 1999 short film *She and Her Cat* formed the basis for his first novel, which he co-wrote with screenwriter Naruki Nagakawa. In 2018, Shinkai was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.