Film Review #121: WEATHERING WITH YOU

The Weather Can Go Crazy: Dissecting Young Love in 天気の子 (Weathering With You)

In the bustling heart of Tokyo, teenage runaway Hodaka navigated the urban labyrinth, yearning to establish his place and start anew. He sought refuge at "K and A Planning," an occult magazine company led by Keisuke and Natsumi Suga. In exchange for meager pay, Hodaka eagerly undertook the mission of pursuing urban legends within the vibrant metropolis. Through this investigative work, he comes to meet Hina, an 18-year-old girl harbouring magical powers that enable her to shape the weather. Their chance encounter sends the pair off on a journey through the concrete jungle which sees them navigate love and sacrifice as the weather mirrors their actions. Beyond the film's stunning visuals (Tokyo is flawlessly recreated through 2D and 3D animation), the story itself delves into Japanese mythology and tradition. From Shinto shrines to old wives’ tales surrounding weather deities, Weathering With You (2019) elevates its modern appearance and themes with exquisite depictions of culture and folklore.

Hodaka and Hina find solace in their companionship, but their relationship is repeatedly tested by various challenges that come their way. One significant obstacle they face is the unyielding authority of the Japanese legal system. Being only 16 years old, Hodaka is under the legal age requirement of 18 in Japan, which significantly limits his ability to navigate the city. Consequently, he struggles to secure stable, legal employment and is forced to move from one temporary shelter to another. His recklessness and naïveté lead him to pocket a firearm found in a trash bin – a misguided attempt at self-protection that reveals his poor judgment and lack of support during this troubled time. In Japan, owning firearms is categorically prohibited. If you discharge a gun, even in an act of desperation, like Hodaka did, you can face severe legal consequences and encounter significant trouble with the police.

Hina, on the other hand, faces custody issues over her little brother, as she is not of age to become his legal guardian. The siblings' mother's untimely passing due to illness has left Hina shouldering the responsibility of being her brother's sole caretaker.

In a daring act of youthful rebellion, Hodaka and Hina decided to run away together. Hodaka is being hunted as a wanted fugitive for possessing a firearm, while Hina is determined to protect her brother from being taken away by child protective services. This desperate flight symbolizes their defiance against the legal system that has failed to provide for them when they are most vulnerable, prompting them to take matters into their own hands.

While on the run with Hina, Hodaka offered a silent prayer at night, “Dear God, if you exist, please don’t take anything more, and give anything more,” Hina's existence was all that he held dear, but upon waking up the next morning, Hodaka discovers that she had disappeared.

Hina's situation has taken a turn for the worse, as she now finds herself pursued not only by the National Police Agency but also by even more formidable forces. Bearing the mantle of being a “Weather Maiden”, her body would gradually dissipate and eventually vanish - a sacrifice that would cease the relentless rain and allow Tokyo to bask in the warmth of the sun’s glorious rays again.

Hodaka and Hina’s desire to remain together is further challenged by this supernatural phenomenon, rendering the odds of their reunion increasingly insurmountable. Fate had snatched Hina away from Hodaka’s hands, but Hodaka was not ready to bend to fate’s will. Set against the backdrop of Japanese rock band Radwimp’s “Grand Escape”, the film’s heart-racing climax sees Hodaka fearlessly plummetting through the sky to rescue Hina, defying the forces of fate and the elements.

Critics have cited this scene as an exemplary instance of "climate change denialism" because Hodaka prioritized reuniting with Hina over addressing the catastrophic weather conditions. From my point of view, scrutinising the film's ethics and rational decision-making is not necessary because the protagonists are merely teenagers driven by intense emotions. Hodaka's decision to reject Hina's sacrifice and let Tokyo's monsoon continue may be seen as selfish, but he was determined to brave the ensuing heavy rains and potential repercussions to save the girl he dearly loved. He had squared up against the unyielding laws governing the city, and the divine laws of nature governing the sky. This brings to light the paramount conclusion that young, teenage love truly knows no bounds.

In the intricate workings of the human mind, the simplest and most enigmatic processes unfold. The sight of the sun piercing through the clouds, accompanied by the gentle caress of its warm rays on our skin, evokes an innate sense of joy and hope within us. Scampering through the nooks and crannies of a city that never sees the sun, Hodaka and Hina are nonetheless able to remain hopeful and energised through their deep and overpowering love for one another. Every possible impediment and deterrent has been thrown their way including the legal system, supernatural occurrences, and incessant rain. Yet, their love remains steadfast and persistent, refusing to succumb to adversity.

In a realm bereft of prospects and sunshine, the vibrant flame of teenage love remained unyielding. Despite the failures of the legal system and the wrath of the weather gods, young Hodaka and Hina clung to each other. As they free-fell through the clouds, Hodaka's defiant embrace of Hina echoed his bold declaration: "I want you more than any blue sky!”

Weathering With You (2019) triumphantly proclaims the beauty of vigorous and youthful juvenile love. As we grow and mature, the ways in which we fall in love with someone change. Our thoughts become more grounded, and our decision-making ever more practical. But one can only reminisce the times during their youth when we could fall head over heels for someone with no care or concern for the world; when our attachment to someone could ebb and flow as capriciously as the weather; and when our hearts race for the person we thought we could truly weather a storm with. 

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This review is published as part of *SCAPE’s Film Critics Lab: A Writing Mentorship Programme, with support from Singapore Film Society.

About the Author: A devoted cinephile since young, Terry’s love for cinema stretches beyond the silver screen. Apart from obsessing over his favourite films and rewatching La La Land for the 50th time, his other interests include mixed martial arts, learning new languages, and reading manga.