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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If you guys liked this TV series another good Japanese TV show that is just as sad is called “God give me more time”. I promise you will cry just as hard; however it is not based on a true story. But it is still very very good. The closest thing to this movie series I have come by as of yet.
what a great movie !!!!!!
same with another fans of 1 litre of tears…i know this film from my friend. First time i thought it just like another dorama of japan but,…its not just an ordinary dorama.
After watch this movie…i realize that life is too beautiful when everything run so fast.
Aya was teach me to not to give up…
Do not give up in every single detail of life…
Kitoh Aya will always be my teacher….
This is it, i got the movie from my friend, i brought it home and watch it with my sister. At the early episode, my sister starts to weep and i tease her a bit. (i tried so hard to stop my tears there), but when i watch the 6th episode, where ako scold hiro, 1 can no longer hold my tears and start crying. it happened again at episode 8, 9, 10, and 11.
this is the first time a movie make my cried. definitely a MUST WATCH MOVIE.
this is the best drama i’ve ever seen….plus the insert song dat plays along wif the movie(*konnayuki*)it really hit me deep inside my heart…..it really makes me wonder at times y am i alive…..how lucky i am to be alive…..i myself am a basketball player….a person who is very active…i can’t imagine my life being paralysed….it dosen’t matter if it’s a guy or a gurl who watched it….u’d definitely cry when u watch this show….well i truly did….it’s heart wrectching 4 me….thank u aya….4 such a wonderful n meaningful story of ur life….
such a great movie!!!
my tears fallin down again and again!!!
i think its more than 1 litre…
i wonder how is asou’s live now…
asou… i want to meet a guy like u!
aya… you are wonderfull!
(>o
Another touching movie named Mute Bride (its Chinese) its on youtube also, its as touching as 1 Litre of Tears (to me that is) ^__^
XOXO Vicki
i’ve watched all sad movies, but this movie realy realy “touch” my heart ! for a long time i didn’t cry, but after watch this movie, i cried all day…
what a great and sad movie
The movie is good and i cry….
LOVE aya & asou!!
Such a sad story!!!!!!
ohhhh mu god i m so sad every i saw i. Its drama movies the best what i have look
oh my good!!!dis story was AMAZING…..i like it very much….i love it…..it is so TOUCHING…..and asou-kun is so SWEET….aya is so TOUGH and KAWAII….aya & asou are so KAWAII…..cried a lot….and this was da first story that make me cried…..great movie…..i love it….
I’ve watched it last month, and i couldn’t stop crying until now! I cried alot…
i just finished watch this j-dorama today,(my friend gave me yesterday, and i finished it in just two days..) and i promise this is the first time for me “crying a whole day” until i got a headache,, for just a movie, really….
this is one of the best j-dorama that i ever watched!!!
the story really..really..really…touching…
everybody must must must must watched this damn movie!!!
Thanks God that i still can move my body if my brain giving command to it, bravo aya, i pray that you’ll go to heaven
what a great great dorama. ICHIBAN. when i watch the movie i think my tears won’t fall down but my tears keep fallin ( i’m a man )esp ep 6 8 9 10 i think it’s d best moment from this movie. it’s really touched my heart. the last word that aya chan write is “Arigato”, she’s end her writing with arigato oh how sad. but i think aya chan is happy in heaven ‘coz her writing is help many people and change their mind about life. all i can say to aya chan is thank you so much for ur great diary it really meaningful to me.. thank you aya
Does anyone know the location of her burial? I wish to visit it one day. If anyone had more information can they please post a reply here, thank you.
i am indonesian, when i saw the drama, my tears not fallin down, but it’s great movie. I think the suffer more hurt than the movie. the story, actor, actres is good esp harutokun.
^-^
I was tearing… for almost every episode…
This is the best out of so many japanese dramas over the past few years that i had came across with….
Aya’s story had brought me to appreciate what is around me, may it be my family, friends, or him….
Highly recommended for those who are huge fans of japanese production….=.=
i’m indonesian. I got the movies from my friend. when i saw ‘one litre of tears’, my tears also fallin down. absolutelly……. although i’m a boy.
I get some messages from it, about Aya’s behavior and love story (asou-kun).
Aya-san, although u can’t walk anymore, no to give up!! I can’t forget u !!
arigatou gozaimasu
the most saddest but inspirational drama ever brought to life from a diary.
she has made me realize how precious life is. to wake up everyday knowing that i am alive.
good luck aya.
wow..so sweet drama.I so relly sad when watch teh movie..very sad,,ver romantic..wow wonderfulll..so i wanna meet u Asou-kun and aya-
im from malaysian. my friend has recommanded the movie to me. then i saw the title of the movie..1 litre of tear and its keep me wondering..is the movie really will burst me into tears…?? absolutelly yes…i truely burst into tears since i started watch the 1st episode..and my cheek wets of tears and i cant hold the cries anymore. from begining till the end of the movie i’ve never failed to cry, and it’s really a touch and trully open my eyes and my path of future.
thank to kito aya who make me relieze the life is more wonderfull if i appreciated it!!
gambateh!!!
Great story, make me feel better
Aya, you’re a star!!!
Asou is a good character.
omg when I was the movie i begin 2 cry every EPI… this is the best movie i have seen..
it rox like hell..even those who can hardly cry will sure cry in the “heart”…even boys will!! if not for early episodes, later episodes i can bet anyone would get emotional…
btw, K rox too…nice voice..but his popularity is little…and Erika is such a cutie..too bad despite her child-like features, she is a swim suit model. heard that she like Namie Amuro like me=P…she has been casted in a japanese movie..although small role but can get to see her…LOL…the movie is called “Shinobi-Heart Under Blade” anybody wan the songs in the show can email me at geostigma_tekkux at hotmail dot com
I am now watching the show halfway through…at episode 4 or 5..my bf strongly recommend this drama to me and even burn into a dvd for me…
Actually way before i watch i have already listen to the song “only Human” by K and was already touched and cried whenever i heard the song..after watching the show..i am more convinced that it is truly one of the best jap drama on 2005..a truly must watch show…
wonder if you guys got the full Soundtrack and Theme Songs a not.. if you got and wanna share it.. plz add me or send at q_z_w at hotmail dot com
she gains my respect, if anyone know the burial place please kindly let me know, thanx heaps. jos1214@hotmail.com
after watch,i wish i can be a good medician,to help everyone like aya..always hear their song in my head..always,bravo to aya..
This dorama is the first that can make me almost cry. I love Sawajiri Erika very much, and I wish I could meet her.
I was really touched by this Drama show, it is simply amazing. I really can’t find the right words to describe it, but it tought me something really important, and that is to never give up on my dream, NO MATTER WHAT! and that is what i’m going to do . Thanx to everyone who worked on this show and specially i thank the soul of Kito Aya.
thanx alot,
Luna
A very touching story…haihz..just as she said in the movie….human dont know they walk when they r walking,only the destination matters to them,they dunno they speak when they r speaking,only what the issue they r speaking n the responses concerned them,they too dont know they can hold using their hands,they only think abt the things they r holding…..its true that most of us cant treasure simple things,like to b able to walk ,speak or use our hands….only those who really experience it can truly understand…
Therefore, its indeed a great movie to be watched,teaches us abt the simple things that we should cherish,when we hav them now…
As for Aya…i salute u ,for ur perseverance,courage n determination
this dorama really make me think of how we should appreciate our life because our life if short. No matter how big is the obstacle in front, we must put our step forward and keep moving ahead. Our family is the only thing that we have in this world. So, love your family and make them happy. Appreciate them and love them. Lastly, contribute to our society.Nice review. Thank You! domo arigatou
okay acually found the song some of you were looking. The one in the Class room? its called Sangatsu Kokonoka by the same group above called Remioromen. You can easily find it on limewire. =]
Does anyone know the name of the Class Song? When they are in music class they sing a song…any clue of the title? Please send if you have music acura_rsx_88@yahoo.com thank you
b4 this movie came along, my mind ALWAYS stuck on Goong movie lolz, but now its on 1 Litre of Tears. This is like the 1st movie that i’ve cried so hard. Usually on others movie, i cried coz of laughin so hard lolz, coz ‘em movies are so freaking funny lolz. Woke up everymorning, thank you God for NOT giving me any dicease, giving me such a happy healthy family!!
THIS MOVIE SHOULD REATED #1!!
XOXO Vicki
wonderful and amazing story i ever seen. i love it and really i drown into it. i love aya and haruto …i wonder where is haruto now..does he continue to become a doctor?
anyway…i wish aya is happy now there and watching over us in heaven.
1 litre of tears was so good!! i cried so much i think it was more than 1 litre of tears** the song ‘only human’ matches the drama…the song itself explains about not giving up…aya-chan’s last words…
ikitei. zutto ikitei.
ohhh…its such a sad movie….i think..in fact i know that i cried more than 1 litre of tears! more like a hundred litre of tears!…its such a touching story…aya relli went through tough times! *cries*
yup!! i’ve watched this j-dorama and i really sneezed really hard (dad, mom, i’m sorry for making the tissue ran out :p). my tears kept flowing and flowing… before i watched this j-dorama, my sis told me that you MUST be crying. and i TRIED hard not to cry, but at the end… it’s me who cried the most… lol…
the next day i woke up, i really relieved that God gave me more day to spent, more day with the harmony with my family, more day to laugh and cry with friends. this dorama really engligthen me, not like any dorama!! BEST DORAMA I EVER WATCHED!!!!
my tears are SO UNCONTROLABLE lolz, i even got stuffy nose coz of crying lolz. GOOD movie!! pro her family were there for her, since her CLASSMATE/BEST FRIEND betraying her HOW SAD!!
XOXO Vicki
i wish asou-kun was real because that means when he was there in the series for her, who was there for then if he isnt real?
I think asou-kun is a fictional character in this dorama, or he may be the one who Kito Aya fond of.
According to Jonathan who just left a comment here, aya never mentioned about asou-kun in her diary, so I believe you are right. :)
asou was made up right?
Does anyone know the location of her burial? I wish to visit it one day. If anyone had more information can they please email me at flamewilly11 at hotmail dot com.. thank you.
This movie was really touching… i think that Aya is very strong and optimistic… i think this is a great dorama..
What a tearfully drama?
I am wondering, will I do the way Aya did if I had the disease?
I watched few clips and I cried so much… The tears just poured from my eyes.. and i could not stop crying. I have to watch this dorama someday..
i just started watching this, when someone said this was going to make u cry, they were telling the truth, i watch amvs people make and i still end up crying, i see one of the family members crying i cry, they talk about her disease i cry, i cant stop crying, just listening to how they describe wats going to happen to her, it kept ringing in my head as i tried to sleep, i even suggested that i stop watching it, but i want to know what happens even though i pretty much knows what happens, also i heard haruto was a made up character to make it better
I stood…I was concentrating….and I was crying for the whole day!!
Gosh….it’s the most touchy movie I’ve ever saw!!!!
The whole thing is perfect!!
The actors, the story, the conflicts, the way they expressed their feeling….geeez
I give five stars for this drama.
For those who haven’t realize and appreciate their life, they better start it from this second….
Ayachan and Harutokun really cool
beginning i don’t really like this movie, but as i cont. to watch it, i begin to love it, its so TOUCHING!!! CRIED a lot man!! GREAT MOVIE!! ME LOVE AYA & ASOU!! SO CUTE!! lolz
XOXO Vicki
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