On Sunday, musical sensation Eminence Symphony Orchestra had a surprise guest: Makoto Shinkai made his way on stage (punching out several security guards and members of the band in the process) to talk with the audience. After a rousing speech pushing Japan to re-arm itself, he had some news about his latest project, namely that there is one.

Shinkai said that while his new project isn't officially announced yet, he had some details about it. First off, it's going to be "more ambitious" than his last projects, and will be the longest one to date. According to ANN:

Shinkai noted that most of his works in the past decade were stories about characters who have to part ways with those they hold dear, but he wants to take that theme even further.

So, the story is going to be even more heartbreaking? I don't trust him when he says the heroine is going to be a "cheerful, spirited girl." That just means she has further to fall. Still, I'm excited for this. Who else is ready for one of the most celebrated independent directors to make us all cry like babies once again?