Since Yoru Sumino posted his novel online in 2014, it has spawned a manga adaptation, a hit live action film, and now an animated feature. It’s no wonder, because this heart-melting story will surely move you to tears. This is the tale of a burgeoning teenage romance between two high school classmates on opposite ends of the popularity spectrum. The un-named protagonist is a socially awkward librarian who can’t hold eye contact. He finds the diary of a girl, Sakura, and discovers she only has a few months left to live. Despite her illness, Sakura has an optimistic disposition – she may be dying, but she is not throwing in the towel and wants to hit as many highs as possible in the time she has left. A cheerful dying girl teaching a mopey boy how to live may not be new (think Harold and Maude) but it is easy to buy into their blossoming love, and when things get messy you can’t help rooting for them. Ultimately the film tells a universal story about friendship, and treasuring each moment of the precious time we have together in this world.
