The Story of Yonosuke (Yokomichi Yonosuke [2013])

Anyone leaving home to start college or university will know that life is about to offer a multitude of possibilities; relationships, studies, meeting new friends and joining social groups. Successes and mistakes are often connected, as are feelings of love and occasional hardships. These years are depicted for one particular young man in The Story of Yonosuke, a film that addresses all of these issues and many more in a manner that is constantly engaging, frequently funny and occasionally moving. The titular character’s slightly oddball but distinctive personality clearly touches so many of those he comes into contact with. Directed by Shûichi Okita, this film tells its story in a way that, even at its most surreal or bizarre, is utterly realistic; a similar approach to his offbeat The Woodsman and the Rain (2011).

Nagasaki resident Yonosuke Yokomichi (Kengo Kôra) has successfully managed to enrol as a new student in his choice second university. He is a well-meaning chap and does his utmost to join in with all the activities in his new community, even if everyone he meets seems to be highly amused by his unusual name. He quickly endears himself to a variety of people – fellow students, his neighbours, the university Samba society and Shoko, a rich girl who is as socially awkward as he is. Over the years we see how he has touched the lives of these people… and how they remembered him.

With a non-linear structure, The Story of Yonosuke integrates us into the world of its titular character through his interactions with his friends and relatives, his story unfolding slowly. His life is really quite unremarkable, but the film’s strength lies with the fundamentally likeable nature of its central protagonist – he’s a sweet guy, charming, a little gauche and always ready to help a friend.

The Story of Yonosuke is long (heading towards three hours) but is a thoroughly absorbing drama, incorporating relationships, emotion, love and sorrow into its running time. Cheers and tears abound in this distinctly human story. If there is any criticism to be levelled at it, it’s that the story is so engaging, the ending seems altogether too abrupt.