Shun's Journey Beyond Death

The Reason I Jump

This flow follows Shun from a fatal accident through an afterlife that tests his attachment to his family and his willingness to begin again.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Fatal Collision The Fatal Collision from "The Reason I Jump". The Fatal Collision A sudden interruption Shun is struck by a car that runs a red light.

The Fatal Collision from "The Reason I Jump". The Fatal Collision A sudden interruption Shun is struck by a car that runs a red light.

The Fatal Collision A sudden interruption Shun is struck by a car that runs a red light. He freezes instead of getting out of its way, and the accident kills him without his understanding what has happened. Life continuing in confusion His awareness seems to resume near the supermarket, where ordinary surroundings conceal the break between life and death. The accident begins the story's central journey by separating Shun from his family before he can say goodbye.

The Unrecognized World The Unrecognized World from "The Reason I Jump". The Unrecognized World Fearful encounters After the accident, Shun sees strangers staring and runs from place to place without knowing why.

The Unrecognized World from "The Reason I Jump". The Unrecognized World Fearful encounters After the accident, Shun sees strangers staring and runs from place to place without knowing why.

The Unrecognized World Fearful encounters After the accident, Shun sees strangers staring and runs from place to place without knowing why. Even his mother seems to look at him with an icy expression, and he cannot make sense of the change. Missing time His memories of the day are broken, and he finds himself in a park with no clear account of how he arrived. The gaps in his understanding make the world feel more threatening than the accident he cannot yet remember.

The Angel's Revelation The Angel's Revelation from "The Reason I Jump". The Angel's Revelation A return that fails Shun goes back to his darkened home and approaches his parents, but cannot touch his mother's arm.

The Angel's Revelation from "The Reason I Jump". The Angel's Revelation A return that fails Shun goes back to his darkened home and approaches his parents, but cannot touch his mother's arm.

The Angel's Revelation A return that fails Shun goes back to his darkened home and approaches his parents, but cannot touch his mother's arm. They pass him without recognizing him. Naming the truth The old man (angel) finds him and explains that he died after being hit by a car. Shun's remembered collision restores the missing cause of his strange surroundings and forces him to face the loss of his living body.

Learning Heaven's Freedom Learning Heaven's Freedom from "The Reason I Jump". Learning Heaven's Freedom A strange destination The old man (angel) leads Shun toward Heaven, where God tells him that he has arrived.

Learning Heaven's Freedom from "The Reason I Jump". Learning Heaven's Freedom A strange destination The old man (angel) leads Shun toward Heaven, where God tells him that he has arrived.

Learning Heaven's Freedom A strange destination The old man (angel) leads Shun toward Heaven, where God tells him that he has arrived. Shun is unsettled by a place that offers freedom but initially seems to contain nothing he can do. Finding company Kazuo explains that many people are present even when Shun cannot yet see them, and that he can speak with them if he wishes. Friendship and exploration gradually make the unfamiliar afterlife feel less lonely.

Choosing a Return Choosing a Return from "The Reason I Jump". Choosing a Return A family still grieving Shun watches his mother deteriorate under the weight of his death and realizes that his parents have not recovered as…

Choosing a Return from "The Reason I Jump". Choosing a Return A family still grieving Shun watches his mother deteriorate under the weight of his death and realizes that his parents have not recovered as…

Choosing a Return A family still grieving Shun watches his mother deteriorate under the weight of his death and realizes that his parents have not recovered as he had hoped. He cannot bear to remain content in Heaven while they suffer. A costly beginning God offers him rebirth as his parents' child, but warns that he will lose all memory of being Shun. Shun accepts the loss of his former identity, choosing his family's chance at renewed life over his own continuity.

at the story's opening, on the way to the supermarket

immediately after the collision

that night, outside Shun's home

after Shun leaves home with the old man (angel)

after Shun's mother becomes gravely ill