The directorial skill of the Japanese filmmaker Makoto Shinkai has one of its exquisite realizations in Suzume. This film weaves a fantastical tapestry of animated fantasy while handling delicate themes of loss, reconnection, nature, and the healing power of the interpersonal bond. More than a film, it chronicles the emotional and physical metamorphosis of a young girl traversing the length of Japan in a desperate attempt to stave off a disaster.
The tale focuses on Suzume Iwato, a bran new teenager, who has been living in a dainty town deployed in the lower Kiushu area of Japan. Suzume lost her mother and has been living with her excessively protective aunt, Tamaki. As a kind caring woman, Tamaki ensures nothing ill befalls Suzume. However, on one fateful occasion shortly, on her way to school, Suzume encounters Souta Munakata. Souta, a youthful man, is paradoxical in that her is warm and strangely out of place in a school. To Suzume, he has a very interesting assignment. She ultimately is compelled to follow him and is shocked to find a relic to a lost era that literally stands…Falling under the spell of the ‘Worm’ when she opens the door, Suzume does not realize the damage the supernatural entity will cause. In his efforts to stop the entity, Souta, a ‘Closer,’ tries to contain the ‘Worm’ by locking doors that prevent its escape. However, Daijin, an odd speaking cat, while trying to help, ends up transforming Souta to a small three-legged child’s chair.
Dying to fix her mistake, she embarks on a quest to close the numerous doors that are left ajar across the nation. Other doorways featured within the plot correspond to relics or alibis of the past, representing the loss and neglect of soul, like sepulchers, ancient schools, abandoned amusement parks, and even desolate structures.
Through her emotional journey, Suzume is able to bond with Souta, even though he is encapsulated within his peculiar form. In her reveries, she is able to vividly relive the suffering from losing her mother and the hardship of maturing. With every step, Suzume matures and comes to the understanding that with every regalia comes the importance of letting go, all while permanently cherishing what is left behind.
The turning point of the story transports Suzume to the captivating city of Tokyo, where the last door ill-fatedly hovers over the city and is about to break the sunder. The moment Suzume engages Daijin, Daijin’s motives become clearer, and Daijin’s ability to act as Closer emerges. In a truly touching moment of her journey, Suzume enters the realm known as the Ever-After, the boundary between life and death, to resolve buried trauma from her younger self.
Ultimately, not only does Suzume manage to avert the calamity from Japan, she also comes to possess a better appreciation of herself, her family, and her place in the world. The film ends with Suzume transforming from the journey met her into a different person while carrying on with her calm routine.
Production
In Suzume, like in Your Name and Weathering with You, the narrative emphasizes the interplay of the titular character’s emotional maturing and the distant, animated Japan. With each new film, the world of Suzume grows progressively more vivid, emerging fully detailed from the pixels and Shinkai’s tender brush.
Voice Actor
Nanoka Hara, in her role as Suzume Iwato, passionately grasps the character and projects her sentiments to the audience and as such is the main cast of the series.
Hokuto Matsumura as Souta Munakata – He has a strong and quiet presence as the enigmatic wayfarer sworn to protect Japan and fills the role with gusto.
Eri Fukatsu as Tamaki Iwato – Adds a strong emotional connection to the film as Suzume’s caring aunt.
Shōta Sometani as Minoru Okabe – Adds some entertaining lightheartedness as a minor character who travels with Suzume for a while.
Ann Yamane as Daijin – Plays a key role in the conflict and resolution of the story as the feline character of immense mischief and almost divine powers.
Production Studio:
CoMix Wave Films – Their diligence and focus on quality animation has made them the studio of choice for Makoto Shinkai’s previous projects as well as for Suzume.
Music:
The emotional score for the film was provided by RADWIMPS and Kazuma Jinnouchi. They beautifully intertwined the music with the story while capturing the awe, tension, and emotional peaks of the film.
IMDb Ratings
Suzume has a score of 7.7 out of 10 on IMDb from user ratings with tens of thousands of votes. This is an indication of the positive perception about the film from many people around the world.
The film has garnered accolades from both critics and audiences for the following reasons:
Eye-catching graphics: The wide range of vibrant and carefully structured landscapes filled with urban and rural settings continues to showcase Shinkai aesthetics as he merges backdrops of fantasy and reality with both finesse and ease.
Compelling Narratives: The film thoughtfully and thoroughly addresses loss, recollection, and the consequences of the fury of nature. It even traces the evolution of Suzume, a young girl, in a way that resonates with many.
Quirky Characters: The film surely stands out from most animated features with the unique addition of its models such as the talking cat and the chair that walks.
Impact of the Film: Although the film showcases the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami indirectly, the use of metaphors and symbolism to portray real-life incidences anchors the film deeper in reality which provides added emotional value to the local audiences and enhances its richness to foreigners.
While some critics have pointed out that the tone and composition of the storyline seem to reiterate some of Shinkai’s earlier films, it is widely accepted that Suzume is still able to retain a unique and significant essence.
Conclusion
Suzume is a deeply emotional work of art that also contains a fantastic touch intertwined with wondrous elements. Its core sifts through intricate feelings of the young and the elderly; feelings such as responsibility, love, remembrance, and healing. Shinkai Makoto never ceases to amaze in his narrative imagination as he shifts to the more emotional side of his work, and to him, Suzume is a worthy addition.
Suzume is more than a work of animated art; it is also a journey in reflection. It is the empathy of a past and an optimism for a future that is more than a wish. It shows how even in moments of despair, a person is capable of bringing to light a plethora of bonds, bravery, and introspection.
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