The light novel version of the upcoming Suzume (Suzume no Tojimari) movie, penned by director Makoto Shinkai, will be released on August 24. The book’s cover illustration has been released.

The light novel will be published under the Kadokawa Bunko label.  The chapters are listed as such:

• Ichinichime (First Day)
• Futsukame (Second Day)
• Mikkame (Third Day)
• Yokkame (Fourth Day)
• Itsukame (FIfth Day)
• Tokoyo (The Other World/Land of the Dead)
• Muikame to Kojitsudan (Sixth Day and Beyond)
• Afterword

A tweet from Shinkai in May revealed that he wrote the Suzume light novel during the film’s production, and that the book “should” offer a different “range” from the movie.

Shinkai previously wrote the light novels for Weathering With You, Your Name, and The Garden of Words.

The Suzume movie will premiere in Japan on November 11. Crunchyroll will release the movie internationally (sans Asia) in early 2023. 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. 

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.

 Nanoka Hara is playing the titular role of Suzume.

Sources: @KadokawaBunko, Comic Natalie