Wood Job!

Yuki Hirano fails his university entrance exams and is dumped by his girlfriend, leaving him at a crossroads. He notices an attractive model in a forestry training pamphlet and decides to enroll, hoping the program will offer purpose. This initial decision sets him on a path into a rural forest life.

The program proves immediately tough for Yuki, with demanding physical tasks and a grueling pace. He learns the pamphlet model is not real; she is only a promotional image. Many classmates drop out, and Yuki contemplates quitting but hesitates.

Just before quitting, Yuki sees the woman from the leaflet nearby and realizes she actually lives in the area. He feels drawn to her, which reignites his commitment to the work. She initially seems disinterested as he admits he joined for her.

Under the strict supervision of Yoki Iida, Yuki begins to improve at forest work. The mentor's hard-working ethos pushes him through rough days and mistakes. Yuki slowly gains confidence and basic skills.

Naoki works at a school; Yuki visits, and they end up playing with students. Their interactions bring them closer and deepen Yuki's feelings. This bond gives him a personal stake beyond the forest work.

Many townsfolk are skeptical of the outsider, and some elders oppose him attending the Onbashira festival. Yoki insists on his place among the villagers and defends him. The community gradually accepts him as one of their own.

Yuki finds one of Naoki's students missing in the forest, triggering worry and determination. Naoki begins to care deeply for the student as well, and Yuki's commitment to the village deepens. This incident tightens their bond with Naoki and the community.

A town meeting occurs as the Onbashira festival nears, with elders wary about letting a newcomer participate. Yoki insists that Yuki be allowed to take part, demonstrating trust and mentorship. The town agrees, setting the stage for the climactic ritual.

During the ritual, the log-cutting ceremony requires climbers to edge down the mountain. Yuki's leg gets caught on a rope, and he is forced to ride the enormous tree down to the bottom. He applies the techniques learned to keep himself safe, and the crowd celebrates his survival.

The program ends, and Yuki tearfully bids farewell to Yoki and the family who housed him. He boards a train back to his city, but Naoki appears to say goodbye just in time. He hesitates to knock on his own parents' door, choosing instead to live with the memory of the forest.

On his way home, Yuki wanders the streets and cannot bring himself to greet his parents. He is drawn to a construction site where the scent of wood reminds him of the forest life he loves. This moment marks his realization that the forest is where he belongs.

A train carries him toward the mountains as he commits to returning to the forest village. He smiles, feeling that the forest is his true home.

In the post-credits scene, a new forestry pamphlet depicts Yuki as an experienced, skilled worker, signaling his successful integration into village life. The image hints at his enduring connection to the forest. The scene serves as a hopeful coda to his journey.