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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Wow I watch this movie again ( it’s still sad I cried once again) I bought the movie on E-bay hehe the movie it still good but the subtitles suck hehe.
Hey lacus you are so right what you said about treasue your life.
waaaooow… it’s really..really.. 1 litre of tears!!
it’s amuzing drama that i’ve ever seen!!!!
everyone have to see this drama…. Don’t miss it!!
Sooooooo…. sadddd…..
hiks…hiks…
I was craying so badly when I saw this movie…
after I saw this movie I realize that life is so precious!!
this drama is always inspiring me
to keep our quality life
The greatest drama in the world, so touching, so sad, and giving a lot of lesson and spirit for us who lives with healthy. And I can’t imagine that it’s based on the true story…!!! Kito Aya, I admire u so much…!!! hope u are happy now, and can do everything u like. See… there are a lot of people who love u so much!! For everyone who haven’t watch this drama, I recommed this drama to everyone!!! Very awesome!!! Kito Aya, U are so great!!
hi im aprail from australia and i really love japanese dramas, when i watched this it became my numba one drama. it was a really touching, yet so sad. i am may have cied 1 litre of tears myself watching this. the music also matched this drama very well. plus I LUV RYOU!!!!! haruto in the drama!
Im from the United States and loves to watch Asian movies and horrors. I’ve watch many Asian love movies (many koreans) and i got to say this movie touched my heart. After watching the movie and finished it the 2nd day, i could not resist but cried how strong the character was in this major role. I want to give credits to the producer and everyone. Since my parents didnt treat us like that in the movie, i shed in tears as though i wished i came from a loving family as how it was performed. This drama is a recommended. And whoever are sensative, get ready to have get a tissue ready..nooo! a whole role of toilet paper. -_^ thanks for letting me have this space to comment on this great work of movie/film/drama. I really loved it and i wished to see more of these.
i live in canada and 1 litre of tears isn’t shown here yet nut i download the drama. i thought that this drama is one of the saddest drama i watch. i watch the whole drama in one night. i cried so much… my mom and my sister thought i was crazy but they haven’t watch this drama… which i’m going to make them watch. anyway after watching 1 litre of tears i taugh me that i should treasure what i have now(my family, friends,teacher)and don’t take any thing i have for granted because 1 day i might lose them too. it also taught me to never give up always have hope no matter how bad or how sad something is and don’t always look back at the past but to look at the future and the present who i am now and what wait for me the next day and the coming day after it.
hey2..im from indon oso..
i dun get it why indon ppl are way too…..
stupid…baka
did they dunno how to create a movie based on thir own idea?
well..apart from tat..
this movie r so…..
inspiring me..my mum..my bro..my frineds..
and everyone who’ve watched it.
kifuji aya..
you wishes is granted now.
uhelp ppl alot.
Hello, I am Elizabeth and I live in Australia. I study Japanese and found about ‘1 litre of tears’ when I heard Remioromen’s sangatsu kokonoka. That song made me feel so sad. I have never seen the series before, but it sounds as though it would be lovely (to see how brave this young girl was) but depressing. Is there anywhere in Australia where I can purchase a copy of Aya’s diary or ‘1 litre of tears?’. It would be beautiful to watch. However, it would make me feel very sad too.
i really like this dorama…..its really sad….but its remind us to use our life as best as we can….
in my country there is a same drama…..i really upset coz that drama copy one littre of tears….
I’m Jae from singapore… I’ve just watched this show One Litre Of Tears… It’s a very good show.. This is the only time I watched this show and find that.. Life is very unfair.. And therefore.. Don’t be too greedy for what you want.. Don’t take everything for granted.. I cried because.. I feel that.. Such a clever girl.. Had such a hard time.. Going into a top school.. Yet.. She had this kind of disease… She’s really pityful.. But.. I learnt alot of things from this show.. Of how to treasure what we have to treasure.. We should always look far and forward.. And continue to live on no matter what.. I guess I had cried alot because of this.. It’s really sad that.. It shows that.. What’s love.. What’s friends.. And most of the feelings.. I’m looking forward to keep watching.. We must have the courage to live on no matter what.. It’s really a good show.. It let me had the courage to live on… We also won’t know that.. How long we can live on and also won’t know that what will happen to us in the future.. So look forward to it and treasure what we have now… Cheers to One Litre Of Tears!
Jaee aka Jeisuke.
HI, i’m from Indonesia. I know, that Indonesia copy that great film. somebody please tell me, why this happen to my country!!!! why this fils has to be retold in bad way. the film is exactly the same as the original!!!!
But I think, 1 litre of tears is the best film ever. It was ouching. maybe i think, to those who watch the film, will make a change in their life. Why? because, with Aya’s bad condition, she can face her rough life, so, why we can’t???
1 litre of tears is the best !!!
Airin さんへ
Yea, Aso Haruto, this Character just fiction.
In Aya’s real diary,she writes about how she wish she could find love. They placed Aso Haruto in the show by the request Aya’s real mother because she wanted Aya’s dream of love to be fulfilled. But I really wanted Haruto to be real. This romance in the show was so beautiful.
P.S please read to Aya’s diary and Last Letter(58letters)
when my first time i saw erika acted on that drama i was so sad.she was really good in acting but u know i feel weird when i accidentally saw erika with her bikini on internet.
So Many Lesson that i get from this dorama. Its About Love, Patiece, Strenght, Friendship, and life.
So inspiring me… Never bore to watch it.. ever and ever again…!
Thank you, Aya…
But, I want to know bout Aso Haruto, is he alive in the reality? Coz I think he is so perfect… I think This Character just fiction. Too sweet.. Too Perfect..
What do you think?
Oya, about Nayla’s Diary I agree with Steffi.. Its so basi!!!
hi… i’m from indonesia and a big fan of 1 litre of tears.. it took me by surprise that now indonesian TV is doing 1 litre of tears too, in indonesian version! From what i gathered through the trailer, few of the originaL dorama is shown(n copied exactly), for example, Aya n mizuno-sensei’s scene in the first eps, as well as the scene when Aya starts to walk difficultly. Indonesian tv may always has been lacking in ideas (n i’m not ashamed to admit it) n some of korean dramas as well as j-dorama’s ideas were copied, mostLy never (yes, never!) nearLy as good as the originaL one. The title is renamed into “Buku Harian Nayla” or in english pretty much means Nayla’s diary- they change the Aya’s name into Nayla. the girl who plays Aya may be good at least she’s cute, but i’ve seen the doctor n her mom’s actors, n they are just basically common actors.. I’m not quite sure of whether they have permission to redo this dorama (esp from Aya’s relatives), i couldn’t find any of the detailes in internet.. well in indonesia permissions and copyrights are never not ignored ^^’ but oh well, it’s just going to be sad that Aya’s touching story will be very poorly re-told…
the whole film is great, aya is pretty and the pace of the movie, unlike most other japanese series, is just right.
but if ryou (aso-kun) was prettier it would greatly improve the viewers’ appetites…and enhance the sadness at the same time.
highly recommended~ :3
I cried so much! It’s not a typical girl-has-fatal-illness drama! It shouldn’t even be a drama since it’s based on a real person…
the story is really sad n touch…
i’ve just watch dis movie which recomended by my fren.
i like dis drama very much, i’m going to watch it again…
it’s so (T_T)…………….
it will truly change ur life… :)
sigh.. i think i cried more than 5 litres of tears…at least!! its the saddest drama ive EVER watched in my entire life! i felt so srry for Aya and thought somewhere that she would live but it turned out the complete opposite..*sigh*
Good film… I cried when I saw this film. It’s so amazing!
1 litre of tears truly touched me and the actress for Aya was very beautiful and made me sad that such a young and beautiful girl like her would die of such a terrible disease :( i truly love this movie and since im very emotional i had to bring a box of tissues with me and the trash bin would always fill up haha but its such a cute and touching story…i HIGHLY recommend it ^___^
love haruto kun,,,
he is so handsome…
kawaii
hic hic.this is the bset sad doram i ever see
i cannot hold my tears
i cry form episode 1 until the end
Aya is a storngest girl that i ever see in this world
he5x .She can give courage to every one
watch it if u don’t believe
i really love this drama..jus watched it…it was so sad and touching..really wished tht she could be with her lover,haruto…it was jus so sad..i think i cried more thn 1 litre…and as u said…i really liked it.as i liked beautiful life drama…i guess this 2 drama is the best frm wat ive watched….really worth the time spent..i dun mind watching it again n again…
it de most tauching jdorama i ever watch b4.. i am so envy of de courage n bravery tat aya hav in herself. Aya spirit still live on deep inside of me.. Long live aya.. ‘Just being alive is such a lovely and wonderful thing’ i will remember this slogan 4ever
Wonderfull strory and so inspiring…
It made us appreciate our life even more.
heeeeeh…that movie is so nice, yet so sad:(
cant say i’ve shed tears but this serial has really touched me
1 litre of tears..first,i think it’s just serial dorama…but after i watch this film every episode..my tears glow like a river..ikeuchi aya,she opened my eyes about what is the meaning of life…thx ikeuchi aya…and also Sawajiri Erika,i’m very like her acting a lot…eventually my friend is very alike with her..last i’m also like the song especially only human(ponPom)….thx be4…
great film…
i feel it…..
its not just a dorama…
It is so sad. I watched it and I was like I’m gonna cry.
i love this drama a lot,they had open my eye that not all people who born can live happy whitout any corruption.i would like to recommed this drama to all people out there ,who thing that they were useless becouse of their disability .and hopefuly this drama will make them cry of happiness.
OMG this drama is full of sad…no sad drama can beat this one??
I think that it should be 2 litres of tears… since so many cried so much…
tihs is one my favourite dramas!! so inspiring…
i love this dorama so much!!!
apart from the character development and awesome cast, i just love the chemistry among the characters!!! the father is sooo loving, the whole thing doesn’t look like they’re acting at ALL!!
love..love…to tears!!!
i watched almost the whole series at one go, its pretty addictive. and i think the amount of tears i shed is equivalent to 1 litre. its a really sad and touching story.
I’ve watch this film.It’s really very great.
Aya is really courage.She’s great
But I have a question about Aya’s first name.When I watch the film,I see it Ikeuchi.So what is her correct first name.And,is there really any character like Mari,Atou,senpai…?
I love this drama…
it’s very touching…
i love the soundtracks..
i love this drama at first sight,i think this drama could be the best drama ever and ever and ever…..it is very touching my heart
this is the saddest dorame ive ever seen..
based on true story and the aya’s spirit make everybody in the world must respect each others life…
great working aya..
and to mrs. shio kaori..good job.
this drama teach us that no matter how difficult the problem is, we must face it and never give up!!
This is one of the best dorama i’ve ever seen. Really touching story, with strong characters and beautiful scenes. Also, gorgeous soundtracks too..
It teaches us how big the love of family can influence someone’s life. In this case, supporting and giving courage to face problems.
Never give up! that’s one of the most important message tried to be told in this story.
It has given so many inspirations to people. So many great quotations can be found here. Don’t miss it!
Wa~! Really-really sadest drama i ever watch!!
I see episode 6 until 11 in one night. And you know,, i can’t stop crying, and in the morning, my eyes became swelling! Very-very bad! My face became weird..H3
It’s my first time when I watch movie, I use/need a lot of tissue. Yeah, maybe beside the story is very sad, i have a sister that defect, like i can feel her pain..(~.^)/
i love this drama very much~~it is very touching….
Could someone please tell me where I can read each episode’s synopsis? Thanks a lot
there are three books.”1 litre of tears”, “Last Letter”
and “hurdle of life”.
i think that ASO-KUN`s model is one of medical student.
he attend to AYA-KITO in clinical with tenderness.
AYACHAN asked her Dr.yamamoto、”Can i able to marriage?”
i love this drama, the story, the life, the love, its so real and touching…
The best sadest drama ever!!! I Love it. Couldn’t watch it without tears out…
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