The first new movie from Makoto Shinkai in three years, Suzume (Suzume no Tojimari, or literally Suzume’s Door-Locking), will have IMAX screenings on November 11 that will start concurrently with ordinary screenings, according to the movie’s official website, which made the announcement on Wednesday.
Additionally, starting on September 30, three of Shinkai’s earlier movies—your name., Weathering With You, and 5 Centimeters Per Second—will be shown in IMAX at 41 theatres around Japan to commemorate the movie’s IMAX screenings. The IMAX premiere of 5 Centimeters Per Second will mark the format’s debut. A lottery to view an early IMAX screening of Suzume on November 7 will be open to anyone who purchase tickets for any of the IMAX screenings.
As stated in the story’s synopsis from CoMix Wave Films:
Time itself was on the other side of the door—
Suzume, a 17-year-old from Kyushu, finds a young guy who says to her, “I’m looking for a door,” and thus the young woman’s adventure starts. In the middle of the devastation, Suzume discovers a solitary weathered door that appears to have been protected from whatever disaster occurred. Suzume attempts to turn the knob while appearing captivated by its strength.
One by one, doors start to open all throughout Japan, unleashing havoc on everybody around. To avert greater catastrophe, Suzume must shut these gates.
- The stars.
- after sunset
- early-morning sky
Suzume is prepared to go on her trip after being drawn in by this enigmatic entrance. In that place, it appeared as though all of time had melted together in the sky.
A road movie set in Japan, a tale about “closing doors” as opposed to opening them, and a justification for going to the movies are, in Shinkai’s opinion, the three most crucial aspects of the movie. Closing doors, he said, may also allude to tying up loose ends or completing a task.
Suzume Iwato, who is voiced by actress Nanoka Hara, is the movie’s protagonist. This is Hara’s first voice-acting job in an anime, and she auditioned against over 1,700 other candidates for the part.
As Sta Munakata, a young guy who sets out on a voyage with Suzume as the “Door-Closing Master,” SixTONES idol group member Hokuto Matsumura also makes his voice acting debut in the movie. Matsumura’s audition for the part of a young person “who ends up turning into a chair” was examined by Shinkai personally. Matsumura was selected for the part due to his or her expressive “inner richness,” according to Shinkai.
The movie’s director and screenwriter is Shinkai (your name., Weathering With You). The original narrative is also ascribed to him. Designing the characters is Masayoshi Tanaka (Your Name, Weathering With You). The animation is directed by Kenichi Tsuchiya (your name, Garden of Words). Art director Takumi Tanji (Children Who Chase Lost Voices) is responsible. The film is being made by CoMix Wave Films and Story Inc. Distributing the movie is TOHO.
On November 11, the movie will premiere in Japan. A novelization of the movie was also written by Shinkai and released on August 24.
Except for Asia, the movie will be released globally in early 2023 by Crunchyroll, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Wild Bunch International. Distribution in North America will be handled by Crunchyroll, while distribution in Latin America, South America, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Europe will be handled by Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment. The movie will be released in French- and German-speaking Europe by Crunchyroll, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Wild Bunch International.
The other books by Shinkai are Children Who Chase Lost Voices, Voices of a Distant Star, She and Her Cat, The Place Promised in Our Early Days, Voices of a Distant Star, Voices of a Distant Star, and 5 Centimeters Per Second.
