Teaser - Onnanoko Monogatari

Onnanoko Monogatari is loosely based on two autobiographical manga by Rieko Saibara, a rebellious cartoonist whose life as a mother inspired her to start creating gag manga based on real experiences that other parents can relate to. Her work has become incredibly popular with many adults in recent years, while simultanously offending others with her willingness to bluntly portray topics some consider indecent. She doesn’t keep many secrets, so it’s common knowledge that she divorced her husband, Yutaka Kamoshida, in 2003 due to his alcoholism but took him back when he was diagnosed with kidney cancer a few years later—taking care of him until his eventual death in March of 2007 (relevant article @ The Japan Times).

Written and Directed by Toshiyuki Morioka, the film stars Eri Fukatsu as a 36-year-old cartoonist named Natsumi who’s stuck in a slump, drinking beer during the day and napping on the couch instead of drawing. One day a rookie editor named Zaizen (Seiji Fukushi) asks her about her lack of friends, causing her to begin thinking back to her childhood in a small town by the sea and the close friendships she had there.

IMJ Entertainment and Avex Entertainment will team up for a theatrical release sometime later this year. Saibara’s first picture book Ikechan to Boku has also been turned into a live-action film which is due out in Japan on June 20th.

Trailer source: Official website