The Last 10 Years
Twenty-year-old Matsuri Takabayashi learns that she only has ten years to live due to an incurable disease. She decides to not dwell on her life and not to fall in love—until she meets a man named Kazuto Manabe at a school reunion.
The film earned $22.5M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Last 10 Years (2022) showcases strategically placed dramatic framework, characteristic of Michihito Fujii's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 4 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Akira is shown alone in his apartment, reflecting on his life and past relationships. He appears emotionally distant and disconnected from meaningful connections.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 15 minutes when Akira unexpectedly encounters someone from his past—possibly a former love interest or friend—triggering memories and emotions he's suppressed for the last ten years. This chance meeting disrupts his carefully controlled emotional state.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 31 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Akira makes the active choice to reach out, reconnect, or pursue understanding of his past. He decides to confront what he's been avoiding for ten years, stepping into vulnerable territory., moving from reaction to action.
At 62 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat A false victory: Akira and his connection reach a high point—perhaps a confession of feelings, a moment of intimacy, or apparent resolution of past pain. It seems like healing is complete, but underlying issues remain unaddressed., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 93 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The relationship falls apart or reaches breaking point. Akira's inability to fully let go of his past or embrace vulnerability causes a devastating rupture. He faces the death of hope for connection or the loss of this meaningful relationship., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 99 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Akira has a realization or breakthrough—synthesizing what he's learned about vulnerability, forgiveness, or letting go. He understands what he must do differently, combining his past wisdom with newfound emotional courage., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Last 10 Years's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping The Last 10 Years against these established plot points, we can identify how Michihito Fujii utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Last 10 Years within the drama genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Akira is shown alone in his apartment, reflecting on his life and past relationships. He appears emotionally distant and disconnected from meaningful connections.
Theme
A friend or colleague mentions something about how "you can't move forward while holding onto the past" or "real connection requires vulnerability," establishing the film's thematic core about letting go and opening up.
Worldbuilding
We see Akira's daily routine, his work life, his detached relationships with friends, and the emotional walls he's built. The last decade of his life is established as one of safety but emptiness.
Disruption
Akira unexpectedly encounters someone from his past—possibly a former love interest or friend—triggering memories and emotions he's suppressed for the last ten years. This chance meeting disrupts his carefully controlled emotional state.
Resistance
Akira debates whether to pursue reconnection or maintain his safe distance. He may consult with friends or reflect on what went wrong. Flashbacks reveal the relationship that defined the last decade of his emotional life.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Akira makes the active choice to reach out, reconnect, or pursue understanding of his past. He decides to confront what he's been avoiding for ten years, stepping into vulnerable territory.
Mirror World
The rekindled relationship or new connection deepens. This person represents what Akira needs to learn—authenticity, vulnerability, or forgiveness. They begin spending meaningful time together.
Premise
The "promise of the premise"—exploring what the last ten years cost him and what reconnection offers. Romantic or emotional moments bloom. Akira experiences joy and connection he'd forgotten, but his old patterns linger beneath.
Midpoint
A false victory: Akira and his connection reach a high point—perhaps a confession of feelings, a moment of intimacy, or apparent resolution of past pain. It seems like healing is complete, but underlying issues remain unaddressed.
Opposition
Akira's old fears and patterns resurface. External pressures or internal doubts create conflict. The relationship strains as unresolved issues from the past ten years demand confrontation. His emotional walls begin rebuilding.
Collapse
The relationship falls apart or reaches breaking point. Akira's inability to fully let go of his past or embrace vulnerability causes a devastating rupture. He faces the death of hope for connection or the loss of this meaningful relationship.
Crisis
Akira sits with his despair, processing the loss and what it reveals about himself. He confronts the truth about the last ten years and his role in his own isolation and pain.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Akira has a realization or breakthrough—synthesizing what he's learned about vulnerability, forgiveness, or letting go. He understands what he must do differently, combining his past wisdom with newfound emotional courage.
Synthesis
Akira takes action based on his new understanding. He pursues reconciliation, makes amends, or demonstrates genuine change. The finale resolves the central relationship and thematic question about connection and the cost of emotional avoidance.
Transformation
The closing image mirrors the opening but shows transformation. Akira is no longer emotionally isolated—he's vulnerable, connected, and open to life. The last ten years are finally behind him, not defining him.