Chris may not be pregnant, but he never fails to deliver

The movie is really made for the Japanese local market that it is dealing with the pain from the 2011 earthquake that hit Japan and how some of its effects are still haunting the country. This really added a whole another element to the film and made the theme that much more authentic and touching. Spoilers: Each location of the disasters actually represented a big social issue in Japan. I recall they were depopulation, economic depression and past natural disasters. The movie wants to express grief to these past events and hope that Japan as a country could move on from these issue. That's why the movie got so big in Japan. And I think here is where Suzume set itself apart from ShinKai's previous movies.

Western audiences might overlook the deeper meaning behind this movie, as it is centered around this catastrophic event that struck Japan in 2011. Japanese viewers, especially directly affected by it, will, of course, realize this immediately. So this has even such a deeper meaning to them. Saw it last Friday in the cinema and yes, you said it, it was really magical.

I was so happy to finally experience a Makoto Shinkai film in theaters, this film was magical from beginning to end. :3

Just saw it today & I'll say this 1. Animation - Stunningly Breathing 2. Soundtrack - Sensational. When the movie is building a climax, You're Definitely Gonna feel It 3. Souta's Best Friend is actually the best character from this movie, Even better than the leads

Same as Your Name, I cried like a baby at the end of this film. There was a beautiful balance between humor and some dark moments. And of course the animation was stunning, really loved this one.

I'll admit that this is probably one film that I would've resonated with more if I understood the context beforehand.

I enjoyed Suzume a lot. It was a fusion of Your Name and Children Who Chase Lost Voices, which I totally dug. I like how Suzume encountered a lot of good people during her trip. It was a very optimistic movie about seeing the positives in life even when disaster strikes.

Saw it on Friday night and absolutely loved it. Went in mostly blind so that slow realization of what the movie was REALLY about was a magical feeling. Might overtake Your Name as my favourite Shinkai film.

One thing that the audience may not be aware of is the meaning behind the use of "Close the Door" SPOILERS: At the end of the film, we are shown the use of the word "ittekimasu" which means "I'm leaving". Usually this sentence is often used when we are out of the house and don't forget to say hello to parents or family members. It was this moment that made me cry because I didn't think about whether one day we would be reunited with the people we care about when a natural disaster would happen and we would regret not parting before "Closing the Door". I think I can be sure that many people watching in theaters, especially Japanese people, cried a lot when this scene appeared. I feel that there is a strong sense of empathy and sympathy for the people who experienced loss when the disaster occurred. I do really hope that this movie will remind us about take care of ourself and our family and dont forget to partways with someone you love before leaving the house and closing the door.

I saw people say that this movie lacked something or that it didn't live up to expectations and that the romance wasn't flushed out and stuff. But I thought it was great, mostly because romance was not the central plot in my understanding. It was about coming to terms with a huge loss and giving a tight hug of comfort and closure to the trauma of your younger self. And that was done beautifully. Suzume's internalised trauma of losing her mom and her holding onto those memories through that chair. Her love was not just for the boy trapped in the chair, but for her moms memories. I felt like it has so many layers. It seemed like her actions were motivated by maybe getting to see her mom in the world beyond that door. I went to the movies completely unaware of the plot or anything. Slowly realising what was happening was magical. I remember the Tohoku earthquake so damn well. Seeing that on the news, reading about it in the papers in the following days... I was an 11 year old child then. That incident had a huge impact on me and gave me my biggest fears. I was in tears during that causal loop scene. If I could I would want to do that for myself too.. I'm sure a lot of people would. I realise I'm ranting and my sentences don't have much connection, so I'll stop. Anyways, this movie probably hit me harder than Your Name. Edit: Daijin. Getting to know Daijin was a definite highlight. Also, English is not my first language, so please spare me

Going in to Suzume, I was worried it was just going to be Makoto Shinkai doing Your Name for a fourth time. While the love story and magical elements were present, I felt Suzume was a movie about healing your inner child. I was surprised by the freshness in the story!

It's been a hot minute since Stuckmann has reviewed an anime

I literally just saw it about an hour ago and I can’t stress this enough. Go into this movie blind! Such a beautifully crafted movie. With the art and right down to the score they use. Such a breath taking movie you have to see for the first time on the big screen.

I was so breathless watching this movie. Thinking about it now, I am tearing up again. The themes, the allegory that I got from this movie is honestly heart-wrenching. I really want to go see it again!

Loved how they handled the relationship between Suzume and Tamaki in the movie. Shinkai perfectly captures teenage dynamics, intertwining them with supernatural elements to deliver an emotionally mature resolution by the end, not to mention his movies are always breathtaking with striking animations and visuals!

Saw this last night and loved it! This film was very much a love letter to all of Japan. I know the part you're talking about where the story drags a bit, but I felt it would have been odd to end the journey in Tokyo. Also, the reference to a very specific real world disaster (3/11/11) that I have vivid memories of watching on TV as it unfolded half the world away hit really hard. This movie is really special even among Shinkai's other movies, imo.

I watched this movie in Japan, and then once again in the US. I noticed that people definitely had stronger reactions to the movie in Japan, where I saw not just children but adults and the elderly bawling at the 3-11 reveal. It was made by Japan, and directed at Japan. Makoto Shinkai even wrote a book after the movie basically consoling the country, and telling him it's going to be okay. Also, I saw the movie a few times in Japan. I was visiting for about a month and following (on accident) the same track that she took, starting in Kyushu and ending up in Sendai. It was nice being able to understand more and more of the local dialects the more time I spent in Japan. The mom has a HEAVY dialect that I didn't understand 100% of until the 2nd viewing haha.

Main character: “I finally understand!” Me: “Well I’m glad someone did, because I sure didn’t.”

I love the road driving part. It's such a quirky thing for the movie to take a detour and for that amazingly written argument scene.

I was so stunned by this one. His last 3 are all so damn memorable. I love his elements of throwing in slices of life with supernatural subplots. This one really triggered me personally. I lost my mom about 12 years ago and I didn’t expect this movie to have such a gut punch regarding the loss of a mother. Amazing stuff.

I ugly cried after the movie for Daijin...the director said he accidently made that cat too cute and that audiences felt bad for him(implying it wasn't intended). I just wish more thought had been put into Daijin's character resolution because I liked him/ felt more for him than Sota by the end of the film.

Me and my girl went to watch and it was phenomenal. By the end of the movie you could hear everyone sobbing and at first you’re a little bit confused by what the purpose of the movie is and then it all comes together towards the final act and it just hits like a gut punch. Such an amazing story, full of humor, and tons of heartfelt moments with a heart warming message

Suzume was such a masterpiece. I loved everything from the story, the characters, the themes, the parallels to classic Studio Ghibli films like Kiki's delivery service… Everything was amazing! I really liked how the movie didn't focus that much on romance like Shinkai's two previous and instead focused on the protagonist's journey and step to adulthood/maturity. Shinkai never fails to deliver. Three banger movies in a row! This man is a legend.

This was an absolutely gorgeous metaphor for Japan and its natural disasters, and in particular the loss and devastation wrought by the Tohoku Tsunami. It is a theme that Makoto Shinkai is revisiting, expanding on his thesis in 'Your Name' (still my favorite film of his). As someone who isn't Japanese, my appreciation for 'Suzume' was deepened through having read Richard Lloyd Perry's gut-wrenching book 'Ghosts of the Tsunami'. And while 'Suzume' might rank behind 'Your Name' and 'The Garden of Words' for me among Shinkai's films, this is still a breathtaking work of art and is easily at the top of my (albeit) short, early list of favorite films for 2023.

This is the first time in a while that I’ve seen a 2D animated film in theaters, and man does it feel good to see the gorgeous artistry of hand drawn animation on the big screen again. And it also reminded me just how Japanese animation can capture that human element so well that a lot of western animation seems to often lack, or at least needs more of.

I had the chance to see this in IMAX the other night and the quality of the animation was mind blowing. It was a fun tale and I always love a good road trip movie. There was a particularly funny scene involving a convertible that comes to mind that had the whole theater laughing. Go see this movie folks, it is well worth it.

just saw it in the theater yesterday. story was good, but what really blew me away was the main track from the music. a beautiful voice, an ethereal feel granted by the vocalizations in the background, it was just perfection.

The road trip was such a highlight of the movie, though. The calm before the climax. The audience in the theater loved Serizawa's development there. It was also a nice moment for us to know more about her aunt after just seeing her as the "adult" back home. I really liked having a breather in between the action.

Makoto Shinkai is the Wes Anderson of anime. All their movies are the same, and are all perfect in every way

I seen this movie in theaters on Friday, and absolutely loved it, 9/10. Unfortunately, there was only me and one of the person in the theater. It's a shame this movie didn't get more coverage. So thank you for giving the movie some light, more people need to see it!

I loved watching it in theaters. The strong sense of empathy for your fellow person in it is what stuck with me upon my initial viewing. No doubt I will have many other reactions in future viewings. Shinkai’s works are so layered.

I adored the roadtrip, it really helped connect with the cgaracters, and give some tine to breathe

Personally I felt that road trip sequence was the exact thing the audience needed to take a breath and slow down. It helped build the anticipation for the third act and I adored it

Aw man. Forgot this came out. Will have to see it this week. I saw Your Name in the theater totally blind and was blown away. Weathering With You was a bit of a miss for me. This movie feels like a Miyazaki successor. Looking forward to it.

This was the only movie that I went and watched in theaters twice. Even when I went and watched it the second time and KNEW WHAT HAPPENED I still cried. The themes of love while can be seen as romantic I see it as companion love like the one you get from close friends. Also the theme of wanting one’s place in the world while having obligations and wanting to be more hit so hard as a college student with an undecided major. Along with that the music was amazing. Sky over Tokyo never fails to make me shiver when I remember the design of the full worm. to be with Sota caused me to sob because I know the feeling of going “I’m fine to go. I’m ok to die.” Only to have a brush with death and realize no I don’t want to go I want to be selfish I just want to live. And prayer was a beautiful close for how they defeated the worm especially the animation of Suzume flipping herself around to face the worm head on without the fear she had previously. I also loved the different people she met. It reminded me of when I hiked the Appalachian trail and all the different people I met and who helped me. At one point I almost fell down a mountain and rolled my ankle a man who was hiking a bit behind me helped me get to the next hostile practically carrying me at some points I’ll never forget him even tho he didn’t give me his name and kept hiking. And honestly the worms design also works (though the name worm makes me giggle) the red swirling mass that bursts out but at the same time is also oddly beautiful seems like a good reflection for emotion I don’t know which ones but certainly emotions. And Suzume meeting her younger self just destroyed me. I often wish I could talk to my younger self and tell her everything will be ok and that even though things are hard and the world is scary I would be able to grow and take it on. I feel like I was healed a little bit along with Suzume in that scene. I wish I could have taken my mother to see this movie she doesn’t like anime but I know she would have loved this. All in all an amazing movie that broke me and put me back together again.

I really enjoyed this move! I find the writing to be quite beautiful. Lots of symbolism this time around and I loved that it left me with questions. The imagery was captivating and the mythos I found to be… deeply fascinating. To me, Suzume felt very sweet and endearing in all of the best ways. It’s not Your Name or Weathering with You, and it doesn’t have to be.

I liked the road trip part because the movie is pretty fast paced and it was a nice breather before the ending. It was also nice just to see the characters' interactions at that time. Such a great movie

I saw this movie yesterday and had a great time with it. I admit I wasn’t completely blown away but that last third definitely had me invested and I even felt a bit emotional to it. And this is a movie that has a sentient chair chasing a talking cat near the beginning. I think this’ll be a movie I might see again to make my thoughts more concrete.

One thing I loved about this movie is the road trip feel of it, going from one end of Japan to the other was so cool to see and also the fact is something I wanna do in the future, I actually thought this was different enough from Shinkais other films but also shared enough similarities, I still think your name is his best work but I think Suzume is a tad bit bellow it

Suzume is like a combination of Shinkai's previous films like "Your Name, Weathering With You, Children Who Chase Lost Voices, etc and giving it some actual Ghibli magic. However one thing which stood out to me about Suzume after I learned it is that it's about dealing with the pain of the 2011 tsunami Japan suffered (specially with that 3-11 scene). The horrors of that event still lingers on in the hearts and minds of the Japanese people (as by the various locations shown in Suzume showing how that event still haunts in Japan). I need to see this movie ahain for a 2nd time to further anaylse this insane detail.

I must say, as someone who isn't much of an anime fan (I like a few movies, that's about it), the trailers for this movie on TikTok sold me and I ended up going to see it by myself on a whim. What a fantastic film, I absolutely loved it.

I saw Suzume just a day ago. It was absolutely phenomenal and both me, my friend and several people where actually crying towards the end when she goes trough her own door. I also really liked the sound track and music in the movie. 10/10 would go to see it again! SPOLIER: What hit me like a s*t ton of brick is how everyone was laughing at Sota falling asleep once turned into a chair. Then having trouble waking up in the mornings. But then you see why, and that because he's starting to slowly fade away. Maaan.

I just came back from the theatre and I absolutely loved this movie. Will certainly go watch a second time. I'm not a Japanese person but when "that moment" come in the move and see the "3.11" I felt the gut punch! Knowing the context actually made me cry.

I just walked out of Suzume. And wow! Such a breath taking film. I have never seen an anime film before and cried in the end. Without hesitation, I recommend this to anyone - not just anime lovers.

This movie made me cry, and the flashback elements were confusing till u watch the whole movie was brilliant. I admit I didn’t had have high hopes for the movie but I was so wrong. The animation was so good and the characters are so nice to suzume that I can’t even find a reason to hate them.

Suzume's visuals, sounds and music are phenomenal as with other Shinkai movies. The ending is much more emotional than his two previous films and actually brought me to tears. I think the film being less musical all around (almost no lyrical songs in the runtime) is a good thing, because the two songs at the end hit much harder I even sat through the credits to listen to them. Btw, I absolutely loved the Ghibli references in the movie.

First Makoto Shinkai I got to watch in the movies, and to my surprise, it was even on IMAX, which was an incredible experience. It's not Your Name, but still great. The humor was much better. I would probably rank it to me in between Weathering With You and Your Name. As much I (thankfully) can't relate to the events he aludes to, I was watching with a Taiwanese friend, and when the screen showed "that date", I heard her gasp and I felt the heaviness of the topic for people that are too familiar with it.

Can’t wait to see Suzume!! Am a really big Studio Ghibli and Toho fan and am really excited for this new Shinkai picture to be shown! 🎬 After seeing the trailers and this review, this definitely shows that Suzume will be a marvelous experience! Belated Happy Birthday as well Chris! 🎉

Just seeing the snippets of the animation is enough to get me to see this. Looks incredible.

Bro, the music is too good. I cried like a damn baby during the credits man.

Thank you for always reviewing anime films too! Love seeing your reactions to all kinds of films and also really loved Suzume too

I loved all the little references. There's even a reference to His and Her Circumstances

Why does Makoto Shinkai always make the most gorgeous-looking animated movies ever made?

I have been WAITING for this review!! I watched this movie twice 😅 absolutely loved it.

first time watching Makoto Shinkai's film in cinema. The animation was sooo freaking beautiful. Kudos to him for leading and also to the animation team for producing such astounding animation 😊

I actually think the road trip section of the movie was great for the pacing. I felt the beginning threw so much at the audience so fast that it was hard to appreciate what you were seeing. Then when it slows down in the second half and we get a chance to sit in relative quiet and experience the emotions of the aftermath of the pseudo-climax I found myself enjoying the movie much more. It's like when traumatic events happen in real life -- everything happens so fast, and then you're suddenly left to yourself and having to reflect on how your life has been permanently changed. That's the feeling that I think the second half captured so well.

I was hoping you'd review this!

This was one of the best things I’ve ever seen in theaters

This guy is approaching the level of Miyazaki. Couldn't wait for this review to confirm my excitement to see this anime. So few made with this care, craftsmanship and pride. Thanks.

It was a treat to get to see this today! I knew nothing but that my friend wanted to see it and I figured it would be fun! It most definitely was fun!

I was just thinking about your review on Your Name as I came onto KZfaq and saw your video posted a minute ago. Definitely a simulation

Awesome review! My wife and I just watched this movie for the second time in theaters yesterday. I can't wait for this to come out on 4k. Great stuff!

Ok, this movie was spectacular! Thanks Chris for covering this.

Your Hey Arnold tattoo is so cool dude, you tear at my heart strings with that one. 🥰

They pushed the release date of Suzume in Czech Republic to the same week as the release of Oppenheimer and Barbie. I'm going to be in cinema the entire day.

My daughter-in-law gifted for me to see this at the theater back at Christmas so it has been a long wait in it's release but it was so well worth it. I love Makoto Shinkai's work.

I just saw this movie a few hours ago at 4 PM and man was I so excited to see another Shinkai film. Big fan of this man's work and I've seen every film he's done, even his short films. I definitely will be buying this movie on blu-ray when it releases and I'll definitely be buying the novel and manga as well. I did the same for Weathering With You, so of course I'll do the same with Suzume. I teared up towards the end of this film. I really enjoyed it.

Wow it’s like any movie I’m interested in, you have a review for. Great work ❤

I live in a small town, so we don't get a lot of movies. I was thrilled that I got to see this SUBTITLED!! in my local theater. Sadly, I was the only one at my showing, but it also meant I got to give the movie my full attention. It was gorgeous! And the full-circle was amazing!

Makoto Shinkai is definitely becoming one of my favorite filmmakers from Japan. I think it’s time America needs to see this more.

So far, this is my favorite movie of the year, and I can't wait to see it again.

Watched it yesterday, it was definitely magical and my new favorite. Gonna watch it again today since it's the last day they're showing it in my area but will only get to watch 3/4 of it due to a doctors appointment

Saw your name in theater three times with 3 group of friends when it was released in the US. Can’t wait to check this out

Thanks Chris. I went to see this at my local cinema on your recommendation. It was fantastic

I kind of felt like this was the bridge between Shinkai’s other films and a really good Ghibli film. It had that mysterious whimsicality, and fantastical nature to it. This is definitely his second best in my opinion which is saying a lot because Your Name is one of my favorite films ever.

While the story felt a little inconsistent, the music, sound and most animation elements were outstanding, and absolutely worth seeing in the theater. Happy to see you reviewing another Makoto Shinkai movie!

Don’t forget the music, which is as per absolutely wonderful at complementing the tone of the scene. The way it intensifies during the door closing sequences can give goosebumps.

I loved this film it felt like a road trip action packed adventure with some supernatural elements and ofc with Makoto Shinkai films the music is always mind-blowing each theme for his movies are so gorgeous

Hello Chris! Excellent review, as always - I count myself blessed that there are film critics like yourself who take the time to review anime films such as this one. :) If I may ask a clarifying question: you had mentioned that the first 45 minutes were captivating, and that the end of the second act was a bit of a stalling point before the finale. Without spoilers (obviously), does that suggest you found the ending lacking? Or simply the time it took to get there? I just want to be sure I understand. :) Thanks, and have a blessed day!

Thanks Chris. Can’t wait to see it

I saw this movie a couple weeks ago and was absolutely waiting for this review!! Absolutely loved this film. It was STUNNING

Honestly there were a lot of moments within the film that left me in awe and had me feel a lot of emotions while watching the characters interact and having the visual and soundtrack play. It's my first Makoto Shinkai film I watched in a theater and I was overall happy I took the time to finally watch it. Film was honestly amazing and while it did slow down a bit at times it was compensated by the overall dialogue and visuals. Movie was an overall masterpiece in my opinion and I'd recommend others watch this too if they want to experience an amazing film experience.

Makoto shinkai one of my fav director He changed the way I see Anime as a medium And then Tatsuki fujimoto changed the way I read manga

Loved this movie and was excited to see your review Chris. I watched it 3 times in theatres and it got better on re-watches.

One scene impact me most was that Suzume arrived the remain of her old home at Miyagi, recovered her diary in her childhood but found the records around March 11th was smeared.

I personally thought this was his best. It was one of the most unique movies about grief I've seen. I thought there were elements of howls moving castle and Madoka magika which are two of my faves. Maybe it resonated with me so much because I lost my mother and moved in with my aunt and uncle but I don't know I also got chills when the earthquake warnings happened even though I've never been in one. I honestly don't understand how so many people thought it was mid. It was an amazing adventure, funny, beautiful, and I loved the story. I can't wait to watch it again.

Great review Chris and I am going to see that movie today after work.

I loved the message Makoto Shinkai tries to tell us in Suzume. This film explores the idea of facing fading memories, including the devastating earthquake that hit Japan's Tohoku region in 2011. In the film, gates are found in forgotten places or where people's consciousness is fading away. Just as people shouldn't just abandon what they made from nature the gods gave them in the past and pretend to have forgotten them, Suzume learns the importance of facing her problems and traumas and moving forward throughout the story. In my opinion, Suzume has a stronger message toward both society and individuals, while Your Name and Weathering with You focus rather on individuals only.

I am glad that people in America are able to see this in the theaters. I was living in Japan during the 3/11 earthquake. Watching this movie was difficult but somehow it helped a little to deal with the feelings that I still had about then. The animation was beautiful and the music, while not as memorable as Your Name, was still really enjoyable.

Just got back from seeing it and I still feel its emotional effect on me. I am strangely happy and content! To me, this film so far is this year's best! An unbelievably rewarding watch!

As a long time fan of Makoto Shinkai, I'm so happy to hear that Chris enjoyed this film. While I still think Your Name and Weathering with You are the better movies, Suzume is still really amazing and I honestly can't wait to see it again.

I'm surprised no one has jokingly called this movie "Beauty And The Seat"

Saw it last night, big fan. The music really helped convey a lot of emotion and left me totally absorbed in some moments.

The art style, and music.. was amazing, I saw it In a empty theater; the last screening of the night.

Well, I watched the movie yesterday and I liked it more than Weathering with You. As a whole package, Suzume isn't as good as your name for me. However I was surprised that Suzume didn't try to tell a love story but more a classic adventure/road trip movie and once I understood that, I liked it a lot. The only things I didn't like were that Sota doesn't feel fleshed out enough and thus lacks the "emotional impact" a bit when Suzume saves him. Also Idk if I overheard a few things, but I find it a bummer that we don't have as many RADWIMPS songs playing during the movie. Despite this the movie has an OST with 4 songs on it: Kanata Haruka, Suzume, Tears of Suzume and Takamaki. Kanata Haruka plays in the end credits (great song, easily on par with Nandemonaya for me) but the other songs...nah. I really thought where are they? Even Suzume (the song that has gone viral first and plays in the trailers) barely is in the movie. All in all I liked the movie a lot. But one shouldn't expect it to be another "Your name rehash" like Weathering with You. Despite having the aesthetics Suzume is more its own thing. A surprise to be sure, but (imo) a welcome one. If I had to rank Shinkais big three movies: 1. Your name 9/10 2. Suzume 8,5/10 3. Weathering with you 7/10

YES YES.....I manage to sneak today with 2 more friends to see this MASTERPIECE in a theater, I wait for sooo long to see a Makoto Shinkai film in a big screen..........WORTH EVERY DAMN SECOND, I love this film SOOOO MUCH.

Spoiler Warning I guess, nothing too major though I loved the movie, it was really amazing seeing it in theaters. My only nitpicky thing about it was that it seemed rather weird that Suzume chased after Souta at the very beginning of the movie, and how she kinda just fell in love with him after seeing him once. I get that he's just a hot dude but it still felt a bit forced, but it was necessary for the plot to progress. And also, I only realized this at the very end of the movie but Suzume's mom died in the 2011 Tsunami/Earthquake disaster. To a lot of people including myself, I felt a bit of a connection because of that. I was in Tokyo at the time of the disaster, and luckily my family and I were safe, but realizing that it could have very well been me in that same situation that Suzume was in made me realize how lucky I was.

I really loved this film from Makoto Shinkai, it definitely felt like a refreshing new concept, not only for him but for cinema, such a unique premise with amazing history that it draws from, direction and animation are superb like always and I loved the character designs, you are right about the certain aspect dragging but other than that, I really enjoyed myself.

I have been going through the forums and it is appealing to me that nobody is commenting how shinkai ce years the story around the Fukushima earthquake. It is mentioned several times that Suzume's personal tragedy occurred 12 years ago, her diary dates the tragedy in March 11, there is a shot of a radiation exclusion zone when the main characters are approaching Suzume's hometown, and there is a mention of a tsunami. There is also a mention os the Tokyo's great earthquake of 1923, that propelled Japan into a crises that led into the country to become an axis power, and eventually joining the WWII. So many small details and references that give the movie so much meaning, and yet there are so few mentions to them.