Everyone has a spark of life.
A "spark of life?"
Chieri. Chieri!
Chieri, you had better greet everyone politely.
You haven't been to grandma's house for years.
Uh, huh.
Every time I came here by myself, the family asked, How's Chieri?
Look Cherry, the cherry trees are blooming.
That thing! I said to leave it at home, but you brought it anyway!
He's not a thing!
That went by quick. Already 5 years since my big brother died.
Now I'm suddenly older than he was.
It has been the hardest on Marie.
Yeah. I'm exhausted just with the kids, but Marie works, too.
- Give it back! - No!
- Stop fighting! - But big brother?
No, don't lie!
Hey, it looks like they're here.
They're here?
Open the trunk, please.
Come on Chieri, help me!
Marie, it's so nice to see you.
Sorry we're late, mother.
Wow, lots of luggage. I can help.
Wow, Cherry. Look.
The master of this house is a mouse!
He's chubby, and happy go lucky, and is friends with a cat!
A cat as pretty as an Egyptian queen!
Here we go, Cherry.
One!
Two!
This is a great big ocean, and the stepstones are islands.
Palm trees grow where migrating birds can rest their wings.
Isn't it wonderful, Cherry?
Yes, it certainly is.
Next we'll jump over there. Ready?
That was close, huh Cherry?
Indeed, it was.
What now? How far to the next one?
About 90 plus 3 centimeters, I suppose.
Can we jump it?
I have some good news and some bad news.
The good news first!
With your leg strength, there is an 80% chance you can jump across.
What's the bad news?
But that's only if you get a running start.
A running start. I can't do that.
Nope. Impossible from here.
When times get tough...
Say the magic words.
Together forever!
Ready, set...
Hey!
What're you doing?
One!
You're weird. Two!
You stupid numbskulls. Leave me alone!
Who's stupid?
When I imagine things they come to life.
My daddy told me I have the best imagination in the world!
Im... Imagination?
So there!
Chieri, you sure are getting big. How old are you now?
Chieri.
Sorry. She's always like this.
Don't worry about it
Chieri's forehead looks just like your father's.
You're right. This part here.
Chieri, you really take after your father.
But it must be hard for you, Marie.
Working and raising Chieri all by yourself.
Not really.
Good day.
My, you have grown.
Do you know me?
Of course.
Oh. I don't remember you at all.
Why is she talking to herself?
Gee. Aha!
I do know you. And that little friend next to you, too.
Really?
Cherry...
Cherry?
What is this?
Its filthy.
What do you think you're doing!?
Is that a dog, or a rabbit?
- It must be a pig. - Let me see.
Don't touch him!
Why not? It's all torn up anyway.
He is not torn!
Look what you did!
Don't talk to me like that!
Chieri! Say you're sorry.
Chieri!
Why are you so stubborn?
Nevermind. It's okay, Marie.
Come on, Emi, stop crying now.
But...
Anyway, let's go. We mustn't keep the priest waiting.
I'm sorry about this.
Neener!
Chieri, we're going now too.
I'm not going.
Chieri, we came here to see your father.
I'm not going!
Well, fine then. You stay here by yourself.
- I'm in front. - No, I'm in front!
Chieri.
What, Cherry.
Chieri, you feel a bit guilty.
For what?
For making your mother sad.
No, I don't.
Mom never thinks about how I feel.
She never comes to my sports events.
She doesn't even know my drawings are hanging in the library.
Your mom has to work, even on Sundays, so it's hard for her.
Cherry, let's explore the house.
Humph.
I think I've seen this place before...
I remember that pattern on the ceiling!
Like scary looking crows.
I thought they might peck my eyes out.
What's that sound?
Quick, we'd better run away...
How come?
Well, it's just a hunch on my part.
You just thought of crows, right?
Right,
Then the crows are going to come. Therefore we'd better run away.
Unless you want your eyes pecked out.
This way.
What's the deal?
- There he is! - What?
The chubby, happy-go-lucky, greedy mouse!
Hey, you don't have to call me chubby and greedy!
Your name is... Nezuzaemon!
Sorry. Here you go.
Whew! That was terrible! Now, what were you saying?
Huh?
You know... about my name.
You're Nezuzaemon.
Chieri's good at giving names.
Nezuzaemon?
Don't you like it?
Whether I like it or not, that's my name?
It's not an unfitting name nor do I dislike it,
But you, little miss, are rather funny person.
What does funny mean?
It must mean happy.
I'm Cherry. Nice to meet you.
And I'm Chieri.
So, I have a name. Yippee.
No one in my family has ever had a name.
But how do you know what I'm saying? Odd human.
Really?
What's wrong, Cherry?
Somebody's here.
Those crows again?
An unusual life form.
What do you mean, unusual life form ?
A ghost?
Come on! Ghosts aren't alive!
Don't push me.
I'm not pushing. Cherry, do you know what it is?
I think it's under there.
Under the house?
Well then, let's go see.
Help! It's got me!
It's a spider web.
That caught me by surprise.
Spider webs. Gross!
What is it?
- I heard something. - Heard what?
It's Dondorabekko!
Don... what?
Dondorabekko. It has three tails.
Three tails?
It can grow this big, and get this small.
And it comes to take away kids who wake up at night.
Dondorabekko is a monster Chieri made up.
So that odd creature's not real, then.
Well, Chieri believes it.
It is real. Even my daddy believed in Dondorabekko.
I'm telling you it doesn't exist.
- Eeek! - What is it?
I don't think it's Dondorabekko after all.
Who are you?
What do you want down here?
Don't be alarmed. We won't hurt you.
Oh, it's only you.
What a pretty cat!
The world's most beautiful emerald eyes.
Your name is Lady Emerald.
Lady Emerald.
That's my name?
Yes, like a proud Egyptian queen.
I see. Not bad.
Ha! Lady Emerald? This is just an old stray cat.
Quiet, mouse, or I'll eat you!
Okay!
I'm Chieri. And this is my friend...
I'm Cherry.
I have a name, too, you know, I'm Ne?
So, you are Chieri.
You're the first person to ever give me a name.
Lady Emerald. You're protecting that girl, aren't you?
Yes. She's my friend.
Its a dog!
She moved here this winter, and she has a puppy in her tummy.
But she looks like there's something wrong.
That's right. The truth is...
Help me, please. My puppy's not well...
I can't help her all by myself.
Cherry!
Yes. We need to take her someplace warm.
It's too cold here.
Over here! This way!
It's warm in here! I always take naps in here.
In we go!
Hey! Stop that!
What's the big idea?
We can't get through that hole.
Oh, yeah. Right.
There's no time to dilly dally.
The crows again?
Those bullies.
They can't wait to hunt the newborn puppy.
Are you serious?
Quick, Nezuzaemon, open the door!
Aye aye.
Open up, door!
I hate these crows!
Chieri, grab that net!
Throw it this way!
Chieri, over here!
Cherry!
Nice work.
That was great, Cherry!
Are you okay?
Yes.
OK, now's our chance.
I'm opening it.
OK, it's open. Come on in.
I found a blanket.
Bring it over here.
OK, Cherry.
Thank you.
Now she'll be okay.
I hope so.
I'm worried, though. I've overseen births before,
but never this difficult.
I certainly hope it isn't true,
but perhaps the baby inside her has lost its spark of life.
What? Cherry...
- Be still. - What's wrong?
- Shut up! - All right.
Everyone has their own spark of life.
Absolutely everyone?
Normally you can't see it, but anyone who tries to see it can.
Even me?
Of course. Polish your heart like a mirror.
Polish my heart like a mirror?
Imagine a mirror in your heart.
Then polish that mirror.
So it shines with starlight.
A mirror in my heart.
That shines with starlight.
Like this?
The starlight.
It's amazing! Like an ocean of stars!
- Those are the sparks of life. - The sparks of life.
That is Chieri's spark of life.
Mine?
My spark of life.
What a pure light.
Very shy, and full of curiosity. With a pure heart deep down.
Chieri, that's just like you.
Hey, how about me? Which one is mine?
It must be that one.
That one?
Most definitely.
What? That an odd, impatient one!
- Exactly! - No, I'm not!
Which one's the baby's spark?
That one, I think.
Oh, no. It looks like it's about to go out.
What happens if it does go out?
It dies?
That's no good. Can't we do something, Cherry?
- That's nature's way. - No!
- Oh, no. - What?
It's going out.
This is bad.
Come here.
Here, little baby spark.
I'll protect you!
It's okay.
I know how you feel.
It's hard to talk to strangers. That's just like me.
I'm a scaredy-cat, too.
Come to me.
I will protect you no matter what.
Chieri.
- You'd better put it in here. - Okay.
Look! It's coming back to life.
I never thought this would happen.
Don't worry, mama.
I'm going to protect your baby's life.
Thank you. I'm so glad.
- It's all right now. - Cherry.
Cherry, your arm!
The crows got me earlier.
Hang on.
- Show me. - Okay.
She's good, isn't she?
All done!
- Thank you, Chieri. - Not at all.
She's amazing.
If you come apart I'll fix you.
Really?
Good luck, little puppy. You'll be born healthy.
Daddy!
What's wrong my little crybaby?
- I'm scared. - What are you afraid of?
When I got in bed, I heard Dondorabekko's footsteps.
Look, over there!
I'm scared. It's coming to take me away.
Chieri, you have the world's greatest imagination.
Imagination?
Yes, the power to create all kinds of things.
Just use that power and fly away into the sky.
That's no good. It can fly, too.
How about going under the sea?
No. It can turn into water,
And change it's shape and go into any tiny space.
Oh. I'm sorry. It tore off.
Chieri, let me teach you some magic words.
Magic words?
Give me your hand.
Ready?
Put up your hands.
Together forever.
Together forever?
Yes. Daddy will be together with you forever, Chieri.
Come here.
Together forever.
It is said that year by year people change.
This means that no one can stay the same.
This does not mean we forget the dear departed.
Marie, look.
Chieri, no!
It's Daddy's ribbon. Give it back!
You can't have anything red today.
Give it back! Mother!
What a strange toy.
Who are you?
Are you dead?
So is my daddy. Dondorabekko took him away.
Even though he said we'd be together forever.
I've been here before.
There it is!
Chieri?
It came back. The Dondorabekko!
That's just a shadow.
No! It's come to take the baby away!
Just like it took my father!
Here it comes!
What's a Dondorabekko?
It has three tails, and can grow bigger and get smaller.
It has eyes as sharp as a wolf.
A wolf?
It's shaped like the...
Chieri, stop! Dondorabekko is a monster created by your imagination.
It becomes exactly what you dream up.
Exactly like the God of Death!
What's that pretty thing saying?
It says it's here to take the puppy's life.
No.
I won't let it.
No way!
Chieri!
Cherry!
Chieri, leave this to me. You protect the spark of life.
Okay.
Get 'er!
You can do it
You're going down.
Chieri, get away! As far as you can!
Darn.
No!
Cherry! You guys!
It took them all away.
What should I do?
My baby!
Don't take them away.
Don't take them.
Chieri!
Cherry!
I have to save them.
But, how?
I can't do anything without Cherry.
What's wrong my little crybaby?
You can do anything, Chieri. You're not a weakling.
Chieri.
Do you know the saying, People change day by day?
It means no one stays the same.
You mean each day people really change?
Chieri, you can change, too.
You can come out of your little shell.
Because you have your mother by your side now.
You'll meet new friends, and lots of good things will happen.
And I will always live on in your heart.
So you will live on, Chieri.
And each day, a new part of you will be born.
Don't be afraid. The light is overflowing.
Chieri, you can fly.
Together forever.
Yes. Daddy will be together with you forever.
Okay.
Chieri.
Cherry!
These are all my friends.
Cherry, and Nezu Zaemon! Lady Emerald, and the puppy!
Now!
Ready, set...
Chieri, now! Grab the spark of life!
Yes.
You can do it, Chieri!
Chieri!
You can't have it. Never!
Chieri.
I'm not afraid. Not anymore.
You're a phantom that I created when I was scared.
You don't actually exist at all.
I'm not weak anymore. If I am strong, you'll disappear.
Disappear, Dondorabekko!
Disappear!
Disappear, my frightened heart. Become a pure white dove!
Cherry!
Chieri!
I'm impressed.
This is great! My great great grandchildren will hear the tale,
All about my great and fabulous exploits!
- Well done, Chieri! - Thanks.
- Keep trying. - Just a little more.
It will be born soon.
You can do it!
There it is!
What's wrong?
This can't be.
It can't be true.
How come? We all tried so hard.
This was its fate.
But why? We all worked so hard to save your life.
Cherry, the magic words!
Cherry, if only we say the magic words...
There's only one thing I can do.
Cherry?
I got my life from you, Chieri.
What are you saying?
What do you mean?
I was just an empty shell.
Left for a long time, and forgotten.
You brought me back to life, Chieri.
Each day was filled with wonder.
Therefore, I can pass the life you gave me on to the puppy.
You can share lots of happy days together.
But Cherry, what will happen to you?
Chieri, you're not a little crybaby anymore.
What will happen to you, Cherry?
I'll go back to being just an ordinary doll.
But, why?
Don't say such terrible things.
I don't want you to go anywhere.
My role here has come to an end.
You are growing up now, Chieri.
No! I don't want to grow up.
Everyone has to grow up some day.
Cherry!
Thank you, Chieri.
I had a wonderful time with you.
Cherry!
The puppy!
It's alive. My baby is alive.
Together forever.
Yes, together forever.
Is something wrong? You're awfully quiet.
Yes.
I've been thinking about Chieri.
I've been so busy working just to get by, I left her all alone.
I was doing my best, but I realize I've been lonely, too.
Then I heard her father's voice.
Don't forget me. I am always with you two.
I must have been hearing things.
A cherry blossom...
Her father loved the mountain cherry blossoms.
He even named Chieri after them.
Like a cherry.
- I wonder what she's doing? - Probably crying her eyes out.
Welcome back.
Chieri.
What's that?
A puppy. A brand new, newborn puppy.
That's funny. It looks a lot like your doll.
- Let me pet him. - Me, too!
Okay. Pet him gently.
He's so tiny.
Mom.
I'm sorry I was stubborn today.
Chieri.
And I also want to say thank you.
For always being my mommy.
What are you crying for?
- You are just like him. - Huh?
Your forehead is exactly like your father's.
And your smile's just like his.
So what's this puppy's name?
His name? I think I'll call him...
Cherry.