This article discusses the ending of the Netflix anime film Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop, so it will contain major spoilers.
Throughout the Netflix anime film, Cherry and Smile form an unlikely friendship with romantic undertones. They clearly like each other and cutely struggle to express their feelings. As we reach the third act of Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop, Cherry and Smile find a unified purpose, an objective, which they are both eager to complete. The older man Mr. Fujiyama is upset — he wants to find an old record by his deceased wife, a beautiful singer. He used to own a records shop, so they look there.
Cherry and Smile go through every single record at the store, but their findings come up with nothing at first. But then, Cherry finds the old record behind the fridge. There’s elation all-around — Mr. Fujiyama has his wish fulfilled. However, tragedy strikes! Smile accidentally breaks the old record when she was trying to straighten it, and she is distraught. Feeling guilty, she keeps apologizing to the older man.
As we reach nearer to the end, there’s more heartbreak for the two lead characters. Cherry reveals to Smile that he and his family are moving, meaning they will not see each other again. Both characters cannot communicate their frustrations properly, and as a heartbroken Smile walks off, Cherry falls to the floor, weeping.
Netflix’s Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop — ending explained
On the eve of the fireworks festival, another copy of the old record is found for Mr. Fujiyama. However, Cherry is already leaving, and Smile is worried that he will want to witness the music. At the fireworks festival, Smile does the one thing she knows — she creates an online live video of the event, showing Mr. Fujiyama play his wife’s record to the crowd.
Cherry sees the live event and hears the record; he gets out of his parent’s car and runs to the festival — he feels elation that he and Smile achieved what they set out to do. He looks around the festival for Smile, but he cannot find her. Deciding to overcome his shyness, Cherry gets on to the main platform and uses his haiku poem skills on the microphone to express how much he likes Smile. Meanwhile, Smile sees this, and she is overwhelmed with happy emotions. We can only assume that both of these characters found a way to stay connected.
In the post-credits, there’s a hint that both characters finally kissed as it shows their shadows embracing while the old record plays. It’s a sweet ending to a sweet story, showing both characters overcome their insecurities so they can connect even more.
