Suzume, a creation of Makoto Shinkai, delves into a plethora of intense and heartfelt subjects with a large number of characters, yet it might have been more effective if presented as a television anime series.
Makoto Shinkai’s movie Suzume has gained high acclaim for its intriguing aspect of incorporating a lot of story on grief within its plot. The film revolves around Suzume who unintentionally opens mystical doors across Japan, which subsequently unleashes a dangerous creature called the Worm. However, instead of just focusing on Suzume’s attempt to close the doors, the story introduces a character named Souta, who is responsible for officially sealing them. This leads Suzume and Souta on a journey across the country, during which Suzume meets various people who inspire her. Although this plot is packed with numerous events, it could have worked better as a full-fledged anime series.
A Suzume anime series would have been appropriate for Souta’s Clan
In Shinkai’s touching film, Souta learns that his family has been responsible for safeguarding the gateways for centuries, and his ailing grandfather passes on this responsibility to him. However, the movie does not delve into how Souta became the custodian, what happened to the previous gatekeepers, or the conflict that arose when Souta wanted to pursue academics. The character of Suzume offers a complex dynamic, as Souta struggles with his destiny. An anime series could have explored the flashbacks, depicting how Souta attempted to balance his duties and studies, as well as his difficulties when his grandfather became ill. This led to Souta feeling pressure and guilt, which may explain his reluctance to allow Suzume to join him on such a risky mission.
If the anime had gone on for a full season or two, it could have revealed more about the keystones – their transformation into cats, and their distinct personalities. The audience is left in the dark about the motivations of the white cat in helping Suzume, its obsession with turning Souta into a keystone, its fight with the black cat, the reason for the black cat’s silence, and why the grandfather considered the white cat a friend. The fact that the grandfather was okay with Souta becoming a keystone suggests that some sort of mysterious agreement may have been made. The relationship between Suzume and the keystones, as well as the truth about why the Worm’s dimension wants to harm Earth, would have been better explored in a Suzume anime.
The Strangers Would Have Been More Meaningful in a Suzume Anime
The strangers that Suzume comes across in the movie feel like underdeveloped props, which is particularly true for Chika who helps Suzume understand the importance of family and love after her mother’s death. However, Suzume quickly moves on, giving the impression that Chika only exists to develop the main character. The story would have benefited from exploring their relationship further over the course of an entire anime season, which could have also allowed for the inclusion of the queer love story that was changed.
A similar approach could have been taken with the family that Suzume stays with. While babysitting the children, the movie hints at the idea of a mother who is too busy to care for them. Spending more time with the family, particularly with Souta who was turned into a chair, could have helped Suzume understand how she has been unkind to her aunt and why she should appreciate having a second mother.
The purpose of these encounters is to change Suzume’s perspective. By expanding on themes such as love, family, sexuality, working-class issues, and subtle politics, the story could have been more comprehensive and appealing. Furthermore, this approach would have connected the movie to Japan’s history with earthquakes, the Worm, and the social and cultural issues that the film touches upon. Although Shinkai is an expert on big concepts, the central point of Suzume’s story is the human condition, which requires more time to develop considering the many moving parts involved.
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