The Anthem of the Heart

The Anthem of the Heart

Year: 2015

Runtime: 119 mins

Language: Japanese

Director: Tatsuyuki Nagai

RomanceMusicAnimationDrama

A young girl mysteriously loses her ability to speak, a consequence meant to prevent her from causing harm with her words. Through discovering the power of music and experiencing the warmth of friendship, her perspective begins to transform. The story explores whether she can ultimately express the deep emotions within her and find her own voice again.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Anthem of the Heart (2015)

Trace every key event in The Anthem of the Heart (2015) 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

Childhood memory: father's infidelity and family conflict

As a young girl, Jun Naruse witnesses her father leaving the love hotel, triggering a painful family conflict. The event seeds feelings of betrayal and guilt that shape her later fears. This memory marks the beginning of Jun's struggle with expressing herself openly.

Childhood Family home
2

The fairy egg curse takes hold

In the aftermath of the conflict, Jun imagines a fairy egg that curses her by sealing her words. The curse causes her to be unable to speak and brings stomachaches whenever she tries to talk. This magical-like burden becomes the central obstacle she must overcome.

Childhood Family/home
3

High school: a new plan to help Jun

Years later, in high school, Jun's homeroom teacher signs her up for a Community Outreach Event with three classmates. The group—Takumi, Natsuki, and Daiki—becomes the core team for a school project. The decision plants the seed for a school musical that will mirror Jun's past.

High school years High school
4

Takumi’s song and Jun’s breakthrough

When Jun visits the committee room to reject the role, she is captivated by Takumi’s singing. She shares her past with him via her phone and asks him to turn her words into a song. She learns that singing can bypass her curse and begin to express herself again.

Day of joining Committee room
5

A school musical is born

The class decides to perform a musical for the school festival based on Jun’s experience, framing it as a fairy-tale-like journey. Their plan transforms personal trauma into collaborative art. This milestone marks the start of their creative process.

Soon after joining Committee room
6

Daiki’s fallout and Jun’s intervention

Daiki clashes with his teammates during early rehearsals, straining group dynamics. Jun intervenes, triggering another stomachache, but the moment ultimately strengthens the bonds within the team. The incident deepens Jun’s commitment to the project.

Early rehearsals Practice space / Committee room
7

Next day: bonds deepen and feelings shift

The fallout is followed by a reconciliation the next day as the team mends fences and grows closer while preparing for the musical. Jun begins to develop romantic feelings for Takumi, while Daiki starts to feel drawn to Jun. The dynamics among the four classmates become more complicated.

Day after fallout Rehearsal space
8

Love-triangle tensions surface

During discussions, Natsuki misreads Takumi’s concern for Jun as romantic interest and vows to support them, despite her own feelings for Takumi. The tension hints at future confessions and heartbreak as the musical nears performance.

During rehearsals School festival committee room
9

Romantic truths emerge

Daiki questions Takumi about his relationship with Natsuki, and Takumi denies dating in middle school. Natsuki reveals she currently has a boyfriend, though she later hints that the boyfriend might be Takumi, complicating everyone's emotions.

Rehearsal period School corridor
10

The night before: Jun overhears the truth

On the eve of the musical, Takumi asks Natsuki about the boy she’s dating, and she finally reveals that the boyfriend is Takumi himself, accusing him of loving Jun. Jun overhears their conversation, is heartbroken, and flees to seek solace with the fairy egg that cursed her.

Night before the musical School grounds
11

Jun confronts fear at the shut-down love hotel

Jun runs away and ends up at a shut-down love hotel, where she unexpectedly can speak normally again. She unleashes her anger, and Takumi tells her the truth: her muteness stems from fear, not the curse. He invites her to vent until she’s satisfied.

Night before the musical Shut-down love hotel
12

Confession and unresolved love

Jun confesses her feelings to Takumi, only to learn that he is still in love with Natsuki. Takumi expresses gratitude for Jun, acknowledging how she helped him find his own voice, which strengthens Jun’s resolve to pursue her singing and performance.

Night Love hotel
13

Return to the stage and final moment

With a new resolve, Jun decides to perform. She and Takumi arrive just in time for the final scene, and Jun sings to convey her feelings to her mother, who finally understands what she’s endured. The performance becomes a turning point for Jun’s heart.

Final act School stage
14

Reality of the egg and the healing

After the performance, Jun realizes the fairy egg was just her own imagination—a scapegoat she used to blame others for her condition. She chooses to open up her heart, and the film closes with the foursome moving toward healing, including reconciliations between Takumi and Natsuki, and Daiki’s confession to Jun.

Ending Ending setting (home/school)

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:59

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