Fireworks 2018

Sci-Fi

Drama

Fantasy

Romance

Animation

Family

Box Office

$26M

Runtime

90 min

Language

Japanese

Directed by

Akiyuki Shinbo

Made by

GKIDS

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Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Fireworks (2018). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

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.

In a moment of desperation, Norimichi tosses the marble while wishing for a stroke of luck, inadvertently triggering a rewind of time. This time, Norimichi emerges as the winner of the race, and Nazuna asks him out instead. Their budding romance faces another challenge when they attempt to sneak away to the train station, only to be intercepted by Nazuna’s mother and her fiancé.

Realizing that the reality around him suggests he is caught in an alternate timeline—where the fireworks are indeed flat—Norimichi yearns for a second chance. He hurls the marble from a lighthouse, triggering yet another time reversal as he assists Nazuna in evading her family and boarding the train. However, once again, they are caught, leading to a crescendo of events when Yusuke, in a fit of jealousy, pushes them off a balcony.

Desperate to escape unnoticed, Norimichi wishes upon the marble one last time, compelling time to jump back yet again. This time, fate steers the train on a new course, trapping both him and Nazuna in a peculiar glass dome in their own town. The story takes a surreal turn when a pyrotechnician unwittingly uses the marble as a fireworks charge during a display, causing a vibrant explosion in the sky.

In the aftermath, as they receive a glimpse of their potential future within the shards of glass, Norimichi and Nazuna share a tender embrace. The following day, the absence of both students weighs heavily on the school’s awareness, leaving everyone to wonder what truly happened to them.

Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Fireworks (2018) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

The Bet on Fireworks

In the quaint town of Moshimo, a playful debate unfolds among students about the appearance of fireworks in the sky, whether they are round or flat. This light-hearted argument sets the stage for a series of events driven by youthful curiosity and innuendo.

Moshimo

Finding the Marble

Nazuna discovers a small glass marble, which captures the interest of both her and Norimichi. The marble becomes a catalyst for the following events as it embodies their hopes and desires.

The Swimming Pool Race

Nazuna teams up with Norimichi and Yusuke for an exciting race at the swimming pool. As the competition unfolds, Yusuke emerges victorious, which leads Nazuna to ask him out on a date, sparking jealousy and competition within Norimichi.

Swimming Pool

Nazuna's Departure

As Nazuna prepares to leave home for her date with Yusuke, she packs her suitcase with dreams of a new beginning. However, Yusuke suddenly backs out, leaving Nazuna disheartened and at the mercy of her mother’s plans.

Time Rewind Triggered

In a moment of desperation, Norimichi makes a wish upon the glass marble, inadvertently triggering a rewind of time. This magical moment alters the course of events, allowing Norimichi to win the race this time.

A New Chance

With the race won, Nazuna asks Norimichi out instead. However, their budding romance faces immediate challenges as they try to sneak away to the train station, only to be intercepted by her mother and her fiancé.

Train Station

The Alternate Reality

As Norimichi realizes he is caught in an alternate timeline, he longs for another chance to escape with Nazuna. The pressure mounts, creating a sense of urgency and excitement in their adventurous spirits.

Another Time Rewind

Norimichi throws the marble from a lighthouse in desperation, triggering yet another rewind in time. This new attempt allows him to successfully assist Nazuna in avoiding her family and boarding the train, yet they still face complications.

Lighthouse

Yusuke's Jealousy

In a fit of jealousy, Yusuke pushes Norimichi and Nazuna off a balcony, complicating their escape plans dramatically. This moment of chaos highlights the intensity of their intertwined relationships.

Final Wish

Desperate for peace and a chance to be free, Norimichi makes one last wish upon the marble, sending him and Nazuna back in time. This final effort leads them into a strange glass dome, elevating the stakes of their predicament.

Glass Dome

The Pyrotechnician's Mistake

During a fireworks display, a pyrotechnician unwittingly uses the glass marble, creating a vibrant explosion in the sky. This surreal event becomes a significant turning point, merging their dreams with reality.

A Glimpse of the Future

As they look into the shards of glass, Norimichi and Nazuna share a tender embrace, contemplating their possible future together. This intimate moment symbolizes hope amidst uncertainty.

Mystery of Their Absence

The following day, the absence of Norimichi and Nazuna leaves a heavy air in their school. Their classmates are left wondering about the fate of the two students, pondering the unexplained events that transpired.

School

Characters

Explore all characters from Fireworks (2018). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Norimichi Shimada

Norimichi is a spirited and reflective young boy who grapples with his feelings for Nazuna. He demonstrates courage in the face of adversity and exhibits a longing for adventure and romance. His unique ability to manipulate time showcases his desire for control over his circumstances and the pursuit of happiness.

👦 Youthful 🏆 Determined 💖 Romantic

Nazuna Oikawa

Nazuna is a vibrant and adventurous girl, yearning for connection and escape from her constrained environment. She embodies the free spirit of youth and is driven by her emotions, seeking both love and adventure. Her character represents the complexities of adolescent feelings and the impact of societal expectations.

👧 Adventurous 💫 Free-spirited 💔 Yearning

Yûsuke

Yûsuke is a competitive and somewhat jealous character who serves as a rival to Norimichi. His actions, driven by his feelings for Nazuna, highlight the complexities of teenage relationships. His need for validation and fear of loss play a significant role in the film's emotional conflicts.

👦 Competitive 😒 Jealous 🔥 Passionate

Setting

Learn where and when Fireworks (2018) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

The movie unfolds within a contemporary period, marked by the vibrant energy of youth and the fleeting nature of summer. It captures the essence of adolescence, with its dreams, uncertainties, and the desperate yearning for second chances. This is a time where the boundaries of reality can be tested and reimagined.

Location

Moshimo

Moshimo is a charming and whimsical town that embodies the concept of possibilities, aptly named for 'if.' It serves as the backdrop for the profound and fantastical moments of the characters' lives, acting as a character in its own right. Known for its beautiful landscapes and serene atmosphere, Moshimo amplifies the themes of youth and the unpredictability of fate.

🏡 Town 🍀 Quaint

Themes

Discover the main themes in Fireworks (2018). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

💔

Love

The theme of love is central to the story, as Norimichi and Nazuna navigate their feelings amidst complicated circumstances. Their budding romance is challenged by external factors and the constraints of reality, leading to moments of vulnerability and connection. The film explores the essence of young love and the longing for acceptance.

⏳

Time

Time plays a crucial role in the narrative, with the ability to reverse and alter events as a pivotal element. Norimichi's wish upon the marble illustrates the desire to control one's fate and rewrite the past. This theme evokes contemplation about the choices we make and their impact on our lives.

⚡

Youth

Youth is depicted as a time of exploration, challenges, and self-discovery. The characters embody the spirit of adolescence, replete with dreams, fears, and a yearning for freedom. Their adventures highlight the transformative power of this life stage amid the constraints imposed by family and society.

Fireworks Ending Explained

Unravel the ending of Fireworks (2018) with our detailed explanation. Understand the final scenes, character fates, and unresolved questions.

Fireworks presents a cyclical and symbolic story about hope, life, and the value of human connections. Throughout the film, the characters are caught in an inexplicable time loop, reliving the same suicide attempt over and over. The repeated explosions of the fireworks serve as a metaphor for their struggles and the moments when they consider ending their lives, but these iterations also become a process of catharsis and reflection. Despite the destructive intent behind the bomb, the characters begin to realize that they are alive for reasons beyond their suffering. This realization is symbolized by the words “urip iku urup,” which mean “to live is to light up,” showing that life, no matter how painful, still has meaning and potential.

In the end, as the characters confront the pain and guilt that led them to consider death, they find hope and decide to abort their plans. They recognize that their tragedies can be transformed into moments of understanding and connection if they choose to see life as worth living. After deciding to move forward, the characters leave the room just as the fireworks explode into a beautiful display in the sky, symbolizing their renewed hope, the light of life, and the collective strength to embrace their future. The film concludes with each of them rebuilding their lives—Fahmi opening a new fireworks factory, Raga starting a healthy food business, Sukma mending her relationship with her husband, and Anggun growing into a resilient young woman—showing that even from despair, hope can ignite, and life can be valued again. Ultimately, the movie leaves the audience with a poignant message: that every attempt at ending life may contain within it the possibility of a new beginning, and that sometimes, the act of choosing to keep living is its own form of fireworks—bright, beautiful, and full of promise.

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