This dorama is about a girl who was diagnosed with a disease called “Spinocerebellar Degeneration” when she was 15 years old, and was able to continue her life until her death at the age of 25 years old.
The plot is based on the true story of a Japanese girl named Kito Aya, who had the same disease. She kept writing in her diary to remember her experiences until she could no longer hold a pen. Aya simply wished to live until the end of her life, and the purpose of writing in the diary was to remind herself to not give up. She shed tears many times, at the same time encompassed by the rich love and support from her family, friends, and boyfriend. Her diary “1 Litre of Tears” was published after her death, because of its inspiring and courageous message of
“Just being alive is such a lovely and wonderful thing.”
So far, over 18,000,000 copies of her diary have been sold.
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The Review
This dorama features Sawajiri Erika, Nishikido Ryou, Narumi Riko, Yakushimaru Hiroko, Jinnai Takanori and Fujiki Naohito. Sawajiri Erika has powerfully brought out the character of Aya, and people who watch this dorama will feel compassion for her while she suffers from the illness. My tears flowed after almost every episode as I questioned myself, “What would I do if I were Aya?” This is a dorama where you can see a 15 year old young girl who was able to face her disease bravely, and tried her best to treasure the time she spent with her friends, family and boyfriend everyday she could.
To me, this was one of the best doramas of 2005, mainly because the reality of this story has enlightened me. I realized that my life is not that tough compared to those who are suffering from an incurable disease. “1 Litre of Tears” stood out for a reason: it is not because Aya was upset because of her disease, she was touched by the love and patience she received from her friends and family. I was amazed by the braveness with which she chose to live her life, as a strong girl who was only 15 years old, yet managed to face her cruel fate with a positive outlook, and tried her best to do whatever she could by herself.
For those dorama fans who loved “Beautiful Life” that starred Takuya Kimura & Tokiwa Takako, I’d bet you guys will appreciate this story too. I can feel the power of the love from her family and friends in this story, and encouraged me to be positive in my life even though there may be many difficulties and problems. I hope there will be somebody who is willing to translate the original diary by Kito Aya sold in Japan because she has a lot of meaningful words in her diary. This story contains both sadness and love, and I hope you guys will love this dorama as much as I did.
Episode 1 synopsis
This dorama starts right before Aya is confronted with the illness, Spinocerebellar Degeneration, in which the nerve cells of areas necessary for the human body to move and balance–including the cerebellum, brain stem, and spinal cord–transform and eventually disappear.
Ikeuchi Aya (Sawajiri Erika), a 15 year old girl, is the eldest daughter in a normal Japanese family. She lives with her reliable mother, Shioka, who works as a nutritionist, her father, Mizuo, the wacky owner of a tofu shop, her quiet younger brother, Hiroki, and two younger sisters, the sarcastic Ako and innocent Rika. On the day of her high school entrance exam, she left the house full of energy, but she missed her stop to get off the bus and walk to her high school because she fell asleep. She quickly got off and ran from the bus in the rain when she discovered she was late. She slipped, fell down and injured her knee. At that time, she met Haruto Aso, who was trying to skip the exam. He gave her a ride to school, the administrators allowed them to take the exam (despite the fact that Haruto was uninterested in taking it), which they both later passed.
The new semester began, Aya and Haruto were in the same class, and both were elected as the representative of their class. Aya also joined the basketball team, and was reunited with the boy who she was fond of from the male basketball team. Just as she was beginning to enjoy her high school days, Aya starts to experience some physical difficulties. She always dropped food from her chopsticks, could not estimate the distance of the objects in front of her, could not pour water into a cup without spilling it, and occasionally wobbled while walking. Her mother, Shioka, who was the only one to notice the physical changes in Aya, started to worry about what was going on.
One day, Aya’s life started to change after she tripped and fell. She couldn’t protect herself with her hands while falling and she hurt her face. After this, her illness is slowly revealed and her tragedy begins…
Purchase: “1 Litre of Tears” DVD Box
Purchase: “1 Litre of Tears” diary (in Japanese)
Purchase: “1 Litre of Tears” diary (in English)
Purchase: “1 Litre of Tears” Original Soundtrack
Torrent: Fansub by Kioku Konseki
Torrent: Original Soundtrack
Insert song: Konayuki by Remioromen
Translation: by Kiwi and Pye (ongoing)
Translation: by Ayafan (ongoing)
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i jus finished wathing it… where can i find a copy of the diary in english?????
yup…. really sad….my mum cried through every single episode…. my dad, who doesn’t usually really care about dramas, actually watched the whole thing with me mum and i. its seriously really sad, but it really motivates u to keep on living. for all those who can read chinese, this is what she said ““把手放在胸前，撲通撲通地跳著 那聲音是心臟在跳 好幸福 我還活著”i’ll translate that into english
“As I place my hand over my chest I can feel “thump thump. thump thump” That is the sound of my heart beating. I’m so happy. I”m still alive.”
Aya Kito, who Erika Sawajiri starred as, actually wrote that in her diary, which later became the published book “1 Litre of Tears”. I watched this last year (2007), and I don’t think i’ll ever forget it.
when I am reading the story I can imagine the face and the expiriences of aya who is brave and trying to figth her disease.
i want to see more episode.i want to see erika
this is the best drama i ever watched in my whole 20 yrs…. it realli enlighten me abt hw important is staying healthy n treasure every min tt i haf wif my frens n family…. life is totally unpredictable… i admire her for her everything…. she is totally amanzing…. amanzing human being…. rest in peace aya… ((:
Is Aya’s family still alive?
It’s such a sad drama,every episode make me cry,I believe one day I will use the knowledge I learn to save these people…
One Litre of Tears…
but my tears all ready 5 litre…
I LOVE this story…
I think this show really opened my eyes to whats important in life. It was the end of my senior year and i had decided to live on wellfare and not do anything. Then i watched this show. I guess you can say i’m smart since i had gotten all A’s all through elemtary, middle, and high school, i was just lazy. Then, when i watched this show I wanted to do something in my life. Now i’m studying neurology at John Hopkins University. I’m so happy that the story of Aya was produced around the world. It really shoed me the light and possiblilty of things.
so sad movie…….. i’ve never watch any sad movie like this….. but nice movie to watch… “illness is not bad luck… it just difficult”
i have buy the dvd story 1 litre of tears, just watch the story…i cant belive the story is based on true story…its sad, im touched, my tears drop till my eyes black…waaaaaaa so sad so sad…i love this story, it gave me hope and courage to moved on foward, never give up never surrender…i pass the dvd story to my friends so that they feel the sadness
:(
i love this story a lot…
it teach me how to be strong….
Just finised the last chapter last night (June 12,2008) , my tears drop without knowing. I am a man , but the sad story make me cry a lot. I will keep her brave and to encourage my self and my family. You have done a good jobs for us. Sleep in peace Aya.
One litter of tears…
In fact… my tears falls more than that..
To really understand and feel the pain inside the girl…
How much soreness and hurt she had to overcome..
How much sorrow and tears she had to undergoes..
How much sadness and fear she had to suffers..
For being her…
Need so much courage to standing still!
Even my tears seems too little to stand for her feeling..
To be together to feel her pain..
her sorrow..
her sadness…
But as much as I can do today is crying..
To feel sorry for her empty future..
though…
What I will do tomorrow..
Is to wake up with full of joys..
And forget about her yesterday…
But for her…
Even to close her eyes when the night came..
Is one with all the frightening things to do…
Cause tomorrow…
Is not what will persist the blissful of yesterday..
Rather continue the pleasant days of before…
Because her nightmares..
Will continue forever!
I quotes some of her writing..
Can feel her sorrow..
But still..
I can’t feel her pain..
Hope..
God may bless her…
Always.
“This disease… why did it choose me..?”
How a little girl.. knows the truth behind that….
“Reality is too cruel.. to brutal
I don’t even have a right to dream..
As I think about future, the tears will come out again..
Where should I head towards?
Even if there isn’t an answer
I feel better to write it down
I’ve looked for a pair of helping hand
But couldn’t feel them, couldn’t see them
I only face towards the darkness
And hear the sounds of my hopeless screams”
May 23rd,1988. 12.55am
Kitou Aya 25 years old lay asleep forever
Surrounded by flowers..as her wish..
She passed away..
I don’t know why..
These stories I already leave it far behind..
But still the feeling is here..
Why..
These story really touch my feeling..???
Even the surrounding seems like share the same feeling as me…
Cloudy…
Cold…
Quite..
I don’t know..
Why it seems like I’m the one who lost this girl…
Seems like I miss the time spend with her..
Miss her smile.. miss her courage.. miss her tough..
one litter of tears….
have somebody know “Where is Aya’s graveyard?”
I want to say “thank you Aya”.
oh i really love this drama make me realize that im lucky cause i dont have decease like aya make me appreaciate the people around me and i hope it will be airing here in the philippines soon i cant wait to watch it here in philippines
the most touching drama ever. one of the few doramas i loved. and definitely the most sad. i dont think i’ve ever used so many tissues in a span of three days before.
<3
really . . the story of Aya is very Impressive >>
I really Affected by her patience and fight>>
really she is my hero
i have just finished watching it and i found out about it 2 days ago. heh, i couldn’t stop watching it. i forgot how i found it. i was just watching random videos on you tube. this drama must be the saddest drama i’ve ever came across. this drama made my cry so many times and yes im a guy. it doesnt matter if im a guy. this drama would make anybody cry. i felt what the family went through. it is sad that she have encountered the disease. luckily, she had wonderful friends and family to support her. i admire Aya’s strength and will to live on. my heart goes out to her and her family. i hope there will be a cure for this disease, someday.
i heard there was english translated verison of her diary sold at kinokuniya bookstores? good, because i where one is located. i just found out about the store a couple months ago, too. i’ll make a purchase of her diary very soon =)
she passed on my fourth birthday. yes, on the same day…
That a good drama I seen,every shot make me cry
i cried so much for this drama esp in the scene where hori was ashame to admit that aya is her sister. it give me hope. inspire. n the right to dream. where could i find it’s copy in malaysia?? pls any1 knows email me at aqilahalim@gmail.com
i am a man. but once i watched this movies. i cried a lots. sometimes, i said to myself i am a man why did you cry? after i asked this question already when i saw Aya cried my tears dropped down without self-conscious. i appreciated Aya so much. i am a man sometimes i couldn’t stand on my feet. sometimes i almost give up my study. some problems i faced i always not wanted to face. but after i watched Aya real story. it motivated me so much. every time i disencourage i always remember Aya. i hope if Aya still a live how happy she is and she can see her story help to inspire a lot of people and will know how to prepare well in life. and before i regard my life as one of the rabbish and i gave up some of my goals. but i hope i will try my best in every field. i want to dedicate my share-sadness with Aya’s family and i hope all of them will have the proud of Aya. i want to show this movies to the AId people and orphans to have hope in lives even though the storm of life strikes them. but i hope they need to stand strong and take Aya as their pattern including me too. i like this movies so much. this movies inspire me to do the best to pleasure my family and life on this universe. i like it so much
one of the greatest drama i think.. and its soundtrack left its own memory in my mind..
i like this movie.. so sad.. n touch my heart..
always remember this series and aya..
i am watching the dramma on youtube.com it is good so far. i like the theme song too. i want to read the book. i cant find where to buy it =\ hmmm………
GOOD NEWS AUSSIE PEOPLE!
you can buy the english version of this book in sydney from the bookstore er..Kinokuniya IN ENGLISH
WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Well to to tell you guy’s frankly. Im the type of guy (man) who really hate’s drama movies/series. But when i first seen this story…. It really made me cry a lot…. Imma man yeah… But i shed so many tears while watching it…. It really touch my heart… Sometimes when i lose hope… I always think what Aya did was really great….. She really helped lots of people… By the way… Is there somewhere here in the philippines where i can a find an english translated book of 1 litre of tears? Please inform me… Thanks guys… And for Aya…. Wherever you are… I am sure that you are very happy right now… Seeing that you have helped so much so many people….
This book IS available in English, however, it may be very difficult to find. I was able to find a copy in a bookstore that sells materials to native Japanese speakers wanting to learn English. The book was published by FA Publishing Co. under the “Ladder Series” and translated by Yoko Toyozaki and Stuart Varnam-Atkin. The translation was done very well and includes an afterword and postscript by Aya’s mother. If you are unable to find a copy, please email me. atrbhr@yahoo.com
wow…..im veryyy reallly..like one litre of tears,its was my first time im crying since the first episode,its so saddd…. but i really enjoy every moments in this drama series,now im still wondering where i can download one litre of tears’s soundtrack?and yes of course the actor was so handsome…..its the most touching drama i’ve ever seen…..!!!
*im sorrry about my bad english*
Yes,I like this drama.Tomorrow I will give a speech about it to my classmates in my English class.I am sure they will like it and like Aya
i watch this drama last year but i still can remember each episodes and it’s storyline.
why? becoz this drama so great!!full with emotion and make me realize how lucky i am altough i facing with a lot of prob in my life..so i think we should to thank to god for giving us a good health and life. Remember AYA, if you having bad thing in your life. adios……
1 litre of tears is a interesting movie..full of sadness..nice to know this true story..
i also watch this drama is very touching and also sad. but it shows that not every person should give up when we are ill. kam pa te!!!!!!
Hi there…
This is my second run on this series (the first time I completed this series was on June 2006 where my friends burned a copy of DVD for me)… I decided to get the original last week and although I’ve watched it before it can’t help that I kept on crying on each episode especially during Konayuki every time played at the background ;(
Now is my exam season and everytime when I felt bored or wanna give up on certain topics in my study, after I watched how hard Aya tried herself had gave me energy to keep on study!!
The best Jdrama or even drama that I had ever seen… After watched the drama, you’ll see how beautiful everything besides you that you didn’t realized before…
Hi there!
Just dropped by this blog n found bout this one litre of tears movie; and i found out that this movie sure stand out against all odds. this is a wonderful movie, taught me a lot about life. Life is short, and we definitely need to treasure this life with all of our might.
add me on nabslala@gmail.com for gtalk…
:)
I cried more than a litre of tears just watching this! It makes you think of life and how special it is. It also makes you appreciate the things people can really do. I have just turned 16 and I am starting to choose my future. I have high expectations and watching this jdrama makes me feel that just being able to work is lucky of me. I’m lucky I can do all the things I can, when there are people out there that can’t do half of what I can.
I will definately purchase the book. Although my Japanese is bad and I won’t understand a lot of it, it’s worth buying it just to show the support and respect people that have this disease and other diseases deserve. The meaningful words are still there, although I cannot read them. I am sure someone will translate this book. Many copies have been sold and it must be interesting to read too. If nobody does, when I get better at Japanese, I will do it myself and post the translation up somewhere!
XxX
Hey, I saw a comment asking if non-asian people had watched the drama, I thought I’d leave a comment to say that I have watched it – I’m from England. I really loved it. It was soooo sad but really thoughtful and it has a great message to put across. I think it should be released in England. I also wish there was a book with the English translation of her diary – I know there is an online version. :)
far more than 1litre of tears…
Im totally moved by Kito Aya, and allssso her MUM who reminds me think of my mum-the love is so strong!
Everytime, when we meet sth called” problems”, just think about Aya and her disease. Then, all become so small, and we face them and try best to deal with them. The life is still so wonderful like what Aya expects!
when i watched this drama i was crying
i couldnt help myself
i just sometimes wish there wasnt a spinocerebellar degneration disease
when ever i think of this i say to myself why does it have to happen
well thats what i think.
i watched this drama when my bestfriend asked me to… what a sad story i’ve ever watched!! it makes me cry from the first episode untill the last…every part of the drama makes me cry not a litre but alot,much much more than a litre..why not if the diary of kito aya is published in english or malay. so that we can cry for the diary too…i love to have it!!
I just finished this drama yesterday.
Actually my friend asked me to watch it since last year. ^ ^”
Well, this drama is really sad and touching. I cried since 4th episode until the end. =’/
So far this is the most touching drama I’ve ever seen.
To the real Aya, she had already fought against the disease so hard for years…I’m proud of her. =)
“Just being alive is such a lovely and wonderful thing.” by Ikeuchi Aya.
It’s remind us that we should appreciate everything include the days we are still in this world.
Love 1 litre of tears! =)
this Film Made Me Crie Many Times … I Cant Belive Thers Such Disesase :O
A good drama.It touch my heart!
This was a very nice movie.My tears always drop when I watched every episode.If for me,I almost give up.I always give up when I know that I can’t fight with that dangerous disease.But sometimes I always ask myself,should I give up or not.This movie really touched many people’s heart.My friend said she always cried when she see the movie.The first time I don’t even bother to see this movie till one day when I was boring and sat down and there I goes.I saw a girl always ask her mom “what disease I’ve got” and she find it out in a computer.Then I feel very interesting and I keep on watching this movie non stop.Aya is a very very very brave person.Thanks for this drama.It tells me “you’re not suppost to give up”.Thanks a lot.
this drama is so toching…. it made me cry….
i love this drama a lot… i recommended this drama to my friends and all of them who have watched the drama cried… i cant help on crying since this drama captured my heart… my tears keeps on falling every time Aya cries…
this movie is so touching.i cried a lot. if i rate this movie it would be 10
The best drama ever seen in my whole life. Very touching and as a man, I am able to shed tears while watching this drama.
this drama is so sad..it maka me feel very sad..this drama touched my heart so much!..many tears come down in my eyes..1 litre of tears is so sad…many times i cried..
i am very amaze to the characteristics of KITO AYA…..i like to buy her diary!…i love this drama very much..to the true KITO AYA..hope u r happy now..i hope u can walk..speak.and write..now!!..RIP..i love this drama very much!!..love watching tragic love stories!!
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