19-year-old freeter (a Japanese expression for people between the ages of 15 and 34 who lack full time employment or are unemployed, excluding housewives and students.) Tsuyoshi Osanai enters a school for guide dog trainers. After 2 years of training, Tsuyoshi becomes an assistant trainer. His first dog to train is Chie.
Acting
Yōsuke Asari's transformation from deadbeat to devoted.
Practical Effects
Real guide dogs trained on camera — no faking the bond.
Director
Masaru Shimomura
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
'Freeter' was a loaded 2000s Japanese term — not lazy youth, but a generation rejecting crushing salaryman life. The film quietly argues purpose isn't found in traditional work.
Chie was played by an actual guide dog in training who graduated and went to work after filming. Her successor watched the premiere.
JP
