No Regrets for Our Youth

The story opens in 1933 with campus protests against Japanese aggression in Manchuria and follows through the late 1930s and into World War II. It examines how the era's militarism and political shifts reshape personal relationships and ambitions. The ending reflects the postwar reintegration of intellectuals and the social reforms that followed.

The film alternates between the urban campus of Kyoto and the rural villages where Noge's family works, highlighting Japan's social fabric in the 1930s. It also brings in Tokyo as Yukie moves there for work and the political currents of the era. The backdrop includes Manchuria and China, framing the anti-militarist protests and the consequences of wartime politics on ordinary lives.

🕊️ Anti Fascism

Set against rising militarism, the film interrogates the costs of dissent and the pressure to conform. It shows a professor dismissed for his anti-fascist views and tracks how political conviction scarps into personal life. The arc suggests that truth and integrity can clash with power, yet endure in relationships and memory.

🌾 Rural Change

The narrative places Yukie in the countryside, where social norms collide with reformist ideas. The struggle in the fields parallels the struggle in the characters’ hearts, illustrating the slow pace of social progress. The film hints at land reform and women's role in rebuilding society after conflict.

💞 Love & Loyalty

Romantic devotion drives the central relationship between Yukie and Noge, testing loyalty against political and ethical tensions. The couple’s resilience is balanced by Itokawa’s support and the family’s cautious acceptance. The story frames love as a catalyst for personal transformation and social duty.