Crunchyroll will have the North America distribution rights for a highly anticipated Makoto Shinkai’s latest outing,  “Suzume no Tojimari.”  Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment will distribute the film in Latin America, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the Middle East, Africa and parts of European countries. Crunchyroll, Sony Pictures and Wild Bunch International will distribute the film in French- and German-speaking Europe.

Shinkai announced the making of the film on December 15, 2021, and it’s set for release in Japan on November 11, 2022. Shinkai will direct and lead the screenplay for the film, with Masayoshi Tanaka returning as Character Designer, Kenichi Tsuchiya as Animation Director, Takumi Tanji as Art Director, with animation production at CoMix Wave Films.

Suzume no Tojimari is Shinkai’s 13th directorial work, following Weathering with You’s release in 2019, where the movie won “Animation of the Year” at the 43rd Japan Academy Film Awards. Shinkai won “Director of the Year” for his 2016 movie, Your Name., at the 40th Japan Academy Film Awards, alongside its success as the third highest-grossing Japanese film worldwide. Shinkai’s earlier works also include The Garden of Words, Children Who Chase Lost Voices and 5 Centimeters per Second.

According to the President of Crunchyroll, LLC Rahul Purini, “It’s with humility and honor that CoMix Wave Films, Makoto Shinkai, and TOHO have decided to partner with Crunchyroll on the next masterpiece.

It’s also an incredible opportunity to work with our partners at Sony Pictures Entertainment and Wild Bunch International to co-distribute this film across a wide swatch of territories. We know both animation fans and general audiences will fall in love with this prestigious film, and we can’t wait to see the world’s reaction and reception to it in cinemas, festivals, and for awards consideration.”

Suzume no Tojimari is described as such: 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.

Here’s the trailer of the film.