Jellyfish Eyes

Jellyfish Eyes

Year: 2015

Runtime: 101 min

Language: Japanese

Director: Takashi Murakami

FantasyComedy

A twelve-year-old boy named Masashi forms an extraordinary friendship with Kurage-bo, a winged jellyfish sprite. Together, they experience school and uncover hidden secrets within their small town. Masashi soon discovers that his classmates also have unique, fantastical companions. This leads them on a magical journey that challenges their understanding of the everyday world and reveals a deeper connection between them all.

Whimsical
Happy ending
Moderately emotional
Medium intensity
Steady pacing
Moderate complexity

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Jellyfish Eyes (2015)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Jellyfish Eyes (2015). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The story takes place in contemporary times, reflecting the modern struggles of youth amidst technological advancements. The presence of specialized Devices used by children indicates a society that heavily integrates technology into everyday life. Themes of familial conflict and community challenge are prevalent, signifying current societal issues.

Location

suburban area, tranquil shrine, research center, university

The movie unfolds in a charming suburban area, known for its quiet charm and community vibe. A tranquil shrine serves as a backdrop for intense moments, symbolizing peace amidst chaos. The local research center is shrouded in mystery, representing the conflict between innovation and ethical concerns. Finally, the university becomes a battleground for opposing viewpoints during the annual festival, highlighting the tension in the town.

🏡 Suburban ⛩️ Shrine 🏢 Research 🎓 University

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:06

Main Characters – Jellyfish Eyes (2015)

Meet the key characters of Jellyfish Eyes (2015), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Masashi Kusakabe

Masashi is a young boy grappling with the grief of losing his father while trying to adapt to a new life. He portrays a façade of cheerfulness to mask his inner turmoil but yearns for genuine connections. His adventures and friendships in the new town serve as a central narrative, showcasing his growth and resilience.

👦 Young 😔 Grief 🤝 Friendship

Yasuko

Yasuko, Masashi's mother, navigates her own grief while attempting to provide stability for her son. Her strong will is evident in her protective nature, especially regarding Masashi's emotional well-being. Yasuko's interactions with her brother Naoto reveal the tension of managing family dynamics against a backdrop of their shared loss.

👩‍👦 Mother 🛡️ Protective 💔 Grief

Kurage-bo

Kurage-bo is an adorable jellyfish-like creature that embodies joy and companionship. The bond it shares with Masashi highlights the movie's themes of friendship and wonder. Its whimsical abilities provide a sense of magic and fun, acting as a source of comfort for Masashi during turbulent times.

🐙 Whimsical ❤️ Companion ✨ Magical

Naoto

Naoto, Masashi's uncle, brings a sense of foreboding connected to the town's mysterious events. His warnings add tension to the narrative, reflecting an awareness of the complexities surrounding Masashi's new life. Although he appears protective, his involvement with the research center hints at deeper conflicts at play.

🧔 Uncle ⚠️ Caution 🥊 Protector

Saki

Saki is a classmate of Masashi's who becomes a vital ally in his journey. As she opens up about her own struggles and past involving the research center, her character embodies resilience. Saki's determination to protect her mother during the escalating conflict illustrates her bravery and strong moral compass.

👩‍🎓 Ally 🦸‍♀️ Brave 💡 Determined

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:06

Major Themes – Jellyfish Eyes (2015)

Explore the central themes of Jellyfish Eyes (2015), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Grief

Grief permeates the movie, especially through Masashi's struggle with the loss of his father. His cheerful mask hides deep emotional turmoil as he navigates his new life. The contrasting feelings of joy and sadness create a nuanced exploration of how one copes with loss and finds connection amidst sorrow.

✨ Friendship

Friendship is a central theme, represented through Masashi's bond with Kurage-bo and the camaraderie he develops with other children. The connection between the characters inspires moments of support and growth, showcasing the power of companionship in facing adversity. This theme reinforces the importance of having friends during trying times.

⚔️ Conflict

The movie features various conflicts, from personal struggles within Masashi to the larger battle of the children against their F.R.I.E.N.D.s. The presence of dark forces in the form of the Black-Cloaked Four adds tension, depicting the struggle between innocence and the harsh realities of their world. These conflicts drive the narrative and the characters’ development.

🌌 Wonder

The theme of wonder is woven throughout the story, manifested in the whimsical creature Kurage-bo and the adventures Masashi embarks on. This sense of wonder propels Masashi’s journey, encouraging curiosity and exploration. It symbolizes the innocence of youth amid challenges, evoking a sense of magic and possibility.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:06

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies with magical companions and childhood resilience like Jellyfish Eyes

Stories where children find strength through bonds with secret, fantastical creatures.Explore movies like Jellyfish Eyes where children find courage and friendship through magical companions. If you enjoyed the whimsical bond between Masashi and Kurage-bo, you'll find similar stories of wonder, resilience, and fantastical allies helping kids face real-world challenges in these films.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically follow a child protagonist who feels isolated or is coping with a personal struggle. Their discovery of a unique, often hidden, magical being leads to a special friendship. This bond empowers them, revealing hidden strengths and often pulling them into a larger adventure that tests their resilience but ultimately reaffirms the power of friendship and hope.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their central theme of a child's transformative friendship with a magical entity. They share a specific mix of whimsical fantasy and sincere emotional weight, creating a viewing experience that is both wondrous and heartfelt, appealing to those who enjoy stories where imagination helps heal real-world wounds.

Movies about small town secrets like Jellyfish Eyes

Uncovering hidden wonders and deceptions beneath the surface of a quiet community.Discover movies similar to Jellyfish Eyes that revolve around secrets hidden within a small town. If you liked the uncovering of the F.R.I.E.N.D. project and the town's hidden truths, you'll enjoy these stories where ordinary settings conceal extraordinary mysteries, explored through steady discovery and a mix of wonder and unease.

mysteriouscurioussmall townsecret worlduncovering truthdeceptionmelancholic undertones

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves characters, often young, living in a seemingly mundane setting. Through curiosity or chance, they begin to peel back the layers of their community, revealing a secret world—be it magical, scientific, or dangerous. The story unfolds at a steady pace, building from everyday life to a confrontation with the hidden truth, exploring themes of deception, curiosity, and the duality of appearances.

Why These Movies?

These films are linked by their core setting and plot structure: a small town with a secret. They create a cohesive vibe through a steady pacing that builds mystery, a medium intensity that balances wonder with tension, and a tone that often mixes whimsical curiosity with melancholic undertones, resulting in a uniquely captivating experience.

Unlock the Full Story of Jellyfish Eyes

Don't stop at just watching — explore Jellyfish Eyes in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Jellyfish Eyes is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Jellyfish Eyes Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Jellyfish Eyes, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Jellyfish Eyes Summary

Jellyfish Eyes Timeline

Track the full timeline of Jellyfish Eyes with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Jellyfish Eyes Timeline

Jellyfish Eyes Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Jellyfish Eyes that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Jellyfish Eyes Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Jellyfish Eyes

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Jellyfish Eyes (2015) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Jellyfish Eyes (2015) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Jellyfish Eyes (2015) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow