Suzu Urano (Rena Nnen) attempts to navigate her position as a newly married woman during World War II in the 2016 animated film “In This Corner of the World.” Suzu is a child when the film starts, and it is based on Fumiyo Kno’s manga series.
The daydreamer informs her younger sister, Sumi (Megumi Han), that a demon abducted her and a child — who turns out to be her future husband, Shusaku Hojo (Yoshimasa Hosoya) — before they were able to escape. Years go by, and Shusaku, a Kure native, visits Hiroshima to propose to Suzu.
The 18-year-old accepts his proposal of marriage and relocates to his family’s house.
She faces many difficulties during her first months of marriage, including having to ration food and being mocked by Shusaku’s niece, Keiko (Minori Omi). However, she quickly becomes a beloved member of the family, with a special bond with Keiko’s daughter, Harumi (Natsuki Inaba).
Unfortunately, every semblance of normalcy is shattered when Harumi is killed in a bombing attack. Suzu’s right hand has been severed as a result of the blast.
Following the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, her condition just gets worse. Suzu laments that she “wanted to die a daydreamer” and is heartbroken that she won’t be able to do so now that Japan has surrendered.
Despite all of these tragedies, the film’s conclusion isn’t completely depressing. The ending of “In This Corner of the World” is clarified in this video.
Suzu is also capable of daydreaming.
Suzu reunites with Sumi months after Hiroshima is destroyed. Her younger sister seems to be in good spirits despite the symptoms of radiation poisoning. She also jokes about being upset that she can’t function because of her illness.
Suzu snuggles up next to her and tells her a fantastic tale about their younger brother, Yoichi, who is presumed dead after serving in the navy.
She reveals to her sick sister that he is actually living on an island with his wife, a crocodile. Sumi chuckles at the storey before somberly informing Suzu that both of their parents have passed away.
Perhaps because she has already lost too much, the young housewife takes the news relatively well.
Suzu and her husband take a walk on the bridge where they first met after spending time with her sister.
The monster from the beginning of the film, who is supposed to be Yoichi, is seen holding his crocodile bride as she thanks him for “seeking [her] in this corner of the world.” Suzu’s desire to daydream has not been lost, as shown by this whimsical moment.
Suzu agrees to look after a boy whose mother died in a tragic accident.
Before the atomic bomb was dropped, the movie cuts to a scene of a young girl enjoying a meal with her mother. The viewer then sees the critically injured woman trying to pull her child to safety by her side.
The girl remained with her mother until her decaying body became maggot-infested, it is discovered later. Since the woman’s hand is still absent, it’s safe to say that this scene is meant to mirror Suzu and Harumi’s ordeal during the air raid.
In comparison to the rest of the film, the sequence is also extremely visceral and gory. The majority of the brutality in previous scenes is illustrated with doodles, almost shielding the viewer from the horrors of battle. But, like Suzu, we are soon forced to relinquish our innocence, which has a sickening effect on us.
Suzu and Shusaku eventually meet the child and graciously encourage her to eat some of their food. They notice she’s alone and plan to transport her to Kure.
Despite her lice infestation, the Hojos warmly welcome her. Keiko also wonders aloud if the girl will “fit into Harumi’s clothing,” implying that she is on her way to recovery. The movie’s final shot depicts the Hojos’ house, which has been destroyed but is still standing, just like Suzu and her family.
