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Also Known As: Ichi Rittoru no Namida, 1 Liter of Tears, A Diary withTears
Release Date: October 11, 2005 to December 20, 2005
Network: Fuji TV
Episodes: 11
Genres: Melodrama, Romance, Tragedy
Year: 2005
Theme Song: Only Human by K
Average Viewersip Rating: 15.31%
Country: Japan
Directors: Murakami Masanori
Producers: Kashikawa Satoko
Writers: Kito Aya (story by), Egashira Michiru, Ooshima Satomi, Yokota Rie
Full Cast:
  • Fujiki Naohito as Mizuno Hiroshi
  • Koide Saori as Sugiura Mari
  • Sanada Yuma as Ikeuchi Hiroki
  • Miyoshi Ani as Ikeuchi Rika
  • Matsuyama Kenichi as Kawamoto Yuji
  • Matsumoto Kana as Matsumura Saki
  • Mizutani Momosuke as Onda Kohei
  • Hashizume Ryo as Nakahara Keita
  • Katsuno Hiroshi as Asou Yoshifumi
  • Oonishi Asae as Oikawa Asumi
  • Hamaoka Maya as Oikawa Kikue
  • Kato Kazuko as Fujimura Madoka
  • Tonesaku Toshihide as Takano Kiichi
  • Sato Shigeyuki as Nishino
Official Website:
1 Litre of Tears Official Site
Additional Information:
  • Adaptation of the diary of Kito Aya
Last Modified: 2008-05-11 11:11:45
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Average Rating: 9.8 out of 10
1 Litre of Tears
This beautifully moving drama is based on the real-life struggles of a 15-year-old girl named Aya who suffered from an incurable disease, but lived life to the fullest until her death at 25. The script is based on the diary Aya kept writing until she could no longer hold a pen. The book that later followed entitled “One Litre of Tears" has sold over 1.1 million copies in Japan alone.

Aya's only wish was “to live." By carefully depicting Aya's earnest desire to live, and the love of her family, friends, and lover, the drama, “One Litre of Tears" wishes to deliver her simple but strong message: “Just being alive is such a lovely and wonderful thing."


Starring:
  • Sawajiri Erika as Ikeuchi Aya
  • Yakushimaru Hiroko as Ikeuchi Shioka
  • Nishikido Ryo as Asou Haruto
  • Jinnai Takanori as Ikeuchi Mizuo
  • Narumi Riko as Ikeuchi Ako

All User Reviews
 I still didn't cry,
Written by mark14  - Tuesday, 02 June 2009  - Top 10 Reviewer
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the series itself was good unfortunately it didn't make me cry
 My review for One Liter Of Tears.,
Written by lmherxon24  - Tuesday, 26 May 2009  - Top 10 Reviewer
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Story: The story was very touching. It was a life-changing story. The drama made me change my point of views.  
 
Acting: Sawajiri Erika and Nishikido Ryo had a great tandem. Both of them did well on their roles. Also, the other casts was great. 
 
Music: The songs from the drama were great. 
 
Satisfaction: One of the dramas that made me cry. Her life was very inspirational. The best drama from Japan ever.
 LIVE ON FOREVER,
Written by eunyang  - Monday, 18 May 2009  - Top 50 Reviewer
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LIVE ON FOREVER! 
 
i will never forget this japanese drama. It's so fantastic. As well as the actors and actress who portray the role. the diary that she wrote is really great. i want her hopes! she never give up. and she stay strong. i love the way they made this drama. so thrilling. really heart whelming! YOU WILL CRY A LITRE OF TEARS :((
 you will always remember this in your hearts,
Written by Ian
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One liter of tears is not just an ordinary drama. It's one of the best drama I had ever watched. At first I never expect that it is a good drama but after I had watched this, I have proved myself that I am really wrong. The story is very inspirational. It may change your viewed about life. It has a unique story and it's uniqueness makes it a beautiful one. As you watched the drama you may not noticed that tears are falling from your eyes! Those sensitive ones are possible to cry 1 liter of tears. This will surely makes a mark on your hearts. I like the acting of everyone especially Erika Sawajiri who played Aya Ikeuchi and the one who played the role of Asou Haruto,Nishikido Ryo and also to those people who played the family of Aya. The songs had a big impact on this drama. The songs makes the story more sad and it greatly affects the hearts of those who are watching. You will never regret in your life that you have watched this drama.You will always remember this in your hearts
 I'm can't wait 2 see,
Written by Extreme316  - Saturday, 09 May 2009  - Top 50 Reviewer
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Ang tagal kong hihintayin ang drama galing Japan, 
At sana magsilbing inspirasyon sa taong na nakikipaglaban sa mga maysakit.
 Heartbreakingly Beautiful,
Written by Cerise  - Thursday, 07 May 2009  - Top 50 Reviewer
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No amount of words I write would be able to do this drama justice, but here I go: 
 
This drama is based on the diary of Aya Kitou who at the age of 15 was diagnosed with spinocerebellar degeneration, an incurable degenerative disease where the body slowly loses it's ability to physically function, whereas the it's mental capabilities are unharmed. 
 
This drama depicts how her family and herself deals with the disease. The story itself isn't extremely original as far as dramas go, but the way it was executed that makes the drama so special. The desire to be strong for everyone else, the feeling of helplessness of a mother, even the little problems that her siblings had to deal with were portrayed in such a way that truly touches your heart. 
 
It's a drama that really makes you rethink your own life. It makes you appreciate what you have while making you wonder if your own family would react and deal with the situation the same way if it were to occur.
 of all western and asian dramas....,
Written by yuriko  - Tuesday, 05 May 2009  - Top 50 Reviewer
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of all western and asian dramas i have seen, this was the only one that made a big impact on my life... 
very touching... the lead actress portrayed the role of aya perfectly... 
 
thumbs up!!!
 Life-changing,
Written by everlasting_love  - Tuesday, 14 April 2009  - Top 10 Reviewer
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Story - Aya's life is awesome. Her story is so inspiring and like i said, it's definitely life-changing. You will surely be moved by Aya's word and how she fought to live. I believe words cannot describe how I feel after I watched this drama.  
 
Acting - Sugoii. I think all of the characters fit their role. Erika Sawajiri (aya) portrayed her role very well. As well as Ryō Nishikido and so on. Overall, everyone did well. Touched the audience well too. 
 
Music - K's Only Human is the saddest song i heard so far. The rhythm and the lyrics are so meaningful. The othere OST's also fits the drama.  
 
Satisfaction - very  
very  
very satisfied.
 One of the brightest, most perfect gems,
Written by Joseki101  - Tuesday, 10 February 2009  - Top 50 Reviewer
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A short review cannot do justice to the magnificent achievement of this drama. It is profoundly satisfying in terms of acting, content, dialogue, subject treatment, and depth of feeling and presentation. 
 
Most will be familiar with the profoundly sad, yet heartachingly courageous, story of the character's real-life counterpart: an ordinary girl, living an ordinary life, "chosen" by a cruel and extraordinary disease. Ikeuchi Aya is based on the real life diary "1 Litre of Tears", a painful chronicle of one girl's gradual deterioration and excrutiatingly slow death to a neurodegenerative disorder. 
 
Translating this diary to the screen is fraught with potential problems: one must do serious justice to the pain and tragedy of the story. One must not be afraid to cry and dream with the real sentiments of the characters. One must accept that hope, even in the face of hopelessness, is the only real choice. One must acknowledge that life is precious, and that the heart speaks its own language, even when the mouth shuts and hands go still. 
 
But the producers, actors, and everyone else involved in this project succeeded perfectly. This is an enormously powerful documentary, full of life and tragedy, that leads us through the words and struggles of Aya as, day by day, she loses pieces of her self. 
 
Nothing is spared in the process: we see the range of responses to Aya's long, slow goodbye -- the initial courage, but later fatigue; the attempts at humour; the cold, clinical mood of doctors; the heartless glances of gossips; the general discrimination of society towards the disabled. But Aya, magnificently portrayed, brings a mixture of courage and fear to each and every day, trying to make the most of whatever abilities she has in the present moment. 
 
Like all Japanese dramas, some stock characterization is evident: the angelic and sacrificial mother, the aloof and enigmatic boy-hero who proves to be truly loyal, and the jokester father. But where this drama succeeds so perfectly is the brilliant interpolation from the real Aya's diaries: the words, examples, and deeds are part the work of screenwriters, but mostly the true and authentic words of the sick Aya. The script moves magnificently between the various moods of tragic and heroic that a life-threatening illness bring out in both the one suffering, and those who suffer with her. It is impossible, or was for me, to get through an episode without shedding pure tears of awareness. 
 
Aya's diary has sold over 18 million copies -- for someone who frequently hoped that, despite her severe handicap, she could help people -- she continues to help people. 
 
This drama deserves the highest praise for its sensitive, and sentimental, touch in truly commemorating the life of Aya--her words which thrive on with such power. A faultless piece of true entertainment and enlightenment. This drama will change lives. It changed mine.
 My favourite Drama of all times!!,
Written by Yurisa1245  - Friday, 19 December 2008  - Top 50 Reviewer
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Since about a year now this is my favourite Drama. 
At first i hesitated to start it, because i thought it will be really despressing. But it wasnt depressing at all! Sure its sad and i cried a lot of times, but its as beautiful as it is sad. 
I appreciate my family and my health much more since i watched this drama and it changed my view on many things. Especially because of the quotes from ayas diary. This quotes really stuck in my head. For Example: Whats wrong with falling down? You can always stand up again. If you look up at the sky after falling down, even today, the blue sky stretches limilessly and smiles at you. I'm Alive" 
 
The cast was great as well. Since i watched it I became a big fan of nishikido Ryo and Sawajiri Erika. they both acted so well. But they are not the only ones. The mother, the father, the sister Ako and all the other acted really outstanding. 
In my opinion Nishikido Ryo is the actor who cries the best. It really seemed realistic and not so artificial like some other actors.  
 
I thpught, since the ending was clear, i wouldnt want to watch it through till the end, but after every episode i wanted to watch more and more and it resulted in me finishing this drama in 2 days.  
 
The Soundtrack was perfect and the pieces really fitted this drama. Especially the choir song Sangatsu kokonoka and Konayuki, both from Remioromen, suited the scenes. Everytime i hear Konayuki or the piano version of it, i think of Aya and Asou. I really liked their pairing, but i think it was the irght amount of romance in it. Since this drama focused on Kitou Ayas Life and not the relationship between Asou and Aya. 
 
All in All its a really touching drama that will make you cry or at least feel sad. But on the other hand there will be very beautiful moments in the family and between Aya and Asou. Adn even though its a sad ending, i was satisfied with it.
 Excelent !,
Written by AkiraHexagon  - Saturday, 13 December 2008  - Top 50 Reviewer
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This Jdrama change your life. 
You are living ! 
Keep Living !!
 My First Drama, still one of my favorites,
Written by aznanimedude  - Friday, 22 August 2008  - Top 10 Reviewer
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What an amazing drama. Yes, that is how i am starting this review, because it really is that amazing. Very few dramas have been as powerful, as impactful, have left such a memory in your head as this one drama. It is the kind of drama that leaves you to look back and cherish life, it reminds you of the happiness of life, the little things. Not a single person that i have seen who has watched this drama left it without crying, left it unchanged, no effect on them whatsoever. The true measure of a drama, i believe, is not how good it is the first time, it's how good it is the second, the third, how many times can you watch it until you tire of it? How long will it take you to forget it, days, weeks, months later, will you still remember it? it's been 2 years since i saw it, i still remember everything about it, it still affects me. Listening to the music takes me away from this world, draws me into a trance, makes me close my eyes and picture scenes. The visuals that appear are haunting, the thoughts piercing. 
If dramas were gems, this is a diamond, hard as a rock, brilliant in lustre, something highly sought after. If you watch this, and leave it without crying, if this drama has no effect on you, let me know, i want to talk to you and ask why. Such a drama is so beautiful, it is one of the few dramas that i belive had little to no faults, that honestly could not have been improved at all. The actors were so convincing they seemed eeringly real. The setting, the situation, the plot, this drama made it feel like you were there. The music was insanely but brilliantly composed, and perfectly timed, swelling and receding along with the scenes they accompanied. You truly are thrust into a world where you experience the full range of emotions, from the joy of acceptance, to the pits of despair and hopelessness, to the realization that you still have life, something to live for. 
a must-see, you would be crazy not to watch this drama
 AWESOME DRAMA!!,
Written by pnaikween  - Tuesday, 01 July 2008  - Top 10 Reviewer
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One of the best Asian dramas I’ve seen by far, it actually beat my very first best drama on my list which was Loveholic. 
1 Litre of Tears – wasn’t as what I expected, I had so many mixed reviews about it, some are exaggerated comments about it, so I had to see it myself. At the very beginning, I already shed tears considering Aya found out about her disease and having your parents not telling you anything about it. 
The middle part of the drama was a bit dragged and long but this drama didn’t even let me fast forward not even one bit!! I was that focused I didn’t want to missed anything. (We all know this was based on a true story, I find true story movies are very interesting, but the rest of it my tears just won’t stop). 
I really really love this drama, to me it’s not only it educated me about the Spinocerebellar ataxia it also tells me how important life is, normal, abnormal, straight, gay. We are all humans and we do feel the same pain whenever we are hurt. We feel grateful whenever we are love by the people that surrounds us. 
Aya’s family is a great example for all the families out there. No matter what situation they get into they are always there for each other, they might have been a slightly misunderstanding to one another, they never quarrel instead they try to understand it and talk about it.  
TOTALLY RECOMMENDED for everyone!!  
 
Note for Erica – she did an awesome job here; it looks like she researched about the disease thoroughly. 
 
Love the main theme song too!!!
 Such an emotional drama...,
Written by lunamoon87  - Thursday, 15 May 2008  - Top 50 Reviewer
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I absolutely loved this drama! It was so inspirational and emotional at the same time. 
 
The story, which is based on true events, is so relatable and follows the life of this strong girl. I felt that the storyline stayed interested throughout the entire drama. 
 
Every actor did a terrific job! Sawajiri Erika did an amazing job with taking on the character of Aya, who began to experience problems walking and speaking. It was very convincing to me. Her parents (Yakushimaru Hiroko and Jinnai Takanori) acted so well, as they showed nothing but love and support for their daughter. And Nishikido Ryo played a wonderful character, who expressed tough and soft personalities. 
 
The music matched perfectly and was very heart-warming! 
 
What I especially loved about this drama, was that they incorporated quotes from Aya Kito's diary into each episode, along with a collage of personal photos. This added a special touch to the drama, which kept reminding me that these events actually happened. 
 
To Sum Up! A must-watch drama, it will touch you in some way and remind you just how precious family, friends, and time really are.
 Beautiful!! Sad!! Amazing!!,
Written by anachan  - Tuesday, 22 April 2008  - Top 50 Reviewer
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I finally decided to watch this drama.. and it was MOVING! I've always been the type to cry in sad movies/dramas, and with this one.. I nearly cried a liter. 
Here are why you should watch it: 
First let's start with Aya's story. This drama is based on a diary about someone who was suffering some incurable disease, and this time.. it's not cancer! It's a very odd disease, which I have never heard off. Slowly, but surely, she started to get weaker and slower (very sad). They really pulled off in making me feel sorry for her as she loses the ability to walk, talk, write, and even eat. The discrimination she was treated because of her disease and the support of her family was quite touching. 
Secondly, the not so-real love story (it wasn't part of the diary) was a great addition. Honestly, as sad as it may be, this drama wouldn't have probably been so popular without its love story, but I can see why. I'm sure they could have added other things other than romance in the story but it was just pulled off perfectly, that if they took it out.. it wouldn't have been as moving. Although the love story didn't have a lot of exposure because of it's focus on family and Aya alone, their love story was one of the things that was very memorable in this drama for me (with the help of the very beautiful song, Konayuki). 
Third, great acting by the cast. Erika Sawajiri pulled it off! Amazing performance! Actually the cast did an outstanding performance. 
Lastly, it's just one of the greatest drama out there.
 Still Teary...,
Written by bengalifob  - Wednesday, 05 March 2008  - #1 Reviewer
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My very first Asian drama and it is still at the top of my list! Anyone who is new to Asian drama should definitely put 1 Litre on their list.  
 
Exceptional acting, beautiful dialogues, and one of the most emotional stories out there. Highly recommended to all!
 "Life altering",
Written by BOGCHI  - Monday, 19 November 2007  - Top 10 Reviewer
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STORY - The story is about a 15 year old girl who was struck by an incurable disease (based on a true story) and shows how it slowly changed her life. It shows how her family and friends supported her, her love interest (which was fiction), and how she dealt with the disease. 
 
At first this drama starts out slow, but it's understandable because this is a melodrama. Once you get to the middle and the end, you'll probably won't be able to read the subtitles because your eyes are all covered up with tears. 
 
The title is just too perfect for this drama. Although I didn't cry a liter of tears (but touched me big time), I'm sure if someone was sensitive enough.. it could be possible. The fact that this was somewhat a true story gives it an even bigger "aww" factor. 
 
After watching the first episode, I could careless about the drama and the characters, but I kept watching anyways because of all the good things I've heard about it. Fortunately I stuck to it because it turned out to be a very beautiful, moving drama. 
 
CAST - The cast did a great job portraying their characters. The whole family, her love interest, and especially the lead actress (Erika Sawajiri) did a great job. 
 
MUSIC - The music was perfect for this kind of melodrama, I personally liked Konayuki by Remioromen. Once you hear that song you'd automatically think about Aya and Asou. 
 
Overall, this is by far the saddest drama I've ever sat through, and I meant that in a good way. I highly recommend this drama, which the majority who has seen it dubbed as a "life-altering" drama.
How would you rate this drama?

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Comments
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souvenir   |2008-02-20 06:53:33
very good .. ..... im not very emtion person .. but i still had tears in
my eyes .. this drama is realli good ...

watch it ppls
DrunkenDragon  - sad   |2008-02-20 06:54:56
truly one of the best drama out there.. erika was very cute
Shun_Nee   |2008-07-24 11:19:38
i haven't seen this yet. i hope to. i hear it's really good.
Extreme316  - Live on!     |2009-06-21 21:31:09
avatar Life-changing story .......... that is masterpiece!!!!!!!!! !!
bengalifob   |2008-07-25 03:47:51
avatar anyone who watches Asian dramas MUST watch this! You're not a true Asian drama
fan until you've watched this. SERIOUSLY
Joseki101   |2009-02-11 20:24:26
I hope my own review appears soon. But if I can somehow condense my complex and
profound feelings of this perfect gem of a drama . . . it is a real masterpiece
that does justice to the true story of Kitô Aya.

What I was most impressed by
was the successful implementation of the actual diary text as a frame for the
dramatic action, but also as incorporated into the dialogue of the
characters.

This was a labour of love, and its shows through in all aspects:
music, directing, acting, scenes, settings. It will stay with me forever -- I
swear to you.
bengalifob   |2009-02-12 23:18:18
avatar i don't understand why your review isn't showing up... i wanna read
it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BOGCHI   |2009-02-13 00:16:40
avatar fixed
Joseki101   |2009-02-13 12:16:22
Bogchi, thanks for your review. This comment isn't directed at you personally,
but just a general observation:

In English, the word 'melodrama' has a negative
connotation. Generally, it means a sensationalistic appeal to the emotions.
Therefore, people speak sarcastically of 'tearjerkers' as insincere efforts to
get quick emotional reactions from an audience.

A melodrama is also an
irrational overreaction to a minor event. A boy sobs and screams over a broken
iPod, and his friend says, "Hey, aren't you being a bit
melodramatic?"

Aya's drama, the raw emotional intensity of it, fits
neither of these categories. If it is extraordinarily sentimental, then let's
remember that sentiment comes from the Latin word 'sentire': to feel. That is
why this was an incredible drama: the purity of its feeling.

I can't get it
out of mind, honestly.
aznanimedude   |2009-02-12 18:11:09
avatar Joseki i have but a few things to say
1. i give you MAJOR props for your review,
that review was to the point, amazingly written, and wonderfully presented. it
is the kind of work that completely captured the drama, and a review that i
aspire to be able to write one day. thank you for that
2. again thank you, i
look forward to any other reviews you have to offer, i would personally love to
read them
Joseki101   |2009-02-13 11:24:31
Thank you very much, Bogchi, for fixing my review!

And, Azanimedude, your very
kind words are so much appreciated! Thanks!

I can only say--and I know my
friends here will understand--that I did not exaggerate a single word of what I
have said. I have lived in several countries in my life, and I have watched a
lot of things on the screen. But I can never recall anything affecting me so
deeply as this drama. I don't want to analyze why - - because the heart speaks
a private language. But this drama didn't just whisper to me: it grabbed my by
the soul and shouted.
Joseki101   |2009-02-13 11:33:01
PS: I have been making some adjustments to the Wikipedia entry on this TV
Drama. DramaWiki isn't allowing new signups. So far, I increased the
analytical attention somewhat in the synopsis -- and I wrote a summary for the
last episodes. It is a bit longish, but I felt the material deserved close
attention. Ideally, I'd like to a critical summary of each episode -- not just
giving synopsis, but offering a degree of commentary.
shannon011495   |2009-05-14 01:50:16
avatar it's amazing japanese drama....
eunyang   |2009-05-18 21:56:12
avatar a great japanese drama. you didnt know what gonna happen next. kahit ganu pa
pigilin tears mu. maiiyak at maiiyak qa. lalo na when haruto is w/ aya. amazing.
dey are both terrific.
this real story truly hits your heart. nakakatouch yung
every moments, aya have a great family and nakaka give ng strength sa mga
pipol yung mga things na ni write down nia sa diary nia. LIVE ON FOREVER!

Sawajiri Erika [aya]
she is so great )
a good actress!
Nishikido Ryo
[haruto]
i lab d personality





GREAT>GREAT> GREAT>
krizzaneri  - so inspiring.. LOVE it! :D     |2009-05-31 07:24:15
a very great life story of Aya..
when I heard it will be airing in GMA
Network here in philippines for May 25, i couldn't wait for another day!!! i
don't want to miss a single EPISODE!!!

it makes me cry.. so inspiring..
jhenny001     |2009-06-01 08:45:57
This is one of my fave asian drama.... It made me cry...

hey guys pls try to
visit my site

myasiandrama.c om
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