is a 2008 Japanese film based on ''
Ikigami: The Ultimate Limit'', a manga written by Motoro Mase.
Plot
''Ikigami'' takes place in a
dystopian society where the government has implemented the "Prosperity Law". This law dictates 1 in 1000 random citizens ages 18~24 will die for the state in a mandatory
lottery.
Death
Death is the irreversible cessation of all biological functions that sustain an organism. For organisms with a brain, death can also be defined as the irreversible cessation of functioning of the whole brain, including brainstem, and brain ...
occurs at a preset date and time, which is when an injected
nano-capsule, received at an early age, explodes. The law is meant to create appreciation for
life
Life is a quality that distinguishes matter that has biological processes, such as Cell signaling, signaling and self-sustaining processes, from that which does not, and is defined by the capacity for Cell growth, growth, reaction to Stimu ...
by instilling
fear
Fear is an intensely unpleasant emotion in response to perceiving or recognizing a danger or threat. Fear causes physiological changes that may produce behavioral reactions such as mounting an aggressive response or fleeing the threat. Fear ...
in order make people live the best possible lives.
Once it is decided you will die, you receive your “Ikigami” or “Death Letter” 24 hours in advance. The Death Letter entitles the chosen to free transportation, lodging, and food for their last day alive. The law entitles the family of the chosen to be financially compensated for the death of their family member; though, this compensation can be forfeit if the chosen one has committed a crime. The movie follows the story of three lottery winners as seen through the eyes of a “Prosperity Law” letter handler: a rising musician, the brother of a blind woman, and a politician's suicidal son. Each has their own way of dealing with their
fate
Destiny, sometimes referred to as fate (from Latin ''fatum'' "decree, prediction, destiny, fate"), is a predetermined course of events. It may be conceived as a predetermined future, whether in general or of an individual.
Fate
Although often ...
. These cases are all accompanied by the choices the letter handler has to make.
Cast
*
Shota Matsuda
is a Japanese actor. Matsuda is best known for his roles in the ''Hana Yori Dango'' series, the ''Liar Game'' series, and ''Love Shuffle''.
Personal life
Matsuda was born on September 10, 1985 in Suginami, Tokyo, Japan, to Yūsaku Matsuda, a ...
as Kengo Fujimoto
*
Takashi Tsukamoto
is a Japanese actor, singer, and model.
He has released three single CDs: "Itsudemo Boku wa" (いつでも僕は, Anytime I am...), "Hitorigoto" (ヒ・ト・リ・ゴ・ト, Soliloquy), "New Morning".
He also portrayed the character Shinji Mi ...
as Hidekazu Morio
*
Riko Narumi
is a Japanese actress and model.
Filmography
Films
Television
Photobooks
* ''12sai'' (Littele More, 28 June 2005)
* ''14sai no Koibana'' (Shufunotomo, 23 March 2007)
* ''Natural Pure'' (Kadokawa Media House, 12 June 2007)
* ''Rico Days'' ...
as Sakura Iizuka
*
Takayuki Yamada
is a Japanese actor, singer, and producer. He is best known for his role as Sakutaro Matsumoto in TV drama ''Socrates in Love'' and as Densha Otoko in the 2005 film of the same name. Yamada gained international popularity through his portrayal ...
as Satoshi Iizuka
*
Akira Emoto
is a Japanese actor.
Career
In 1999, he won the Japanese Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in '' Dr. Akagi''. He also won the award for best supporting actor at the 7th Hochi Film Award for ''Dotonbori River'' and '' Hearts and F ...
as Counselor
References
External links
*
2008 films
2000s Japanese-language films
Live-action films based on manga
2000s Japanese films
{{2000s-Japan-film-stub