Suzume

We’ve come to associate Makoto Shinkai’s works with being near-melancholic romances alongside a wider plot around natural disaster, and it seems that the director is back with a film that follows along similar themes in Suzume no Tojimari

Suzume, our protagonist, is a 17 year old girl who lost her parents in a tsunami when she was young, so we’re well acquainted in ecological melancholy early on. This doesn’t make the film any less interesting to watch, however, even if you’re familiar with Shinkai’s other films. The animation unfolds the story delicately and beautifully, which makes it a treat for the eyes. After meeting a mysterious fellow called Sōta, who introduces Suzume to the power of supernatural doors, an adventure unfolds to investigate what mischief leads to some of Japan’s most tragic natural disasters. It’s a film that plays with our emotions to let us go on a journey with Suzume, and shouldn’t be underestimated in this factor. This film is the perfect one to spend an evening watching, even if just to enjoy the animation and soundtrack.