"I went to Suzume's."
"Suzume, the store in Charleroi?"
"Hello, is this Suzume?"
Since the store opened almost three years ago, this confusion has been a regular occurrence. Some customers pronounce our name with a "z" sound, while others spell it directly as Suzume. The resemblance to Makoto Shinkai's animated film, released before the store opened, naturally makes this error quite common.
However, our store's name is not spelled Suzume. It is spelled:
S-U-S-U-M-E
With two S's and no Z.
This choice is neither a mistake nor a reference to the film Suzume. Behind the name Susume lies a Japanese meaning, a reference to Attack on Titan, or Shingeki no Kyojin, and above all, the mindset we wanted for the store.
So, it was time to answer this question: Susume or Suzume?
So, Susume or Suzume?
Although the two words look similar when written in the Latin alphabet, Susume and Suzume are two different Japanese terms.
| Word | Approximate Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Susume | Sou-sou-may | Advance! / Forward! |
| Suzume | Sou-zou-may | Sparrow / name of the film's heroine |
Suzume, written すずめ in Japanese, means "sparrow". It is also the name of the heroine and the title of the film directed by Makoto Shinkai.
Susume, on the other hand, is related to the Japanese verb 進む, pronounced susumu, which expresses the idea of advancing, progressing, or moving towards a goal.
Only one letter changes, but the meaning is completely different.
How to pronounce Susume correctly?
For a French speaker, the pronunciation of Susume can be approximated by:
"Sou-sou-may"
Both consonants are pronounced with an s sound. Therefore, it should not be pronounced "sou-zou-may," as in Suzume.
Two S's in writing, two S sounds in pronunciation.
In natural Japanese pronunciation, some "u" sounds can be very short or very light. The word will therefore generally be pronounced more quickly and less distinctly than a very academic "sou-sou-may." However, this never changes the s of Susume to a z.
What does Susume mean in Japanese?
In Japanese, Susume can be written:
進め
This is the imperative form of the verb 進む, susumu. Without going into a long Japanese lesson, it corresponds to an order or encouragement to move forward.
Depending on the context, 進め can be translated as:
- "Advance!"
- "Forward!"
- "Keep moving forward!"
- "Progress!"
In the context of a battle or a charge, it could also be adapted as "Charge!" This is not the only literal translation of the word, but this adaptation perfectly conveys its energy and intensity.
And it is precisely this intensity that inspired the name of our store.
A reference to Erwin in Attack on Titan
Those familiar with Attack on Titan, or Shingeki no Kyojin, are probably starting to understand.
The choice of Susume is notably inspired by Erwin Smith and the charges he leads in the series. Without getting into spoilers, these scenes represent everything that makes the work so impactful: fear, danger, uncertainty, and the need to keep moving forward despite everything.
When the order "Susume!" rings out, it's not just about running forward. It's a call to overcome fear, not to remain paralyzed in the face of obstacles, and to advance even when the path seems impossible.
This idea particularly struck me. I wanted the store's name to reflect this notion of movement, determination, and progress.
More than a reference, a motto
The word Susume also corresponds to the mindset with which the store was created.
Launching a store dedicated to manga, figures, collectible card games, and Japanese culture inevitably requires daring to move forward without knowing exactly where the project will lead.
For almost three years now, Susume has been gradually evolving: new licenses, new product ranges, events, lotteries, ideas, and projects. Not everything is always easy, but the principle remains the same: keep moving forward and improve the store step by step.
Susume is therefore not just a name inspired by an anime. It is also a direction and a constant reminder not to stand still.
Why an arrow in the Susume logo?
This idea of movement is not only found in our name. It is also present in the Susume logo.
One of its most visible elements can be interpreted as both an arrow and an exclamation mark.
The arrow indicates a direction and represents progress. The exclamation mark brings energy and recalls the tone of an order given with conviction:
"Forward!"
This element therefore symbolizes movement, determination, and the desire to constantly push the project further.
But this arrow is far from the only hidden reference in our logo…
Will you be able to identify the others?
Observe it carefully and feel free to share your theories in the comments or during your next visit to the store.
Susume, with an S!
So, should it be spelled Susume or Suzume? To refer to Makoto Shinkai's film or the Japanese word for sparrow, we write Suzume, with a Z. To refer to our Japanese merchandise store in Charleroi, we write Susume, with two S's.
A small difference in spelling, but a completely different meaning.
And to end with a nod to the film: Suzume travels Japan to close doors... At Susume, we prefer to open them for you to new discoveries.
You can find our selection of manga, figures, card games, blind boxes, and Japanese merchandise on Susume.be or directly in our store.
Susume. With two S's. Forward!
Summary F.A.Q
How is the store name Susume spelled?
The store name is spelled S-U-S-U-M-E, with two S's and no Z. The spelling "Suzume" corresponds to another Japanese word and the title of Makoto Shinkai's film.
How to pronounce Susume?
For a French speaker, Susume is approximately pronounced "sou-sou-may". Both consonants retain an "s" sound: therefore, it is not pronounced "sou-zou-may."
What does Susume mean in Japanese?
Susume can be written 進め in Japanese. The word expresses an order or encouragement to move forward and can be translated, depending on the context, as "Advance!", "Forward!", or "Keep moving forward!".
Is Susume a reference to the film Suzume?
No. The name of the store Susume is not a reference to Makoto Shinkai's film Suzume. However, the similarity between the two names explains why some people confuse them.
What is the connection between Susume and Attack on Titan?
The name Susume is particularly inspired by the charges led by Erwin Smith in Attack on Titan, also known as Shingeki no Kyojin. These scenes symbolize the will to keep moving forward despite fear and obstacles.
Where is the Susume store located?
The Susume store is located at 25 rue de l'Ange, 6001 Marcinelle, in the Charleroi region. You can also discover our selection directly on Susume.be.
