Movie
Description
Shinobu Ijūin serves as a lieutenant in the Japanese army during the Taisho era, possessing mixed Japanese and German heritage. His existence stems from a pre-birth family pact. This pact originated from his grandmother's thwarted romance with a man from the Hanamura family during the Meiji Restoration, blocked by social class differences. Consequently, Shinobu enters an arranged engagement to Benio Hanamura, designed to unite their families and fulfill his grandmother's wish.
Initially stationed in Tokyo, Shinobu encounters Benio through coincidental meetings before discovering their engagement. He demonstrates patience and understanding toward Benio's rebellious nature and initial rejection of the arrangement. Despite her active efforts to sabotage the engagement, he maintains composure and genuine affection, supporting her without imposing his will. His military duties soon lead to deployment, first in Manchuria and later Siberia. There, he suffers severe injuries, is reported missing in action, and presumed dead. During this period, he experiences amnesia. Rescued by Russian countess Larissa, who notes his resemblance to her deceased husband, he is convinced he *is* her late husband. He adopts a new identity as a Russian count, completely unaware of his past.
Returning to Japan with Larissa, Shinobu's amnesia prevents him from recognizing Benio or his own family. The Great Kanto Earthquake fatally injures Larissa; on her deathbed, she reveals the truth, restoring his memories. Amid the disaster, he reunites with Benio, reaffirming their bond. Their subsequent marriage resolves the family pact and concludes his personal journey through war, loss, and the restoration of his identity.
In the 1978 anime adaptation, his storyline diverges; the amnesia subplot is omitted. He reunites with Benio after being mistakenly identified as Larissa's husband, with the truth revealed later through an epilogue. The 2017–2018 film duology retains the amnesia arc, with Part 1 concluding on his presumed death in Siberia and Part 2 detailing his return with Larissa and eventual reunion with Benio. The Takarazuka Revue adaptation follows the core narrative of his arranged engagement and evolving relationship with Benio.
Initially stationed in Tokyo, Shinobu encounters Benio through coincidental meetings before discovering their engagement. He demonstrates patience and understanding toward Benio's rebellious nature and initial rejection of the arrangement. Despite her active efforts to sabotage the engagement, he maintains composure and genuine affection, supporting her without imposing his will. His military duties soon lead to deployment, first in Manchuria and later Siberia. There, he suffers severe injuries, is reported missing in action, and presumed dead. During this period, he experiences amnesia. Rescued by Russian countess Larissa, who notes his resemblance to her deceased husband, he is convinced he *is* her late husband. He adopts a new identity as a Russian count, completely unaware of his past.
Returning to Japan with Larissa, Shinobu's amnesia prevents him from recognizing Benio or his own family. The Great Kanto Earthquake fatally injures Larissa; on her deathbed, she reveals the truth, restoring his memories. Amid the disaster, he reunites with Benio, reaffirming their bond. Their subsequent marriage resolves the family pact and concludes his personal journey through war, loss, and the restoration of his identity.
In the 1978 anime adaptation, his storyline diverges; the amnesia subplot is omitted. He reunites with Benio after being mistakenly identified as Larissa's husband, with the truth revealed later through an epilogue. The 2017–2018 film duology retains the amnesia arc, with Part 1 concluding on his presumed death in Siberia and Part 2 detailing his return with Larissa and eventual reunion with Benio. The Takarazuka Revue adaptation follows the core narrative of his arranged engagement and evolving relationship with Benio.