Presented by animation studio CoMix Wave Films, STORY Inc and Toho Co. Ltd, Makoto Shinkai’s next anticipated animated feature film Suzume No Tojimari (Working Title), is slated to be released theatrically in Japan starting 11 November 2022. This announcement, made earlier today, was also complemented by the release of key artwork, and advanced notice that a new teaser trailer is scheduled to go live tomorrow (streaming link below).
The key artwork (to the left), accompanied by the phrase “I’ll see you later”, features Suzume with her hair up in a ponytail, standing in front of a door holding a small wooden chair with both hands, about to depart on her journey. The water ripples ever so slightly at her feet as the door is cracked open.
Suzume no Tojimari follows on from Shinkai’s previous successful anime feature films, including 2016s Your Name and the highly acclaimed Weathering with You in 2019. No international release dates have been shared as of writing, but if the past is anything to go by, I would be looking at an early to mid 2023 theatrical release.
Preluding the trailer going live tomorrow, CoMix Wave Films has shared the above frame from the film. In it, a small and forgotten destination hot springs town can be seen. A ryokan-style inn lies derelict and abandoned, the rooms overrun with curling ivy, signs pitted and rusted… Suzume walks through this desolate scene in what Makoto Shinkai describes as “A story about closure.”
Suzume no Tojimari features direction, screenplay and an original story by Makoto Shinkai, with character designs by Masayoshi Tanaka, animation direction by Kenichi Tsuchiya and art direction by Takumi Tanji.
We must think about how to close the many doors we left open. I’ve bestowed that responsibility upon Suzume as she travels across Japan closing various doors. It is my sincere hope that this film leaves its audiences with big smiles and excitement as they walk out of the theater.
Makoto Shinkai – Director
The Story of Suzume no Tojimari
On the other side of the door, was time in its entirety—
17-year-old Suzume’s journey begins in a quiet town in Kyushu when she encounters a young man who tells her, “I’m looking for a door.” What Suzume finds is a single weathered door standing upright in the midst of ruins as though it was shielded from whatever catastrophe struck. Seemingly mesmerized by its power, Suzume reaches for the knob…
Doors begin to open one after another all across Japan, unleashing destruction upon any who are near. Suzume must close these portals to prevent further disaster.
The stars
The sunset
The morning sky
Within that realm, it was as though all time had melted together in the sky—
Drawn in by this mysterious door, Suzume’s journey is about to begin.
