Sweet and short, I sped through this one and appreciated its heartfelt message - even if it did feel a little bit contrived. Very consciously wholesome, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. 

The main character is paying back his debts after a stint in prison by making dorayaki in a slowly-failing shop. He’s content with mediocrity, buying in the sweet bean paste that fills his pancakes, passing the days in a haze until he can drink the evening away. But when Tokue, an elderly lady with a physical disability, responds to an old help wanted sign, Sentaro’s life is about to change. Reluctantly at first, Sentaro soon begins to learn from Tokue how to make a truly delicious sweet bean paste, and simultaneously appreciate the life he has. 

Although it tackles subjects like alcoholism, disease and the stigmas that come with it, loneliness and ostracism, there’s a dreamy, whimsical quality to Sweet Bean Paste that keeps it light-ish. Sometimes the dialogue in translation felt a bit off, but the letters between Sentaro and Tokue were beautifully rendered. 

Sweet but perhaps a bit forgettable.