I saw _Suzume_ last night and I'm convinced that Shinkai is trying to tell a single story and just iterating on it.
That's not a bad thing!
If you liked _your name_ or _Weathering With You_, then _Suzume_ is a good bet to give you more of that mix.
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Late breaking news implies that much of Shinkai's reuse of plot elements is driven by his advisors telling him to give the audience what they want.
Which put a different spin on things, TBH.
https://www.looper.com/1256895/makoto-shinkai-suzume-lesbian-romance-exclusive/
