A modern action adventure road story where a 17-year-old girl named Suzume helps a mysterious young man close doors from the other side that are releasing disasters all over in Japan.A modern action adventure road story where a 17-year-old girl named Suzume helps a mysterious young man close doors from the other side that are releasing disasters all over in Japan.A modern action adventure road story where a 17-year-old girl named Suzume helps a mysterious young man close doors from the other side that are releasing disasters all over in Japan.
- Awards
- 4 wins & 29 nominations total
Nanoka Hara
- Suzume Iwato
- (voice)
Eri Fukatsu
- Tamaki Iwato
- (voice)
Shôta Sometani
- Minoru Okabe
- (voice)
Sairi Itô
- Rumi Ninomiya
- (voice)
Kotone Hanase
- Chika Amabe
- (voice)
Kana Hanazawa
- Tsubame Iwato
- (voice)
Ann Yamane
- Daijin
- (voice)
Akari Miura
- Young Suzume
- (voice)
Nichole Sakura
- Suzume Iwato
- (English version)
- (voice)
Josh Keaton
- Sota Munakata
- (English version)
- (voice)
Jennifer Sun Bell
- Tamaki Iwato
- (English version)
- (voice)
Cam Clarke
- Hitsujiro Munakata
- (English version)
- (voice)
Roger Craig Smith
- Minoru Okabe
- (English version)
- (voice)
Bennett Abara
- Rumi Ninomiya
- (English version)
- (voice)
- (as Amanda Céline Miller)
Rosalie Chiang
- Chika Amabe
- (English version)
- (voice)
Allegra Clark
- Tsubame Iwato
- (English version)
- (voice)
Featured reviews
Suzume is an uncommon film, for it represents complete technical mastery, and a daring, bold artistry in trying to imbue a fantasy film with deep meaning. While it succeeds on the technical front, Suzume might be biting off more than it can chew in the handling of its story
Suzume represents the pinnacle of perfection when it comes to animation. It is stunningly and strikingly animated. It is meticulously made- the detailing is impeccable, and the image lush and saturated. They are a unique visual spectacle- the closest comparison I can find is ratatouille. Indeed, The visuals have an almost photorealistic quality to them, but pulled back one dimension so an idealised quality can be embedded, making them pleasing and striking to look at. Only in Makoto Shinkai films would ancient ruins and potholes look beautiful.
When it comes to plot, The film can really be separated into two. The first half is an agreeable, albeit more traditional adventure/ road film, focusing on the endearing and charming human connections Suzume makes with other people along the way(the bar owner/ the high school student), and the "fun" and adventure factor in their journey. The second section of the film becomes considerably more sombre and sentimental, as the stakes are now heightened with Soutas life on the line. My first gripe of the film is in here- it's lethargic pacing in the second half. The film loses too much energy after the climax in the middle that audiences become disoriented. We have no clear goal exactly of what Suzume is supposed to do now, or why she is going to do what she's doing now. The plot also seems contrived in muddling up character motivations- why is suzume so motivated in saving souta? Does she really love this man who was a stranger to her into a few days ago? The film never offers anything close to answer to these questions.
But I think the significance of Suzume is that it is unusual, and even daring, for it represents an effort from Makoto Shinkai to make a film of heightened maturity and emotion. The writing, however, does not allow for this to be fully realised. It seems Our main character speaks almost exclusively in monologue and in banal dialogue. The writing also feels substandard. The film attempts to touch on several important issues of bereavement and sacrifice but it never fully fleshes or examines this problem fully. Consider the scene where the aunt has an outburst on how she sacrificed 10 years of her life to care for Suzume. In the hands of a superb writer, this scene could have been a dramatic tour de force. Here it is merely briefly acknowledged, not further explored, and never even mentioned again. Another issue to analyse is the main theme of bereavement in the film. The director has said the film was made for those who lost loved ones in the 2011 Japanese earthquake. The problem, however, with trying to explore these weighty emotional issues in a fantasy Children's film is that the bizzare plot of such a fantasy film does not allow for these themes to be punctuated fully. Indeed the film relies overly on metaphors to explore its theme. Suzume steps into the ever after to find her lost, younger self and help this younger self come to terms with their mothers death. But Shinkai offers no concrete ways for us to access our "lost selves"- the metaphorical meaning of the door to this ever after is nebulous at best.
Suzume is an absolutely captivating film because of the superlative visuals. But it is also simultaneously infuriating, for its relies too much on emotions and tugging on the heartstrings, rather than on a serious examination of its themes. Makoto Shinkai has definitely made a mature film here. But i would hesitate in labelling Suzume as thoughtful or insightful.
Suzume represents the pinnacle of perfection when it comes to animation. It is stunningly and strikingly animated. It is meticulously made- the detailing is impeccable, and the image lush and saturated. They are a unique visual spectacle- the closest comparison I can find is ratatouille. Indeed, The visuals have an almost photorealistic quality to them, but pulled back one dimension so an idealised quality can be embedded, making them pleasing and striking to look at. Only in Makoto Shinkai films would ancient ruins and potholes look beautiful.
When it comes to plot, The film can really be separated into two. The first half is an agreeable, albeit more traditional adventure/ road film, focusing on the endearing and charming human connections Suzume makes with other people along the way(the bar owner/ the high school student), and the "fun" and adventure factor in their journey. The second section of the film becomes considerably more sombre and sentimental, as the stakes are now heightened with Soutas life on the line. My first gripe of the film is in here- it's lethargic pacing in the second half. The film loses too much energy after the climax in the middle that audiences become disoriented. We have no clear goal exactly of what Suzume is supposed to do now, or why she is going to do what she's doing now. The plot also seems contrived in muddling up character motivations- why is suzume so motivated in saving souta? Does she really love this man who was a stranger to her into a few days ago? The film never offers anything close to answer to these questions.
But I think the significance of Suzume is that it is unusual, and even daring, for it represents an effort from Makoto Shinkai to make a film of heightened maturity and emotion. The writing, however, does not allow for this to be fully realised. It seems Our main character speaks almost exclusively in monologue and in banal dialogue. The writing also feels substandard. The film attempts to touch on several important issues of bereavement and sacrifice but it never fully fleshes or examines this problem fully. Consider the scene where the aunt has an outburst on how she sacrificed 10 years of her life to care for Suzume. In the hands of a superb writer, this scene could have been a dramatic tour de force. Here it is merely briefly acknowledged, not further explored, and never even mentioned again. Another issue to analyse is the main theme of bereavement in the film. The director has said the film was made for those who lost loved ones in the 2011 Japanese earthquake. The problem, however, with trying to explore these weighty emotional issues in a fantasy Children's film is that the bizzare plot of such a fantasy film does not allow for these themes to be punctuated fully. Indeed the film relies overly on metaphors to explore its theme. Suzume steps into the ever after to find her lost, younger self and help this younger self come to terms with their mothers death. But Shinkai offers no concrete ways for us to access our "lost selves"- the metaphorical meaning of the door to this ever after is nebulous at best.
Suzume is an absolutely captivating film because of the superlative visuals. But it is also simultaneously infuriating, for its relies too much on emotions and tugging on the heartstrings, rather than on a serious examination of its themes. Makoto Shinkai has definitely made a mature film here. But i would hesitate in labelling Suzume as thoughtful or insightful.
Suzume has become one of 2023's breakout hits and for good reason; though the film may have some similarities to Your Name and Weathering With You, it's got enough different material to make this film a nicely refreshing experience at the cinema.
I don't know why some critics/audience-members have complained about the supposed similarities to Makoto Shinkai's previous films; directors have styles they refine to their heart's content, so it's an odd thing to point out here. With that said, Shinkai uses his 'magic realism' approach to tell an even more fantasy-oriented story than Your Name; there are talking cats and sentient chairs in this one instead of a 'simple' body-swap.
Of course, the story's well realised but what about the animation? It's gorgeous! Of course it's gorgeous! It's so crisp and fluid that even the few imperfections here and there do not diminish the sense of seeing a fantastical take on modern Japan that's ripe for the 'real fantasy' imagery on display here. Also, the animation has a consistently cinematic (and larger than life) flare that few recent American animated offerings seem to have. The intimate and big set pieces never feel totally out of place. Everything here just... fits nicely.
Suzume is the kind of animation that cinema was made to show off, and in THE showiest fashion possible! Makoto Shinkai has a real knack for theatrical stories.
Suzume gets 4.5/5 stars. 9/10 points. This one is certainly worth getting a ticket to see!
I don't know why some critics/audience-members have complained about the supposed similarities to Makoto Shinkai's previous films; directors have styles they refine to their heart's content, so it's an odd thing to point out here. With that said, Shinkai uses his 'magic realism' approach to tell an even more fantasy-oriented story than Your Name; there are talking cats and sentient chairs in this one instead of a 'simple' body-swap.
Of course, the story's well realised but what about the animation? It's gorgeous! Of course it's gorgeous! It's so crisp and fluid that even the few imperfections here and there do not diminish the sense of seeing a fantastical take on modern Japan that's ripe for the 'real fantasy' imagery on display here. Also, the animation has a consistently cinematic (and larger than life) flare that few recent American animated offerings seem to have. The intimate and big set pieces never feel totally out of place. Everything here just... fits nicely.
Suzume is the kind of animation that cinema was made to show off, and in THE showiest fashion possible! Makoto Shinkai has a real knack for theatrical stories.
Suzume gets 4.5/5 stars. 9/10 points. This one is certainly worth getting a ticket to see!
I didn't know it was about the earthquake and 311. I wasn't ready at all. For the people who don't know about it, it would be a great adventure anime which has a comedy aspect. But for me, it was pretty heavy.
I don't think it has a crying scene but I cried like a baby at the scene that reminded me 311 also made me think of the people who lost their loved ones on that day by the earthquake and tsunami.
About the people who didn't come home after they left their home in the morning...
I was living in Tokyo back then so I'm not in the position to talk about it much but This movie is special for us I think.
I don't know if I can watch this movie again after knowing what's this about now because it's a lot for me.
For the animation and story, I would rate it 8-9 but for the people who became stars above on that day and people who lost loved ones, I rated 10.
Oh btw my husband who is an American said it was a great movie so it's for everyone :)
To the people planning a trip to Japan, I recommend looking up about what you all should do if an earthquake happens in Japan juuuuust in case. Hope it helps you and have a wonderful time there! :))
(Sorry for my poor English and thank you for reading.)
I don't think it has a crying scene but I cried like a baby at the scene that reminded me 311 also made me think of the people who lost their loved ones on that day by the earthquake and tsunami.
About the people who didn't come home after they left their home in the morning...
I was living in Tokyo back then so I'm not in the position to talk about it much but This movie is special for us I think.
I don't know if I can watch this movie again after knowing what's this about now because it's a lot for me.
For the animation and story, I would rate it 8-9 but for the people who became stars above on that day and people who lost loved ones, I rated 10.
Oh btw my husband who is an American said it was a great movie so it's for everyone :)
To the people planning a trip to Japan, I recommend looking up about what you all should do if an earthquake happens in Japan juuuuust in case. Hope it helps you and have a wonderful time there! :))
(Sorry for my poor English and thank you for reading.)
Beautiful animation, brilliant even, with a lot of attention to details. It captures perfectly the nature with the shimmering of roads and the sparkling of the sea.
The story is interesting even if in some places it could have been better. The feeling of old places with memories from the past struck a cord.
Regarding the love story, I'm not sure how the infatuation "that guy looks beautiful" transformed into deep love to say "I am more afraid of a world without him".
The idea of what generates earthquakes is interesting.
As usual for japanese anime, the final "lessons" can easily bring you to tears but you are better if you remember that lesson because it's about life.
The story is interesting even if in some places it could have been better. The feeling of old places with memories from the past struck a cord.
Regarding the love story, I'm not sure how the infatuation "that guy looks beautiful" transformed into deep love to say "I am more afraid of a world without him".
The idea of what generates earthquakes is interesting.
As usual for japanese anime, the final "lessons" can easily bring you to tears but you are better if you remember that lesson because it's about life.
The premise was truly intriguing with several doors at abandoned places in need of getting closed in order to stop the gigantic worms from causing natural disasters. Ancient Gods are the keystones holding these worms back and there is a closer who has taken up this important job to keep these doors closed. Then there is Suzume, a girl raised by her aunt after she lost her mother during 2011 Tsunami. Suzume is gifted to see the ever after and her love at first sight Sota who is the closer, leads her to join him in the mission to close the doors as well as save the world.
The animation is what caught my eye and I am not that much into anime. The story remained captivating for the most part and the narrative style kept the intrigue intact. I was drawn into the world of Suzume even before the fantasy part began. Chasing Daijin while closing one door after another, relating it to a major natural disaster from the Japanese history was a nice touch. However, despite couple of jokes working, the sub plot involving Serizawa felt dragged and the introduction of Sadaijin lacked the desired impact. Overall, Suzume is still a worthy watch for it's unique premise.
The animation is what caught my eye and I am not that much into anime. The story remained captivating for the most part and the narrative style kept the intrigue intact. I was drawn into the world of Suzume even before the fantasy part began. Chasing Daijin while closing one door after another, relating it to a major natural disaster from the Japanese history was a nice touch. However, despite couple of jokes working, the sub plot involving Serizawa felt dragged and the introduction of Sadaijin lacked the desired impact. Overall, Suzume is still a worthy watch for it's unique premise.
Did you know
- TriviaWhether going to the countryside to see his parents or traveling the country to present his movies, Makoto Shinkai was seeing more and more deserted places and deserted buildings in Japan, due to the country's aging demographics. He wondered why Japanese people have prayers for groundbreaking ceremonies, but not when the buildings are abandoned, unlike what happens for people. That's why he made the movie about mourning for places.
- GoofsThe epicenter of the 2011 Touhoku earthquake was undersea, 45 miles off the East coast of Japan, so the worm couldn't possibly be responsible for it.
- Quotes
Singer: How much meaning must we overcome before we reach our destination?
- Crazy creditsThe title doesn't appear until around the 13-minute mark.
- ConnectionsFeatured in MsMojo: Top 10 Best Animated Movies of 2023 (2023)
- How long is Suzume?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $10,932,037
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $5,001,705
- Apr 16, 2023
- Gross worldwide
- $285,092,455
- Runtime2 hours 2 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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