Kaisha monogatari: Memories of You

The film opens with Hajime Hanaoaka boarding a train to Tokyo Co. Ltd, already weighed down by the idea of retirement. He drifts through his routine with a troubled, sad expression, hinting at the life-switch ahead. The commute frames his sense that a long chapter is ending.

At the office, his days are marked by small signals of fatigue and detachment. He watches colleagues go through motions, introspective about how little of his life has been outside work. The looming retirement colors his interactions with everyone around him.

A coworker asks him to write a reflection on 34 years at Tokyo Co. He offers a candid view of his life being defined by the job rather than by personal relationships. The line 'It wasn't just my job. It was my life' hints at the depth of his devotion and looming loss.

To cope with his sadness, Hanaoaka revisits jazz, a hobby from his past he had long neglected. He immerses himself in rhythm and improvisation as a form of solace. The music rekindles a part of him that retirement might otherwise erase.

Some coworkers reveal they also play instruments, sparking the idea of a company swing band. The shared passion gives Hanaoaka renewed energy and a sense of community. The possibility of making music with his team shifts the mood from melancholy to hopeful.

The group forms with Hanaoaka at the center as drummer and mentor. They begin rehearsals and discuss jazz, reigniting old friendships and a sense of purpose. The band becomes a lifeline as his career nears its end.

Young coworker Nishiyama navigates romance, becoming engaged but breaking it off when her fiancé cheats. The personal setback offers a human counterpoint to the office grind. Her struggle adds emotional texture to the workplace portrait.

Nishiyama grows closer to Hanaoaka, and the film uses her voiceover at the opening and closing to frame her faith in people. Their bond is tender without becoming romantic, offering him companionship. This dynamic reinforces themes of trust, renewal, and intergenerational connection.

Gossip swirls about whether the office will throw Hanaoaka a retirement party. He responds by sending a newsletter asking colleagues not to worry about a party, aiming to spare them extra effort. The act reveals his humility and consideration for others.

Nishiyama sends him a private letter inviting him to a personal retirement party for just the two of them. They share a dinner and connect on a deeper level, though their relationship remains platonic. The moment marks a turning point in his farewell.

The retirement party becomes a stage for the jazz band's final performance. Hanaoaka plays with his colleagues, delivering a cathartic moment that celebrates a life beyond daily work. The evening softens as coworkers grow warmer and more supportive.

With the band's music and Nishiyama's closing voiceover, the film ends on a note of renewed faith in people. Hanaoaka's retirement feels like a transition toward new connections rather than a hard end. The coworkers’ friendship deepens as they see him in a fresh light.