I felt that Daijin and Sadaijin were the Yin Yang. Daijin was white with a black eye, and Sadaijin was black with a white eye. Also, when Suzume expressed her hateful feelings for Daijin, he/she became weak and only got stronger when Suzume shared love with him/her. Sadaijin showed bad energy in the gas station scene, but as soon as he was with Daijin, he calmed down.

Just watched this with my wife today, who is Japanese. We weren't spoiled of the story and we initially thought the movie was a cool fantasy, like Spirited Away. However, she started crying as Suzume opens her diary: on the top of the dark lined pages, it said 3/11. She remembers it like yesterday, it was her middle school graduation day, and everything began with massive phone alerts... To Amercans, this would be a 7-8 out 10 Anime, but it is probably 10/10 for many Japanese, almost equivalent to other great movies like Titanic. So many children lost their mothers that day. I solemnly pray for the lost spirits of Tokyo earthquake 3/11/2011. The way the opening dream scene eventually connected at the end, and how the story unfolds to indirectly show the tragedy, was just phenomenal.... Thank God for granting such talents for Shinkai Makoto.

My feel of the ending was that it meant that one can only depend on oneself, as she was the one who was giving comfort to herself, not her mum. You have to let the past go and move on from the disaster. It was extremely moving.

Shinkai uses personal stories to tell national ones, which I think makes him really unique as a filmmaker. Japan has been hit with so many disasters, and this film is full of themes about loss, remembering, and moving on by being grateful for what we have in the present and trusting in our own inner resources.

Talking about the worm: This is a perfect illustration of a panic attack. Nobody else can see it but you feel it arising and it is building up and up and up. You are so afraid, what is going to happen, when it comes down, that it is completely irrelevant what actually happens (simply desastrous). For me the worm stands for fear.

The beauty of this is that if she never goes back to save sota she would be have been able to save herself as a child, I even love that it was her that saved herself in the end and not the usual movie narrative

Is there anything to be said about how she seemingly takes a pieces/piece of clothing with each stop she makes on her journey? With the school she gets a new outfit, at the lady's shop she gets a hat, when she stops at tokyo she gets souta's boots then at the end she receives his coat.

Another thing I noticed suzume was able to enter the ever after door because she was almost dead or you can say she wanted to die as she couldn’t find her mother but she herself comforts and lives barely enough to be found by her aunt. Much a beautiful movie.

I thought I wasn’t going to cry but I did. I saw it dubbed and it was so good. I was sitting there watching the part where the worm is circling the sky and Daijin was telling Suzume that people are going to die and the music that was playing honestly made me feel terrified and disturbed but not in a bad way it’s just amazing how one scene and one song can make someone feel these strong of emotions. I love the movie so much

I know a lot of people don't like the romance but honestly it did not bother me in the sense of Suzume is literally 17 years old. She is a teenager, like she is bound to fall in love with him or at the least have a huge crush on him. Souta is a good man, he is kind to her, he cares about her and he is extremely handsome. So to me it did not feel force due to her age and all of that combined. I also think Souta did love her but not romantically like she liked him. I saw another comment that said something along the lines of "think about if Suzume never went to look for him, then she would have never found the door and then save herself in the end." I agree with that, It might seem weird but her falling in love with him caused her to end up saving herself in a way. Also i don't think romance was the main focus of the film like in Your Name. Fantasy/ sacrifice and healing was the main focus and then the romance was the side dish is the way i took it but i could be wrong lol. but it is interesting to see how others see the film!! Either way i loved the movie more than words and i hope to see it again!!!

I'll be seeing Suzume the 9th time this weekend - IT'S THAT GOOD! The visuals are so beautiful that they're out-of-this-world - every scene is a wallpaper! Coupled with likeable characters, great storytelling and music (esp. great city pops during the road trip, and of course the theme song), it's such a mesmerising movie experience. I've come across some commentaries saying that if Makoto allowed more characters building for Sota and Daijin, the romance between Suzume and Sota and the sacrifice Daijin made in the end (i.e. turning back into a keystone) would have been more relatable/convincing - I kinda agree. A few minutes more each on Sota-Suzume and Daijin (e.g. a "blurred" Sota repeatedly appeared in her dreams/Sota told Suzume about his youth and they found they had surprisingly similar upbringing (orphaned?)/Daijin was abused by humans centuries ago before turning into deity, then found love and kindness from Suzume, and realising that Suzume would sacrifice herself in exchange of Sota, Daijin willingly turns back into a keystone to save his/her beloved Suzume etc.) would, imho, have turned an excellent film into perfection. But I really find these minor flaws forgivable!

anyone else interpret the main message of the movie to be overcoming grief and childhood trauma. suzume walked through the door which is the understanding of the “afterlife” as a kid after her mom went missing and died during the great earthquake in japan. so being on the other side, she was exposed to the “worm”=reality of the dark feelings that could arise from grief and when the keystones are removed (things that keep people grounded and prevent ppl from absolutely breaking down), it feels like their entire world is collapsing. she removed the keystone that turned into daijin but the entire time, it was tryna lead suzume back to her door indirectly to get over the other side of grief. overall this story resonates w lots of japanese ppl especially considering the great esrthquake that affected millions of lives but the power in the film comes from the delicacy brought to address how much power trauma can play on you. hence, is why she speaks to her younger self in the end and tells her that everything eventually gets better with time and it may feel like the whole world is turning on her and the dark “worm” is out to ruin her entire world, but sometimes in order return to peace and get over it, you gotta take it head on

I don't have a lot of knowledge about japanese culture so I have a completely different interpretation of what this movie is about. To me this movie is about Suzume mourning her mother. The monster is her anger, her resentment and her sadness caused by her death. It uses lonely, abandoned places to slip from the land of the deads and literally destroys the world she lives in, the way panic attacks can be caused by grief and isolation. One day she meets Sota, a beautiful boy who she's immediately has an interest for. Right after that she's the one causing the first door of the movie to open by liberating Daijin, which to me embodies the feeling of love. Sota owns a key capable of temporarily locking away the monster, and they do it together. But locking this door is only temporary as the monster will find other doors as long as it's not dealt with properly. When they really start bonding however, Sota is turned into the 3 legged chair by Daijin. The chair is the strongest remaining memorabilia of her mother. In other words, her missing her mother is the main thing preventing them from having a normal relationship. Only once the monster is defeated by embrassing her feelings of love (Daijin) and anger (Sadaijin) together with Sota, is he turned back to his human form. During their quest following Daijin, she meets people she strongly bonds with and with each new person she meets, she closes another door and gets closer to the place where it all began, her hometown where her mother died. She finally defeats the monster, finds her peace, and can go on with her life 🙂

Thanks for explaining how Japanese spirituality and rituals of Shintoism influenced the plot and characters of the story. I didn’t know actual earthquake keystones in Japan mythology really existed. I read a press release how the disasters, the Kobe earthquake, like the Fukuoka Great Tohoku, deeply and profoundly influenced Shinkai’s soul searching.

The worm is not evil. It is a corrective entity to resort harmony between heaven and earth. By not honoring the past, not being thankful, and abusing the bounty of the land; a worm will manifest in this plane of existence and restore balance. The worm cannot be destroyed because there will always be disharmony. However like a game of "whack a mole", the wormfall can be delayed by locking the correct door at the correct time in a universe of unlocked doors.

I finally watched the movie today… and it moved me so much. I cried like almost through the whole movie. Thank u for the explanation of the Japanese references, I didn’t know all of that 🙏🏼 I’m Turkish and bc of the earthquakes this year in turkey, suzume moved me in a personal level. 10/10.. it’s so good

Amazing analysis, I totally missed why Shouta was familiar to Suzume, thank you!

I hope many Filipinos could watch Makoto Shinkai's recent works, because like Japan, the Philippines is one of the few Asian countries that gets damaged by natural calamities constantly, especially from earthquakes and typhoons. Weathering With You reminded me of our own struggles during the devastating 2009 Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana). Our parents had to carry us in a safer place when the flood was becoming higher. Most of our books and school supplies were damaged and covered with mud after the flood.

I can't believe how much I've learned from your channel. Thanks for all the great videos!

Very touching film. Teary eyes after the movie ended.

Keep in mind Suzume was not even meant to have any romance in the initial sketches and Souta was even meant to be a girl initially as a result, but they chsnged it to what we have now eventually. i actually find it ironic because even though Suzume wants to distance itself from the 2 predecessors by not placing emphasis on romance it's actually the one with the most romantic potential out of the 3 movies

It was such a great movie. I really liked this video and learning more about the Shinto traditions that influenced the film. I've never heard of jichinsai, thank you for sharing! I also didn't know that keyholes were from Japanese myth, so interesting! Really excited to see your next video

This was really concise thanks! I had not realised that was why Suzume was familiar with Sato when they first met but totally makes sense thanks!🥰 such a beautiful film really loved watching it today for the first time❤

what i got from this film is that when you're writing a fantasy u can just make up whatever rule u feel like it at any point in the story, logic be damned. - why was the white cat already outside the first door when suzume got there? - if the cat wanted to be with suzume and helped her, why did it keep running away and be mysterious instead of working alongside her? - why did it turn the guy into a chair? what's the motivation??? to be free and have a taste of our life? But it turned itself back into a keystone willingly at the end anyway, so why? - what's the deal with the black n white cats? i feel like if they can talk, suzume should have a million questions she can ask them instead of just letting them sleep in the cars. but no, 'they are gods. shut the f up.' that's it. - why did the auntie say 'sadaijin'? did the black cat posses her in that moment?? it was brought up and never addressed again..wtf? - how did a young suzume wander into the portal door 'accidentally'? can u enter the door or cant u? can any kid just wander in? i enjoyed the film. it's beautifully made and love the theme of lost and healing. but these uncleared/fuzzy rules are always bothering me in a fantasy film. it nags and nags until the next scene and the next and prevents me from completely be immersed in the film.

Thank you! This helped me understand so much that didn't make sense to me at first 😅

Great video! I really liked your second video where you use your own voice. Your accent adds something extra to the story. Looking forward to more of your videos.

My heart was beating and I cried, the music was also freaking good🥺

My only question is how suzume was able to go to the afterlife. I wish they dove deeper into this like suzune actually dies during the earthquake and met Daijin and he helped her come back or something?

Interesting analysis- thanks!

Just saw Suzume today, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks for this vid to help give some of the context for this amazing film.

Great video!

I’ve watched this 20 times (no joke) in the cinema so far for almost over two months. Needless to say I love this movie. Art, story, action, comedy, music, all superb. Shinkai got another good hit with this one. Your Name had the better romance but this was the better movie in my book.

Great explanation thank you ❤ such a beautiful movie

i watched the movie and i think this explanation of it really helped clear things up for me! one things i am still curious about though is how did suzume manage to wander into the afterlife at age four if people normally cannot?

Thank you for so well explanation

I went to watch this anime on Sunday. I am amazed, wonderful, exciting, emotional. I cannot find the words for this anime.

Shinkai tends to repeat himself in his movies. But this one worked for me, since it also had originallity hand humor in it.

I watched the movie earlier today and just like after every time I watch/read something about Japan or written by a Japanese I was grateful that such interesting and spiritual people like them exist

I'm a huge sucker for these movies. Your Name, Weathering with You & now this. 😭😭😭

talk bout your adult self trying to heal your child self.

Thank you I was so confused when watching this movie

I really appreciate this insightful video and all of your responses in the comments, looking forward to seeing more from you

This is a great video thank you for your thorough breakdown! Do you or anyone else think the director made any "easter egg" like connections with his previous films? For instance, the red sash Suzume is wearing on her school outfit resembles exactly that of the one in Your Name. Of course, that could just be standard for their school outfits in the country so apologies if this is a silly question.

Loved your explanation, please explain about the ending time loop.

an explanation of the chair as the video doesnt really explain it: suzume's chair is lost in the earthquake + tsunami, and she wanders into the ever after as we know. As time is all in the same moment in the ever after, suzume from 12 years into the future goes into the ever after (which takes the shape of her hometown shortly after the earthquake + tsunami) and banishes the worm. She then sees her past self wandering around the ever after looking for her mother, and gives her the chair - that she finds in the ruins of her house in the ever after with 3 legs as a result of the destruction in the earthquake + tsunami - Younger suzume then leaves the ever after, with the 3 legged chair. i also dont exactly remember whether she herself keeps a chair afterwards, but thats not the point

Really great stuff, congrats! If this is your first ever video I can’t wait to see how the channel evolves from here :)

Dude your accent is incredible!

I have a few questions about the movie. 1- How was Souta able to alone be the keystone who held the worm? Don't you need two keystones for that? 2- What was Daijin's objective? Why was he so adamant in running away when the worm was sealed already? If he was actually malicious and just wanted to escape to not be the keystone anymore, why does he guide Suzume to the doors when he is partly responsible? And then he wants to be a keystone again at the end? Someone please clarify that to me. 3- Why did her aunt spell out all that terrible stuff to her when the black cat was there? Was that the cat's intention? If yes then why? Does he represent darkness or something? Why can he transform into that giant animal that fights the worm but not Daijin? Is it a Yin Yang thing, if so I dont know enough about it to see if it correlates with anything.

i recently read a novel called kafka on the shore by haruki murakami and theres another one of these keyholes there...in the same way, opening the keyhole releases a worm thats supposed to end humanity( humanity, not the earth) but the thing is really tiny in the novel...this concept of keyholes is a new point for me ...also you mentioned that theres supposed to be a catfish ...but why did they get turned into worms in both these stories...is there a separate mythological connection to worms?...also please dont say that cat fishes arent scary...just look at Resident evil 4...so...why worms specifically?

the story so fast-pace until I don't understand and there is no feel when suzume to obsessed with that guy

Still not sure about the black cat that emerges from Suzume's guardian when she curses Suzume for ruining her love life.

I saw this movie last week and thought it’s amazing! The only part that confused me was Sadaijin’s sudden appearance at the rest stop??

Thoroughly enjoyed the movie.

❤Love this movie

My mom and I already watched this film on March 8th of this year, and it have a Makoto Shinkai's amazing artstyle that makes me love it, I'm even wondering if this film can be adapted into anime and expanding Suzume's story for more lore and other character's story Also when I watching this trailer in English dubbed, I was surprised that Sota is voice acted by Josh Keaton and Josh's famous role is Spectacular Spider-Man which is my favorite childhood cartoon including a cameo in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Another character that also makes surprise for me in English dub are Minoru Okabe is voice acted by Roger Craig Smith, I'm even know him for his role as the current voice actor of Sonic the Hedgehog and Ezio Auditore in Assassin's Creed 2, Brotherhood and Revelations

No words on why the worm looks like a lycoris? I feel like the 2 keystones are like Manjū and Saka who were forced to look after the lycoris (the worm) but decided to abandon their task.

I know you're probably tired of answering so many questions, but I was wondering if Sadaijin possessed tamaki and why Daijin was hissing at Sadaijin? They seemed friendly near the end of the movie.

Haha wonderful

My sister told me about this movie. I’m going to watch it

Great explanation. Review more films ..... 😊 And yes the love story is very cringe. Don't ever write such love stories of strangers falling in love at the first sight, mad in love within 4 days of meeting them and staying with strangers all throughout the country, that's very dangerous.

Suzume is a solid addition to Shinkais work and he is still my favorite director...but this film has a few issues. It was enjoyable but doesn't add anything new and felt like just a fusion of your name and weathering with you

I didn't understand how the keystones work. Are Daijin and Sadaijin gods as suzume said during the car trip, or are they old closers locked in cats and turned into keystones as sota was locked in a chair and turned into one. Are they some sort of other entity specifically created for housing the gods and Daijin just wanted to become a normal cat so he cursed Sota and turned him into the keystone. Also how did Sota manage to stop the huge disaster at Tokyo if two keystones are required, did Sadaijin unmount after the disaster? And didn't he have to pierce the worm too. Also am I the only one who noticed that when Suzume locked the Tokyo gate something was off with the gate, does it mean that stabbing the worm with Sota just postponed the worm from escaping since 1 stone can't hold it alone.

I still dont understand several characters motivatons in this movie. At first I thought Daijin was evil and that he didn't want to do his job as the keystone but then he does? Why did that change? Why did Daijin curse Souta as a chair to begin with? The black cat (Sadaijin) near the end was the 2nd keystone, right? Who removed it? and wouldn't that cause more problems? Why did Suzume wnat to undo Soutas sacrifice, she didnt know Daijin would turn back in to the keystone if she saved Souta. She would have screwed over millions of people lives by saving Souta and with no backup plan?

i have a question - i know that daijin wanted to be with suzume but why did it seem like he WANTED the worm to come out? when the worm was about to destroy the city all he did was pressure suzume saying: 'everyone is gonna die', so i don't understand what exactly daijin was trying to do?

Suzume seems to have very good understanding of symbolism in general and how the ralation between the natural and supernatural works for homo religiosus. Probably because it is rooted in actual mythology. I must say that the movie really evoked feelings in me that I haven't felt in some time. It reminded me of the fantasy/adventure stories I watched/read as a kid. It reminded me also of feelings I had when I first read the Hobbit.

I have few questions if anyone can answer 😉 1. There were two key stones, one in tokyo and other in place where Suzume lived, so when the disaster worm appeared in tokyo and surrounded the sky what was the other key stone doing ??? 2. Who pulled the other key stone (Big black cat), I know it talked to grandfather but where was it at time Souta sacrifices himself ?? 3. When they pinned both keystones on eityer ends of that worm, it destroyed but can it be resurrected if anyone pull keystones again ? 4. What are keystones exactly, they are adresses as 'gods' but can posses some evil instinct like Diegine, how can they transform into animals ? 5. How suzume and Souta find they door to come back to mortal world has the one from where the Suzume entered appered to somewhere in sky ? 6. The worm was locked with two keystones before Suzume pulled out one. So why Souta kept finding the doors as worm was trapped and there was no danger ?? 7. Only the chosen ones can see the realm of the dead through mysterious doors. So the sam applies to keystone(In their original form like Suzume did the first time) 8. Is it worth watching in Hindi (This one is for Indians 😅)

Fantastic video omfg. But I am confused about one more thing: why did the second keystone come out of the aunt at the gas station?

Thank you for the video! Came here to understand some unclear moments, but still confused. Firstly, while watching the anime me and my friends were not clear with Daijin’s identity. We thought that it might be some form of Suzume’s mother soul or some other character rather than just a keystone. Secondly, if Daijin is the OG keystone for centuries and being a keystone is its main purpose, why did it want Sato to become one and replace itself? Thirdly, how did Sadaijin turn into a cat form too? Did anyone release it too? Maybe we missed some details, but we were lucky to watch it in a big screen at a cinema (with a dub tho 🥲) and we’re in aw while watching. If anyone has answers to these questions, would appreciate ❤

my theory is that sota and suzume are related in the movie noone says anything about suzumes dad or sotas mom. also they look really similar. that could be anothe explanation why she can lock the door

Thank you for your explanations! One thing I did not get was why the cat Daijin turns Souta into a chair? Why does Daijin want to be with Suzume? thanks

I am from India we love Suzume ❤

I have a few questions... It was revealed that there was a time loop by the end of the movie, correct? If so, why did Suzume shown in the movie have memories of her mom making her the chair? Did Suzume really hand her younger self a chair, or was this just shown metaphorically to express the theme of moving on?

Does anyone know how sadaijin, the black cat, gets released and appears in the gas station?? We see that Daijin only becomes free after he is released as a keystone…. That part was not clear to me 😅

feels like this script was written by chatGPT

How was your first video? The voice is monotone which sounds to be a computer audio rather than a real person. So I started to lose interest. I don't feel that you explained the movie. Yes we know the plot line, but I more analysis about the lore and symbolism of each aspect of the movie. Why two cats? Why is one white and black? What does the worm symbolize? Why does the story emphasize the cat becoming suzume's? And I can go on. I don't feel like you explained the movie. And if you did you said it so quick in 1 sentence it didn't land at all. If the movie explained the reference it also said it so quickly that it didn't land or be rememberable at all.

btw when suzume pulled out the stone and became a cat why did it want souta to be the new stone and almost as if it wanted the worm to come out?

7:49 was that a kiss????

Is Tamaki a grown Suzume, taking care of the young Suzume?

If the chair was given to her from the future, what happen to the chair her mom create? Were there two chairs?

I'm assuming it's a machine generated voice, but man the pronunciation of the Japanese words ^__^;;;;;;

Can someone explain me why Sadaijin actually possesed her Aunt?

Is there a meaning to the name Souta? I have found „gentle“, but dont know, if the writing is correct.

Do you have an idea what suzumes dream in the beginning means? Did she really meet herself as a child before and was this possible because there is is concept such as time? Im confused about that one

I just don't understand, why Daijin cares so much to be loved by Suzume

Did this happen? I didn't see that kiss in the movie. 7:49

Why did Daijin curse Shouto and convert him into a chair?

It was a cool movie for what is was for, Your name is still the standard tho.

I watched Suzume and well I honestly felt a bit disappointed with the story. The visuals are stunning and beautiful and the studio deserves highest praise for their amazing work. I just feel like the story suffered from some bad rewrites like too much time wasted on some scenes and not enough on the story. I am going to be honest here and say that Suzume x Souta development doesn't work. It didn't, it felt like it started out well and ended in nothing. And I can tell that something must have changed durring the rewrites becase : Suzume was supposed to recognize Souta but in the end Souta was far away from young Suzume! The stoy should have ended maybe without that young Suzume scene, that ruined it for me. I would habe much rather accepted the explanation that Souta couldn't be there to lock the door during the catastrophe that destroyed her home because other catastrophes were happening at the same time all over Japan. The one thing we both are on the best is that this movie was made for the Japanese people and anyone very familiar with their culture. I knew a few things about their modern culture so I got that much but the details in the myth I was not familiar at all. I think the stort tried to introduce too many life lessons for Suzume that damaged the pacing od the story: the orange girl represented young adult life for Suzume, looking for love and talking about boyfriends. The mom with the twins represented Suzume as an adult, mother and wife, because if Souta was her destined partner than he would have to close doors in Japan all his life and naturally he wouldn't be home all the time. All of this is fine but I didn't feel any natural chemistey with Souta.

[Spoiler] I wonder what will happen now that the two keystones are pinned in afterlife? They can't be repositioned anymore by mortals.

why did daijin turn souta into a chair??

Nice video, the robotic voice... Couldn't stand it. That tiktok voice was so annoying, sorry! 😣

Annoying narration though - and it's difficult to understand which parts are the movie and which is your input. It's heavily based on the movie - just stating the plot for almost the whole part with repetitions, but I was expecting an explanation with myths references, not just a sum up of the film read by a machine :/

I just finished Suzume and I'm confuse lol. I've so much questions to ask

Interesting video, but why does the narrator sound like a robot

how did the young suzume went inside ever after???? plot hole

Love your content but please please please find a better narration. The robot voice simple does not do any Justice to your content and makes it difficult to enjoy and relax into.

Not a fan of the AI voice

This A.I. sounding voice ain't it chief

I saw it last night, I loved the art style, music.. and this video really helped fill in the blanks for me