Jellyfish Eyes (2015) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

F.R.I.E.N.D.s are fantastical creatures that accompany the children throughout the story. They resemble various imaginative beings and are generated and controlled using specialized Devices that the children carry. Each child has their own unique F.R.I.E.N.D., and they can command them to battle other children's F.R.I.E.N.D.s. The creatures are connected to the children emotionally and serve as companions, though their true origin is tied to manipulation by the Black-Cloaked Four.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the story, Saki reveals that her Device was given to her by mysterious figures who presented themselves as 'heralds of hope' during her difficult family period.

• f.r.i.e.n.d.s
• creatures
• devices
• children
• companions

The children battle their F.R.I.E.N.D.s because they have been manipulated into doing so by the Black-Cloaked Four, who control the research center. The cloaked figures gave Devices to children during vulnerable times in their lives, promising them companions who would never betray them. This created a chaotic phenomenon in the town where children were unknowingly drawn into fighting each other, serving the adults' hidden agenda.

Foreshadowing: Saki explains that her Device was given to her during a tumultuous family period by top-level members of the local research center, presented as 'heralds of hope.'

• battle
• fighting
• children
• manipulation
• black-cloaked four

The Black-Cloaked Four are mysterious figures associated with the local research center who manipulate the children and their F.R.I.E.N.D.s. They are drawn to Masashi's unique energy and scheme to claim him. They operate from the university research facility and give Devices to vulnerable children, promising them faithful companions. Throughout the story, they serve as the primary antagonistic force, though their exact motives and nature become clearer as the plot unfolds.

Foreshadowing: Naoto warns Yasuko that the town is treacherous, and later connects to the research facility, hinting at the adults' involvement in the children's F.R.I.E.N.D.s.

• black-cloaked four
• research center
• antagonists
• manipulation
• devices

Naoto dies unexpectedly during the story. He is Masashi's uncle who initially warns the family about the dangers of the town and instructs Masashi to report any peculiar happenings. He later gives Masashi a Device in the hospital, claiming it's for protection, which feels unsettling. News of his shocking demise reaches Masashi later in the story. The truth about his connection to the research facility comes to light during the confrontation at the abandoned warehouse.

Foreshadowing: Naoto's warning about the town being treacherous and his strange behavior around the Devices hint at his complicated role.

• naoto
• uncle
• death
• research center
• betrayal

Kurage-bo disappears along with all the other F.R.I.E.N.D.s when Masashi destroys the Oval, which was the central source of their existence. The F.R.I.E.N.D.s vanish into oblivion as the threat is eliminated. However, the ending shows that this is not permanent - Koh uses his phone to bring the F.R.I.E.N.D.s back to the world they came from, allowing Masashi and Kurage-bo to reunite, restoring the magical friendships.

Foreshadowing: Naoto reveals the Oval's vulnerability, giving Masashi the opportunity to eradicate this overwhelming threat.

• kurage-bo
• disappearance
• oval
• reunion
• magical creatures

The Oval is the central threat and source of the F.R.I.E.N.D.s' power in the story. It is tied to the research center and serves as the vulnerability that allows Masashi and his friends to defeat the Black-Cloaked Four. Naoto reveals this weakness to Masashi, enabling them to plan their final attack against the overwhelming threat. Destroying the Oval causes all the F.R.I.E.N.D.s to temporarily vanish.

Foreshadowing: Naoto reveals the Oval's vulnerability during the rescue and revelation sequence at the research center.

• oval
• research center
• threat
• destruction
• black-cloaked four

The F.R.I.E.N.D.s return when Koh uses his phone to bring them back to the world they came from. After Masashi destroys the Oval and the F.R.I.E.N.D.s temporarily vanish into oblivion, Koh's action facilitates their return. This moment represents reconciliation and hope, as Tatsuya and Juran also express remorse for their earlier actions. The reunion brings Masashi, Saki, Kurage-bo, and their friends back together, symbolizing resilience and a brighter future.

Foreshadowing: The story establishes that the F.R.I.E.N.D.s are connected to technology through the Devices, making their return via phone plausible.

• f.r.i.e.n.d.s
• return
• reunion
• koh
• hope

Saki's mother Shizuko leads a protest against the university's research during the annual school festival. She is part of a cult that opposes the university's research, which is revealed to be responsible for creating the Devices and manipulating the children through their F.R.I.E.N.D.s. The protest highlights the tension between the adults who oppose the research and the mysterious forces behind it, creating conflict that parallels the children's battles.

Foreshadowing: Saki reveals that her Device was given to her by mysterious figures linked to the local research center during a difficult family period.

• saki's mother
• protest
• university
• research
• cult

Masashi moves to the suburban area with his mother Yasuko to start a new chapter in their lives. The move is bittersweet because Masashi is leaving behind the haunting memories of his deceased father. He conceals his grief behind a cheerful demeanor, but the shadows of his past loom large as they settle into their new home, which turns out to harbor untold secrets and the magical F.R.I.E.N.D.s.

Foreshadowing: The story establishes early on that Masashi's father has died and he is seeking a fresh beginning away from his grief.

• masashi
• move
• new town
• father
• grief

Naoto gives Masashi a Device in the hospital, claiming it's for his protection, but this gesture feels deeply unsettling to Masashi amidst the chaos unfolding around him. The timing and nature of the gift raise suspicion because Naoto is later revealed to have a complicated connection to the research facility. This moment foreshadows the later revelations about betrayal and the true nature of the adults' involvement with the F.R.I.E.N.D.s.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Naoto warns about the town's dangers but also seems to know more than he lets on about the Devices and creatures.

• device
• naoto
• gift
• hospital
• suspicion
• betrayal