Suzume: A Work of Art

Makoto Shinkai Films Never Fail To Amaze Me

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of going to the theatres to watch Makoto Shinkai’s new film - Suzume.

If you haven’t heard of Makoto Shinkai he’s a japanese animator, filmmaker, and director of many award winning films such as: Your Name, Weathering With You, Garden of Words, and 5 Centimeters Per Second.

Suzume released in U.S. theatres on April 14th, 2023. I went to one of the late night showtimes and got lucky because the theatre was virtually empty.

This film genuinely was one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen in a while. Let’s talk about it.

Crunchyroll - Superstore's Nichole Sakura Leads Suzume Anime Movie English Dub Voice Cast

Suzume is set in a post-apocalyptic Japan, where a series of mysterious doors have opened up all over the country. Suzume, a young woman from a small town meets a mysterious man named Souta who is tasked with closing these doors before they can cause destruction.

She gets caught up with Souta and ends up traveling across Japan with him. Along the way, she meets a variety of characters, who help her on her new found journey to save Japan.

Suzume explores the themes of loss, hope, and love and stays consistent with it throughout the film. Although I wouldn’t call it a romance, there are some cute and wholesome moments that happen in the movie.

I want to keep this review spoiler free because this is a film that deserves to be experienced without knowing anything or very little going into it.

The only thing I’m going to say is that the beginning and end of the film connect in a way that genuinely blew my mind, it’s one of the best endings to a film I’ve seen in a while.

Suzume' Review: Gods, Spells and Instagram Posts - The New York Times

Here’s the main reasons why Suzume is worth watching:

  • The stunning visuals: The team behind this film has created some of the most beautiful art I've seen. Creating a journey through the Japanese countryside along with having breathtaking landscapes and cityscapes.

  • The emotional resonance: You feel so many different emotions when watching Suzume. There are moments that are funny, wholesome, warm, and sad. It's a moving film that will stay in your memories long after you've seen it.

  • The meaning and significance: Throughout the film we see the simplicity of life. Making friends, building a community, and learning that family is not always about blood, but about the people who love and support us.

To Conclude, Suzume is a must-see for fans of anime and Makoto Shinkai’s work. Even if you’re not a fan of anime or new to it, this movie is a great way to dip your toes into the world of anime and its multiple amazing shows and films.

Watch the official trailer for Suzume

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