Director Makoto Shinkai reveals details of new animated film

The Yomiuri Shimbun

15:46 JST, December 16, 2021

Director Makoto Shinkai said his first new animated film in three years is called “Suzume no Tojimari” and it will open in theaters in the autumn of 2022.

He made the announcement at a press conference in Tokyo on Wednesday.

Shinkai is known for directing many hit animated films, such as “Kimi no Na wa” (your name.) and “Tenki no Ko” (Weathering With You).

The title “Suzume no Tojimari” translates as “Suzume locking up the doors.” It is a road movie about the liberation and development of a 17-year-old girl called Suzume, who goes places to close doors deemed to bring about disasters.

Shinkai created the story and also wrote the screenplay.

“I feel people in this graying society with a low birth rate are in need of a story in which they can find a new place by shutting off possibilities cluttered all over the place,” Shinkai said. “I’d like to deliver a powerful film.”

The voice actor for the lead character will be decided through an audition.