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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very touching…
it makes me wanna cry at all the time when i remember aya’s story….i juz luv to see how was aya continuing her life so bravely….
this story makes me cry.I like it.i’m never forget it.
i luv dis drama very very very very much.
I guess I never thought about how prescious is the gift of life and health. I guess I never appreciated it that much until I watched this excellent drama! For me it is about human relationship,about family relationship, about true friends, about fighting with death.It is all about love shown in different ways! This drama made me think and appreciate more my life but also look up to people who don’t have so much left on this earth! I loved every single sciene of the drama! The actors are excellent and the quality of the drama is the hightest I have ever seen.
Thank you for touching so many lives with it!
this drama makes me appreciate what i have in my life and try to enjoy my life till the end..
Boys dont cry… boys dont cry… but i cried…
it was a great movie…
really touching my heart.
but i wonder how is the entire her family now???
this story not only makes me cry one litre…but 11 litres…because I cried in each episode….
Aya was a great and brave girl..she tried to accept her disease and her destiny without no regrets….The words “why did it choose me?” really touch my heart….It can be happened to everyone right?
But I still wonder what happened to haruto?was haruto real exist in Aya’s life or just fiction character???? If Haruto really exist…I just wanna say that You are a great persons..a gentleman…you always beside Aya no matter what happened in the future….
LIVE ON….LIVE ON FOREVER….
Excellent review, and i mean excellent, exactly what i wanted to say, awesome review, this story was so touching, the best, i was warned that this drama would have an effect, i was also told you couldnt watch it all in one go, seems true, this story was excellent, i cried every episode!!! the music was great, and i loved the seens with aya and haruto, if i was in Aya’s position i wouldnt be as strong as her, shes truly couragous.
Very inspiring and touching, great cast of characters, couldnt imagine anyone else playing them. overall a great story and one which everyone should watch
love the story very much!!!!
wow! such an amazing story isn’t it??!
deeply touched by the dorama and it’s romantic too!!!
I love Erika and Ryou together…
only if i have a boyfriend that so caring like Haruto…=(
I was warned before I watched this drama – the title will stay true to itself. I still have one more episode to go, but ever since the beginning of the story – I`ve been deeply touched. Aya`s strength throughout the story made me thought: How strong am I compared to her? Will I be able to withstand the glances if I were in her place? There was also a lot of character development, the director made that clear. =]
trully.. this is j-drama sadnessss that i ever watch…
the best japanese dramaaa… my tears always falling down.. gud act… so touching… gambatte for aya… strong girl… wish could be like her….
i want read the diary.. did anyone could tell me where i can get the diary…
and for ryou… kawaaaiii….
^^
as everybody here, when i first time watch the first episode my eye can not hold the tears. even my friend said this drama is the most touching japanese drama ever.
good try for everyone who bring this story to us
thanz….
the best jdrama ever…=) it was so touching i practically cried in every episode. what happens to Asou at the end? i didn’t really get it. it’s so sad that i can’t read japanese i so wanna get the diary. i guess it really made me cry 1 litre of tears
i didn’t cried but one drop of tear is all i need to have the prove that i’m touched. Aya was a really strong girl :’)
Wow…BEST…JAPANESE…DRAMA…EVER!!! its not just 10/10….it’s more like 100/10!!! XD
Such a sad story, but had some happy and funny scenes. :) ~
excellent play, good pace very touching, can anyone tell me where i can get that diary? thank you
i love this dorama too… it is the best one i have seen. because it has inspired me too. and when i watched it, he words that were said hit me hard but in a good way. it made me realize a lot of things. and it made me think a lot. and through out this movie i cried while i was smiling… i found that funny… but also releasing stress.
very great show. 10/10 i must say.
great music. the music really enhances the mood of sadness of the show. touching show. great actors/actresses. moved my heart greatly.
excelent review.
I’ve watched this drama last month.I’ve watched it from the 1st episode to the last non-stop.I couldn’t stop myself to take a break.Great play by all the character especially Erika.I also love her mother very much.Actually i couldn’t write how I feel about the drama.I couldn’t describe how fortunate I am to be able watching that drama.It was so excelent and beyond my expectation.This is the best Japanese drama I’ve ever saw. I’m from Malaysia,I’ve tried to find the books at every place I know.but I still can’t find it.If there is anyone know, please mail me.
Lastly, I hope all the best to Aya’s family and friends.Aya’s writing has touched me and and many more people out there.
this movie is the best i have seen so far for drama.
this dorama brings several tears to my eyes. its very inspiring worth watching over and over again…
Very Touching … make me flow 1 litre of tears hiks .. hiks .. What a great dorama, make me feel to more thanks to God i able to do anything …
Truely a best drama ever! I too finish the drama within 24hrs. Cried for serveral times. Does worth to watch second time, third time, forth…..
It’s me again. I made this graphic of the two stars in One Litre of Tears. Do you think it’s good?
I guess you can call me obsessed with One Litre of Tears. But it’s such a good piece of work that I couldn’t help it!
very touching and sad drama ive ever seen i give it a big thumbs up
very very very very very very very very very wonderful tatching drama you know something i thing that i cry more than one liter but it desserf it and i don’t ragret for any ters that get out form me becouse i love it very much
that’s all thanke u all
with my love claress
First time i know about this dorama from my friend at campus. When i saw first episode,in my mind i was thing this is very very briliant series movie. What was Aya did make me and lot of my friend’s very impressed.
this movie give me motivation to be a strong person and always thank’s to God because let me live until now…
Two thumb’s Up for Aya…
So far I’ve watched up until episode 9. From the beginning to the end so far my tears have flowed with passion and admiration towards Aya, her family and friends. Watching this drama has made me feel so blessed and extremely lucky to be able to do the things I love. Seeing Aya also makes me wonder, “why do I get so upset over such small things? some people would die to be in my shoes.” or “would I really be able to be as strong as her??”
The drama overall is touching and really inspirational, the actors have all done a brilliant job in acting out the roles making one feel as though they were really there along side Aya watching her suffer yet feeling so helpless because we can’t help her.
;.; *sobs*
My friends were borrowing it off another friends, we’re all scabbing off him.
And everyone who has watched it cried. Even the guys.
Apparently the tears start flowing like 15 minutes into the 1st episode.
Hey, Katherine, I didn’t know that you were touched too!!! LOL. One Litre of Tears is the best film I’ve ever seen in my entire life (and you betcha that I’ve seen a lot) because it made me feel really sentimental and touched me deeply. If only there were more films like that and images on Google…LOL
All in all, One Litre of Tears is the best thing that you can ever watch because it makes you appreciate life when you think that you want to just scream in anger because of the imperfections in life. But it makes you think, “How would I feel if I was Aya?” and “Would I be as strong as her?” and also “I should be more like her and appreciate life instead of letting it go by me and crying.”
I love “One Litre of Tears”!!! It was so touching and it made me cry-thrice! It was just one of those movies/sitcoms/whatever-you-call-them that are so good that it makes you wanna cry/laugh. I really think that Aya is an inspiration girl. I love the girl who played her also. As for the guy who plays Haruto because he’s heck of a cutie!LOL. Anyway, it’s just one of those films that makes you appreciate your life now and make you realize that humans are so overcome with greed that they take everything for granted…including the use of their arms and legs and the ability to talk.
I liked the movie HECKA MUCH!!!!!!!!
It made me cry over and over again. Espicially aya,who was stong,faced the ugliness of having that diease. As for aya, people talked about her and treated her special like they think she’s contagious or something like that. It gave me strength to move on and forget about the past like losing my grandparents, i wasn’t there for their funeral because i was at school. I often vblame myself about not being there for their funeral. I miss them a lot, but when i watched this movie, Aya… Aya gave me strength to forget about the past and movie on.
AYE GOT TAO AYA!!!!!!!
THANK YOU AYA!!!!!!!!!
i like when they were on aya’s boyfriend’s bikecycle and they were going hom 2together.
this film is incredibly sad. By the way, does anybody here please let me know whether the diary of the real “Aya” has been published in Japan, and if yes, where can I find it( of course I’d love ebook because I have no condition to go to Japn or so..>_
yah its sad and touching.
anyway the soundtrack k- only human
remioromen – konayuki
i watched it. And i cried. Nearly 1 litre of tears i think.
my eyes look like 2 apples now.
Well, but i learnt a lot in this as well.
I lost my boyfriend, he had cancer, but only 8 months before he died, he first knew about his disease. I didn’t see him the last time before he passed away, because i was studying abroad.
I blame myself for not being with him, even if it’s just one day … But i couldn’t.
And i never ever had that chance again.
Seeing Aya. I know indeed how wonderful it is to being alive, healthy, be loved by family and friends. Maybe it’s time, i can’t hold the past longer. I promise myself I will never forget him. But i can’t just let my life flows away just crying and blaming. I want to live my life meaningly.
She gives me more strength.
Thank you Aya
P/S i want to hear the soundtrack of the film. Can anyone help me with it? thanks
Hi, drama looks really great but…
i have HDTV version of 1LOT from emule but I cannot find english sub. :(
Thank’s for everyone who can help me.
kotschrodingera@o2.pl
nubobok
Its a friend who gave me the references… i tnx her a lot bcuz it showed me how preciou life and time are. i’m complaining allways but now i see how childdish it was… im not sayin that i wont complain in the futur, but ill think befor ill do!
Aya taught me how to be more positive face to the life…
Tnx a lot !
Oh man, this has been such a great series so far. Though I haven’t cried yet, every episode of this series has brought me close to crying, something that has never happened to me before.
Sawajiri was able to bring out Aya’s true emotions and feelings through her acting, it was so amazing. There were times where I actually had thought she was Aya herself and was going through the disease.
Great review Jason, it really brings out the true and pure attributes of this series. Very nicely done.
This dorama is really worth it’s name. It made me cried a lot, not only watching it but late at night, I often cried myself to sleep, thinking of Aya.
My grandfather died from spinocerebellar degeneration a long time ago. At the time, I was really young and I only remember a few things but while watching this dorama, I could see my grandfather, I could imagine what he went trought, what he must have been thinking. I undestand the tears he shed, the smiles he showed. I can feel my heart is lighter.
Now I see the true value of life. I have a disorder of the movement disease but I don’t see it has a burden anymore. I can breath, I can walk, I can smile. I’m like everybody else.
Aya is now and forever is my heart. she taught me so many things and I love verry much, I’ll prey for her to be in a verry happy place.
Hi.. i’m from unpad indonesia…
I’m really love this movie and the soundtracks, very touching and amazing story…I have been watching this drama over and over again…..because of the story itself and because of Sawajiri’s great performance…wait a sec for aya’s okaasan, she show how’s our parents really loves their kid’s. what an awesome movie with a wonderfully touching and heartwarming story…
Two thumps up !!!
One of the best movies all of time…i have ever seen…
thank you for jason…you have done a great job for this review…
“Life is what you can make out of it. Treasure it.”
I m indonesian
I saw it all.
Touching.
It’s like my beloved girl’s story who just passed away on feb this year.
She got SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus), that been diagnosed in 2005.
Then, until i saw this dorama, i realized how meaningful was our life.
Saw half of the series and have to say this is one of the saddest drama I’ve seen.
I cried so much and it is hard to hide it when my sister is around. Watching this have defintely make me more positive towards life and I look forward to tomorrow.
I’m in a rock band, i never cry when i watched drama..but this time, i just cry..
yeah, what’s wrong with falling down, as long as i can stand up again n look into the sky, the limitless blue sky still smiling to me and says, “come on, u can do it….”
you are right aya-chan, life is just too precious for us to easily let go. I’m alive aya-chan….thank you for your words..
i watched this series and i have to see, i felt so bad for her but she brings hope to everyone, i’m only half way through it but life is so cruel
this is the best i ever have seen. i really want the song of the drama you hear, it’s goes like this:
“On the other share of sadness
It is sad that there is a smile
Finally we arrived
But what are we wating for?
The purpose is not to run away
It’s to chase after dreams
We shuld have gone out to travel,
On that summer day so long ago
If even tomorrow, if you se it
Though there isn’t a sigh either
Like a ship going against the current flow
Right now, go forward, move ahead
Even if it’s cuts throw the rain and clouds
The wat roads shine
Only the dark will teach,
A stronger and stronger light.
Be strong, go forward, move ahead.”
IF YOU HAVE THAT SONG PLEASE ADD ME: KentFreak_747@hotmail.com
i am sure that baby can make cry if he watch this movie
” two thumbs up ”
hubert & roeper
the best japanese drama i’ve watched so far….
i’m a guy but i also cried when watching this movie….
this movie’s so amazing and touchable,,dramatic,,realistic,,i get many things from this movie.
this movie shows us about love, friendship, struggle of life, family, etc.
this movie make me cry 1 litre of tears,,hiks,,,
i’m so appreciate to aya’s struggle,,,and never give up even she has incureable desease,,,
i learn about spirit of life,,,
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