Wood Job!

Wood Job!

Year: 2014

Runtime: 116 mins

Language: Japanese

Director: Shinobu Yaguchi

ComedyDrama

After failing his university entrance exam, Yuki Hirano decides to pursue a forestry trainee position. During his training, he frequently questions his choice, but ultimately succeeds in the course. He is then assigned to Kamusari Village for a year of work experience, where he gradually connects with the stunning natural surroundings and the welcoming community.

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Timeline & Setting – Wood Job! (2014)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Wood Job! (2014). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Present day

The events take place in contemporary Japan, within a rural mountain village where a forestry training program drives much of the plot. The setting blends modern life with enduring regional traditions and seasonal rhythms that define the community.

Location

Suwa, Nagano, Japan

The story unfolds in a mountain forest village in Nagano Prefecture, where forestry life dominates daily routines. Local rituals and the Onbashira Festival anchor the community’s identity. The surrounding pine and cedar forests shape the characters' work, relationships, and sense of home.

🌲 Forest village 🗺️ Mountain community 🧭 Rural tradition

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:50

Main Characters – Wood Job! (2014)

Meet the key characters of Wood Job! (2014), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Yuki Hirano (Shota Sometani)

A city-born youth who flounders after failing his university entrance exams and being dumped by his girlfriend. He signs up for a forestry training program after seeing a pamphlet featuring a beautiful model, only to discover the program is grueling. With the guidance of his strict supervisor, he perseveres and begins to feel a sense of belonging in the forest.

🌱 Protagonist 🧭 Growth 🪵 Forest worker

Naoki Ishii (Masami Nagasawa)

The pamphlet-model who becomes Yuki's love interest; she works part-time at a school and has recently left a relationship. At first skeptical of Yuki's motives, she gradually opens up as they connect through the students and community.

❤️ Love interest 🧭 Compassion 🧑‍🏫 Teacher

Yoki Iida (Hideaki Ito)

Yuki's strict, hardworking superior who mentors him through the forest program. He defends Yuki in town matters and embodies the discipline and respect for craft that the village prizes.

🌟 Mentor 🧭 Strict 🪵 Forester

Yuki's Mother (Yuriko Hirooka)

A mother who calls to check in on Yuki, reflecting the pull of home and family. She hopes he will return, creating a bittersweet tension between family obligations and the sense of belonging Yuki finds in the forest.

👩‍👦 Family 💬 Longing 🏡 Home

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:50

Major Themes – Wood Job! (2014)

Explore the central themes of Wood Job! (2014), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🌱 Growth

Yuki arrives as a city-born newcomer and, through grueling forest work and mentorship, learns resilience and practical skills. The harsh training and early setbacks push him to mature, while his growing competence earns him the villagers' respect. The forest becomes a crucible where his sense of self and belonging are forged.

🌳 Belonging

The village slowly accepts Yuki as he contributes to the community and participates in its rituals. His relationship with Naoki and involvement with the schoolchildren deepen his ties to the town. The forest and its traditions ultimately provide him with a true home.

💪 Perseverance

Yuki endures numerous obstacles, from equipment failures to injuries and social hurdles. His dedication under a strict mentor and the demanding physical tasks illustrate the theme of perseverance. The climactic forest ritual tests his resolve but also proves his growth.

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:50

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Movies like Wood Job! where characters find purpose in a rural community

Characters who find meaning and belonging by moving to a simpler, natural life.If you liked Wood Job!, you'll enjoy these movies about people finding their calling. This collection features stories similar to Wood Job!, where characters leave the city for rural life, discovering purpose, friendship, and a sense of belonging through hard work and community connection.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically begins with a protagonist feeling lost or facing a failure in their current life. A move to a rural area presents physical and cultural challenges, but through perseverance and the guidance of a welcoming community, they undergo significant personal growth, ultimately finding a true home and a renewed sense of self.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together because they share a core narrative of personal reinvention through rural immersion. They balance light-hearted 'fish-out-of-water' humor with a sincere, hopeful tone, celebrating the transformative power of community, nature, and manual labor.

Uplifting personal growth stories with a vibe like Wood Job!

Hopeful and steady stories about young adults overcoming self-doubt to find their path.Looking for movies with a feel-good vibe like Wood Job? This list includes similar uplifting comedies and dramas about young adults finding their way. If you enjoyed the hopeful tone and steady pacing of Wood Job!, you'll find more stories here about personal transformation and happy endings.

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Narrative Summary

Stories follow a straightforward, character-driven arc where a likable but uncertain young person faces a challenge or failure. Through a combination of mentorship, new experiences, and their own developing resilience, they navigate obstacles in a low-stakes environment, culminating in a happy ending that affirms their growth and new-found direction.

Why These Movies?

These movies are united by their consistently hopeful tone, light emotional weight, and satisfying, straightforward narratives. They provide a comforting and uplifting viewing experience focused on positive character development without heavy drama or complex plot twists.

Unlock the Full Story of Wood Job!

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Wood Job! Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Wood Job!, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Wood Job! Summary

Wood Job! Timeline

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Wood Job! Timeline

Wood Job! Spoiler-Free Summary

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Wood Job! Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Wood Job!

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