One Liter of Tears

1 リットルの涙 ‧ Drama ‧ 2005
Completed
madamsprout
0 people found this review helpful
Feb 20, 2021
11 of 11 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 10
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 7.5

Wow - Emotional

I hesitated in watching this one. Japanese Dramas can leave a lot out of there dramas - This drama did not leave anything out. It was an emotional ride, the spirit of a person, and the ability to teach life lessons while facing the unthinkable was simply outstanding. The actor's in this drama portrayed their emotions perfectly - even the young brother - The mother was such a strong figure - the real backbone of the family. Have a box of tissues with you whilst you watch - highly recommended.
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Completed
Ayaka
0 people found this review helpful
May 3, 2024
11 of 11 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 9.0

Acting And Story

I really like this series it was full of emotions, but the acting was kind...I mean not bad nor good I guess you say normal and you can't compered to Boku no Ita Jikan (So much better than this series) I like the story I recommended
and the ending was perfect
I just hope they have more time between the FL and ML kind sad
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Completed
NotThatDramatic
0 people found this review helpful
May 14, 2020
11 of 11 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 7.0
I remember watching this drama when I was around 12, 13 years old (11 years ago) and it was my first experience with something that really made me want to cry.

Even now, over a decade since I watched it, I still listen to a few of the OST's, Konayuki, march 9th (Sangatsu Kokonoka) and Only Human.

I can clearly remember all of the scenes that made me want to cry, and definitely recommend this drama if you have not watched yet. I don't know if I have the courage to rewatch it, since the drama is too heartbreaking.

I didn't actively started watching dramas until I was already an adult, but I can definitely say now that this drama was my starting point.

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Completed
Shaan
0 people found this review helpful
May 7, 2019
11 of 11 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 10
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
Seems the title was meant to be literal :'(

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Completed
pktljames
0 people found this review helpful
Aug 29, 2018
11 of 11 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 8.5
This is not a spoiler because if you read the synopsis, you know that there will be sad parts in this show, because the disease being shown is a horribly cruel one. But despite the reality of the disease, it is an amazingly well done and hopeful story based on a real person's journey. The inclusion of some of the writings by the real person as well as photos of her adds so much to the overall production as well.

The acting in this is very good...especially the female lead. She handles what had to be a very difficult role with great skill. All those in the series show unique characteristics that add to the overall story. The only slight issue I had was that the story is supposed to take place over the course of 10 years (though it focuses mostly on about 6 of them), however the siblings of the main character don't really age. They seem to switch the youngest actress to an older one right at the end, but the hardest to believe is the brother. He is going through the years that would have entailed the most physical changes (late elementary school through early High School) and yet he pretty much stays that same. This is nothing against the actor playing him...he does a great job, but it seems like it would have made sense to change actors for him as well as he was supposed to be "growing older." As I say, it's a minor issue, but it was something I noticed.

I'm really glad I watched this series. The character of Aya will stay will me for sometime I think and I would really like to read the book the show was based off of as well.

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Completed
snow
3 people found this review helpful
Sep 8, 2012
11 of 11 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 7.0
Cry! It is the word that is would use to describe my experience with this drama. I cried... a lot! When a finished watching all of it, I realized that it was a mistake to watch all the episodes in a row. I had dark circles on my eyes.
Don't get me wrong, I loved it! The story is great and moving, the actors are awesome! That is probably why I cried so much, because they did such a great job.
Aya is an example of courage and perseverance, not to talk about the great family she as.
It´s definitly worth watching, it sort of makes you feel thankful for the life you have, for being healthy. But if you are a crybaby like me, go easy on the episodes. You probably should make an hour break between them! XD

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Completed
hotgimmik
1 people found this review helpful
Feb 12, 2015
11 of 11 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 10
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.5
This review may contain spoilers
I love a good J-drama because it is a lot shorter than most K-dramas and for one thing, they don't ever drag the story.

This drama was based on the true story but I don't know how much it resembles the true event that happened but it sure got at 1 litre of tears from me or 2 litres even.

I can't say anything without including spoilers just that if you want some sense of reality and how much you should value the people around you and your life, just watch this. You won't be disappointed.
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Completed
christina2699
2 people found this review helpful
Nov 13, 2012
11 of 11 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 5.0
I am really into romance dramas, so when I saw "romance" as a tag I watched it. Unfortunately, romance is not a major element to the drama. The story was very good, and it isn't called "One Liter of Tears" for nothing. This has got to be the saddest drama I have every watched. It is still worth the watch.
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Completed
Supergenki
0 people found this review helpful
30 days ago
11 of 11 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 9.0

A must watch. Japanese classic.

My head hurt after every episode. The Japanese perfected back in the 90’s these emotional type stories. At one point I was thinking they had discoved a secret technique to make the listener cry. Agony but incredible attachment to the story. The type you cannot stop watching. This drama is one of these and you must go and take the ride. Emotions will fly. After watch Beautiful Life and you may find yourself near the entrance as your locsl mental hospital. Lol
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Completed
AhWeng
0 people found this review helpful
Jan 24, 2025
11 of 11 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

1 Litre no Namida (1 Litre of Tears) is a medical drama based on a true story.

There must be an amazing reason why this drama from 20 years ago can occupy the MDL Top 100 Japanese Drama list. Maybe it is the sense of reality that this medical drama manages to pull off. Unlike other medical dramas, the focus here is solely on the FL patient rather than the doctors.

There's only a brief mention of why ML is so depressed with life, and we also are not distracted by character development for the supporting cast.

The title of this drama clearly tells us that this is a tearjerker, so get your tissues ready, especially starting in the middle episodes.

The love from the whole family was so strong that even the parents hid their heartache with smiles. At first, FL's sister was unhappy with her parents' preference for FL, but she changed her attitude after learning about FL's illness.

I can relate to this drama because my late wife first had breast cancer and then bone cancer. She asked why she was punished twice? All I could do was comfort her.

Tip: The final scene is very touching and unexpected, you need to see this drama!

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Completed
LoudCSharp
0 people found this review helpful
Sep 26, 2020
11 of 11 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 6.0
This review may contain spoilers
It’s fitting that both my first review on this website and the first drama I’ve ever finished is not only a drama with the number 1 in it, but is a highly rated drama in one of my favorite genres: the melodrama. I love this genre, even though I stare stony faced at almost all pathos-filled developments. I just like unabashed emotion and how it defies the typical barriers we have set on our everyday life. You should let the tears flow, though I’m not the best practitioner of this precept.

The saddest part of the drama is that it is based on a real person, as they emphasize at the end of the episodes, and concerns a real disease, which I’ve never heard of before. These facts ground the show, giving an air of realism to the plot. However, I have one objection to the plot, and that is the character of Asou. He’s not a poorly-written character- I just don’t like that he was written, as opposed to being real. Yes, I know the family of Aya gave their blessing and that it makes for a less-depressing and more interesting drama. However, I prefer shows or movies that don’t offer a respite, and fully convey an experience that seems far away, even though it’s actually just hidden from my sight. This is purely a personal preference, and I’ll admit I liked the romance. Maybe it’s pedantic, but I’ll be the first to admit I’m very, very pedantic.

I want to single out praise for the acting in this drama, especially Erika Sawajiri and Hiroko Yakushimaru. As Aya’s condition deteriorates, Sawajiri shows more and more of her ability as a good actress. However, I found Yakushimaru’s performance underrated. I was impressed by her portrayal of Aya’s mother, who is desperately trying to protect her daughter. Her devastation as it slowly dawns on her that she can do nothing for Aya is heartbreaking. In fact, it’s the nearest in the drama proper I came to crying. But, alas, I am made of stone, and could not cry physically, although I cried in spirit.

1 Litre of Tears is an emotional and effective exploration of a horrific, yet little-known disease. For that alone, it deserves kudos. Despite a few quibbles I had with the drama, it’s a decent watch. And if you like melodramas, it’s definitely worth your time.

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Completed
bowsrain
0 people found this review helpful
Oct 9, 2014
11 of 11 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 1.0
The reason why I gave this such a low rewatch value rating is because I feel like this is something you watch once, and it stays with you forever, same as Boku no Ita Jikan.
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  • Score: 9.0 (scored by 20,151 users)
  • Ranked: #61
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