Member Reviews

My gratitude to the ever-generous Kodansha Comics and Netgalley for providig me an advanced copy of this volume in exchange for an honest review.

Interesting concept with a touch of action, adventure, fantasy, and youthful energy. Fresh and original as expected of Shinkai sensei. The main character, Suzume, though, he never diverts from feisty heroines.

I haven’t seen the animated film yet but having read this makes me want to rent the film this instant.

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Thank you so much for letting me read this manga. This is a manga that changes between the end of the world and humorous moments.

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This captivating story is a masterclass in creative storytelling, with unexpected twists and turns that kept me hooked from start to finish. I devoured it in one sitting, unable to tear myself away from the richly drawn characters and their complex, interconnected lives. The author's skillful portrayal of humanity's nuances underneath all of the impossibilities and fantastical occurrences makes the story feel authentic and relatable.

Suzume's courageous and compassionate nature shines brightly through the pages, effortlessly captivating the reader with her endearing yet resolute personality. Her journey is driven by a pull to explore the unknown, unveil hidden truths, and discover her identity beyond her loss and the confines of her familiar world. With a perfect blend of curiosity and self-awareness, Suzume embarks on an adventure that promises to open and close many doors that will undoubtedly transform life as she knows it.

As the manga is inspired by the movie Suzume no Tojimari ('Suzume's Locking Up') released in 2022, we get a completed package. With only three volumes, the series promises a satisfying and concise narrative arc, leaving me eager to continue the journey and uncover the many secrets still hidden within the story's intricate web.

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I loved the film and this manga was just as great! I enjoyed how quick and fast paced it was. The artwork is stunning! Very similar to the film but I really enjoyed how much it stands out on the page. Overall the story is still just an interesting as I remember it being. I can’t wait for Vol 2 as the theme park was my favourite scene in the film and would love to know how it translates into the page!

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This is a shot-for-shot adaptation of the beautiful film of the same name. It follows Suzume as she tries to save Japan from supernatural creatures that can cause massive earthquakes while they invade her realm, and only she can see them. There is a lot of heart and adventure in this title, and the whole series will be three volumes, so it's an easy purchase for libraries.

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While the premise of the story is interesting, the storytelling in itself is quite chaotic from chapter 2. After reading vol. 1, I don't feel like I know the main characters at all. There are some funny moments, but unfortunately, the story didn't hook me.

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This was fun. Really weird and a little convoluted, but fun. A bizarre story about teenage Suzume meeting a stranger on her way to school. Worried she sent him to a dangerous area Suzume rushes to warn him, only to become part of a mystical situation involving a door, a key, a cat, and a wyrm. Suzume is determine to stay with the man, Souta, to help him set things right - especially after he turns into a beloved piece of her furniture. This manga is amazingly drawn, is funny and adventurous, and is really strange. I liked it.

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Suzume is an exciting adventure! Suzume herself is a very fun and relatable character. As she navigates the country to help Souta save the world, she's also navigating self discoveries. I had a fun time reading the first volume of their adventure together and I'm looking forward to the coming volumes!

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I have still not watched the movie so I went into this one with absolutely no idea or visions for the characters and that worked for me. The story is fast paced with no usual drama and Suzume and Shota are having one big adventure.

The illustrations are beautiful and you can go through this one in about 1-2 hrs.

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I have always been a fan of Makoto Shinkai.

This manga did not disappoint. The art is so beautiful. The story is thrilling it left wanting more. I am curious about the door, key, cat, man who changed into kid's stool. Waiting for vol 2.

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Makoto Shinkai truly is a magician of stories.

I haven't had the chance to watch the movie yet, but this manga adaptation is definitely making me want to!

The manga follows the story of a schoolgirl named Suzume, who accidentally discovers a strange door to another dimension. On her way to school, she meets Souta and learns about the keystone and the closers. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the two are forced to embark on an exciting journey, trying to catch a cat who is apparently the keystone and is disrupting Souta's plans!

This volume was a great introduction to the story of Suzume and Souta, and I am really excited to read more!

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It's cute and all--wait, sentient chair v. god cat? Yeah, count me in.

Feels funny to call a giant vortex of chaos a slow start, but Suzume's character is so easygoing and the art is so charming that the opening chapters come across as pretty magical and serene. The familiar tropes welcomed me in - orphan girl, doing-her-best-caretaker, mysterious man on the road - and the quirky humor turned the story into a uniquely rambunctious ride with chaos and heart.

I'd most definitely recommend to fans of the webtoon Protect the Knight.

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Thanks to Kodansha Comics and NetGalley for giving me this advanced copy.

Firstly I have to say, Suzume is one of my favourite movies ever made, so I was super excited to get the first volume of this manga to read. It’s a beautiful and emotional story that deals with both loss and trauma while at the same time taking you on an action-packed adventure.
I was worried that it wouldn’t translate as well in manga format, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. This is still just as fun, fascinating and compelling as the movie - oh and did I mention it has a talking cat AND a talking chair!
Suffice to say, I loved this book, and will gladly buy the next instalment.

4.25 ⭐️

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A wonderful tie in to the movie. I loved being able to read this, and I can't wait for the next volume.

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Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this ARC
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW

Ah yes, the infamous "hot boy gets turned into a chair" story lolol. I never got the chance to see this movie in theaters. I didn't really know what the premise was about either so this manga was a great introduction to it all! I now understand how he was turned into a chair lolol. It is a little odd though that she's a high schooler and he seems like an adult... don't know if I like that at all. Their relationship so far has been mundane and I mean... he's literally a chair so not many things can go wrong there.

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Love the illustration style here. And I’m interested to see where the story goes. Very quick read, in a good way!

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Suzume is on of my all-time favourite anime movies and with Makoto Shinkai's writing it is simply magic. The art is stunning and the manga follows the first part of the movie where Suzume meets Souta and also discovers the door. The movie as well as the manga is simply breathtaking and you simply immerse yourself into this universe. This piece of art feels so dreamy and adventurous at the same time. It also ends with kind of a cliffhanger that keeps you curious to read the next book (if you didn't watch the movie previously), which makes you wanna continue the story and connect to the characters more.

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The first volume of Suzume is pretty good. It's the story of a girl with a traumatic past, and how bumping into a fantastic situation completely changes her life and makes her face her trauma and grow, all while dealing with a walking, talking chair, chasing a magic cat and closing dangerous portals. Those who already know and like Makoto Shinkai's style will probably enjoy Suzume. Those who don't will find it a good introduction to his work. I really liked this volume and now I want to check out the movie and see how the rest of the story plays out.

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4.75 ✨
I loved the movie and I’m so excited to collect the mangas this is one of the best mangas I’ve ever read!🫶🏻

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While the movie adaptation is stunning, the book delves even deeper into the story, offering rich details and emotional depth that make the experience even more powerful. Suzume’s adventure is beautifully written, and the blend of mystery, fantasy, and coming-of-age elements make it a must-read. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and immersive story.

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