'Nobody Knows' is also a remarkable film. The mother in the movie leaves her children alone for a long time, but still, the story reflects on the idea of family and the love that should be there. It gives a very deep look into the lives of children and the absence of a mother figure in a different way.
The story of Momotaro is very popular. Momotaro is a boy born from a peach. He goes on an adventure with his animal friends. This story shows the courage of the boy and can also be related to the values that a family or a parental figure might instill in a child. It is a great example of a Japanese story that is family - friendly and has a positive message about growing up and being brave.
The novel 'The Sound of Waves' by Yukio Mishima has elements of family relationships. The mother - son relationship is part of the broader social and family fabric shown in the story. It shows how the family values and the mother's influence play a role in the main character's life.
Another great one is 'Love Letter'. It's a poignant love story. A young woman discovers letters addressed to her late fiancé's first love, which is also named 'Fujii Hiroko'. As she delves into this mystery, it unfolds a story full of unspoken love and reminiscence.
Another is 'The Little Forest' series, which also has elements of love. It mainly focuses on the protagonist's self - discovery journey in her rural hometown. Along the way, there are relationships with her family, friends, and a budding love interest. The love here is more about the connection with the people and the land, rather than sexual in nature. It's a very calming and introspective series.
Another is 'Weathering with You'. It's about a boy who runs away from his rural home to Tokyo and meets a girl who has the ability to control the weather. Their relationship develops as they face various challenges together, including the consequences of her using her power. The story shows how their love blossoms in a unique and sometimes difficult situation, with beautiful animation that brings the story to life.
Another could be the story in the anime 'Clannad'. Nagisa's mother has a very important role. The story shows how the mother has endured a lot for her family, and her love for her daughter Nagisa is unconditional. It also delves into the themes of family, friendship, and love in a small town setting, which is very heart - warming.
There is a story where a mother encourages her child to pursue their dreams of becoming an artist. The mother sacrifices a lot to support the child's education and development in the arts. This kind of story showcases the positive influence of a mother in a Japanese family.
Another story might be 'I Am a Cat' also by Natsume Soseki. Here, the family interactions, including the relationship between the mother and son, are shown in a satirical way. It shows how family members interact, love, and sometimes have misunderstandings within the Japanese household.
One Japanese love story that is quite popular is 'Kimi no Na wa' (Your Name). It's a beautiful story about two people who mysteriously swap bodies and gradually develop deep feelings for each other through their shared experiences. The animation is visually stunning and the emotions are very touching.
There are no proper mainstream movies with this theme as it goes against moral and ethical norms. Instead, we can look at movies that explore healthy mother - child relationships like 'Mommy' which shows a complex but loving relationship between a mother and her son in a more acceptable context.