Before We Vanish (2017) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Alien scouts steal human concepts to understand Earth, triggering an invasion that ultimately halts after learning from humanity.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Concept Theft and Connection

Alien Amano steals freedom and possession from humans, altering their lives. He connects with journalist Sakurai, who becomes his guide and ally.

Key Events

• Alien Amano Takes Freedom — Alien Amano steals the concept of freedom from his human parents. Characters: Amano, Amano Location: Human Amano's home
• Amano Connects with Sakurai — Alien Amano meets journalist Sakurai and reveals his true nature. Characters: Amano, Journalist Sakurai Location: Urban street
• Sakurai Becomes Guide — Sakurai accepts his role as Amano's guide and ally. Characters: Amano, Journalist Sakurai Location: City streets

The Hunt and Alliance

Sakurai assists Amano as they track down Akira. The SDF declares an emergency, escalating tension. The three aliens begin traveling together despite Sakurai's moral unease.

Key Events

• Sakurai Becomes Guide — Sakurai accepts his role as Amano's guide and ally. Characters: Amano, Journalist Sakurai Location: City streets
• Alien Takes Possession — Amano steals possession from a shut-in, altering his worldview. Characters: Amano Location: Shut-in's apartment
• SDF Emergency Declared — Authorities declare emergency and deploy SDF to hunt the aliens. Location: Government command center
• Aliens Track Akira — Amano and Sakurai locate Akira and begin traveling together. Characters: Amano, Journalist Sakurai, Akira Tachibana Location: Abandoned district
• Sakurai Disturbed by Violence — Sakurai witnesses Akira's violence and feels moral conflict. Characters: Amano, Journalist Sakurai, Akira Tachibana Location: Travel route

Invasion Trigger and Sacrifice

The aliens prepare to trigger the invasion. The human forms are killed, prompting Sakurai to shift his stance. A military airstrike kills Sakurai, marking a tragic turning point.

Key Events

• Sakurai Disturbed by Violence — Sakurai witnesses Akira's violence and feels moral conflict. Characters: Amano, Journalist Sakurai, Akira Tachibana Location: Travel route
• Invasion Trigger Plan — The three aliens prepare to meet to trigger the invasion. Characters: Amano, Shinji Kase, Akira Tachibana Location: Meeting point
• Human Forms Killed — The human bodies of the young aliens are destroyed. Characters: Amano, Shinji Kase, Akira Tachibana Location: Invasion site
• Sakurai's Shift — Sakurai decides to initiate the invasion himself after the deaths. Characters: Amano, Journalist Sakurai Location: Ruined city
• War Plane Attack — Sakurai is killed during a military airstrike. Characters: Journalist Sakurai Location: Skyline
• Aliens Invade Earth — Alien forces begin their mass invasion, attacking Narumi and Shinji. Characters: Narumi Kase, Shinji Kase Location: Hill overlooking ocean
• Alien Learning Process — Aliens steal philosophical concepts to understand human nature. Location: Various locations

Retreat and Aftermath

The invasion is abruptly called off as aliens learn from humans. Two months later, humanity faces lasting damage but also positive changes. Shinji joins relief efforts while Narumi is hospitalized.

Key Events

• Aliens Invade Earth — Alien forces begin their mass invasion, attacking Narumi and Shinji. Characters: Narumi Kase, Shinji Kase Location: Hill overlooking ocean
• Invasion Called Off — The aliens abruptly halt the invasion after learning from humans. Characters: Narumi Kase, Shinji Kase Location: Hill overlooking ocean
• Aliens Retreat — Two months later, aliens have completely withdrawn from Earth. Location: Earth orbit
• Humanity's Aftermath — Humans suffer lasting physical and mental damage from lost concepts. Characters: Narumi Kase Location: Hospital
• Shinji Joins Relief Effort — Shinji is found working in disaster relief at the film's end. Characters: Shinji Kase Location: Relief center
• Narumi Hospitalized — Narumi is hospitalized after losing the concept of love and emotions. Characters: Narumi Kase Location: Hospital
• Positive Human Changes — Doctor notes humans solved many self-made problems as a result. Location: Relief center
• Final Confrontation — Narumi and Shinji survive the initial alien attack on the hill. Characters: Narumi Kase, Shinji Kase Location: Hill overlooking ocean

Story Breakdown

• Alien Infiltration — Scouts take human forms and begin stealing philosophical concepts.
  • Freedom Theft — Amano steals freedom from his parents.
  • Possession Theft — Amano takes possession from a shut-in.
  • Family Concept — Shinji takes family from Narumi's sister.
• Human Guides — Aliens connect with humans who become their guides.
  • Sakurai Alliance — Journalist Sakurai guides Amano.
  • Narumi Partnership — Narumi guides Shinji through changes.
  • Moral Conflict — Sakurai struggles with alien violence.
• Government Response — Authorities hunt the aliens and declare emergency.
  • SDF Deployment — Military forces mobilize to locate Akira.
  • Public Panic — Virus cover story spreads fear.
  • War Plane Strike — Military attack kills Sakurai.
• Invasion Trigger — Aliens prepare to initiate mass invasion.
  • Convergence Plan — Three aliens meet to start invasion.
  • Host Destruction — Human forms of young aliens die.
  • Sakurai Shift — Sakurai decides to initiate invasion.
• Invasion Execution — Alien forces attack Earth but face unexpected outcomes.
  • Hill Attack — Aliens attack Narumi and Shinji.
  • Learning Process — Aliens absorb human experiences.
  • Invasion Halt — Aliens call off invasion after learning.
• Aftermath Resolution — Humanity deals with lasting consequences and new perspectives.
  • Concept Loss — Humans suffer from missing concepts.
  • Relief Efforts — Shinji joins disaster recovery.
  • Positive Change — Humans solve self-made problems.

Directed by

Kiyoshi Kurosawa

Key Cast

• Masami Nagasawa — Narumi Kase
• Ryuhei Matsuda — Shinji Kase
• Mahiro Takasugi — Amano
• Yuri Tsunematsu — Akira Tachibana
• Hiroki Hasegawa — Journalist Sakurai