Some people say, 'Well you're a man; how do you write about women or girls when you don't know about them?' Well, I've got my imagination, and I can write about women. Yes, I'll never be pregnant and give birth to children, but I can imagine a bit of what it's like. When you create characters, it's just about making them really real to people.

In this quote, Makoto Shinkai addresses a common criticism faced by male writers who create characters of the opposite gender. He acknowledges the question of how a man can authentically write about women or girls when he has not personally experienced their unique life challenges. Shinkai’s response emphasizes the importance of imagination in storytelling, asserting that a writer does not need to have lived through every experience they write about, but instead can use their imagination to understand and depict different perspectives.

Shinkai also touches on the idea of empathy in writing. While he acknowledges the limitations of never being able to experience pregnancy or childbirth, he believes that through imagination, a writer can come close to understanding the emotional and psychological experiences of others. His focus is on the idea that, regardless of gender, a good writer can craft real, multi-dimensional characters that resonate with readers or viewers. For Shinkai, the essence of writing compelling characters is about making them authentic and relatable to an audience, no matter their personal background.

The origin of this quote is grounded in Shinkai's background as a filmmaker and storyteller, particularly in his work on animated films such as Your Name and Weathering with You. As a director known for his emotionally charged narratives, Shinkai has often explored themes of love, connection, and personal transformation through his characters. His response to the criticism reflects his belief that storytelling transcends personal experience and requires a deep capacity for understanding the human condition.

Ultimately, Shinkai’s quote speaks to the universal nature of storytelling. Whether writing about a character’s experiences or emotions, what matters most is the ability to create a believable, engaging character that feels real to the audience. Through imagination and empathy, writers can bridge any gaps between their own experiences and the experiences of those they seek to portray, allowing them to craft stories that resonate across gender, culture, and personal experience.