“Suzume” is an intimate story told in a titanic fashion. It’s artistically dazzling and emotionally resonant on many layers.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 18, 2024

While the overall vibe does feel like a retread of [Makoto Shinkai's] last two films, that doesn’t take away from the evocative emotional weight of its narrative.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 9, 2024

The story, by writer-director Makoto Shinkai ('Your Name') is complicated, but compelling. The main characters are well developed. For my money, this is the best animated film of 2023 (2022 in Japan).

Full Review | Original Score: A | Jan 17, 2024

Suzume is not only one of the best films of 2023 it is one of the greatest animation films of all time. This is a film that is guaranteed to be classed as one of the most visually stunning films of all time.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5 | Dec 29, 2023

It is a work of art which reflects on the loss of collective memory and the oblivion of the history of places, as well as on the complex relationship between nature and humanity. [Full review in Spanish]

Full Review | Original Score: 10/10 | Dec 19, 2023

Stunning visuals, a strong exploration of national grief around natural disasters, and some enjoyable coming-of-age and road movie beats make this a fun, fantasy trip, but it's not quite cohesive enough to be special.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Dec 4, 2023

A magical and beautiful film for anime fans and those with open imaginations. I give it an A.

Full Review | Original Score: A | Nov 13, 2023

In a land of always under the threat of earthquakes, this film gives a comforting concept of how they might be controlled by releasing nostalgia for places that only exist in our memories.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5 | Nov 8, 2023

The themes of Suzume’s coming-of-age journey make it a worthy successor to the director’s previous blockbusters.

Full Review | Sep 12, 2023

Suzume weaves pathos with supernatural spectacle, the purest form of love with the messy spectrum of human emotions, and heartwarming humor with the most authentic, bittersweet homecoming.

Full Review | Jul 24, 2023

Suzume is as sweet and swoonworthy as Shinkai's work comes, and as earnest, intricate, intelligent, involving and enchanting.

Full Review | Jul 22, 2023

Whether or not Shinkai will best himself after Suzume is yet to be seen. But I’m excited to see an extraordinary filmmaker generating a ripe technique years into his beloved work.

Full Review | Original Score: B+ | Jun 27, 2023

I was so stirred by the conceit of these pending disasters all emanating from gates that developed on sights that were once joyful places where people congregated.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | May 26, 2023

There is a poignancy to how the film depicts these abandoned spaces and how the means of bringing order out of chaos is to “hear” the past and remember all who once called them home.

Full Review | May 26, 2023

Makoto Shinkai’s latest makes something larger than life feel personal as it explores grief, trauma, and climate change.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | May 16, 2023

Another imaginative, emotive, and astonishingly animated fantasia from Makoto Shinkai...

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | May 5, 2023

There’s lots of feelings in Suzume: a big film, with big emotions and big ideas, presented boldly and beautifully.

Full Review | May 3, 2023

Suzume is a beautifully animated, wonderfully voice-acted and incredibly directed film by Makoto Shinkai. One of the best animated movies of the year.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | May 2, 2023

The characters are complex yet wholesome, each adding to the narrative and Suzume’s worldview.

Full Review | Original Score: 9/10 | Apr 27, 2023

Suzume may feel too unfamiliar for audiences more used to American animation, but fans of Shinkai’s work will leave delighted by another inimitable entry into the filmmaker’s exceptional filmography.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Apr 27, 2023