Little Amelie or the Character of Rain (2025) Movie Script
1
In the beginning,
there was nothing.
Nothing except God.
How long had God been around?
No one's old enough to say.
Anyway, the universe was
rather empty, as you can see.
But that was fine, 'cause
God didn't look at anything
or want anything.
God wasn't interested
in anything.
God didn't even care
about being God.
It might be best
to think of God as a tube.
Yes, a tube.
Allow me to explain.
All God ever did was
swallow, digest, and eject.
God's divine sustenance
came in and went out.
But God retained nothing.
Just like a tube.
The eyes of living beings
possess the most
remarkable properties.
The gaze.
Hmm, hmm.
We don't say that
the ears have a listener...
...or that the nose
has a smeller or a sniffer,
but the eyes have a gaze.
What's the difference between
the eyes that have a gaze
and eyes that don't?
There's a word for it:
life.
God did not have a gaze.
Hmm.
I'm afraid
your child is a vegetable.
Alarming, wouldn't you think?
But the child's parents
were the optimistic sort.
And to be honest,
as things stood,
they didn't seem to mind
this development.
You see, they already
had two children,
two children who were
very, very much alive.
So a quiet,
little plant like this one
was a gift, really.
That was God's greatest power.
God was unflappable.
Not all the pilgrims
who came to pay homage,
not all the tickling,
not volcanoes,
not even the most
ecstatic music.
Nothing could faze God.
I know humans
who would pay dearly
for such a power,
the power of serenity.
Still, everyone wanted
God to show signs of life,
of movement,
of anything at all, really.
But all God did was
keep on doing nothing.
So little by little,
people lost interest in God
until God was almost
forgotten about completely.
Days, weeks, centuries passed.
Stop! That's it.
What happened that day
remains a mystery.
Some people deny
the role of accidents
in evolution.
They want a reason
for everything,
but sometimes all it takes
is a speck of dust.
Just the tiniest,
little speck of dust...
...to change everything.
Happy Birthday, dear Amlie
I'll blow out the candles.
No, it's my turn.
What's happening?
Mama, I'm scared.
Don't panic.
It's only a little earthquake,
they happen a lot
here in Japan.
Papa!
Quick, kids, under the table!
God was finally
endowed with gaze
and a body too.
What could God do now?
Was this a good thing?
Are you okay, baby?
Baby?
Who was this baby?
God wasn't a baby.
God immediately spoke up
to set the record straight,
declaring,
in God's celestial tone...
Ah! That's right.
It's a miracle.
That was wonderful, sweetie.
No, it wasn't.
It wasn't wonderful at all.
- Bravo, sweetheart!
- Their lips move
and words come out.
- She talks like a baby!
- When God's lips move,
only noise comes out.
Uh, what do we do?
Oh, uh...oh, wait,
I got it, I'll call my mom.
What? Patrick!
It wasn't for lack of trying,
but all God could do
was scream in despair.
God's body was a prison.
Mom, she's throwing
her toys again!
It went
right through the window!
Andre! Stop it!
I'll stop it when she stops it!
Mom, she took my things again!
Juliette, please.
I'm sick and tired of this!
Ohayo, gozaimasu.
- Andre!
- I'm gonna get you!
Give it back!
Arigato, Kashima-san.
Care to come in?
Sorry, we're in a little
over our heads today.
No! That's mine!
I can't take it
anymore, this is impossible.
I can't rehearse for my concert,
and what about you?
You don't even
resemble a diplomat.
Guess who brought this back?
Oh, no.
Oh yes, our dear landlady.
She scared me half to death.
It's like she was lurking
out there waiting for me.
She saw the window?
What's she going to think of us?
She knows a girl
who could help us out.
The girl's family served hers
before the war.
I'm so embarrassed.
That's a good idea,
give her a call.
Can you see who that is?
Yeah, yeah, I've got it.
Ohayo, Nish--
Mother?
That's right.
It's good to see you.
But, wha--what are you--
Though I think you were really
expecting this young woman.
Oh, Nishio-san.
- Granny!
- Oh, my little darlings,
how big you've grown.
My tooth is loose, look.
Ugh!
What a killer smile.
Who is that lady?
Mother, kids,
this is Nishio-san.
She's gonna help us out
around here.
Please, come in.
Dozo, dozo, this way.
Oh, I'll take care of those.
Granny, did you
bring us any chocolates?
- Yes, I did.
- Ooh, thanks.
- And comic books?
- Why, of course.
You don't look so well, sweetie.
We'd given up expecting you.
-It's been so long.
-There was so much to do
getting ready for the visit.
Just look at this suit.
Isn't it perfect?
- It's been six months.
- Wow.
Oh, hi there, I'm Danile.
I really appreciate
you helping us out.
Your mother's here?
Hello, my de--
You look a little
frazzled as well.
Ah, is that my little treasure?
Come on.
More like a little monster.
Nishio-san,
let me show you around.
It's changed a lot
since you were young.
In here.
- Ready?
- Ready.
Look in the bed.
You wait right here,
children, let me handle this.
Hello there.
Mmm. I'm your grandmother.
It's nice to finally meet--
Oh, aren't you crabby?
Wait, I know just what you need.
I always carry one of these
in my bag.
A little pick me up.
This is white chocolate
from Belgium,
where you come from.
Go on, try it.
A miracle transpired.
- Mama, Papa!
- Come and see!
What's happened?
The joy of white chocolate
showed me that God was me.
Meet my good friend Amlie.
And that's how I was born
at the age of two and a half
in the heart of
the Konsai Mountains,
under the gaze of
my paternal grandmother,
and by the grace
of white chocolate.
This calls for champagne,
don't you think?
I had become joy.
Wherever joy was to be found,
there you would find me too.
Joy had finally brought
my body to life.
Chocolate awakened
all my senses.
In mere days, I made up
for all the lost time,
though I didn't really
think of that time
as having been lost.
Apparently humans should know
how to walk by two and a half.
Walking wasn't
all that complicated.
You fall forward,
catch yourself, and repeat.
But then there was running.
Running is escape.
It's the verb of
bandits and superheroes.
Whoa!
But it's more exhausting.
Most importantly,
by age two and a half,
humans are supposed
to know how to talk.
Ah--
What was this strange,
long-necked creature?
And how was it able
to do what it did,
to take something
and leave nothing?
Only a God could
perform such a miracle.
What could be more divine
than this pure and
simple annihilation?
I knew then that
I had a brother.
Come away, Amlie,
Nishio-san needs to use that--
Vacuum cleaner.
- Snack time.
- Wait for me.
Patrick, Patrick!
Amlie just said her first word!
That's wonderful, what was it?
Vacuum cleaner.
Vacuum cleaner?
What a lovely word!
Bravo, Amlie.
Try another word, Amlie.
Try saying Ma-ma.
Well, clearly
this meant a lot to them.
Mama.
Very good, Amlie!
That's me, Mama!
It's my turn now, my turn.
Pa...pa!
-Papa.
-That's right, sweetie.
Bravo! Papa!
What a strange reaction.
It was as if
they needed me
to say their names
to prove they existed.
Oh, cut it out!
Juliette.
She said my name.
She said Juliette.
- Granny.
- Oh, my little angel.
You're so clever.
My brother
loved to torture me.
He'd spend whole afternoons
reading comics...
...on top of me.
-She isn't gonna say your name.
-Oh, like I care anyway.
Just give her time.
She only knows a few words.
Not true,
I can say a lot of words.
You...you know how to talk?
Yes, I've always known how.
She speaks like an empress.
What a remarkable child.
She chooses her words.
Stop sulking, young man.
This calls for more champagne.
Good thing
you were there, Granny.
You were the only one...
...who could see the real me.
I'll miss you, Granny.
You'll come back soon?
Of course.
But next time you'll be so big,
I'll hardly recognize you.
Now look after your parents
because they need it.
Where is Amlie?
Oh, yeah.
I want to say goodbye.
I'll get her,
but hop in the car.
We don't want to be late.
Good heavens!
What are you doing
here, you little minx?
Where are you going?
The land of white chocolate.
Oh, I'm going to miss you.
I don't know where she--
oh, there you are.
Come on, Granny's gonna
be late for her plane.
Take me away, driver.
Mama, will she be back soon?
Well, not very soon.
She's going to Belgium,
that's far away.
Across the world.
Across the world?
I don't want that.
It's not fair.
Why doesn't she stay here?
Because she has to go home.
What do you think?
Don't be such a baby.
Andre, stop fighting.
You too, Amlie.
She almost broke my camera.
-Hey!
-She's just a little kid.
She doesn't know what that is.
Whatever, I didn't ask you.
That's enough.
Both of you go to your rooms.
They didn't understand.
This coarse Belgium may have
given me white chocolate,
but now it was taking
away my grandmother.
The only one who didn't
treat me like a baby.
It was intolerable!
I'm a ykai!
Look at this.
This guy is Otoroshi,
he's a ykai whose job
is to protect the gods.
He's usually found in shrines
that are very remote
and isolated.
When someone does something
bad there, or misbehaves,
he makes the loudest noise
you ever heard!
And he punishes the evildoers
by falling on them
from a great height
and crushing them.
His job is to teach
humans a lesson.
More, read more.
There are lots more ykai...
...but we'll save them
for next time.
Wanna help?
Arigato, Am-chan.
Nishio-san!
Open up.
Open up, everyone!
It was my first
springtime ever.
Nature and I awoke together.
At my command,
I saw the plants rejoice!
Nishio-san, Nishio-san!
Why are you out here
on your own so early?
I wanted you to read
about more monsters,
but I left the book
in the kitchen.
Then let's go get it.
Hello, Kashima-san,
it's good to see you again.
I wanted to thank you
for this job.
Hello, Nishio-san.
What's that girl
doing in the garden?
Amlie came looking for me
and found me by the pond.
You don't have time
to waste on her.
Just keep my property in order
by performing the duties
my tenants aren't able to.
That is your job.
Yes ma'am, you're right.
But I'm helping them out
by watching Amlie here.
She looked so sad, this lady.
Go on home. I'll be right there.
What was her problem?
Those tight lips
and sinister eyes.
The only way to explain it
was that she was
refusing to love me.
She only had to look
at Nishio-san,
who was radiating happiness,
to see that it was good
to love me.
Poor Kashima-san.
I think she suffered
from the disease
of holding back too much.
Ah, Amlie, where were you?
Papa, what is that?
It's a carp.
It's the symbol of boys,
and May is their month.
Why the month of May?
Hmm, I don't know.
Why a month for boys?
Good question.
Which month is for girls?
I, uh, don't think there is one.
Well, then why is it a carp?
Why do babies always
have to ask why?
Okay, Papa, I'm done.
All right.
Come on sweetie, let's go.
It was so unfair.
Why a month for boys
and not girls?
Not even a day for girls.
Not even a symbol.
And again, why a carp?
I want to see a real carp!
I'm sure we can arrange that.
Oh, why don't we ask Nishio-san
where to find some.
I didn't really
wanna leave my sanctuary,
but I had to.
I needed to see a carp
to find out why
they symbolized my brother.
It's so beautiful.
Almost there.
So this was it?
The house of carp?
Come on, Juliette, come on!
- So where are the carp?
- Papa, come on,
-let's go.
-Hold on. I don't know, sweetie.
Look! Look up there.
They're this way,
Am-chan, over here.
Thanks Nishio-san,
we'll be right there.
Just you wait, some of the carp
are over 100 years old.
Are you all right?
Bleh!
Carp are really ugly,
aren't they?
I can't say I ever
found them very cute.
That's why
they're the symbol of boys
because you're the worst fish.
It also might be because they
have long whiskers.
The Japanese
definitely picked
the right fish to symbolize
the uglier gender.
Mmnn!
Bah, bah. Bah.
Amlie, Nishio-san, let's go.
It's starting to rain!
We'll be right there.
Hurry up, Amlie,
or you'll melt!
Aw, can't we stay?
I wanna stand in the rain.
Of course you do,
you are the rain.
The first part of
your name, Am,
means rain in Japanese.
My name fit me perfectly.
Like the rain, I was both
precious and perilous.
Benign and deadly.
Silent and tempestuous.
But above all,
I felt invincible.
When we get home, I'll show
you how to write your name.
I was the rain.
Last one to the kitchen
is a rotten egg!
Woah! Take off those wet socks!
He's the rotten egg.
Nuh-uh, you are. I beat you!
No you didn't, you cheated!
Show me, Nishio-san.
You said you'd show me how
to write my name in Japanese.
Maybe we change first?
When we got home
is what you said.
You're right, I did say that.
Now stick your finger up.
-Like that?
-Yes, very good.
Now come close to the window
and let me guide you.
First draw a horizontal line
like this for the sky.
Then you draw half of a square,
then a vertical line from
the sky to the earth,
and last of all,
four little drops.
And that's how you draw am,
the character for rain.
I can't really see it.
Hold on.
How about now?
Okay, time to go get changed.
I think I'd always known it,
but now there wasn't
any doubt about it.
I was Japanese.
That was the first time
I'd ever seen my father cry.
He looks like a giant baby.
Why are you crying, Papa?
Are you scared of the storm?
No, sweetie.
Papa's crying because...
because his mother,
Granny, is gone.
Yeah, she went to Belgium.
No, Amlie,
it's different this time.
Granny will never
be coming back.
She's dead, Amlie.
I'm really sorry.
Dead?
Yes, my angel.
You're too young to understand.
Go play with your brother and
sister, I'll be right there.
Death, I knew what it was.
Oh, honey.
But that didn't mean
I understood it.
My granny had
saved me from death,
and then in no time at all,
it was her turn.
Like it was a trade off
or something.
But why?
What is this?
A koma,
that's Japanese for a top.
Try to make yours do that.
Okay, watch.
Like this.
Nishio-san, why do we die?
Why do we die?
Um, maybe because...
'cause it's God's will?
God?
I didn't want
my grandmother to die.
What?
Your grandmother's dead?
Yeah, my mama told me.
Oh, that's terrible.
I had no idea,
Amlie, I'm so sorry.
Why do we die?
Uh, because when
you've lived a good long life,
like your grandmother did,
you get tired.
So you sleep and
that's a good thing.
But don't young people die too?
Yes, well...
During the war,
I saw a lot of death.
Tell me about the war.
Oh, that's ancient history.
You don't wanna hear about that.
I do.
Tell me about it, please.
Okay, then I'll try.
It was long ago.
I was a kid.
I was having breakfast with
my parents and my older sister
when the bombs
started raining down.
It wasn't the first time
for Kobe,
but that day I felt the bombs
were meant for us.
And I wasn't wrong.
Right next to me,
there was a huge explosion.
I couldn't believe
I was still alive.
I tried to move
my arms and legs,
but something was stopping me.
It took me a while
to realize I was buried.
Strangely enough, I felt safe,
but I began to run out of air.
So I started digging,
digging, digging,
not knowing where I was going.
Then I pricked up my ears.
I told myself that
wherever there was noise,
there would be life.
But I was wrong.
There was only death.
I lost my whole family that day.
I hope I'm not scaring you
too much with this story.
Were you sad then?
Like my papa?
Yes, but time heals many things,
and the memory of my loved ones
is still fresh with me
and continues
to guide me through life.
Do you still see them?
Not the way you see me now.
They walk a different path now,
perhaps becoming
something else altogether.
I picture them and
talk to them sometimes.
It soothes me.
There's a special occasion
coming up.
It's a major event in Japan.
We light candles and
float them down the river,
like for a birthday.
We do it to honor
those we've lost
and to help them on their way.
Can I come and see it?
Maybe.
We'll have to ask your mom.
You can help me
get ready for it.
How long will Papa
be in Belgium for?
Two months.
They'll go by fast, don't worry.
Come on, try and get it.
- Pass it to me! To me!
- You have to get it.
- Here, here!
- Juliette!
Over here!
Arigato.
Woo!
Mmm!
Hey!
You'll bring us some
chocolates, right?
-Hey!
-No, nougat!
Stop!
Don't worry.
Okay, let me talk to Papa.
I didn't even
get to talk to him,
thanks a lot, Andre!
Where's Amlie,
is she not there?
Afraid not, Nishio-san
took her down to the river.
You just missed her.
They're setting their candles
on the water.
Ah, that's right.
It's the last day
of the festival.
Amlie so lucky
to get to see that.
Be sure to thank Nishio-san
for taking her.
They love
spending time together.
They're practically
inseparable.
So you're back tomorrow?
Yes, and I can't wait.
I've been miserable
without you.
When I get back, we'll have
a day at the beach, promise.
When are we leaving?
Yeah, let's get going.
-Where's Papa and Amlie?
-Patience, ever heard of it?
I wanna stay here with you.
No, you're going to have
a wonderful time.
And besides, your father
just got back from Belgium.
He wants to see you.
But why aren't you
coming with us?
Well, because I've been there.
I went to that beach
with my family.
It was beautiful.
I was a little girl too,
about your age.
I wouldn't want you to miss
standing on
the edge of the world.
There's my big girl,
I've missed you so much.
I'll be right here waiting.
Have a good day, Nishio-san.
See you later.
Itterasshai!
The sun is out,
the skies are clear,
and conditions are perfect
for a day at Tottori beach...
...if you happen to be
out that way.
And now,
to keep things sizzling...
Don't go anywhere, Papa!
...is the summer's biggest hit.
I wish Nishio-san
had come with us.
Mama, can I take this jar?
Jar?
Oh, sure sweetie.
Was that
the edge of the world?
Maybe that's where
my grandmother was.
Mama!
Papa!
Everything's okay now, Amlie.
It was Andre who spotted your
jar abandoned by the water.
If it hadn't been for him...
Thank you, Andre.
She said Andre.
I looked at my brother
like a mathematical equation.
Without him
there would be no me.
Would I have liked that?
Well, I wouldn't have
been around to find out.
Hi, Nishio-san.
Welcome back.
Do you need help, sir?
Sure, if you could
bring Amlie in for us,
that would be great.
-She's had a rough day.
-Of course.
That's a nice jar.
It's for you.
You can open it if you want.
Thank you.
Nishio-san! Oide!
Hayaku oide!
Arigato, Am-chan.
Juliette, Juliette,
wake up, it's my birthday!
I'm three today!
Good evening, Kashima-san.
Thank you for having me.
It's a little late
for explanations.
Please forgive me, Kashima-san,
but Amlie takes up
so much of my time.
That's the problem.
She's clouded your judgment.
No, ma'am.
It's just that their family
lost a loved one,
so she was talking
to me about that.
It's not your concern.
Our cultures should not mingle.
I'm sorry, ma'am.
I meant no disrespect.
You showed disrespect
to our ancestors,
taking that girl to the river.
All I've done is
care for a child.
Don't you understand?
Befriending them means
betraying your own.
Have you forgotten
what they did to us?
These people had
nothing to do with that.
I'm only trying to help them
and I love that girl.
How dare you say that
in front of me.
Don't you remember what
they did to us after the war?
They took everything from us.
Everything!
Amlie, what are you doing here?
Um...
Today's my birthday.
Please forgive her,
Kashima-san.
I'll take her back home now.
Come to your senses.
You're too attached
to that child.
The war's over, Kashima-san.
That was 30 years ago.
Her parents were
children themselves then.
My husband!
And my son!
Have you forgotten about them?
Your mother, your father,
your little sister.
That's enough.
You're scaring her.
I shouldn't have
asked you to come.
Get out of here.
I never want to see you again.
The child will grow up
one day and forget you.
Just as you have forgotten.
Forgotten everything!
Think carefully whose
side you're on!
Your pathetic attachment to
that girl will come to nothing!
I'm sorry, Amlie.
Nishio-san.
Nishio-san!
Nishio-san!
No!
-Nishio-san, wait!
-Come back!
Please, Nishio-san.
Nishio-san, come back!
Nishio-san!
These are grown up problems.
It has nothing to do with you.
It's Kashima-san's fault.
She was mean to Nishio-san.
They've had to go through
a lot of hardship.
You're too young
to understand yet,
but it doesn't have anything
to do with you, okay?
I am sorry, Amlie.
I couldn't make her stay.
Happy birthday, Amlie!
- Easy, easy, Juliette.
- Mwah!
Yeah, that's right.
We have some candles
to blow out today.
You only turn three once.
We've gotta hurry up,
because we still have
to bake you a cake.
Race you to the kitchen!
Move! I wanna take a picture.
Lemme light the candles.
Knock it off, Andre.
You're so cute.
Papa, Papa!
Happy birthday, honey.
Can I do it?
Happy birthday! Smile!
Happy birthday!
It's time for
your surprise now, sweetie.
Here, chri.
Go on, open it.
Surprise!
We saw how much fun
you had feeding the carp
at that temple we visited.
So we got you three of them.
One for each year.
But now you're
responsible for feeding them
every day
for the rest of their lives.
Stop, Patrick,
they can live for
hundreds of years.
Well, until we go
back to Belgium then.
Back to Belgium?
Uh, yeah.
We're Belgian,
sweetie, you know that.
No, I'm Japanese.
Sometimes things aren't
the way we want them to be.
Your father works for Belgium,
and if Belgium says that
we have to leave Japan,
then we have to leave.
He doesn't have to
listen to Belgium.
It's so far away!
This is my home, I wanna stay.
No, Belgium's our home, Amlie.
We have to go back.
We belong there, you'll see.
On that day,
my third birthday,
everything changed.
I was about to lose
all that I loved.
We're not going right away.
You'll still have time
to enjoy it while we pack up
and get ready to leave.
Had I done something wrong?
Was I being punished?
Or can things just go away
forever without any warning?
Would I forget everything?
Nishio-san, my kingdom,
Japan, the flowers, everything?
Is this life?
One great chomping mouth
that spares nothing?
Carpe diem.
The day of the carp.
Kashima-san, I began
to understand your sadness.
The sadness of having
lost everything.
I'd never feed the carp again.
I'd never leave Japan.
At the age of three,
I went back to the beginning,
to when there was nothing.
What are you
doing here, you little minx?
I think I'm dead.
Not quite yet.
Then I'm almost dead
if I'm seeing you.
That's right.
But this is no place for you.
It's so boring here,
and the world is so big.
The world is so sad,
everything goes away.
While I may be gone,
you can still see me
in your memories.
If I can't
live in Japan forever,
if I have to lose Nishio-san
and the mountains.
If I have to leave the garden,
if what was given
gets taken away,
I have no choice
but to remember.
When we got home
is what you said.
I did say that, you're right.
Okay, stick your finger up.
Like that?
Draw a horizontal line
like this for the sky.
Then you draw...
Am.
...and last of all,
four little drops.
Amlie, come back.
Sweetie, she's awake.
She's awake.
Hey, Amlie.
You okay?
You've gotta quit
scaring us like that.
What's wrong with her head?
Is she hurt bad?
Yeah, is she?
Take it easy, kids.
That's where you bumped
your head in the pond.
Is there a hole?
Yes, they had to stitch you up.
Like with a needle and thread?
Yes.
Now be careful, sweetie.
Don't touch that, let it heal.
Someone very special
is here to see you.
You happy to see her, sweetie?
It was Kashima-san
who saved you.
Kashima-san?
She called Nishio-san,
who came
to the hospital right away.
Am-chan,
thanks for coming back.
You came back too.
Are you gonna stay a while?
I'll stay with you for
as long as you're here.
Ah!
I'm not ready yet!
Hold on, give me a minute!
Well, I'm ready!
Come on, hurry up!
Come on, Amlie!
Andre! No!
Andre, stop!
Don't hit Mom!
Hey, you okay?
When you are three,
you see everything
and understand nothing.
How many swallows does it take
to make a springtime?
Do scars eventually melt away
like snow in the sun?
My dear Nishio-san,
my sunshine, wherever I go,
I'll always remember
the precious years
I spent by your side.
I wanna see and feel everything
as much as one can
in a lifetime...
...and write every page
of my life with passion
and with eyes wide open.
So it turns out I'm not God,
but believe me,
it's a lot more fun this way.
In the beginning,
there was nothing.
Nothing except God.
How long had God been around?
No one's old enough to say.
Anyway, the universe was
rather empty, as you can see.
But that was fine, 'cause
God didn't look at anything
or want anything.
God wasn't interested
in anything.
God didn't even care
about being God.
It might be best
to think of God as a tube.
Yes, a tube.
Allow me to explain.
All God ever did was
swallow, digest, and eject.
God's divine sustenance
came in and went out.
But God retained nothing.
Just like a tube.
The eyes of living beings
possess the most
remarkable properties.
The gaze.
Hmm, hmm.
We don't say that
the ears have a listener...
...or that the nose
has a smeller or a sniffer,
but the eyes have a gaze.
What's the difference between
the eyes that have a gaze
and eyes that don't?
There's a word for it:
life.
God did not have a gaze.
Hmm.
I'm afraid
your child is a vegetable.
Alarming, wouldn't you think?
But the child's parents
were the optimistic sort.
And to be honest,
as things stood,
they didn't seem to mind
this development.
You see, they already
had two children,
two children who were
very, very much alive.
So a quiet,
little plant like this one
was a gift, really.
That was God's greatest power.
God was unflappable.
Not all the pilgrims
who came to pay homage,
not all the tickling,
not volcanoes,
not even the most
ecstatic music.
Nothing could faze God.
I know humans
who would pay dearly
for such a power,
the power of serenity.
Still, everyone wanted
God to show signs of life,
of movement,
of anything at all, really.
But all God did was
keep on doing nothing.
So little by little,
people lost interest in God
until God was almost
forgotten about completely.
Days, weeks, centuries passed.
Stop! That's it.
What happened that day
remains a mystery.
Some people deny
the role of accidents
in evolution.
They want a reason
for everything,
but sometimes all it takes
is a speck of dust.
Just the tiniest,
little speck of dust...
...to change everything.
Happy Birthday, dear Amlie
I'll blow out the candles.
No, it's my turn.
What's happening?
Mama, I'm scared.
Don't panic.
It's only a little earthquake,
they happen a lot
here in Japan.
Papa!
Quick, kids, under the table!
God was finally
endowed with gaze
and a body too.
What could God do now?
Was this a good thing?
Are you okay, baby?
Baby?
Who was this baby?
God wasn't a baby.
God immediately spoke up
to set the record straight,
declaring,
in God's celestial tone...
Ah! That's right.
It's a miracle.
That was wonderful, sweetie.
No, it wasn't.
It wasn't wonderful at all.
- Bravo, sweetheart!
- Their lips move
and words come out.
- She talks like a baby!
- When God's lips move,
only noise comes out.
Uh, what do we do?
Oh, uh...oh, wait,
I got it, I'll call my mom.
What? Patrick!
It wasn't for lack of trying,
but all God could do
was scream in despair.
God's body was a prison.
Mom, she's throwing
her toys again!
It went
right through the window!
Andre! Stop it!
I'll stop it when she stops it!
Mom, she took my things again!
Juliette, please.
I'm sick and tired of this!
Ohayo, gozaimasu.
- Andre!
- I'm gonna get you!
Give it back!
Arigato, Kashima-san.
Care to come in?
Sorry, we're in a little
over our heads today.
No! That's mine!
I can't take it
anymore, this is impossible.
I can't rehearse for my concert,
and what about you?
You don't even
resemble a diplomat.
Guess who brought this back?
Oh, no.
Oh yes, our dear landlady.
She scared me half to death.
It's like she was lurking
out there waiting for me.
She saw the window?
What's she going to think of us?
She knows a girl
who could help us out.
The girl's family served hers
before the war.
I'm so embarrassed.
That's a good idea,
give her a call.
Can you see who that is?
Yeah, yeah, I've got it.
Ohayo, Nish--
Mother?
That's right.
It's good to see you.
But, wha--what are you--
Though I think you were really
expecting this young woman.
Oh, Nishio-san.
- Granny!
- Oh, my little darlings,
how big you've grown.
My tooth is loose, look.
Ugh!
What a killer smile.
Who is that lady?
Mother, kids,
this is Nishio-san.
She's gonna help us out
around here.
Please, come in.
Dozo, dozo, this way.
Oh, I'll take care of those.
Granny, did you
bring us any chocolates?
- Yes, I did.
- Ooh, thanks.
- And comic books?
- Why, of course.
You don't look so well, sweetie.
We'd given up expecting you.
-It's been so long.
-There was so much to do
getting ready for the visit.
Just look at this suit.
Isn't it perfect?
- It's been six months.
- Wow.
Oh, hi there, I'm Danile.
I really appreciate
you helping us out.
Your mother's here?
Hello, my de--
You look a little
frazzled as well.
Ah, is that my little treasure?
Come on.
More like a little monster.
Nishio-san,
let me show you around.
It's changed a lot
since you were young.
In here.
- Ready?
- Ready.
Look in the bed.
You wait right here,
children, let me handle this.
Hello there.
Mmm. I'm your grandmother.
It's nice to finally meet--
Oh, aren't you crabby?
Wait, I know just what you need.
I always carry one of these
in my bag.
A little pick me up.
This is white chocolate
from Belgium,
where you come from.
Go on, try it.
A miracle transpired.
- Mama, Papa!
- Come and see!
What's happened?
The joy of white chocolate
showed me that God was me.
Meet my good friend Amlie.
And that's how I was born
at the age of two and a half
in the heart of
the Konsai Mountains,
under the gaze of
my paternal grandmother,
and by the grace
of white chocolate.
This calls for champagne,
don't you think?
I had become joy.
Wherever joy was to be found,
there you would find me too.
Joy had finally brought
my body to life.
Chocolate awakened
all my senses.
In mere days, I made up
for all the lost time,
though I didn't really
think of that time
as having been lost.
Apparently humans should know
how to walk by two and a half.
Walking wasn't
all that complicated.
You fall forward,
catch yourself, and repeat.
But then there was running.
Running is escape.
It's the verb of
bandits and superheroes.
Whoa!
But it's more exhausting.
Most importantly,
by age two and a half,
humans are supposed
to know how to talk.
Ah--
What was this strange,
long-necked creature?
And how was it able
to do what it did,
to take something
and leave nothing?
Only a God could
perform such a miracle.
What could be more divine
than this pure and
simple annihilation?
I knew then that
I had a brother.
Come away, Amlie,
Nishio-san needs to use that--
Vacuum cleaner.
- Snack time.
- Wait for me.
Patrick, Patrick!
Amlie just said her first word!
That's wonderful, what was it?
Vacuum cleaner.
Vacuum cleaner?
What a lovely word!
Bravo, Amlie.
Try another word, Amlie.
Try saying Ma-ma.
Well, clearly
this meant a lot to them.
Mama.
Very good, Amlie!
That's me, Mama!
It's my turn now, my turn.
Pa...pa!
-Papa.
-That's right, sweetie.
Bravo! Papa!
What a strange reaction.
It was as if
they needed me
to say their names
to prove they existed.
Oh, cut it out!
Juliette.
She said my name.
She said Juliette.
- Granny.
- Oh, my little angel.
You're so clever.
My brother
loved to torture me.
He'd spend whole afternoons
reading comics...
...on top of me.
-She isn't gonna say your name.
-Oh, like I care anyway.
Just give her time.
She only knows a few words.
Not true,
I can say a lot of words.
You...you know how to talk?
Yes, I've always known how.
She speaks like an empress.
What a remarkable child.
She chooses her words.
Stop sulking, young man.
This calls for more champagne.
Good thing
you were there, Granny.
You were the only one...
...who could see the real me.
I'll miss you, Granny.
You'll come back soon?
Of course.
But next time you'll be so big,
I'll hardly recognize you.
Now look after your parents
because they need it.
Where is Amlie?
Oh, yeah.
I want to say goodbye.
I'll get her,
but hop in the car.
We don't want to be late.
Good heavens!
What are you doing
here, you little minx?
Where are you going?
The land of white chocolate.
Oh, I'm going to miss you.
I don't know where she--
oh, there you are.
Come on, Granny's gonna
be late for her plane.
Take me away, driver.
Mama, will she be back soon?
Well, not very soon.
She's going to Belgium,
that's far away.
Across the world.
Across the world?
I don't want that.
It's not fair.
Why doesn't she stay here?
Because she has to go home.
What do you think?
Don't be such a baby.
Andre, stop fighting.
You too, Amlie.
She almost broke my camera.
-Hey!
-She's just a little kid.
She doesn't know what that is.
Whatever, I didn't ask you.
That's enough.
Both of you go to your rooms.
They didn't understand.
This coarse Belgium may have
given me white chocolate,
but now it was taking
away my grandmother.
The only one who didn't
treat me like a baby.
It was intolerable!
I'm a ykai!
Look at this.
This guy is Otoroshi,
he's a ykai whose job
is to protect the gods.
He's usually found in shrines
that are very remote
and isolated.
When someone does something
bad there, or misbehaves,
he makes the loudest noise
you ever heard!
And he punishes the evildoers
by falling on them
from a great height
and crushing them.
His job is to teach
humans a lesson.
More, read more.
There are lots more ykai...
...but we'll save them
for next time.
Wanna help?
Arigato, Am-chan.
Nishio-san!
Open up.
Open up, everyone!
It was my first
springtime ever.
Nature and I awoke together.
At my command,
I saw the plants rejoice!
Nishio-san, Nishio-san!
Why are you out here
on your own so early?
I wanted you to read
about more monsters,
but I left the book
in the kitchen.
Then let's go get it.
Hello, Kashima-san,
it's good to see you again.
I wanted to thank you
for this job.
Hello, Nishio-san.
What's that girl
doing in the garden?
Amlie came looking for me
and found me by the pond.
You don't have time
to waste on her.
Just keep my property in order
by performing the duties
my tenants aren't able to.
That is your job.
Yes ma'am, you're right.
But I'm helping them out
by watching Amlie here.
She looked so sad, this lady.
Go on home. I'll be right there.
What was her problem?
Those tight lips
and sinister eyes.
The only way to explain it
was that she was
refusing to love me.
She only had to look
at Nishio-san,
who was radiating happiness,
to see that it was good
to love me.
Poor Kashima-san.
I think she suffered
from the disease
of holding back too much.
Ah, Amlie, where were you?
Papa, what is that?
It's a carp.
It's the symbol of boys,
and May is their month.
Why the month of May?
Hmm, I don't know.
Why a month for boys?
Good question.
Which month is for girls?
I, uh, don't think there is one.
Well, then why is it a carp?
Why do babies always
have to ask why?
Okay, Papa, I'm done.
All right.
Come on sweetie, let's go.
It was so unfair.
Why a month for boys
and not girls?
Not even a day for girls.
Not even a symbol.
And again, why a carp?
I want to see a real carp!
I'm sure we can arrange that.
Oh, why don't we ask Nishio-san
where to find some.
I didn't really
wanna leave my sanctuary,
but I had to.
I needed to see a carp
to find out why
they symbolized my brother.
It's so beautiful.
Almost there.
So this was it?
The house of carp?
Come on, Juliette, come on!
- So where are the carp?
- Papa, come on,
-let's go.
-Hold on. I don't know, sweetie.
Look! Look up there.
They're this way,
Am-chan, over here.
Thanks Nishio-san,
we'll be right there.
Just you wait, some of the carp
are over 100 years old.
Are you all right?
Bleh!
Carp are really ugly,
aren't they?
I can't say I ever
found them very cute.
That's why
they're the symbol of boys
because you're the worst fish.
It also might be because they
have long whiskers.
The Japanese
definitely picked
the right fish to symbolize
the uglier gender.
Mmnn!
Bah, bah. Bah.
Amlie, Nishio-san, let's go.
It's starting to rain!
We'll be right there.
Hurry up, Amlie,
or you'll melt!
Aw, can't we stay?
I wanna stand in the rain.
Of course you do,
you are the rain.
The first part of
your name, Am,
means rain in Japanese.
My name fit me perfectly.
Like the rain, I was both
precious and perilous.
Benign and deadly.
Silent and tempestuous.
But above all,
I felt invincible.
When we get home, I'll show
you how to write your name.
I was the rain.
Last one to the kitchen
is a rotten egg!
Woah! Take off those wet socks!
He's the rotten egg.
Nuh-uh, you are. I beat you!
No you didn't, you cheated!
Show me, Nishio-san.
You said you'd show me how
to write my name in Japanese.
Maybe we change first?
When we got home
is what you said.
You're right, I did say that.
Now stick your finger up.
-Like that?
-Yes, very good.
Now come close to the window
and let me guide you.
First draw a horizontal line
like this for the sky.
Then you draw half of a square,
then a vertical line from
the sky to the earth,
and last of all,
four little drops.
And that's how you draw am,
the character for rain.
I can't really see it.
Hold on.
How about now?
Okay, time to go get changed.
I think I'd always known it,
but now there wasn't
any doubt about it.
I was Japanese.
That was the first time
I'd ever seen my father cry.
He looks like a giant baby.
Why are you crying, Papa?
Are you scared of the storm?
No, sweetie.
Papa's crying because...
because his mother,
Granny, is gone.
Yeah, she went to Belgium.
No, Amlie,
it's different this time.
Granny will never
be coming back.
She's dead, Amlie.
I'm really sorry.
Dead?
Yes, my angel.
You're too young to understand.
Go play with your brother and
sister, I'll be right there.
Death, I knew what it was.
Oh, honey.
But that didn't mean
I understood it.
My granny had
saved me from death,
and then in no time at all,
it was her turn.
Like it was a trade off
or something.
But why?
What is this?
A koma,
that's Japanese for a top.
Try to make yours do that.
Okay, watch.
Like this.
Nishio-san, why do we die?
Why do we die?
Um, maybe because...
'cause it's God's will?
God?
I didn't want
my grandmother to die.
What?
Your grandmother's dead?
Yeah, my mama told me.
Oh, that's terrible.
I had no idea,
Amlie, I'm so sorry.
Why do we die?
Uh, because when
you've lived a good long life,
like your grandmother did,
you get tired.
So you sleep and
that's a good thing.
But don't young people die too?
Yes, well...
During the war,
I saw a lot of death.
Tell me about the war.
Oh, that's ancient history.
You don't wanna hear about that.
I do.
Tell me about it, please.
Okay, then I'll try.
It was long ago.
I was a kid.
I was having breakfast with
my parents and my older sister
when the bombs
started raining down.
It wasn't the first time
for Kobe,
but that day I felt the bombs
were meant for us.
And I wasn't wrong.
Right next to me,
there was a huge explosion.
I couldn't believe
I was still alive.
I tried to move
my arms and legs,
but something was stopping me.
It took me a while
to realize I was buried.
Strangely enough, I felt safe,
but I began to run out of air.
So I started digging,
digging, digging,
not knowing where I was going.
Then I pricked up my ears.
I told myself that
wherever there was noise,
there would be life.
But I was wrong.
There was only death.
I lost my whole family that day.
I hope I'm not scaring you
too much with this story.
Were you sad then?
Like my papa?
Yes, but time heals many things,
and the memory of my loved ones
is still fresh with me
and continues
to guide me through life.
Do you still see them?
Not the way you see me now.
They walk a different path now,
perhaps becoming
something else altogether.
I picture them and
talk to them sometimes.
It soothes me.
There's a special occasion
coming up.
It's a major event in Japan.
We light candles and
float them down the river,
like for a birthday.
We do it to honor
those we've lost
and to help them on their way.
Can I come and see it?
Maybe.
We'll have to ask your mom.
You can help me
get ready for it.
How long will Papa
be in Belgium for?
Two months.
They'll go by fast, don't worry.
Come on, try and get it.
- Pass it to me! To me!
- You have to get it.
- Here, here!
- Juliette!
Over here!
Arigato.
Woo!
Mmm!
Hey!
You'll bring us some
chocolates, right?
-Hey!
-No, nougat!
Stop!
Don't worry.
Okay, let me talk to Papa.
I didn't even
get to talk to him,
thanks a lot, Andre!
Where's Amlie,
is she not there?
Afraid not, Nishio-san
took her down to the river.
You just missed her.
They're setting their candles
on the water.
Ah, that's right.
It's the last day
of the festival.
Amlie so lucky
to get to see that.
Be sure to thank Nishio-san
for taking her.
They love
spending time together.
They're practically
inseparable.
So you're back tomorrow?
Yes, and I can't wait.
I've been miserable
without you.
When I get back, we'll have
a day at the beach, promise.
When are we leaving?
Yeah, let's get going.
-Where's Papa and Amlie?
-Patience, ever heard of it?
I wanna stay here with you.
No, you're going to have
a wonderful time.
And besides, your father
just got back from Belgium.
He wants to see you.
But why aren't you
coming with us?
Well, because I've been there.
I went to that beach
with my family.
It was beautiful.
I was a little girl too,
about your age.
I wouldn't want you to miss
standing on
the edge of the world.
There's my big girl,
I've missed you so much.
I'll be right here waiting.
Have a good day, Nishio-san.
See you later.
Itterasshai!
The sun is out,
the skies are clear,
and conditions are perfect
for a day at Tottori beach...
...if you happen to be
out that way.
And now,
to keep things sizzling...
Don't go anywhere, Papa!
...is the summer's biggest hit.
I wish Nishio-san
had come with us.
Mama, can I take this jar?
Jar?
Oh, sure sweetie.
Was that
the edge of the world?
Maybe that's where
my grandmother was.
Mama!
Papa!
Everything's okay now, Amlie.
It was Andre who spotted your
jar abandoned by the water.
If it hadn't been for him...
Thank you, Andre.
She said Andre.
I looked at my brother
like a mathematical equation.
Without him
there would be no me.
Would I have liked that?
Well, I wouldn't have
been around to find out.
Hi, Nishio-san.
Welcome back.
Do you need help, sir?
Sure, if you could
bring Amlie in for us,
that would be great.
-She's had a rough day.
-Of course.
That's a nice jar.
It's for you.
You can open it if you want.
Thank you.
Nishio-san! Oide!
Hayaku oide!
Arigato, Am-chan.
Juliette, Juliette,
wake up, it's my birthday!
I'm three today!
Good evening, Kashima-san.
Thank you for having me.
It's a little late
for explanations.
Please forgive me, Kashima-san,
but Amlie takes up
so much of my time.
That's the problem.
She's clouded your judgment.
No, ma'am.
It's just that their family
lost a loved one,
so she was talking
to me about that.
It's not your concern.
Our cultures should not mingle.
I'm sorry, ma'am.
I meant no disrespect.
You showed disrespect
to our ancestors,
taking that girl to the river.
All I've done is
care for a child.
Don't you understand?
Befriending them means
betraying your own.
Have you forgotten
what they did to us?
These people had
nothing to do with that.
I'm only trying to help them
and I love that girl.
How dare you say that
in front of me.
Don't you remember what
they did to us after the war?
They took everything from us.
Everything!
Amlie, what are you doing here?
Um...
Today's my birthday.
Please forgive her,
Kashima-san.
I'll take her back home now.
Come to your senses.
You're too attached
to that child.
The war's over, Kashima-san.
That was 30 years ago.
Her parents were
children themselves then.
My husband!
And my son!
Have you forgotten about them?
Your mother, your father,
your little sister.
That's enough.
You're scaring her.
I shouldn't have
asked you to come.
Get out of here.
I never want to see you again.
The child will grow up
one day and forget you.
Just as you have forgotten.
Forgotten everything!
Think carefully whose
side you're on!
Your pathetic attachment to
that girl will come to nothing!
I'm sorry, Amlie.
Nishio-san.
Nishio-san!
Nishio-san!
No!
-Nishio-san, wait!
-Come back!
Please, Nishio-san.
Nishio-san, come back!
Nishio-san!
These are grown up problems.
It has nothing to do with you.
It's Kashima-san's fault.
She was mean to Nishio-san.
They've had to go through
a lot of hardship.
You're too young
to understand yet,
but it doesn't have anything
to do with you, okay?
I am sorry, Amlie.
I couldn't make her stay.
Happy birthday, Amlie!
- Easy, easy, Juliette.
- Mwah!
Yeah, that's right.
We have some candles
to blow out today.
You only turn three once.
We've gotta hurry up,
because we still have
to bake you a cake.
Race you to the kitchen!
Move! I wanna take a picture.
Lemme light the candles.
Knock it off, Andre.
You're so cute.
Papa, Papa!
Happy birthday, honey.
Can I do it?
Happy birthday! Smile!
Happy birthday!
It's time for
your surprise now, sweetie.
Here, chri.
Go on, open it.
Surprise!
We saw how much fun
you had feeding the carp
at that temple we visited.
So we got you three of them.
One for each year.
But now you're
responsible for feeding them
every day
for the rest of their lives.
Stop, Patrick,
they can live for
hundreds of years.
Well, until we go
back to Belgium then.
Back to Belgium?
Uh, yeah.
We're Belgian,
sweetie, you know that.
No, I'm Japanese.
Sometimes things aren't
the way we want them to be.
Your father works for Belgium,
and if Belgium says that
we have to leave Japan,
then we have to leave.
He doesn't have to
listen to Belgium.
It's so far away!
This is my home, I wanna stay.
No, Belgium's our home, Amlie.
We have to go back.
We belong there, you'll see.
On that day,
my third birthday,
everything changed.
I was about to lose
all that I loved.
We're not going right away.
You'll still have time
to enjoy it while we pack up
and get ready to leave.
Had I done something wrong?
Was I being punished?
Or can things just go away
forever without any warning?
Would I forget everything?
Nishio-san, my kingdom,
Japan, the flowers, everything?
Is this life?
One great chomping mouth
that spares nothing?
Carpe diem.
The day of the carp.
Kashima-san, I began
to understand your sadness.
The sadness of having
lost everything.
I'd never feed the carp again.
I'd never leave Japan.
At the age of three,
I went back to the beginning,
to when there was nothing.
What are you
doing here, you little minx?
I think I'm dead.
Not quite yet.
Then I'm almost dead
if I'm seeing you.
That's right.
But this is no place for you.
It's so boring here,
and the world is so big.
The world is so sad,
everything goes away.
While I may be gone,
you can still see me
in your memories.
If I can't
live in Japan forever,
if I have to lose Nishio-san
and the mountains.
If I have to leave the garden,
if what was given
gets taken away,
I have no choice
but to remember.
When we got home
is what you said.
I did say that, you're right.
Okay, stick your finger up.
Like that?
Draw a horizontal line
like this for the sky.
Then you draw...
Am.
...and last of all,
four little drops.
Amlie, come back.
Sweetie, she's awake.
She's awake.
Hey, Amlie.
You okay?
You've gotta quit
scaring us like that.
What's wrong with her head?
Is she hurt bad?
Yeah, is she?
Take it easy, kids.
That's where you bumped
your head in the pond.
Is there a hole?
Yes, they had to stitch you up.
Like with a needle and thread?
Yes.
Now be careful, sweetie.
Don't touch that, let it heal.
Someone very special
is here to see you.
You happy to see her, sweetie?
It was Kashima-san
who saved you.
Kashima-san?
She called Nishio-san,
who came
to the hospital right away.
Am-chan,
thanks for coming back.
You came back too.
Are you gonna stay a while?
I'll stay with you for
as long as you're here.
Ah!
I'm not ready yet!
Hold on, give me a minute!
Well, I'm ready!
Come on, hurry up!
Come on, Amlie!
Andre! No!
Andre, stop!
Don't hit Mom!
Hey, you okay?
When you are three,
you see everything
and understand nothing.
How many swallows does it take
to make a springtime?
Do scars eventually melt away
like snow in the sun?
My dear Nishio-san,
my sunshine, wherever I go,
I'll always remember
the precious years
I spent by your side.
I wanna see and feel everything
as much as one can
in a lifetime...
...and write every page
of my life with passion
and with eyes wide open.
So it turns out I'm not God,
but believe me,
it's a lot more fun this way.