Makoto Shinkai latest movie Suzume is a beautiful and emotional . This movie blends fantasy, adventure, and heartfelt drama, creating an unforgettable experience. Its exploration of deep emotional themes, combined with stunning animation and a beautiful soundtrack, makes it a must-watch for anime fans.
In my opinion watching Suzume was a powerful experience. The mix of fantasy and real-life issues, like natural disasters and personal loss, is handled with care and depth. Suzume’s journey from a curious high school girl to a brave young woman is inspiring, and her bond with Souta is both touching and believable.
The film’s exploration of themes like grief, resilience, and the power of connection is done beautifully. The scenes in the Ever-After are especially moving, symbolizing Suzume’s struggle to come to terms with her past and find hope for the future. The characters she meets along the way add warmth and humanity to the story, showing the importance of kindness and community.
Story and Characters
The story is about Suzume Iwato, a 17-year-old high school girl who lives with her aunt in Kyushu. One morning, Suzume wakes up from a dream about her childhood, where she sees a bright sky full of stars and a mysterious woman she calls Mom. On her way to school, she meets a young man named Souta Munakata, who asks if there are any ruins with a door nearby. Suzume points him to an old abandoned spa in the mountains.
Later, Suzume decides to visit the spa and finds a mysterious door that leads to the same dream-like field and sky. She accidentally releases a cat statue that turns into a real cat, causing a huge column of smoke to appear, visible only to her. Suzume rushes back to the spa and helps Souta close the door, preventing an earthquake caused by a powerful worm released from the door.
Souta tells Suzume that he is a Closer, someone who locks special doors across Japan to stop these worms from causing earthquakes. When the cat, named Daijin, turns Souta into a small three-legged chair, Suzume and Souta chase the cat across Japan to prevent more disasters.
During their journey, they meet several people who help them. In Ehime, they meet Chika Amabe, who helps them close a door in an abandoned school. In Kobe, they meet Rumi Ninomiya, who offers them shelter and assistance. Suzume learns about the legend of the worm Namazu and the importance of the keystones in sealing it. When they reach Tokyo, they face their biggest challenge yet, as the worm threatens to cause a devastating earthquake.
Suzume discovers her own connection to the Ever-After, the realm beyond the doors, and realizes she must return to the place where she first entered it to save Souta, who has become a keystone himself. With the help of Souta’s friend Tomoya and her aunt Tamaki, Suzume travels to the Tōhoku region, where she lost her mother in the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.
In a climactic battle in the Ever-After, Suzume frees Souta, and the two keystones, Daijin and Sadaijin, sacrifice themselves to seal the worm permanently. Suzume also meets her younger self, offering words of encouragement and strength. The film ends with Suzume and Souta returning to their lives, having formed deep bonds and understanding the importance of facing and overcoming personal tragedies.
Animation and Music
The animation in Suzume is breathtaking, with beautifully detailed backgrounds and expressive characters. The blend of fantasy and real-world settings creates a visually stunning experience. The music, composed by RADWIMPS, adds to the emotional depth of the story, perfectly capturing the film’s mood.
