Children Who Chase Lost Voices

The events unfold in contemporary times, rooted in a modern Japan-like setting where daily life continues alongside encounters with a mythic underworld. Technologies like radios punctuate everyday life while family routines anchor the story in the present. The fantasy elements coexist with the ordinary, creating a blend of the familiar and the extraordinary.

The story shifts between the modern surface world and the hidden subterranean realm of Agartha, centering on the ancient city of Amaurot. Amaurot is a gateway to the dead and a site of rites surrounding the Gate of Life and Death, explored by those seeking to alter fate. The surface world is grounded in a quiet, contemporary setting that contrasts with the fantastical underground landscapes.

🕯️ Loss

Loss threads through the narrative as Asuna mourns her father and the deaths that punctuate the journey. The film examines how grief shapes identity, resilience, and the longing for connection across worlds. Characters carry memories as both a burden and a beacon for moving forward.

🌉 Connection

The central motif is the tether between realms—Agartha and the surface—through which relationships form and endure beyond death. Friendships and loyalties across boundaries reveal how empathy can bridge vast distances. The story shows connection as a source of meaning and a path to healing loneliness.

🗝️ Sacrifice

Sacrifice drives the plot as characters give up power, safety, or personal gains for others. Shin, Asuna, and Morisaki confront hard choices that test loyalty and moral responsibility. The resolution emphasizes that true relief often comes at a personal cost.

🌱 Growth

Asuna’s arc traces a passage from isolation to agency, as grief and discovery push her toward maturity. The narrative frames growth as a continual process, not a single turning point. Loneliness becomes a catalyst for strength and a clearer sense of purpose.