Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night follows Mahiru Kouzuki, a former child artist, and Kano Yamanouchi, a disgraced idol, as they form the anonymous creative group JELEE with composer Mei Kim and VTuber Kiui.
The series explores themes of artistic rebirth, LGBTQ+ identity, and the healing power of collaboration in Tokyo’s Shibuya district.
This curated list highlights 25 quotes that capture the show’s emotional depth and celebration of unconventional self-expression.
When I’m in a town where no one recognizes me, drifting around as aimlessly as a jellyfish, I don’t have to worry about who might be watching
(Episode 1: “Jellyfish in the Night”)
Mahiru Kouzuki
Mahiru’s opening narration reflecting her desire for anonymity after childhood artistic trauma
Your mural taught me art isn’t about perfection – it’s about raw feeling
(Episode 1: “Jellyfish in the Night”)
Kano Yamanouchi
Kano’s passionate defense of Mahiru’s graffiti work during their first encounter
Let’s make something only we can create – no labels, no rules
(Episode 3: “Anonymous Hearts”)
Kano Yamanouchi
JELEE’s founding ethos during their first collaborative session
I thought erasing my name would erase the pain… but it just made me invisible
(Chapter 5)
Mahiru Kouzuki
Vulnerable admission about defacing her mural’s credit as a child
Talent’s overrated. What matters is screaming your truth until someone hears
(Episode 7: “Unfiltered Voices”)
Kiui
VTuber’s manifesto during a livestream defending JELEE’s controversial debut
You don’t need a stage when the whole city’s your canvas
(Episode 2: “Neon Rebellion”)
Mei Kim
Composer’s philosophy while orchestrating JELEE’s first guerrilla performance
I’ll keep singing until my voice drowns out their lies
(Episode 4: “Scars in Stereo”)
Kano Yamanouchi
Defiant vow after confronting her idol agency’s defamation
Why do we hide what makes us shine?
(Episode 5: “Lipstick on the Mirror”)
Mahiru Kouzuki
Introspective question before publicly reclaiming her artist identity
Their gossip can’t sink us if we’re already swimming in the dark
(Episode 11: “Depth of Defiance”)
Kiui
Clapback against online trolls during JELEE’s viral controversy
Every brushstroke you hide is a piece of yourself you bury
(Chapter 12)
Kano Yamanouchi
Encouraging Mahiru to embrace imperfect artistry
We’re not broken – we’re mosaics
(Episode 8: “Shards of Us”)
Mei Kim
Healing declaration during JELEE’s late-night studio session
You kissed the girl but won’t admit you like her? Classic
(Episode 5: “Lipstick on the Mirror”)
Kiui
Playful tease about Mahiru and Kano’s romantic tension
Anonymous art isn’t cowardice – it’s freedom
(Episode 6: “Faceless Revolution”)
Mahiru Kouzuki
Defending JELEE’s masked identities during a press debate
My music isn’t for charts – it’s for the girl who cried in bathroom stalls
(Episode 9: “Echoes in Empty Rooms”)
Mei Kim
Dedication during JELEE’s intimate rooftop concert
They called us jellyfish… so let’s show how we glow in the dark
(Episode 10: “Bioluminescent”)
Kano Yamanouchi
Rallying cry before their neon-lit Shibuya takeover
Your trauma isn’t a cage unless you let it lock you in
(Chapter 18)
Kiui
Advice to Mahiru about overcoming creative paralysis
We’re not ‘girls’ – we’re a goddamn ocean
(Episode 12: “Tides of Change”)
Mei Kim
Rebuke to condescending critics during a radio interview
Every lie they spread about us is a chord we’ll turn into music
(Episode 13: “Encore of the Nameless”)
Kano Yamanouchi
Final performance monologue challenging industry exploitation
I don’t want fans – I want accomplices
(Episode 4: “Scars in Stereo”)
Kiui
VTuber manifesto about redefining audience relationships
You taught me art isn’t a weapon… it’s a lifeline
(Chapter 24)
Mahiru Kouzuki
Gratitude to Kano during mural restoration scene
Our flaws aren’t mistakes – they’re the notes that make the song
(Episode 7: “Unfiltered Voices”)
Mei Kim
Embracing creative imperfections during a studio meltdown
I’d rather fade into the night than burn out under their spotlight
(Episode 2: “Neon Rebellion”)
Kano Yamanouchi
Rejecting mainstream idol culture for JELEE’s authenticity
You’re not ‘just’ an artist – you’re someone’s reason to breathe
(Episode 9: “Echoes in Empty Rooms”)
Kiui
Consoling Mahiru during a crisis of purpose
Let’s paint the city with everything they tried to silence
(Finale: “Immortal Jellyfish”)
Mahiru Kouzuki
Triumphant declaration during JELEE’s legacy-defining exhibition
We didn’t swim against the current… we became the tide
(Finale: “Immortal Jellyfish”)
Kano Yamanouchi
Closing reflection on their cultural impact
