Finding exactly Your Name where to stream has become a bit of a moving target lately. You’d think a movie that basically redefined modern anime for a global audience would be everywhere, all the time. But licensing is a mess. One day it's on Netflix in the UK, the next it’s gone, and US fans are left scrolling through three different apps just to find the rental page.
Your Name (or Kimi no Na wa) isn't just a movie. It’s a phenomenon. When Makoto Shinkai released this back in 2016, it didn't just break records; it shattered the idea that only Studio Ghibli could achieve mainstream prestige. It follows Taki and Mitsuha, two teenagers who start swapping bodies across time and space. The visuals are crisp—think hyper-detailed cityscapes and sunsets that look better than real life. Honestly, it’s the kind of film that makes you want to upgrade your TV just to see the comet fragments better. Learn more on a similar issue: this related article.
Where to find Your Name right now
If you are looking for the most reliable spot to watch, Crunchyroll is currently the primary home for streaming Your Name in the United States and several other territories. Since the Sony-led merger between Funimation and Crunchyroll, most of the big-ticket anime films have migrated there. It’s available in both the original Japanese with subtitles and the English dub. Some people swear by the Japanese audio for the emotional weight, but the English dub features a soundtrack by the band RADWIMPS that was actually re-recorded in English, which is a rare level of dedication for a localization.
Outside of the dedicated anime platforms, the situation gets a little "search-and-rescue." In the UK, the film has historically popped up on Netflix and Sky Go, but these deals rotate out faster than you'd expect. In Australia, Binge and Foxtel Now have carried it. Additional journalism by Entertainment Weekly explores similar perspectives on the subject.
If you aren't seeing it on your subscription services, the digital storefronts are your best bet.
- Amazon Prime Video (Buy/Rent)
- Apple TV / iTunes
- Google Play Movies
- Vudu
Buying it digitally is usually the move if you’re a re-watcher. The licensing for Shinkai’s films—including Weathering With You and Suzume—tends to be fragmented between GKIDS in North America and various distributors in Europe. This means the movie can disappear from "free" streaming libraries without much warning.
Why isn't it on Netflix US?
It's a licensing headache. Plain and simple. Netflix often secures the rights to Your Name in regions like India, Japan, or parts of Europe, but North American rights are tightly held by GKIDS. They usually prefer to keep the streaming rights tied to platforms that pay a premium or stick to transactional VOD (Video on Demand).
There’s also the "Shinkai effect" to consider. Every time Makoto Shinkai releases a new film, like Suzume, the interest in his back catalog spikes. Distributors know this. They often hold back Your Name from "all-you-can-eat" streaming services during these windows to capitalize on individual sales. It’s a business. It’s annoying, but it’s how the industry currently breathes.
The technical side: Sub vs. Dub
When you finally land on a platform, you’re going to have to choose. Subbed or dubbed? This is the eternal anime debate.
The original Japanese cast features Ryunosuke Kamiki and Mone Kamishiraishi. Their performances are legendary in Japan. However, the English dub, directed by Stephanie Sheh, is remarkably good. Michael Sinterniklaas and Stephanie Sheh bring a grounded, slightly more "western" teenager vibe to Taki and Mitsuha that works surprisingly well.
What really matters here is the music. The band RADWIMPS composed the entire score. It’s integral to the film’s pacing. In the English version, lead singer Yojiro Noda recorded English versions of the hits like "Zenzenzense" and "Sparkle." If you stream the movie, check the description to see which version you're getting, as some platforms list them as separate entries entirely.
What makes Your Name worth the hunt?
People talk about the "Shinkai aesthetic." It's basically high-fidelity longing. The film captures the feeling of looking for something—or someone—you can't quite remember. It resonated so deeply that it became the highest-grossing anime film of all time before Demon Slayer: Mugen Train eventually took the crown.
The plot is a bit of a puzzle. It starts as a lighthearted body-swap comedy. Taki is a boy in Tokyo; Mitsuha is a girl in a rural town called Itomori. They wake up in each other’s lives. Hijinks ensue. But then, about halfway through, the tone shifts. It becomes a race against time and a meditation on memory and disaster. It’s heavy. It’s beautiful. It’s why people are still searching for Your Name where to stream nearly a decade later.
Making the most of your viewing experience
If you’re streaming this for the first time, don't watch it on your phone. Please. The art direction by Masayoshi Tanaka and the background art are too intricate for a small screen. We’re talking about hand-drawn light reflections on a sliding door or the way a train door closes.
- Check your resolution: If renting on Amazon or YouTube, ensure you’re selecting the 4K or HD option. The color palette in the comet sequences is specifically designed for high dynamic range.
- Audio Setup: Use headphones or a decent soundbar. The RADWIMPS score is loud, percussive, and emotional. It’s meant to overwhelm you.
- Regional Workarounds: If you’re traveling, remember that your library changes. A US Crunchyroll account might not show the same titles when you’re sitting in a hotel in France.
Looking ahead: The future of Shinkai on streaming
We are seeing a trend where anime is becoming more centralized. With Sony owning both Crunchyroll and the distribution rights to many anime hits, the "streaming wars" for anime are starting to settle. However, Your Name remains a "prestige" title. This means it will likely continue to bounce between high-end streamers and "rent only" status.
If you find it on a service you already pay for, watch it immediately. Don't put it on your "Watch List" for six months. It might not be there when you get back.
Actionable steps for the best stream
To get the best possible version of Your Name right now, follow this priority list:
- Priority 1: Search Crunchyroll. If you have a subscription, this is the "free" path with the highest bit-rate for anime.
- Priority 2: Check Netflix only if you are outside the US or using a service that reflects international libraries.
- Priority 3: Use JustWatch or Reelgood. These sites are the only way to track the daily changes in licensing. Type in the title and set your region; it’ll tell you if it moved to Hulu or Max overnight.
- Priority 4: If you want the permanent "highest quality" without physical media, buy the 4K UHD digital version on Apple TV. It offers the most stable stream and usually includes both language tracks.
Once you’ve finished Your Name, the natural progression is to look for Weathering With You and then Suzume. They aren't direct sequels, but they exist in a similar "emotional universe" and often share small, blink-and-you-miss-it cameos. Watching them in order shows the evolution of Shinkai's obsession with the sky, the stars, and the way humans try to connect across impossible distances.
