Suzume Iwato, the heroine of Makoto Shinkai‘s upcoming Suzume no Tojimari movie, will be played by actress Nanoka Hara, it has been revealed.

The 18 year-old Hara, who began acting as a child in 2009, won the role after an audition process that involved over 1,700 candidates. 

In a comment, Hara said she watched her first Shinkai film in theaters during her first year of middle school and was deeply moved by the experience. As such, it felt surreal that she was now on the “delivering side” of that kind of emotion.

Hara also said that Suzume no Tojimari is a movie that will make people realize the importance of human connections and kindness, which are slowly fading away in today’s world. 

The film is set to release on November 11 in Japan, while Crunchyroll will release the film worldwide (excluding Asia) in early 2023. The staff includes Masayoshi Tanaka (Weathering With You and Your Name co-character designer, Her Blue Sky) as character designer, Kenichi Tsuchiya (Flavors of Youth “Love in Shanghai” character designer, Your Name) as animation director, and Takumi Tanji (Your Name co-art director, Children Who Chase Lost Voices) as art director. Shinkai is the writer and original creator in addition to being the director. CoMix Wave Films is the animation production company.

Crunchyroll describes the film as: 

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. 

Source: Suzume no Tojimari website