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.
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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this drama made me realized that.. “if u cant treasure urself and ur life, then nobody will treasure u.” even though ur weak ur different from average ppl, just ‘member that we have smth diff from others which we shud proud of. Aya was the strongest girl ive ever seen. She never gave up from this tough life. If i were her, may be i would kill myself. but now i can see clearly.. im not the only ONE who suffer.
AWESOME movie!!!!…great acting and everything else was great(the music…LOL)…pluse it got me a little teary….hahahaa ^_^
i’m a 4th year medical student hoping to become a neurologist one day…started watching “one litre of tears” today and i have to say it really potray a beautiful story…
in my studies, i’ve come to know patients who have similar suffering like aya… and i’ve met many increadible doctors who devote their lifetime… seeing them give me a reason.
for those who constantly living in denial, hate, insatisfactory… open up your heart…
it’s just amazing how the actors re-created the story.
it felt like i was suffering and going throguh every step with her, and realize how happy it is to get support from people around you.
i think ive cried more than a litre of tears, before the old tears dried off new tears came:)i feel blessed to have all my family and friends with me n now i treasure them even more.
let us continue the spirit Aya.
its highly recommended!!
got to youtube for ones with english sub-titles.
enjoy.
I love the dorama, especially Niskido Ryou he was soo cute and too bad he’s taken. >=[
one litre of tears is such a toucheable and dramatic movie. it show us the value of friendship, family and world around us. I never watch the touching movie like this. The moral teach us to appreciate of what we have. dun give up and ready to accpet ur fate is the lesson we can get from this drama. trust me this movie can make guys out there cry!!
This story of “1 Litre of Tears” is truly amazing! Her feelings are expressed so well that all of us can feel what she is feeling. I think Aya’s life was not in vain, her words are spreading. She is changing people’s lives. She helps a lot of people to gain confidence and to be more optimistic about life.
Seeing this drama, made me want to become a doctor or something that can help people as much as possible.
Well anyways, whenever you are feeling depressed or sad, think of Aya’s strong words. Live strong.
Some quote that I remember on top of my head,
“Life is what you can make out of it. Treasure it.”
i’m from indonesia.
this is a great dorama that i ever watched.
in the future, i hope this disease will be cured.
Normally, I’m not such a girl who cries- but while seeing “1 litre of tears” 1 cried even every 5 minutes…I’ve never seen such a great drama.
Man i think this is the only movie that made me cry like a girl….even my folks saw me crying and… theyre used of seeing me falling asleep on drama movies but this movie touched my heart T_T
Definately the best drama of all time. I’m a pretty cold-blooded person and have never cried over any tragic movie. But this one…omg, it really got to me as the episodes went on. My tears started to pour when it reached the 6th episode and would just get worse.
20/10. 2 thumbs up!
Ouh god… this story is very touching….. Me as a guy, embarassed to say this actually got warm tears flow through my cheeks…. specially on the final episode… well done to the actress and producers…
I love this drama. Its a very meaningful. Can anyone please tell me where can i download the OST ? Many thanks
This story has been recommended by my collageous (IIUM), saido-tensai-san..
*****
until now, I’m still thinking the creation and planning of God, creates different trouble for different people…
very common question I’ve heard “Why me?” and we definitely want to know the answer of such question…
I’ve discussed it with saido-tensai-san and the answer is : “God’s strategy is too difficult to be understood by human-level mind..”
*****
The point of the story:
The God really wants to test the people around Aya-san as well and we can see who is the real friends..
Individualistic environment among Aya’s collageous and societies in the developed country
Collectivism among Aya-san’s family and her supporters
*****
This is one of the best series I’ve ever seen and really cried a lot. Everyone’s acting could deeply represent feeling from inside. Above all, the theme is really good. Being just normal people was the most wonderful thing. I will tresure my life as much as I can. Thanks to this story. I recommend everyone to watch. You will love your life.
1リットルの涙 出会って本当に幸せでした。
i watched the series with my left sleeve all wet …..lol
The “1LOT” was such a wonderful dorama that i recommed to anyonr i know .In a word :A Must watch!
谢谢一升的眼泪,让我明白了生命的可贵,亲情的重要
Vielen Dank!
very good movie…
this is the first dorama i’ve ever see…
i cried a lot
I thought my life have gone after broken-up with my ex bf 3 years plus ago……..
After watched this drama, I found that have a healthty body is most important in the world and LOVE is just only a joke to me!!!
I never knew that I have so much of tears since I started the disk 1 until end.
I cried and cried and cried and cried and cried till my eyes cannot open……
true love never runs smooth 94880
Ive been watching this drama over and over again…..because of the story itself and because of Sawajiri’s performance. A wonderfully touching and heartwarming drama. One of the best in 2005, i think.
Oh yeah….i got two of soundtracks in video clips…one is a live performance – K – Only Human.
Another one is a PV – Remioromen – 3gatsu 9nichi (March 9 song shinrin mentioned).
hey people, i;m trying to look for the soundtracks. Esp the song “March 9″ that the class sang for the choir contest. Please shoe me some guidance. Thanks!
I think this drama was excellent….. :) the actress did great(the way she expressed her feeling was… very real) but of course the real aya must of went through alot more pain :’( Very sad
I think for those have not watch it before should watch it now! It’s worth the time
very emotional……..
I did cry alot while watching this series it was so sad that you could not hold back.
About 20 tissue worth :’(.
Aya did sent out a message to all of us’is to appreciate life more and live on ,not to dwell about the past’
Think about the pain she went through writing this diary out (with the differculties with her body) till she can not hold a pen anymore . I think she is so strong and brave of what she had done facing people glancing at her.
i’ll say she must of went through alot of crying and pains espicailly when her moving/speaking ability of her body was taken away from her (just imagine it was us for 10 years continuing life) she stood up for it very well.Strong spirit!
Very Sad :(
So Don’t Miss! 10/10
p.s but what acturally did happened to asou-kun at the end?
I watched this drama.. and it’s so sad. but very cool because it teaches us a lesson. ^^
at first they said it was a fiction.. and I never knew the disease really existed. But now I know. Maybe, I will become a doctor, and make a cure. So I can help many people.. ^^ Nice review..
This is really sad story
I think I cried through out 3/4 of the movie!… :)
honestly im a medical student
To all medical student out there, this drama is a must-see coz it will gives u spirit to become a great doctor
it’s really worth the time
i wonder when i meet this kind of disease in the future…
i’ll try my best to help them!
One of the BEST show in the history!
Beautiful Soundtracks… Amazing Story… I told my friend after watching 2 espd:
“I think I already cry at least 500ml of tears”
Please share this series with everyone….
the song is “only human”,by K; it’s so beautiful ^^
hey…. i need the song of this drama….
please, everybody who have that song send me in my email
this my email….
cisca_nemo@yahoo.com
thx b4…
the best movie i ever seen… so touching… i’ve been cried through all cds..omedeto Sawajiri Erika!!! your acting so marvellous….keep it up, girl!!!
Thanks [:
this is a great drama…… i’m cry and cry again…….
i won’t forget about story this drama……….
two thumbs up for this drama and the all actress…
very awesome..!!
this is really great dorama I have ever watched….excellent and awesome
very sad story..i love it…i wonder how this story could make us touched in our heart all around the world…honestly i live in Malaysia.. i give two thumbs up to this drama….kambadde neh~~ (^_^)
this review is great. indeed, this drama is excellent. never have i cried so much in a show before. it really makes me appreciate life even more.
the story is sad i agree. But if i was in her shoes right now, i would try to be strong and live as much as i can =]
Thanks for you guys replies, I’m quite suprise there are so many feedbacks after I write this review.
I introduced this dorama to some of my friends(inculding my girlfirend) too, but they were like hate me because I made them cry badly for this story.
Some of you are wondering about the song name, if you can notice I actually uploaded the song “Konayuki” at the end of the article, or if you asking about the ending theme, that will be “Only Human” by K.
The song on this web is called “Remioromen – Konayuki”
:)
i like the movie. it was sad, but stong. Do you know what is the name of this song? if you do, e-mail me at: oinks602@yahoo.com thank you.
Really a sad drama….It really touched me when i watch it everytime… If i am in her position, i won’t be that brave to face it all… This shOw has really inspired me alot…sO every1 out there, we must really cherish our life no matter what happen…
HI, i absolutely LOVE this movie. I watched it with my sisters. We all cried. I’m wondering, what is the name of this song on this site? I really like it. If you can tell me, please email me back. It is lyl_chynese_munkie@yahoo.com thanks [:
i love this series i cryed so much i couldnt stop .. i love you guys heaps .. and its sucha sad series .. it should be all around the world to hear it.
I liter of tears is a very touching true story. I’m very proud of the real Aya on how brave she are facing her sickness that damage her physical movement. Her sacrifice from making her dreams come true, clash with her boyfriend and leaving her beloved friends and school. If I were Aya, I will never came out from my house. Aya still can smile eventhought she in sickness. Her diary realy can be a lesson to me on how to appriciate my life.
” One Litre of Tears ” is really a touching drama. had just finished watching the drama an hour ago. i realli cudnt stop my tears frm falling. i’m so touched by how aya has acted. how brave she is to face the tradegy. though her sickness slowly damages her physical movements. bt she still seize on the motto “to live on”. she wrote out all abt her feelings in her diary. n in which it does helps a lot of vulnerable ppl out there. we shud live like aya, to help others wit our strength
** One Litre of Tears ** sucks a great and touching drama.I’ll never forget the story about Aya-a very nice person.I have watched so many dramas but I’ve never cried so hard as this drama.My tear dropped like rain and I can’t stop.I think everyone cried 1 litre of tears or more…..and more after watched this drama.I love this drama so much.This is 1 of my favourite dramas
yea…i’m watching episode 9 now…it’s nearing the end. Aya’s story affected me alot because i’m 16 years old now, the same age which she knew of her disease, which is Spinocerebellar atrophy. This disease differs for each person…
Watching the drama, i was thinking: What will i do if i know that i may not be able to walk one day, that i may not be able to talk one day? Look at what Aya’s going through at a young age of 16…and what are/were you doing?
Now, i think family’s the greatest thing on earth…Anyway, i’ve never cried soooo hard before watching this drama. I tried controlling the tears, but before i knew it, my cheeks are wet…the tears just kept falling…..non-stop, like the rain in the drama…
Oh ya….i forgot to mention that your review rocks!:)
And is there anyway we can get some publisher to translate her books? I want to keep a memory of her on my shelves to remind myself to appreciate life…
I have just finished watching this drama – 1 Litre of Tears~ it was a very touching movie..and it does make us realize how lucky we are who didn’t get that disease. As aya tried her best in her life to do the most she can to help others, i realized “what have i been doing all this time..?” if someone who has an incurable disease has such as strong will to live on, we should realize how important our lives are..
nevertheless it was a very good movie, and it was a good review you wrote as well Jason ^^
I hav juz watched da movie ** One Litre Of Tears**.I think this movie is very very nice.I luv it so much.I can’t stop crying while I’m watching it.Oh mah God it’s so sad.I hope I can see it again on TV.It’s a very very touching story and it has touched my heart my spirit my soul *cries*.Da music in diz movie is great too
“Just being alive is such a lovely and wonderful thing”
This is probably the first drama that has made me cry in every single episode… i mean i’ve read things from other forums written by guys and said they had their moments of tears… so this is expected for a emotional person like me…
1リットルの涙 really makes me wonder what will i do if i was Aya?…will i be able to handle with the truth/reality?
I love 1リットルの涙 and I really hope to the bottom of my heart for anyone of those unfortunate people. like Aya, they will receive much love from their loved ones…
I look up to you Aya
#i will treasure every moment i have with the ones i love even more than i’d ever before#
this drama really…really…really touching…i will become like aya..aya really give full spirit to me…and thanks for aya…
i’m forgot about something..i’m malaysian…well…i really like this drama….this drama really touching my heart…and maybe i cry when i watch this movie…ganbatte….aya…
i just watched it too.. to say its one really inspiring drama and changed me around to think how life should be appreciated every moment, with all that there is now..
i was wondering if i can really get a hold on her book.. want to
see more of the real Aya.. :)
it was very-very-very touching…
and full of spirit 4 me to live on like AYA!
AYA, u are one of a kind!!
I’m Thai and all i can say is this drama has touched my heart from the very beginning till the end of the show…..it gave me encouragement to live on optimistically!! i love the way the director present this drama because it’s not only has a try-to-cause-you-tears scene but also give you deep meaning of life that absolutely bring your tears down much more than 1 litre.
don’t hesitate to watch this excellent drama.
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