Mirai

Mirai

Year: 2018

Runtime: 98 min

Language: Japanese

Echo Score: 84
AdventureDramaFantasyAnimationFamily

A young boy named Kun struggles to adjust to the arrival of his baby sister, Mirai. He retreats into a fantastical family tree that transports him through time, allowing him to meet his relatives at various stages of their lives. He encounters his mother as a young girl and his sister as a teenager, gaining a new perspective on their experiences and the importance of family connections. Through these adventures, Kun learns valuable lessons about empathy, patience, and his own place within his family's history.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Mirai (2018)

Trace every key event in Mirai (2018) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Kun's Happy Beginnings

Kun, a lively 4-year-old, enjoys a joyful life with his architect father and executive mother in a uniquely designed stepped house. He spends his days playing with his pet dog Yukko and engaging in imaginative adventures with his toy train sets.

Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama
2

Arrival of Baby Sister Mirai

The peaceful dynamic of Kun's life changes with the arrival of his baby sister, Mirai. Initially excited, Kun soon feels neglected as parental attention shifts to the newborn, leading to feelings of jealousy.

3

A Frustrated Outburst

After a particularly frustrating day, Kun has an outburst and retreats to the garden for some solitude. There, he meets a mysterious man who claims to be the ‘prince’ of the house, soon revealing himself to be Yukko transformed into a human.

Garden
4

The Magical Transformation

Intrigued by the 'prince', Kun playfully puts on a tail resembling Yukko's, triggering a magical transformation that turns him into a dog. This whimsical change sparks a series of imaginative adventures in Kun's mind.

Garden
5

Celebrating Hinamatsuri

The family celebrates Hinamatsuri, a special day where they display traditional dolls to wish for Mirai's happiness. However, as days pass, Kun feels frustrated that the dolls have not been put away, resulting in another outburst that sends him back to the garden.

Hinamatsuri
6

Meeting Future Mirai

In a surprising turn, Kun meets a teenage girl who identifies herself as Mirai from the future. She explains the urgency of returning the dolls to avoid delaying her wedding, and the two work together, alongside Yukko, to resolve the situation.

Garden
7

Time Travel to the Past

Kun ventures into the garden once again, enabling him to journey back in time. He encounters a younger version of his mother, allowing him to witness her childhood struggles and to connect more deeply with her experiences.

Garden
8

Learning to Ride a Bicycle

Kun receives a bicycle with training wheels after leaving a heartfelt note. Eager to ride like the older kids, his determination leads him back to the magical garden, where he meets his great-grandfather and learns valuable lessons.

Garden / Rural Japan
9

Adventures at the Train Station

During a family outing, Kun's frustration about his clothing leads him to explore the garden once more. He discovers a train station and, despite a warning from an older young man, he boards a train and finds himself lost at Tokyo Station.

Tokyo Station
10

A Realization of Responsibility

While at the train station, Kun struggles to remember his parents' names but realizes he must rescue baby Mirai when she is about to board a train to 'Lonely Land'. This incident marks a pivotal moment in Kun’s acceptance of his responsibility as an older brother.

Tokyo Station
11

Return Journey with Future Mirai

Kun is greeted by Future Mirai, who returns him home in a spectacular fashion, soaring through the air to land safely in their family tree. This experience provides Kun with a broader perspective on family and the connections they share.

Family Tree
12

Glimpses of the Past and Future

In the family tree, Kun witnesses pivotal moments from his family's past, including his father's challenges, Yukko's choice to become a pet, and the historical impact on his great-grandfather. He also catches a glimpse of his future self.

Family Tree
13

A Newfound Empathy

After his journey through time, Kun emerges with profound insights and understanding of his family’s dynamics. He recognizes the importance of empathy and connections, feeling more ready than ever to embrace his family.

14

Joining Family Adventures

Equipped with newfound wisdom, Kun rejoins his family for an adventure, now fully accepting his role as an older brother. This marks a meaningful change in his attitude, reflecting a deepening of familial bonds.

Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 15:50

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Whimsical Journeys Through Family History like in Mirai

Gentle stories using time travel and magic to explore the bonds of family.Find movies like Mirai that use gentle magical elements to explore family relationships. These similar films often feature time travel or fantasy settings that help characters understand their relatives, blending heartfelt drama with a sense of wonder for a nostalgic and hopeful viewing experience.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically centers on a protagonist, often a child, grappling with a family-related emotional challenge. They are granted access to a magical conduit—a place, object, or guide—that allows them to non-linearly encounter their relatives from different times. Through these encounters, they gain empathy and a new understanding of their family's story, resolving their initial conflict with newfound maturity.

Why These Movies?

They are grouped by their shared use of low-stakes fantasy to tackle universal family themes. The tone is consistently whimsical and hopeful, the pacing allows for quiet reflection amidst magical escapades, and the emotional core revolves around healing and connection rather than high-stakes conflict.

Child's-Eye View of Magical Realism like in Mirai

Stories where a child's imagination and emotions make the world magical.Discover movies similar to Mirai that use a child's perspective to tell magical stories. These films capture the feeling of childhood, where emotions and imagination transform the ordinary world, offering lighthearted adventures with meaningful lessons about growing up and understanding feelings.

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Narrative Summary

The story is driven by the emotional state of a young child. Their feelings, such as jealousy over a new sibling or anxiety about change, are externalized into a fantastical world or series of events. The narrative follows their journey within this magical space as they work through their emotions, leading to personal growth and a happier, more secure outlook by the end.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a specific mood and perspective. They prioritize a light, playful tone even when dealing with complex emotions, maintain a low intensity suitable for family viewing, and use variable pacing to alternate between the child's mundane reality and their vibrant inner world, creating a uniquely charming and insightful experience.

Unlock the Full Story of Mirai

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Mirai Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Mirai, 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.

Mirai Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Mirai

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Mirai. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Mirai

Mirai Spoiler-Free Summary

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Mirai Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Mirai

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