Sweet Rain ( Shinigami no seido ) Accuracy of Death

Sounds like a completely scary title all in one. However it is not a scary movie though. This is a japanese movie that recently hit town, amidst their usual horror movies and love stories, this one represents one that is not part of the norm.

This movie also hails the return of Takeshi Kaneshiro to the japanese silver screen after 6 years of working overseas in foreign production. I am ecstatic though, for many reasons and quite obvious reasons - lol.

Title of the movie, in japanese translates to Shinigami no seido and it is adapted from a novel by Kotaro Isaka. Kaneshiro plays a shinigami or the grim reaper named Chiba. When i first heard that, my first thought was .. ah.. Meet Joe Black! I was a bit put off by that thought. However, this version is a complete and different view point of death and life.


Chiba, normally appears 7 days before a person is to die and he observes the person's activities, interacts with them ( this is the creepy bit for me ) and decides if the person is to die ( proceed ) or can continue to live ( suspend ) . He is followed in his adventures by a dark black golden retriever who acts as Chiba's guide and rational mind. Chiba, is child like in some instances taking a keen interest in things we take for granted, like music. At the same time he is a complete dufus in human interactions. Take one example when Kazue Fujiki thinks she is being "picked" up by him. His reaction is immensely funny.

He meets 3 different characters in the space of the movie, a lonely and unwanted Office Lady, and has been gangster who is no more in favor with his bosses and and old lady of 70 who is a hair dresser.


The Office lady is played by Manami Konishi. For those who watched japanese doramas, she is already a well known name in that area. Her dreary job includes answering the help line for a electronics company and her life is mundane and dull. To make it worse, she is harassed by a stalker who calls her daily just to hear her voice when one day, she meets Chiba. He rescues her... sort of... well, he was the one that sapped the life out of her for a minute ( note. shinigami's cannot touch people with their bare hands will turn them gray, so notice the people with white gloves ) and he sort of changes her life and a her view of life. It's funny though, he asks her what is her thoughts on death but eventually ends up changing her life giving her a whole new perspective of what to life for.

For one, Sweet Rain, is a show you must pay attention to what people say and read in between the lines. ..... this is a broad hint here. :) Oh, btw, the show is covered with rain, it rains practically every scene.

Takeshi shines in this show. Rightly so as he uses more of his expression to convey the child like Chiba. And thought the title sounds heavy, this is a show that is funny as well. Trust the japanese humor, it is simple yet all due to timing.

I must say that black dog is somewhat of a character as well. He could stand in the rain dripping wet given my dog, he would have run for cover. The dog does not however say anything in the show, but all his thoughts are conveyed to Chiba via telepathy. You get to read the "thoughts" on screen and some are pretty hilarious. Like the one Chiba asks how people are chosen to die, the dog answers "you draw lots"... and waits... but Chiba was a bit shocked to reply. Dog adds on.. you are suppose to laugh here. That bit had everyone in the cinema roaring with laughter.

I truly like this show. This show is not like the normal shows you see out there. it is thought provoking as well gives you a viewpoint of if you have to change your life, you are also part of the change process. Also, you get some quick history of japanese cultures and beliefs. Ever wondered why crows are not welcomed in japanese house holds? they are the harbinger of death .

I highly recommend this movie. Watch it if not to just drool at Takeshi but get your thoughts thinking on this one.

Credits of pics go to mtime.com. I took most of the picts there. Thanks a lot.