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Child of Kamiari Month (2021) movie poster

Timeline

Child of Kamiari Month (2021) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2021 · 100 mins · Japanese
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Directed by
Takana Shirai
Starring
Miyu Irino, Aju Makita, Maaya Sakamoto, Arata Iura, Wataru Takagi, Chafurin

A year after losing her mother, a young girl learns that she must journey across Japan to the annual gathering of gods in the sacred land of Izumo.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (13)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Child of Kamiari Month
  6. 6 Every angle
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13 events in order · contains spoilers

Child of Kamiari Month Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Child of Kamiari Month (2021) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Kanna's life in Sumida and her mother's death

    Kanna Hayama is a young elementary school girl living in the Sumida ward of Tokyo, coping with the loss of her mother Yayoi. She clings to memories of Yayoi and longs for her presence again. Her father Norimasa returns home bearing new shoes for the upcoming marathon, but they are too small for her, underscoring her unresolved grief.

    When
    Before the marathon day
    Where
    Sumida, Tokyo
  2. Marathon day: bracelet awakens a magical quest

    On the day of the marathon, Kanna struggles to run and falls behind as classmates pass. In the ensuing rain, Norimasa consoles her but she becomes upset and heads toward Ushijima Shrine. There, her mother's keepsake bracelet activates and two talking beings, Shiro and Yasha, appear, signaling the start of a journey beyond the ordinary.

    When
    Marathon day
    Where
    Near Ushijima Shrine, Tokyo
  3. Shiro explains the Idaten mission and Kannazuki

    Shiro reveals she is a messenger of the deities and explains that during Kannazuki, the harvest is celebrated at Izumo-taisha Shrine. The plan is to visit shrine deities to collect feast offerings and deliver them to Izumo by 7 pm, with the offerings stored in a magic gourd. Kanna agrees to embark on the quest.

    When
    Kannazuki (October)
    Where
    Ushijima Shrine area
  4. First offering secured: cow god's giant mochi

    Kanna and Shiro begin the journey, collecting the cow god's offering—a giant mochi—before continuing toward Izumo. The act marks the start of a long partnership to complete the deity-delivery task. The offerings are to be carried inside the gourd.

    When
    Early on the quest
    Where
    Along the journey between Tokyo and Izumo
  5. Night at the bridge: dream and theft

    While resting under a river bridge named after Kanna, she dreams of her mother again. Yasha steals her bracelet and the gourd, triggering a return to the road as time resumes. Yasha reveals his demon-lineage and his challenge to win the race to Izumo.

    When
    Night on the journey
    Where
    Bridge over a river named after Kanna
  6. Secluded beach confrontation: the fake Yayoi

    On a secluded beach, a fake Yayoi appears with a dark aura to derail Kanna. Shiro and Yasha fend off the impostor and reassure Kanna that she must continue toward Izumo. The scene highlights the spirituality and danger surrounding Kanna's quest.

    When
    Night
    Where
    Secluded beach
  7. Learning the world’s cruelty and the quest’s burden

    Shiro explains that the modern world has grown cruel and that humanity’s dark side could imperil their mission. The trio resolves to persevere, acknowledging that overcoming fear is essential to completing the journey.

    When
    During quest
    Where
    Along the journey toward Izumo
  8. Typhoon threat and Kanna’s disappearance

    A typhoon forms on a track to Shimane, and Norimasa becomes anxious, calling hotlines to locate Kanna who has gone missing since fleeing in school. Meanwhile, Kanna returns from the beach to the road, leading Shiro and Yasha to worry about her safety.

    When
    Typhoon period
    Where
    On the road toward Izumo; approaching Shimane
  9. Vision of Yayoi's life and Kanna's birth

    Kanna experiences a vision that reveals Yayoi's life, including the birth of Kanna and Yayoi's death after the failed marathon. Yayoi tells Yasha that she would have a daughter, deepening Kanna’s resolve to run again. The vision makes the past feel present and fuels her determination.

    When
    During the typhoon-vision sequence
    Where
    Secluded beach/river area
  10. Acceptance of Idaten heritage and renewed resolve

    Kanna realizes that Yayoi was a descendant of the Idaten and that her torn bracelet symbolized the quest. She regains her passion for running and pushes toward Izumo, even though she briefly loses Shiro and Yasha's direct guidance.

    When
    Towards the end of the journey
    Where
    On the road to Izumo
  11. Izumo-taisha and the glowing path to the gods

    As a typhoon rages, Kanna reaches Izumo-taisha and climbs a glowing staircase into the deities' world. The feast hall is empty, and she learns she is too late to witness the feast firsthand. The bracelet suddenly reactivates, and Ōkuninushi appears with offerings to satisfy the quest.

    When
    Typhoon night
    Where
    Izumo-taisha Shrine
  12. Return of the feast and the cost of resurrection

    Ōkuninushi gathers the feast offerings and thanks Kanna, Shiro, and Yasha for completing the Idaten's quest. Shiro asks for a reunion with Yayoi, but the deity explains that life and time cannot be reversed.

    When
    After the feast
    Where
    Izumo-taisha
  13. Back to Tokyo and a new spring

    Kanna, having moved on from Yayoi's death, returns home with Shiro and Yasha and begins a new training regime along the river, awaiting what the future holds. Spring arrives and Tokyo's riverfront becomes a site of renewed hope and ongoing running.

    When
    Spring after the quest
    Where
    Tokyo riverwalk

Last updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:24

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Timeline questions answered

Child of Kamiari Month Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Child of Kamiari Month (2021): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Kanna want to see her mother again?

Kanna lost her mother Yayoi a year before the story takes place. During the marathon, she was overwhelmed by grief and realized her deepest wish was to see Yayoi again. This desire stems from her unresolved grief and the memory of running with her mother, which she associates with happiness.

Foreshadowing: The film's opening shows Kanna remembering Yayoi teaching her to run with all her speed.

  • kanna
  • yayoi
  • mother
  • death
  • grief
Q2

What is the Idaten and why was Kanna chosen?

The Idaten are legendary fast runners who serve the gods. Yayoi was a descendant of the Idaten lineage, and Kanna inherited this heritage. When the magical bracelet awakened, it chose Kanna to complete the sacred pilgrimage because of her bloodline and running ability.

Foreshadowing: Kanna's mother Yayoi appears in a vision telling Yasha she would have a daughter, hinting at the hereditary nature.

  • idden
  • lineage
  • yayoi
  • kanna
  • chosen
Q3

What is Kannazuki and why does it matter?

Kannazuki is the month of October when the gods gather at Izumo-taisha Shrine to celebrate the harvest. During this time, offerings must be collected from shrines along a sacred route and delivered to Izumo by 7pm. This annual tradition is why Kanna's journey had a deadline.

Foreshadowing: Shiro explains the Kannazuki tradition immediately after appearing to Kanna.

  • kannazuki
  • izumo
  • gods
  • offerings
  • shrine
Q4

What was the fake Yayoi vision that appeared on the beach?

The fake Yayoi was a manifestation created by the dark forces that have crept into the modern world. It appeared to Kanna to break her spirit and turn her away from hope by convincing her that Shiro and Yasha were monsters. This was a test of Kanna's resolve to continue her journey.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Shiro warned that the modern world has grown cruel and could threaten their mission.

  • fake yayoi
  • vision
  • beach
  • monsters
  • test
Q5

Why couldn't Kanna reunite with her mother after completing the quest?

When Shiro asked Ōkuninushi to reunite Kanna with Yayoi, the god explained that life and death follow natural cycles that cannot be reversed. Reuniting with the dead is not something the gods can grant, time must progress even when hearts ache. This is why the ending is bittersweet.

Foreshadowing: This theme was established early when Kanna's grief prevented her from finishing the marathon.

  • reunion
  • death
  • time
  • okuninushi
  • impossible
Q6

Why did the typhoon happen during Kanna's journey?

The typhoon coincided with Kanna's final push toward Izumo, creating a dramatic climax. It represents the accumulated darkness and cruelty of the modern world that threatens the sacred mission. Kanna had to push through the storm both literally and metaphorically to complete her quest.

Foreshadowing: Shiro explained that the modern world has darkened and could consume their light if not guarded.

  • typhoon
  • storm
  • journey
  • izumo
  • darkness
Q7

What was the bracelet's significance?

The bracelet was Yayoi's keepsake that Kanna wore throughout the story. When activated at Ushijima Shrine, it awakened the magical quest and allowed Shiro and Yasha to appear. The bracelet symbolized the connection between Kanna and her mother's Idaten heritage, and it reconnected when Kanna accepted her lineage.

Foreshadowing: Kanna found the bracelet at the shrine before it awakened, showing it was a family heirloom.

  • bracelet
  • yayoi
  • magic
  • reconnection
  • heritage
Q8

Why couldn't Kanna finish the marathon on the day of the race?

Kanna couldn't finish the marathon because she was overwhelmed by grief after her mother's death the previous year. The physical act of running, which she associated with her mother, triggered painful memories. She stopped running and ran away from the race, which led her to the shrine where her adventure began.

Foreshadowing: The opening shows Yayoi teaching young Kanna to run with all her speed, establishing their emotional connection.

  • marathon
  • race
  • stopped
  • grief
  • running
Q9

Who was Yasha and why did he join the quest?

Yasha is a demon boy who challenged Kanna at first but chose to join her quest. He stole the bracelet and gourd to test if she would give up, but when she continued running, he respected her determination. His presence represents the complexities within every journey toward healing, and he became a loyal companion.

Foreshadowing: Yasha initially appeared as a challenger at Ushijima Shrine before becoming an ally.

  • yasha
  • demon
  • companion
  • journey
  • loyalty
Q10

What offerings were collected and why?

The trio collected feast offerings from various shrines along the pilgrimage route, including a giant mochi from the cow god and sea bream from Kotoshironushi at Miho Shrine. These offerings were stored in a magical gourd and needed to be delivered to Izumo-taisha for the gods' harvest feast during Kannazuki.

Foreshadowing: Shiro explained at the beginning that collecting offerings was the purpose of their Idaten quest.

  • offerings
  • gourd
  • shrine
  • izumo
  • feast
Q11

What was Ryujin's test at Lake Suwa?

Ryūjin, the dragon god and son of Ōkuninushi, challenged Kanna to leap toward a floating shrine. When she failed, he gave her a ride and asked what she truly sought as an Idaten. Her honest answer, wanting to see her mother again, moved him because he also knew the pain of losing his father. He then granted his offering of waters.

Foreshadowing: This scene reveals Kanna's true motivation and connects to the theme of parental loss.

  • ryujin
  • lake suwa
  • test
  • offering
  • waters
Q12

What happened when Kanna reached Izumo?

Kanna climbed a glowing staircase into the deities' realm during the typhoon. The feast hall initially appeared empty because she arrived after the appointed time. However, the bracelet reactivated, and Ōkuninushi appeared to accept the mountain of offerings they had collected, thanking them for completing the quest.

Foreshadowing: The time pressure of reaching Izumo by 7pm was established early in the journey.

  • izumo
  • staircase
  • gods
  • feast
  • okuninushi
Q13

How did Kanna find closure without seeing her mother?

Kanna found closure by accepting her Idaten heritage and understanding that her mother lives on through her. She realized that running is not about escaping pain but carrying it with grace. The journey taught her to hold fast to her inner pace and trust that her mother's influence will continue to guide her feet.

Foreshadowing: Yayoi's vision told her that running is about moving forward, not backward.

  • closure
  • healing
  • running
  • memory
  • forward

Movie threads

More Movies Like Child of Kamiari Month, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Child of Kamiari Month tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Mythical healing journeys like Child of Kamiari Month

Emotional pilgrimages where characters find solace and strength in enchanted worlds. Movies like Child of Kamiari Month that use mythological quests as a framework for emotional healing. If you enjoyed the blend of Japanese folklore with a young girl's grief journey, you'll find similar stories here featuring spiritual guides, magical settings, and cathartic character arcs.

  • cathartic
  • magical
  • reflective
  • grieving
  • uplifting
  • spiritual
  • Tone: hopeful, bittersweet
  • Pacing: steady, quest-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically follow a linear, quest-based structure. A protagonist, often grieving or lost, is called to a journey across a sacred or enchanted land. They meet guardians and spirits who offer wisdom, culminating in a transformation that allows them to carry their loss with newfound grace, rather than erase it.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on using a mythological framework to explore deep emotional themes like grief. They blend a serious, grounded human experience with whimsical or magical elements, resulting in a tone that is ultimately hopeful and cathartic despite the sadness at their core.

Bittersweet coming-of-age stories like Child of Kamiari Month

Stories where young protagonists mature through loss, supported by gentle magical elements. If you liked the poignant blend of childhood grief and gentle magic in Child of Kamiari Month, explore these similar coming-of-age films. They feature young characters learning to cope with permanent loss, often with the help of fantastical friends, resulting in stories that are both heartwarming and honestly sad.

  • bittersweet
  • coming-of-age
  • grieving
  • whimsical
  • heartfelt
  • cathartic
  • Tone: bittersweet, hopeful
  • Pacing: steady, character-focused
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a young protagonist facing a life-altering loss that forces them to mature quickly. Their journey is not about reversing the loss but learning to integrate it into their identity. Whimsical elements—like talking animals or friendly spirits—provide comfort and guidance without diminishing the gravity of the central theme, leading to an ending that acknowledges both pain and growth.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their specific emotional mix: they balance the heavy theme of a child's grief with a tone that remains accessible and hopeful. The pacing is steady, focusing on emotional development, and the magical elements serve to illuminate the internal emotional world of the young protagonist rather than dominate the plot.

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Child of Kamiari Month (2021) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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