Suzume no Tojimari

The English localized title is atrocious. Look at the original title, Suzume no Tojimari, which roughly translates to “Suzume’s Door Closing.” Immediately it invites questions. What is this door? Why does Suzume have to close it? Is the door literal or is it a metaphor, such as Suzume closing the door on her ex-boyfriend? But then we have the actual title, Suzume. Just SUZUME. Nothing about it invites mystique or gives any clues as to what the movie is about, to the point where you could mistake it for a documentary about some historical figure named Suzume. Fire the translator. As for the actual movie, Suzume no Tojimari is certainly incredibly ambitious, and I will give that it had the potential to be Shinkai Makoto's deepest work to date. It covers subjects such as adoptive families, loss of love, disaster, etc., while also tackling a fantastical story involving supernatural monsters, while also being a road trip movie along with the various locals of Japan. There's a lot this movie wants to cover. Which is precisely why this shouldn't have been a movie but instead a full TV anime, or at the very least, gotten another half hour of runtime. The way it is now, it merely dips briefly into or skims over all the subjects mentioned above, and thus the lasting impression is very shallow and by the numbers. The visuals were nice and the characters I didn't dislike on the most fundamental level. And I'll give that Suzume (the character) could be funny at times with how out of depth she feels on this sudden road trip. But all that is just baseline investment, nothing more, nothing magical that could stick with me long after viewing. This may be more of a controversial statement, but I never was huge on Shinkai Makoto. Not that I hated his movies, I thought Your Name was enjoyable. But even back when it released I didn't think it was an astounding masterpiece, as it was founded on some rather rushed romance. And with the director taking on more and more ambitious projects, I think the cracks are getting wider, and the Shinkai Makoto magic is wearing off.

Incredible! Shinkai's most ambitious movie to date. Movie did a great job exploring the themes of accepting loss and moving forward, as well as the tragedy behind the 3 11 earthquake and the sacrifices made behind love. Little bits of comedy thrown in here and there did not feel forced. It's really hard to juggle these elements well in a movie, but overall the plot flows pretty damn well, though it felt pretty rushed at the end. I wished more time was spent exploring the latter half of the movie. The romance is not the highlight but the movie could stand on its own without it. I liked that the ost functions more as an ambient background behind the scenes rather than in sudden abrupt "montages" like in your name and weathering with you. All in all, this movie tops weathering with you without a doubt, but does not have as strong as an emotional appeal as your name did. However, for people who have experienced the 3 11 earthquake and suffered through a similar tragedy as suzume did, this movie can really pull your heartstrings. It really did even with mine. Tldr Story: 9/10 vs 5/10 (weathering with you) vs 10/10 (your name) Art: 10/10 vs 9/10 (weathering with you) vs 9/10 (your name) Music: 10/10 vs 8/10 (weathering with you) vs 10/10 (your name) Characters: 10/10 vs 6/10 (weathering with you) vs 10/10 (your name) Overall: Suzume:9.75/10 Your name:9.75/10 Weathering with you: 7/10

The anime "Suzume no Tojimari" is super cool and full of mystery. Suzume is the main character and she goes on an adventure to close these crazy doors that bring disaster. The story is intense and action-packed, making it totally captivating. The visuals in the anime are stunning, with beautiful backgrounds and awesome animation effects. Plus, the characters, especially Suzume and her friends, are all really interesting and keep you hooked. Overall, "Suzume no Tojimari" is a must-watch anime for anyone who loves fantasy stories with crazy twists and tons of excitement. I totally recommend it to anyone who wants to watch a super awesome and thrilling story.

Well, another film from Makoto Shinkai - the magician. For me, the overall rating of this film is maybe equal to Tenki no ko. I was really looking forward to seeing it and eventually, it didn't live up to my expectations. Let's talk about some of the film's criteria. Story (7/10): To be honest, I believe most people will give it a 5. The plot is not well-built, and it is not deep enough, what I mean is that the story pace is really fast, therefore the connection between characters is a bit superficial and it is absolutely annoying when people who first meet each other act like they are relatives. The overall plot is nothing new, we can see that from many films of Shinkai, there is a something like the separation between a couple(maybe not): time, space, etc, and the story is about their adventure. Shortly, the plot is not as well-built as Your Name and Tenki no ko, maybe pales in comparison with 5 Centimeters per second or The place promised in our early days. Music (10/10): Nothing to say, Shinkai is still Shinkai, and also Radwimps, they make me feel like I'm in heaven with their soundtracks, just masterpieces. Characters (8/10): Regardless of the problem mentioned in the story, characters have fairly attractive appearances. Art (11/10): This is truly a savior for the story, it can be seen that Comix Waves are doing better and better. The scenery is absolute fantasy, and the vibe is also really chillin'. Overall, this is a worth-watching movie although the plot is a bit bland.

Imagine viewing a beautiful painting, seeing it come to life, then getting immersed in it as if you were in a dream, walking to the painting next to it, realizing that the second painting ties up with the first and appreciating it all the more. That's what it felt like to watch Suzume in theaters. Animation is top notch, soundtrack never disappoints, and the directing made me ask myself "how does one even imagine a scene like this in their head and put it in words through instruction?" I didn't place much about the plot or animation because I couldn't put it in words but this is definitely one of those shows that you NEED to experience at least once in your life.

This is one of the anime films that I even included in my list of favorite anime films. It is the best film with an interesting story, visually pleasing visuals, and stunning music. I watched this film twice and there is a possibility of a third time. I recommend you watch this film and add it to your list of favorite anime films. Not only that, the story that is raised is also very valuable about something precious in our lives that we must maintain. The development of the relationship between the characters is also quite good, with elements of romance and comedy making the film very interesting. The uniqueness of the film lies in how it surrounds us with the beauty and charm of Japan.

While doing same concept as his previous works, Makoto Shinkai definitely grows as a director. Suzume, or in original title Suzume no Tojimari, talks about a highschool girl Suzume and a college boy Souta journey to prevent disasters. More explanation about the plot could be seen at the synopsis. Let's just hop into the movie itself. While the movie is fun to watch, easy to enjoy even for non-anime fans, there's a point to be noted. Let's start with reasons why you need to watch newest Makoto Shinkai's work. First of all, it's fun. Why it's fun? as a movie the whole, this movie has stunning realistic graphic with smooth animation. The way character moves, choreography, until how animals behave portrayed beautifully. Accompanied with superb sound design from the crackle of rocks until ear-banging explosion, it's crystal clear, crisp, defined accurately (surprisingly not that much film with high budget could achieve this, despite the atmos capability in cinemas). Second, the pacing, which actually makes the movie exciting to follow. While the story may not really the big thing from Suzume, the pacing of the whole movie is really neat, balanced, fast, and fluid. The shots taken were well proportioned, quick, showing that this story is about journey. A journey about a high schooler girl that need to prevent disaster in hurry. The way every scene is tied really presents that adrenaline rush. But not only fast, action packed scenes, Suzume could makes the audience take a long breath by the beautiful, calming scenery accompanied with alluring slow rock soundtracks. Suzume takes the audience into a rollercoaster rides of adrenalines. Now let's talk about the downside Suzume has. Concept repetition. Apparently Makoto Shinkai used the same formula as his previous works, says, Your Name (Kimi no na wa) or Weathering with You (Tenki no Ko). While a lot of people doesn't satisfied with that, it's actually feels off. At Suzume, every story element are balanced, too balanced that nothing stands out. You called this work romance? Makoto Shinkai definitely based the whole script on romance, but it's literally progressed weirdly. You called this work drama? There is drama. For like 5 or 10 minutes or so. It's so subtle that feels like a filler. Looks like Makoto Shinkai showcased and condensed too much of things in the script. The execution is still great, but feels bland. Like a milk candy coated with chocolate. The flavours unique, but it's gone after a second. Verdict. Is it worth to watch? Yes, still. The graphic, sounds, and the screenwriting elevates the too-much-to-tell-yet-repetitive core concept into a well executed, fun, and exciting movie to watch.

Shinkai's overdone himself again! I'll try to be as spoiler free as I can with this review. Suzume tells a story about a young high school girl who inadvertently released an ancient being that is sealed by a "door". To be frank the premise didn't really interest me and I only watched it because of Shinkai's name. But after the masterpiece that is Your Name, Weathering with You was rather underwhelming for me, so I didn't really put much expectation into this one. Well I'm glad that I didn't because this movie managed to absolutely blow me away, I was mesmerized. Shinkai always fascinated me by his unorthodox fantasy, as seen in Your Name and Weathering with You (and to some degree, Voices of a Distant Star). Now as I said I was rather disappointed by Weathering with You and thought that Shinkai has passed his peak with Your Name. Suzume no Tojimari proved me dead wrong. This movie offered an immensely captivating story. Couple that with outstanding performance from the voice actors that mind you, and please correct me if I'm wrong had their debut in this very movie. Let's not forget to mention the animation itself, because holysh** Suzume has one of the most incredible and breathtaking visual I have ever seen in an anime. Character writing is also top notch, they felt well fleshed out and naturally able to pull the audience as we learn more about our heroine as the movie progress. All of that said above made Suzume no Tojimari a fantastic and mesmerizing movie. One that will put you at your edge of the seat, one that will tug on your heartstring by its immensely captivating story of self discovery, one that will sent numerous chills down your spine by it's amazing cinematography, visual, and music play. Shinkai has once again outdone himself! Suzume no Tojimari is another modern masterpiece, 10/10

Overall excellent.This show is more focused on the atmosphere and fantasy vibe compared to its predecessors.Suzume and souta's romance is weak compared to your name.However,this is reasonable and acceptable as the crux of the show is not romance but the effects of disasters.The animation and ost are great.However,the use of songs with vocals are less which may be controversial.The show is not determined to be a completely perfect masterpiece but it is great with no big flaws.The setting is still creative and inpressive with the visuals and ost.But,the plot itself may seem a bit weak.Overall,it's worth watching but don't expect it to be perfect.

7.5/10 ~ Girl keeps chase for chair This move is in the realm of 'Your name', 'weathering with you' and 'A silent voice'. All of which are good and I would recommend all 4 of these movies, if you enjoy 1 you'll probably enjoy all. Great to show your family or Significant other. ✅School girl biking down rural beach town to water scene ✅MC looks like she's the rival in Pokemon SV ✅Love interest is modern day howl (moving castle) ✅gibli-esk intrigue to explain natural phenomenon ✅great character growth that the viewer can learn from too ✅paranormal activity with a realistic and normal response's lol ✅Milf Its a good time, go watch. Its on Netflix. The reachability on these types of movies are really high which is a total bonus in my book! ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

I liked this more than I expected to, and maybe because it also functioned as a road trip across Japan for most of the second part, and that it animated cities, motorways and all settings really well. Even though it has overly-sentimental moments (what you would expect from a Makoto Shinkai work) I think it’s a very good film, with an interesting fantasy premise. I don’t care about the criticism his films get. Yes of course the lovely animation is always the best part, but this one is really funny sometimes and has an interesting plot. The characters were… interesting.. if you know what I mean, and there was a really cute cat that was also so purposely annoying at the same time but I didn’t really care because I love cats :D Anyway so what if Shinkai’s films have the tiniest bit of product placement, small cliches and “every one of his films being the same”? That’s hardly even true, it’s nitpicking, and if it is the case, they’re still really nice films.

I promise that, eventually, this review is about Suzume. Your Name is brilliant and nearly flawless, words that do not do justice to its impact. Brilliance is both blessing and curse. How could anything M. Night Shyamalan make after The Sixth Sense compete with its predecessor? Same with Peter Jackson, and Lord of the Rings. These works, so monumental in their excellence, overshadow completely any other works created by their visionaries. So too with Makoto Shinkai and Your Name; before its release, Shinkai is quoted as saying that "it isn't ready" and that its story was flawed. He was simply trying to avoid the fate of his fellow directors, and he failed. This review critiques Suzume, not Your Name- but it is incomplete without stressing how much Suzume lives in the shadow of its predecessor. Suzume's Locking Up beautifully mixes stunning visuals and soundtrack with an engaging, overtly supernatural story, something which Shinkai has leaned into in recent releases. It features what is, by my estimation, Shinkai's strongest protagonist, Suzume, who possesses agency and drive, and is often a mover rather than the moved. Shinkai's movies often employ themes of distance and time, of which Suzume is no exception. Across the board, its excellent quality shines through, yet across that light a pall is cast. I cannot stress this enough; Makoto Shinkai, whether by his own operative or that of a studio, has essentially made the same movie three consecutive times. Following his filmography, in Voices of a Distant Star, distance defeats love; same too with 5 Centimeters per Second. In The Place Promised and the Garden of Words, time indubitably trumps our human feelings, though in different ways. Yet for these commonalities, each feels distinct in tone, setting, and concept. When Your Name rebukes these themes, and proclaims "Yes, love is more powerful than any forces that seek to destroy it", it resonates, not only because of the strength of Your Name, but also because of its juxtaposition with Shinkai's earlier films. And its impact is diminished on the second and third time. Suzume is quite a good film, and would be indisputably excellent if not for how closely it parrots its precursors. While much better than Weathering With You, it pales in comparison to Your Name, a comparison it invites in every scene. It's been eleven years since the last truly unique Shinkai film- maybe the next one will be.

Writing this with tears still in my eyes, so clearly it was an extremely emotionally moving experience for me. Suzume is a tale of grief and how a person is supposed to move on from such a life altering event. I didn't know until I read some other reviews that this was about the 3/11 disaster in Japan that left many children without a parent. I can't properly talk about this film as the core themes can only be explored by talking about spoilers so this will be a short review. Suzume is a young girl who lives with her aunt due to the passing of her mother when she was young, we're first introduced to her - or her dreams more specifically in which it is made clear that she still very much grieves for her mother. Yet this is not shown outwardly from her character, instead she puts forwards a face of a head strong girl. Throughout the film we see her personality shine through, she truly is a charming character and gives us the perfect viewpoint from the adventure she is going on. To avoid spoilers I can't say much on her character arc but it has an incredibly satisfying end and really teaches the lesson that we are the ones to save ourselves, and carry ourselves into tomorrow. Souta, the male lead, is a gentle soul. He takes a backstep to Suzume, aiding her in her journey rather than having his own - but he serves his purpose very well. Not to mention he is just a beautiful character in personality as well as looks. This goes for the majority of the cast, they're all people who aid Suzume on her journey - but this shouldn't diminish the fact that they are characters in their own right and feel like real people. The voice acting for everyone is fantastic - standout roles were definitely the va's for Suzume and Souta, it's a breath of fresh air hearing new voices in animated films and they were fantastic. It's a Makoto Shinkai film so of course the visuals are the standout. CGI and 2d animation are seamlessly woven together to create some stunning sequences that really go to show just how far technology for animation has come these past few years. The camera movements along with the animation created so many well done shots that are harder to do traditionally and create some memorable moments. I don't think I need to gush too much, it's just a visually stunning work, every shot is a piece of art, it's just so breathtaking. The music was well chosen, especially for some car sequences where the music was put on by the characters in the car for the drive. The ending song only had me crying harder because of how moving it was. Sound as a whole only aided the experience, no qualms there. In case you couldn't tell I really enjoyed this film. It had a message to tell and it told it, a lesson to teach and it taught it. An empowering one at that. I would highly recommend.

I really enjoyed this movie as I suspected I would when I saw the trailers years ago. The characters were likable and once I realized that it was like Alice in Wonderland where Wonderland kind of comes to the Alice figure, a lot of the strangeness of the story and the narrative felt intentional and increased my enjoyment of the narrative. I also liked how the story seemed to be a metaphor for growing up and becoming your own person as well. Both of these things were well done and I enjoyed them. The reason that the story isn't a 10/10 for me is mostly because while I did enjoy the story and I would willingly rewatch the movie, 10/10 for me reflect a level of enjoyment beyond that, where I make a kind of personal connection to the characters, story, etc...and that just didn't happen here, but that just didn't happen here, and it doesn't always have to happen to be honest. I think that if you enjoy things like Alice in Wonderland, Alice through the Looking Glass, and other stories about searching for yourself in a maze of strangeness, then you will enjoy this movie. If you don't like stories like that, then I think you'll have a frustrating time with this movie and won't like it much. It's why it doesn't surprise me that the top review for this movie is negative because that's how these type of Alice-like stories tend to go for people. It's very marmalade, but for me, this time it was delicious and I'm glad that I watched it.

Suzume, directed by the renowned Makoto Shinkai, emerges as a visual masterpiece that dazzles the audience with its unparalleled animation. From the breathtaking landscapes to the intricately designed characters, every frame of the film is a testament to Shinkai's mastery of the craft, solidifying its position as a standout in the industry. Accompanied by a delightful soundtrack, the film's music adds another layer of charm and emotion to the narrative. Each song serves as a perfect complement to the unfolding story, enhancing the audience's connection to the characters and their experiences. Speaking of characters, Suzume presents a cast that is both captivating and endearing. From the titular character Suzume to the chair guy who brings a comedic touch to the storyline, each personality adds depth and richness to the overall narrative, drawing viewers further into their world. However, amidst the film's many strengths, there lies a minor disappointment for many, for me in particular. Despite the evident chemistry between Suzume and the guy, the resolution of their relationship culminates in a simple hug rather than the anticipated romantic climax. While this may leave some longing for more closure, the bittersweet ending opens the door to interpretation, allowing audiences to draw their own conclusions and find meaning in the story's conclusion. In the end, Suzume succeeds in being precisely what it sets out to be. A captivating and visually stunning exploration of love and human connection. While it may not fulfill every expectation in terms of romantic resolution, its interpretative nature invites viewers to reflect long after the credits roll. Ultimately, Suzume is a film to be cherished for its artistic brilliance and the emotional journey it offers to those who embark upon it.

Another Great Makoto Shinkai Anime! This is another great anime from Makoto Shinkai. The music is by Radwimps which is excellent as always. Worth spending two hours just to watch this. Suzume is your teenage girl who has lost her mother during the tsunami disaster. She was able to go through a door after the disaster, finding her 'lost mother' who advised her to return and live happily. Raised by her aunt, Suzume is a precocious teenager who decided to turn rebellious when meet up with a mysterious guy who closes doors. Thus the adventure begins. Somehow the anime has all the great stuff that we all come to love from Makoto Shinkai. But there is also the same familiar story line and plots too. Animation is top notch as usual. A bonus this time is that the list of songs played in the car by the group as they went in search of the original door at Suzume's old home.

I don't know if Makoto Shinkai has really been making peak fiction all this time but I'm excited to check out more of his work, especially Your Name. Suzume is beautiful in every way imaginable, the story, the characters, the writing, and especially in how it looks. They did not waste any potential material to be used over a guy turned into a freaking chair. This film transition so damn smoothly between a slow and fast paced sequences. This combined with how magnificent the movie looks and how outrageous and chaotic the scenarios was, it made for an intensely exhilirating experience. Every characters are so well written, and it even did really good with the humor as well, including the one involving chairs of all things. Its also got a lot of strong emotional values, with the emotional scenes really makes you wish that things came out alright. And don't forget that even the voice acting is top-notch in all department, making these scenes even more impactful, as if it hadn't been that way because of the visuals and the story weight. I'm holding back on the 5 stars for this movie at the moment, until I checked out more of Makoto Shinkai's work. This rating might get boosted soon, because this movie is just that damned good.

The previous two works were so impressive that they were not as great as expected. However, Makoto Shinkai is a good movie to watch in a movie theater because he always makes reliable works. However, it is a pity that the narrative between the male and female protagonists is not very fateful and touching. I didn't have much charm to feel about the female protagonist. The musical element was always handled by Red Wimpus, a good song, so it was a Trek that seemed to fit the movie genre. I hope his next work will come back with a more moving story. Especially Koreans say this. "Suzume is too AerlSaPPa*." AerlSaPPa* - It is a word that means people who fall in love immediately because the face of a person they see for the first time is so handsome.

I need to start by saying Makoto Shinkai has been my favorite anime director since I first started watching his movies in the mid aughts. The beauty of the animation, particularly the skies, is beyond compare. I've eagerly watched every movie of his I could access, and I've seen all of them except for Weathering with You. (I'll see that one as soon as I can.) I've watched Your Name many times. I loved them all. Needless to say, I was very excited to see Suzume, excitement which faded increasingly over its runtime. It's not a bad movie; it's just not a good one. I'm not gonna say even in Your Name that his characterization was anything to write home about; Mitsuha was just "the girl," distinguishable from "the boy" by shyness and sweetness (unless, of course, it serves the plot to do something else), where "the boy" is brash and self - centered. So Shinkai's characters serve his plots and not the other way around, but in Suzume, what "plot" there is is a mess, thin, and never really ends up leading anywhere. Is it a road trip movie? An isekai? A journey of self - discovery, and if so, for whom? Is it spiritual, supernatural, or is it a commentary on climate change and depopulation? (If so, it's the depopulation that's causing climate disasters based on a single line in the film that declares this outright, which has nothing to do with anything else in the movie and is certainly not addressed as a solution at the end.) It ends up being one of my least favorite kinds of movies: the kind where lots of stuff just happens and none of it means or connects back to anything, but at least most movies like that focus on a few characters going on a single journey. Suzume throws a million random characters at you and abandons them any old time - even important characters. Various things are hinted at (such as two potential love interests for a relatively minor character and absolutely nothing happens with either of them; indeed, though he gets a lot of screen time, there's no reason for one of them to be in the movie at all ... but alas, that's true of almost every character in it) and never followed up on. It would have lots of themes if any of them were developed into anything, and since they're not, it ends up having none. Much to my dismay, it feels more than anything like he whose movies were always oozing with passion and a need to express something vital has lost his passion and is out of things to say. It's still pretty to look at and it was a reasonably entertaining way to spend a couple of hours. It doesn't go anywhere good, but neither does it go anywhere bad. My friend I watched it with was mad about wasting the time on it, but though I'm prone to feeling that way more than she is, I didn't feel that way about this movie. It was okay, a perfect 5 out of 10. It certainly won't change your life... but it won't do you any harm.

When I went to the cinema and watched Suzume for the first time, I left with the distinct feeling that this was Shinkai's second best work to date - not quite the level of perfection reached by Your Name, but close. I also left feeling overwhelmed by how much had happened in these two hours, however not in a bad way, just an "it will take a couple more watches to wrap my mind around what he's done here" way. So I first gave it a 9/10, my main point of criticism being that the plot structure is pretty much the same as in his previous two movies. Upon rewatching, however, I changed my rating to a 10/10. Is my main point of criticism for the movie still valid? Yes. Does it matter though? Not really. Rewatching the movie for the first time, I already felt it just didn't matter. The characters are on point in this one, I would especially argue that Suzume is Shinkai's most interesting protagonist to date, and I liked reflecting on what was making her make the decisions she did make. In general, why the characters do what they do is not always made explicit in the movie, which might displease some viewers, I perssonally love it. Shinkai's movies have always rewarded and encouraged reflection on their plots, characters and themes, and Suzume perfectly treads the fine line between giving us enough to work with to come up with plausible interpretations while still leaving room to, well, interpret. At its core, Suzume is a celebration of life, especially the ordinary lives lived by ordinary people. It is everyday situations and sentences that it draws upon with great emotional effect. I never expected simple phrases like greetings to make me cry, but here, they did. The movie's atmosphere is amazing throughout, as usual, the visuals and sound are brilliant. Radwimps delivered again with another hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, but I also want to mention Jinnouchi Kasuma, whose more "classically movie-score-y" pieces complement the Radwimps pieces really well. As usual with Shinkai, the changes in mood are well-executed. The comedy is always on point and never takes away from the seriousness of the dramatic sequences (which is one of my main criticisms of how comedy is often used in anime). I could go on for days about the individual aspects and details that make the movie so great, which is probably why the fundamental criticism that he's recycling the same old plot structure just doesn't stick: This movie is not about the fundamental plot, it's about the beauty of what he fills it with, the countless great ideas that give the movie an air of originality and extraordinarity.