Suzume (Nanoka Hara) is a seventeen year old girl who has lived most of her life with her aunt following an earthquake that killed her mother. This animated story follows her adventurous road trip adventure where she is joined by an enchanted three legged chair and a God in the form of a cat as they travel from one end of Japan to the other trying to prevent further earthquakes. 

One morning Suzume meets a mysterious man named Souta (Hokuto Matsumura) who is looking for the abandoned village near her town. Following him there she finds a free standing door that shows her a mysterious starlit place and releases an ominous spirit that causes earthquakes. Helping Souta to close the door she learns from him that he is a “Closer” from a long line of people who have spent their lives protecting Japan from earthquakes. Souta promptly gets trapped inside Suzume’s childhood chair, the only thing she has left from her mother and they head out to try and save Japan. 

Suzume is from the same writer/director as Your Name and Weathering With You. The latter of which I was also able to see at the cinema. It is interesting to compare this with Weathering With You as the elements I disliked about that film (over earnest teen romance) have been watered down whilst the facet I wanted more of (mystical worlds and fantastical action) has been dialled up. The result is a storyline that I preferred a lot more. Especially as there is a lot of humour sprinkled throughout. Suzume does not quite hit the visual highs of Weathering With You, but it still looks beautiful. 

A three legged chair that runs around and talks is prime material for some funny reactions from the people they meet along the way. Whilst a cute cat that talks and seems a little playful is equally as fun. Throw in a clumsy best friend in the final third and you have some good comedy foils alongside the fantastical story. Whilst the main story around Suzume finding peace at the loss of her mother is fairly heartwarming. 

I was able to catch a subtitled screening of Suzume which I would always recommend for animations and the voice cast were exactly as you would expect for this type of film. 

Overall I really enjoyed my time with this one.