Any Crybabies Around? (2020) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A father returns to the family and community he left, seeking to make amends while facing the limits of repair.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Family Under Strain

Tasuku and Kotone begin life as a young family while Tasuku also takes part in the Namahage tradition. The demands of work and ritual worsen the strain at home until Tasuku leaves.

Key Events

• A Young Family Begins — Tasuku and Kotone welcome their daughter and begin adjusting to family life. Characters: Tasuku Goto, Kotone Sakuraba Location: Oga
• Namahage Duties — Tasuku helps with the Namahage ritual and works alongside Yasuo. Characters: Tasuku Goto, Yasuo Natsui Location: Oga
• Home Life Strains — Tradition and work pull Tasuku away as Kotone grows exhausted and angry. Characters: Tasuku Goto, Kotone Sakuraba Location: Oga
• Tasuku Leaves — Tasuku leaves despite Kotone's objections, and their relationship breaks apart. Characters: Tasuku Goto, Kotone Sakuraba Location: Oga

Return to a Changed Home

Two years later, uncertain and facing setbacks, Tasuku returns to Oga hoping to reconnect. Kotone remains distant, while he discovers that the Namahage tradition is struggling to continue.

Key Events

• Life in Tokyo — Two years later, Tasuku lives in Tokyo and remains uncertain about his future. Characters: Tasuku Goto Location: Tokyo
• Setbacks and Doubts — Personal and professional setbacks deepen Tasuku's doubts about being a good father. Characters: Tasuku Goto Location: Tokyo
• Return to Oga — Tasuku returns to Oga hoping to reconnect with his family. Characters: Tasuku Goto Location: Oga

Repair Without Reversal

Tasuku apologizes and tries to help with the neglected tradition, but his efforts cannot undo the harm he caused. Kotone's plans to remarry make clear that she is moving forward.

Key Events

• Kotone Keeps Her Distance — Kotone is distant and tells Tasuku that people are trying to move on. Characters: Tasuku Goto, Kotone Sakuraba Location: Oga
• Tradition in Decline — Tasuku discovers the ritual is neglected and the community lacks people to carry it forward. Characters: Tasuku Goto, Yasuo Natsui Location: Oga
• An Apology and an Effort — Tasuku apologizes and tries to help, but cannot quickly repair the harm or regain his place. Characters: Tasuku Goto, Yasuo Natsui Location: Oga
• Kotone Plans to Remarry — Tasuku learns Kotone plans to remarry and insists that he remains a father. Characters: Tasuku Goto, Kotone Sakuraba Location: Oga

A Goodbye Left Open

After Kotone's fall, she and Tasuku speak honestly about their time apart. She asks him to forget her, and the nursery-school recital closes the story with his future role unresolved.

Key Events

• Kotone Falls — Kotone suffers a fall and is taken for medical care, bringing her and Tasuku together again. Characters: Tasuku Goto, Kotone Sakuraba Location: Oga
• A Final Conversation — They share memories; Tasuku admits he was wrong, but Kotone asks him to forget her. Characters: Tasuku Goto, Kotone Sakuraba Location: Medical care setting
• Nursery-School Recital — At the recital, their daughter performs the tale of Urashima Taro. Characters: Tasuku Goto, Kotone Sakuraba Location: Nursery school
• An Uncertain Future — The story ends without resolving Tasuku's place in his daughter's future. Characters: Tasuku Goto, Kotone Sakuraba Location: Nursery school

Story Breakdown

• A Young Family — Tasuku and Kotone welcome a daughter and try to adjust to family life.
  • New Responsibilities — Tasuku confronts the demands of becoming a father.
  • Home Strain — Kotone grows exhausted as Tasuku is pulled away.
• Namahage Duties — Tasuku takes part in Oga's tradition while working alongside Yasuo.
  • Ritual Work — Tasuku helps with the Namahage ritual.
  • Competing Demands — Tradition and work draw Tasuku away from home.
• The Separation — Tasuku leaves despite Kotone's objections, breaking apart their relationship.
  • Kotone's Objections — Kotone objects as Tasuku prepares to leave.
  • Family Breaks — Tasuku's departure ends their shared home life.
• Return to Oga — After two years in Tokyo and personal and professional setbacks, Tasuku returns hoping to reconnect.
  • Uncertain Future — Tasuku questions whether he can be a good father.
  • A Distant Welcome — Kotone says people are trying to move on.
• Tradition at Risk — Tasuku discovers that the Namahage ritual and the community's ability to sustain it are in decline.
  • Neglected Masks — The masks and work behind the ritual have been neglected.
  • Limited Repair — Tasuku apologizes and helps, but cannot quickly restore his place.
• Kotone Moves On — Kotone's plans to remarry confront Tasuku with the consequences of his absence.
  • Remarriage Plans — Tasuku learns Kotone plans to remarry.
  • A Father's Claim — Tasuku insists that he is still a father, while Kotone says life will not wait for him.
• The Final Conversation — Kotone's fall brings her and Tasuku together for an honest conversation about their separation.
  • Admission of Regret — Tasuku admits he was wrong and asks for another chance.
  • A Request to Forget — Kotone says they are ready to move on and asks Tasuku to forget her.
• An Open Ending — The recital closes the film without settling Tasuku's future place in his daughter's life.
  • Urashima Taro — Their daughter performs the tale at her nursery-school recital.
  • Unresolved Place — Tasuku's role in his daughter's future remains uncertain.

Directed by

Takuma Sato

Key Cast

• Taiga Nakano — Tasuku Goto
• Riho Yoshioka — Kotone Sakuraba
• Kanichiro — Ryosuke Shiba
• Takashi Yamanaka — Yuma Goto
• Kimiko Yo — Setsuko Goto