Title in Japanese: Ichi Ritoru no Namida
Title in English: 1 Litre of Tears

Cast:

Erika Sawajiri as Aya Ikeuchi
Nashikido Ryo as Haruto Asou
Fujiki Naohito as Aya’s neurologist
Yakushimaru Hiroko as Shouka Ikeuchi, Aya’s mother
Jinnai Takanori as Mizu Ikeuchi, Aya’s father

What is this series about? (synopsis by: JessMailinh)

This series is based on the true story of a girl named Aya Kito who was stricken by a cruel disease called Spinocerebellar Degeneration. This disease affects Aya’s nervous system and as the name suggests, it poses a degeneration of her movements, and will eventually affect her mobility, speech, and even her ability to eat before she succumbs to a comatose state and finally, death. The theme of this series is very bleak but the overall tone in which the series conveys is, in spite of some tearjerking scenes, are very heartwarming. Aya Kito’s diary was made into a bestselling book and the series follows her trials and tribulations as she struggles to find hope, strength and courage to face such a devastating disease.

At the beginning of the series, Aya (Erika Sawajiri) is a normal 15-year old with high hopes of having the time of her life in high school. She is the eldest child in her family. Her mother, Shouka, is a nutritionist who works in a clinic. Her father, Mizu, owns a tofu shop. Aya also has three siblings: Ako, her younger sister who seems to harbour a jealous streak toward her, her brother Hiroki and youngest sister, Rikka. The Ikeuchi’s are a typical middle-class Japanese family. At home, Aya is the beloved daughter of her parents. At school, Aya is well-liked by her peers, is extremely bright because she passed her admittance exams to land a position at a reputable high school, and she made it onto the high school basketball team. On top of all this, Aya’s crush is finally paying attention to her and has even asked her on a date! Just when everything is starting to fall into place for her, tragedy strikes. Aya slowly realizes that her limbs cannot be controlled at will. If she wants to move, she can’t. If she wants to see, her vision is blurred. And thus begins Aya Ikeuchi’s journey towards realizing, accepting and finally understanding that her young life — so full of promise and hope — will be destroyed by a cruel illness that will entrap her within a body that will no longer be of any use to her.

Impression: 5/5 stars
At first my intention is only to see if this series is any good, but to my surprise I simply fell in love and adore this series! Each and every episode left me with tears in my eyes and a warm-hearted feeling. And as the title pertains, I indeed cried a litre of tears.I cried not because of Aya’s illness and what it entails but instead I have shed my tears for the people that surround her and their inner turmoils coping with her situation This series did not focus on the sad part that she has little remaining from her borrowed time, however it emphasizes the reality of human struggles in their negative plight that sends forth a message upon the fraility of the human condition. “Why did this disease choose me?” This sentence really struck me, because it points to Aya’s having coming to terms of accepting such a cruel disease
with courage and hope. She knows full well what the future holds for her, but still she bravely lives life to the fullest and as normal as she could.

This is such a thought provoking series that it really hones in, that life is too short, and we should live it to the fullest. I have realized to appreciate more what life has to offer, to treasure family and friends that come my way, and have courage and hope in the struggle to swim in this stream of life. Like Aya, I shed a litre of tears as well. It is sad to see her die but knowing that she lives life without regrets give me reason to live on. With her courage in my mind, I’m sure I could overcome any obstacles in life just like her.

Famous Qoutes:
“Just being alive is such a lovely and wonderful thing”. – Aya