I recently gathered my courage to watch Koizora. I didn't regret it.

Synopsis
The main character, Mika, is living her happy teen life with her friends when fate has her begin a relationship with Hiro. He may have the bad boys look but he's really gentle towards her. Their happiness irritates Hiro's ex-girlfriend, Saki, so much that she hires a bunch of up-to-no-good guys to kidnap and rape Mika.

Hiro brings his ex to Mika for punishment but Mika saves her from getting beaten to death. With Hiro's kindness and patience, her wound is healed and she becomes able to accept his touch again.
Soon after, Mika becomes pregnant with Hiro's child. They are both overjoyed and decide to keep the baby.

Fortunately, the parents don't oppose much. The couple's hopes are smashed down as a miscarriage occurs, thanks to the Saki. Devastated but still holding on to each other, they agree to visit the memento of their child every year on the 24th of December.
The happy ever after is ruined with Hiro's sudden change of heart. From avoiding Mika to bluntly saying he wants to play with other girls, Hiro turns into to perfect jerk, causing Mika to suffer a lot as she still loves him and refuses to accept the breakup. He eventually throws her away and disappears from her life.

Since life goes on anyway, Mika keeps studying and meets a nice and warm guy which promises to always stay by her side. Yu doesn't ask her to return his feelings but to be his friend. Thanks to his sweet nature, he helps Mika find her smile again and even keep her family together.
The ritual of visiting the baby's grave is still being observed by both Mika and Hiro and this leads to them meeting. But the brief encounter turns sour as Hiro walks away without replying to his ex' questions; "what were the reasons for this breakup, Hiro?" Mika starts following him but realizes how ungrateful it would be toward Yu who she is now with.
The next Christmas eve sees Mika and her current lover coming to put flowers on the memorial stone. Respectful of her feelings, Yu lets her go alone. When she reaches the place, it's not Hiro but one of his friends that is here to pay his respects. The truth is then unveiled: Hiro is dying from cancer. He's known for years and had forbidden anyone to tell her about his situation. Stunned at first, she runs to the hospital where he is. Yu accepts to sacrifice himself for her happiness.
She then gets back to Hiro's side. Although he can't move around much, they have lots of fun together and she devotes herself to taking care of him, praying that a miracle would happen. But Hiro passes away, leaving beautiful and tearful memories to his beloved, becoming the sky that watches over her.



As I stated earlier, I've been avoiding this movie for some time. I was sure to end up sad I have no regrets. Even if some may find the story a bit long, there is no feeling of hoping in time. The actors' allowed me to watch love growing, blooming, withering then coming back strong.
One of the parts that really touched me was the post-rape views: all this red, the bloody sunset made me think of the testimonies I have read about this kind of trauma. And not being able to react to anything, wishing to disappear... these emotions have been well portrayed. I also appreciated that the emphasis was not put on the rape act as this is one of the reasons I feared to watch the movie.


After watching the movie, I have a few things to ponder about.
First is this question; How in the world can a girl wish for another one to be raped?
My country’s story has been very troubled and in times of crisis, awful stories would be told on this subject. I was always so scared of this happening to my sister that I had nightmares very often. So I just cannot begin to understand how one can wish this to another person. I can understand feelings of betrayal, deciding to never talk to someone, but wishing so much hurt and paying for it?...

It reminds me of a group of women who were crying because their husbands had been killed. They were known criminal and had hurt many families. I don’t agree with killing people because we don’t have the power to bring them back but how can they say this death is totally unfair? If you can accept being taken care off with the money stolen from another person, you must expect the same to happen to you. It’s only Karma.
The other aspect that is making my mind and heart hurt is Hiro’s silence. Why did he keep it to himself? Some will answer that it was very noble and courageous of him; he only wanted the girl he loved to live happily… But what about the pain the rejected person has to go through? Others might object that being there with him from the beginning and watching him suffer all these years might have made her grow tired of this; at some point she could have even hoped for his departure. And the pain from the two separations have her appreciate love… I have no absolute answer to this question. But I’d rather know, I think.


Bottom-Line
Crying, laughing, getting mad, feeling puzzled are the emotions Koizora will let you experience. If you're up for some tears, then go ahead with my blessing. If you're looking for something funny and light, skip it but save it for some other day because Koizora is definitely a must-watch.

I loved this movie! It's heartwarming and made me cry T_T haha
(and also because Miura Haruma is in it ) But yeah, It's a really good movie, well played by the actors. Nice review!

This is a impressing story....and so sad.
I wonder how many traumas can a human heart face and carry on?
Can you tell me please where i can watch this movie?
Thanks for the review..

i haven't seen it yet, but it looks good based on the information given i'll try to see this one. thanks for sharing.

Hello,
this is also one of the questions I constantly ask myself because I once read that upon hearing some words, one's heart should litterally shatter and not allow for another hurt to be done.
I watched it via mysoju.com
http://www.mysoju.com/koizora/
Enjoy!

(04-16-2009 08:49 AM)adrianacx Wrote:  This is a impressing story....and so sad.
I wonder how many traumas can a human heart face and carry on?
Can you tell me please where i can watch this movie?
Thanks for the review..

why must hiro died?????sad movie..my friends and i cry a lot while watching this movie...but still interesting,romantic movie which teach me one side of the meaning of luv....