In This Corner of the World (2016)

Description

### 1. Introduction / About the Movie Directed by Sunao Katabuchi and produced by studio MAPPA, 'In This Corner of the World (2016)' is an incredibly moving historical anime film set against the backdrop of World War II. Based on the manga by Fumiyo Kouno, the movie shifts away from the grand battles of war to focus intimately on the day-to-day survival of ordinary Japanese citizens. It is a cinematic triumph that captures the resilience of the human spirit, combining stunning watercolor aesthetics with a meticulously researched, grounded portrayal of 1930s and 40s Japan. The film has been universally lauded for its historical accuracy and its quiet, devastating emotional power. ### 2. Movie Storyline (Plot Summary) The story follows Suzu Urano, an innocent, daydreaming young woman from Hiroshima with a deep passion for drawing. In 1944, at the age of 18, she is arranged to marry Shusaku Hojo, a naval clerk, and moves to his family's home in the nearby port city of Kure. As Suzu tries to adapt to her new domestic life, navigating her relationship with her stern sister-in-law and loving husband, the harsh realities of the Pacific War begin to encroach on their daily existence. Food rationing, air raids, and the constant threat of loss become routine. Despite the escalating terror and heart-wrenching personal tragedies, Suzu uses her creativity, cooking skills, and resilient optimism to keep her family's spirits alive. The film builds toward the devastating atomic bombing of Hiroshima, portraying the catastrophic event not just as historical fact, but as a deeply personal disruption of Suzu's world. ### 3. Cast and Characters Non (Rena Nonen) breathes incredible life into Suzu, giving her a voice that is both flighty and profoundly strong. Yoshimasa Hosoya voices Shusaku, providing a gentle, grounding presence as her husband. The ensemble cast brilliantly portrays the complexities of extended family dynamics living under the extreme stress and scarcity of a wartime economy. ### 4. Movie Highlights The film is visually distinct, utilizing a soft, pastel-like art style that perfectly reflects Suzu’s artistic worldview. This gentle aesthetic stands in stark, horrifying contrast to the brutal, chaotic violence of the air raids later in the film. The painstaking historical research is evident in every frame, from the recipes Suzu uses to stretch meager rations, to the accurate depictions of historical warships docked in Kure harbor. ### 5. Why You Should Watch This Movie 'In This Corner of the World' is an absolute triumph of historical fiction. It is a sobering, yet deeply life-affirming movie that finds beauty and hope in the darkest of times. If you appreciate historical dramas like 'Grave of the Fireflies' but are looking for a story heavily focused on hope and survival, this is unmissable.