Suzume no Tojimari – Makoto Shinkai Strikes Again
Experience Inside the Cinemas
Suzume no Tojimari Review
Talking about how awesome the movie was, well, Suzume is another great cinematic experience from the creator behind stellar works like Your Name, Weathering With You, 5 Centimeters per Second, and more. Right from the start, the movie captivated me with its impeccable visuals. The story shares the typical Makoto Shinkai tropes such as a calamity, a boy-girl duo, etc., but it never fails to impress you.
For those unaware, it is the tale of a young girl named Suzume who gets entangled in a series of catastrophic events when she meets a strange man in the streets. I mean, the narrative may sound simple, but what makes the difference here is the characterization and visuals meticulously created by Makoto Shinkai and Co.
All the characters in the movie were so full of life; it was heartwarming to see the interactions and conversations between them. We have a wide variety of characters such as Kawai-mythical cats, a closer, twins, etc., and all together fit in the story in a good manner. The chemistry between the characters was wonderful and a joy to watch. Makoto also paid homage to Hayao Miyazaki (Ghibli Studios) by creating a Studio Ghibli-inspired kawaii cat character. There was even a mention that this cat looks like it is from The Whisper of the Heart (1995). This movie is purely magical, and you really get sucked into the beauty of Japan as intended by the creator.
Whilst there is a serious story going in the background, a touch of humor here and there was flowy and unconfined, making everyone just laugh their heart out. Makoto Shinkai is a genius when it comes to out-of-the-world visuals, and time after time again, he proves why he is one with his works. The delicious foods, eye-catching setting in Japan, mandatory rainy sceneries, etc., leave you awestruck.
Though the previous works of the creator were centered around the romance between the main characters, here the main storyline focuses more on the disasters, with a side serving of romance. This was a different approach, but it worked well, thanks to the compelling characters. While the first half of Suzume was totally fun and moving, the latter half took a serious turn and there was a clear slowdown in the pacing. But that doesn’t affect you in any way as the emotional climax will steal your heart and makes you overlook the trivial negatives in the movie.
The soundtracks in Makoto Shinkai movies are always enchanting and soulful, which is the case here as well. However, the movie left me a little disappointed in one part, as not even one of the songs was featured in its entirety like it was done in Makoto sensei’s previous works such as Nandemonaiya, Grand Escape, etc. But Suzume (feat. Toaka) humming in the background at times, and the outro at the end helps me make peace with the fact and mend my aching heart.
Overall, Suzume no Tojimari is a stunning visual spectacle of the highest order, which if possible for you, deserves to be watched on the big screen with a crowd that would fawn over the visuals with you. The movie is said to be inspired by the real events of the 3/11 disaster in Japan and the people associated with it. Thus, as touching as it was to us, it should have been more for the Japanese people.
Just as how Suzume overcame her traumas in the end, the Japanese might be able to find some comfort brought in this movie. The balance between the themes of enjoyment and grief is perfect here and ultimately instills hope for everyone. Suzume is a must-watch for all Makoto Shinkai fans, and anime fans in general. So, don’t miss out on this one. I hope you can also witness the joy and experience I had with fellow otakus. So, make sure to book your tickets and enjoy the movie with your friends.