Arata Kanoh, wrote novels such as 'Voices of a Distant Star and 'The Place Promised in Our Early Day' which are both Makoto Shinkai films. He known for novel adaptations of Makoto Shinkai's works, giving more depth and new perspectives.

Makoto Shinkai, is a Japanese film director considered one of the best animators in the world today, he is often called the "next-Miyazaki".
He has won numerous awards: 12th DoGA CG Animation Award; 1st New Tokyo International Animation Festival Grand Prize; 7th Kobe Animation Prize; 6th Japanese Media Art; Award for Digital Media; 34th Nebula Award (World Con); 59th Mainichi Films Animation Prize; 2007 Asia Pacific Film Award, Lancia Platinum Grand Prize (Italy).
Best Animated Film for 2016 (Your Name) - Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA), 26th Annual Japan Movie Critics Awards: Animation Category Best Director Award