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.

Jellyfish Eyes (2015) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Jellyfish Eyes (2015) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In a quiet suburban town where the ordinary sighs of daily life blend with the faint hum of unseen wonder, a shy twelve‑year‑old named Masashi arrives with his mother, seeking a fresh start after the loss of his father. The new neighborhood feels both comforting and strangely secretive, its winding streets and modest homes hinting at stories that linger just beyond the surface. Amidst this gentle backdrop, Masashi discovers an odd, luminescent creature in his backpack—a winged jellyfish sprite he affectionately calls Kurage‑bo. Their silent bond, built on shared quirks and simple delights, quickly becomes the heart of his world, offering a bright thread of companionship in the wake of lingering grief.

School introduces another layer of enchantment: classmates carry their own fantastical companions, manifested through sleek, handheld devices that seem to bridge imagination and reality. This quiet network of children and their “friends” transforms the mundane halls into a playground of hidden magic, where curiosity is rewarded and the line between reality and the surreal gently blurs. Yasuko, Masashi’s mother, watches with a mix of concern and hope as her son navigates these new relationships, while the town’s subtle undercurrents suggest that the children’s discoveries are more than mere childhood fancy.

Among his peers, Saki stands out as a kindred spirit, sharing the same awe for the mysteries that surround them. Their interactions are marked by an earnest yearning to understand the strange devices and the luminous beings they summon, hinting at a collective yearning to uncover the town’s quiet secrets. The film’s tone balances warm nostalgia with an uncanny, almost dream‑like quality, inviting viewers to linger in the soft glow of youthful imagination and the gentle tension of things just out of reach.

Together, Masashi, Kurage‑bo, and the burgeoning circle of friends embark on a journey that is as much about confronting hidden emotions as it is about exploring the magical threads woven into their everyday world. The story captures the delicate dance between innocence and the unknown, leaving the audience poised on the edge of wonder, eager to see how the quiet town’s mysteries will unfold.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 04:30

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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.

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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.

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Jellyfish Eyes Summary

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Jellyfish Eyes Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Jellyfish Eyes

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Jellyfish Eyes

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