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Action thriller

Bubble (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Bubble (2022) movie poster

Bubble is a 2022 action thriller directed by Tetsurô Araki, starring Jun Shison as Hibiki, Mamoru Miyano and Marina Inoue. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes and earned $509,309 worldwide. Critics gave it 52% on Rotten Tomatoes and 56 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10.

IMDb rating
6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
52%
worldwide gross
$509.3K
Echo Score
64
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Bubble (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 40m (100 min)
Director
Tetsurô Araki
Genres
Action , Adventure , Drama , Sport
Original language
Japanese
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Bubble About?

The premise of Bubble without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

In a bizarre Tokyo where gravity has become unpredictable, two individuals find connection amidst the upheaval. Hibiki, a skilled parkour practitioner, risks everything with a daring jump and is unexpectedly saved by the mysterious Uta. As they navigate a city transformed into a chaotic obstacle course, they uncover a hidden truth that binds them together and may hold the answer to Tokyo's strange gravitational instability.

Bubble Themes & Keywords

· 34 tags
  • bubble
  • exploration
  • power
  • skyline
  • love
  • life
  • city
  • tokyo japan
  • anime animation
  • epic fantasy
  • feel good romance
  • gravity
+22 more
  • destruction
  • parent
  • post apocalypse
  • parkour
  • partner
  • group
  • young
  • epic sci fi
  • original anime
  • one word title
  • urban adventure
  • defying gravity
  • dilapidated
  • bubbles
  • mysterious girl
  • boy
  • gravity anomaly
  • domed city
  • tokyo
  • dynamism
  • extraterrestrial life
  • fantastical adventure
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Cast & crew

Bubble Cast & Characters

Jun Shison leads the cast as Hibiki, with Mamoru Miyano as Shin and Marina Inoue as Undertaker Leader. Directed by Tetsurô Araki; 14 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Bubble

· 10 more
Ratings

Bubble Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Bubble 52% on Rotten Tomatoes and 56 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 64/100, strongest in art & craft (88) and weakest in story & flow (42).

64 /100

Bubble Echo Score Breakdown

Bubble delivers striking visual design and an energetic soundtrack, but its narrative struggles to maintain cohesion and depth. Critics and viewers alike commend the fluid animation, parkour sequences, and atmospheric world‑building, while repeatedly noting underdeveloped characters and a plot that feels conventional and rushed. The combination of high‑grade art and a faltering story limits its broader appeal.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 88

    Regarding art and craft, Bubble excels in animation quality and imaginative set pieces. Reviewers highlight the dazzling parkour choreography, detailed post‑apocalyptic environments, and seamless blend of 2D and 3D techniques. Even critics who found the story lacking praised the visual polish, though a few noted occasional inconsistency in frame style. Overall, the film’s artistic execution stands out.

  • Character & Emotion 50

    Character and emotion receive mixed feedback; the central romance is often described as thin and forgettable. Some critics note layered designs in the protagonists, yet many point to generic, one‑dimensional supporting cast and limited chemistry. Voice performances are called subpar by several users. Consequently, character depth remains a notable weakness.

  • Story & Flow 42

    Story and flow emerge as the film’s weakest pillar. Multiple reviewers label the plot as predictable, slow‑paced, and riddled with unexplained concepts, with the romance feeling rushed toward the finale. While the premise of parkour‑driven survival intrigues, the execution falters, resulting in an underwhelming narrative experience.

  • Sensory Experience 84

    Sensory experience shines through Bubble’s soundtrack and sound design, with many praising Hiroyuki Sawano’s score as “god‑tier” and perfectly matched to action sequences. The auditory landscape complements the vivid visuals, creating an immersive atmosphere despite occasional tonal shifts. This sensory cohesion significantly elevates the viewing experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 58

    Rewatch factor is moderate; the film’s visual spectacle and music encourage repeat viewings for fans of animation, yet the thin storyline and bland characters diminish lasting appeal. Positive remarks focus on enjoying the parkour set‑pieces again, while criticism centers on limited narrative incentive to return. Thus, replay value is modest.

Plot

Bubble Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Bubble from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the near future, a surreal phenomenon unfolds as countless bubbles bend the very laws of reality around the world. An explosion at Tokyo Tower concentrates these bubbles into Tokyo itself, transforming it into an uninhabitable landscape where only the bold and defiant dare to survive. In this fractured city, young people carve out a risky life by trading supplies through parkour tournaments, turning gravity-defying runs into a currency of resilience. Within this dangerous backdrop, a parkour squad called the Blue Blazes stands out, and at its heart is an 18-year-old Hibiki, a prodigy whose extraordinary skill on the rooftops masks a quiet isolation caused by a heightened hearing sensitivity.

Full summary

The whole story of Bubble, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Bubble Box Office

Bubble grossed $509,309 worldwide.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$509.3K

International
$509.3K
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Bubble?

9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 9

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered

What is the name of the parkour team that Hibashi belongs to?

Cars

Cars in Bubble

21 cars on screen, including the 2005 BMW 3 E90 and the Hino Blue Ribbon.

All 21 cars
  • 2005 BMW 3 E90 in Bubble 2005 BMW 3 E90 Minor role
  • Hino Blue Ribbon in Bubble Hino Blue Ribbon Minor role
  • 2002 Hino Ranger in Bubble 2002 Hino Ranger Minor role
  • Hitachi ZW-Series in Bubble Hitachi ZW-Series Minor role
Details

Bubble Also Known As

21 alternative titles, including “Бульбашка” and “Cliff Beasts 6: Battle for Everest - Memories of a Requiem”.

Also known as
  • Бульбашка
  • Cliff Beasts 6: Battle for Everest - Memories of a Requiem
  • الفقاعة
  • Пузырь
  • 泡泡剧组
  • 더 버블
  • Bańka
  • La Bulle
  • A Bolha
  • Nella bolla
  • У бульбашці
  • A buborék
+9 more
  • Trường Quay Bong Bóng
  • La burbuja
  • V bublině
  • הקפסולה
  • 泡泡劇組
  • U balonu
  • ザ・バブル
  • Bula
  • حباب

Seen Bubble?

FAQ

Bubble FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Bubble, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Bubble?

Bubble runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).

When was Bubble released?

Bubble was released on April 28, 2022.

Who directed Bubble?

Bubble was directed by Tetsurô Araki.

Who is in the cast of Bubble?

Bubble stars Jun Shison as Hibiki, Mamoru Miyano as Shin and Marina Inoue as Undertaker Leader, among 14 credited actors.

How much did Bubble make at the box office?

Bubble grossed $509,309 worldwide.

How is Bubble rated?

Bubble has 6.4/10 on IMDb, 52% on Rotten Tomatoes, 56 on Metacritic and 1.8/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Bubble have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Bubble has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

What language is Bubble in?

The original language of Bubble is Japanese.

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