| Socrates in Love | |
| 世界の中心で、愛をさけぶ (Sekai no Chūshin de, Ai o Sakebu) |
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|---|---|
| Novel | |
| Written by | Kyoichi Katayama |
| Published by | Shogakukan |
| English publisher | Viz Media |
| Published | 2001 |
| Manga | |
| Written by | Kazumi Kazui |
| Published by | Shogakukan |
| English publisher | Viz Media |
| Magazine | Petit Comic |
| Original run | January 2004 – February 2004 |
| Live-action film | |
| Directed by | Isao Yukisada |
| Written by | Yuji Sakamoto Chihiro Ito |
| Studio | Toho |
| Released | May 8, 2004 |
| Runtime | 138 minutes |
| Anime | |
| Directed by | Yukihiko Tsutsumi Yasuharu Ishii Yuichiro Hirakawa |
| Written by | Yoshihiko Morishita |
| Released | July 2, 2004 – September 10, 2004 |
| Related works | |
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Socrates in Love, also known as Crying Out Love, In the Center of the World (世界の中心で、愛をさけぶ Sekai no Chūshin de, Ai o Sakebu) is a Japanese novel written by Kyoichi Katayama. It was published by Shogakukan in April 2001. The novel and the manga adaptation (illustrated by Kazumi Kazui) are published in the United States by VIZ Media under the title Socrates in Love. In 2005, the film was remade as My Girl and I in South Korea and the Korean remake aired on August 26, 2006 in Japan. The Japanese title of the Korean film is You are the Center of my World (僕の、世界の中心は、君だ Boku no, Sekai no Chūshin wa, Kimi da).
When initially released only 8,000 copies of the book were printed. A year after its publication, celebrity Kou Shibasaki wrote: "I read it thoroughly even though it made me cry. I wished to have a such a relationship in my life." The book became a bestseller. By May 2004 over 3 million copies were sold, exceeding the sales record of Norwegian Wood. In 2004, Shibasaki acted in a film version.
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In a small town in 1980s southern Japan, Sakutaro "Saku" Matsumoto and Aki Hirose, classmates all through junior high, become high school students and then fall in love. They share audio diaries, go on excursions together, and enjoy summer vacation.
However, Aki finds herself suffering from Leukemia and begins to weaken, rendering her unable to see Saku or go outside. Saku is desperate to take her to Uluru (Ayers Rock) in Australia (the "Center of the World"), a place she had wished to visit. Saku buys tickets, but Aki dies before boarding the plane.
Seventeen years later, an older, sombre Saku trudges through everyday existence. The last tape of Aki's audio diary is suddenly unearthed, leading Saku back to his hometown in the south, and back to his memories of their last days together.
The English title originates from the original Japanese title, Socrates in Love (恋するソクラテス Koi Suru Sokuratesu), originally chosen by Katayama. In Japan, the movie title (Sekai no Chūshin de, Ai o Sakebu) is abbreviated Sekachū (セカチュー)
The Hong Kong English version of the film is entitled Crying Out Love, In the Center of the World.
It was published during the "Pure love boom", a media trend in which many written and film works in Japan portrayed chaste, undying love. Comedian Hikari Ota said: "Pure love in which nobody's hurt is suspicious and not interesting at all."
The novel uses simple vocabulary.
| Crying Out Love, In the Center of the World | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Isao Yukisada |
| Produced by | Kei Haruna Minami Ichikawa |
| Written by | Isao Yukisada Yuji Sakamoto Chihiro Ito |
| Starring | Mirai Moriyama Masami Nagasawa Takao Osawa Kou Shibasaki |
| Distributed by | Toho Company Ltd. |
| Release date(s) | May 8, 2004 |
| Running time | 138 min. |
| Country | Japan |
| Language | Japanese |
In the film version, an adult Sakutaro, reflecting on his relationship with Aki, plays an important role. The original story unfolds through his memories.
Ritsuko Fujimura, who appeared in the film and novel but is never named, is Saku's youthful fiancée and the last person to see Aki alive. In the film, Saku still isn't able to let Aki go, causing tension in his and Ritsuko's relationship.
The film opened in wide release in Japan on May 8, 2004, and brought Masami Nagasawa recognition as an actress. The film was a huge success, and its theme song, Hitomi o Tojite by Ken Hirai had record sales as well.
A drama (television series) based on the book and film was broadcast in Japan from July 2, 2004 until September 10, 2004 on the Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS). It was directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi.
Like the film, the drama also has an original character that doesn't appear in the novel - Aki Kobayashi, a friend of the older Sakutaro, who likes him and whom he struggles to not simply take as a replacement, although her own young son already views him as a father figure.
The drama's theme song, Katachi Aru Mono, is notable for having been written and performed by Kou Shibasaki, the actress who portrayed Ritsuko Fujimura in the film adaption.