Amateur photographer Makoto and the homely but endearing Shizuru meet during their university entrance ceremony and become instant friends. Shy by nature, Makoto finds himself opening up around Shizuru, who is secretly in love with him.
Cinematography
Every frame looks like a heartbreak postcard.
Acting
Aoi Miyazaki's smile will destroy you.
Score
Piano motifs that linger for days.
Director
Takehiko Shinjo
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Aoi Miyazaki was only 21 but had already won Japan Academy Prize for Best Actress; her rawness here made critics call it career-defining.
The film popularized 'hikari no mori' (forest of light) as a romantic trope in J-dramas—this movie basically invented the aesthetic of melancholy nature backdrops for heartbreak.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
JP
