@Satsuki:
Some of you may remember Mamoru Hosoda (The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Mirai, Wolf Children, etc.) Well, he's got a new one out that's due in the US in January. It's Anime meets Disney meets The Matrix. And it looks fucking wonderful.
I admit I've never seen any of his movies yet, but there are some who are calling him the heir of Hayao Miyazaki. Only he has Studio Chizu and not Studio Ghibli. I can kinda see it, but it remains to be seen.
We actually have a thread for him (and Makoto Shinkai) http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=38316 Personally, I'm a big fan of his, though I have to admit he has some issues as a director. Mainly his big problem is that his movies tend to fall apart or at least drop in quality in the third act.
Girl Who Leapt Through Time - Great beginning and middle, but an abysmally dull and confusing third act
Summer Wars - Pretty consistent quality throughout, though it kinda felt like it was two different movies fighting against each other, tonally speaking.
Wolf Children - Fantastic movie. Easily his best. If you watch one of his movies, make sure it's this one.
Boy and the Beast - Pretty good, but again, kind of deteriorates in the third act.
Mirai - Honestly, pretty bad all around, at least by this director's standards. I guess it was kind of experimental, but it's a failed experiment.
But, all the same, I do highly recommend you check out at least some of his movies. I'd start with Wolf Children and Summer Wars, and if you like what you see you can check out the others. And yes, I'm very much looking forward to Belle and I hope it will be a return to form for Hosoda.