10 Promises to My Dog (2008)
A tender Japanese drama about a girl, her dog Socks, and the lifelong promises that connect them across years of growing up and letting go.
10 Promises to My Dog - Movie Information
- Original Title: 犬と私の10の約束
- Release Year: 2008
- Directed by: Katsuhide Motoki
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 57m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 15, 2008 (Japan - NR), March 18, 2008 (United States), January 26, 2009 (China)
- Alternative Titles: 犬と私の10の約束：2008 (JP), 狗狗与我的十个约定 (CN), 10 Promises to My Dog (US)
- Production Companies: Shochiku, TV Tokyo, dentsu, TEN CARAT, Mitsui & Co., Mainichi Shimbun, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, Yahoo! Japan, TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting
- Production Countries: Japan
10 Promises to My Dog - Plot
One day a puppy comes to the house of Akari, who has just turned twelve, and was trying hard to act strong after her mother suddenly fell ill. She immediately falls in love with the puppy and names it "Socks" after the paws which looked like they had white socks on. Akari was together with Socks day and night. However, as Akari grows up, her feelings and interest moves away from Socks. Year by year, their distance grows, which also leads to her physical distance as she moves to a far off city, and must leave Socks behind to a childhood friend. One day Akari remembers the 10 promises that she had made with Socks and her deceased mother...
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10 Promises to My Dog - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Katsuhide Motoki
Main Cast
- Rena Tanaka
- Ryo Kase
- Mayuko Fukuda
- Shota Sato
- Chizuru Ikewaki
- Etsushi Toyokawa
- Reiko Takashima
- Akiko Aitsuki
- Akira Fuse
- Pierre Taki
Writers
- Hare Kawaguchi
- Yoshimitsu Sawamoto
Producers
- Junichi Kitagawa
- Shigeaki Yoshida
10 Promises to My Dog - FAQs
What is 10 Promises to My Dog about?
10 Promises to My Dog follows Akari, a twelve-year-old girl who adopts a puppy named Socks after her mother falls ill. As she grows up and drifts away from her dog, she eventually rediscovers the ten promises she once made — a moving meditation on loyalty, loss, and the bonds we form with animals.
What are the 10 promises Akari makes with Socks?
The ten promises are a set of heartfelt commitments a dog asks of its owner — things like spending time together, understanding that a dog's life is shorter than a human's, and never forgetting each other. They form the emotional backbone of the film and are drawn from a widely shared internet text about dog ownership.
Who directed 10 Promises to My Dog?
10 Promises to My Dog was directed by Katsuhide Motoki, a Japanese filmmaker known for emotionally resonant dramas. The film was released in Japan in March 2008 and became a notable entry in the genre of Japanese tearjerker cinema, often compared to Hachi: A Dog's Tale for its themes.
Who are the main actors in 10 Promises to My Dog?
The film stars Rena Tanaka as the adult Akari and Etsushi Toyokawa as her father. Mayuko Fukuda plays young Akari, while Ryo Kase and Shota Sato portray the love interest Susumu at different ages. Chizuru Ikewaki and Reiko Takashima round out the key supporting cast.
Is 10 Promises to My Dog based on a true story?
The film is not based on a specific true story, but it is inspired by a widely circulated Japanese internet text outlining promises from a dog's perspective to its owner. That text resonated deeply with readers across Japan and became the emotional foundation for this story about Akari and Socks.
When was 10 Promises to My Dog released?
10 Promises to My Dog had its Japanese theatrical release on March 15, 2008, followed by a US release on March 18, 2008, and a Chinese release on January 26, 2009. The film was produced by Shochiku and TV Tokyo, among other Japanese studios and broadcasters.
How long is 10 Promises to My Dog?
10 Promises to My Dog runs for 117 minutes, or just under two hours. The film's pacing allows it to follow Akari's journey from childhood through adulthood, giving the relationship between her and Socks the room it needs to breathe and resonate emotionally with audiences.
What are similar movies to 10 Promises to My Dog?
If you loved 10 Promises to My Dog, you might also enjoy Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009), which shares its themes of devotion and loss between a human and a dog. Sky of Love (2007) and Children Who Chase Lost Voices (2011) are also emotionally rich Japanese films worth exploring.
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