Tora-san Goes North » (RECOMMENDED)

In a rare subversion of the series' formula, Tora-san focuses much of his energy on helping Jun articulate his hidden feelings for Etsuko, leading to one of the film's most touching scenes during a local barbecue. Key Features

Keiko Takeshita plays Rinko, marking one of her three appearances as the series' "Madonna" figure. Tora-san Goes North

( Otoko wa Tsurai yo: Shiretoko Bojō ), released on August 15, 1987, is the 38th entry in the long-running It's Tough Being a Man film series. Set in the scenic Shiretoko region of Hokkaido, the film is notable for its guest stars and a slightly less sentimental tone compared to other entries. In a rare subversion of the series' formula,

The story follows the itinerant peddler Torajirō Kuruma (Tora-san), who travels to rural Hokkaido and strikes up an unlikely friendship with Junkichi "Jun" Ueno, a gruff, reclusive veterinarian played by legendary actor Toshiro Mifune. Set in the scenic Shiretoko region of Hokkaido,

The film reunited Toshiro Mifune and Keiko Awaji nearly 40 years after they appeared together in Akira Kurosawa's Stray Dog . Mifune's performance earned him Best Supporting Actor at the Blue Ribbon Awards .