Makoto Shinkai is one of the most celebrated anime directors of our time. His works such as “Your Name” and “Weathering with You” have become international box office hits, winning the hearts of millions of anime fans around the world. However, in a recent interview with Looper, Shinkai revealed that his latest anime masterpiece, “Suzume,” was originally intended to feature a lesbian romance.
Shinkai’s decision to explore a lesbian romance in “Suzume” was a bold move towards diversity and inclusion. It’s no secret that the anime industry has been criticized for its lack of representation and diversity in its characters and storylines. Shinkai, who has always been vocal about his desire to break free from traditional romance tropes, saw an opportunity to bring something new to the table.
The story of “Suzume” revolves around a young girl named Suzume who lives in a small town. She is an introverted and artistic girl who struggles to express herself to those around her. Shinkai believed that a lesbian romance would offer a fresh perspective for audiences tired of the same old “boy meets girl” stories. He wanted to create a story that would resonate with the LGBTQ+ community and give them a voice in the anime world.
However, Shinkai’s vision for “Suzume” was not well received by the producers. They demanded that a male lead be added to the story, effectively killing Shinkai’s original plan. Frustrated with the limitations of traditional romance tropes, Shinkai had to pivot and find a way to tell the story he wanted to tell.
The result was a rather unconventional approach. Shinkai decided to make a chair the love interest of Suzume instead of a male character. This decision shocked fans and critics alike, with some praising Shinkai for his creativity and others criticizing the move as absurd and ridiculous.
Shinkai defended his decision, saying that the story focuses on Suzume and that it would work regardless of her gender. He added that he wants to focus on the human story rather than gender or sex in his future films. While some may find the decision to make a chair the love interest of Suzume unconventional, it’s a reminder of the power of creativity and the importance of representation in storytelling.
Shinkai’s decision to pivot towards a chair as the love interest may not have been what he originally intended, but it’s still a step towards diversity and inclusion in the anime industry. By creating a character that doesn’t conform to traditional gender roles, Shinkai is sending a message that everyone deserves to see themselves represented on screen. It’s a message that the anime industry needs to hear and embrace if it wants to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.
In conclusion, Makoto Shinkai’s original plan for “Suzume” was a bold move towards diversity and inclusion in the anime industry. Although he had to pivot towards a chair as the love interest due to producer demands, it’s still a reminder of the power of creativity and the importance of representation in storytelling. Shinkai’s decision to explore a lesbian romance in “Suzume” is a step towards breaking free from traditional romance tropes and giving a voice to the LGBTQ+ community in the anime world. It’s a message that we should all embrace and support.
