Follow TV Tropes

Following

Heartwarming / Ringing Bell

Go To

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/chirinsbell.PNG
While Chirin no Suzu is one of Takashi Yanase and Sanrio Animation's saddest works, this film does have some notable heartfelt moments. At least during the first 10 minutes of the movie.

Warning: per wiki policy, Heartwarming Moments pages are Spoilers Off.

  • Chirin's introduction is extremely cute and sweet. The little lamb is first seen chasing after a yellow butterfly at a pasture with other sheep and lambs of his flock. The entire sequence is upbeat and humorous establishing Chirin's carefree, naive, and cheerful nature.
  • The 1977 Lyrica comic adaptation is also sweet since it begins minutes after his mother gives birth to him. The illustration where we see Chirin arising from under her mother's body is so cute to watch. Also considered a Tear Jerker considering the events of the story.
  • Chirin quickly noticing his mother after he falls down a cliff as he's happily frolicking in the fields. In the English dub, Chirin tells her that he did a Cartwheel hoping she seen it. His mother gives him a warm smile as Chirin starts playfully butting his head against her. She then warns Chirin about the dangers of leaving outside the bench and Woe the Wolf. While she's talking to her son, Chirin is busy eating clover and starts chasing after a young rabbit.
    • The way Chirin is nuzzling against his mother's wool is so sweet! The way her son is getting comfortable near his mother's body looks so comfortable, similar to a child getting snuggled up into a comfortable blanket at bedtime.
    • After Chirin heads off to chase after a rabbit, Chirin's mother responds by happily chuckling to herself instead of getting angry as she watches on.
  • The 1977 Lyrica comic adaptation (made during the film's production) begins moments after Chirin's mother gives birth to her son. The first time we see Chirin is him emerging from under his mother's body barely able to keep his eyes open (due to being a newborn). The illustration for that moment is extremely heartwarming.
  • Chirin's mother finds Chirin after searching for him the entire evening. After he apologizes, she starts shedding tears and hugs him. This also doubles as a Tear Jerker. Then there's this line exchanged between her and Chirin.
    Chirin's mother: You had me so worried.... What a bad boy you are!
    Chirin: (timidly) I'm sorry.
    Chirin's mother: (tears start streaming down her face) It's okay Chirin. My precious little boy...
  • The montage of seasons changing. Chirin is shown sleeping with his mother under a large tree in spring, grown sheep eating grass during Summer, and lambs eating and playing peacefully near piles of hay in autumn, complete with peaceful and comforting music. The entire first 10 minutes of this movie is filled with moments like this. Sadly, it doesn't last very long.
    Today is a day like any other day
    And tomorrow will be no different than today
    The breeze is gentle and smoothing, its yawning sigh
    Only blows the flowers in the pasture to and fro
  • A very dark example between Chirin and Wolf after the former's transformation.
    Chirin: So then, Wolf, I am no longer a weakling sheep. Instead of fangs, I have horns which are just as sharp. My hooves are harder than the rock, and it's become my nature to fight without fear of death.
    Wolf: I am proud of you, Chirin. You are a fine warrior. Even I couldn't turn you aside.
    Chirin: I owe it all to you. My goal was to overcome you. The only thing I wanted was strength so I would strike down the enemy who had killed my mother. You can't imagine the times I looked for the chance to kill you. But somehow I could never find one. I could never make myself do it. Living on this mountain has changed the way I think about life, and about you. For now I think of you as a father. And if the world you live in is a hell, then I'm willing to live there with you.
  • Despite the powerful tonal dissonance, the film's credits shows the descendants of Chirin's family, friends, cousins and siblings playing and having a peaceful life similar to the first 10 minutes of the movie. However, an extended version of the film's theme is played as a heartbreaking reminder of the once peaceful and happy life Chirin once had with them and his mother.
  • In early 2022, a fan of Osamu Tezuka's Unico series created this bittersweet and heartfelt crossover drawing of Unico befriending and comforting Adult Chirin. Considering the titular unicorn is very compassionate towards others (including antagonists and villains such as Lord Kuruku) and the tragic fate of Chirin in the story, seeing Unico comforting Chirin after having a very tragic life is genuinely sweet, especially since Barbara Goodson provided the English voice of both Young Chirin and Unico in the film series.
  • The final slide of the kamishibai version and 2003 flash adaptation ends with a baby lamb cuddling up to his mother as she tells him the story of Chirin…until you realize that she is actually comforting him after telling him that if a child cries, he will come to take them away and kill them. This too, is also a pretty dark example.

Top