Air Doll (2009)

In his solitude, middle-aged Hideo discovers a unique form of companionship with an inflatable sex doll named Nozomi. He dresses her, shares meals, and takes leisurely strolls with her, creating a bond that transcends the conventional.

While Hideo is away at work, Nozomi springs to life, transforming her existence. She dons a maid's outfit, filled with curiosity about the world, eager to explore life outside their isolated apartment.

In her newfound autonomy, Nozomi takes a job at a local video store, eager to experience human interaction. Here, she develops romantic feelings for one of her colleagues, Junichi, adding complexity to her existence.

A mishap occurs when Nozomi accidentally injures herself, leading to a deflation. Junichi finds her in distress and manages to fix her with adhesive tape, restoring her to her original form as a doll.

Hideo unexpectedly visits the video store where Nozomi now works. Upon serving him, her cheeks flush with embarrassment, but he is oblivious to her true identity, failing to recognize his beloved doll.

Nozomi's boss wrongly assumes that Hideo is her boyfriend, leading to tensions. He pressures Nozomi into unwanted intimacy, causing her further emotional turmoil as she grapples with her feelings for Junichi.

Back at home, Hideo discovers that Nozomi has transformed into a living being. Troubled by this change, he expresses a desire for her to return to her previous doll form, citing human connections as annoying.

Feeling hurt and rejected by Hideo's reaction, Nozomi decides to flee. This moment signifies her struggle to understand her identity and place in a world that feels increasingly complex.

Nozomi seeks out the factory where she was created and meets her maker. He shares his belief that all dolls possess hearts, hinting at the emotional depth of her existence, yet reveals the grim fate of used dolls.

In her desperation to please Junichi, Nozomi promises to do anything for him. This leads to a tragic encounter where he requests that she deflate and then re-inflate herself, harkening back to their prior bond.

After Junichi falls asleep, Nozomi attempts to reciprocate kindness by trying to re-inflate him. In a misguided moment, she resorts to using scissors to help him, which leads inadvertently to his death.

Devastated by the consequences of her actions, Nozomi finds Junichi's body and places it among the garbage. This act marks a turning point in her journey, emphasizing the tragic nature of her love and the despair of loss.

In profound grief, Nozomi decides to tear off the tape that seals her own wound. Accepting her inevitable fate, she chooses to deflate, symbolizing the tragic end to her tumultuous love story.