Makoto Shinkai's latest novel Suzume has hit the shelves ahead of its film’s release on Friday, November 11th!　His third most recent novel Your Name. became a social phenomenon and has sold more than 1.75 million copies to date. His previous novel Weathering With You also became a mega hit. Both novels went on to rank first as “Overall Best-Selling Paperback Book of the Year” (per data compiled by Tohan & Nippan).

When it was announced that Suzume would be published three months before its theatrical release following a three-year blank from Shinkai, the novel became a hot topic across bookstores nationwide and social media with fans eagerly awaiting its release. It is the hottest novel of this summer and will give readers the opportunity to immerse themselves in Makoto Shinkai’s newest world as soon as possible.

Taking place in abandoned ruins across Japan, Suzume is a story of adventure following the emotional growth and release of Suzume, a young girl on a journey to close "doors" that lead to disaster. At the backstage of his production announcement press conference, Shinkai said he’d like to “make this into something that’ll leave the audience with faith that the world is likely going to be alright.” True to those words, within the novel’s pages lies a story filled with hope.

Director Makoto Shinkai shares his thoughts in commemoration of the publication!

After Your Name. and Weathering With You, this is the third time I've experienced writing a novel while simultaneously producing its film version. Every single time I feel a slight sense of dread before I start because I don’t believe that I can actually work that hard. However, once I actually start writing it gradually becomes more and more enjoyable for me. By the time I finish the novel, I feel in my heart that it was absolutely necessary for me to do this work. It was the same this time as well. Even if the film version never existed, I now believe that following the heart of the heroine Suzume through the words I write was a job that I definitely had to do. From a certain moment, a basso continuo began to play within me. I wrote the story of Suzume while listening to that sound - a sound which I can never forget. I do hope you’ll enjoy the film and the novel this time around too.

Note: The above is an edited excerpt from the afterword of his novel.

Suzume novel & film collaborations packed with special perks are coming one after another!

The novel Suzume is now on sale and comes with a limited edition "Exclusive Clear Bookmark" commemorating its first round of publication at select bookstores! There are also giveaways with chances to win prizes such as tickets to the movie event. For more details, visit the official website of the novel Suzume or your nearest bookstore.

・Official novel website related to the film Suzume
　https://kadobun.jp/special/suzume-tojimari/

"Suzume Walker" has been launched to share information regarding the novel and film!

In preparation for the theatrical release, KADOKAWA has launched the website "Suzume Walker" to provide information linked to both the film and the novel. The voice actor of the heroine Suzume, Nanoka Hara, has been appointed as the site’s ambassador! Suzume Walker will be delivering a wide variety of original content, so stay tuned!
https://theme.walkerplus.com/suzume/