Suzume no Tojimari: A Review of a Beautiful and Emotionally Resonant Anime

 

The Animation

Suzume no Tojimari is a visually stunning film, with animation that is both fluid and expressive. The film's use of color is particularly noteworthy, with vibrant hues that create a sense of wonder and magic. The lighting is also used to great effect, with subtle shifts in brightness and contrast helping to create a sense of atmosphere and mood.

The film's animation style is also perfectly suited to its story. The film's director, Makoto Shinkai, is known for his realistic and detailed animation, and Suzume no Tojimari is no exception. The film's characters and backgrounds are all beautifully rendered, and the animation helps to create a sense of immersion in the world of the film.

 

The Music

The music in Suzume no Tojimari is simply stunning. It was composed by RADWIMPS, the same band that composed the music for Makoto Shinkai's previous films, your name. and Weathering With You. The music is perfectly tailored to the film's tone and atmosphere, and it enhances the emotional impact of the story in a truly remarkable way.

One of the things that makes the music in Suzume no Tojimari so effective is its use of traditional Japanese instruments. These instruments give the music a unique and haunting sound that perfectly complements the film's visuals. For example, the song "Tamaki" features a beautiful melody played on the shamisen, a traditional Japanese three-stringed lute. This song is used in a scene where Suzume is traveling through a forest at night, and it creates a sense of wonder and mystery.

Another thing that makes the music in Suzume no Tojimari so effective is its use of vocals. The film features several vocal songs, all of which are performed by RADWIMPS lead singer Yojiro Noda. Noda's voice is incredibly powerful and emotive, and he perfectly captures the film's themes of love, loss, and hope. For example, the song "Kanata Haluka" is used in a scene where Suzume and her friends are saying goodbye to each other. The song's lyrics are about missing someone you love, and Noda's vocals perfectly convey the sadness and longing of the scene.

Overall, the music in Suzume no Tojimari is one of the highlights of the film. It is beautifully composed, perfectly tailored to the film's tone and atmosphere, and it enhances the emotional impact of the story in a truly remarkable way.

 

The Voice Acting

The voice acting in Suzume no Tojimari is excellent, both in Japanese and in English. The voice actors bring the characters to life with their nuanced and emotional performances.

In the Japanese version, Nanoka Hara delivers a standout performance as Suzume. She perfectly captures Suzume's youthful energy, her determination, and her vulnerability. Hokuto Matsumura is also impressive as Souta, giving him a gentle but strong presence.

The English dub is also excellent, with a cast of experienced voice actors who bring the characters to life in their own unique way. Emily Davis is particularly good as Suzume, and Robbie Daymond is perfect as Souta.

 

The Story

Suzume no Tojimari tells the story of Suzume Iwato, a 17-year-old high school girl who lives in a quiet town in Kyushu, Japan. One day, she meets a mysterious young man named Souta Munakata, who is searching for an abandoned door. Suzume leads him to an abandoned onsen resort nearby, where they discover a strange door.

When Suzume opens the door, she unleashes a powerful supernatural worm that causes earthquakes. Suzume and Souta must now travel across Japan to seal the doors and prevent the worm from causing further destruction.

I liked that the story was both exciting and heartwarming. The stakes are always high, but Suzume and Souta's journey is also about finding friendship, love, and a sense of belonging.

I also liked that the story explored complex themes such as love, loss, family, and community. The film does not shy away from difficult topics, but it also offers a message of hope and resilience.

I didn't really dislike anything about the story, but I did find the pacing to be a bit slow in some parts. However, the film's beautiful animation and heartwarming story more than make up for it.

 

The Characters

The main characters in Suzume no Tojimari are Suzume Iwato and Souta Munakata. Suzume is a kind and compassionate girl who is struggling to cope with the loss of her mother. Souta is a mysterious young man who is carrying a heavy burden.

Suzume is a well-developed and relatable character. She is flawed and makes mistakes, but she is also kind, brave, and determined. I found her journey to be very inspiring.

Souta is a more enigmatic character, but he is also very likable. He is kind and protective of Suzume, and he is willing to sacrifice everything for her. I found his character arc to be very interesting.

One example of effective character development is Suzume's journey to overcome her grief. After her mother dies, Suzume is devastated and withdraws from the world. However, over the course of the film, she learns to let go of her grief and move on with her life.

Another example of effective character interaction is the relationship between Suzume and Souta. The two characters start out as strangers, but they quickly develop a deep bond. They support each other through thick and thin, and they help each other to grow and learn.

 

The Themes

The main themes in Suzume no Tojimari are love, loss, family, and community. The film explores these themes in a meaningful way by showing how the characters are affected by them.

The film shows how love can give us strength and hope. Suzume's love for her mother, her aunt, and Souta helps her to overcome her grief and move on with her life. Suzume struggles to cope with the loss of her mother, but she eventually learns to let go of her grief and move on.

Suzume also finds support and love from her aunt and Souta, even though she is not related to them by blood.

 

Conclusion

Overall, I thought Suzume no Tojimari was a beautiful and emotionally resonant film. The story is engaging, the characters are well-developed, and the themes are relevant and relatable. I would highly recommend this film to other anime fans.