“Suzume” the 2022 animated film by Makoto Shinkai

November 22, 2023

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“Suzume” (すずめの戸締まり, “Suzume no tojimari”), literally “Suzume's Closed Doors” or “Suzume Closing the Doors”, is a 2022 Japanese animated film written and directed by Makoto Shinkai. The film, which follows in the footsteps of Shinkai's previous hits such as “Your Name.” and “Weathering with You,” achieved enormous commercial success both in Japan and abroad, particularly in the Far East, setting box office records in China and South Korea.

What the series is about?

The story of “Suzume” revolves around Suzume Iwato, a seventeen-year-old who lives in a small town in Miyazaki Prefecture, southern Japan. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Sōta Munakata, a boy searching for a mysterious abandoned door. The discovery of this door leads to the appearance of a smoke monster and reveals the existence of dimensional passages scattered throughout Japan. These doors, once opened, release gigantic "worms" that cause earthquakes. Sōta's job is to close these doors before it's too late.

The film follows the physical and psychological journey of the two protagonists through Japan, a path that leads them to face profound and real issues, such as the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami of 2011. The narrative is intertwined with fantastic elements, including a cat that he transforms from a seal stone and travels across the country, opening more doors that Suzume and Sōta must close.

Production and Distribution

Production on “Suzume” began in January 2020, with the script completed in August of that year. Storyboards were drafted between September 2020 and December 2021, and animation production began in April 2021. The film was released theatrically in Japan by Toho on November 11, 2022, with regular and IMAX screenings. Global distribution was handled by Crunchyroll, Sony Pictures and Wild Bunch, with the film reaching Italian cinemas on April 27, 2023.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack for “Suzume” was composed by the band Radwimps, in collaboration with composer Kazuma Jin'no'uchi. Some recordings were made at Abbey Road Studios in London. The lead track, “Suzume,” was released on music streaming services on September 30, 2022.

Hospitality

“Suzume” debuted in 379 Japanese theaters, earning first place in the charts with record grosses. The film surpassed $322,1 million in grosses worldwide, with over 46 million viewers. Critics received the film positively, with a score of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 74 out of 100 on Metacritic.

In conclusion, “Suzume” stands out as another masterpiece from Makoto Shinkai, combining breathtaking animation with an engaging and profound story that touches on universal and personal themes.

Makoto Shinkai's anime film “Suzume” is coming to streaming on Crunchyroll this Thursday, November 16, in all territories where the platform is present, excluding Asia and France.

Suzume's streaming arrival is perfectly timed, as Sony-owned anime distributor Crunchyroll is in the midst of its awards season campaign, which also includes an upcoming pop-up installation dedicated to career and films by Shinkai at the Academy Museum on November 19, with the presence of Shinkai himself.

Suzume enjoyed overwhelming critical success and grossed $323,3 million worldwide, becoming the fourth-highest-grossing animated film of all time.

However, box office recognition alone isn't enough to get awards season love. Crunchyroll has proven to be a distribution powerhouse since its acquisition by Sony in 2021, but Suzume is the first big test of the company's ability to elevate a film to major recognition.

The official synopsis of Suzume

“On the other side of the door, there was time in its entirety—
“Suzume” is a coming-of-age story for 17-year-old protagonist Suzume, set in various disaster-stricken locations across Japan, where she must close doors that cause devastation.
Suzume's journey begins in a quiet town in Kyushu (in southwestern Japan) when she meets a young man who tells her, "I'm looking for a door." What Suzume finds is a single worn door standing amidst the ruins, as if it had been protected from whatever catastrophe had struck. Attracted by her power, Suzume grabs the handle... Doors begin to open one after another across Japan, unleashing destruction on anyone nearby. Suzume must close these portals to avoid further disaster.
—The stars, then the sunset, and the morning sky.
Within that realm, it seemed as if all time had merged together into the sky…
Landscapes never seen before, meetings and farewells... A myriad of challenges await him on his journey. Despite all the obstacles in her path, Suzume's adventure casts a ray of hope over our own struggles against the more difficult roads of anxiety and constraints that make up everyday life. This story of closing the doors that connect our past to the present and future will leave a lasting impression on our hearts.
Attracted by these mysterious doors, Suzume's journey is about to begin.”

Suzume was written and directed by Shinkai. Kenichi Tsuchiya served as animation director and Takumi Tanji as art director. Comix Wave Films handled the animation and produced along with Story Inc.

With Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron scheduled for theatrical release on December 8, 2023 has proven to be a banner year for prestige anime, and both films could have a significant impact on awards season this year.