Swallowtail Butterfly

Swallowtail Butterfly

Year: 1996

Runtime: 148 mins

Language: Japanese

Director: Shunji Iwai

CrimeScience FictionMusicDramaIntense violence and sexual transgression

This is the story of Yentowns in Yentown. The struggles of a group of outcasts living in “Yentown”, in an alternate-future Japan.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Swallowtail Butterfly (1996)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Swallowtail Butterfly (1996). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Near future

The movie takes place in a speculative near future where Japan’s yen has become dominant, drawing many immigrants to Tokyo. This period reflects contemporary concerns about economic strength and immigration, blending current social issues with dystopian overtones. The setting highlights a society on the brink of transformation, capturing both hope and desperation within urban life.

Location

Tokyo, Yen Town

Set in Tokyo, the film explores a near-future metropolis that becomes known as Yen Town due to an influx of immigrants attracted by Japan’s strong currency. The city’s streets are a melting pot of cultures, with a gritty underworld where immigrants seek survival and opportunity. Yen Town’s identity is intertwined with its economic prosperity and the social tensions that come with rapid urban change.

🏙️ Urban 🌆 Cityscape 🏭 Industrial

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:56

Main Characters – Swallowtail Butterfly (1996)

Meet the key characters of Swallowtail Butterfly (1996), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Ageha (portrayed by Ayumi Ito)

A sixteen-year-old girl who lost her mother and is taken in by Glico. She is resilient yet vulnerable, navigating her new life with innocence and curiosity. Her journey embodies themes of hope, self-discovery, and the search for belonging.

🌸 Innocent 🌟 Dreamer 🎶 Music lover

Glico (portrayed by Chara)

A Chinese prostitute who cares for Ageha. Glico is tough, resourceful, and protective, symbolizing maternal strength in the harsh environment of Yen Town. Her character embodies loyalty and resilience amidst adversity.

💪 Protector 🎵 Maternal 🥀 Tough love

Fei Hong (portrayed by Hiroshi Mikami)

An auto mechanic and immigrant who is involved in petty crimes. He is depicted as proud yet vulnerable, and his singing of Sinatra’s 'My Way' symbolizes his desire for individual expression and acceptance, even in death.

🚗 Mechanic 💔 Loyal 🎤 Artist

Ran (portrayed by Atsuro Watabe)

A mysterious broker who helps the immigrants with their plans. Ran is calm, perceptive, and strategic, acting as a survivor who values his life and freedom above all else. His role is central to the story’s climax involving loyalty and sacrifice.

🧩 Strategist 🕵️‍♂️ Mysterious 💼 Survivor

Ryo Ranki (implied from summary, played by Kanji Watanabe)

A mob boss involved in tracking the stolen cassette tape. He is cunning, ruthless, and capable of re-evaluating his priorities when faced with personal connections. His character signifies authority and change.

🔫 Ruthless 🕶️ Calculating 🔥 Power

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:56

Major Themes – Swallowtail Butterfly (1996)

Explore the central themes of Swallowtail Butterfly (1996), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🖤 Survival

The film centers on the struggles of immigrants and natives alike to survive in a rapidly changing, often hostile environment. Amid violence, crime, and social exclusion, characters seek stability and hope. Their resilience underscores themes of perseverance in the face of adversity.

🎶 Identity

Throughout the story, characters grapple with their identities and backgrounds, trying to define themselves beyond their circumstances. Ageha's journey from an orphan to someone who finds her voice through music exemplifies this search for self-understanding amid cultural ambiguity.

🌌 Fate and Loyalty

The narrative explores how characters’ choices are influenced by loyalty to friends, family, and their dreams. Betrayals and sacrifices highlight the fragile bonds within Yen Town, as each character faces moments that test their sense of loyalty and destiny.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:56

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Unlock the Full Story of Swallowtail Butterfly

Don't stop at just watching — explore Swallowtail Butterfly 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 Swallowtail Butterfly is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Swallowtail Butterfly Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Swallowtail Butterfly, 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.

Swallowtail Butterfly Summary

Swallowtail Butterfly Timeline

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

Swallowtail Butterfly Timeline

Swallowtail Butterfly Spoiler-Free Summary

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Swallowtail Butterfly Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Swallowtail Butterfly

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Swallowtail Butterfly: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Swallowtail Butterfly

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