Saigo no Kizuna: Okinawa Hikisakareta Kyodai (2011)

Now, I may be a little biased when it comes to Japanese war movies but when I say this is great, it is. WWII is really my favorite war to learn/talk about. Personally it is a part of my family history but so many historical things happened in the time period that I feel more people need to know about, especially the small stories like this. Sooo that pretty much is where my biased-ness comes from ~

The plot is very realistic not just because it is based on a true story but because it does relate to more than just one family. Like many immigrants in the early 1900s, the eldest son usually ventured off to the United States hoping to make enough money to send home. But sadly in the way of their hard work, WWII hits the United States and two brothers are forced to fight against each other to show loyalty to their countries. What's more sad is that Takeru's character, along with his friends, were only kids. Kids who were taught to hate Americans, had to fight in a war and risk their young lives to serve the Emperor.

But what is really so great about this whole drama special is the fact that they had the people who actually went through this to talk about the situation that was happening in the drama. Hearing the real story from the people who lived it is something you can't learn in a history class.

I adored the cast. Mainly Takeru. His acting is superb. He has the skill to make sure us, as watchers, forget all his other roles so we can solely focus on his current role. He got so into his character. He put so much emotion into Yasuharu that it almost felt like it was real, as if he was experiencing everything as his own. I loved the rest of the cast too. I already love Kaname Jun films/dramas, and the supporting cast did an outstanding job.

I scored music low because I was disappointed in the fact that they used the music from "Letters from Iwo Jima" also watch that if you haven't) Though I do love the instrumental and it fits in any war movie, I couldn't help but think about Letters From Iwo Jima while listening and watching this.

I've already watched this drama more than once. It really is great. I think this a story that isn't really taught. So even if war movies aren't your genre, give this one a shot. It's more than just a war story.

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