Japanese Movies and Their Equivalent Books: Part 1

HEY! :D

Recently, I watched yet another touching Japanese movie, Like Father Like Son, in my local cinemas and it made me CRYYY so bad! :,( My eyes were swollen shut and I couldn't get rid of the choking feeling in my chest :(

Ooohh, it's award winning!

It was SO EMBARRASSING since I still had to take the public transport home, but this experience did make me realize that Japanese movies are severely underrated and people really need to know more about them! Also, I realized that there are similar plot lines and themes in Japanese movies to mainstream YA fiction, so today, I will be drawing parallels between both genres.

Hopefully, all of you blog readers can learn of the "movie equivalent" of your favourite book!

Movie: Oshin おしん (2013)

Kokone Hamada beat 2000 other
auditionees for the role of Oshin! :O

Plot: A young girl named Oshin is sent to work for another family, because of her own family's financial condition. Abused and accused of being a thief in the new household, the fragile girl becomes hurt and discouraged. Nevertheless, she lives strongly and her spirited personality eventually leads her into an adventure of courage, sacrifice and love.

And here is Oshin's trailer:

Book: DRAGONKEEPER by Carole Wilkinson

A truly imaginative book that captures
the essence of storytelling

Plot: In the time of the Han Dynasty in ancient China, the last remaining dragon is in danger of being killed by the cruel Emperor. A nameless orphan with no past and an uncertain future becomes his unlikely ally. The young orphan soon discovers that it is her destiny to protect the aging dragon and his mysterious purple stone. Chased by an evil dragon hunter and a powerful sorcerer, their adventure is not easy. Each must learn to help and understand the other if they are to survive. No longer can she be the timid, shy orphan she once was. She is now the one, true Dragon Keeper.

Similarities

Both plots are centred on a headstrong female main protagonist and how they each embark of life changing adventures of their own. They are initially reluctant to leave their comfort zone, even if it means living in abject poverty or leading the life of a slave girl. However, they are eventually forced by external circumstances to be brave and embark on their personal journeys. 

When the going gets tough, both Ping (the young orphan) and Oshin rely on their inner strength and peserverance to push through difficult times and they eventually emerge as stronger, braver heroines. 

That's all for today! Keep checking back for Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4!

Love, 

Crystal