Napping Princess 2017
Directed by
Kenji Kamiyama
Made by
GKIDS
Plot Summary
Discover the intricate plot of Napping Princess (2017). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
Napping Princess intertwines two distinct worlds: a near-future Japan and the magical realm of Heartland. The protagonist, Kokone Morikawa, experiences vivid dreams of Heartland during her naps. Within these dreams, Heartland is a car-centric society where the King’s castle operates as a car factory, and the populace is engaged in the relentless creation of vehicles. The King has a daughter named Ancien, who appears in her younger form in Kokone’s dreams. This resourceful girl possesses a “magic tablet” that brings to life various mechanical creations, including a blue toy dog named Joy and a motorcycle called Heart. However, the King forbids Ancien from animating Heart, seizing her tablet and confining her to a tower, as their society faces a dire challenge from the Colossus, a monstrous creature of molten metal. To combat this threat, the King constructs massive robots, but Ancien, with the help of a motorcycle-riding subject Peach, hatches a plan to defeat the Colossus, all while the King’s advisor Watanabe schemes against both the King and Ancien.
Meanwhile, in Japan, Kokone is diligently wrapping up her school year, contemplating her college options, and reconnecting with her childhood friend Morio, who has just finished his first year in Tokyo. Living with her single father, Momotarō, Kokone often reminisces about her deceased mother, questioning her father’s reluctance to share more about her. Unbeknownst to Kokone, Momotarō, a quirky car mechanic with parallels to the characters in her dreams, is implicated in a scandal just three days before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, accused of stealing secrets from Shijima Motors. A mysterious figure resembling the King’s advisor appears at their home, searching for both the tablet and Kokone. After receiving a warning text from jail, her father instructs her not to trust Watanabe. The message includes a photograph featuring a young Momotarō, his wife, and Watanabe.
With Morio’s assistance, Kokone eludes Watanabe’s agents and recovers her stolen tablet and a teddy bear, escaping on their family’s motorcycle. The duo finds a business card for Isshin Shijima, the chairman of Shijima Motors, contemplating a visit after discovering Kokone’s mother, Ikumi, was his daughter. After a shared nap on the motorcycle, they drift into Heartland, waking to find themselves in Osaka having traveled overnight. Kokone attempts to use her tablet to contact her father, only to discover that the tablet’s powers extend to the real world when they receive Shinkansen tickets to Tokyo as if by magic. As they journey, they uncover the complicated history surrounding Ikumi, who had once worked on self-driving car technology, much to her father’s dismay.
In her dreams, Kokone finally sees herself as more than just an observer, realizing the tales of “Ancien and the Magic Tablet” recounted by her father were her mother’s stories. In Heartland, a twist unfolds as Watanabe reveals his treasonous plans to undermine the King and replace him with his robot. The King orders Watanabe’s arrest while Peach engages in a fierce battle with the Colossus, aided by Kokone and her tablet. Despite a setback triggered by Watanabe, which nearly leads to disaster, Kokone and Peach triumph in an explosive confrontation with the Colossus, both in Heartland and the real world.
As the credits roll, audiences are treated to glimpses of Momotarō and Ikumi’s love story alongside the early trials of her groundbreaking software, encapsulating their shared legacy that echoes through time. In a climactic moment, Kokone understands her name reflects the company’s motto—a beautiful fusion of “heart” (kokoro) and “wing” (hane)—and realizes that her mother’s spirit guides her, ensuring a triumphant conclusion for the Morikawa family.
Timeline
Track the key events of Napping Princess (2017) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Kokone's Dreams Begin
The story introduces Kokone Morikawa, a girl living in near-future Japan who often slips into vivid dreams of a magical realm called Heartland. During her naps, she enters this fantastical world where cars dominate society and her experiences lead her to discover the interconnectedness of her dreams and reality.
Heartland's Overview
In Heartland, the society is heavily focused on automotive manufacturing, as depicted by the King's castle which doubles as a car factory. The storyline centers around the King's daughter, Ancien, who possesses a magical tablet that enables her to animate various mechanical creations in a world threatened by a monstrous creature known as the Colossus.
The King's Decree
The King discovers Ancien animating a motorcycle named Heart, which leads to him seizing her tablet and confining her to a tower. He believes that this action is necessary to prevent further chaos as the society faces increasing danger from the Colossus, a formidable adversary.
Kokone's School Year
Back in Japan, Kokone is busy wrapping up her school year and contemplating her future college options. She reconnects with her childhood friend Morio, who has just completed his first year in Tokyo, igniting memories and plans for their future together.
The Scandal Unfolds
Three days before the Tokyo Olympics, Kokone's father, Momotarō, is accused of stealing secrets from Shijima Motors. This scandal begins to unravel Kokone's understanding of her family and adds urgency to her relationship with her father, who harbors deep secrets about their past.
Watanabe's Intrusion
A mysterious figure resembling Watanabe, the King's advisor, arrives at Kokone's home searching for both the tablet and Kokone. This event marks the beginning of Kokone's realization that her dreams and her reality are colliding, creating a race against time to protect her family.
The Escape
With Morio's help, Kokone narrowly escapes Watanabe's agents and retrieves her stolen tablet and a cherished teddy bear. Riding away on her family's motorcycle, Kokone begins to uncover the secrets linking her family to her dreams.
Journey to Heartland
As Kokone and Morio share a nap on their motorcycle, they mysteriously drift into Heartland while traveling overnight. They wake up in Osaka, awestruck by their travels and the enchanting atmosphere of the magical realm they dreamed about.
Discovering the Tablet's Power
Kokone attempts to contact her father using the magical tablet, and to her astonishment, it produces Shinkansen tickets to Tokyo. This event marks a turning point where Kokone realizes the tablet's abilities extend into the real world, intertwining both realms.
Ancien's Legacy
In her dreams, Kokone uncovers that her mother's stories about Ancien and the Magic Tablet have significant meaning, connecting her past with her present. This revelation deepens her understanding of her family's history and her mother's influence.
Watanabe's Betrayal
In Heartland, Watanabe reveals his treacherous intentions to usurp the King and his plans to create a robot army to take over. The King reacts by ordering Watanabe's arrest, leading to crucial battles that will determine the fate of Heartland.
The Battle with the Colossus
Peach, with Kokone's aid and her tablet, confronts the Colossus in an intense showdown. Despite Watanabe's attempts to sabotage their efforts, Kokone and Peach manage to overcome the monstrous threat, showcasing the strength of their bond.
Triumph and Legacy
As the conflict subsides, Kokone learns about her mother's legacy through romantic memories of Momotarō and Ikumi. Their love story and the innovative software Ikumi developed resonate deeply with Kokone, leaving a lasting impact on her journey forward.
Realizations and Conclusions
In a climactic moment, Kokone understands that her name symbolizes the amalgamation of 'heart' and 'wing', embodying her family's spirit and journey. This realization comes as she navigates the trials of both Heartland and her life in Japan, embracing her identity.
Characters
Meet the characters that bring Napping Princess (2017) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Kokone Morikawa
Kokone is a determined and imaginative young woman on the verge of adulthood, grappling with her future while reconnecting with her past. She embarks on a journey that blends her waking life with her dreams of Heartland, showcasing her resourcefulness and courage. Throughout the film, Kokone evolves from a passive dreamer to an active participant in her narrative, uncovering her mother's legacy.
Ancien
Ancien is a resourceful and spirited girl living in Heartland, characterized by her bravery and ingenuity. With her magic tablet, she has the ability to animate objects, reflecting her creativity and desire for freedom. Throughout her journey, Ancien's determination to defy the King's constraints propels her to confront formidable challenges as she seeks to protect her world.
Momotarō Morikawa
Momotarō is Kokone's quirky father, a car mechanic akin to the characters in Kokone's dreams. His love for Kokone and the memories of his deceased wife shape his character as he navigates complex family dynamics. Although he appears lighthearted, he harbors deep secrets, his past intertwining with the narrative's mysteries.
Watanabe Ichirô
Watanabe acts as a cunning advisor to the King, characterized by his ambition and treachery. His manipulative nature adds tension to the story as he seeks to leverage his position for personal gain. Throughout the film, he embodies the conflict between loyalty and self-interest, making him a formidable antagonist.
Setting
Uncover the settings of Napping Princess (2017), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
Near-future
Set in a near-future scenario, the story reflects on advancements in technology, particularly in the automotive sector, against the backdrop of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. It delves into a time when society grapples with issues like innovation versus ethical dilemmas, with Kokone's dreams offering a glimpse into a realm where magic and machinery intersect. The narrative unfolds with pressing concerns regarding familial legacies and personal aspirations.
Location
Japan, Heartland, Osaka, Tokyo
The movie traverses two unique realms: near-future Japan and the fantastical Heartland. Japan serves as the backdrop for Kokone's everyday life, featuring modern urban life and the looming presence of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In contrast, Heartland is characterized as a car-centric society dominated by the King's castle, which functions as a car factory. This magical realm is lively and innovative, showcasing both the beauty and challenges of technology.
Themes
Explore the core themes of Napping Princess (2017). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
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Dreams
Dreams play a central role in 'Napping Princess,' bridging reality and the fictional world of Heartland. Kokone's vivid dreams not only serve as an escape but also guide her in uncovering hidden truths about her family and her mother's legacy. These dream sequences highlight the interplay between imagination and reality, illustrating how aspirations can shape one's journey and identity.
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Innovation
The theme of innovation is woven through the narrative, showcasing advancements in technology and the implications of a car-driven society. Kokone’s mother's work in self-driving car technology and the existence of magical devices like the tablet reflect a world on the brink of technological breakthroughs. The movie prompts viewers to ponder the balance between progress and the moral responsibilities that accompany it.
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Family
Family connections and legacies are pivotal themes in the film, richly portrayed through Kokone's relationship with her father and memories of her mother. The story navigates the complexities of familial bonds, especially in the face of secrets and loss. As Kokone unravels her history, it highlights the impact of family on one's identity and the generational ties that shape the path forward.
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