Erika Sawajiri -- A Litre Of Tears

I have not seen such a very meaningful drama series for a long time. Finally, there is one Japanese drama serial by the name of A litre of tears to look forward to. I think that the female lead, Erika Sawajiri has done an extremely good job at protraying the character Aya, who has been stricken with an incurable disease known as Spinocerebellar Degeneration, in which the nerve cells of areas necessary for the human body to move and to balance - including the cerebellum, brain stem, and spinal cord - transforms and eventually disappears. In spite of all this, Aya lived life to the fullest till her death at age 25.

This show is based on a true story and is well received in a lot of countries outside Japan. I am glad that I have the chance to catch it in my country and to learn something about Aya's approach towards life when faced with the fact that she may have problems carrying on with her normal routines in life due to her illness.

In addition, Aya's courage, positive outlook, strong determination and her will not to let this illness affect her are something in which we can learn and to imitate from.

In conclusion, this drama series is something in which we will have a different opinion of life after watching it.

(pictures are taken off from the television screen during the first episode of the serial...)






Profile of Erika Sawajiri:

Erika is half-japanese, having a Japanese father (death of illness) and an Algerian-French mother and is the youngest child of three brothers and sisters. Her father died of cancer when she was in her third year at junior high school and her second eldest brother died of a car accident when she was in first year at high school. Her father was the owner of racehorses, and owned sixteen race horses including Edonokoban (エドノコバン) etc. Her mother manages the Mediterranean restaurant now; Sawajiri sometimes helps with it. Her specialty is horseback riding. She has been riding from childhood. Her name is derived from the flower’s name. (Ericaceae’s Erica) The opportunity which she entered the entertainment world was because she wanted to see Namie Amuro. It’s said that she has a frank character in contrast with her girlish appearance.