Synopsis
In This Corner of the World (Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni) is a Japanese animated historical drama film released in 2016. Directed by Sunao Katabuchi and based on the manga of the same name by Fumiyo Kouno, the film tells a touching and beautifully detailed story about an ordinary young woman navigating life during a time of great change.
Set primarily in Hiroshima and Kure, Japan, during the 1930s and 1940s, the film follows Suzu Urano, a kind-hearted, artistic girl who grows up in a small seaside town called Eba, near Hiroshima. Suzu is dreamy, curious, and talented at drawing, often getting lost in her imagination and seeing the world through a lens of wonder and creativity.
As Suzu grows older, her quiet life begins to shift. At the age of 18, she receives an unexpected marriage proposal from Shusaku Hojo, a young man who lives in the nearby naval port city of Kure. Though she doesn’t know him well, Suzu accepts the proposal and moves in with his family, becoming a wife and daughter-in-law in a new household.
In Kure, Suzu embarks on married life, working hard to support her new family while navigating new duties, building new bonds, and adapting in new, lower-paid jobs in the area’s economy. Even though her childhood home and childhood draws are far away, her compassion and humor remain as she observes and sketches her new, expansive world.
The story’s time period marks the escalation of global crises and the outbreak of the Second World War. Unlike the majority of such narratives, the film itself does not depict the violence of war, rather, it celebrates the indomitable spirit and quiet dignity of ordinary Suzus and the countless women like her, who strove to create a semblance of normal life in the chaos of the war.
Despite the crushing weight of dozens of silently unshed war tears, Rin retains her grace. Even as she controls the household, ration the scanty food, or mourn the death of a son, her spirit thrives, celebrating the harsh simplicity of life in the time of war, and the brief joy of a loving embrace, the sad beauty of a drawn flower, and the harmony of gathering a meal.
The narrative proceeds with great care and emotional resonance. It captures Suzu’s life with all its ups and downs. With Shusaku, Suzu’s relationship changes from formality into quiet affection. Suzu’s relationship with her in-laws, and with her niece Harumi in particular, contributes even more warmth and tenderness to the story. Suzu’s experiences, in spite of the challenges, speak to the quiet, unyielding spirit of a person, as well as the small, sustaining gestures that signify love and the sense of belonging of a community.
Suzu’s gentle spirit, her ability to illuminate and make beautiful even the darkest of times, and her unyielding, artistic nature, captures the melancholy of the viewers and stays with them long after the story ends. The narrative echoes the pulse of hope, through Suzu, a protagonist who captures the spirit of the world even in the most uncertain of times, demonstrating that life can and should be lived, meaningfully, and with love.
Cast & Characters
The film employs a talented voice cast, and each performer, through their nuanced and thoughtful portrayals, contributes to the emotional authenticity and the emotional resonance of the story.
Suzu Urano / Suzu Hojo – Voiced by Non (Rena Nōnen)
Suzu is the film’s heart. Even when the world is tumultuous, her spirit and kindness keep her grounded. She is immensely loveable and remarkable because of her artistic spirit and indefatigable hope.
Shusaku Hojo – Voiced by Yoshimasa Hosoya
Suzu’s husband. A clerk at the naval base in Kure. Although reserved, he has a quiet affection and support for Suzu, which gradually helps to nurture a gentle love story.
Keiko Kuromura – Voiced by Minori Omi
Shusaku’s sister. A strong-willed woman, she experiences initial friction with Suzu but eventually reveals a profound sense of empathy.
Harumi Kuromura – Voiced by Natsuki Inaba
Keiko’s young daughter. Her cheerful disposition is a source of joy, and she brings warmth, laughter, and playful exuberance to Suzu’s life.
Tetsu Mizuhara – Voiced by Daisuke Ono
Suzu’s childhood friend, and a member of the navy, he serves as one of the important men in her life and represents the past and changing times.
The emotional sincerity and depth with which each character is written, helps to ground the humanistic approach of the storytelling in the film.
Direction, Animation & Art Style
The film was directed by Sunao Katabuchi. Having been an assistant to Hayao Miyazaki, he is known for the gentle pacing and emotional subtleness, as well as the focus on the beauty of the everyday. Animation by MAPPA employs the warm and soft color palette. The hand-drawn animations focus on the warmth and tenderness to evoke a sense of nostalgia.
One of the most interesting aspects of the film is how it incorporates Suzu’s perspective as an artist into the animation. At times, her drawings and her imagination merge with reality, creating an even more poetic dimension to the film. Be it a depiction of the sea, the glow of the fireworks, or the interplay of sunlight and tree branches, there is beauty to be found in the quiet, meditative moments of the film.
Equally impressive is the film’s attention to historical detail. The designers and historians thoroughly researched the geographical and social landscape of 1940s Japan including the street layout, the souvenir architecture, the clothing, and the domestic items which undoubtedly enhances immersion and helps to better appreciate the film.
IMDb Ratings and Reception
In This Corner of the World has 7.8 / 10 on IMDb. This rating is an indication of the high quality of art and the emotional response it evokes in people around the world. The general audience as well as the critics appreciate the thoughtfulness of the story, the beauty of the animation, and the humanity of the characters.
Notable recognitions received by the film include:
Japan Academy Prize for Best Animated Feature
Hiroshima Peace Film Award
Tokyo Anime Award Festival Animation of the Year
The film has received acclaim internationally as a quiet masterpiece and has drawn comparisons to the Studio Ghibli for the emotional and visual beauty as well as the portrayal of the mundane lives during extraordinary times.
The film does not examine the devastation of war, but the unbreakable spirit of humanity. Its tone has been described as “bittersweet,” “moving,” and “hopeful,” and resonates long after the film has ended.
Conclusion
In This Corner of the World is a film of great sentiment that shows, through the eyes of a gentle, creative center, the beauty, pain, and resilience of life. The film portrays not the grand battle or the great hero, but the simple people, who with great kindness, quiet strength and unwavering resolve, bore the suffering.
The film’s central character Suzu is a conduit for exploring the themes of love and loss, change, memory, and the joy of small things. The film does not only invites viewers to watch, but to reflect and admire its layered poetic narrative, intricate animation, and masterful attention to detail.
Ideal for those who appreciate thoughtful, reflective cinema, In This Corner of the World is a timeless piece that beautifully illustrates the importance of empathy, imagination, and bonds between people, even in the darkest of days.
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