Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World Review

Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World

Sekai no chuushin de, ai wo sakebu

Japanese Title: 世界の中心で、愛をさけぶ

Chinese Title: 在世界中心呼喚愛

11 episodes, 1 special

Genre: Drama, Romance

Telecast: 2004

(currently unavailable on Amazon)

Synopsis:

In a rainy day at the wake of a teacher, seventeen-year old Matsumoto Sakutaro meets Hirose Aki, a strong-willed girl in his school. The two fall in love with each other and have always communicated through a tape recorder. As their innocent love flourishes, Aki starts to show symptoms of illness. After the couple’s trip to an island, Aki is rushed to the hospital. She is diagnosed with stage 4 leukemia. Sakutaro is devastated. Fast forward to present, the 30-something-year-old Sakutaro is now a doctor. He is still depressed over the death of his first love, who has died shortly after the diagnosis. He has never married. This story is about a man’s struggle to get over the loss of his most beloved woman.

Cheerfulnuts' Review:

I have never shed so much tears from watching a drama series before. I have seen other series which were recommended by friends. They guaranteed that they would make me cry. I was disappointed after watching them and decided that I would hate “tear-jerking” series for the rest of my life.

In the first few minutes of the first episode, I thought to myself, “This is another tear-jerker that wouldn’t make me cry.” I watched it anyway because I like Yamada Takayuki (Matsumoto Sakutaro) after seeing him in the movie Train Man. The first few series is okay. They were mostly about the development of the young couple’s relationship. After the diagnosis of Aki, the series tackled things that had never been brought up in other series with a similar plot (a dying lover). It does not only show the sweetness and innocence of Sakutaro’s love for Aki, but also the ugly side of the disease. I know this is only a fiction, but it was really heartbreaking to watch the couple. To the drama’s actors, I give them a round of applause for doing such a terrific job! Both Yamada Takayuki and Ayase Haruka (played Aki) won the best actor and best actress award, respectively, for their performance in the series. Aside from the great cast, the dialogues are very meaningful and have always been planted in my memory. This is a must-watch for anyone who loves to contemplate about life’s purpose. I especially recommend this to people who haven’t completely gotten over the loss of a loved one and to those who are still in emotional pain.

Cheerfulnuts’ Verdict:

10 out of 10 stars

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