Josee, the Tiger and the Fish

Tsuneo Suzukawa, a university student and part-time store employee in Osaka, rescues the disabled Josee when she accidentally pushes her wheelchair down a steep road. Impressed by his care, Josee’s grandmother Chizu invites him to stay the night, and he becomes Josee’s caretaker. This chance encounter marks the beginning of a relationship that will deepen over time.

With Josee under his care, Tsuneo grows closer to her and learns to see past her initial sulkiness. They spend time together around the house and on small outings, building trust and a sense of companionship. The dynamic shifts from obligation to mutual support.

Tsuneo and Josee spend a day at the beach, where they share personal stories and quiet moments of connection. The seaside setting allows Josee to open up and dream a little, while Tsuneo provides steady encouragement. The outing becomes a turning point in how they relate to one another.

One of Josee's friends, Kana Kishimoto, helps her secure a library job, giving her structure and a creative outlet. The library becomes a social hub and a source of purpose for Josee. Tsuneo remains supportive as she begins this new chapter.

Tsuneo receives a scholarship and an invitation to study in Mexico, signaling a possible future apart from Josee. He does not tell Josee about the offer right away, keeping the news to himself. The looming distance creates a quiet tension that colors their interactions.

Chizu dies of a heart attack, leaving the household in shock and Josee feeling suddenly more isolated. The loss intensifies Josee's dependence on Tsuneo and marks a turning point for both of them. The family home becomes a place filled with memories and unresolved dreams.

Two men inform Josee that she will leave the house for a few months, signaling an impending separation. Mai Ninomiya, a coworker of Tsuneo, urges Josee to redeem herself and set Tsuneo free, urging her to change her life path. The exchange pushes Josee toward decisions about her future.

Josee moves from pursuing art to taking an office job, a pragmatic response shaped by circumstance and external input. The new routine creates distance from Tsuneo's original dreams, yet he remains supportive. The change marks a pivot in their shared future.

An argument at the beach leads to Josee's wheelchair getting stuck in the road, leaving her exposed to danger. The moment underscores the fragility of their world and foreshadows future challenges. It heightens the stakes of their relationship and personal aspirations.

Tsuneo is hit by a car and sustains a fracture to his right leg, resulting in a two-month hospital stay. The accident disrupts their routines and compels them to reexamine what they want from life. Recovery becomes a test of perseverance for both of them.

In the hospital, the professor informs Tsuneo that another student will replace him, prompting a reconsideration of his dreams. Mai visits Josee and argues that she deserves Tsuneo more, urging Josee to support his recovery. These conversations push both toward a shared decision about their future.

During rehabilitation, Josee resumes painting and regains her artistic voice. Hayato Matsūra escorts Tsuneo from the hospital to the library, where Josee reads a self-drawn story to children about The Mermaid and the Radiant Wings, an allegory for their relationship. The tale inspires Tsuneo to persevere and stay engaged with his own recovery.

After discharge, Tsuneo returns to an empty house as Josee is no longer there. Friends search the city for Josee, and Tsuneo follows the snow-covered wheelchair tracks from the zoo, where Josee had gone to see the tiger. He saves her again when a stranger nudges her wheelchair into a snowy road, reigniting their connection.

The two finally confess their love and discuss their future: Josee wants to be a storybook illustrator, and Tsuneo promises to stay by her side. Josee asks about Mexico, and Tsuneo says he will go but will return home because he loves her. They embrace, choosing to face whatever comes next together.

Tsuneo travels to Mexico to pursue his opportunities, while Josee remains in Japan and decides to demolish the house rather than cling to the past. The following year, Tsuneo returns to Japan and continues spending time with Josee, their bond strengthened by distance and shared dreams.