When the Saints Go Marching In

A quietly harrowing and tender look at institutional cruelty, lifted by a fragile friendship that makes the pain bearable.

Created by

Atsushi Nasuda, Ken Yoshida

Genres

Drama

Starring

Issei Ishida, Noriko Sakai, Ryoko Hirosue

Overview

Exploring the perception and treatment of mentally-challenged youth and their similarities to juvenile delinquents in Japanese society, this drama series follows the trials and tribulations of a group of adolescents in a work/study program for mentally-challenged teenagers. Although the program's intention is to gently "normalize" them for introduction in society, the group is subject to constant physical and mental abuse unbeknownst to their parents and teacher, Ms Hagawa. However, the friendship between Towa, a naive but unusually articulate member of the program, and Arisu, a rebellious schoolgirl, helps both of them learn to overcome their troubles.

How it feels

Dark, melancholic, earnest and warm. Slow-burning and needs your attention.

About

Isolation, friendship, identity, trauma

Content

Strong violence. Mild gore, sexual content and language.

Note

Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

Your rating is saved. See your suggestions, or find titles like this one below.

Rate it, and Mesmero finds titles that feel like it. You do not need an account.

Search YouTube for a trailer (opens in a new tab)