Jellyfish (2014) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Masashi hides Kurage-bo because he believes his new friend is unique and special. He discovers on his first day at school that every other child already has a F.R.I.E.N.D. and a Device to summon it, making Kurage-bo's mysterious origin seem different. Masashi wants to protect his bond with Kurage-bo from scrutiny until he understands more about these creatures and the town's strange circumstances.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Masashi sensed a mysterious presence in his new apartment, hinting that something unusual awaited him.

• masashi
• kurage-bo
• hide
• secret
• new town

Saki reveals that four cloaked researchers gave every child in town a Device, promising them 'a friend who will never betray.' The devices appeared suddenly during a moment of family strain for Saki, and within days, every child possessed one. This mass distribution was part of the Black-Cloaked Four's plan to create a network of F.R.I.E.N.D.s for theirscheme.

Foreshadowing: The shadowy cluster of researchers whisper their creed before distributing the devices.

• f.r.i.e.n.d.s
• devices
• children
• researchers
• town

The Black-Cloaked Four are operatives working with the research center who seek to harvest negative energy from the children's battles. They orchestrate the distribution of Devices and manipulate events to trap Masashi, believing his unique energy is key to their plan. Their ultimate goal is rebirth through destruction, using the F.R.I.E.N.D. battles as a energy source.

Foreshadowing: The cult to which Shizuko belongs protests the research center, hinting at darker forces at work.

• black-cloaked four
• research center
• conspiracy
• energy

Naoto gives Masashi a Device under the guise of protection, claiming it will help defend against threats. However, the Device is later revealed to be part of the Black-Cloaked Four's trap. They use Naoto's trusted position as Masashi's uncle to deliver a seemingly helpful gift that would actually allow them to capture Masashi's unique energy.

Foreshadowing: Naoto notices Kurage-bo in Masashi's backpack earlier but chooses to observe rather than reveal his true intentions.

• naoto
• device
• trap
• conspiracy
• protection

Masashi is initially told Naoto died after falling from a building. However, it's later revealed that a duplicated Naoto was created - a clone used by the Black-Cloaked Four to infiltrate and manipulate situations. The real Naoto arrives in time to confront the counterfeit, exposing the deception and helping the children fight back against the conspiracy.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Naoto warns about the town's danger and asks Masashi to report anything strange, establishing his suspicious knowledge.

• naoto
• death
• clone
• fake
• confrontation

The Oval is a large, dangerous creature created from the negative energy harvested through the children's F.R.I.E.N.D. battles. The Black-Cloaked Four summoned it as part of their plan to destroy and be reborn through the chaos. The Oval advances threateningly, capturing Saki's mother and nearly pulling Saki herself into danger before Masashi saves her.

Foreshadowing: The escalating battles throughout the town have been building negative energy for this purpose.

• oval
• monster
• negative energy
• final battle
• threat

The children rally all F.R.I.E.N.D.s for a final stand against the Oval. Naoto explains that the glowing orb on its head is the weakness. Masashi strikes the orb with a final burst of teamwork, causing the Oval to collapse. This destroys the negative energy construct and frees the captured F.R.I.E.N.D.s from the vortex.

Foreshadowing: Koh specifically searches for the Oval's weak spot while the others prepare for confrontation.

• oval
• defeat
• orb
• weak spot
• final battle

When Masashi destroys the Oval, the negative energy holding all the F.R.I.E.N.D.s in the real world is released, causing them to spiral back into a vortex. Kurage-bo, being a F.R.I.E.N.D. like all the others, is caught in this dissolution despite his unique bond with Masashi. The destruction of the Oval's energy source triggers this mass departure.

Foreshadowing: The F.R.I.E.N.D.s have been sustained by the artificial energy from the Devices and the battles.

• kurage-bo
• vortex
• f.r.i.e.n.d.s
• dissolution
• energy

After the battle, Koh uses his Device's special power to restore every F.R.I.E.N.D. from the vortex back into the real world. This reverses the dissolution that occurred when the Oval was defeated. All the children are reunited with their F.R.I.E.N.D.s, including Masashi with Kurage-bo, marking a hopeful conclusion to the conflict.

Foreshadowing: Koh was previously shown to have unique abilities, notably summoning Ko2 as his ally.

• koh
• restore
• f.r.i.e.n.d.s
• device
• reunion

Masashi's father's death drives Masashi's emotional arc throughout the film. He wears a cheerful smile to protect his mother from his own grief, creating a poignant undercurrent. This theme of loss and finding new connections explains why Masashi forms such a deep bond with Kurage-bo - he needs companionship during his period of mourning. The happy ending, where friendships are restored, provides emotional closure to this loss.

Foreshadowing: The film opens with Masashi carrying boxes while feeling deep sadness over his father's death.

• father
• death
• grief
• masashi
• emotional arc

Saki becomes Masashi's ally because they share unique experiences with their F.R.I.E.N.D.s and both become targets of the Black-Cloaked Four's conspiracy. Saki understands the pressure Masashi faces as the group tries to capture his energy. Their trust develops as they share fears and work together against common enemies, eventually leading to a romantic connection by the end.

Foreshadowing: Saki reveals her troubled truth about receiving the Device during family strain, establishing her sympathetic understanding.

• saki
• masashi
• alliance
• trust
• romance