I've just returned from watching Suzume in the cinema and loved every moment. It was really emotional for me. Daijin was such an interesting character!
Thank you for the analysis! I just finished watching the movie and it hit me incredibly hard. I sincerely did not expect to be so emotionally affected by it, especially by Daijin’s character. Since the beginning I felt this non-malicious yet unconsciously self centered energy to him, kind of like a child, being a little mischievous and selfish without being outright malicious or evil. That child-like personality was particularly visible in his speech and wants, so seeing him be so instantly attached to Suzume after she showed him kindness, how affected he was by her rejection and his willingness to sacrifice his freedom for Suzume’s wish, all those moments had a particular childish innocence that shattered my heart. Like you’ve mentioned in reply to a comment, I also wish he’d gotten his freedom as well, though it’s quite tragically beautiful how Suzume’s kindness inspired him to also make a kind choice in his sacrifice. Excellent video!! 👏🙏
I felt very emotional about Daijin and could not blatantly hate him as I felt there was some sort of importance to him but could not explain it. I felt even more emotional at the end after Daijin takes place of the guardian as it did feel like the mercy of a God and not exactly its free will.😢 It also made me think after Daijin became small and weak it could have symbolise human belief,love and acknowledgement in Gods which makes them powerful and 'beautiful '. Thank you for explaining my suspicions. #JusticeforDaijin
Thanks for this breakdown! It really changes my perspective on the film. Upon leaving the theater, someone asked me how I ranked Shinkai's features. And I realize that I'm an outlier, but I did not connect with Your Name at all. And up until watching this video, I thought Weathering With You was my favorite recent film of his. Now that you've explained the Shinto elements, it makes so much more sense and Suzume sits atop that list now. Great video, dude!
I unapologetically admit I wept during several parts of this film, and shed a few tears for misunderstanding Daijin as well. I am curious, how did you see and interpret Daijin? I know you saw the film before watching this.
@@Exjapter To be perfectly honest, I thought Daijin was just an entity that had the duty of being the keystone bestowed or forced upon it, due to the fact of how easily it transferred the role to Souta. I completely misunderstood the Shinto elements. I thought the keyholders/closers were just people who also had a role to play in closing doors/finding keystones. When the larger, black daijin appeared, I assumed the two together represented a natural balance possibly, but that was it. The film takes on an entirely new impact when you realize that these things 'just are'. Not favor or a curse, they just are. Very cool breakdown for a very cool film. I'll definitely be picking this up.
I have a question! When you were talking about people praying the kami and asking them not to do something or meddle. Why do the kami listen to prayers? Why do that and not just continue on doing what they naturally do?
I don't have a real deep understanding of this, but it has something to do with purity. Many Shinto rituals are meant to purify and keep away evil spirits or influences. And by purifying yourself before praying (the hand and mouth washing for instance), you are more worthy to be listened to. If you actually enter a shrine for a ceremony like a wedding or baby blessing, they purify you even further with a ritual before entering the inner part of the shrine. So, the gods seem willing to purify bad things, and listen to people who have undergone purification. I am sorry, I don't know beyond this.
I just finished watching Suzume and I was floored; what a wonderful film. I am a cat worshiper and I thought Daijin was an amazing character. I too grew more and more upset with Daijin, but I also know what mischievous and obstinate wankers cats are so I thought that portrayal was a lot of fun. The story arch is long and completely unexpected - I liked it for the same reasons I like Princess Mononoke, they both speak deeply of nature and the spirit. The animation style and the music are top notch. Thanks for letting us know about it.
I've just returned from watching Suzume in the cinema and loved every moment. It was really emotional for me. Daijin was such an interesting character!
Every time I watch it now I get a little more out of it, and understand him just a bit more.
Thank you for the analysis! I just finished watching the movie and it hit me incredibly hard. I sincerely did not expect to be so emotionally affected by it, especially by Daijin’s character. Since the beginning I felt this non-malicious yet unconsciously self centered energy to him, kind of like a child, being a little mischievous and selfish without being outright malicious or evil. That child-like personality was particularly visible in his speech and wants, so seeing him be so instantly attached to Suzume after she showed him kindness, how affected he was by her rejection and his willingness to sacrifice his freedom for Suzume’s wish, all those moments had a particular childish innocence that shattered my heart. Like you’ve mentioned in reply to a comment, I also wish he’d gotten his freedom as well, though it’s quite tragically beautiful how Suzume’s kindness inspired him to also make a kind choice in his sacrifice. Excellent video!! 👏🙏
Thank you! This movie is so moving for many reasons, but I had to make this videon in particular because I got Daijin so wrong at first.
I felt very emotional about Daijin and could not blatantly hate him as I felt there was some sort of importance to him but could not explain it. I felt even more emotional at the end after Daijin takes place of the guardian as it did feel like the mercy of a God and not exactly its free will.😢 It also made me think after Daijin became small and weak it could have symbolise human belief,love and acknowledgement in Gods which makes them powerful and 'beautiful '. Thank you for explaining my suspicions. #JusticeforDaijin
I agree, I also felt really bad when he acquiesced to becoming the guardian again. It felt like injustice. He clearly loved being free.
Thank you for explaining. Now I understand Daijin much better!
Happy to hear!
Thanks for this breakdown! It really changes my perspective on the film. Upon leaving the theater, someone asked me how I ranked Shinkai's features. And I realize that I'm an outlier, but I did not connect with Your Name at all. And up until watching this video, I thought Weathering With You was my favorite recent film of his. Now that you've explained the Shinto elements, it makes so much more sense and Suzume sits atop that list now. Great video, dude!
I unapologetically admit I wept during several parts of this film, and shed a few tears for misunderstanding Daijin as well. I am curious, how did you see and interpret Daijin? I know you saw the film before watching this.
@@Exjapter To be perfectly honest, I thought Daijin was just an entity that had the duty of being the keystone bestowed or forced upon it, due to the fact of how easily it transferred the role to Souta. I completely misunderstood the Shinto elements. I thought the keyholders/closers were just people who also had a role to play in closing doors/finding keystones. When the larger, black daijin appeared, I assumed the two together represented a natural balance possibly, but that was it. The film takes on an entirely new impact when you realize that these things 'just are'. Not favor or a curse, they just are. Very cool breakdown for a very cool film. I'll definitely be picking this up.
Thank you for explaining. I felt quite perplexed about Daijin's character. This helped 🐣
Thank you. I'm gonna use this "reverse" prayer for fantasy rpgs :)
I have a question! When you were talking about people praying the kami and asking them not to do something or meddle. Why do the kami listen to prayers? Why do that and not just continue on doing what they naturally do?
I don't have a real deep understanding of this, but it has something to do with purity. Many Shinto rituals are meant to purify and keep away evil spirits or influences. And by purifying yourself before praying (the hand and mouth washing for instance), you are more worthy to be listened to. If you actually enter a shrine for a ceremony like a wedding or baby blessing, they purify you even further with a ritual before entering the inner part of the shrine. So, the gods seem willing to purify bad things, and listen to people who have undergone purification. I am sorry, I don't know beyond this.
I just finished watching Suzume and I was floored; what a wonderful film. I am a cat worshiper and I thought Daijin was an amazing character. I too grew more and more upset with Daijin, but I also know what mischievous and obstinate wankers cats are so I thought that portrayal was a lot of fun. The story arch is long and completely unexpected - I liked it for the same reasons I like Princess Mononoke, they both speak deeply of nature and the spirit. The animation style and the music are top notch. Thanks for letting us know about it.
It is a special film. Thank you for commenting.
It would be good if you linked part 1 of this review in the description, as it was uploaded 4 months ago.
Done!