This Japanese Drama (aired in 2005) is adapted from the true story of Aya Kitō, a girl who suffers from a rare degenerative disease named Spinocerebellar Ataxia (atau Spinocerebellar Degeneration). The story focuses on Ikeuchi Aya (Erika Sawajiri), an ordinary 15-year-old teenager, the eldest child of a tofu shop owner's family, who is about to enter high school.

At first, Aya lived a normal life like any other teenager: School, played basketball, made friends and began to feel first love. However, slowly strange symptoms appear-frequent falls, strange gait, difficulty writing, and loss of balance. After a doctor's examination, Aya was diagnosed with an incurable disease: the cerebellum in her brain would deteriorate so much that she would gradually lose the ability to walk, speak, write, swallow, and eventually end up bedridden — but her mind and consciousness remained intact and clear.

Throughout her struggle, Aya writes a diary that is the source of inspiration for this drama (The original title of her diary is indeed One Litre of Tears). The Diary tells of her feelings, fears, anger, but also her strong determination to stay alive and be grateful. The Drama follows Aya's journey from an active teenager to an increasingly severe condition, as well as how the disease affects her family, friends, and those around her. The main message is how valuable it is to live, even in difficult conditions.

The Drama is notoriously heartwarming-many viewers burst into tears almost every episode because it depicts a very realistic emotional struggle.

Compatibility with children / kids

This Drama not suitable for small children (under the age of 13-14 years) and even for early adolescents need parental assistance. Reasons:

• The main themes are terminal illness, gradual physical deterioration, suffering, and death (Aya died at the age of 25 in the original story).
• There are many emotionally heavy scenes: deep sadness, family crying, feelings of hopelessness, and the reality of losing the body's capabilities little by little.
• Ratings are generally TV-14 or equivalent (in some countries 12+), but many parents and viewers find it too heavy and depressing for high school minors.
• There is no explicit physical violence/gore/sex/nudity, but the emotional intensity and themes of death can leave a child traumatized, afraid of pain, or sad for a long time.

Age recommendations:

• Early elementary and high school students Not recommended at all.
• High school teenagers (15-18 years old) → can be watched if they are emotionally mature enough, and preferably with their parents for discussion afterwards (can be valuable lessons about appreciating life, empathy, and fortitude).
• Adult → highly recommended if like inspiring drama but ready to cry a lot.

In short: a masterpiece Drama that deeply touches the heart, but not light entertainment and definitely not for young children. If for children, it is better to choose a more positive and light story first.