Air Doll (2009) 2022

In a peculiar arrangement, middle-aged Hideo (no actor specified) shares his daily life with an inflatable sex doll he has affectionately named Nozomi. This artificial companion is the sole recipient of his attention; he dresses her up, engages in conversations over dinner, takes her for wheelchair strolls, and even indulges in intimate moments with her.

When Hideo is away at work, Nozomi’s synthetic existence transforms into a reality all her own. She dons her maid’s uniform and ventures out into the world, marveling at the sights and sounds of urban life. Her curiosity leads her to a video store, where she secures employment and strikes up a romantic connection with Junichi (no actor specified), one of the employees. After accidentally deflating due to an injury, Junichi tenderly repairs the damage using adhesive tape and re-inflates Nozomi.

The situation becomes complicated when Hideo unexpectedly visits the video store, only to be served by his “doll” without recognizing her. Junichi’s boss mistakenly assumes that Hideo is Nozomi’s boyfriend, and she is subsequently coerced into a compromising position. This event sparks a profound impact on Nozomi, who struggles with the moral implications of her manufactured existence.

As Nozomi grapples with these existential questions, she turns to the factory where she was created, seeking answers from her maker. Her interlocutor reveals that he believes all dolls possess hearts, as evidenced by their facial expressions when returned after use. When Nozomi inquires about the fate of used dolls, her creator candidly shares his practice of discarding them as garbage.

The once-inanimate doll now finds herself torn between her love for Junichi and her own sense of identity. She confesses to him that she is willing to do anything he desires, including allowing him to release her air and re-inflate her as before. When given the opportunity, Junichi asks Nozomi to let out his air and re-inflate him, a request she honors.

As Junichi sleeps, Nozomi attempts to reciprocate his earlier actions by releasing his air; however, she is thwarted when she realizes there is no plug to restore her. Frustrated, she turns her attention back to her own wound and uses adhesive tape to stem the bleeding. As the life slips from Junichi’s body, Nozomi is overcome with grief.

In a poignant act of self-sacrifice, Nozomi deliberately deflates herself, allowing her to be collected with the garbage alongside Junichi’s lifeless form. This desolate conclusion serves as a stark reminder of the transience and fragility of existence, artificial or otherwise.