Kono sekai no katasumi ni (TV Movie 2011) Poster

(2011 TV Movie)

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5/10
A story depicting the tragedy Japanese experienced during the war
ebiros229 September 2011
Based on a comic by Fumiyo Kouno, the story is about war time Japan in the city of Kure where the Japanese naval shipyard was located.

Suzu Urano (Keiko Kitagawa) was a young girl who liked to draw pictures living in a war time Japan. The story is about Suzu, her upbringing, her marriage, and her life during the war. Suzu is somewhat of a free spirit, and she often surprises people in her family that she married into. She would be drawing pictures of warships that are moored and get mistaken as a spy. She would meet an old time friend and forget about her job to take lunch boxes home etc.. But the tides of war starts to cast shadows on Suzu's life too, and lack of supply forces Suzu to cook using plants she collected in the fields. She's also worried about her husband Shusaku as he works at the naval war department in Kure. Eventually war ends, and Suzu recounts what has happened to her and people around her.

This was created as a TV special commemorating the end of war, and was aired on August 15, 2011 (Day of Japan's surrender). The story isn't a tragic as "Hotaru no Haka", but contains painful separation war brings to the family and oneself. This program will probably never see wide of an audience as "Hotaru no Haka", but was a worthwhile TV special reminding the tragedy of war.

Keiko Kitagawa puts in a credible performance as she usually does, and keeps the story going. The story focuses on how people felt during the war. Most people of the time were not given truthful information about their country's war efforts. Their confusion, and worries are depicted in this drama. A war time story that remind us of the tragedy of war, and the people who lived through that time.
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6/10
Alternate universe
ianmisc8 August 2020
This version corrupts the plot in several places. Different people die in this version and Suzu's actor is too beautiful and rarely smiles. Things don't fit and it doesn't do justice to the manga at all.

But I enjoyed the other versions so much (manga, anime, live action series) that this sort of works as an alternate reality version. Now everything is worse than the other versions... Its not worth watching unless you have seen those other versions and would only recommend it if you enjoyed them as much as I have. Just keep your expectations low!
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7/10
A Wonderful Drama That is a Little Too Short
Yingtai12322 June 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Set during the days of WW2, a woman named Suzu must adjust to her new life in Kure in Hiroshima Prefecture while getting used to her new husband and his family.

While there she forms bonds with new people, such as Rin, a woman who had been sold to the red light district by her family and has a past with Suzu's husband. Suzu's sister-in-law Keiko moves back into the house after a divorce, and while Keiko and Suzu do not get along at first, Suzu instantly bonds with Keiko's little daughter Harumi.

Suzu also keeps in contact with Tetsu, her childhood friend and first boyfriend. Tetsu appears to still have some feelings for Suzu, but they both move on and remain good friends. Suzu's husband Shusaku seems to be jealous of Tetsu at first when they meet, but when Tetsu must leave for the navy, Shusaku is trusting enough to let Suzu and Tetsu be alone for some time, for it may be their last meeting.

The main character herself has a few quirks that I have not seen in too many shows. Suzu has a habit of being distracted easily and getting lost. She also has her moments where she is not very bright. I, for one, don't find these quirks annoying, but refreshing. In fact, Suzu getting lost is sometimes a setup for a heartwarming scene. Nevertheless, Suzu is also plucky and determined, and it takes several tragedies to happen for her to break down. I will not spoil the ending completely, but even after so many bad things happen to Suzu, something happens that turns what would have been a sad ending into a hopeful one, with just the right amount of happiness.

One thing I love about this drama is the friendship between Suzu and the prostitute Rin, and how both women share mutual feelings with Shusaku. Unfortunate circumstances prevented Rin and Shusaku from marrying, but Shusaku has also grown to love his new wife. I find it refreshing that for once, the two women are friends, and not trying to back-stab each other like so many dramas with this plot. Also, for once, I feel sympathetic for the married man who loves two women at the same time.

My only big complaint about this drama is its runtime. Despite being several hours long, there are a few events or characters that seemed almost pointless for lack of screen time, and I wish there had been more time to develop and expand on them. Perhaps this drama would have been better as a 10 episode TV series.

But then again, the fact that I wish it were longer shows how much I love this drama. There is an anime based on the same manga by Fumiyo Kouno in the works, so when it comes out, I will definitely want to watch and experience this heartwarming story in a new medium!
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