'Kimi no Na wa' latest news, updates 2016: movie becomes the second highest-grossing Japanese film of all time

Japanese anime fantasy film "Kimi no Na wa," also known by its Western title "Your Name," is breaking records left and right. The movie has overtaken animation legend Hayao Miyazaki's "Howl's Moving Castle" by earning $197.5 million during its 15-week run to become the second highest-grossing Japanese film of all time.

"Kimi no Na wa" still has a to earn a lot more before it can overtake "Spirited Away" for the top spot, but its popularity overseas should not be discounted. The movie is doing quite well in China. In fact, it managed to beat "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" during its opening weekend. And who would have thought that the movie would be a hit in the West? Even director Makoto Shinkai couldn't have predicted it.

Earlier this week, Shinkai attended TheWrap's screening presentation of "Kimi no Na wa," and he stated that he was surprised to be appearing in front an American audience. "I'm almost in shock that I'm here at this moment," he said through a translator.

During the panel discussion, he talked about how he wanted the film to be unpredictable and he also explained why he chose to explore the themes in the movie.

"I wanted to pursue these themes because I feel we're always looking at tomorrow wondering who we're going to meet. You never know who we're going to meet, and I wanted to explore that future," he said.

In spite of a limited release, "Kimi no Na wa" has been building up momentum in the United States. The Los Angeles Film Critics Association has presented the best animated film award to the movie, and "Kimi no Na wa" has now joined a select group of films to be nominated for an Oscar in the best animated feature category.

Will "Kimi no Na wa" eventually take over the top spot from "Spirited Away" and win an Oscar along the way?