Suzume
Synopsis — from MyAnimeList
On her way to school one day, Suzume Iwato stumbles upon Souta Munakata, a young man searching for abandoned areas. The high school girl directs Souta to a nearby ruin, but out of pure curiosity, she herself decides to head to the same destination. Once there, Suzume discovers an isolated door with a dreamlike universe lying beyond it—a place that she can see and feel, but not enter. A strange stone rests on the ground nearby, but it turns into a cat-like creature and scurries away when Suzume lifts it. Suddenly afraid, she heads back toward her school, not realizing that her act of leaving the door open will have consequences. With the "keystone" released, the evil within the other universe can now freely escape and wreak havoc throughout Japan. Intending to correct her dangerous mistake, Suzume joins Souta—whose true goal is to prevent evil from festering—in finding and locking all open doors before the country is destroyed.
Audience Consensus
Audience reception for Suzume no Tojimari is noticeably divided, primarily centering on its narrative and thematic execution. While there is widespread praise for its breathtaking visuals and sound design, many critics find the story to be derivative of Makoto Shinkai's previous works, suffering from pacing issues and underdeveloped plot points. The forced romance subplot is a significant point of contention, leading to a polarized view on its overall effectiveness.
Strengths
- Stunning visuals and animation, with detailed backdrops and ethereal supernatural elements.
- Impeccable sound design and SFX, contributing to the film's realism.
- Great soundtrack by Radwimps that elevates certain scenes.
- Captures the atmosphere and landscapes of various regions in Japan effectively.
- Explores profound themes of loss, grief, remembrance, and coming to terms with tragedy, particularly in relation to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake.
Weaknesses
- The story is considered repetitive of Shinkai's previous works and lacks originality.
- The plot can be confusing, with plot holes and a lack of explanation for supernatural occurrences.
- The pacing feels rushed, with too much crammed into the runtime, leading to unsatisfying resolution.
- The romance subplot is frequently criticized as forced, awkward, and underdeveloped, lacking chemistry.
- Character development is shallow, with many side characters serving only as plot devices.
- The film's reliance on Japanese mythology may be a barrier for international audiences.
- Some CGI elements, like the worm, are criticized for looking unrefined.