#disasteranime

When it comes to stories centered around real-life events, you bet I'm going to be hooked. "Japan Sinks" is based on a 1973 disaster novel by Sakyo Komatsu. The anime was directed by Ho Pyeon-gang and Masaaki Yuasa. In the anime, we are introduced to the Mutou family.

Everything seems normal at first. The eldest daughter Ayumu, a promising athlete in junior high, is busy training at school while her younger brother Gou is busy playing video games at home. Both of their parents are away from home, with the father being at work while the mother happens to be onboard a plane (probably coming a trip from the Philippines).

However, a strong earthquake suddenly hits Japan which causes the archipelago to start sinking. I remember watching the series and to avoid spoilers, it was heart-wrenching. Amid disaster, you get to see people helping each other (even if you're both strangers). It shows how many of us deal with situations in our own ways, may it be through religion or having survivor's guilt.

You have someone like Ayumu who thinks she has to put others' needs above her own, blaming herself for running away instead of helping her friend. You were kind of hoping everyone survives.

You see, this is what I like about stories. You don't just turn it into some fantasy story with whimsical singing characters and comedy. As we all know, Japan is prone to earthquakes. They would experience this almost every day. This is why they take drills so seriously.