Theatrical Release Dates Announced for Makoto Shinkai’s “Suzume”

Makoto Shinkai, the critically-acclaimed and award-winning auteur of such popular films as your name. and Weathering with You, is back with Suzume. Crunchyroll acquired the global distribution rights (minus Asia) from TOHO last May at the Cannes Film Festival. Today, they have announced the theatrical release dates.

Suzume, “the story about a young girl traveling through various ruins across Japan while closing doors causing disaster”, debuted in Japan on November 11. So far, it has earned 7.5 billion yen (approximately $55 million) and was number one at the box office for three consecutive weeks.

The film will be distributed in all major territories. It will begin to hit theaters across the world on April 12, 2023. Fifteen countries will release the film in April, primarily in Europe and North America, with additional dates to be announced for Latin America and EMEA territories.

Release dates include:

• April 12 in France and Malta
• April 13 in Australia, Brazil, Germany, Mexico and New Zealand
• April 14 in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Gibraltar, Ireland, Luxembourg, United Kingdom and United States

your name. and Weathering with You have catapulted Shinkai to international fame and recognition. Weathering with You was selected as Japan’s entry for Best International Feature at the 2020 Academy Awards (it was NOT selected, a crime against animation).

I am ridiculously excited for Suzume. I’m still angry that I missed the chance to see your name. in theaters, so you better believe I won’t be missing my chance to see Shinkai’s latest film on the big screen. April cannot come fast enough!

On the other side of the door, was time in its entirety—

“Suzume” is a coming-of-age story for the 17-year-old protagonist, Suzume, set in various disaster-stricken locations across Japan, where she must close the doors causing devastation.

Suzume’s journey begins in a quiet town in Kyushu (located in southwestern Japan) 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 drawn 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, then sunset, and the morning sky.

Within that realm, it was as though all time had melted together in the sky…

Never-before-seen scenery, encounters and farewells… A myriad of challenges await her on her journey. Despite all the obstacles in her way, Suzume’s adventure shines a ray of hope upon our own struggles against the toughest roads of anxiety and constraints that make up everyday life. This story of closing doors that connect our past to the present and future will leave a lasting impression upon all of our hearts.

Drawn in by these mysterious doors, Suzume’s journey is about to begin.

Author: Jamie Sugah

Jamie has a BA in English with a focus in creative writing from The Ohio State University. She self-published her first novel, The Perils of Long Hair on a Windy Day, which is available through Amazon. She is currently an archivist and lives in New York City with her demon ninja vampire cat. She covers television, books, movies, anime, and conventions in the NYC area.

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