When the Saints Go Marching In (1998)

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.

Cast

Issei Ishida

Machida Towa

Noriko Sakai

Hagawa Momo

Ryoko Hirosue

Tsuchiya Arisu

Masanobu Ando

Takahara Ren

Akiko Hinagata

Mizuma Taeko

Rio Matsumoto

Yasunori Danta

Takegami Kosuke

Yousuke Saito

Yumiko Fujita

Aki Mizusawa