This will be an analysis as much as a review. And their will be some spoilers.
The Stranger By The Shore is the kind of lgbt content we need more of. It doesn't fettishize us or make light of us, but treats lgbt people like normal human beings. It is a character drama and full blown romance that treats its leads with agency and respect.
Homophobia is something that a lot of LGBT people experience. It's almost unavoidable. There will always be people who hate us and our own insecurities eating away at us. Shun is the focal point of this struggle for the story. He experienced homophobia from his classmates in high school before even coming out. When he over hears his classmates riddiculing him for being femmine he runs away and experiences a panic attack, something he suffers from to this day. Later we are shown Shun being asked by his female fiance if he is really ok with marrying her. He replies it's fine as long as its her. We later learn he said the same words to her as a child where she is thrilled and his expression is one of accepting a hard truth.
From his early childhood, to his highschool days, to his wedding day. Shun tried to bury his feelings and live a life of least resistance. A normal hetero life. But like many real people, Shun couldn't put up this front forever. When he comes out to his parents, he is ridiculed for breaking things off with his fiance and asked by his mother to deny his truth. In response, Shun accepts his parents scorn and leaves. But the scars of the past aren't soon forgotten. These experiences left him with some trauma, taking the form of internalized homophobia. Shun believes he would be better off if he could of loved a woman, and even as he grows closer to Mio, he tries to warn him of how society will view their relationship. With flashbacks and scenes of judging eyes sprinkled in between romantic moments in public, we are given a glimpse of what homophobia may be like for someone in Japan, as well as what the environmental can do to a person.
Now Mio has a different story to tell. The focal point of his character is overcoming loss and depression. When we are introduced to Mio, he has just lost his mother. We are given glimpses into their relationship via flashbacks and other sources. The flashbacks are beautifully incorporated into the scenes. Often while Mio is by the beach. Be it his special bench overlooking the water or his secret spot he shared with his mother.
There is a scene where mio and shun are talking on the beach while Shun fishes. While this conversation is happening, a young Mio and his mother are scene in the background having a conversation. There voices played along side the conversation Shun and Mio are having in the present. This perfectly illustrates how Mio is living in past. Unable to let go of his mother even while interacting with Shun. It is also a great example of the effort that was put into the cinematography of each scene. something I will touch on more later.
Mio's depression is demonstrated by his facial expressions and the way he interacts with the world. Despondent and wanting nothing to do with the present. That is until Shun slowly breaks through the darkness surrounding Mio. Interacting with Shun slowly opens Mio up. Shun gave Mio the strength to keep living and the we see the true Mio when he returns later on. This time it being his turn to help Shun.
This isn't a romance with no grounds as some people might want to claim. Both men are given reason to be attracted to the other. Initially, Mio is shown to be Shun's type. A flashback shows a boy Shun had a crush on who shared a similar appearance. And Mio's depression and circumstances drew Shun in with the desire to reach him. Shun's kindness and attempts to reach Mio via his bench and the bread he used to enjoy with his mother, leads to Mio giving him flower trimmings from his Mother's plant. While a misunderstanding about Shun pittying Mio leads to a brief fight, it brings them closer together when Mio realizes Shun was in fact flirting with him and not pitying him. Shun even accidentally gives Mio his favorite food that he shared with his mother, curry. And by providing Mio a hot meal and the sensation of a warm home, Mio finally laughs and smiles.
The romance is there for both boys. It's demonstrated both subtlely and unsubtlely , but beautifully done. When Mio returns later on it is his turn to reach Shun, who has succumbed to his depression and own inner homophobia. Mio spends the rest of the movie being the more active member of the relationship. He breaks down Shun's walls and making Shun realize that he does deserve to be loved.
There is a beautiful scene where Shun discusses with Mio his family situation and how he doesn't want to go back to them. It cuts to their reflection on a TV screen and a picture of a young Mio and his mother beside it. A few seconds later Shun leaves and it cuts back to the TV screen and picture, with shun leaving Mio alone in the reflection. While Shun has the chance to reunite with his family, Mio never can. Something Shun doesn't seem to realize. It perfectly illustrates how Mio is still holding onto his past and how he is truly alone without Shun.
The cinematography put into this scene and the scene on the beach I mentioned earlier is phenomenal. The effort put into these scenes alone shows that this movie was made with a lot of love. Some other recuring symbolism is the two bracelets mio wears. It is never outright stated, but it can be infered via flashbacks that these matching bracelets were worn by Mio and his mom since he was a child. There are several subtle frames where mio is shown looking at them or gripping them as he is missing his mother and feeling distant from Shun.
Another recuring symbol is the two cats often being shown embracing eachother as they sleep. Something Mio wants and Shun resists. These cats are shown in this pose when mio is longing to sleep side by side with Shun and again shortly before the boys have sex for the first time.
Speaking of the sex scene, it is also done excellently. Shun turns Mio's attempts to get him in bed down repeatedly throughout the film, and while displeased, Mio accepts. It is only after both of them are ready do they engage in the act. And the sex scene makes no attempts at ignoring the basic requirements of anal sex all gay men face. It addresses them head on, and it is portrayed with consent for various acts being asked and comfort being asssed before proceeding. It is done tenderly without taking the romance out of the moment or fetishizing the two men. Since this is not a hentai nothing outright explicit is shown. Camera angles, cuts and strategic use of showing them in reflections are used to dance around the act. This is far less visual then most American produced content aimed at teens and should be considered acceptable for age rating the program was given.
By the end of the film, both Mio and Shun have healed from their traumas. Shun will return home to face his family, and Mio who was stuck living the past, finally let's go and has a new home with Shun. This is symbolized by him smiling as he bids farewell to his parents grave, shun by his side, ready to leave their island sanctuary for the time being and sail into the future together.
I have covered most of what I wanted to adress in this review. I'd gladly analyze the entire film but I think you readers deserve to experience it fully for yourselves. I won't cover anymore of the plot but I'd like to briefly cover the main supporting cast of characters, as well as the cut content that hindered the movie.
While the supporting cast isnt the focus, they leave a strong impression. Shun's aunt serves as a wise adviser who provides shelter and jobs to lost souls in need. While her presence in the series is small, you can tell she truly cares for those she welcomes into her home and restaurant. Eri is the kind, big sister like friend we all deserve. Someone who teases us and wants what's best. She repeatedly tries to look out for both Shun and Mio, and pushes their relationship forward as best she can. Her and her girlfriend, Suzu, show the future Mio and Shun can have if they come together. They show that even amidst a judgemental society with subtler homophobia like Japan, two people can be in love and have a happy healthy relationship.
Then there is Sakurako, Shun's childhood friend and ex fiance, arguably the most important supporting cast member. She brings Shun's past to the forefront. While he has secluded himself from his family and past she breaks into his sanctuary with the intent to make him face it. She views the island as his paradise with Mio and while she wants what's best for Shun, she can't help but resent him and his life with Mio. She supported Shun through their youth, even being his confidant in matters concerning his homosexuality, yet she held onto her childhood feelings of love for Shun even after he called off their engagement. This trip to see Shun is just as much for her to move on from their shared past and her feelings as it is to help Shun reconnect with his parents before it's too late.
There's this powerful scene where Sakurako steps into the water at night after a big fight with Shun. It's as if she's ready for the sea to take her away, giving into the pain she feels. But it is Mio who comes to her rescue. His pure love for Shun and wish for him to be happy and to reunite with his parents, even if it means Shun leaving him behind, speaks to her. And the scene takes on a new meaning. Instead of giving into her despair, Sakurako's pain is washed away by the water. She sees that Mio's love for Shun is far purer then her love that was willing to live a lie
Sakurako is a character with many subtleties. Love, resentment, concern, relief, despair and even comedy can be seen through her actions. She knows Shun could never love her but was willing to accept their engagement. She knows Shun could never kiss her and yet they had sex. She proclaims she's not their to get back together with Shun, but clearly is testing Mio and still holding onto feelings for Shun. She knows shun and Mio are together and yet she wants a goodbye kiss from Shun. She's a girl full of contradictions, who puts up fronts for those around her. While she leaves the island, she proclaims she'll never come back and it's yours. Subtlety saying Shun belongs to Mio and they can have their life together.
Finally I have only read one chapter of the manga as of now, but I encourage viewers to read the book as well. Within the first chapter a lot of set up was skipped entirely. Not to mention, the series is acually ongoing, with a sequel series currently being published. Now a lot of the cut content offered insight into Shun and Mio's characters. Scenes focusing on Mio's mother and his situation after her death were left out, as well as details about Shun's life on the island and basic info about his character. To me the most unforgivable cut though, was this touching scene where Mio and Shun were walking back to Mio's foster home after their curry dinner and Mio pulls Shun aside to his secret sanctuary thay he shared with his mother. Together they stare at the sea as Mio proclaims he's giving this spot to Shun and tells him of his departure. The anime equivolent scene on the bench also cuts a brief kiss that Mio gives Shun before parting.
What's weird about this cut scene is the anime shows Mio heading to this location later with no context. Mio's flashlight goes out leaving him in the dark after his fight with shun and before his effort to find Sakurako. While the scene in the anime is symbolic of Mio's despair and loneliness and animated beautifully, it loses its meaning without this context.
Some other cut content also explains how Shun won an award and became a published author within the three year time skip. Only ever receiving a congratulatory letter from Mio. While not crucial to the story, these scenes give context that heightens enjoyment. And with the movies short run time it's bizarre that content had to be cut. It's barely 58 minutes long. If it received a proper feature length runtime no content would have had to be cut.
In closing, if you enjoy lgbt content that doesn't fetishize lgbt people and treats its characters with respect, The Stranger By The Shore is a great movie to watch.
It does not shy away from the issues we face or sex, but tackles them head on.
I'd say the characters and their struggles are highly relatable to LGBY people and broadly relatable to the general populous as well. This story certainly spoke to me and helped me reavaluate my own feelings and past struggles. I hope that people of various ages can come across this story and relate to it. I think it could have a valuable impact on people questioning their sexuality. Everyone deserves the chance to fall in love and be loved back.
I highly encourage fans to check out the manga and the ongoing series for more content. Who knows, maybe enough support will get the sequel an anime series one day or an adaptation that portays the full content of the first book.
