| Ja Kanji: | 潔く柔く |
| Type: | manga |
| Author: | Ryo Ikuemi |
| Publisher: | Shueisha |
| Demographic: | Shōjo |
| Magazine: | Cookie |
| First: | November 25, 2004 |
| Last: | 2010 |
| Volumes: | 13 |
| Type: | live film |
| Director: | Takehiko Shinjō |
| Music: | Yoshihiro Ike |
| Studio: | C&I Entertainment |
| Runtime: | 127 minutes |
, also known as Beyond the Memories, is a Japanese manga series by Ryo Ikuemi. It won the 2009 Kodansha Manga Award for shōjo.[1] Kanna and Roku's story arcs (acts 2, 6, and 10) were adapted into a live action film in 2013.[2]
The series is told in ten vignettes from different characters.
Kiyoku Yawaku was adapted into a theatrical film released on December 26, 2013.[3] The film was produced by C&I Entertainment, distributed by Toho and starred Masami Nagasawa and Masaki Okada. "Kagerō" by Kazuyoshi Saito served as the theme song for the movie.[4]
Kiyoku Yawaku was screened as part of the 17th annual Japanese Film Festival in Melbourne, Australia.[5] It premiered on October 18, 2013, via the Tokyo International Film Festival and had its theatrical release in Japan on October 26, 2013.[6]
Kiyoku Yawaku opened at seventh place in the Japanese box office, raking in takings of 86 million yen in its opening weekend.[7] Despite its below-average box office performance, Chizuru Ikewaki won the "Best Actress" award for her role in Kiyoku Yawaku at the 6th Tama Film Awards in Japan.
The film received mostly positive reviews from critics outside of its home country. The Society for Film criticised the long runtime and large number of subplots, whilst saying that overall "Despite these minor reservations, Beyond The Memories stands out as a moving, attractive and thought-provoking film" with particular praise going towards Shinjo's direction.[8] The AU Review praised the film, saying "It is well worth a watch because it is a sweet story without too much clutter from love triangles and jealousy. What sets the film apart is that it's a love story with where the two main characters are filled with a pain they are trying to hide from the world", awarding it three and a half stars out of five.