Sweet Bean

Sentaro, a middle-aged man, runs a small dorayaki shop on the outskirts of Tokyo. His life is simple, filled with the joys of his modest business as he serves local customers, including school students who are fond of his treats.

In need of assistance, Sentaro puts up a notice looking for a co-worker. This decision marks the beginning of a significant change in his life, drawing the attention of an extraordinary woman named Tokue.

Tokue, a woman in her mid-seventies, expresses her lifelong dream of working in a dorayaki shop. Despite her deformed hands, a result of her past, she brings a unique passion for the art of making sweet bean paste.

Though hesitant about Tokue's physical condition, Sentaro tries her homemade anko and is immediately enchanted. This moment serves as a turning point, prompting him to invite her to help make bean paste for the shop.

With Tokue's addition to the shop, the business flourishes. She takes a more active role, engaging customers and preparing delicious dorayaki, which invigorates Sentaro's spirits and the shop's reputation.

As patrons begin to recognize Tokue's deformities as signs of leprosy, the shop faces a significant decline in customers. The prejudice against her condition deeply affects Sentaro, forcing him to contemplate her employment.

Feeling the weight of societal judgment, Sentaro makes the painful choice to let Tokue go. This decision fills him with guilt and regret as he reflects on the discrimination she faces.

Wakana, a schoolgirl and friend of Sentaro, encourages him to visit Tokue at the sanatorium. This visit serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the stigma leprosy patients endured, bringing Sentaro face-to-face with the impact of his decisions.

During their visit, Tokue expresses her gratitude to Sentaro for the time they shared at the shop. Despite her circumstances, she reassures him of her appreciation, highlighting her resilient spirit.

Tragically, a few months later, Tokue passes away due to pneumonia. Her death leaves a profound impact on Sentaro, who reflects on the richness she brought into his life despite the hardships they faced.

Before she passes, Tokue leaves behind a poignant cassette tape for Sentaro and Wakana. In it, she shares wisdom about life’s true value and encourages them to cherish their experiences beyond their jobs.

Throughout the film, Sentaro grapples with his past, particularly a violent incident that led to his imprisonment and debt to a loan shark. This burden looms over him and complicates his relationship with the dorayaki shop.

As the story progresses, Sentaro begins to confront his demons and the challenges of his past. Slowly, he learns to embrace his life and the circumstances surrounding him, finding a path towards redemption.

By the film's conclusion, Sentaro stands proudly at a stall in a local park, showcasing his dorayaki. This moment signifies his transformation as he learns to appreciate life, moving forward with hope despite his previous burdens.