Asako I & II 2019

Asako, a young woman residing in Osaka, encounters a magical feeling of love at first sight when she meets Baku. Their relationship takes off in a whirlwind, much to the chagrin of Asako’s friend, who warns her that Baku might end up hurting her. After a passionate night spent at Baku’s place, Asako awakens to find him gone. It’s revealed that Baku has a habit of disappearing unexpectedly, a tendency that began after his father passed away. When he reappears, they share a tender moment, with Baku promising Asako that he will always return to her. However, in a poignant voice-over, we learn that he vanishes once more, leaving them out of touch.

Fast forward two years: Asako has relocated to Tokyo and is now working at a coffee shop. Here, she meets Ryohei, a businessman affiliated with a nearby sake company. Strikingly similar in appearance to Baku, Ryohei catches Asako off guard, leading her to mistakenly greet him as Baku. After a few hesitant exchanges, she realizes he is not the same person. Ryohei grows curious about Asako’s peculiar behavior, but it isn’t until one chance encounter—aiding her friend to get into an art show—that he begins to unravel more about her.

As they stop for coffee post-show, Asako abruptly leaves, prompting her friend to suggest Ryohei invite someone along for dinner—a blind date for Asako. Enamored by her, Ryohei finds a friend to bring, discovering along the way that Asako’s pal is involved in a production of Chekhov’s The Sea Gull. Their friends engage in a playful dispute about acting techniques, but eventually, they all sit down for dinner together. Captivated by Asako, Ryohei persists in charming her until he finally succeeds in winning her heart.

Five years later, Asako and Ryohei enjoy a loving cohabitation. But one day, news reaches Asako that Baku has transformed into a famous actor and model. Gathering the strength to confide in Ryohei, she reveals that her initial attraction to him stemmed from his resemblance to Baku. Demonstrating a graceful understanding, Ryohei helps her find closure. Yet, the unexpected happens—Baku suddenly appears at her apartment with plans to return the following day. Later that night, he crashes a celebratory dinner for Asako and Ryohei, requesting that Asako leave Ryohei mid-meal.

Asako realizes her feelings for Baku are entangled and decides to go with him, leaving Ryohei distraught. They embark northward to Baku’s family home, which remains empty during the season. Throughout the journey, Asako comes to terms with the fact that her decision to choose Baku over Ryohei was superficial. Ultimately, Asako returns to Ryohei, only to find that he is unwilling to accept her back. In a bittersweet resolution, both acknowledge the emotional damage inflicted; Asako has hurt Ryohei too deeply, which may forever compromise his ability to trust her again.