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PERSONA3 THE MOVIE #1 Spring of Birth (2013) movie poster

Timeline

PERSONA3 THE MOVIE #1 Spring of Birth (2013) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2013 · 92 mins · Japanese
Directed by
Tomohisa Taguchi, Noriaki Akitaya
Starring
Kazuya Nakai, Mamiko Noto, Miyuki Sawashiro, Akira Ishida, Atsumi Tanezaki, Hideyuki Hori

Transferring to Gekkoukan High School in the spring, student Makoto Yuki finds his ordinary life disrupted when time suddenly stops. He discovers a hidden period called the Dark Hour, a time when the world is overrun by monstrous Shadows and people transform into coffins. Thrust into a bizarre situation, Makoto is unexpectedly made the leader of a group of classmates, including Yukari, Junpei, Mitsuru, and Akihiko. He must learn to connect with his comrades, confront the meaning of death, and awaken a Persona to battle the Shadows threatening his world from the mysterious tower of Tartarus.

Adventure Fantasy Drama Animation Action Cast, crew & box office
On this page (5)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (14)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch PERSONA3 THE MOVIE #1 Spring of Birth (2013)

Where can you watch PERSONA3 THE MOVIE #1 Spring of Birth? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Video: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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14 events in order · contains spoilers

PERSONA3 THE MOVIE #1 Spring of Birth Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of PERSONA3 THE MOVIE #1 Spring of Birth (2013) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Arrival in Iwatodai and the contract

    A strange phenomenon grips the city, shutting down technology and trapping people in coffins. Makoto Yuki arrives in Iwatodai and goes to the Iwatodai Dormitory, where a mysterious boy greets him with a contract and introductions to Yukari Takeba and Mitsuru Kirijo. The encounter hints at a hidden destiny linked to the shadows plaguing the city.

    When
    Opening night
    Where
    Iwatodai City

  2. First day at Gekkoukan High

    The next day Makoto enrolls as a sophomore at Gekkoukan High School alongside Yukari and Junpei Iori. He begins adjusting to dorm life and new classmates while rumors swirl about his unusual past. The world feels off as the Dark Hour looms nearby.

    When
    The next day
    Where
    Gekkoukan High School

  3. Ikutsuki's warning and investigation

    Ikutsuki, the school's chairman, asks Yukari to investigate Makoto due to his uncanny abilities and the coincidence of his parents' death ten years ago. The inquiry hints at a deeper connection to the Shadow phenomenon. The stakes around Makoto's past begin to rise.

    When
    Shortly after enrollment
    Where
    Ikutsuki's Office, Gekkoukan High School

  4. Velvet Room encounter

    Makoto enters the Velvet Room and meets its proprietor Igor and his assistant Elizabeth. They acknowledge Makoto's potential and set him on the path to wielding Personas. The surreal meeting marks his bridge to the otherworldly power within him.

    When
    Early days
    Where
    Velvet Room

  5. Midnight attack and awakening

    During the first Dark Hour midnight, Akihiko Sanada rushes back to the dorm as monstrous Shadows attack. Yukari and Makoto flee to the roof and confront a giant creature, where Makoto awakens two Personas to defeat the intruders. This event marks his first true use of Persona power.

    When
    First Dark Hour midnight
    Where
    Iwatodai Dormitory roof

  6. Confinement and past revealed

    Unconscious for more than a week, Makoto wakes in a hospital. Yukari explains their shared loss in the parents' accident and hints at a larger fate binding them. The revelation deepens Makoto's resolve to fight the Shadows.

    When
    One week later
    Where
    Hospital

  7. Joining SEES

    Ikutsuki, along with Akihiko and Mitsuru, recruit Makoto into SEES to combat the Shadow threat causing Apathy Syndrome during the Dark Hour. They begin planning missions and training, including exploring Tartarus. Makoto accepts the duty and joins the team.

    When
    Shortly after awakening
    Where
    SEES HQ, Iwatodai

  8. Tartarus exploration begins

    Junpei Iori joins SEES, and the group decides to start exploring Tartarus, the Shadow-infested labyrinth. They hope to uncover the mystery behind the Dark Hour while facing formidable foes. This marks the team’s first coordinated dungeon venture.

    When
    Soon after joining
    Where
    Tartarus

  9. Fuuka's friendship and trouble

    Makoto befriends Fuuka Yamagishi and learns of her strained relationship with class bully Natsuki Moriyama. Fuuka's quiet strength and perspective begin to influence the group. The dynamic hints at deeper personal stories within SEES.

    When
    Early SEES era
    Where
    Iwatodai Dorm / School

  10. Train ambush and the Priestess

    On another full moon, Mitsuru detects a large Shadow presence aboard a train and deploys Makoto, Yukari, and Junpei to investigate. The trio is ambushed as the train accelerates toward disaster, and Junpei confronts the Priestess Arcana. Makoto defeats the Priestess with Junpei and stops the runaway train.

    When
    Full moon
    Where
    Train aboard Port Island line

  11. Delinquent truths and Fuuka's disappearance

    The team questions Port Island delinquents and learns from Shinjiro Aragaki about Fuuka's bullying and her mysterious disappearance. Natsuki Moriyama confesses that she and friends locked Fuuka in the gym, and Fuuka later vanishes while the Apathy cases spread. They deduce Fuuka is likely trapped inside Tartarus and plan a rescue.

    When
    That night
    Where
    Port Island Station

  12. Rescue inside Tartarus

    SEES infiltrates the school and finds Fuuka inside Tartarus as the Dark Hour strikes. Mitsuru and Yukari are attacked by the Emperor and Empress Arcanas at Tartarus' entrance, and Junpei, Akihiko, and Fuuka rush to aid them, though the Arcanas overwhelm their Personas. Fuuka awakens the Persona Lucia and uses it to sense the Arcanas' weaknesses, coordinating the team to defeat the Shadows.

    When
    During the rescue
    Where
    Tartarus entrance / interior

  13. Fuuka joins dorm life

    A few days later, Fuuka moves into the Iwatodai dorm and repairs her relationship with Natsuki. Life returns to a steady normal as the SEES members continue training and planning for future battles. The bonds among the group strengthen as they persevere in their mission.

    When
    A few days after rescue
    Where
    Iwatodai Dorm

  14. Pharos and a girl awaken

    In a post-credits scene, a mysterious boy appears to Makoto and introduces himself as Pharos. Meanwhile, at an undisclosed location, a girl awakens from a slumber, hinting at future revelations and the broader scope of the mystery.

    When
    Post-credits
    Where
    Unknown location

Last updated: January 08, 2026 at 08:32

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Timeline questions answered

PERSONA3 THE MOVIE #1 Spring of Birth Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of PERSONA3 THE MOVIE #1 Spring of Birth (2013): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

What is the Dark Hour in Persona 3?

The Dark Hour is a hidden time period that occurs between midnight and 1 AM, during which the normal world freezes and people transform into coffins. This phenomenon allows monstrous Shadows to roam freely and prey on humans, causing both physical danger and the spread of Apathy Syndrome among victims.

Foreshadowing: The strange phenomenon that grips the city at the opening sets the stage for Makoto's discovery of this hidden time.

  • dark hour
  • shadows
  • coffins
  • phenomenon
  • apathy syndrome
Q2

Why does Makoto become the leader of SEES?

Makoto becomes the leader of SEES after he awakens to having two Personas simultaneously during the first Shadow attack on the dormitory roof. This rare ability, which allows him to summon multiple Personas at once, marks him as exceptionally powerful and positions him as the natural leader for the team's operations against the Shadows.

Foreshadowing: The mysterious boy at the dormitory hints at Makoto's hidden destiny from the very first night.

  • makoto
  • leader
  • sees
  • persona awakening
  • powers
Q3

What is the Velvet Room?

The Velvet Room is a mysterious otherworldly space that exists between dimensions, accessible only to those who have the potential to wield Personas. It is run by Igor and his assistant Elizabeth, who guide individuals with this ability and help them understand and develop their Persona powers.

Foreshadowing: Makoto's early encounter with Igor foreshadows his role as a Persona user destined to confront the Shadows.

  • velvet room
  • igor
  • elizabeth
  • persona
  • otherworld
Q4

Why are Makoto's parents' deaths significant?

Makoto's parents died in the same accident ten years ago that killed Yukari's mother, creating a shared trauma between them. Ikutsuki specifically investigates Makoto because this tragic history coincides with the mysterious phenomenon surrounding the Dark Hour, suggesting his past may be connected to the Shadow threat.

Foreshadowing: Yukari's explanation of their shared loss hints at a larger fate binding them together.

  • makoto parents
  • yukari
  • accident
  • death
  • past
Q5

What is Tartarus?

Tartarus is a massive tower-like labyrinth that exists within Gekkoukan High School during the Dark Hour. It serves as the primary hunting ground for Shadows and the source of the Apathy Syndrome affecting the city. SEES explores Tartarus to battle Shadows and uncover the mysteries behind the Dark Hour.

Foreshadowing: The tower mentioned in the movie's description foreshadows the team's primary battleground.

  • tartarus
  • tower
  • shadows
  • labyrinth
  • high school
Q6

Why did Fuuka Yamagishi disappear?

Fuuka was kidnapped and trapped inside Tartarus after being bullied by Natsuki Moriyama and her friends, who locked her in the gymnasium. Her disappearance coincided with a wave of Apathy Syndrome cases, as Shadows were able to prey on her while she was trapped in the Shadow-infested tower.

Foreshadowing: Shinjiro's warning about Fuuka's bullying and the team's subsequent investigation point to her fate.

  • fuuka
  • disappearance
  • bullying
  • tartarus
  • natsuki
Q7

How does Fuuka awaken her Persona Lucia?

Fuuka awakens her Persona Lucia during the rescue mission inside Tartarus when the team is overwhelmed by the Emperor and Empress Arcanas. After witnessing her friend Natsuki in danger and feeling the desperate need to protect her, Fuuka's latent Persona abilities surface, allowing her to not only summon Lucia but also sense the Arcanas' weaknesses.

Foreshadowing: Fuuka's quiet strength and her friendship with Natsuki foreshadow her ability to awaken when her friend needs her most.

  • fuuka
  • lucia
  • persona awakening
  • emperor empress
  • rescue
Q8

Who is the mysterious boy Pharos?

Pharos is a mysterious boy who appears to Makoto at the Iwatodai Dormitory at the beginning of the movie and presents him with a contract. He reintroduces himself at the end of the movie, hinting at deeper forces at work and suggesting he has some connection to Makoto's destiny regarding the Shadows.

Foreshadowing: Pharos appears at both the beginning and end, establishing him as a key figure in the overarching mystery.

  • pharos
  • mysterious boy
  • contract
  • destiny
  • foreshadowing
Q9

What is Apathy Syndrome?

Apathy Syndrome is a mysterious illness that spreads through victims of Shadow predation during the Dark Hour. Those affected lose all motivation and emotion, effectively becoming living corpses. The phenomenon is directly caused by Shadows feeding on people's vitality during the hidden hour.

Foreshadowing: The spread of Apathy Syndrome throughout the city drives SEES to investigate and confront the Shadow threat.

  • apathy syndrome
  • shadows
  • illness
  • dark hour
  • victims
Q10

Why does Makoto have two Personas?

Makoto awakens to having two Personas simultaneously during the rooftop battle, making him unique among SEES members. This dual awakening occurs in his moment of desperation to protect Yukari and survive the overwhelming Shadow attack, demonstrating exceptional potential that marks him as the group's leader.

Foreshadowing: The mysterious boy's contract with Makoto hints at his exceptional destiny from the start.

  • makoto
  • two personas
  • awakening
  • powers
  • unique
Q11

What is the contract Makoto signs at the dormitory?

When Makoto first arrives at the Iwatodai Dormitory, the mysterious boy Pharos presents him with a contract that marks his entry into the world of Persona users. This contract officially binds Makoto to his destiny as a participant in the battle against Shadows during the Dark Hour.

Foreshadowing: The contract foreshadows Makoto's role as a key player in the Shadow conflict.

  • contract
  • makoto
  • pharos
  • agreement
  • destiny
Q12

Why is Yukari asked to investigate Makoto?

Ikutsuki asks Yukari to investigate Makoto because of his unusual characteristics and the coincidence that his parents died in the same accident that killed her mother ten years ago. This investigation is meant to determine if Makoto's past connects to the Shadow phenomenon threatening the city.

Foreshadowing: The investigation reveals the shared tragedy between Makoto and Yukari.

  • yukari
  • investigation
  • ikutsuki
  • makoto
  • parents
Q13

What are the Emperor and Empress Arcanas in Tartarus?

The Emperor and Empress are powerful Shadow Arcanas that serve as bosses guarding Tartarus' entrance. They possess formidable abilities that initially overwhelm SEES' Personas during the rescue mission, forcing the team to rely on Fuuka's newly awakened Lucia to identify their weaknesses.

Foreshadowing: These Arcana bosses represent early challenges that test the team's growing abilities.

  • emperor
  • empress
  • arcana
  • tartarus
  • boss battle

Movie threads

More Movies Like PERSONA3 THE MOVIE #1 Spring of Birth, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes PERSONA3 THE MOVIE #1 Spring of Birth tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about teens uncovering hidden worlds like PERSONA3 THE MOVIE #1 Spring of Birth

Young protagonists discovering a supernatural reality hidden within their own. Explore movies like PERSONA3 THE MOVIE #1 Spring of Birth, where high school students discover a supernatural realm. These films blend coming-of-age drama with fantasy adventure, following young heroes as they battle threats from a hidden reality.

  • mysterious
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  • Tone: dark, mysterious
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Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a group or individual teens who uncover a concealed dimension, secret society, or supernatural event that disrupts their normal existence. They are often tasked with mastering new abilities and forming a team to defend both worlds from an encroaching threat, all while navigating typical adolescent challenges.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a core premise of a hidden reality revealed to young protagonists. They combine the emotional turbulence of adolescence with high-stakes fantasy or sci-fi conflicts, creating a compelling mix of personal growth and epic-scale danger.

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Movies with found families fighting existential threats like PERSONA3 THE MOVIE #1 Spring of Birth

A group forged by shared trauma unites to fight a world-ending menace. Find movies similar to PERSONA3 THE MOVIE #1 Spring of Birth, featuring groups bonded by trauma against a massive threat. These stories focus on psychological healing and the power of connection in the face of overwhelming darkness and danger.

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  • Tone: dark, heavy, hopeful
  • Pacing: fast, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot revolves around a looming, often cosmic or psychological threat that forces a group of characters to confront their inner demons. Through shared battles and vulnerability, they form an unbreakable family-like unit, finding strength in their connection to overcome both external enemies and internal turmoil.

Why they belong together: This thread groups films that share a heavy emotional core centered on trauma-bonded teams. The combination of high-stakes survival, deep psychological exploration, and the redemptive power of found family creates a specific, intense, and cathartic viewing experience.

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Every angle

PERSONA3 THE MOVIE #1 Spring of Birth (2013) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about PERSONA3 THE MOVIE #1 Spring of Birth in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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