After recently watching Hajimete Koi wo Shita Hi ni Yomu Hanashi and loving it so much that it rendered me to reacquaint myself with Japanese shows/films, I noticed they tend to get rated lower than those from other countries of the same level on this site. In a similar vein, I felt this film deserved significantly higher rating than it currently holds. This was not your garden-variety high school romance. It spanned beyond that to showcase the importance of friendship, self-love, and having the courage to face your fears, to live without regret; not just for yourself, but for those who you hold dear. The film follows a group of friends and how they come together in the hopes of changing the trajectory of a friend’s life to save him when given a second chance.

On the surface, Kakeru (Yamazaki Kento) appears like any other teenager. Though new to the school, he immediately connects with a group of classmates who welcomes him with open arms. They do not know, however, that he is putting on a veil of normalcy. I don't believe this is intentional; after all, he looks the happiest around them. And for this reason, they are oblivious to how dark his days can be, that he is grieving for a mother who has committed suicide. As an adult viewer, it is clear to me that his mother’s choice was years in the making, one who appears to have lost the fight with her internal demons. But how is a 17 year old boy who only ever had his mother as a parent supposed to make sense of that and move on? Kakeru is drowning in guilt and self-hate. And for his friends, how can they have the foresight to reach out to someone who is silently enduring and never voices his thoughts?

The answer comes in the form of mysterious letters to Naho (Tsuchiya Tao) from her future self, a decade from now, from a world in which Kakeru no longer exist. This is how the story of Kakeru and Naho begins. One of the girls in the group Kakeru befriends, Naho is soft-spoken, kind, and considerate. Their romance is sweet and filled with squeal-worthy moments. Set in a city in the valley of mountains, the cinematography beautifully captures the surrounding environment to create a warm atmosphere that complements well with the innocent and delicate nature of their romance.

As Naho learns more about the future and Kakeru, she realizes she needed to, and wanted to, break out of her reticent nature to reach him. This growth in her character is satisfying to see. But it isn’t a job she can accomplish alone, and so eventually, their four other friends partners up with her to be there for Kakeru before he is too far gone. This was the surprise element of the film that I wasn’t expecting, this wonderful display of group friendship. It was so heartwarming to watch them foster a supportive environment where Kakeru can feel comfortable opening up and sharing the challenges he faces; to show him that they care, that they will share his burden, that if there is a task he must do alone, they will be there to support him so he can accomplish his goal. And this outpouring of love and encouragement, and making memories together, are what ultimately shifts Kakeru’s mindset, saving him from the precipice. Watching these scenes made me feel a rush of emotions. Their elation was my euphoria; my feelings soared as I cheered alongside them, and for Kakeru.

I also felt traces of melancholy in the mist of the light atmosphere throughout the film, and this feeling never went away. But there is a message of optimism at the end. I read somewhere that the happiest people on earth are the ones surrounded by loved ones they hold meaningful relationships with. This film is evident of that, and that this belief is so powerful, it could even save a person’s life.