New Trailer Revealed for Makoto Shinkai's Film "SUZUME"

Posted by Ashley Williams

Toho and CoMix Wave are proud to reveal the latest trailer for Makoto Shinkai’s upcoming film, “Suzume,” which also reveals for the first time, Nanoka Hara’s performance in the lead role of Suzume. Since the key visual was revealed in April along with the four keywords, “Traveling Young Man,” “White Cat,” “Small Chair,” and “The Key to Doors,” the film has gained considerable interest from press around the world. The upcoming film follows his previous two blockbusters, “Your Name.” (2016) and “Weathering with You” (2019), which garnered unprecedented international acclaim.

“Suzume” is expected to be hitting movie theaters in Japan on November 11th, 2022. Crunchyroll is distributing “Suzume” globally (excluding Japan, South Korea and India) beginning in early 2023. In North America, Crunchyroll is the sole distributor. In Latin America, Australia/New Zealand, the Middle East and portions of Europe, the film will be distributed by Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment. In French- and German-speaking Europe, the film will be co-distributed by Crunchyroll, Sony Pictures and Wild Bunch International.  

The new trailer takes a deeper look into 4 key words revealed along with the initial teaser in April, which now has close to 5 million views. The “Traveling Young Man” who walks past Suzume underneath the clear skies, eventually closing doors together with “The Key to Doors.” Likewise, the “White Cat” whose social media presence seems to be growing day by day, and the “Small Chair” running around as though alive are but the tip of the iceberg to “Suzume.”

Though still surrounded in mystery, Makoto Shinkai states, “I created this with the intention of introducing Suzume” as we witness Suzume’s wide range of emotions from her comical reactions to the serious determination of our 17-year-old protagonist.

What are the various encounters and partings that happen along Suzume’s journey? What is the meaning behind the vast grassy plains underneath the sunset and starry sky, to which Suzume witnesses on the other side of the door?

For the first time, audiences will get to hear the song titled “Suzume,” which was composed specifically for this film. Suzume ends the trailer with the mysterious words,

“I wandered beyond a space
“Where it seemed all time had melted together
“in the sky.”

When recording her voice to match Suzume’s on-screen performance, actress Nanoka Hara stated, “I was so nervous. Since I could only use my voice to act out the characters’ emotions, I had to be mindful of every phrase and the meaning it was intended to carry. There was so much I didn’t know.” She continues, “Seeing the picture and voice together, it finally dawned on me that it was up to me to bring this character to life, which made me so nervous, I could barely move. Nonetheless Director Shinkai would praise my acting and guide me to just the right performance each time. Recording this trailer definitely increased my confidence!”