Review of Under The Big Onion (2025) – A Heartwarming Fantasy Romance About Fate and Finding Meaning in Life

 

Under The Big Onion (Original title: Ookina Tamanegi No Shita De) | 2025 | 1h 55m
Genre: Drama/Romance | Country: Japan
Director: Shōgo Kusano | Writer: Izumi Takahashi
Cast: Asmi, Yôsuke Eguchi, Taiyu Fujiwara
IMDb: 6.9
My Rate: 7/10

Takeru, now in his final year of university, is still searching for the meaning of life and finds himself unable to move toward the future. However, an unexpected meeting with Miyu slowly brings a light that begins to change his life.

Warning:

Alcohol

 
Synopsis:

Talking about job hunting has become a normal topic among Takeru's friends as they enter their final year of university. Unfortunately, Takeru has little interest in those conversations. It's not because he can't find a job, but because he's still trying to discover the meaning and purpose of the life he truly wants to live. Without realizing it, that conversation catches the attention of Miyu, who is sitting nearby.

After hearing the way Takeru thinks, Miyu believes he's simply making excuses for his confusion rather than genuinely trying to face life as an adult. Although they keep running into each other, they never become particularly close. That changes when they accidentally begin communicating more often through a notebook at the place where they both work.

Takeru never knows the identity of the person he's been talking to all this time. However, those conversations slowly build a genuine emotional connection, encouraging him to find out who they really are. Unfortunately, a misunderstanding leads Takeru to believe someone else is the person behind the notebook, when in fact it is Miyu. The opportunity that had begun to bring them closer slips away once again.

Will Takeru realize his feelings for Miyu?

 

Review:

There are many things in this world that are difficult to understand, such as the meaning of life, love, and fate. Under The Big Onion (2025) brings all of those ideas to the screen in a unique way. By presenting two stories that are similar but not exactly the same, the film slowly weaves a common thread that reveals how deeply connected they truly are.

In today's digital and social media era, the film carries a nostalgic charm. Not many people from the younger generation are familiar with the idea of pen pals—building a connection through letters exchanged over time. It's a simple experience, yet one that carries a warmth that's becoming harder to find in today's fast-moving world.

The story introduces its key elements right from the beginning, including the letters, the Big Onion, and the radio. They don't merely serve as story props but also become bridges between the characters and across different periods of time. The film gradually introduces each character in a natural way. Their encounters unfold smoothly without feeling forced, while their uncertainty becomes the foundation for the conflicts that follow.

Even though the film uses a non-linear timeline and presents two stories running side by side, each has its own charm. Viewers are invited to enjoy warm and romantic relationship dynamics while watching the characters' feelings slowly develop.

Unfortunately, those strengths don't always feel balanced. The connection between the two stories sometimes feels disconnected and doesn't flow as smoothly as expected. Instead of strengthening each other, they occasionally seem to compete for the spotlight. As a result, the emotional exploration and conflicts within each story don't feel deep enough, leaving a slightly shallow impression.

The conflict is built around curiosity and misunderstanding. Questions about who actually wrote the letters, who the writer had in mind while writing them, and the expectations that grow from words exchanged without ever meeting become the main source of the story's tension. The film also shows how the hopes built through imagination don't always match reality.

The ending is presented quite beautifully. The characters in both stories experience clear personal growth and receive warm conclusions to their journeys. Takeru's story even feels like a reflection of his parents' journey, as if suggesting that fate has its own way of bringing together the people who are truly meant for each other.

The film also has several strengths in its presentation. The performances feel natural without being overdone. The dialogue is simple but still delivers the emotional weight each scene needs. The chemistry between the cast is also well developed.

From a technical perspective, the camera movement, scene transitions, and color composition blend together harmoniously. The distinction between the past and the present is clear without feeling abrupt. The music is also well chosen, and even some of the song lyrics beautifully reflect the emotions certain scenes are trying to convey.

Another weakness lies in the exploration of Takeru's character, which still feels lacking. As someone who repeatedly questions the meaning of life and his future, the background that shaped his way of thinking is barely explored. His seemingly strained relationship with his father is also only touched on briefly. If these aspects had been explored more deeply, Takeru's emotional journey would likely have felt much stronger and left a deeper impact on the audience.

Although it doesn't fully maximize the potential of its dual-story structure, Under The Big Onion remains a warm and enjoyable film to watch. It reminds us that in a world that moves faster and becomes increasingly full of distractions, human connections often grow from the simplest things—a letter, a conversation, or an encounter that seems completely ordinary. It's not perfect, but it's sincere enough to leave behind a sweet feeling after the story ends.

 

Most Memorable Scene:

Takeru seems to lose his light as his life becomes consumed by emptiness. His mother, lying in a hospital bed, notices the change in him. Despite growing weaker, she has only one wish—that Takeru finds something that truly makes him feel alive. Something that can make his days no longer feel empty.

Many people have lost the light in their lives and questioned why they should keep moving forward. Often, it happens because we've lost something or someone who once gave us a reason to keep going. The message about "searching" in this scene is especially beautiful. Searching isn't simply about finding a new source of happiness, but about creating a meaning that can bring back the desire to truly live.

 
Memorable Quote:

"Since you've already been born, you might as well live."

 

Ending:

Happy Ending

 

Recommendation:

Worth to Watch

(Aluna Uwie)