CoMix Wave Films, STORY, and TOHO are proud to announce Makoto Shinkai and RADWIMPS will team again for the third time, following Your Name. (2016) and Weathering With You (2019), to score the soundtrack for Suzume alongside internationally acclaimed film composer Kazuma Jinnouchi.
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Suzume, the story about a young girl traveling through various ruins across Japan while closing doors and causing disaster, is expected to open in Japanese movie theaters on November 11th, 2022, and will be distributed in all major territories beginning in early 2023. In North America, Crunchyroll is the sole distributor. In Latin America, Australia/New Zealand, the Middle East, and portions of Europe, the film will be distributed by Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment. In French- and German-speaking Europe, the film will be co-released by Crunchyroll, Sony Pictures, and Wild Bunch International.
Makoto Shinkai stated at the film’s initial press conference, “I want to make a movie that brings people into theaters. To do that, I’m going to maximize the audience’s ability to immerse themselves into a story with the ultimate visual and musical compositions.” True to his word, Director Shinkai takes on a brand new challenge, bringing on board Seattle-based Hollywood film composer Kazuma Jinnouchi, whose credits span American and Japanese projects, to work with RADWIMPS, creating the most immersive soundtrack.
Regarding the partnership, Yojiro Noda (RADWIMPS) said, “A partnership with someone of Kazuma’s caliber, having worked on both films and video games, has given me an experience I cannot describe in words. It has broadened my horizons.” Kazuma added, “The process of developing a sound that can coexist with RADWIMPS’ amazing mood and energy was simultaneously exciting and nerve-wracking for me, but ultimately I believe we’ve stuck the landing on one of the answers of how that might sound.” Many ideas for the action sequences came from Kazuma’s experience in Hollywood, which begs the question, what does a “Shinkai-esque” action sequence look like?
Furthermore, for the first time in Makoto Shinkai’s history, the recordings have taken place overseas, in the historical Abbey Road Studios (London), where most notably, The Beatles recorded their music. Both Kazuma and Yojiro can be seen giving direction to the orchestra in the behind-the-scenes footage, which will give the film a completely new musical dynamic.
The female vocalist behind the theme song Suzume, which can be heard in the previously released trailer, is finally revealed as TikTok sensation, Toaka.
Per Yojiro’s desire to have a mysterious voice sing the theme song, the music team explored various SNS platforms listening to singers and auditioning several. In the end, it was the voice of TikTok sensation, Toaka, who grabbed the hearts of Director Shinkai and RADWIMPS. Yojiro commented, “I felt a connection between Toaka’s voice and this music that no one could sever.” Toaka added, “I’m ecstatic to be part of RADWIMPS’ intricate melody and Director Shinkai’s beautiful world that will touch audiences’ hearts.
