Suzume Review: The Beauty of Makoto Shinkai’s New Film

MarianaMay 6, 2023

Hi everyone ٩(◕‿◕)۶

Suzume no Tojimari is Makoto Shinkai’s latest film, released a few weeks ago. It’s focused on Suzume, a teenage girl who races against time to save Japan from a deadly disaster.

Makoto is the creator of amazing films such as Your Name and 5 Centimeters Per Second, that have in common adolescent protagonists with very intense personalities and feelings. Suzume is no different. However, a few aspects differentiate Suzume from his other works. This time the focus is not so much on a love story, but rather the exploration of the individual’s internal battles.

Themes such as grief, desperation, love and sorrow are present in his new film. And they are explored beautifully.

this is a spoiler free review

the plot.

Suzume is a coming-of-age story for the 17-year-old protagonist, Suzume, set in various disaster-stricken locations across Japan, where she must close the doors causing devastation.

Suzume’s journey begins in a quiet town in Kyushu (located in southwestern Japan) when she encounters a young man who tells her, “I’m looking for a door.” What Suzume finds is a single weathered door standing upright in the midst of ruins as though it was shielded from whatever catastrophe struck. Seemingly drawn by its power, Suzume reaches for the knob… Doors begin to open one after another all across Japan, unleashing destruction upon any who are near. Suzume must close these portals to prevent further disaster.

the animation.

I’ve seen mixed reviews about the animation quality, but I LOVED it!

The landscapes are gorgeous, as we’ve been used to in Makoto’s films – shades of blues and purples, beautiful skies and clouds. Fairytale-like. The animation of the supernatural elements is terrific and immersive. Watching the film in the cinema truly was a breathtaking experience.

I feel like Shinkai tried to work a little bit more with 3D animation, which I believe it was a win. However, I really missed the 2D look, even though it’s still there.

the characters.

I loved the main character, Suzume. Some of her choices were quite questionable, but they were real and flawed. Suzume is a young girl with a very traumatic past – the death of her mother and the unfinished mourning. She is brave, impulsive and easily relatable.

However, my favorite character was definitely Daijin, the kitten (and mythical guardian). He’s such a misunderstood character – the pursue of his love and life can easily be incoherent with his actions throughout the film. Just thinking about him makes my heart break 🙁

When it comes to Souta, the love interest, and his relationship with Suzume, something throws me off. Souta is 21 years old, Suzume is only 17. I really tried to like them together, but the age difference was a red flag.

With this being sad, Souta in his chair form was really funny.

the themes: natural disasters, grief and loss.

Grief and loss are central themes in Suzume. The death of Suzume’s mother comes with grief without closure.

Death is intrinsically related to a natural disaster – earthquakes, common in Japan. The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, that killed 20 000 people, is referenced in the film.

During an interview, Makoto explained the importance of covering such themes – the idea that humans live side by side with the disaster. At any given moment, our life and reality can transform, without us being able to control it.

Even so, Makoto puts the disaster in a different light – It’s through disaster that Suzume can confront her trauma and finally heal.

And I thins that’s the beauty of Suzume no Tojimari. ♡

MY FINAL RATINGS

Animation: 4 ☆

Characters: 4 ☆ overall

Plot: 3.75 ☆

Soundtrack: 5☆

Originality: 5 ☆

OVERALL: 4.25 ☆

And… that’s it! What are your thoughts on Suzume no Tojimari? Did you like the ending?

Let me know in the comment section down below ♡＾▽＾♡

Stay safe,

Hi, I’m Mariana

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