Exploring the Magic and Disappointment of Makoto Shinkai's Suzume

Suzume, the newest feature from director Makoto Shinkai, tells the story of high schooler Suzume Iwato who discovers the mystical causes behind earthquakes in Japan and becomes wrapped up in an epic race to save her country from an impending tectonic cataclysm. The film is a road trip movie that doubles as a coming-of-age story about a girl learning to make her way through the world both on her own and with the help of unexpectedly kind strangers. Shinkai's signature use of oversaturated colors and playing with light to give natural settings an almost otherworldly splendor is in full force, making Suzume one of his strongest outings yet.