"In This Corner of the World" Review: Deepening Emotions and New Perspectives

"In This Corner of the World": A story of war and everyday life told from a new perspective

■Overview of the work

"In This Corner of the World" is an animated film released on December 20, 2019, based on the manga of the same name by Fumiyo Kono. It was directed by Sunao Katabuchi, produced by MAPPA, and distributed by Tokyo Theatres. It is a one-episode, 168-minute feature film that depicts people surviving in the midst of war.

■ Story

Suzu, who married into Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture, begins a new life surrounded by her husband Shusaku and his family. In 1944, when Japan was in the midst of war, the war situation worsened and life became extremely difficult, but Suzu ingenuity weaved her way through each day. One day, she wandered into a brothel and met Rin. Although they were in different circumstances, they connected with each other, a woman of the same age whom she had met for the first time in Kure. However, in the process, she realized the connection between her husband Shusaku and Rin. Suzu kept this secret to herself. In March 1945, Kure, which was a naval port, was hit by a large-scale air raid, and from that day onwards the air raids were repeated, and Suzu also lost something important. Then the summer of 1945 arrived.

■Explanation

This film is not just a longer version of the smash hit film "In This Corner of the World." With over 250 new cuts, scenes and characters that we have seen before come to life in a completely different way. Both those who know "In This Corner of the World" and those who don't will be able to experience it as a new work. The cast from the previous film has been reunited, more powerful than ever, including actress Non, who portrays Suzu's inner world with a more mature expression, Iwai Nanayo (as Rin), and Hosoya Yoshimasa (as Shusaku). In addition, Hanazawa Kana will be taking part for the first time as Teru, a woman from the red-light district, and will lead us to a new world with a new song written by Kotringo.

■Cast

• Suzu Hojo (maiden name: Urano) / Non
• Shusaku Hojo/Yoshimasa Hosoya
• Shiraki Rin/Iwai Nanayo
• Entaro Hojo/Shigeru Ushiyama
• Hojo-san/Mayumi Shintani
• Keiko Kuromura / Minori Omi
• Harumi Kuromura/Natsuki Inaba

■ Main staff

• Director: Sunao Katabuchi
• Screenplay by Sunao Katabuchi
• Music by Kotoringo
• Assistant Director: Chie Uratani
• Screen composition: Chie Uratani
• Character design: Hidenori Matsubara
• Animation Director: Matsubara Hidenori
• Art director: Kosuke Hayashi
• Producer/Maki Taro
• Planning: Masao Maruyama

■ Main Characters

• Suzu Hojo (maiden name: Urano)
  Born in Eba, Hiroshima. A woman who loves drawing. At the age of 18, she moves to Kure to marry into the Hojo family. She begins a new life with her husband Shusaku and the Hojo family at the center. One day, she wanders into a brothel and meets a woman of the same age, Rin.
• Shusaku Hojo is the eldest son of the Hojo family. He works as a clerk at the Navy Court Martial. He marries and becomes Suzu's husband. He treats Suzu kindly as she begins her life in an unfamiliar environment. In fact, it seems that there was a woman he had feelings for before he was married.
• Shiraki Rin is a woman whom Suzu meets. She helps Suzu when she gets lost in the red light district and they become friends. She tells Suzu, who is troubled, "It's not so easy to lose your place in this world."
• Father of Entaro Hojo. Works at the Kure Navy Arsenal. Has a laid-back demeanor that embraces his family.
• Hojo San is Shusaku's mother. She has an injured leg and is unable to walk on her own. She watches over her family with a calm and warm heart.
• Keiko Kuromura is Shusaku's older sister. She returns to the Hojo family with her daughter, Harumi. In contrast to Suzu, she works efficiently.
• She is the niece of Harumi Kuromura Shusaku and Keiko's daughter. She is 5 years old. She becomes good friends with Suzu and spends her days drawing pictures and looking at ships together. She has a quiet personality and worries about whether she will be able to make friends at school.

■ Related works

• In This Corner of the World

■ Theme songs and music

• TM
• Dandelion (and many more versions)
• Vocals: Kotoringo

■Detailed review

"In This Corner of the World" depicts people surviving under the harsh conditions of war. Based on the original manga by Kono Fumiyo, director Katabuchi Sunao has reconstructed the story from a new perspective. Of particular note is the addition of over 250 new episodes. This allows for a deeper portrayal of the inner lives of Suzu and the people around her, providing new emotions to the audience.

Suzu's character is portrayed more realistically than in the previous work. Non's acting ability as a voice actress shines through, and Suzu's emotions and inner conflicts are conveyed realistically. In particular, in the scene where she meets Rin at the red-light district, Suzu's purity and strength stand out. Iwai Nanayo, who plays Rin, also plays a character who is the opposite of Suzu, and the friendship between the two adds depth to the story.

Also, don't miss the performance of Yoshimasa Hosoya as Shusaku. Shusaku's kindness and inner conflict are carefully portrayed, allowing you to understand his relationship with Suzu more deeply. Kana Hanazawa, who has recently joined the cast, also plays Teru, bringing out the melancholy of a woman in the red-light district, adding color to the story.

The music is also one of the attractions of this film. Kotoringo's new song "Tanpopo (and many more versions)" gently wraps around Suzu's inner thoughts. The background music also skillfully expresses the tension of war and the warmth of everyday life, enhancing the emotions of the audience.

Art director Kosuke Hayashi's background art is also superb. The cityscape of Kure and the air raid scenes are depicted realistically, drawing the audience into the era. Character designer and animation director Hidenori Matsubara's work is also superb, with the characters' expressions and movements carefully drawn down to the smallest detail.

■ Recommendation points

"In This Corner of the World" is a war movie, but it also depicts the warmth of everyday life and the bonds between people. Suzu's growth and her bond with her family are particularly moving. With new episodes and deeper character development, even those who are familiar with the previous film will find something new to discover. Also, even those who are unfamiliar with the previous film can enjoy it as a standalone story.

This film depicts the horrors of war, but also gives a sense of hope and human strength. Watching it with family and friends will leave you with a deeper impression. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the history of war and the way people live.

The beautiful animation and music are also not to be missed. This film is recommended for those who want to appreciate the artistic quality of animated films. Kotringo's music has a soothing effect on the soul, and will leave an impression on you long after you have finished watching the film.

■ Summary

"In This Corner of the World" is a moving work that depicts people surviving under the harsh conditions of war. With new episodes and deeper character development, it is even more moving than the previous work. The beautiful animation and music are also not to be missed. Highly recommended for those who are interested in the history of war and the way people live, those who want to share their impressions with family and friends, and those who want to enjoy the artistry of animated films.