The Book of Life

Kids arrive at Museum

1 CE

A group of children show up as the last tour of the day at a museum. The tour guide takes them inside, to read them the book of life.

The bet

2

It is la dia de los muertos. La muerte and xibalba make a bet to decide who should rule the land of the remembered. They bet on which of two boys, Manolo and Joaquin, would win the hand of the girl Maria Pasado. Xibalba cheats by giving Joaquin the Medal of Everlasting Life, which prevented him from ever getting hurt.

Maria leaves for Europe

3

After Maria, Joaquin, and Manolo release a group of pigs, and are almost killed by a boar, Maria's father sends her off to Europe. This pains both Joaquin and Manolo very much, but they both have other things to worry about. Joaquin was taken under the town general's wing, and was being trained to be a warrior and hero. Manolo, consistent with his family tradition, starts training to be a bullfighter.

Manolo's first bullfight

4

Manolo and Joaquin are now grown up. Joaquin is already an accomplished hero, and Manolo is getting ready for his first bullfight. This bullfight happens to be on the same day that Maria returns from Europe. Manolo avoids the bull successfully, but cannot bring himself to kill it. This disappoints his father very much. Manolo and Joaquin both start courting Maria

Manolo dies

5

Manolo and Maria go for a walk. Xibalba is worried that this will make Maria want to marry Manolo, so he sends a snake to put her into a trance. The whole town thinks she is dead and starts mourning. Manolo, thinking it is his fault, goes back to where Maria "died." Xibalba shows himself to Manolo, and asks him if he wants to see Maria. He says yes, and Xibalba proceeds to kill him.

Manolo visits Muerte

6

Manolo enters the Land of the Remembered and is reunited with his family. They go to visit Muerte, and ask to see Maria, but they find Xibalba, who tells them that Maria didn't actually die. He also tells them about the bet. Manolo goes to the Land of the Forgotten to visit Muerte, who makes Xibalba agree to let Manolo return to life if he defeats all the bulls that the Sanchez family has ever beaten. Manolo succeeds by seducing the bull with music, and returns.

Chakal attacks the city

7

The bandit leader Chakal, upon hearing that Joaquin had the Medal of Everlasting Life, which was formerly his, decided to attack the city. Manolo and his reincarnated family showed up just in time to join the battle. The bullfighters were able to fend off the bandits while Manolo and Joaquin fought Chakal, and ended up killing him. Because of Manolo's help, and the love he had previously shown to her, Maria and Manolo got married, and lived happily ever after.