Anime Review - Suzume no Tojimari

Type: Movie
Aired: Nov 11, 2022 (Japan)
Studio: CoMix Wave Films
Genre: Fantasy
Duration: 2hr 1min
Rating: PG-13 – Teens 13 or older
Add to list on MAL
MY RATING: 10 out of 10

Suzume, a 17-year-old girl who lives in a quiet town in Kyushu, encounters a traveling young man who tells her “I’m looking for a door.” She follows after him and discovers a weathered door in the ruins in the mountains, as if it were the only thing left standing from a collapse. As if drawn by something, Suzume reaches for the door…

Before long, doors begin to open one after another in various parts of Japan. As disasters come from the far side of the doors, the open doors must be closed.

The stars, the setting sun, and the morning sky—in that place she wandered into, there was a sky that seemingly blended all of time together. Guided by the mysterious doors, Suzume’s “door-locking journey” begins.
(Source: MAL News)

I love this movie!!! Contrary to what I expected, Suzume no Tojimari not just left me in awe with the animation but also with its story. This movie is from the same creator of Kimi no Na Wa so I didn’t expect less with the animation, it was heaven! I only watched it on 2D, so imagine how beautiful it would be on IMAX!

Now that I already raved on the animation, let’s talk about the story. Suzume no Tojimari is a story of Suzume who accidentally released the seal of one of the keystones that holds the door. Once opened, it will release “worms” that will cause destruction to the world. And before long, doors begin opening from different parts in Japan. Thus begins Suzume’s door-locking adventure to save the world.

To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much with the story when I decided to watch this movie. Probably because I didn’t enjoy (as much as I thought I would be) the previous film from this creator, Weathering With You, because of my super high expectation after loving Kimi no Na Wa. So imagine my surprise when this movie took my interest the moment it started. I don’t know how to explain it, but it reminds me so much of Kimi no Na Wa, not because they are from the same creator, but the feeling these two movies had on me. It’s like a feeling that it’s going to be really good, and as you can see, it really is!

I believe the narration is really good, plus all the characters are really likable. I don’t think there’s something in the movie that I hated or irritated with, thus explaining the raging 10-stars rating. Yahoo! I also liked that it’s not romance, although there’s a small hint of it (just like Kimi no Na Wa) because I feel like it made me more focused and thus enjoy Suzume’s adventure even more. There’s also a very small part of family conflict (between Suzume and her aunt who basically raised her) so we get different feelings for this movie. And I really like that!

Suzume no Tojimari is definitely one of those few anime films that I believe showcases amazing animation with an equally compelling story. Highly recommended!