Your Name Screenplay.Fdx
君の名は
"Fan-made Screenplay"
Original Story and Film by
Makoto Shinkai
Rewritten in English by
Jake Gao
gaojake.com [email protected] ii.
I want to make it clear that I wrote this with my own time, and without permission from the original filmmakers and producers.
As a screenwriting major in Los Angeles, I really wanted to read the screenplay to my favorite movie, Your Name, but I couldn't a copy of it anywhere (Japanese or English).
So I came up with the bright idea to write my own!
This project was super fun for me as I was able to really study the movie and its details. It also serves as fun writing practice, a way to force myself to write everyday, and something to serve up as a sample of my writing style.
I hope that you all enjoy the read, and please feel free to critique me and point out any mistakes-- format, spelling, or grammatical-- as it'll help me improve my future projects!
Thank you so much and keep dreaming!
-Jake. Original story by Makoto Shinkai 1.
EXT. ITOMORI - SKY - NIGHT
We are so high sky that sunlight still peaks over the horizon, bouncing off the tops of clouds.
Meteorites glow red as they fall towards Earth. Many fragments disintegrate in the atmosphere, but the largest piece dives into the clouds.
The sound of wind whistles as the camera tracks the falling comet.
The comet bursts through the cloud cover, revealing a darkened prefecture surrounding a large lake.
We watch as the comet descends onto Itomori.
CUT TO BLACK.
OVER BLACK.
ALL DIALOGUE IS SPOKEN IN JAPANESE.
MITSUHA (V.O.) Every now and then, when I wake up...
CUT TO:
EXT/INT. TOKYO - DAY
A wide, areal view of congested apartments, skyscrapers, and subways.
MITSUHA (V.O.) I find myself crying.
INT. TAKI’S ROOM - CONTINUOUS
A neat, minimalist bedroom with schoolbooks and a desk. TAKI TACHIBANA (22), quick tempered but good hearted, sits up from his bed. He stares at his empty palm.
TAKI (V.O.) I can never recall the dream I just had, but...
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 2.
INT. MITSUHA'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS
A girl’s bedroom, small and compact. MITSUHA MIYAMIZU (25), a modest and soft-spoken, with long black hair, sits on the edge of her bed, staring at her empty palm.
MITSUHA (V.O.) But... the sensation that I’ve lost something... lingers for a long time.
Mitsuha ties her hair with braided cord.
EXT. TOKYO - LATER
Tracking Mitsuha’s feet as she walks along a busy sidewalk. People, subways, and cars move back and forth creating an organized mess in this concrete jungle.
INT. SUBWAY - MOMENTS LATER
Taki looks out the window at the cityscape flying past.
TAKI (V.O.) I’m always searching for something... for someone.
INT. SUBWAY - SAME TIME
Mitsuha looks out the window at the same view, her hand pressed on the glass.
MITSUHA (V.O.) This feeling possesses me, I think, from that day...
EXT. TOKYO - NIGHT - FLASHBACK
The comet flies high, its teal and pink tail illuminates the night sky. Taki (14) gazes from his balcony.
TAKI (V.O.) That day when the stars fell. It was almost as if...
EXT. ITOMORI - NIGHT - FLASHBACK
Mitsuha (17) gazes at the falling comet in an open field. The expansive sky stretches over her.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 3.
MITSUHA (V.O.) ...as if it were a scene from a dream. Nothing more, nothing less--
TAKI (V.O.) MITSUHA (V.O.) --than a beautiful view. --than a beautiful view. SUPER: Your Name
MUSIC CUE: “Dream Lantern” by RADWIMPS.
CUT TO BLACK.
OVER BLACK.
Titles stay on the screen for a moment longer.
Beat.
MONTAGE WITH OPENING CREDITS.
...Taki and Mitsuha find each other in a crowd of faceless people.
...Taki (14) and Mitsuha (17) stand back to back under a crescent moon. Suddenly-- still in the same position-- the two change. Taki, now 17, in his school uniform, stands taller than Mitsuha, still 17, who has short hair. Mitsuha’s braided cord floats around them. The two walk away from each other, causing the ribbon to disappear.
...Taki with Mitsuha’s braided cord around his wrist, sprints through the faceless crowd.
..Timelapse of Tokyo and Taki walking home from school.
QUICK CUTS.
--Mitsuha sulks in the corner of her family shrine. She looks at her palm sadly.
--Mitsuha, wearing a shrine maiden uniform, performs a ritual dance on a wooden platform.
--The comet shines brightly in the night sky.
--Tokyo cityscape.
--Itomori landscape.
--Taki and Mitsuha face away from each other, looking at the sky.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 4.
...Taki and Mitsuha back to back again, but this time we seem them slowly grow older. Taki starts at 14 and ends at 22. Mitsuha starts at 17 and ends at 25. Their smiles fade as they grow older.
..Taki (17) stands on his Tokyo balcony. He stares past the horizon. The camera takes his POV and zooms across Japan to see Mitsuha (17), looking out the window of her room in Itomori.
...Taki and Mitsuha both stretch their hands out towards a large cloud in their respective cities. A moment passes and the two pull their hands back, smiling. They walk in opposite directions.
END MONTAGE.
END MUSIC CUE.
CUT TO BLACK.
OVER BLACK.
A cellphone alarm rings.
FADE IN:
INT. MITSUHA’S HOUSE - BEDROOM - DAY
Warm sunlight shines through the windows. A futon mattress lays on the floor.
There are many different timelines to this story, however the main one will be when Taki and Mitsuha are both 17.
The alarm continues to ring as Mitsuha (17) sleeps on the mattress.
MITSUHA (V.O.) Taki... Taki... Don’t you remember me?
CUT TO:
INT. SUBWAY - DAY - DREAMLIKE
Mitsuha caught in a mass of people leaving the car, tosses a braided cord, her handmade braided cord used to tie her hair, towards Taki, still in the car.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 5.
MITSUHA My name is... Mitsuha!
CUT BACK TO:
BEDROOM
Mitsuha (Taki) jolts up, panting. She takes a look around the room, confused. A neatly organized, Japanese-style room with sliding doors.
She looks down at her breasts, and slowly gropes them.
Taki is in Mitsuha’s body.
Mitsuha, completely captivated by the feeling, doesn’t notice when the bedroom door slides open.
YOTSUHA MIYAMIZU (9), a sassy young girl with pigtails, stands awkwardly watching Mitsuha-- her older sister-- touch her breasts.
YOTSUHA Mitsuha, what are you doing?
MITSUHA (to herself) They feel so real.
Beat.
Mitsuha turns towards Yotsuha, startled.
MITSUHA (CONT'D) (points to herself.) What? Mitsuha?
YOTSUHA Are you half-asleep? Breakfast! Hurry up! Yotsuha slams the door.
Mitsuha trudges towards the full-body mirror and takes her pajamas off.
Beat.
Mitsuha sees her naked body.
MITSUHA Huh?
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 6.
Mitsuha sees her naked body.
MITSUHA (CONT'D) Huh?!?!
DINING ROOM - THE NEXT DAY
A traditional Japanese home. Open large doors that allow sunlight to shine through, and a low dining table with no chairs.
HITOHA MIYAMIZU (82), a wise and spiritual grandmother, kneels at the dining table in a YUKATA (a casual summer kimono). Yotsuha brings a few bowls of soup to the table.
YOTSUHA Grandma, do you want last night's leftovers?
HITOHA No thank you, you can have them.
Mitsuha jogs in, dressed in her school uniform.
YOTSUHA Mitsuha, you’re late!
MITSUHA I’ll make breakfast tomorrow.
Mitsuha serves herself some rice, familiar with the space and humming to herself. Hitoha and Yotsuha watch her intently.
Mitsuha piles rice into her bowl.
MITSUHA (CONT'D) (mumbles to herself) Is this too much? Oh well. HITOHA You’re normal today.
YOTSUHA (giggles) Yea, you were crazy yesterday.
MITSUHA What are you talking about?
A bell chimes through a radio in the house and a woman’s voice comes through.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 7.
The voice rings through the entire town and we see tall speakers posted all over Itomori, carrying the same signal. This is how the Town Hall communicates with the locals.
ANNOUNCER WOMAN (V.O.) Good morning, everyone.
The announcer pauses between phrases to let the echo dissipate.
ANNOUNCER WOMAN (V.O.) This is an announcement from Itomori Town Hall... regarding the mayoral election... to be held on the 20th next month, the election committee--
Hitoha unplugs the radio from the wall, angry.
Mitsuha turns on the TV to a news channel. A female anchor speaks with a picture of the COMET beside her.
A bar of text below her reads, “Comet Tiamat to pass by in a month: Visible to the naked eye”.
NEWS ANCHOR (V.O.) A comet with an orbital period of 1200 years will pass by in a month. The comet will be visible to the naked eye for several days...
The anchor’s voice fades to the background as Yotsuha speaks to Hitoha.
YOTSUHA Just make it up with him- -
MITSUHA - -It’s an adult matter.
The anchor’s voice comes back in.
CU of the TV showing a diagram of the comet’s trajectory.
A text bar at the bottom reads, “Position of Comet Tiamat”.
NEWS ANCHOR (V.O.) ...JAXA is preparing to observe the celestial show of the century.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 8.
MITSUHA'S BEDROOM
Mitsuha opens a small cosmetic drawer, revealing a few hair ties. A long BRAIDED CORD, majority red with a little orange and blue design in the center.
This is the same cord that she gave Taki on the subway.
We watch as she braids her hair into two pigtails then intricately ties it with the braided cord, forming a perfect bow.
EXT. MITSUHA'S HOUSE - DAY
Their large, two-story home is tucked in the mountain, surrounded by trees.
MITSUHA (O.C.) YOTSUHA (O.C.) We’re going now! We’re going now! Mitsuha and Yotsuha walk down a concrete road.
EXT. ITOMORI - DAY
Beautiful and rural, Itomori is built around an enormous lake and is surrounded by mountains.
Mitsuha and Yotsuha wave goodbye as their schools are down different paths.
Mitsuha walks alone down the cliffside when the ringing of a bike bell grabs her attention.
Mitsuha’s only two friends, SAYAKA NATORI (17), a small, cheerful girl in braided pigtails, and KATSUHIKO (TESSIE) TESHIGAWARA (17), a kindhearted and driven boy, ride together on a bike.
Sayaka sits behind Tessie as he does all the work.
SAYAKA (cheerful) Mitsuha!
MITSUHA Morning, Sayaka, Tessie.
SAYAKA Good morning- -
TESSIE - -Get off.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 9.
SAYAKA Meanie. Why?
TESSIE You’re too heavy.
SAYAKA That’s rude.
Mitsuha smiles and continues down the road.
MITSUHA You two get along so well.
TESSIE SAYAKA We do not! We do not! Sayaka gets off the bike and walks with Mitsuha. Tessie rides his bike slowly beside them.
SAYAKA (CONT'D) Your hair looks all right today.
MITSUHA What?
TESSIE Yea, did you grandma exorcise you?
MITSUHA Exorcise?
TESSIE You were totally possessed!
SAYAKA Cut out the occult stuff. Mitsuha is just stressed. Right?
MITSUHA Huh? What are you talking about? TESSIE You don’t remember?
KADOIRI - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
They cross a stone bridge with stream running beneath it. Beautiful nature surrounds them on their walk to school.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 10.
KADOIRI
Across the bridge, a few locals gather around a parking lot listening to TOSHIKI MIYAMIZU (54), the strong, commanding mayor of Itomori, and also Mitsuha’s father.
Toshiki speaks through a microphone while standing on some boxes.
TOSHIKI ...and above all, restoring the town’s fiscal health to continue its revitalization project! Only when these are achieved, can a safe and secure community be created!
Mitsuha and her friends stroll behind the crowd. Toshiki stands tall with his fellow politicians beside him.
TOSHIKI (CONT'D) As the incumbent mayor...
A local man near the back mutters to his wife.
LOCAL MAN He’ll just be reelected again anyway.
WIFE Between you and me, he’s really been spreading money around.
Mitsuha, Sayaka, and Tessie run into a few other classmates. KAZUYA (17), handsome and tall with a relaxed attitude, NAOMI (17), the popular girl at school who looks down on Mitsuha, and MAMI (17), who tags along with Kazuya for the clout.
KAZUYA Hey, Miyamizu
MITSUHA Morning.
KAZUYA (referring to Mitsuha and Tessie) So the mayor’s kid and his contractor’s kid get along, too.
The two girls beside him giggle.
Mitsuha, Tessie, and Sayaka ignore them and continue walking, heads down.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 11.
Toshiki notices Mitsuha walking by. He puts his microphone down.
TOSHIKI Mitsuha!
Mitsuha freezes. Embarrassed.
TOSHIKI (CONT'D) Stand up straight!
Flustered, Mitsuha fixes her postures and continues without a word.
All the locals stare at her. OLD WOMAN He’s strict with his family.
LOCAL WORKER I’m impressed.
MAMI So embarrassing.
NAOMI Sucks to be her.
Mitsuha quickens her pace.
SAYAKA Mitsuha...
MITSUHA (mutters) In front of everybody...
INT. CLASSROOM - LATER
Everyone sits in their individual seats. The teacher, Yukari Yukino (27), passionate and friendly, writes on the chalkboard.
Mitsuha flips through her notebook and finds a message written in black pen.
“WHO ARE YOU?”
Mitsuha stares confused.
Yukino finishes writing a word on the chalkboard.
“TASOKARE” (Twilight).
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 12.
YUKINO “Tasokare” means “Who is that” and is the origin of the word “tasogare- doki”. Twilight, when it’s neither day nor night. When the world blurs and one might encounter something not human.
She turns back towards the chalkboard and writes another word down.
YUKINO (CONT'D) Older expressions include “karetaso- doki”. “Karetaso/Kawatare = Who is that?” And “kawatare-doki”. STUDENT Question! Not “kataware-doki?”
YUKINO Kataware-doki? I think that’s a local dialect. I’ve heard that Itomori’s elderly still use classical language.
STUDENT We’re in the boonies, after all.
The kids laugh.
Mitsuha, not paying attention, flips through the rest of her notebook, checking for other messages. She returns to original page.
“WHO ARE YOU?”
YUKINO Okay, next, Mitsuha.
Mitsuha snaps back to attention. She stands quickly. MITSUHA Yes!
YUKINO Oh, so you remember your name today.
Everyone laughs.
MITSUHA Hm?
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 13.
EXT. SCHOOL - FIELD - DAY
The high school is on the far side of the lake, nestled high in the hills, giving the students and faculty a beautiful view of the surrounding area.
Mitsuha, Tessie, and Sayaka sit under a tree eating lunch.
SAYAKA You don’t remember? Yesterday you forgot where your desk and locker were. You had bedhead and no ribbon.
MITSUHA What? No way! Really?
SAYAKA It was like you had amnesia.
MITSUHA Well, I do feel like I’ve been in a strange dream lately... A dream about someone else’s life?
Beat.
MITSUHA (CONT'D) I can’t remember clearly.
Tessie, reading a tabloid, speaks up.
TESSIE I know! You were remembering... (pause for dramatic effect) Your previous life!
He shows the girls his tabloid covered in conspiracy theories.
TESSIE (CONT'D) Or maybe your subconscious linked to the Everett multiverse!
SAYAKA Stay out of this.
MITSUHA Tessie, did you write that in my notebook?
Tessie gives Mitsuha a puzzled look. Mitsuha loses confidence.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 14.
MITSUHA (CONT'D) Nevermind.
Beat.
SAYAKA But Mitsuha, you really were a bit weird yesterday.
Tessie nods.
SAYAKA (CONT'D) Are you feeling all right?
MITSUHA That’s so strange. I feel fine. SAYAKA Maybe it’s stress. That ritual is coming up, isn’t it?
MITSUHA (whining) Oh, don’t remind me! I can’t stand this town anymore. I want to graduate and go to Tokyo.
SAYAKA I don’t blame you. There’s really nothing in this town.
CUT TO:
EXT. ITOMORI - LATER
Mitsuha and Sayaka walk while Tessie bikes close behind them. They cross a train track on their way home from school, along with mom-and-pop shops and practices.
SAYAKA Trains come every two hours.
MITSUHA The store closes at 9 p.m.
SAYAKA No bookstore for some reason. No dentist for some reason.
MITSUHA But two pubs for some reason.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 15.
SAYAKA No jobs.
MITSUHA No love.
SAYAKA No happiness.
TESSIE (annoyed) Give me a break! MITSUHA SAYAKA What? What? Tessie faces two annoyed girls.
TESSIE I mean... how about we stop by a café?
Beat.
The girls look shook.
MITSUHA SAYAKA A café? Really? They stare at Tessie with hopeful eyes.
MITSUHA (CONT'D) SAYAKA (CONT'D) Where?! Where?! CUT TO:
EXT. VENDING MACHINE - LATER
Tessie and Sayaka sit on a rusty bench by a road. An old vending machine spits out a can of juice. Weeds and dirt surround the patchy grass, and Tessie uses a cinderblock as a footrest.
The neighborhood Shiba Inu sleeps at Tessie’s feet.
A woman on a moped trots past.
WOMAN Hello.
Tessie and Sayaka nod politely.
Beat.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 16.
The two sip their drinks.
SAYAKA This is a café?
TESSIE You knew there wasn’t one.
SAYAKA Mitsuha just went home. Things must be rough for her.
TESSIE Well, she takes center stage.
SAYAKA Yea...
Tessie plays with the dog.
SAYAKA (CONT'D) Hey, Tessie. What will you do after you graduate?
TESSIE What is this? You asking about my future?
Sayaka nods.
Beat.
TESSIE (CONT'D) Nothing special. I’ll probably keep on living a normal life in this town.
INT. MIYAMIZU SHRINE - NIGHT
Mitsuha, Yotsuha, and their grandmother, Hitoha, sit on the tatami floor. The three wear traditional yukatas as they make braided cords.
Yotsuha, being the youngest, rolls thread onto spools. Mitsuha and Hitoha uses different colored threads and a weaver to make intricate cords like the one in Mitsuha’s hair.
We see the meticulous process as spools moved and sticks are used to tighten the patterns.
YOTSUHA I’d rather do that too.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 17.
HITOHA You’re not ready yet, Yotsuha. Listen to the thread’s voice, and emotions will eventually start flowing between you and the thread.
YOTSUHA (discouraged) Threads don’t talk.
MITSUHA She means “concentrate.”
HITOHA A thousand years of Itomori’s history is etched into our braided cords. Listen. Two hundred years ago...
MITSUHA Here she goes again...
HITOHA ...Sandal maker Mayugoro’s bathroom caught on fire and burned down this whole area. The shrine and old documents were destroyed. And this is known as...
MITSUHA (promptly) The Great Fire of Mayugoro.
YOTSUHA The fire has his name? Poor Mayugoro.
HITOHA So we lost the meaning of our festivals, and only the form lived on. But even if words are lost, tradition should be handed down. That’s the important task we at Miyamizu Shrine have.
Hitoha sighs and pauses her work. She kneads her aching shoulder.
HITOHA (CONT'D) But that foolish son-in-law...
Mitsuha looks hurt.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 18.
HITOHA (CONT'D) As if leaving Shinto priesthood and this house weren’t enough, now politics? He’s hopeless.
INT. TESSIE’S HOUSE - DINING ROOM - NIGHT
A very modest and traditional Japanese home. Mitsuha’s father, Toshiki, and Tessie’s father, DAISUKE (50s), drink and chat with other government officials.
TOSHIKI Have another, my man.
Toshiki pours sake into Daisuke’s cup.
TOSHIKI (CONT'D) I’m counting on your help again.
DAISUKE Leave it to me. I’ll get you votes from the Kadoiri and Sakagami Districts.
LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Tessie sips tea with his MOM (40s) in the living room. We hear the muffled laughs and chatter from dining room.
TESSIE (smirks) I smell corruption.
TESSIE’S MOM Don’t be ridiculous.
Daisuke barges into the living room, red in the cheeks.
DAISUKE Bring us a few more hot sake.
TESSIE’S MOM Alright, alright.
Daisuke stumbles towards the bathroom, while calling out to his son.
DAISUKE Katsuhiko, work on site this weekend. Learn how to use explosives.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 19.
TESSIE Mm.
DAISUKE (commanding) Can’t hear you.
TESSIE Okay!
TESSIE’S ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Lit only from the moonlight, Tessie sits by the window. The soft chirp of crickets and rustling winds muffle the party inside.
We hear a soft wind instrument playing far away. Tessie stares at a glowing shrine in the distance.
Beat.
TESSIE We both have it rough, don’t we?
EXT. MIYAMIZU SHRINE - TEMPLE - NIGHT
A small stage raised above the ground. Charms hang from the ceiling. Two torches give light to the surrounding area as people gather to see Mitsuha and Yotsuha, clad in shrine maiden attire, perform a dance.
The fire crackles. No one makes a sound.
A soft beat of a drum, and a high-pitched, whistling melody play from a speaker to the side.
Mitsuha and Yotsuha are perfectly synced, with bells in their right hand, and a red sash in the other.
They dance, flicking the bells and spinning slowly.
LOCAL MAN Is that Yotsuha? She’s all grown up.
WOMAN They’re both pretty like their mother.
Standing beside the two, on a balcony is Sayaka, watching quietly.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 20.
Tessie walks in from behind.
TESSIE Hey.
SAYAKA Hey.
They watch in silence as Mitsuha and Yotsuha finish their dance. Hitoha sits on a pillow behind them. Watching with her eyes closed.
Once the dance is finished, no one claps.
Mitsuha and Yotsuha unfold some wrapping paper to reveal cooked rice.
The two use their right hands, perfectly synched, and place a small amount in their mouth. They chew softly.
TESSIE It’s the oldest sake in the world. By chewing on rice, spitting it out, and letting it ferment, it becomes alcohol.
SAYAKA “Kuchikamizake”. Do the gods appreciate sake made that way?
TESSIE Of course they do.
In the back of the crowd, Kazuya and his harem, Naomi and Mami, arrive to the scene.
KAZUYA Look, it’s Miyamizu.
Mitsuha and Yotsuha let the chewed rice leak out of their mouths while covering their face with their long sleeves.
It isn’t enough to shield the action completely however, and the three classmates see her spitting it out.
MAMI Oh! I could never do that!
NAOMI Isn’t she embarrassed?
MAMI I can’t believe it.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 21.
Mitsuha notices their appalled faces, but she swallows her pride and continues.
The two sisters wrap up the rice sake in a wooden box.
EXT. MIYAMIZU SHRINE - LATER
The two sisters, back in normal clothes, exit the shrine.
The crowd is gone and the two walk back home.
YOTSUHA Cheer up, Mitsuha. Who cares if a few classmates saw you?
MITSUHA I envy your prepubescent lack of concern.
YOTSUHA Why not sell lots of kuchikamizake and use the money to go to Tokyo?
MITSUHA Where do you get such ideas?
YOTSUHA Sell them with photos and making-of videos. Name it “Shrine Maiden’s Sake”. You’ll make money!
Mitsuha ponders the idea.
MITSUHA No way. That breaks the Liquor Tax Law.
YOTSUHA That’s the problem?
Mitsuha runs head, down the large flight of stairs leading up to the shrine, flustered and embarrassed by her family.
TORI GATE - CONTINUOUS
Mitsuha arrives at the large tori gate overlooking the large lake at the base of the hill. She yells into the night.
MITSUHA I hate this town! I hate this life! Please make me a handsome Tokyo boy in my next life!
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 22.
Yotsuha stares with judging eyes, sighs, and follows her sister.
YOTSUHA (to herself) What a fool...
FADE TO BLACK.
INT. TOKYO - TAKI'S ROOM - DAY
CU of a smartphone as the alarm rings.
A messy boy’s room with books scattered on the floor and table, and yesterday’s pants still on the floor.
TAKI (Mitsuha)(17), the high school boy living in Tokyo, groggily wakes up. He feels for his phone on the floor.
He reaches and reaches, and ends up falling to the floor.
TAKI Ow.
Pulling the sheets off his head, he sees his room for the first time.
TAKI (CONT'D) Where- -
He grabs his throat-- his chest-- a cold sweat.
Mitsuha is in Taki’s body.
Taki looks down at crotch.
TAKI (CONT'D) Something’s there...
He slowly reaches down to touch his penis. He jolts upwards, red from embarrassment.
BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Taki splashes his face with water and stares long and hard at himself in the mirror.
We see a big band-aid on his cheek. He touches it and flinches at the pain.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 23.
TAKI’S DAD (O.S.) Taki! Are you up?
LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
A small Tokyo apartment. A single dining table by the balcony window with a small TV beside it.
Taki’s dad (50s), your average inner-city office worker, watches the news on his tablet while eating breakfast.
TAKI’S DAD It was your turn to cook. Wake up on time.
Taki hides by the doorway.
TAKI (shy) I’m sorry.
Taki’s dad is a bit confused by his son’s timid response.
TAKI’S DAD I’m going now. Finish up the miso soup.
TAKI Hm.
HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Very narrow with books and boxes piled off to the side.
Taki’s dad heads for the door.
TAKI’S DAD Go to school even if you’re late. See you.
TAKI Have a nice day.
Taki’s dad leaves the apartment.
Taki (Mitsuha), all alone, stares at the scene around him.
TAKI (CONT'D) What a strange dream.
Beat.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 24.
An alarm goes off, scaring Taki.
BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
CU of Taki’s phone with a text from TSUKASA (17), Taki’s high school friend-- the sexy, intellectual type, that reads, “RUN, YOU’RE LATE!”.
Taki holds the phone, nervous.
TAKI What? Tsukasa? What’s happening?
Beat.
Taki sees his school uniform hanging on the wall and takes it off.
Taki blushes.
TAKI (CONT'D) I have to use the bathroom.
SOUND CUE: a toilet flushing.
CUT TO:
EXT. TAKI’S APARTMENT - DAY
Taki exits the apartment, dressed in his school uniform. He heaves a sigh of relief.
TAKI This is too realistic.
Taki looks out from the apartment balcony. He is on the top story, overlooking the city of Tokyo.
Taki walks towards the rail, taking in the view. Tall skyscrapers tower over the horizon. The sunlight bouncing off the steel frames and glass windows.
MONTAGE TOKYO
...A bridge and a few skyscrapers. The sunlight flares in the corner, reflecting off the tallest building. A flock of crows fly across the sky.
...Heavy traffic and street construction. Orange dividers separate the lane as cars drive back and forth.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 25.
...The same back and forth motion with the subways in an extreme wide, aerial shot of Shinjuku Station. So many tracks and so many subways all weave between each other.
...Large TV screens on the sides of buildings displaying ads.
END MONTAGE.
EXT. SHINJUKU STATION - DAY
Taki hides in the shade while checking his location on his phone’s GPS. It reads, “SHINKJUKU STATION”.
He puts the phone in his pocket and walks to the main street and into the sunlight, blinding him. The noisy crowds grow louder and Taki joins the mass of commuters.
Taki stares at the skyline, amazed. He unconsciously twirls a lock of hair by his ear and smiles.
TAKI I’m in Tokyo!
EXT. JINGU HIGH SCHOOL - LATER
A very industrial, yet modern-looking school in the middle of the city. The architectural design fits the high-end corporate buildings surrounding it.
CLASSROOM
We overhear some chatter from random students during their lunch break.
Two girls in desks next to each other.
GIRL 1 Where’d you get it?
GIRL 2 Daikanyama.
A group of guys eating fast food.
GUY The opening act at the next gig...
A girl and guy munching on snacks.
GIRL Let’s skip club and go to a movie.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 26.
Taki shyly peers into the classroom, unsure if it’s the right one.
A few students in the halls glace suspiciously at Taki.
TSUKASA (17), the sexy intellectual who sent Taki the text, comes up behind him throws an arm over his shoulder.
Taki shrinks away, scared.
TSUKASA Taki!
Tsukasa is very close to Taki (Mitsuha).
TSUKASA (CONT'D) Arriving at noon, huh? Let’s eat lunch.
With his arm still around Taki, Tsukasa guides him through the hallways. Taki blushes and shrinks even smaller.
TSUKASA (CONT'D) You ignored my text.
TAKI (politely) Oh, Tsukasa?
TSUKASA At least you sound apologetic.
ROOFTOP - MOMENTS LATER
A basketball court on the school’s roof surrounded by a tall chain-linked fence. A few students play on the court.
Taki and Tsukasa eat with another one of Taki’s friends, SHINTA TAKAGI (17), a happy, go-lucky, pudgy boy, by the court in the shade. SHINTA You got lost?
TAKI Yea.
SHINTA How could you get lost on the way to school?
**In the Japanese language, the word “I” has different forms, and Taki (Mitsuha) is using the formal version of the word.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 27.
TAKI Uh... well... I [watashi]...
SHINTA I [watashi?]
TAKI (scared) I [watakushi]!
Shinta and Tsukasa give Taki a confused look.
TAKI (CONT'D) I [boku]?
Shinta and Tsukasa both lean in closer, even more confused.
TAKI (CONT'D) I [ore]?
The two friends nod in unison.
Taki sighs, relieved.
TAKI (CONT'D) I was enjoying myself. It’s so festive and all in Tokyo.
SHINTA You seem to have an accent.
TSUKASA And where’s your lunch?
Taki panics.
TSUKASA (CONT'D) Geez.
SHINTA Are you half-asleep? TSUKASA (to Shinta) You got something?
SHINTA Croquette-egg sandwich sounds good!
Taki’s friends combine portions of their lunches to make a small sandwich for Taki.
TAKI Thank you.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 28.
Shinta and Tsukasa give big smiles.
Shinta Let’s go to the café after school.
TSUKASA Oh, that one? Okay. Coming, Taki?
TAKI What?... What?... What?!
Taki inches closer to the boys.
TAKI (CONT'D) A café?!
INT. CAFE - DAY
Very hipster and Earthy architecture. People sit in their fancy, woven seats and eat photogenic food.
Shinta and Tsukasa study the ceiling and the wooden beams while Taki indecisively flips through the menu.
SHINTA Nice timberwork up there.
TSUKASA Yea, attention to detail. (to Taki) Taki, have you decided?
Taki sees the prices for the first time.
TAKI What? I could live for a month for the price of these!
TSUKASA What era are you from again? TAKI Hmm. Oh, well. It is a dream.
His friends study him, confused by his weird comment.
CUT TO:
CAFE - MOMENTS LATER
POV of Taki taking a photo of a fancy pancake dessert.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 29.
A FLASH.
The desert is gone.
Taki sips a coffee.
TAKI What a great dream.
His friends stare at him, confused.
Taki’s phone chimes.
TAKI (CONT'D) Ehhh, what should I do? I’m late for work! SHINTA Your shift is today?
TSUKASA Go, then.
Taki nods and stands.
He stops.
TAKI Oh! Um... Where do I work?
Beat.
TSUKASA SHINTA Huh? Huh?
INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT
The Il Giardino Delle Parole. A fancy, high-end Italian restaurant fill with business men and professionals. Tall glass windows allow the patrons to see the busy Tokyo street outside.
MONTAGE TAKI WORKING - QUICK CUTS
KITCHEN
--Busy chefs work and the sizzle of food in a pan.
WAITRESS Tables 6, 7, and 10 are waiting!
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 30.
CHEF Table 12! Taki!
--Taki clumsily puts a stack of dirty dishes down.
TAKI Yes!
DINING AREA
--Taki brings a shrimp pizza to two women.
TAKI Here you go.
--Taki tries to take an order.
TAKI (CONT'D) Uh, zucchini and tomato salad...
--Taki brings a dish to an older couple.
WOMAN We didn’t order that.
KITCHEN
--Taki gets scolded by the kitchen staff.
CHEF 1 Taki, I said we’re out of truffles!
--Another chef yells at him.
CHEF 2 Taki, can’t hear you!
--Another chef yells. CHEF 3 Taki!
DINING AREA
--Taki runs down a flight of stairs holding two plates. He looks like he’s going to cry.
TAKI When is this dream going to end?
END MONTAGE.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 31.
INT. DINING AREA - LATER
A sleazy looking man (late 20s), stylish light hair and a patching beard, sips wine.
SLEAZY MAN Hey. Hey, waiter.
Taki walks by with a tray of water.
TAKI Oh, yes?
SLEAZY MAN There was a toothpick in our pizza.
TAKI Huh?
SLEAZY MAN We could’ve gotten hurt. Good thing I noticed. What do you have to say?
The sleaze-ball is sitting with his friend, also late 20s, gangster-looking with piercings and a shaved head.
TAKI But uh... there are no toothpicks in an Italian restaurant- -
SLEAZY MAN - -Huh?!
The sleazy man kicks the table, causing a loud ruckus. Everyone in the restaurant tops and looks.
Another waitress, MIKI OKUDERA (24), a motherly girl who’s aware of her beauty, yet doesn’t show it, comes to placate the situation.
OKUDERA Excuse me.
She gently butts Taki aside.
OKUDERA (CONT'D) Is everything okay? (whispers to Taki) I’ll handle this.
Another older waiter pulls Taki away.
WAITER What’s wrong with you today?
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 32.
They watch Okudera handle the situation.
OKUDERA Please accept our apologies. Your meal is on the house.
SLEAZY MAN (happy) Oh, really?
He secretly pulls a retractable blade from his pocket.
OKUDERA I hope you weren’t hurt.
INT. RESTAURANT - LATER
After closing, the staff cleans up the place-- vacuuming, stacking chairs, washing dishes.
Vacuuming behind Okudera, who is wiping down tables, Taki works up the courage to thank her.
TAKI Um... Okudera...
Another waiter walks by Taki and knocks his head lightly.
WAITER Miss Okudera.
He walks away and Taki steps closer to Okudera.
TAKI Miss Okudera. Thank you...
OKUDERA (cheerful) A stroke of bad luck today.
TAKI Uh yea...
OKUDERA Bet it was a set-up. Handled it according to the manual, but...
A waitress walks by with a checklist.
WAITRESS Okudera, your skirt!
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 33.
We see a slash through her skirt, showing her pantyhose. A few staff come to see what’s happening.
WAITRESS (CONT'D) Are you okay?
WAITER What happened?
WAITRESS She was slashed.
OKUDERA That dick from earlier?
WAITRESS What now? Do you remember his face?
Taki, determined, grabs Okudera’s hand and pulls her away.
TAKI Come with me.
WAITER Hey, Taki!
The staff watch as Taki takes Okudera to the back of the restaurant.
OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
A tight space with a table and chair. A computer sits, surrounded by paperwork, post-its, and files.
TAKI Take off your skirt.
OKUDERA Huh?! TAKI Oh! I’ll look the other way!
CUT TO:
LATER
Taki is sewing Okudera’s skirt with some excellent needle work. His delicate hands weave green thread through the black attire.
Okudera watches, surprised, with a towel around her waist.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 34.
TAKI This won’t take long.
A small pair of scissors snip a yellow thread, revealing a very cute and childish design of a grass field, hedgehog, and butterflies. The tear has been covered beneath the art.
TAKI (CONT'D) Done!
OKUDERA Taki, wow! It looks so cute!
Taki giggles and blushes.
TAKI Thank you for saving me today.
OKUDERA Actually, I was concerned about you.
She points to her cheek, referring to Taki’s bandage.
OKUDERA (CONT'D) You’re weak, but quick-tempered.
TAKI Oh.
OKUDERA I like you better today. I never knew you had a feminine side.
INT. SUBWAY - NIGHT
Taki studies the path home on his phone.
Beat. Taki puts the phone away and looks out the window. He stares at his own reflection in the window.
TAKI (V.O.) What a realistic dream...
INT. TAKI'S ROOM - LATER
Taki lays in his bed, still in his school uniform.
TAKI ...If I do say so myself.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 35.
He scrolls through his phone.
TAKI (CONT'D) (to himself) Oh, he keeps a diary.
He looks through the dates.
TAKI (CONT'D) He’s so organized.
Taki moves on to the photos. We see a picture of Tsukasa and Shinta posing in front of some hamburgers.
TAKI (CONT'D) Wish I lived in Tokyo, too. He scrolls through photos of Tsukasa and Shinta, food, and the Tokyo skyline.
Taki finds a photo of Okudera, her back towards the camera, unaware of the photo. She is dressed in her waitress uniform, bright sunlight floods the Italian restaurant.
TAKI (CONT'D) Oh! That’s her!
Beat.
Taki scrolls to the next picture: Okudera waves to the camera, smiling as she cleans the restaurant windows.
TAKI (CONT'D) A crush, maybe?
He giggles and sits up.
Taki types a entry into the phone diary. The last line reads:
“WALKED TO THE STATION WITH MISS OKUDERA AFTER WORK, THANKS TO MY FEMININE POWERS!” CUT TO:
A SHOT OF MITSUHA’S NOTEBOOK READING “WHO ARE YOU?”
CUT TO:
TAKI'S ROOM
With a sharpie, Taki writes his name onto his left palm.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 36.
“MITSUHA”
Beat.
Taki yawns, tired.
FADE TO BLACK.
OVER BLACK.
Beat.
TAKI (rough) What is this?
CUT TO:
INT. TAKI'S ROOM - DAY
CU POV of Taki’s hand. It reads:
“MITSUHA”
Taki is now back in his own body.
He realizes he slept in his school uniform.
TAKI Wha-?!
LIVING ROOM
Taki, eating breakfast with his dad, jumps as he scrolls through his phone.
TAKI Wha-?!
CU of phone.
We see Mitsuha’s message from the day before.
TAKI (CONT'D) What’s this?!
MONTAGE TAKI/MITSUHA - FASTER PACE
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 37.
EXT. SCHOOL - ROOFTOP - DAY
Taki eats with his friends in the usual spot. A few kids play basketball on the court.
TSUKASA Let’s hit the cafe again today.
TAKI Sorry, I have to go to work.
TSUKASA (teasing) Do you remember where to go?
TAKI Huh?
Taki glares at Tsukasa.
TAKI (CONT'D) Huh?! Tsukasa, was it you who pranked my phone?
TSUKASA What?
TAKI Err... whatever. See you.
Taki leaves his friends who are still eating.
SHINTA He’s acting normal today.
TSUKASA Yesterday he was kind of cute.
SHINTA What?
INT. RESTAURANT - DAY
Taki exits the staff room, putting on his bow tie. He is fully dressed in his waiter attire.
Three older waiters ambush him as he exits the room, staring daggers.
TAKI Wha... What?
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 38.
WAITER 1 Taki, you tried to outdo us!
WAITER 2 You walked home with her!
Taki understands, but doesn’t believe, what they’re saying. He stutters, turning red.
TAKI Did I really? With Miss Okudera?
The three waiters surround him.
WAITERS (IN UNISON) What happened after?
TAKI Umm... I don’t really remember.
WAITER 1 Oh, really now?
A door opens and Okudera struts in like a runway model. Her fashionable attire really sells the simile.
OKUDERA Okudera, coming through!
She walks past all the guys.
OKUDERA (CONT'D) Hi, guys!
WAITERS (IN UNISON) (nervous) Hello.
The three waiters and Taki gawk at her, cheeks flushed.
OKUDERA Let’s make this a good one.
Before she enters the women’s changing room, she turns back towards Taki.
OKUDERA (CONT'D) Right, Taki?
She winks at him and leaves.
The waiters scowl jealously.
CUT TO:
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 39.
INT. TAKI'S ROOM - DAY
CU of a finger swiping a phone calendar.
The date goes from September 13 to September 12.
CUT TO:
INT. MITSUHA'S BEDROOM - DAY
Mitsuha, having just woken up, stares at her palm.
Words scribbled in black marker from her palm to her elbow that reads:
“MITSUHA? WHO ARE YOU? WHAT ARE YOU?”
Yotsuha slides open the door to Mitsuha’s room.
YOTSUHA You’re not touching your boobs today. (suddenly aggressive) Breakfast is ready! Hurry up!
Yotsuha slams the door shut.
Beat.
Mitsuha clutches her chest, red.
MITSUHA Boobs?!
CUT TO:
INT. ITOMORI - CLASSROOM - DAY
The teacher hasn’t arrived yet. All the students hang around in their friend groups. Mitsuha enters her classroom. Her hair is tied intricately with the braided cord, indicating that she is herself today.
MITSUHA Morning.
The entire class turn their heads in unison and watch her.
Mitsuha pauses by door, unsure what’s happening.
Murmurs spread through the students. Everyone’s eyes are trained on her as she walks to her seat in the back.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 40.
Mitsuha sits next to Sayaka.
MITSUHA (CONT'D) (timidly) Why is everyone staring at me?
SAYAKA Well, you made quite a scene yesterday.
MITSUHA Huh?
CUT TO:
INT. MITSUHA'S BEDROOM - DAY
CU of a finger swiping a phone calendar.
The date goes from September 13 to September 12.
CUT TO:
INT. ITOMORI - ART CLASS - DAY
Sketches are hung on the wall. Porcelain busts and prop fruit are strewn around the room. The chalkboard reads “STILL-LIFE DRAWING”
All the kids sit behind easels in groups sketching an object in the center.
Mitsuha and Sayaka, off in the back corner of the room, have a wine bottle and a basket of fruit in front of them. Kazuya and his harem, part of their group, draw with them.
Mitsuha’s hair is in a simple ponytail-- indicating that it’s actually Taki. MAMI (whisper) Did you see the election posters?
KAZUYA Doesn’t matter who wins. It’s all about how to serve up the grants.
MAMI Shh! Someone’s livelihood depends on it.
We see Mitsuha’s drawing.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 41.
A very detailed sketch of the architecture and cityscape of Itomori. She shades in the fine details.
Sayaka, overhearing Kazuya and Mami’s conversation, looks concerningly at Mitsuha.
MITSUHA They mean me, right?
SAYAKA Well, yeah...
Mitsuha puts down her pencil.
SAYAKA (CONT'D) Wait-- Mitsuha! Mitsuha kicks an empty desk, knocking it over with a loud crack.
Kazuya, Mami, and Naomi recoil in fear-- the whole class looks scared.
Mitsuha crosses her legs and stares coldly at the three of them. A small, proud smile spreads across her face.
CUT TO:
EXT. ITOMORI - SCHOOL FIELD - BACK TO PRESENT
Mitsuha, Sayaka, and Tessie eat lunch in their usual spot.
MITSUHA Wha...? Wha...? I did what?
CUT TO:
INT. MITSUHA’S HOUSE - AFTERNOON Mitsuha rushes in. Yotsuha and Hitoha drink tea. Mitsuha doesn’t greet them-- she rushes to her room.
YOTSUHA Mitsuha?
FASTER PACE - QUICKER CUTS!
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 42.
MITSUHA'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Mitsuha flips through her notebook, growing more panicked at each page. She finds notes and messages not written by her.
A message reads, “WHAT IS THIS LIFE” along with sketches of the tori gate outside Miyamizu Shrine.
MITSUHA Is this... could it be...
CUT TO:
INT. TAKI'S ROOM - DAY
CU of a finger swiping a phone calendar-- frantically-- all the way back to September 10th.
TAKI Could it be that we’re really...
He checks his past diary messages from those days. They are color coded RED for Mitsuha’s messages, and BLUE for his own.
INTERCUT TAKI/MITSUHA
MITSUHA In our dreams, that guy and I are...
TAKI In our dreams, that girl and I are...
MITSUHA TAKI (CONT'D) Switching places?! Switching places?! MUSIC CUE: “Zenzenzense” by RADWIMPS.
MONTAGE TAKI/MITSUHA SWITCHING BODIES.
If their names are COLORED then they have switched bodies.
--TIMELAPSE of Miyamizu Shrine’s TORI GATE.
--TIMELAPSE of Tokyo’s tall buildings and traffic lights.
--Taki and Mitsuha waking up in a daze; Mitsuha (Taki) trying to resist touching Mitsuha’s boobs. Taki (Mitsuha) trying to stay calm while curious about his penis.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 43.
--Yotsuha opens the door to Mitsuha’s room to find Mitsuha massaging her boobs.
--The two successfully use the bathroom.
--Taki runs to the subway station. He is pressed against the subway door in the crowded train.
MITSUHA (V.O.) I’m beginning to understand what’s going on. Taki is a boy my age living in Tokyo.
--Mitsuha ties her hair in a ponytail in front of a mirror.
TAKI (V.O.) I switch with Mitsuha at random, a few times a week, unexpectedly.
--Mitsuha and Yotsuha head to school.
--Mitsuha writes notes on the phenomenon during class in her notebook. CU of her notebook that reads, “CONDITION: SLEEP? CAUSE: UNKNOWN”.
TAKI (V.O.) Sleep triggers it. The cause is a mystery.
--Mitsuha, in her fancy red bow and hair style, stands up after being called on.
MITSUHA (V.O.) My memory of the switch is hazy after I wake up.
--Okudera shows Taki the sewing “he” did when Sleazy Man slashed her uniform.
TAKI (V.O.) But we’re definitely switching places.
--The waiters confront Taki.
TAKI (V.O.) It’s obvious from the reactions of the people around us.
--Taki types into his phone.
TAKI (V.O.) So...
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 44.
--Mitsuha types into her phone.
MITSUHA (V.O.) So we laid down some rules to protect each other’s lifestyles.
--We see phone notes from Mitsuha that read: “NO BATHS! NO LOOKING! NO TOUCHING!”
--Phone notes from Taki read, “DON’T WASTE MONEY! NO DIALECT! DON’T BE LATE!”
MITSUHA (V.O.) Things to watch out for during the switch, and a list of “don’ts”.
--Taki sits squished between two guys on a subway, typing on his phone.
TAKI (V.O.) We also agreed to leave reports in our smartphones.
--Mitsuha, by the railway, typing on her phone.
MITSUHA (V.O.) To work together to tide over this mysterious phenomenon.
--Mitsuha looks through the messages Taki left behind.
MITSUHA (V.O.) But...
--Taki looks through the messages Mitsuha left behind.
TAKI (V.O.) But...
MITSUHA TAKI That guy! That girl! --With the song at it’s chorus, we’ve come full circle. Taki and Mitsuha wake up again in each other’s bodies; they heave heavy sighs.
--Shinta puts his arms around Taki and Tsukasa as they walk home from school. Taki blushes.
--Mitsuha and Sayaka ride Tessie’s bike as he chases behind them.
--Mitsuha plays basketball in school during P.E. She absolutely wrecks the girls guarding her and scores.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 45.
MCU of Mitsuha’s boobs as anime jiggle physics do their thing. The boys in the bleachers stare with wide eyes and red faces.
--Mitsuha sits with Sayaka during a break between classes. Her legs are wide apart, the skirt doing it’s best to cover up.
SAYAKA Guys are staring! Watch the skirt! Come on, this is basic!
--Taki takes pictures of the food he’s eating. Of ALL the food he’s eating. Plates after plates.
--More typing on phones.
TAKI (V.O.) Stop wasting my money!
MITSUHA (V.O.) It’s your body eating. And I’m working, too!
Their tone and speech with each other has become more casual as they get to know each other more.
--Taki figures out which order goes to which table at the restaurant.
--Mitsuha complains to Hitoha and Yotsuha as they braid cords. Mitsuha has no idea what she’s doing.
TAKI (V.O.) Braided cords... I can’t do this!
MITSUHA (V.O.) You work too many shifts!
TAKI (V.O.) It’s because you waste money!
--Taki apologies to a chef for messing up an order.
--TIMELAPSE of Itomori’s scenery.
--TIMELAPSE of Tokyo’s concrete jungle.
--Mitsuha saws large logs in half while Tessie hold them down for her.
--Mitsuha presents a humble, log picnic table complete with an umbrella for shade, by the old vending machine, to Sayaka.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 46.
--Taki and Okudera walk home on a large bridge over a wide, busy street. They laugh and talk like best friends.
--Taki and Okudera sit side by side at a coffee shop. Their heads huddle closely as Okudera shows him something on her phone.
--Taki gleefully types the message into his phone.
MITSUHA (V.O.) Grabbed coffee with Miss Okudera! You two have a good thing going!
--Taki angrily reads the message on the subway.
TAKI (V.O.) Goddammit Mitsuha, stop changing my relationships!
--Mitsuha, Sayaka, and Tessie walk home. Three girls from their school catch up to them, out of breath. The girl in the middle hands a love letter to Mitsuha.
MITSUHA (V.O.) Taki, why is a girl in love with me?
--Mitsuha gets another love confession from a male classmate. Sayaka and Tessie watch from the shadows. Mitsuha takes the love letter, bored.
TAKI (V.O.) You’re more popular when I’m you.
--Taki wakes up with large words written on his arm.
MITSUHA (V.O.) Don’t be so full of yourself! It’s not like you have a girlfriend!
TAKI (V.O.) It’s not like you have a boyfriend!
--Mitsuha writes “IDIOT” on her cheek with a marker.
MITSUHA (V.O.) I...
--Taki writes “STUPID” on his cheek with a marker.
TAKI (V.O.) I...
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 47.
--SPLIT SCREEN. Both their faces side by side as they look in a mirror.
MITSUHA TAKI I’m single because I want to I’m single because I want to be! be!
END MONTAGE.
FADE TO BLACK.
OVER BLACK.
A phone alarm rings.
INT. MITSUHA'S BEDROOM - DAY
Mitsuha (Taki) groggily wakes up. She reaches for her breast, but pauses.
MITSUHA I shouldn’t for her sake.
HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Yotsuha opens Mitsuha’s door/
We see Mitsuha touching her breasts.
Beat.
YOTSUHA You sure do like your boobs. We’re going now! Get ready!
She slides the door closed.
LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
On TV, a reporter talks about the up-coming comet, Tiamat, with a meteorologist.
REPORTER Comet Tiamat has been visible to the naked eye for a few days now. Where and when can it be seen?
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 48.
METEOROLOGIST Comet Tiamat is moving from east to west as if to follow the sun. So it can be seen above Venus...
The meteorologist points to a diagram on screen showing the trajectory.
Mitsuha finally arrives, dressed for school, and sees Yotsuha and Hitoha sipping tea, waiting.
YOTSUHA Why the uniform?
MITSUHA Huh?
EXT. ITOMORI - DAY
A secluded trail leading up to the mountains. A calm stream flows alongside the footpath, and beautiful, orange leaves flow down the water. The surrounding trees have all turned orange and red for the fall season.
Mitsuha, Yotsuha, and Hitoha walk along the path, shaded by the thick foliage.
YOTSUHA (whining) Grandma, why is the vessel of our shrine’s god so far away?
HITOHA You can thank Mayugoro for that.
Mitsuha whispers to Yotsuha.
MITSUHA Who’s that?
YOTSUHA What? He’s famous!
Beat.
Mitsuha and Yotsuha walk a few paces behind Hitoha. The old woman walks with a cane and one hand behind her back. Mitsuha catches up with Hitoha and gives her a piggyback ride.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 49.
ITOMORI FOREST - LATER
Mitsuha (Taki) sweats from carrying her grandma uphill. We see Itomori’s lake in it’s entirety.
HITOHA Mitsuha, Yotsuha, do you know “Musubi”?
MITSUHA Musubi?
HITOHA Musubi is the old term for calling the local guardian deity. This word has profound meaning. Tying thread is Musubi. Connecting people is Musubi. The flow of time is Musubi.
As they ascend in elevation, the forest around them changes. All the orange and red trees are gone, and we are left with tall evergreens with trunks as big as sequoias.
SHIMENAWA, thick rope made of hemp to ward spirits of the Shinto religion, are tied to the trunks.
HITOHA (CONT'D) The flow of time is Musubi. These are all the god’s power. So the braided cords that we make are the god’s art, and represent the flow of time itself. They converge and take shape. They twist, tangle, sometimes unravel, break, then connect again.
They continue walking up the mountain, sunlight shining through gaps in the canopy.
HITOHA (CONT'D) Musubi: knotting. That’s time.
MOUNTAINSIDE - LATER
The three break under a tree. Hitoha pours Mitsuha a drink from her thermos.
HITOHA Drink.
MITSUHA Thank you.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 50.
YOTSUHA I want some, too!
HITOHA That’s also Musubi.
Mitsuha hands Yotsuha her cup.
HITOHA (CONT'D) Whether it be water, rice, or sake, when a person consumes something and it joins their soul, that’s Musubi. So today’s offering is an important custom that connects the god and it’s people.
MOUNTAINTOP - LATER
We are above the clouds. There are no trees in sight, only a few grasses and flowers between the rocks. The three are dwarfed by the size of the mountain.
Yotsuha, the first to look over the top, excitedly slides down the other side.
YOTSUHA Hey, I see it!
Beat.
Mitsuha, awestruck by the view, puts Hitoha down.
MITSUHA (to herself) The vessel of Miyamizu Shrine’s god.
ELS of the mountain. A huge CRATER lies at the very top, creating a basin. It’s not deep like a volcano, but shallow and wide. As the camera pulls back to get a full view of the basin, Mitsuha, Yotsuha, and Hitoha grow smaller and smaller until they disappear from view.
Grass and ponds cover inside the basin with a lone tree at the center. Beneath the tree, a small cave structure pokes out.
BASIN - MOMENTS LATER
The three stop by a stream that surrounds the entrance.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 51.
HITOHA Beyond this point is the “kakuriyo”. It means the underworld.
Yotsuha happily hops across the stream, using rocks as stepping stones.
YOTSUHA I’m in the underworld!
Mitsuha steps in the water to help Hitoha move from rock to rock.
HITOHA In exchange for returning to this world, you must leave behind what is important to you.
MITSUHA Huh?
HITOHA The kuchikamizake.
MITSUHA Kuchikamizake?
Hitoha hands Mitsuha a small porcelain jar tied with a red bow.
The real Mitsuha’s kuchikamizake.
HITOHA You’ll offer it inside the god’s vessel. It’s half of you.
Mitsuha studies it.
MITSUHA (V.O.) Half of Mitsuha...
We see them enter the cave, a giant boulder propped up on smaller rocks.
ITOMORI FOREST - - GOLDEN HOUR
The three make their way down the mountain. A flock of finches flee from the brush as they walk by. Mitsuha and Yotsuha watch them fly, overlooking the town.
YOTSUHA It’s kataware-doki already huh?
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 52.
MITSUHA Kataware-doki?
Mitsuha looks down at the lake.
Evening mist clouds the surrounding buildings.
Sunlight bounces off the lake and fog, creating a beautiful shimmering effect.
The town’s lights begin to turn on.
Beat.
YOTSUHA Oh yea, maybe we can see the comet.
MITSUHA (confused) The comet?
Beat.
Hitoha studies Mitsuha carefully.
HITOHA Oh? Mitsuha... you’re dreaming right now... aren’t you?
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. TAKI’S ROOM - DAY
Taki jolts awake with a gasp. He sits up.
Tears roll down his cheeks.
Beat.
TAKI Tears? Why?
Someone texts his phone.
It’s Okudera. The message reads, “I’M ALMOST THERE. LOOKING FORWARD TO IT!” With a little heart emoji.
TAKI (CONT'D) Miss Okudera? What’s she talking about? Oh-- what did Mitsuha do this time?
He opens his phone diary.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 53.
TAKI (CONT'D) A date?!
EXT. TAKI'S APARTMENT - DAY
The tone of this sequence isn’t particularly happy. It’s more of a pensive sadness with a smidge of nostalgia.
Taki bursts out his apartment door and runs to their meetup spot. He’s dressed in a nice blazer and khaki’s.
Mitsuha’s ribbon is tied around his right wrist.
MITSUHA (V.O.) Tomorrow, you have a date with Miss Okudera! Meet at 10:30 a.m. at the station!
CUT TO:
INT. MITSUHA'S BEDROOM - DAY
Mitsuha sits up on her bed, having just woken up.
MITSUHA (melancholy) Or so I’d planned, but...
CUT TO:
EXT. STATION - DAY
Taki, out of breath, waits for Okudera.
Pedestrians move back and forth as Taki looks for her.
Okudera appears behind him. OKUDERA (sing-song) Taki.
Taki is startled.
OKUDERA (CONT'D) Sorry. Did you wait long?
TAKI (stutters) Yes-- uh, no... um...
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 54.
Taki touches his face, we see Mitsuha’s braided cord clearly.
Beat.
Taki takes a good look at Okudera, beautiful under her cute sunhat. She smiles at Taki.
TAKI (CONT'D) I just got here.
OKUDERA Good. Let’s go.
Okudera grabs Taki’s hand and pulls him off.
CUT TO:
INT. MITSUHA'S BEDROOM - DAY
Mitsuha, in her school uniform, ties her hair up in front of the mirror.
Camera straight on her back, Mitsuha’s body covers her reflection.
MITSUHA (melancholy) He’s so lucky. They must be together right about now...
We see the braided cord as Mitsuha uses it to tie her hair.
MITSUHA (CONT'D) Huh?
The camera dollies to the side, revealing Mitsuha’s face in the mirror.
Tears stream down her cheeks.
MITSUHA (CONT'D) I... why?
CUT TO:
INT. TOKYO SKYTREE - ELEVATOR - DAY
A crowded elevator at the popular sight-seeing location.
Okudera leans against the glass window in the back, while Taki, desperately trying not to get too close to Okudera, leans over her.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 55.
SKYTREE - MOMENTS LATER
Okudera marvels at the view, Taki follows closely behind.
MITSUHA (V.O.) I wanted to go on this date, but if it so happens that you end up going, you better enjoy it!
SKYTREE RESTAURANT - LATER
Taki and Mitsuha eat lunch together. Okudera converses easily. Taki, still shy, listens and laughs.
MITSUHA (V.O.) However, (suddenly playful) I’m sure you’ve never gone out on a date before...
MUSEUM - LATER
Taki sulks by a directory, alone.
TAKI I don’t know what to say...
MITSUHA (V.O.) ...So below are some links to help you out, you late bloomer.
BATHROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Taki reads Mitsuha’s notes by the sink.
TAKI Really?
Mitsuha’s links read, “YOU TOO, CAN GET A GIRLFRIEND”, “DESPITE SOCIAL ANXIETY, I GOT A GIRL!”, and “THE DO’S AND DON’TS OF TEXTING”.
TAKI (CONT'D) (scowls) She’s making fun of me.
MUSEUM GALLERY - LATER
Taki and Okudera look around a small collection of images and art.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 56.
A large sign reads, “PHOTO EXHIBITION: NOSTALGIA”
A series of black and white photographs, hung ornately, depict the scenery of Itomori.
Taki stops and stares at the image of Lake Itomori.
Beat.
Okudera’s face softens as she studies Taki. She walks close to Taki and talks quietly in his ear.
OKUDERA Taki, you’re like a different person today.
Taki watches her walk away.
EXT. TOKYO - BRIDGE - GOLDEN HOUR
Taki and Okudera arrive the same large bridge they always walk across on their way home. Cars pass underneath.
TAKI Um, Miss Okudera. Are you hungry? How about dinner?
Okudera smiles.
OKUDERA Let’s call it a day.
TAKI Oh-- okay...
They stop in the middle of the bridge.
OKUDERA Taki, you... Sorry if I’m wrong... you used to have a bit of a crush on me, right?
Taki grabs at words, but with no avail.
OKUDERA (CONT'D) But now you like someone else.
TAKI Eh...
Taki doesn’t know what to say.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 57.
TAKI (CONT'D) (unsure) No I don’t!
OKUDERA Really?
TAKI No! That’s not true at all...
His cheeks give him away.
OKUDERA Really huh?
Okudera steps closer. Taki avoids eye contact.
OKUDERA (CONT'D) Well either way, thanks for today. See you at work.
Okudera walks off, leaving Taki on the bridge.
Beat.
The light changes as the sun sets.
Drivers turn on their headlights.
The sky darkens.
BRIDGE - LATER
Taki, still on the bridge, looks through Mitsuha’s messages.
TAKI By the time the date is over...
TAKI (CONT'D) MITSUHA (V.O.) The comet will be visible in The comet will be visible in the sky. the sky. Taki looks up at the sky. Other than a few clouds, the sky is empty.
TAKI (CONT'D) What is she saying?
He taps on Mitsuha’s contact on his phone, her number pops up.
Beat.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 58.
He calls her.
We hear a soft ring as his phone dials.
INT. MITSUHA'S BEDROOM - DAY
Mitsuha’s phone rings. She answers lethargically.
The camera avoids her face. It dances around her, focusing on other parts of the room.
MITSUHA (melancholy) Oh, it’s you, Tessie. (beat) No, I just didn't feel like going, that’s all. I’m fine. (beat) What? The festival? Well... Oh, yea, the comet. Today’s the peak of its brightness, isn’t it? Okay, got it. Later, then.
EXT. ITOMORI - NIGHT
Shops are lined up selling food, snacks, and sparklers. Families walk around enjoying the event. Some women wear yukatas.
VENDING MACHINE - SAME TIME
Sayaka and Tessie wait for Mitsuha at the wooden picnic table they built together.
SAYAKA You just want to see her in a yukata.
Tessie almost chokes on his drink.
TESSIE What?! No! That didn’t even occur to me.
Sayaka gives him a sly stare, smiling.
TESSIE (CONT'D) Hey, she sounded kind of down.
SAYAKA Maybe you annoyed her.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 59.
Sayaka giggles.
TESSIE You- -
MITSUHA (O.S.) Sorry I’m late.
TESSIE SAYAKA Finally! Here she is! They freeze. Shock spreads across their face.
Tessie is speechless.
SAYAKA (CONT'D) Oh! What happened, Mitsuha?
The camera tilts up, showing Mitsuha in a pretty, blue yukata and her new short hair.
Barely falling past her chin, her hair wraps around her head. There is no braided cord in her hair.
Mitsuha looks sad.
MITSUHA Looks kinda funny, huh.
ITOMORI - LATER
The three walk along a quiet road. Rice fields spread across the land around them.
Mitsuha walks ahead, alone. Sayaka and Tessie follow a few paces behind.
TESSIE You think some guy is the reason? Ditched, maybe? SAYAKA Why do guys associate cutting hair with breakups? She said she just felt like it.
TESSIE Really? She just felt like cutting off that much hair?
MITSUHA (O.S.) Oh! Hey! You can see it!
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 60.
Mitsuha reaches the apex of the road. A small dirt path diverges down the side of the mountain.
Mitsuha excitedly jogs down.
OPEN FIELD - CONTINUOUS
Mitsuha stares up at the open sky. Clouds in the distance.
Amongst the sea of stars, a large comet, blue in color with a turquoise and magenta tail that stretches across the entire sky.
Tessie and Sayaka catch up.
TESSIE Wow!
Sayaka gasps in awe.
A small piece of the comet breaks apart. It diverges from the initial trajectory, growing red as it enters the Earth’s atmosphere.
Mitsuha stares wide eyed.
We zoom in on her eye, the comet reflecting in the iris.
CUT TO BLACK:
OVER BLACK.
An automated phone message.
OPERATOR The phone you are trying to reach is out of range or has been turned off...
EXT. BRIDGE - NIGHT
Taki, phone by his ear, leans against the railing. He is right were we last saw him.
He hangs up.
TAKI (V.O.) I’ll tell her about the disastrous date the next time we switch. Or so I thought...
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 61.
Taki walks off, crossing the bridge.
TAKI (V.O.) But for some reason, after that, Mitsuha and I never switched places again.
INT. TAKI'S ROOM - NIGHT
Taki sketches what he remembers of Itomori’s scenery. His walls are plastered with drawings of different landmarks. Reference books of rural Japan lay open beside him.
CUT TO:
INT. TOKYO - SCHOOL - DAY
Taki stares absentmindedly out the window during class.
Beat.
He works on an intricate landscape drawing of the entire town.
CUT TO:
EXT. TOKYO - SUNSET
Taki walks home with his friends.
He stares at the sunset.
CUT TO:
INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT
Taki serves food to a couple.
CUT TO:
INT. TAKI'S ROOM - NIGHT
Taki sleeps at his desk, the finished Itomori drawing beside him.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 62.
TAKI'S ROOM - THE NEXT DAY
Taki takes the drawings he did of Itomori landmarks, and the drawing of the entire town, and stuffs them into his backpack.
He wraps Mitsuha’s bracelet around his wrist.
INT. TRAIN STATION - DAY
In thick boots and a thermal coat, Taki walks through the station, prepared for a long journey.
He runs into Okudera and Tsukasa waiting for him.
TAKI (shocked) What the-- What are you doing here?
OKUDERA Tsukasa told me and here I am!
INT. TRAIN - DAY
The three sit together. Okudera takes the window seat, Taki takes the isle, and Tsukasa sits between them.
TAKI (whispers) Tsukasa, I asked you to cover for me at home and at work.
TSUKASA Shinta will cover your shift.
CU of Tsukasa’s phone as he plays a video of Shinta.
SHINTA Leave it to me! But you owe me a meal!
TAKI This isn’t funny.
TSUKASA We were worried about you.
TAKI Why?
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 63.
TSUKASA You can’t go alone. What if it’s a con act?
TAKI A con act?
Okudera eats a pocky stick.
OKUDERA You’re meeting an online friend, right?
TAKI Well, no, not exactly...
Okudera passes the pocky sticks around.
TSUKASA (to Okudera) I think he’s using a dating site.
TAKI No!
The other passengers glace over. The three quiet down.
TSUKASA You’ve been acting weird lately. We’ll keep an eye on you.
TAKI I’m not a kid!
MONTAGE RURAL JAPAN
We cut through their journey as they search for Itomori.
...Out the window, the scenery zooms past.
TAKI (V.O.) The switching stopped and my calls and texts didn’t go through.
...SUBWAY STATION. Taki runs ahead while Okudera and Tsukasa take their time. Taki pushes the two to walk faster like a little kid.
TAKI (V.O.) So I decided to go see Mitsuha in person.
...They get on a different train.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 64.
TAKI (V.O.) I wanted to meet her. But...
...The three eat lunch on the train.
OKUDERA Wait, you don’t know where you’re going? The town’s scenery is your only clue?
TAKI Yea...
...They get off the train and walk around town.
OKUDERA And you can’t contact her? What’s this all about?
TSUKASA Seriously. What a lousy tour planner.
TAKI I didn’t plan any tour!
OKUDERA Oh well. We’ll help you look for her.
...A small shopping center at a train station. Taki studies a map while Tsukasa and Okudera fawn over a cute, cow mascot. Tsukasa takes pictures.
OKUDERA (CONT'D) How cute! Look!
TAKI (to himself) So annoying. OKUDERA Oh it moved!
...Taki shows a taxi driver his drawing. The driver doesn’t know.
...Tori gate steps. Okudera and Tsukasa play by the gate. Taki asks some local housewives.
...They walk through some rice fields. Taki uses the GPS on his phone.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 65.
...Taki shows some local farmers his drawing. Tsukasa and Okudera play cards on a bench.
...Taki asks some shopkeepers. No one seems to know. Okudera and Tsukasa eat ice cream.
...BUS. Tsukasa and Okudera nap on Taki’s shoulders, who sits between them.
...BUS STOP. Taki hangs his head low, defeated.
TAKI So it’s impossible after all...
OKUDERA TSUKASA Whaaa?! Whaaa?! OKUDERA (CONT'D) After all the trouble we went through?
TAKI (sighs) You haven’t done anything.
END MONTAGE.
INT. TAKAYAMA RAMEN - LATE AFTERNOON
The three sit in the quiet and empty restaurant.
OKUDERA One takayama ramen.
TSUKASA One takayama ramen for me too.
TAKI Uh... one takayama ramen then. The waitress, ATSUKO (60s), a middle-aged woman with a bandana on her head takes their orders. She calls out to her husband, NAKATA (60s), who is the chef in the back.
ATSUKO Okay. Three ramens.
NAKATA (O.S.) Alright.
CUT TO:
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 66.
LATER
The three finish their meal.
TAKI Can we return to Tokyo today?
Tsukasa pulls out his phone.
TSUKASA We’ll be cutting it close. I’ll check.
TAKI Thanks.
OKUDERA Taki, are you okay with that?
TAKI I’m starting to feel like I’m barking up the wrong tree.
He looks at the drawing of Itomori again.
Atsuko walks by with a water pitcher.
ATSUKO Oh, young man, that’s Itomori, isn’t it?
The three glance up.
ATSUKO (CONT'D) It’s a very good drawing. (to Nakata) Isn’t it, dear?
The waitress shows the drawing to her husband.
NAKATA Yea, it’s itomori. Brings back memories.
ATSUKO (to Taki) He was born in Itomori.
Taki’s eyes glow.
TAKI Itomori...
Excitement grows.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 67.
TAKI (CONT'D) Yes! Itomori! That’s it! It’s nearby, isn’t it?
ATSUKO What are you...
NAKATA Itomori was...
Realization spreads on Tsukasa and Okudera’s faces.
TSUKASA Itomori? No way...
OKUDERA Is it where that comet...?
EXT. ITOMORI - SCHOOL - LATER
The screeching of birds.
Caution tape flaps in the wind.
Cracked concrete, overgrown with weeds and vines, surround the school.
Taki runs to the fence. Looks over the cliff down at the town.
Itomori is destroyed.
A huge crater, connected to Lake Itomori, rests where the town once stood.
Water from the lake fills the new, smaller crater as crushed buildings, bridges, and cars rot away, partially submerged.
Taki, Okudera, and Tsukasa stand in front of the dilapidated school. Nakata from the ramen shop stands by his car, smoking a cigarette.
OKUDERA Is this really the place?
TSUKASA Now way. Taki must be misremembering.
TAKI No. I’m sure this is it. This school yard. The mountains. I remember this high school clearly!
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 68.
TSUKASA That can’t be true! You remember that disaster three years ago? Where hundreds died?
Beat.
TAKI Died? Died three years ago? No way. I still have the notes she left behind...
Taki looks through his phone diary.
Beat.
We see all the messages Mitsuha wrote, disappear one by one, as if being deleted.
TAKI (CONT'D) They’re all gone...
CU of Taki’s phone that reads “NO ENTRIES”.
INT/EXT. CAR - MOVING - NIGHT
Nakata drives and the three sit in silence.
TAKI (V.O.) Comet Tiamat, with an orbital period of 1200 years, made a close approach to Earth three years ago in October.
INT. FURUKAWA CITY LIBRARY - NIGHT
A huge pile of books and articles sit on Taki’s desk. He reads through them. TAKI (V.O.) Nobody could predict that its nucleus would split at its perigee.
We see headlines “TOWN ANNIHILATED”, “OVER 500 DEAD OR MISSING”, and “ITOMORI, THE TOWN THAT VANISHED.”
TSUKASA A fragment of the comet became a meteor that struck Japan.
Taki searches more articles on the internet.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 69.
OKUDERA It was the day of the autumn festival.
Tsukasa shows Taki the reports and books.
TSUKASA The point of impact was here. At 8:42 p.m., it struck where people were gathered for the festival.
Okudera pulls a book from the library shelf. Big and heavy.
The title reads, “NAMES OF THE VICTIMS”.
TSUKASA (CONT'D) Over 500 people died, a third of the town’s population, and now nobody lives in Itomori anymore.
Taki flips through the book of victims, searching.
Beat.
TAKI Tessie and Sayaka...
We see their names along with age, “17”. No pictures.
Beat.
Sweat rolls down Taki’s cheek.
CU of a name in the book. It reads, “MITSUHA MIYAMIZU, 17”.
OKUDERA That’s her?
Beat.
OKUDERA (CONT'D) It has to be some kind of mistake. This person died three years ago!
TAKI Just a couple weeks ago, she said to me that the comet would be visible. So...
Taki looks at the window in front of him. He stares at his reflection.
HITOHA (V.O.) You’re dreaming right now...
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 70.
TAKI I...
HITOHA (V.O.) ...aren’t you?
TAKI I... What did I...?
INT. MOTEL - LOUNGE - NIGHT
Vending machines line the walls with drinks and food. A small TV plays with couches and chairs littered around.
Okudera lights a cigarette and puffs out a cloud of smoke. Laughter through the walls as people watch a sports game.
Tsukasa walks in from the reception desk.
OKUDERA Lively up there.
TSUKASA I’m sorry we could only get one room.
OKUDERA No problem.
Tsukasa orders a drink from the vending machine.
OKUDERA (CONT'D) How is Taki?
TSUKASA He’s still reading articles on Itomori. Newspapers and magazines from back then. Whatever he can find. Drink in hand, Tsukasa sits beside Okudera. He stares at her.
OKUDERA What?
TSUKASA Nothing. I didn’t know you smoked.
OKUDERA Oh. I had quit, but...
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 71.
TSUKASA What do you think about Taki’s story?
Okudera takes a small drag.
OKUDERA I liked him.
Tsukasa sits up, surprised.
OKUDERA (CONT'D) The way he was recently... He was always a nice guy, but even more so lately. Like he was trying too hard. It was cute. Tsukasa stares at his drink.
OKUDERA (CONT'D) What he’s saying doesn’t make sense to me...
A few motel residents walk by in robes. Cheers from the people behind the walls ring loudly.
OKUDERA (CONT'D) But I’m sure he met someone, and that someone changed him. That much is for sure.
HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Taki reads newspapers and magazines about Itomori. He checks his phone diary again-- no entries.
Hands trembling, he rests his head on the table, exhausted.
Beat. TAKI (to himself) It was all just a dream. I recognized the scenery because I remembered the news from three years ago. If not that, then... a ghost? No... was I delusional?
He raises his head. Suddenly worried.
TAKI (CONT'D) Her name... What was it?
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 72.
A knock on the door.
Okudera walks in wearing the same bathrobe that the other residents wore earlier.
OKUDERA Tsukasa went to take a bath.
TAKI Oh, Okudera. I, uh... I’ve been saying such strange things. Thank you for coming along today.
Okudera puts her toiletries in her backpack. She shakes her head. “No problem”.
CUT TO:
MOMENTS LATER
Taki and Okudera read through an Itomori magazine.
Pictures of braided cords fill the pages with the title, “THE BRAIDED CORDS OF ITOMORI”.
OKUDERA Braided cords. How pretty. Is that a braided cord you’re wearing?
Taki, sipping tea, looks at his wrist. Mitsuha’s braided cord still wrapped around it.
TAKI Oh, this... I think someone gave it to me a long time ago. I wear it sometimes as a good luck charm... who was it?
Beat.
Taki stares at the cord.
OKUDERA Why don’t you go take a bath, too?
TAKI Yea. (beat) No.
He stares at the braid, as if seeing it for the first time.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 73.
TAKI (CONT'D) Someone who makes braided cords once told me the cords represent the flow of time itself. The threads twist, tangle, unravel, and connect again. That’s time...
Beat.
Taki remembers.
TAKI (CONT'D) Maybe at that place...
Taki moves the books aside and pulls out a map of Itomori’s topography. Okudera looks at him, worried.
CUT TO:
LATER
Tsukasa and Okudera sleep soundly in their futons.
Taki sleeps at the desk. The map spread out in front of him. We see circles drawn on the map along with the words, “AROUND HERE???”. A black pen lies centimeters from his hand.
Mitsuha’s voice appears, very quiet at first, but it gradually grows louder. Her voice echoes in Taki’s mind.
MITSUHA (V.O.) Taki... Taki... Taki...
Suddenly, her voice becomes crystal clear. Like she is talking right beside Taki’s ear.
MITSUHA (V.O.) Don’t you remember me? Taki’s eyes shoot open.
He looks at the braided cord around his wrist.
HOTEL ROOM - THE NEXT DAY
Bright sunlight shines on Okudera’s sleeping body. She wakes and immediately looks towards Taki’s desk. Empty.
Tsukasa continues to sleep.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 74.
A note on the desk with some cash.
It reads, “I HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE. GO BACK TO TOKYO WITHOUT ME. I’LL RETURN LATER. THANKS.”
OKUDERA Taki...
INT/EXT. CAR - MOVING - DAY
Taki rides with Nakata in a small buggy. They drive up a steep mountain road.
The cloudy sky predicts rain as they pass rubble and destroyed buildings.
Taki tries to find the location on his phone GPS.
EXT. ITOMORI FOREST - LATER
Nakata stops the car at the entrance to a small trail leading up the mountain. He hands a lunchbox to Taki.
NAKATA Eat this when you’re hungry.
Taki kindly accepts.
NAKATA (CONT'D) Your drawing of Itomori... it was good.
MOUNTAINSIDE - MOMENTS LATER
The scenery is similar to when Mitsuha, Yotsuha, and Hitoha hiked up to see the shrine god, but the red and orange leaves are replaced with lush, green ones. Thunder rumbles as Taki walks up the path.
It starts to rain-- hard. Taki runs to shelter beneath a large rock. He maps out his route and eats Nakata’s lunch.
He stares at Mitsuha’s braided cord.
TAKI (V.O.) They converge and take shape. They twist, tangle, sometimes unravel, then connect again... Musubi: knotting. That’s time.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 75.
MOUNTAINTOP - LATER
Taki makes it to the top edges of the crater. The shallow basin and the god’s shrine lies beneath him.
TAKI It’s really there! It wasn’t just a dream!
He wipes his eyes, both from rain and from tears, and makes his descent into the basin.
BASIN - MOMENTS LATER
A light, steady rainfall and fog surround Taki as he arrives at the river that separates the underworld from the overworld.
TAKI Beyond this is the underworld.
He steps into the river and wades his way through. The water reaching up to his elbows.
INT. CAVE SHRINE - LATER
Crude, stone steps lead the way down. An old rope, serving as a handrail, barely fights off the rot and decay.
Taki arrives at a small shrine in the back of the cave. Two sealed vases, containing Mitsuha and Yotsuha’s sake, sit preserved on the stone platform. Mold and fungus grow on them.
TAKI It’s the sake we brought.
He shines his phone flashlight on the vase to the right.
TAKI (CONT'D) This is Yotsuha’s...
He shines the light to the vase on the left.
TAKI (CONT'D) ...and this is Mitsuha’s.
He picks up Mitsuha’s sake.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 76.
TAKI (CONT'D) Before the comet struck... so the Mitsuha I know is from three years ago? Our timelines were out of step.
He uncorks the vase.
TAKI (CONT'D) This is half of her...
Taki pours out some sake. It’s nice and clear.
TAKI (CONT'D) Musubi. If time can really be turned back, give me one last chance...
He downs the sake.
Beat.
He stands slowly, phone in hand.
Taki slips and falls on the wet stone. As he falls, the phone flashlight in his hand illuminats the cave ceiling.
TAKI (V.O.) A comet!
An old cave painting of a comet reflects the phone’s light. Vibrant colors used from different iridescent paints, recreate the colors of the comet we saw before.
Taki hits the ground in slow motion and we...
MONTAGE KUCHIKAMIZAKE TRIP
...The cave painting comet becomes animated and turns into a red ribbon twisting through space, then water. Taki splashes through the water, one end of the red string tied around his wrist.
...The string travels through space and turns into the comet hurdling towards Earth. Just as it hits, the comet becomes a sperm and the Earth becomes an egg. Life begins to form, and the zygote duplicates. The sound of a heartbeat. A baby cries far away.
...We see FUTABA MIYAMIZU (late 20s), beautiful and sweaty, laying in bed, clutching a newborn baby’s hand.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 77.
FUTABA Your name is Mitsuha.
...Scissors cut the umbilical cord.
...Taki falls further away from them.
...Images of Toshiki, Futaba, and Mitsuha as they live a happy life as keepers of the Miyamizu Shrine.
TOSHIKI (O.S.) You’re both my treasures.
...The three huddle around Futaba’s pregnant belly. Mitsuha is a few years old.
FUTABA You’re a big sister now.
...A crayon drawing of a family that reads, “GET WELL SOON, MOM”. It hangs by Futaba’s hospital bed. Mitsuha is almost in her teens, and Yotsuha is a toddler.
FUTABA (CONT'D) I’m so sorry, my dears.
...Everyone gathers at Futaba’s funeral.
YOTSUHA (O.S.) Dad, when is Mom going to come home?
...Toshiki descends into despair.
HITOHA (O.S.) Get a hold of yourself!
...Hitoha and Toshiki argue at Miyamizu Shrine. Mitsuha listens from behind a wall.
TOSHIKI Who cares about the shrine?
HITOHA You’re the son-in-law!
TOSHIKI I loved my wife Futaba. Not Miyamizu Shrine!
HITOHA Get out of here!
...Mitsuha cries and covers her ears.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 78.
...Mitsuha and Yotsuha watch as their father leaves.
...Mitsuha (early teens) and Yotsuha (late grade school) learn the braided cords from Hitoha at Miyamizu Shrine.
HITOHA (CONT'D) Mitsuha, Yotsuha, you’ll be with Grandma from now on.
...The camera zooms out from the shrine, the red string flows out. The other end connected to Taki’s wrist as he is pulled away.
...Mitsuha (17) looks at Taki’s writing in her notebook. We’ve seen these shots before. MITSUHA (V.O.) Who am I? No, who are you?
...Mitsuha writes her name on her hand.
MITSUHA (V.O.) Don’t be so full of yourself. Not like you have a girlfriend!
...Mitsuha writes on her face using a mirror. Taki, in the mirror, watches her.
...Mitsuha sitting up in her bed looks out the window.
MITSUHA (V.O.) He’s so lucky. They must be together right about now...
...Mitsuha ties her hair with the braided cord in the mirror. The camera dollies to the side to reveal Mitsuha’s crying face.
MITSUHA I...... Mitsuha, same day, walks with Yotsuha to school.
MITSUHA (CONT'D) I’m going to Tokyo.
YOTSUHA What? Hey, Mitsuha!
...MIYAMIZU SHRINE. Mitsuha, still the same day, with her hair down, sadly stands by the doorway. Taki floats through the mess of memories.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 79.
MITSUHA Grandma, could you do me a favor?
...Scissors cut through Mitsuha’s hair.
MITSUHA (V.O.) Oh, yea, the comet.
...BEDROOM. Mitsuha dresses in her yukata, hair now short.
MITSUHA (V.O.) Today’s the peak of its brightness...
...Mitsuha studies herself in the mirror. Taki calls to her from the mirror.
TAKI Mitsuha! Don’t stay there! Mitsuha, get out of there before the comet strikes!
...FIELD. He sees Mitsuha’s last memory; He sees the comet fall.
TAKI (CONT'D) Mitsuha, get out of there!
...Meteors crash down in the fields around Mitsuha.
TAKI (CONT'D) Mitsuha! Mitsuha!
...The largest meteor right above her head.
TAKI (CONT'D) Mitsuha!
...We zoom into Mitsuha’s eye. The comet reflects in her pupil. CUT TO BLACK.
INT. MITSUHA'S BEDROOM - DAY
Mitsuha (Taki) wakes up. Hair short, but everything else seems normal. She jolts up and studies herself in disbelief.
MITSUHA Mitsuha! She’s still alive!
Trembling, she hugs herself.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 80.
Yotsuha opens the door, business as usual.
YOTSUHA Mitsuha, are you touching...
She sees Mitsuha bawling, snot dripping down her nose-- an absolute mess.
And yes, she is, in fact, touching her boobs.
MITSUHA My sister!
Mitsuha starts crawling to Yotsuha, bawling-- it’s quite a frightful sight.
MITSUHA (CONT'D) Yotsuha!!!
Yotsuha slams the door in Mitsuha’s face, trembling in terror.
LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Yotsuha, dressed for school, consults her grandma.
YOTSUHA Mitsuha has finally lost it. I’m leaving without her.
FRONT DOOR
Yotsuha puts on her shoes and leaves for school.
YOTSUHA She’s lost it. She’s completely lost it. Scary.
LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
The news on the TV talks about the comet.
ANCHOR Comet Tiamat has been visible to the naked eye for a few days now. Tonight, it will finally reach its perigee around 7:40 p.m. and achieve its maximum brightness.
Mitsuha stands in front of the TV in her school uniform. Hands on her hips, deep in thought.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 81.
MITSUHA It’s tonight. There’s still time.
Hitoha brings a tray of tea to the living room.
HITOHA Good morning, Mitsuha. (beat) Oh? You’re not Mitsuha, are you?
MITSUHA (shocked) You knew, Grandma?
HITOHA No, but watching the way you’ve behaved lately triggered some memories.
Hitoha pours some tea.
HITOHA (CONT'D) I also remember having strange dreams when I was a young girl. Although now I’ve forgotten whose life I was dreaming about.
MITSUHA Forgotten...
HITOHA Treasure the experience. Dreams fade away after you wake up. Your mother and I both went through similar phases.
Mitsuha warms her hands on the teacup.
MITSUHA Maybe those dreams that the Miyamizu family had were all for what will happen today. Grandma, listen. A comet will strike Itomori tonight and everyone will die!
Beat.
Hitoha stares at Mitsuha like she’s gone crazy.
EXT. ITOMORI - LATER
Mitsuha runs down the school road with eager determination.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 82.
MITSUHA (V.O.) “Nobody will believe that”? What a surprisingly ordinary reply, Grandma.
Mitsuha pushes towards the school.
MITSUHA I won’t let them die!
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
Sayaka and Tessie are shocked at Mitsuha’s new haircut. The timeframe is before Mitsuha’s hair reveal at the festival.
SAYAKA Oh! What happened, Mitsuha?
TESSIE Your... your hair!
MITSUHA (nonchalant) Oh, this. It looked better before, huh?
TESSIE That’s it?
MITSUHA Forget that! If nothing is done, everyone will die tonight!
The entire class looks over.
MITSUHA (CONT'D) So we have to act!
CUT TO:
INT. CONVENIENCE STORE - DAY
A middle-aged woman scans a basket full of snacks. Sayaka waits nervously with her wallet in hand.
WOMAN Sayaka, why aren’t you at school?
SAYAKA Uh... We have to save the town.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 83.
WOMAN Eh?
INT. AV CLUBROOM - DAY
Mitsuha and Tessie discuss their plan of action in a crowded AV storage room. The two sit on a beat up couch hovering over a laptop.
MITSUHA The community wireless system?
TESSIE Yea, those speakers you see everywhere.
They google, “SUPERIMPOSITION, FREQUENCY”.
MITSUHA I see! That could work! You’re awesome, Tessie!
Mitsuha bumps Tessie off the laptop with her butt. Tessie, trapped between Mitsuha and some boxes, blushes nervously.
TESSIE Hey! Not so close!
MITSUHA (playful) What, embarrassed? Hm? Hm?
She elbows him, her face extremely close.
Tessie sits on the couch’s backrest, trying to get further away.
TESSIE Stop! You’re a girl of marriageable age!
Mitsuha laughs.
MITSUHA What a gentleman!
Sayaka slides open the clubroom door with her foot. Her two hands full of snacks.
SAYAKA Got them. Here’s your change.
Sayaka hands Mitsuha the coins.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 84.
MITSUHA Sorry, Saya.
SAYAKA It’s alright.
They dig through the snacks. Sayaka opens a small cake.
SAYAKA (CONT'D) What about you? Have you come up with an escape plan?
Mitsuha and Tessie look at each other.
Beat. A mischievous grin spreads across both their faces.
CUT TO:
MOMENTS LATER
Sayaka stutters in horror, a bite taken from her cake.
SAYAKA B-- b-- bomb!?
TESSIE We have water gel explosives for construction at our storage site.
CUT TO:
MOMENTS LATER
Another bite taken from Sayaka’s cake.
SAYAKA Broadcast hijacking? TESSIE The town’s wireless system can be hijacked easily with the startup frequency.
MITSUHA So we can broadcast an evacuation warning from the school.
Mitsuha points to a map.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 85.
MITSUHA (CONT'D) The school is outside the disaster area, so people can evacuate here.
SAYAKA It’s totally a crime!
MITSUHA You will do the broadcast.
SAYAKA Why?
TESSIE You’re in the AV club. I’m in charge of explosives. MITSUHA And I’ll go talk to the mayor.
TESSIE In the end, the city council has to evacuate everyone.
MITSUHA I’m his daughter. I can persuade him.
TESSIE It’s a perfect plan.
Sayaka sighs, exhausted from the information overload.
SAYAKA Oh, whatever. It’s just a what-if fantasy, isn’t it?
Mitsuha bites her lip.
MITSUHA What? Well... TESSIE Not necessarily! Do you know how Lake Itomori was formed?
Tessie shows Sayaka a scientific article on the laptop. The research reads “A METEOR CRATER LAKE FORMED 1200 YEARS AGO”.
TESSIE (CONT'D) It’s a meteor crater! So one did strike this area a thousand years ago!
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 86.
Mitsuha’s eyes widen.
FLASHBACK TO CAVE DRAWING OF THE COMET.
MITSUHA (V.O.) (to herself) Oh! So that’s why...
BACK TO CLUBROOM.
MITSUHA (excited) You’re right, Tessie!
Mitsuha and Tessie fist bump like two bros. Sayaka watches, what’s wrong with these two.
Mitsuha and Tessie turn to Sayaka with hungry eyes.
MITSUHA (CONT'D) TESSIE Let’s do this together! Let’s do this together!
INT. ITOMORI TOWN HALL - DAY
A pristine office made of leather and wood. Mitsuha’s father and Mayor of Itomori, Toshiki sits at his desk.
Mitsuha stands, facing her father bravely.
TOSHIKI What on Earth are you talking about.
MITSUHA I said, we have to evacuate everyone in town before tonight or- -
TOSHIKI - -shut your mouth.
Toshiki pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs deeply.
Toshiki looks out the window towards the sky.
TOSHIKI (CONT'D) “The comet will split and strike the town”? “Over 500 people will die”? How dare you spout such nonsense? If you’re serious, then you’re sick.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 87.
Mitsuha recoils, speechless.
TOSHIKI (CONT'D) (to himself) Madness must be from the Miyamizu side. (to Mitsuha) I’ll get someone to drive you to a hospital in the city. I’ll listen to you after a doctor examines you.
Toshiki reaches for the landline on his desk. Mitsuha angry, storms towards her father.
She grabs Toshiki’s tie and pulls him closer to her. MITSUHA You son of a- -!
Beat.
Mitsuha stops, regaining her senses. Toshiki stares at his daughter, a cold sweat on his temple.
Mitsuha let’s go slowly.
TOSHIKI Mitsuha... no. Who... are you?
EXT. ITOMORI - LATE EVENING
Construction workers are building stalls and shop keeps are setting out their goods. A few people hang lanterns.
Mitsuha walks home on the school road, defeated.
A group of middle schoolers wave goodbye to each other while walking home.
GIRL 1 See you later at the festival!
BOY Let’s meet at the shrine. Don’t be late!
GIRL 2 (to Girl 1) See you!
BOY (to Girl 1) Later!
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 88.
The first girl goes off in the opposite direction of Mitsuha. Mitsuha catches the two kids going her way. She grabs the boy by the shoulders.
MITSUHA Don’t go! Get out of town! Tell your friends!
The boy pushes away.
BOY What are you talking about?!
YOTSUHA (O.S.) Mitsuha!
Yotsuha runs to catch up to Mitsuha.
BOY (to Girl 2) What’s going on?
GIRL 2 Let’s go.
The girl drags the boy off.
YOTSUHA What are you doing?
MITSUHA (to herself) Could Mitsuha... could she have persuaded them? (to Yotsuha) Is it my fault?
YOTSUHA Eh?
MITSUHA Yotsuha, leave town with Grandma before nightfall.
YOTSUHA Eh?!
MITSUHA You’ll die if you stay here!
YOTSUHA What are you saying? Yesterday you suddenly went to Tokyo, and now this? What’s wrong with you?
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 89.
Beat.
MITSUHA Tokyo?
Sayaka rides behind Tessie as the two bike towards Mitsuha and Yotsuha.
SAYAKA Hey, Mitsuha!
TESSIE How did it go with your old man?
Beat.
Mitsuha is deep in thought.
TESSIE (CONT'D) Hey, Mitsuha?
Beat.
TESSIE (CONT'D) (to Yotsuha) What’s wrong with her?
YOTSUHA No idea.
Mitsuha gasps.
The sound of bell ringing, echoes softly from a tall, distant mountain.
A breeze picks up.
CU of Mitsuha as she stares at the mountain.
MITSUHA Are you there? Everyone looks where she’s looking.
SAYAKA Is something over there?
Mitsuha pushes Tessie off his bike.
MITSUHA Let me use your bike.
TESSIE Hey what... Mitsuha!
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 90.
Mitsuha rides off.
TESSIE (CONT'D) What about our plan?!
MITSUHA Just get everything ready! Please!
INT. CAVE SHRINE - DAY
Taki (Mitsuha) groggily wakes up. Gasps.
TAKI I’m Taki again.
BASIN - MOMENTS LATER
Taki shields his eyes from the harsh sunset rays.
TAKI What’s Taki doing here?
Taki clumsily climbs out of the basin. He looks down at Itomori and sees the giant crater and destruction.
Beat.
TAKI (CONT'D) The town...is gone.
Shocked, Mitsuha remembers the day she died.
TAKI (CONT'D) At that moment... did I...die?
Taki slumps on a rock, stunned.
EXT. MOUNTAINSIDE - SUNSET Mitsuha (Taki) bikes up the mountain road as fast as she can.
MITSUHA (V.O.) Taki... Taki... Don’t you remember me?
CUT TO:
EXT. ITOMORI TRAIN STATION - DAY - FLASHBACK
ALL FLASHBACK SCENES WILL BE IN RED.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 91.
Mitsuha, in her school uniform, hops on a train to Tokyo.
INT. TRAIN - CONTINUOUS
She stares out of the window.
CUT TO:
EXT. ITOMORI - EARLIER
Mitsuha and Yotsuha leave the house.
MITSUHA I’m going to Tokyo.
YOTSUHA What? Now? Why?
MITSUHA Uh...a date.
YOTSUHA Eh?! You have a boyfriend in Tokyo?
MITSUHA Not my date... um...
CUT TO:
EXT. MOUNTAINSIDE - SUNSET
Mitsuha (Taki) pants heavily as he bikes up the steep path.
Mitsuha’s voice from the previous scene bleeds into this one.
MITSUHA (V.O.) ...I’ll come home tonight.
CUT TO:
INT. RURAL JAPAN - TRAIN - DAY - FLASHBACK
Mitsuha stares at the scenery flying by.
MITSUHA (V.O.) If I suddenly showed up, would I bother him? Surprise him? He might not like it.
The train goes into a tunnel...
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 92.
INT. TOKYO - TRAIN - LATER
...And we emerge in Tokyo. We see skyscrapers and billboards.
STATION - LATER
Mitsuha steps off the train, gawking at the scenery. A true fish out of water.
Mitsuha tries calling Taki’s phone, but is met with a carrier message.
OPERATOR The phone you are trying to reach is out of range or...
She hangs up.
MITSUHA (V.O.) There’s no way we could meet. But what if we did?
INT. SUBWAY - LATER
Mitsuha sits beside a working woman and some high school girls.
MITSUHA (V.O.) What should I do? Would I annoy him? Would it be awkward?
EXT. TOKYO - LATER
Mitsuha wanders the crowded streets. A mega screen plays news about Comet Tiamat.
MITSUHA (V.O.) Or maybe...
INT. BUS - LATER
The bus is mainly empty. A couple sits in the very back. Mitsuha sits alone.
Mitsuha stares out the window.
MITSUHA (V.O.) ...he’d be a bit glad to see me?
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 93.
OPERATOR (V.O.) The phone you are trying to reach...
EXT. BRIDGE - LATE AFTERNOON
Mitsuha stands on the same bridge were Taki and Okudera finished their date. She calls Taki’s phone again.
The framing is the same when Taki called Mitsuha for the first time.
OPERATOR (V.O.)
...is out of range or- -
She hangs up.
MITSUHA (V.O.) There’s no way we could meet.
She walks off.
MITSUHA (V.O.) But... one thing is certain.
EXT. TOKYO - LATER
MCU of Mitsuha’s feet, lost in a sea of other pedestrian's feet. A mass of people moving in all directions.
MITSUHA (V.O.) If we see each other, we’ll know.
Mitsuha fixes her shoes. Her posture slumped, her feet sore.
MITSUHA (V.O.) That you were the one who was inside me.
Mitsuha sits on some stairs with her shoes off. She massages her feet.
MITSUHA (V.O.) That I was the one who was inside you.
She bumps into somebody.
MITSUHA I’m sorry.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 94.
EXT. SUBWAY STATION - LATER
Mitsuha rests on a seat by the train tracks. She stares at the sunset, exhausted.
The train slowly pulls up.
Looking through the window, we see all the cars are packed with people. It’s rush hour, everyone is getting off work and going home.
Mitsuha watches as the cars go past.
Beat.
Her eyes widen, a rush of excitement from within her. She races after a specific car as it passes her.
The train finally comes to a stop and the doors open. A few people get off and Mitsuha squeezes in.
MITSUHA Excuse me.
The subway doors close and the packed train takes off.
INT. SUBWAY - CONTINUOUS
The camera low to the ground, we see Mitsuha’s feet, among a sea of sneakers and khakis, as she pushes deeper into the subway car.
Her feet eventually stop in front of a pair of black sneakers and plaid pants.
CU of Mitsuha’s face. Blushing, she pushes her hair away from her face.
She works up the courage to look the boy in the eyes.
Beat.
Taki (14), in his school uniform, doesn’t look up from his flashcards. He has no idea someone is staring at him.
CUT TO:
EXT. MOUNTAINSIDE - SUNSET
Mitsuha continues to bike up the hill. A tree root sticks out from the cracked and overgrown mountain path.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 95.
The bike wheel trips on the tree truck, sending Mitsuha flying off.
The bike falls off the cliff side, breaking apart.
Mitsuha grabs hold of a branch, barely falling off. She pulls herself up and continues on foot.
MITSUHA (V.O.) (Taki) That time three years ago, before I got to know you...
CUT TO:
INT. SUBWAY - LATE AFTERNOON
The subway conductor announces the next station.
CONDUCTOR Next stop. Yotsuya. Yotsuya.
Taki and Mitsuha surrounded by people. Taki still doesn’t look up.
MITSUHA (whispers) Taki. (louder, more confident) Taki.
Taki looks up. Sees her.
TAKI Huh?
MITSUHA It’s me. Uh...don’t you remember me?
Beat.
TAKI Who are you?
Mitsuha’s smile drops. She looks away.
Mitsuha looks as if she’s about to cry.
MITSUHA (timid) I’m sorry.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 96.
Beat.
The train brakes at it nears the station.
Mitsuha unable to find her balance, leans into Taki, her eyes glued to the ground.
Taki looks the other way.
MITSUHA (V.O.) But he’s Taki.
TAKI (V.O.) Weird girl.
They arrive at the station and the doors open. A group of people leave, Mitsuha follows, trying to escape the awkward situation.
Taki watches her go.
TAKI Hey!
Mitsuha stops momentarily. She looks back, but is immediately pushes forward by the people leaving the subway behind her.
TAKI (CONT'D) What’s your name?!
She takes the braided cord out of her hair as the sea of people drag her out.
MITSUHA Mitsuha!
She whips the braided cord towards Taki, who grabs onto the other end.
MITSUHA (CONT'D) My name is Mitsuha! CUT TO:
EXT. MOUNTAINSIDE - SUNSET
Taki, out of breath and sweating, runs up the mountain.
MITSUHA (Taki) That time three years ago... you came... to see me!
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 97.
EXT. MOUNTAINTOP - SAME TIME
Taki (Mitsuha) stands up suddenly.
Beat.
TAKI Taki?
The sun flares brightly. Golden, pink light bounces off the tops of clouds. The destruction of Itomori spread out underneath them.
Taki walks along the edge of the basin.
Beat.
MITSUHA (echoes) Mitsuha!
TAKI Taki?!
CUT TO:
EXT. MOUNTAINTOP - CONTINUOUS
Mitsuha (Taki) hears Taki call out to her. She races to the edge of the basin.
ELS of the basin. Mitsuha runs along the edge, but Taki is nowhere to be found.
MITSUHA Mitsuha! You’re here, aren’t you? Inside my body!
CUT TO:
EXT. MOUNTAINTOP - CONTINUOUS
Taki looks around. He can’t see her either.
The sun shining in the background almost matches up.
TAKI Taki! Taki, where are you?!
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 98.
INTERCUT TAKI/MITSUHA.
Mitsuha stops. Catches her breath.
MITSUHA Mitsuha. I can hear her, but...
Mitsuha runs clockwise around the basin.
Taki runs counter-clockwise.
TAKI Taki, where are you? Taki!
They are running right towards each other, but they can’t see each other.
The moment they pass each other, a brief flash. We see for a few frames, the braided cord connecting the two of them.
They both stop and look back.
The other person isn’t there.
The both walk towards the point where they felt each other’s presence.
Taki and Mitsuha face each other, the flaring sun between them.
TAKI (CONT'D) Taki, are you...
MITSUHA ...there?
They slowly reach their hands out, trying to touch the other person. Their hands pass the imaginary line, split by the sun.
Nothing happens. The sun sinks lower in the sky.
A dark shadow covers Mitsuha and Taki’s faces. They look at the sun, hidden behind a large cloud.
TAKI MITSUHA (CONT'D) Kataware-doki. Kataware-doki. Beat.
Their eyes widen and they slowly face forward.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 99.
MCU of Taki’s face as it relaxes. He looks down with a easy smile. His eyes glance back up.
TAKI (CONT'D) Mitsuha.
FINALLY a two-shot of the both of them looking at each other.
The two of them, back in their own bodies, in the same frame, with the beautiful sunset sky behind them.
Beat.
They just stare.
Mitsuha finds the words. MITSUHA Taki.
She slowly walks closer to him.
MITSUHA (CONT'D) Taki. It’s really you.
She touches his chest, making sure he’s real. Tears well up in her eyes.
She looks him up and down, and smiles.
The tears finally fall.
MITSUHA (CONT'D) Taki!
Taki smiles softly.
TAKI I came to see you. (chuckling) It wasn’t easy. You were so far away.
Mitsuha wipes her eyes.
MITSUHA But how? At that moment, I...
TAKI I drank your kuchikamizake.
Beat.
Mitsuha steps back, embarrassed.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 100.
MITSUHA You drank that?
TAKI Yea?
MITSUHA You idiot! Pervert!
TAKI Huh?!
MITSUHA Oh, yea, and you groped me!
Caught.
TAKI (panicked) How do you know that?
MITSUHA Yotsuha saw it.
TAKI (stutters) Oh! Sorry, I couldn’t help it! It was just once.
MITSUHA Just once?
Mitsuha thinks it over.
MITSUHA (CONT'D) Doesn’t matter how many times! Asshole.
Taki, red in the face, claps his hands together in prayer.
TAKI Sorry!
Beat.
Mitsuha sees her braided cord hanging from his wrist.
MITSUHA Is that...
Taki takes the ribbon off.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 101.
TAKI Oh. Really, why’d you come see me before I knew you? There’s no way I’d recognize you.
He hands the ribbon over.
TAKI (CONT'D) Here. I kept it for three years. Now you hold onto it.
Mitsuha nods, happy.
She ties the ribbon around her short hair. She turns it into a hairband with a little bow. MITSUHA How is it?
TAKI (blushing) Not bad.
MITSUHA Huh? You’re lying!
TAKI No, I... sorry.
MITSUHA You’re just so...!
She giggles, then breaks into laughter. Taki joins in, enjoying the awkward first meetup.
TAKI (O.S.) Mitsuha, you still have things to do. Listen.
CUT TO:
LATER
The sun hasn’t set fully yet, but we see the comet and the moon high in the sky.
The two stare up at it.
MITSUHA It’s coming.
TAKI Don’t worry. You’ve still got time.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 102.
MITSUHA Yea, I’ll try.
The sun sets lower in the sky. Darkness creeps closer.
MITSUHA (CONT'D) Kataware-doki is almost...
TAKI ...over.
Taki takes a pen out of his pocket.
TAKI (CONT'D) Hey, Mitsuha. So we don’t forget when we wake up... He takes Mitsuha’s hand and begins writing on it.
TAKI (CONT'D) Let’s write our names on each other. Here.
MITSUHA Okay!
Mitsuha takes the pen and Taki’s outstretched palm.
She writes her na--
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 103.
The pen falls to the ground.
Beat.
Taki is alone on the mountain, a horizontal pen stroke on his right palm.
The sun dips below the horizon.
He looks up.
Beat.
He looks around.
TAKI Mitsuha? (beat) Hey, Mitsuha?
Back in his own timeline, Taki sees the destroyed Itomori behind him.
He looks at the stroke on his palm and sighs.
TAKI (CONT'D) I wanted to tell you, wherever you are in the world, I’ll come find you.
He holds his palm.
TAKI (CONT'D) Your name is Mitsuha. It’s okay. I remember.
He looks up at the moon.
TAKI (CONT'D) Mitsuha. Mitsuha. Mitsuha. Your name is Mitsuha. Your name is... He gasps.
Taki quickly picks up the pen. He writes a horizontal stroke on his left palm.
Beat.
The pen shakes in his trembling hand.
TAKI (CONT'D) Who are you? Why did I come here?
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 104.
Taki drops the pen and yells out.
TAKI (CONT'D) I came here to see her. To save her. I wanted her to be alive. Who was it? Who did I come to see?
Taki stands up, looking over the giant craters.
TAKI (CONT'D) Someone dear to me. Someone I don’t want to forget. I shouldn’t forget! Who? Who? Who? Who?
Taki slowly breaks down.
TAKI (CONT'D) (crying) What’s your name?!
His voice echoes through the dark, cold mountains.
FADE TO:
EXT. MOUNTAINSIDE - NIGHT
Mitsuha sprints down the path.
MITSUHA (V.O.) Taki. Taki. Taki. It’s okay. I remember. I’ll never forget!
We see the comet flying in the sky.
MITSUHA (V.O.) Taki. Taki. Your name is Taki!
EXT. ITOMORI - FESTIVAL - NIGHT The stands are built and lit up. Parents, couples, and kids walk the streets. Merchants sell fried food and candied apples.
A few people gaze at the beautiful comet above them.
EXT. ITOMORI SUBSTATION - NIGHT
Tessie finds Mitsuha at the main powerplant for the prefecture. The bright headlights of the moped he’s driving light the place up.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 105.
MITSUHA Tessie!
TESSIE Mitsuha! Where’ve you been?
MITSUHA He said sorry for breaking your bike.
TESSIE Huh? Who did?
MITSUHA I did.
TESSIE Explain everything to me later.
Tessie, wearing a construction helmet and headlamp, carries a large satchel to the locked fence gate surrounding the powerplant.
We see bolt cutters and explosives in the bag.
TESSIE (CONT'D) (re: comet) That’s going to fall? Really?
MITSUHA Yes. I saw it with my own eyes!
TESSIE You saw it, huh? Then I guess we got no choice. Now we’re both criminals!
He uses the bolt cutters to break the chains locking the door.
CUT TO:
INT. ITOMORI SCHOOL - BROADCASTING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Sayaka is alone with the school’s broadcast equipment. An intricate panel with knobs, buttons, and a mess of microphones sticking out of it.
She panics while on the phone with Tessie.
SAYAKA What? I really have to do it?
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 106.
EXT. ITOMORI FOREST - CONTINUOUS - MOVING
INTERCUT PHONE CONVO.
Tessie drives the moped down the slope with Mitsuha sitting behind. Mitsuha holds the phone for Tessie to speak into.
TESSIE When the town’s power goes out the equipment there should work on backup.
Mitsuha puts the phone to her own ear.
MITSUHA Please, Sayaka! Repeat it as much as you can!
Tessie yells out into the darkness, full of adrenaline.
TESSIE Woo-hoo!!! You can do it!
Sayaka sits in front of the main microphone.
SAYAKA Oh, to hell with it!
She hangs up, flips the switch, and plays with the frequencies.
CUT TO:
EXT. ITOMORI FOREST - MOMENTS LATER
Tessie and Mitsuha speed closer to the town. Tessie drives as fast as he can.
MITSUHA Soon, you think?
TESSIE I have no idea!
CUT TO:
ITOMORI SUBSTATION - MOMENTS LATER
The dynamite explodes causing a chain reaction of explosions in the powerplant. Each explosion gets bigger and bigger.
CUT TO:
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 107.
SUBURBS
Tessie and Mitsuha pause for a moment to look at the carnage. The fire and smoke can be seen from the town; the explosion can be felt a mile away.
The two stare in nervous horror.
ITOMORI
The townsfolk look into the darkened mountain after having felt and heard the explosion. A small, orange light glows against the black backdrop.
WOMAN Look!
The lights around the festival turn off. Then the entire town. The town hall and the school lights all turn off.
ELS of the entire Lake Itomori and province. We see the lights of life slowly turn off, starting from the initial explosion in the mountains.
The entire region is dark except for a small spark of light from the explosion; however, the larger cities further away aren’t affected.
FESTIVAL
People wander through the darkened food stalls. A kid looks up at the sky.
KID Hey, look!
With all the lights off, the night sky is covered in bright stars. The comet shines bright and beautiful. Everyone tops and stares at the sky.
An emergency alarm blares through the town’s speakers.
We hear Sayaka through the speakers, trying to sound like an adult.
SAYAKA (THROUGH SPEAKERS) This is Itomori Town Hall. An explosion has occurred at the substation.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 108.
INT. BROADCASTING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
A red light glows behind Sayaka, who looks like she’s gonna cry as she reads from her script.
SAYAKA (THROUGH SPEAKERS) There is a danger of further explosions and forest fires. Residents in the following areas, please evacuate to Itomori High School.
ITOMORI - KADOIRI BRIDGE
A few people stand on the bridge we see Mitsuha, Tessie, and Sayaka use to go to school.
SAYAKA (THROUGH SPEAKERS) Kadoiri District...
RESIDENTIAL HOUSES
A few people look out their balconies.
SAYAKA (THROUGH SPEAKERS) Sakagami District...
TOWN HALL
A team of office workers make and answer phone calls, trying to solve the problem.
Toshiki paces the room.
TOSHIKI The broadcast isn’t from here? Who is it, then?
FESTIVAL
A mass of people meander through the festival, making their way to the school.
SAYAKA (THROUGH SPEAKERS) Miyamori District...
SUBURBS
A lifeless and dark street.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 109.
SAYAKA (THROUGH SPEAKERS) Oyazawa District...
RESIDENT STREETS - MOVING
Tessie and Mitsuha zoom through dark empty roads. They reach a staircase leading straight towards the festival.
TESSIE Let’s go, Mitsuha!
Tessie couldn’t stop the moped in time, and they both hop off as the bike skids to a stop..
MITSUHA Tessie!
TESSIE I’m fine, go!
They leave the bike and sprint down the stairs.
FESTIVAL - CONTINUOUS
People wander around. The two rush in and starts yelling.
TESSIE Run, everybody! Forest fire!
MITSUHA Forest fire! Please evacuate!
They run through the festival, hurrying people who are just walking.
TESSIE Run! Fire!
MITSUHA It’s not safe here! Please evacuate!
It’s no use. People are still chatting and moving lackadaisically, ignoring their pleads.
TESSIE We don’t have enough time! Mitsuha!
He grabs Mitsuha’s shoulder.
She turns to him and we see tears in her eyes.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 110.
TESSIE (CONT'D) What’s wrong?
Beat.
MITSUHA His name... I can’t remember his name!
Beat.
Tessie grows angry.
TESSIE Look, how should I know? You started all this! We can’t evacuate everyone by ourselves! Go persuade your father!
She nods and runs off towards the Town Hall, as Tessie watches her go.
An explosion erupts from the mountain behind him. Everyone around Tessie turns to look.
TESSIE (CONT'D) Everybody run! Go to the high school!
TOWN HALL
Everyone frantically works to keep the situation under control.
WORKER 1 It’s no terrorist attack!
ADMINISTRATOR What’s Chubu Electric saying? WORKER 2 They’re still checking!
MAYOR'S OFFICE
Toshiki yells into his cell phone. Red lights surround him.
TOSHIKI No forest fire yet? Are you sure? Okay!
He hangs up.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 111.
He commands one of the workers awaiting orders.
TOSHIKI (CONT'D) Stop this broadcast! Figure out where it’s coming from!
A city administrator bursts through the door.
ADMINISTRATOR The Takayama sensor station called!
Beat.
TOSHIKI The high school?
EXT. ITOMORI - LATER
We see the comet, still intact. Mitsuha sprints past one of the tall speakers as Sayaka continues the broadcast.
SAYAKA (THROUGH SPEAKERS) Again, residents in the following areas, evacuate to Itomori High School-- ah!
FACULTY (THROUGH SPEAKERS) What are you doing? Turn that off!
A click and the speakers are silent.
MITSUHA Sayaka!
FESTIVAL
Tessie worriedly stares at the speakers.
TESSIE Oh, no.
He looks around, people have stopped moving, confused.
SCHOOL - HALL
Sayaka cries as she is led out by the faculty.
TEACHER What have you done, Sayaka?
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 112.
Outside the window, a soft bell rings through a speaker. An older man’s voice speaks calmly.
ADMINSTRATOR (THROUGH SPEAKERS) This is Itomori Town Hall.
TOWN HALL
Toshiki and some council members watch the city worker read from a script at the town hall’s broadcast room.
ADMINISTRATOR We are currently looking into the accident.
ITOMORI
Families and townsfolk make their way to the school.
CITY WORKER (THROUGH SPEAKERS) Please don’t panic. Stay where you are and await further instructions.
Everyone grows more impatient, confused, and irritated.
FESTIVAL
Tessie isn’t giving up, sweating as he tries to convince people to leave.
TESSIE Come on, you should all evacuate! The high school is the shelter!
DAISUKE (O.S.) Katsuhiko!
Tessie freezes.
His dad and some construction workers march towards him.
DAISUKE (CONT'D) What are you doing?!
Beat.
TESSIE (defeated) Sorry, Mitsuha. It’s over.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 113.
Tessie looks up at the sky. His eyes widen, shocked and scared.
TESSIE (CONT'D) Oh shit.
The comet fractures into a myriad of smaller pieces.
TESSIE (CONT'D) It really split!
The fragments fall towards Earth, burning red as it enters the atmosphere.
CUT TO:
MONTAGE VARIOUS PEOPLE WATCHING THE COMET
...A news anchor commentates over live footage.
ANCHOR (ON TV) Look! The comet has split in two and meteors are falling!
...Multiple families watch various news channels while eating dinner.
METEOROLOGIST (ON TV) Nobody predicted this.
...A reporter on site stares at the sky.
REPORTER We have a really mystical sight here.
...Office workers in tokyo stare out the window of their skyscraper.
...Astrologists discuss the situation live on tv.
REPORTER (ON TV) (CONT'D) So the comet’s nucleus split? Did tidal forces affect...
ASTROLOGIST (ON TV) The comet isn’t within the Roche limit, so the nucleus itself must have...
...We see people from different parts of the world, Hawaii, Scotland, all gaze at the sky at the comet. Whether it be night or noon, the comet is a beautiful phenomenon.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 114.
REPORTER (ON TV) In the past, Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 broke and collided with Jupiter in 1994. At least 21 fragments...
...We see middle school Taki staring at the TV screen while having tea with his dad. He jumps out of his seat.
TAKI I’m going to look!
END MONTAGE.
EXT. ITOMORI - SCHOOL - NIGHT
Sayaka points to the sky as her faculty escort stare in fear.
REPORTER (V.O.)(ON TV) They will probably melt before reaching the ground.
FESTIVAL
Tessie yells into his dad’s ear, as he stares dumbstruck at the sky.
INT. TOKYO APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
Taki walks onto the balcony, staring at the sky. All the news casters and reporters talk over each other, as Taki looks out towards the comet and Itomori.
REPORTER (V.O.)(ON TV) And the probability of a meteor crashing into a residential area is small...
ASTROLOGIST (V.O.)(ON TV) To calculate the trajectory...
ANCHOR (V.O.)(ON TV) To be witnessing such a magnificent celestial event, and...
All the other voices quiet down. We are left with one reporter.
REPORTER (V.O.)(ON TV) How fortunate for those living in this day and age to be able to watch this live.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 115.
Beat.
Taki gazes at the sky.
MITSUHA (V.O.) Hey. Who are you?
EXT. ITOMORI - CONTINUOUS
Mitsuha races towards the Town Hall, taking a shortcut through the woods.
MITSUHA (V.O.) Who? Who? Who was it? Someone dear to me. Someone I shouldn’t forget. I don’t want to forget!
Mitsuha cuts through alleyways and sprints down a long, downslope highway.
MITSUHA (V.O.) Who was it? Who was it? Who are you? What’s your name?
Lake Itomori shines vibrantly beside her. The comet’s reflection can be seen in the water. Mitsuha looks at the sky.
The meteor falls towards Earth ever so slowly.
MITSUHA It’s split!
Mitsuha trips on a crack in the concrete.
Her head slams into the ground, and she rolls down the concrete.
Beat.
Mitsuha lies on the floor, knocked out.
TAKI (V.O.) So we don’t forget when we wake up, let’s write our names on each other.
She gradually comes to. Her face and hands scratched and bleeding.
When she opens her eyes, the first thing she sees is her right hand clenched in front of her. She slowly opens her hand.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 116.
It reads, “I LOVE YOU”.
Beat.
Tears well up in Mitsuha’s eyes.
Beat.
Mitsuha painfully gets up and leans on the highway railing. She stares at Taki’s message in her hand.
MITSUHA I can’t remember your name with this...
She cries into her hand.
Beat.
With new found determination, she shakes off the pain and continues her sprint towards the Town Hall.
INT. MAYOR'S OFFICE - LATER
Mitsuha bursts through door, an absolute mess.
MITSUHA Dad!
Yotsuha and Hitoha are with Toshiki. Yotsuha jumps out of her seat, seeing Mitsuha so disheveled.
YOTSUHA Mitsuha!
Toshiki rises from his desk, angry.
TOSHIKI Not you again...
Mitsuha confronts her dad with slow, purposeful steps. Toshiki backs away as Mitsuha stares him right in the eyes.
TAKI (V.O.) It was almost as if it were a scene from a dream.
CUT TO:
EXT. TOKYO APARTMENT - NIGHT
Taki gazes at the comet above him.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 117.
TAKI (V.O.) Nothing more, nothing less than a beautiful view.
EXT. SPACE - NIGHT
We see comet shards fall towards Earth, burning red in the atmosphere.
ITOMORI - SKY - CONTINUOUS
The smaller pieces disintegrate, but the largest chunk tears through the ozone and dives into the clouds.
As we follow the comet through the clouds, we see the lights of Japan sparkle below.
The camera tilts down and we see ELS of Itomori, dark from the power outage.
MIYAMIZU SHRINE
WS of the darkened Miyamizu Shrine.
Beat.
The comet crashes into the buildings and explodes.
No sound can be heard.
ITOMORI
An exponentially large area explodes and megatons of Earth fly into the sky.
The water from Lake Itomori ripples out like a tsunami, causing nearby trees and buildings to collapse.
Kadoiri Bridge get’s demolished.
The wooden picnic table and vending machine disappears from existence.
Cars and buses crash into buildings.
The tori gate splinters into millions of pieces.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 118.
The area surrounding half the lake goes up in flames, shrouded by smoke, completely destroyed.
FADE TO BLACK.
EXT. MOUNTAINTOP - DAY
Taki wakes up, having slept all night where he met Mitsuha. He stares at Lake Itomori and the large crater the comet left behind.
TAKI What am I doing here?
Taki looks at the horizontal pen stroke on his hand.
CUT TO BLACK.
MATCH CUT TO:
INT. TOKYO - SUBWAY - DAY - 5 YEARS LATER
The same shot of Taki’s hand, but pen stroke is gone.
Taki (22), older, in a business suit, stands by the door and stares at his hand longingly.
The subway slowly pulls into the station. Taki looks at the people waiting on the platform.
For a brief moment, he sees the back of a girl’s head, long black hair with a braided cord tied around it in a bow.
Taki’s eyes light up.
When the subway doors open, Taki runs out, eyes scanning the crowd.
She isn’t there.
TAKI (V.O.) I’m always searching for something. This feeling has possessed me for some time.
MONTAGE TAKI
...Taki goes through many interviews as he applies for architect positions around Tokyo.
QUICK CUTS.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 119.
--Taki sits between two other applicants.
TAKI I applied because...
--Taki walks to his next interview at a tall skyscraper.
TAKI (CONT'D) The landscapes people live in...
--He sits in front of a panel of executives.
TAKI (CONT'D) You never know when Tokyo might disappear as well. So I want to help build landscapes that leave heartwarming memories...
--He bows before leaving, yet another interview.
END MONTAGE.
INT. CAFE - DAY
Taki drinks tea with Shinta and Tsukasa, both 22 and in business suits. Tsukasa looks like an executive with his hair slicked to the side; we see a wedding band on his finger.
SHINTA How many interviews have you had?
TAKI (annoyed) I haven’t kept track.
TSUKASA Can’t see you landing a job.
TAKI You’re one to- - SHINTA - -Maybe it’s the suit.
TAKI We’re not that different!
SHINTA I have two job offers.
TSUKASA I have eight.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 120.
Taki scowls at his friends.
His phone beeps and reads, “YOU HAVE A NEW MESSAGE”.
EXT. SUBWAY STATION - LATER
Okudera waits for Taki at the same station where their first date took place.
TAKI (V.O.) I’m not sure if I’m searching for a person or a place... or if I’m searching for a job.
Okudera sees Taki in his suit.
OKUDERA Oh, you’re job-hunting.
TAKI I haven’t had much luck.
Okudera studies Taki closely.
OKUDERA Maybe it’s the suit.
TAKI Does it look that bad?
Okudera giggles.
EXT. TOKYO - GOLDEN HOUR - MOMENTS LATER
People head home from their work. The two walk around city, catching up.
TAKI Why did you want to meet?
OKUDERA I was out here for work and figured I’d say hi.
A large mega screen displays the Itomori crater. The text reads, “8 YEARS SINCE THE COMET DISASTER”.
OKUDERA (CONT'D) We went to Itomori once, didn’t we? You were still in high school, so it was...
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 121.
TAKI 5 years ago.
OKUDERA That long? Seems like I’ve forgotten a lot.
TAKI (V.O.) I no longer remember much from back then. Maybe we had a disagreement since the other two returned to Tokyo without me. I spent the night alone on some mountain. That’s about all I remember.
The two admire the Tokyo skyline and the Skytree.
TAKI (V.O.) But at one point, I was inexplicably drawn to the events surrounding that comet.
Pedestrians passing by look up at the mega screens displaying the Itomori tragedy.
TAKI (V.O.) Part of a comet destroyed a town in that disaster.
News footage from that day plays along text that reads, “EVACUATION OF RESIDENTS TO HIGH SCHOOL GROUNDS CONFIRMED”.
TAKI (V.O.) But most of the town’s residents were miraculously unhurt.
More text reads, “NO DEATHS, 104 WOUNDED”.
TAKI (V.O.) The entire town happened to be holding an emergency drill and most of its residents were outside the blast zone.
Newspaper clippings with titles such as “RESIDENTS SAFE” and “DISASTER FORTOLD?”
TAKI (V.O.) The sheer luck and coincidence sparked various rumors. I read those articles intently back then.
CUT TO:
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 122.
INT. TAKI'S ROOM - NIGHT - FLASHBACK
We see middle school Taki reading articles on the event.
TAKI (V.O.) What had caught my interest so much then is now a mystery to me.
CUT TO:
EXT. TOKYO - BRIDGE - NIGHT - PRESENT
The same bridge where Taki and Okudera ended their first date. Where Taki and Mitsuha tried calling each other.
Taki and Okudera look out towards the city.
TAKI (V.O.) I didn’t even know anybody in that town.
OKUDERA Thanks again, for today. This is far enough.
Okudera waves goodbye and we see a wedding band on her finger.
OKUDERA (CONT'D) Don’t worry, you’ll find your happiness someday.
Okudera leaves.
Beat.
Taki looks at his right hand.
TAKI (V.O.) I feel like I’m always searching for something, for someone.
INT. CAFE - NIGHT
Taki flips through his planner for next week’s job interviews. He faces the window; rain pours outside as he sips his coffee.
SAYAKA (O.S.) I want to go to another bridal fair.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 123.
TESSIE (O.S.) They’re all the same
SAYAKA (O.S.) Shinto-style is nice, too...
TESSIE (O.S.) I thought you wanted a wedding in a chapel.
SAYAKA (O.S.) Oh, and Tessie...
Taki freezes, his back towards them.
The camera reveals Sayaka and Tessie’s faces. They are 25. Sayaka has a cute, bob hairstyle and Tessie has a patchy beard.
The two look over wedding plans while Tessie drinks coffee and Sayaka eats a small cake.
SAYAKA (CONT'D) Lose the beard before the wedding and I’ll lose three kilos.
TESSIE You’re eating cake.
SAYAKA I’ll start tomorrow.
Taki looks over at their table. It’s empty.
He sees the two of them leaving the cafe holding hands.
EXT. BRIDGE - NIGHT
A light snowfall. Taki walks across the almost-empty bridge. A few pedestrians walk back and forth. Taki passes a woman in a white overcoat and umbrella.
Beat.
Out of the corner of his eye, he notices a small braided cord tied around her hair.
He pauses and looks back.
The umbrella covers the back of her head.
Beat.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 124.
Taki turns away and continues walking.
The woman turns back slightly, her face covered by the umbrella.
She watches Taki walk away, then continues her own way.
INT. LIBRARY - NIGHT
Taki flips through a picture book of Itomori. We see the various landmarks we’ve come to recognize: Kadoiri Bridge, Miyamizu Shine, and Lake Itomori. The images draw Taki in.
TAKI Why does the scenery of a town that no longer exists wring my heart so?
MONTAGE TOKYO
...Snowfall comes and goes as the winter passes in Tokyo.
...Timelapse of the sun rising on Tokyo’s skyline.
...Spring arrives. Cherry blossoms bloom throughout Tokyo.
...A busy farmers market.
...We see Mitsuha’s old classmates living life in Tokyo.
...Mami (25), one of Mitsuha’s bullies, and member of Kazuya’s harem, eats some ramen.
...Kazuya helps a customer check out at a convenience store.
...Sayaka and Tessie browse an apartment catalog.
...Yotsuha (17), studies in high school.
END MONTAGE.
CUT TO BLACK.
INT. TAKI’S ROOM - DAY
Taki wakes up and looks at his hand.
INT. MITSUHA’S ROOM - SAME TIME
Mitsuha wakes up and looks at her hand.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 125.
INTERCUT AS THEY GO THROUGH THEIR DAY
...Taki stares in the mirror as he wipes his face.
...Mitsuha ties her hair with the braided cord.
...The two leave their apartments.
...The two enter subway stations.
INT. SUBWAY - MOMENTS LATER
Taki looks out the window at the passing trains.
ANOTHER SUBWAY - CONTINUOUS
Mitsuha, by the door, gazes out the window.
Beat.
Something catches her eye.
On the other side of the glass, we see Taki as he turns towards Mitsuha. His train is going the other way.
The two recognize each other...
TAKI (V.O.) I was always searching...
MITSUHA (V.O.) Searching...
...but their subways split off in opposition directions!
MITSUHA (V.O.) ...for someone!
MONTAGE TAKI/MITSUHA
QUICK CUTS.
--Taki sprints past the subway gates.
--Mitsuha searches the station frantically. It’s impossible to find anyone in the crowded space.
--Taki sprints down a busy Tokyo sidewalk.
--Mitsuha runs along a wide highway.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 126.
--Taki searches a quiet neighborhood street.
--Mitsuha sprints down a residential road.
EXT. SUGA SHRINE - STAIRS - MOMENTS LATER
Taki finds himself at the base of a tall flight of stairs with red rails, imbedded in the heart of a residential area.
Beat.
Taki looks up towards the top of the staircase.
The camera tilts up to reveal Mitsuha at the top, looking down at him.
They make eye contact, but Taki quickly breaks it and composes himself.
He walks up the stairs nonchalantly.
Mitsuha walks down the stairs, acting normal.
The two pass each other without acknowledgment.
A mixture of sadness, yearning, and pain spreads across Mitsuha’s face. She lets out a shaky sigh.
Taki reaches the top of the stairs.
He stops.
Beat.
He takes a deep breath and turns around.
TAKI Hey!
Mitsuha freezes.
TAKI (CONT'D) Haven’t we met?
Beat.
Mitsuha turns slowly, crying.
MITSUHA I thought so, too!
Beat.
Rewritten by Jake Gao Original story by Makoto Shinkai 127.
Tears roll down Taki’s cheeks.
TAKI MITSUHA (CONT'D) What’s your name...? What’s your name...? The camera tilts up towards the sky.
SUPER: 君の名は your name
END.
Rewritten by Jake Gao