All About Lily Chou-Chou 2002

In the poignant and thought-provoking “All About Lily Chou-Chou”, the lives of two teenage boys, Yuichi Hasumi (Yuichi) and Shusuke Hoshino (Shusuke), unfold against the backdrop of junior high school and its summer vacation. The film’s non-linear narrative structure takes us on a journey that begins mid-stream, then flashes back to earlier moments in their story, ultimately returning to the present.

Yuichi, an enthusiastic fan of Lily Chou-Chou, creates a fan site and message board under the alias “Philia”, where he connects with another user named “Blue Cat”. This shy and socially isolated teenager is mercilessly bullied by his classmate Shusuke, who forces him to perform humiliating acts. However, as we see through flashbacks, Yuichi and Shusuke were once close friends, bonding over their shared love of kendo and Lily Chou-Chou’s music. Their friendship deepens when Shusuke invites Yuichi to spend the night at his house, introducing him to the singer’s enchanting melodies.

As school takes a summer break, Yuichi develops a crush on his classmate Kuno, while Shusuke becomes increasingly withdrawn, his personality transformed by a traumatic event during their trip to Okinawa. Upon their return to school in September, Shusuke reveals his new persona - that of a manipulative and violent bully who revels in the suffering of others.

Yuichi finds himself drawn into Shusuke’s orbit, becoming embroiled in his gang’s nefarious activities. As he struggles to cope with his new circumstances, Yuichi turns to Lily Chou-Chou’s ethereal music and online friendships for solace. Tragedy strikes when Yuichi is assigned to supervise Shiori Tsuda, who has been blackmailed into participating in enjo kōsai by Shusuke’s gang. Kuno, meanwhile, falls victim to the gang’s brutality after unwittingly offending the school’s girl gang, cutting off her hair in a desperate bid to avoid a similar fate.

As the story spirals out of control, Yuichi is left reeling from the consequences of Shusuke’s actions, including the heartbreaking loss of life. It takes an online intervention from Blue Cat to prevent Yuichi from succumbing to his own despair and desperation.

As Yuichi traverses the bustling streets of Tokyo, his anticipation builds as he finally gets to experience the euphoria of a Lily Chou-Chou concert. This momentous occasion also serves as a chance for him to meet “Blue Cat” in person, an encounter orchestrated with Yuichi’s friend. However, his excitement is short-lived, as he runs into Shusuke, who forcibly disposes of Yuichi’s ticket, leaving him feeling deflated and frustrated. The concert proceeds without him, but Yuichi finds a way to indulge in the music from outside, where a massive screen broadcasts the performance. As he watches, a revelation hits him - the enigmatic “Blue Cat” is none other than Shusuke himself. Seething with anger and a sense of betrayal, Yuichi makes his move, striking down Shusuke in the midst of the crowd after the concert, ending his life.

As the dust settles, Yuichi begins to rebuild his life, finding solace in reconciling with his schoolteacher and making a bold statement by dyeing his hair. A poignant moment of connection unfolds as he shares a tender exchange with Kuno during her piano performance. The film’s closing scene transports us to a serene field where three figures - Yuichi, Shusuke, and Tsuda - stand alone, bathed in the gentle glow of the evening sun, their ears attuned to the haunting melodies of Lily Chou-Chou, a poignant reminder of the power music can have in shaping our lives.