My Broken Mariko

When they were young, Tomoyo Shiino (Nagano Mei) and Mariko Ikagawa (Nao) were best friends. Fully aware of the fact that Mariko’s home life was nothing short of awful, Tomoyo stuck by her friend through years of abuse, abandonment, and depression. The one reassuring constant in Mariko’s life, Tomoyo was Mariko’s one light in a world of overwhelming darkness. Close friends that they were, Tomoyo and Mariko kept in touch over the years, but even staying in contact couldn’t spare Tomoyo the wave of shock that hit her when she learned of Mariko’s death. Seeing the news of her friend’s death make headlines, Tomoyo is completely blindsided by the information. Overwhelmed by guilt for not being able to help her friend more during her life, Tomoyo decides to do the only thing she can to make amends now. Determined to liberate Mariko from the clutches of her cruel family Tomoyo steals her friend’s remains. Taking Mariko on one final journey, Tomoyo recalls the memories she shared with her friend, hoping that doing so will free her friend’s tortured soul. Will this final trip together bring them both the peace they so desperately need? Adapted from the manga series of the same name by Hirako Waka, “My Broken Mariko” is a 2022 Japanese psychological drama film directed by Tanada Yuki.