An old, dying Yakuza, alone in his prison cell, spends his final days talking to a plant. It’s a premise that sounds peculiar, yet The Last Blossom spins this concept into a profoundly moving and reflective story. Aired at this year’s Scotland Loves Anime, this feature from studio Clap, distributed by Pony Canyon, is a powerful piece of drama.
A Story of Regret and Friendship
The film masterfully balances two timelines. In the present, our ageing gangster confronts his life choices, spurred on by his cynical, mocking pot-plant companion. Whether the plant is truly talking or a figment of his fading mind is left wonderfully ambiguous; personally, I found it more interesting to believe the plant was real.
Most of the anime, however, unfolds in the past, set just before Japan’s retail bubble burst in the mid-80s. We see our protagonist take in a single mum, Nana, in a purely platonic arrangement. He helps raise her child, yet he never confesses his true feelings, nor does he abandon his criminal lifestyle. Knowing his eventual fate from the film’s opening, this long flashback is tinged with a beautiful sense of tragedy.
It’s a tale of friendship and unspoken love, but also one of failure. The characters are surprisingly nuanced, even the secondary thugs. Whether it’s an ex-rugby jock or a low-level goon meticulously waiting for his boss, they all bring a tangible sense of life to the world.
A Vanishing View
The animation and visual storytelling are superb. The film uses its time jumps effectively to show the cost of ‘progress’. In one powerful sequence, our Yakuza and Nana share a fantastic view over what we assume is Tokyo and the bay. Just a few years later, that same view is gone, gobbled up by imposing skyscrapers that resemble jail-like bars.
This visual metaphor is no accident. The film features a surprising amount of conversation about real estate, grounding it firmly in the bubble economy era. It serves as a sharp commentary on timing, on knowing the true worth of things, and on questioning what really matters. Is it money? Or is it honesty, friendship, and being true to oneself?
Overall
The Last Blossom is a testament to fantastic storytelling and beautiful, considered animation. It’s a story that will stay with you, and for fans of nuanced character drama, this film is absolutely one to watch.
Anime Limited will be distributing the film in the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
You can vote for The Last Blossom in our unofficial fan vote for Scotland Loves Anime.
