Suzume

Suzume finds writer/director Makoto Shinkai exploring all the expected elements that make him an auteur with another stunning film that combines jaw dropping spectacle with an emotionally resonant story, this time about facing repressed trauma that's very specific to its country of origin.

Nanoka Hara is terrific as Suzume, funny confident and has really good chemistry with Hokuto Matsumura, who still manages to bring plenty of gravitas when looking like a three legged chair. Ann Yamane is extremely adorable as Daijin, a character with mysterious motivations but is impossible to hate.

Makoto Shinkai's direction is phenomenal, the animation's beauty never gets old and the CG elements are integrated perfectly. The food still looks gorgeous and once again there's some Macdonalds for good measure. The music by Kazuma Jinnouchi and Radwimps works so well, just as epic and emotional as what's on screen.