Set in Sapporo during the oil crisis of the early '70s, the film centers on the Hokkaitei soba stand run by a stoic patriarch and his perky wife. One New Year's day, a haggard-looking mother and her two adorable moppets poke their heads into the restaurant and ask for a single bowl of kakesoba. Noticing that the trio is looking a little low in the heels, she puts in an extra scoop of noodles. The youngest boy declares that the soba is delicious. The next year, the same threesome appears again asking for one bowl of kakesoba. This time the old man dumps in two helpings. He is struck by how much the youngest looks like their own son who was hit by a truck three years previous. The following year, the three return and this time the mother tells her story...
A boy living in Wakayama Prefecture accidentally comes into possession of an Adélie penguin egg and successfully hatches it. However, wanting to return the penguin to its natural habitat, he embarks on a journey to Antarctica. Along the way, in Central and South America, he faces hardships, such as being robbed by impoverished local children. The story is framed as the recollections of Ryota Ichikawa, now an adult, reflecting on his boyhood.
There are men in this world who seem to have been born to be a villain. His upbringing, his sexuality, everything about him was suited to being in the criminal world. However, he also had a loving wife and children. This is the story of a man who throws himself into a deadly struggle on the front lines of a huge violent war, while at the same time seeking the happiness of his family as a good husband and father.
At the time between the World Wars, Japan is involved in empire-building throughout East and Southeast Asia. After a brief career as a low-level military adventurer, Iheiji sets up chains of brothels throughout Asia. As Japan's power in the region grows, so does Iheiji's prosperity and patriotism.
Keiichi (Kenichi Hagiwara) is a weather man. He gets involved with two married women, Yoshiko (Mitsuko Baisho) and Miyoko (Chieko Baisho). Both want to divorce but are trapped in meaningless marriages. While being undecided of who he wants to chose, Keiichi witnesses passions boil to an unforgiving climax.
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