Fireworks (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
Fireworks is a 2018 animated drama directed by Akiyuki Shinbo and Nobuyuki Takeuchi, starring Masaki Suda as Norimichi, Michiko Neya and Suzu Hirose. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes and earned $25.7 million worldwide. Critics gave it 40 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10. Stream it on HBO Max and Hoopla, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 30m (90 min)
- Directors
- Akiyuki Shinbo and Nobuyuki Takeuchi
- Original language
-
Japanese
- Studio
- GKIDS
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Fireworks About?
The premise of Fireworks without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
A shy young man and a charming friend find themselves competing for the attention of a girl hoping to avoid her mother's remarriage. Their escape attempt leads them to a mysterious orb that allows them to relive moments, offering a chance to pursue their feelings. However, each time loop presents new complications and alters their reality, blurring the lines between their desires and the consequences of manipulating time.
Fireworks Themes & Keywords
· 37 tags- high school
- fireworks
- teenager
- elope
- time travel
- running away from home
- tram
- festival
- seaside
- underwater scene
- wind turbine
- bicycle
+25 more Show fewer
- riding a bicycle
- beach
- sea
- marble
- classroom
- letter
- swimming pool
- punched in the face
- lighthouse
- singing
- teenage boy
- teenage girl
- teenage love
- jealousy
- remake
- family relationships
- race
- fistfight
- playing a video game
- alternate timeline
- step father step daughter relationship
- anime animation
- based on japanese tv series
- question in title
- based on tv series
Where to Watch Fireworks
Stream it on HBO Max and Hoopla, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 3
Fireworks Cast & Characters
Masaki Suda leads the cast as Norimichi, with Michiko Neya as Norimichi no haha and Suzu Hirose as Nazuna. Directed by Akiyuki Shinbo and Nobuyuki Takeuchi; 12 actors are credited in all.
- Co-director Akiyuki Shinbo
- Co-director Nobuyuki Takeuchi
-
Masaki Suda as Norimichi - Michiko Neya as Norimichi no haha
-
Suzu Hirose as Nazuna -
Kana Hanazawa as Miura sensei
Also Starring in Fireworks
· 8 more- Takahiro Sakurai Mitsuishi sensei
- Mamoru Miyano Yûsuke
- Yuki Kaji
- Toshiyuki Toyonaga Kazuhiro
- Mitsuru Miyamoto Yûsuke no chichi
- Shintaro Asanuma
- Takako Matsu
- Shinichirô Miki
Fireworks Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Fireworks 40 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 48/100, strongest in art & craft (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).
Fireworks Echo Score Breakdown
Fireworks presents a visually distinctive but uneven narrative that struggles to cohere its emotional and thematic ambitions. While several reviews highlight the film’s textured seaside landscapes and evocative soundtrack, many note its sluggish pacing and disjointed genre shifts that undermine engagement. Character portrayals are frequently described as shallow, and the time-travel premise often complicates rather than enriches the plot. Consequently, Fireworks yields a mixed viewing experience that excels in style but falls short in sustained narrative and emotional depth.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 75
In terms of art direction and cinematography, Fireworks delivers striking coastal vistas and detailed incidental artwork. The film's editing offers measured transitions, and several critics praise the glittery magic ball sequences for their visual coherence. However, some reviews find certain backdrops flat and repetitive, limiting visual momentum. Overall, the film’s art design provides memorable moments but lacks consistent dynamism.
- Character & Emotion 45
When it comes to character depth and emotional resonance, Fireworks underwhelms with protagonists who often feel underdeveloped. Observers note that Nazuna frequently functions as a narrative object, and emotional connections are hampered by limited backstory and shallow dialogue. While a few marginal moments of charm emerge, the film overall struggles to forge lasting empathy or compelling interpersonal chemistry.
- Story & Flow 35
Regarding story coherence and pacing, Fireworks exhibits a novel premise that ultimately drags through uneven narrative beats. Critics highlight confusing temporal shifts and a blend of comedy, drama, and sci-fi that fail to integrate into a cohesive plot. Some users appreciate the unusual structure, but the combination often feels disjointed. Consequently, the storyline remains intriguing in intent but inconsistent in execution.
- Sensory Experience 70
In terms of sensory experience, Fireworks features an evocative soundtrack and polished sound design that enhance key emotional moments. The film’s visual style showcases vivid color palettes and photorealistic digital backdrops, which some find immersive and others deem lacking in texture. While the audio-visual coordination earns praise for mood-setting, the overall sensory cohesion occasionally falters amid tonal shifts.
- Rewatch Factor 30
When assessing rewatch value, Fireworks offers limited appeal for repeat viewing due to its uneven narrative and shallow emotional impact. While the striking visuals and melodic score may invite a second look for style appreciation, most viewers report minimal new insights on subsequent watches. As a result, the film’s lasting appeal remains restricted to its aesthetic elements rather than its substantive content.
-
IMDb 5.6 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 40 Metascore
User score 4.3
See on Metacritic -
Letterboxd 2.5 /5
24 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Fireworks Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Fireworks 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 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Norimichi Shimada and Nazuna Oikawa reside in the quaint town of Moshimo—a place aptly named for “if.” When a playful bet among students ensues regarding whether the fireworks in the sky appear round or flat, the stakes rise. Upon discovering a small glass marble, Nazuna teams up with Norimichi and Yusuke for a thrilling race at the swimming pool. Victory goes to Yusuke, which prompts Nazuna to ask him out on a date. As she makes preparations to leave home with a packed suitcase, Yusuke unexpectedly backs out, leading Nazuna’s mother to whisk her away.
Full summary
The whole story of Fireworks, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Fireworks Box Office
Fireworks grossed $25.7 million worldwide. $525,280 came from the US and Canada and $25.1 million (98%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$25.7M
- US & Canada
- $525.3K
- International
- $25.1M
How Well Do You Know Fireworks?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What town do Norimichi and Nazuna live in?
Cars in Fireworks
5 cars on screen, including the 2013 Maserati Quattroporte VI and the BMW X5 E70.
-
2013 Maserati Quattroporte VI Important role -
BMW X5 E70 Background role -
Daihatsu Hijet Background role -
2007 Toyota Noah Background role
Fireworks Also Known As
26 alternative titles, including “Uchiage hanabi, shita kara miru ka? Yoko kara miru ka?” and “Fireworks. Do You Want to See Them From Below or From the Side?”.
- Also known as
-
- Uchiage hanabi, shita kara miru ka? Yoko kara miru ka?
- Fireworks. Do You Want to See Them From Below or From the Side?
- Should We See It From the Side or the Bottom?
- 쏘아올린 불꽃
- 밑에서 볼까? 옆에서 볼까?
- 打ち上げ花火、下から見るか?横から見るか?:2017
- 煙花,應該和誰看
- 打ち上げ花火
- 下から見るか
- 横から見るか
- 升空的焰火,从下面看?还是从侧面看?
- 烟花,应该和谁看
+14 more Show fewer
- ระหว่างเราและดอกไม้ไฟ - Fireworks
- ระหว่างเราและดอกไม้ไฟ
- Fireworks: vanno visti di lato o dal basso?
- 밑에서 볼까? 옆에서 볼까?
- Fireworks — Alles eine Frage der Zeit
- 烟花
- 煙花
- Luzes no Céu: Fireworks
- Как смотреть фейерверк
- ระหว่างเรา และดอกไม้ไฟ
- Luces en el cielo
- Pháo Hoa
- Nên Ngắm Từ Dưới Hay Bên Cạnh?
- זיקוקים
Seen Fireworks?
Movies Like Fireworks
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Fireworks, Should We See It from the Side or the Bottom?, Time Freak and About Time.
Fireworks FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Fireworks, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Fireworks?
Fireworks runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).
When was Fireworks released?
Fireworks was released on July 3, 2018.
Who directed Fireworks?
Fireworks was directed by Akiyuki Shinbo and Nobuyuki Takeuchi.
More films by Akiyuki Shinbo Who is in the cast of Fireworks?
Fireworks stars Masaki Suda as Norimichi, Michiko Neya as Norimichi no haha and Suzu Hirose as Nazuna, among 12 credited actors.
Where can I watch Fireworks?
In the US, Fireworks is streaming on HBO Max and Hoopla and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies (availability from JustWatch).
How much did Fireworks make at the box office?
Fireworks grossed $25.7 million worldwide ($525,280 domestic, $25.1 million international).
How is Fireworks rated?
Fireworks has 5.6/10 on IMDb, 40 on Metacritic and 2.5/5 on Letterboxd.
Does Fireworks have a post-credit scene?
No. Fireworks has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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