How sad is this?

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

It's smart to drive type stories through unconventional characters. As it turns out, as long as it is done properly, traditional themes can be unconventional. The more intense the depression, the more transparent the catharsis, therefore, when Sakura Andô appeared on the screen, the film had already succeeded in half. However, I think that the ending part is a bit long, in addition it may be better if the ending is bolder.

Poor Ichiko! She's self-indulgent and grungy. A humorous Million Dollar Baby (you know...that female boxer trained by Clint Eastwood), but still dramatic and sad as well. It's dramatic because of the ending which I *loved* because it was so intense wondering if she'll win or lose. But no, it's not this boring boxing film.It's closer to Girlfight with Michelle Rodriguez actually, even though Ichiko's just as angry but in the beginning way less inclined to boxing, which makes her heroic when she starts getting better! OK to be honest the reason I adore this film and laugh and cry all throughout and sometimes both at once is because I literally AM Ichiko; only difference is, she actually went to become a boxer when all I did was approach the owner of a gym to my mother's chagrin as a disgruntled teenager. Ichiko also starts dating and living on her own after a very similar family dynamic to my own: A thin crow of an older sister who antagonizes couch potato Ichiko with nasty insults and instigating fights; there's a small child in the house, an indifferent dad and a stout, bespectacled, hard-working, sort of worry wart mother. And then the cave-woman that Ichiko is, who over the years has clearly let herself go in complacence. So her mother forces her out on her own, after too much dysfunction and sibling rivalry and entitled negligence of chores in the household.However, the climb (especially sudden climb) to independence as an adult on her own reveals (in a hard to watch but also very funny way) Ichiko's clumsiness, loneliness, insecurity, and her lack of social, professional, fashion, and dating skills! That summary up there ^^^^ is literally my life. So I laughed because I related but also cried because I related. I was rooting for Ichiko all throughout because she ran into predators of men, horrible bosses, found no friends, a basic job, with a fringed relationship to her family. Yet the ending blasts viewers (at least me) with a realistic ass ending that really should remind you: It's not about winning; it's about trying!!!!

I really liked this movie, If by chance you're worried this is some type of Japanese Hollywood spin-off cliché' movie - I'd say it's actually quite a ways away - like in another planet from that, so no worries there.In fact it was so un-typical, un-what I would normally expect - all the way to the very end - that it was shocking to me.I really appreciated that quite a bit about this movie - certainly a unique journey for sure. They way they set it up - felt like an elaborate set up from one minute to the next.If there's some type of moralistic or main message in this movie - good luck pinning it down and figuring it out. (as far as I'm concerned, that's a great thing!)I watch a ton of movies - including tons of out there ones (mostly actually). This one certainly stands on it's own. Like another reviewer said - you've got a full range here. I found myself laughing out- loud from the extreme absurdity - and then truly depressed/almost going straight from one to the other - and then everywhere else in the same fashion.If you're looking for comedy and light hearted laughs and that's it - I would suggest skipping this one. This one's pretty intense, and in my opinion extremely realistic somehow.At the same time I'd say don't expect too much - I'm going on and on but it's not some ground breaking/earth shattering flick - it's just it's own thing.If you're looking for something different, unique, you like quirky humor, can handle movies that show really serious subject matter, and maybe if you're a shut-in and feel like taking a break from the noise even - I'd say give this one a try. It might be the new rare gem you've been looking for - even if you're having a hard time really knowing what you actually think about this movie afterwards - like I am right now. Good luck! haha :)

...well, 100 yen love is a very good movie. The pace is slow but is very important for the development of the story, so be patient and immerse in this simple images of a complicated life. Excellent work by the main character, Ichiko played by Ando. From start to finish she is the movie, all the other parts revolves around her. The other actors perform pretty well their respective characters, included the slum guy ( ) that barely appears. She s a 32 years old slacker that lives with her mother and recently with her sister and nephew and her not so useful father. Ichiko is the definition of apathy, lack of enthusiasm, laziness, disinterest, etc plus she does not help with their own store. Seems that she does not have ambitions and of course does not work or has a boyfriend.The mother spoiled her too much until a big fight with the other daughter, after that Ichiko is invited to leave the house; however, the mother gives her some money to rent a place and to see if she can start a new life. Somehow she managed to get a job in the local store (Konbini) that s open 24 hours per day. Night shift so she can earn almost a minimum Japanese salary but working part time. She always passing by a box gym; flashing with another particular guy that practice there. All along the story you can see the transformation in body and mind of Ichiko, due to training hard and to have a pursuit in life; these things seem that s going away in new generations in many countries; in my opinion is the fault of the parents and the cooperative/protective governments (mostly in populist ones) Not so many dialogues in the movie and the few, are short and straightforward; most it said by the looks, intentions, actions, etc. -Now she lives in a rented apartment, has a job, a training schedule and fell in love with that other particular character. Lots for a gal that few weeks before only lived in a room playing video games and eating junk food. It s more like self esteem is to be found self dignity. But is not all beautiful and "Hollywoodesque", many problems along that she face up to but there s hope ahead; just like real life.