Published by Kodansha and available September 24, 2024, this is the first volume of the manga adaptation of the 2022 film of the same name, directed by Makoto Shinkai, most famous for Your Name. Full disclosure that at the time of this writing I haven't seen the movie, just read this first volume of the manga. It definitely feels like it's based on something and I think readers will get more out of it if they've seen the movie. On its own it didn't grab me and in parts was confusing, like I was expected to already understand everything happening. It probably works better in movie form.

"I wonder why it feels so awful. To be so powerless on your own. That you have to rely on other people to protect you."

✨𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐈𝐓:
Knowing it’s a Makoto Shinkai film and manga, I was super excited. I still can’t get over Your Name—I tear up every time I watch it, no matter how many times. So, I decided to check out the anime adaptation of Suzume and loved it. The graphics were really amazing, and I enjoyed it a lot. I was also shocked and thrilled to discover on NetGalley that the revised manga version of Suzume is set to be published in September. I just couldn’t contain my excitement to read this beautiful manga in advance.

Suzume follows Suzume Iwato and Souta Munakata as they close magical doors in abandoned places that were damaged by calamities. OMG! Souta is such a beautiful and charming man! I can’t help but root for him and Suzume as a couple. Even with their age gap, I’m hopeful there’ll be some romantic development between them. I can’t wait to see them together!

One thing I love about anime and manga is how they often include chance encounters and quirky situations. Daijin, the keystone god who cursed Souta, was both clever and adorable. I also loved the addition of social media; it was witty of Makoto Shinkai to include that in their journey to find Daijin.

Overall, I definitely recommend this to fans of Your Name and Makoto Shinkai.

✨𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄:
📌 RUIN PLACES
📌 A CAT WHO TALKS
📌 FOLKLORES
📌 A SUBTLE HINT OF ROMANCE
📌 NO SPICE

🖥️ GOODREADS REVIEW: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6731372244

💻 BLOG REVIEW: https://kimthebookdragon.wordpress.com/2024/08/05/arc-review-suzume-volume-1-by-makoto-shinkai/

This manga adaptation of the worldwide hit, Suzume, was a great return to the world. While it will definitely make you want to watch the movie, the manga tells the story succinctly with great art! For a more full experience, definitely watch the movie, but I think the story and characters are still given much life in the manga.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

3.75 stars

This first volume finally convinced me to get around to watching the actual movie it's based on. I'm not sure I would ever be able to dislike anything that came out of the creator of Your Name, but this has already sold me on the whimsy it's going to provide. I'm not sure the excellence of the film is going to translate the same to a manga format though. And I will say the story feels a little familiar, though not overdone.

Thank you to the publisher Kodansha Comics for providing an e-ARC for an honest review via NetGalley.

I really liked the art style of the book and the story itself was intriguing (even though I couldn't help but compare it to Noragami for some reason), but occasionally I found the plot a little confusing. Nevertheless, this was a solid start to a new series and I'm looking forward to reading more.

I've been eyeing Suzume since last year. Fortunately, it does not disappoint. Suzume talks about a girl (called Suzume) who is on a mission to help Saoto save her country from an epic disaster. I can't help but to become engrossed and intrigued with the story. It was such an easy read and I finished this in less than an hour. I wish volume two would come faster. Meanwhile, I might watch the anime version of this. It's a really manga and I highly recommend it to all the readers out there.

Mr. Mysterious Stranger grasped my attention on this one! I love Suzume! In fantasy mangas like this, I really love the journey. The tasks, the missions, and the adventure they go through to achieve their main goals. It gave me goosebumps!

3.75 Stars!

Everything that is written or created by Makoto Shinkai is magic!

I saw the film adaptation of Suzume last year in the movie theatres and fell instantly in love with it! I knew the novel came out prior to the film and that the themes of it were inspired by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, but I never knew that the mangas existed as well.

The art style in this manga is beautiful, this is a must read if one if a fan of the big screen adaptation!

I can't wait for the continuation of Suzume's manga!

An adorable vol 1 of the adaptation that's best viewed as a companion work for the film. The film was absolutely fantastic and the manga looks just as great. I loved the art a lot (especially the adorable sneaky little Daijin) - very dynamic and full of character. Looking forward to vol 2!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was sent a copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.....for a full review please see my Amazon and Goodreads accounts

I watched the movie so I was excited when I found the first volume of the manga on Netgalley. It was pretty much exactly like the movie. The writing was great. The artwork was awesome. I really enjoyed getting to read this in book form. Such a fun cute story. Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of the arc in return for an honest review!

Having loved the film I was eager to try the manga and delighted to find I was just as engaged. It's impossible to describe the plot without sounding like a fairytale but perhaps fitting so: standing alone there is a door, and beyond that door waits the worm, a power so large it could break the world. Suzume, an ordinary girl in an extraordinary situation must find the keystone to close the door and contain the worm aided by, or aiding depending on your view, a three legged chair (previously mysterious young man). A lovely start with great line work, this story will charm fans of the film and the uninitiated alike.

If you are a fan of anime Suzume will not disappoint! I watched the anime a couple of months ago and loved it! This is the exact same story just in manga form. It was just so nice to go back to this story. If you liked the anime and need a refresh, I highly recommend this. It does not disappoint. I'm looking forward to reading the next volume when it comes out. I may have to watch the movie again beforehand.

This is a magically little story. Daijin is a cute little troublemaker who is the key to stopping what will happen. Suzume begins her journey when she meets Souta, a mysterious stranger. The two travel together to find Daijin and to ultimately stop what is going to happen.

I really loved the beautiful artwork. The manga flows nicely with the story telling, there is no confusion to what is going on, just a little mystery surrounding it.

I had previously seen the movie, but reading it and getting to live it over again is such a surreal experience. I’m absolutely in love with this manga and getting to see the chair and suzume try to save the world all over again. Made me sob a second time.

This first volume of Suzume sucked me right in. The story really flows, unexpectedly fuuny but also emotional at times. I really want to see where Suzume and Souta's journey will take them. This is a great start.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me this eARC to review!

This was so good in movie form, I was really excited it in manga form. Also SO good. I missed these two so it was nice to get back to them. Now I want to watch the movie again, hehe.

Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha Comics | Vertical Comics for the ARC of this manga!

Having loved the film version, I was thrilled to have an early access copy of the manga. The art style is lovely and the translation is perfect. I loved how faithful it was to the film version while also throwing in some additionals to help flesh out the story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read an advanced copy of this manga!

I had so much fun reading this volume that I ended up watching the movie after finishing this, which means that I genuinely didn't remember where this left off. So I started a re-read, though I haven't finished this one I will say that Suzume was such a refreshing main character to follow and I adored her relationship with her aunt. I would've appreciated a little less in the interactions between her and Souta though because even with him being turned into a chair for the most part, I've seen too many ship edits of those too when the age gap is so uncomfortable for anything other than platonic.

It took a bit for me to like Dajin but that was mostly resolved in the movie, I look forward to seeing how the story will be adjusted for print. I already noticed little things here and there being different from the film like the beginning interactions with Suzume and her friends talking about the ruins, or how Souta was a lot more vocal about his problems getting turned into a chair, and a little less willing to ask for help when he clearly needed it.

I'm looking forward to volume two, sincerely counting down until that gets released. Very glad I read this.

The story is really lovely. It's not your usual fantasy story. It's very cozy and fun! Young readers and adults alike will surely love this breathtaking manga + the art is beautiful. Looking forward to read more of Suzume.