Over five months after its initial release in Japan, Makoto Shinkai’s Suzume has finally been released in US theaters, and it got enthusiastic reviews from Western press as well as fans of the director’s works.
The film was released in Japan back in November, and it received both critical acclaim and commercial success as it soon became one of Japan’s highest-grossing films of all time.
Even before it was released in the US, the film’s global box office achieved historic levels thanks to its success in countries such as China and Korea.
Suzume Gets Positive Reviews From US, Western Press
While it’s too soon to determine the film’s box office earnings in the US, the UK, and other Western countries, what can be said for certain is that the film got positive reviews from various publications.
For instance, publications such as Vulture and Den of Geek have showered the film’s animation and story with praise, with the movie’s themes and message also being highlighted.
Of course, it’s difficult to review a Shinkai movie without comparing it to his previous films, so it’s no surprise that many reviews made mention of films such as Your Name.
Based on many reviews, it seems that many found that Suzume isn’t as good as Your Name.
But for the most part, fans of Shinkai's works should still be satisfied with his latest film.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film is Certified Fresh with a rating of 95%. Meanwhile, its Audience Score is even higher at 98%.
READ MORE: What Are Makoto Shinkai’s Main Themes? Anime Director’s Films Analysed
Makoto Shinkai Fans Share Their Thoughts on Suzume
While critics liked the movie, it seems anime fans loved it way more. On Twitter, many fans expressed their thoughts on the film.
Without going into spoiler territory, it seems that many who watched the film were moved by its story and its themes.
It might not be the tear-jerker that Your Name is, but it should still pack a wallop of emotion.
Aside from noting its emotional story, many viewers also found the film’s chair to be funny.
For reference, in a previous trailer, it was shown that one of the characters gets turned into a chair.
Based on these reactions, Suzume is a must-watch for any and every anime fan.
If you haven’t seen it yet, Suzume is currently screening in US theaters, with English sub and dub options.
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