1. Ningen Shikkaku - This is a story about a high school student who turns to drugs to cope with the depression that has taken over their life. As they progress through different stages of their life, they begin to question the meaning of existence in the world.
2. Sakura no Mori no Mankai no Shita - This adaptation of Ango Sakaguchis literary work focuses on the love story between a woman who is kidnapped by a mountain bandit and her captor.
3. Kokoro - In this story, a university student in Tokyo encounters an older man whom they address as "Sensei." Despite being hesitant to share his life experience, Sensei offers the student advice on life. This encounter leads the student to contemplate their relationship with their family and the growing emptiness in their heart filled with ego and guilt.
4. Hashire, Melos! - This story depicts the unbreakable bond between two friends, Melos and Selinuntius, who are willing to risk everything to protect each other. However, they find themselves dangling on a thread that hovers over death and misery.
5. Kumo no Ito - Kandata is a coldhearted criminal who is punished in Hell for his crimes. Despite his past ruthlessness, he shows mercy to a spider he encounters in the forest by allowing it to live. Shakyamuni notices this act of kindness and offers him redemption by dropping a spiders thread into the searing pits of Hell. It is up to Kandata to seize the opportunity.
6. Jigokuhen - Yoshihide is a great painter in Horikawa's tyrannical kingdom who refuses to paint anything he has not witnessed himself. In response, the lord tortures his subjects to provide inspiration for the artist, leading to utter despair and darkness in the land.
Aoi Bungaku Series is adapted from renowned modern Japanese literary classics: Osamu Dazais Ningen Shikkaku and Hashire, Melos!, Ango Sakaguchis Sakura no Miri no Mankai no Shita, Natsume Sousekis Kokoro, and Ryuunosuke Akutagawas Kumo no Ito and Jigoku.
manami