Crunchyroll has announced that, in cooperation with Sony Pictures and Wild Bunch International, they will release Makoto Shinkai’s (Your Name, Weathering with You) upcoming anime feature Suzume no Tojimari (lit. Suzume’s Door-Locking) globally excluding Asia in early 2023. The film is set for release in Japan on November 11, 2022.
Crunchyroll will distribute the movie in North America, with Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment distributing the film in Latin America, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the Middle East, Africa and portions of Europe. Crunchyroll, Sony Pictures and Wild Bunch International will distribute the film in French- and German-speaking Europe.
Suzume no Tojimari marks Makoto Shinkai’s 13th directorial work where he’ll also lead the screenplay. With animation production at CoMix Wave Films Shinkai is joined by returning Character Designer Masayoshi Tanaka, Animation Director Kenichi Tsuchiya and Art Director Takumi Tanji.
Crunchyroll describes the story:
On the other side of the door, was time in its entirety—
“Suzume no Tojimari” 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.
Makoto Shinkai’s other works include Your Name, Weathering with You, The Place Promised in Our Early Days, 5 Centimeters per Second, The Garden of Words.
Source: Crunchyroll, Anime News Network