Hachiko (5 Stars)

They say that a dog is a man's best friend. If that's the case, Hachi (10.11.1923 – 08.03.1935) was the best man's best friend ever. His loyalty to his owner, a Japanese university professor, has inspired a nation. There's a statue of him at Shibuya Station in Tokyo, and every year hundreds of dog lovers meet on 8th March to remember him.

In 1923 Professor Ueno was offered an Akita dog as a gift. At the time it was a rare breed, and it's estimated that only 30 were in existence. It's due to Hachi that Akitas became a popular breed and are no longer endangered. After initial resistance from his family, Professor Ueno brought the dog into his home. He loved the dog like a child, and he even took baths with him.

Within a year Hachi showed signs of exceptional intelligence. Every day the professor walked with Hachi to Shibuya Station to catch his train to work. Hachi walked home by himself. In the evening Hachi returned to the station to wait for his master. Nobody needed to send Hachi, he knew exactly what time the train would arrive, and he was always waiting a few minutes before.

On 21st May 1925 Professor Ueno collapsed and died while giving a lecture. He never came home. After this Hachi returned to the station at the same time every day for almost 10 years. The professor's family even moved away from the area after his death, but Hachi ran away and found his way back to the station. He preferred to be a stray dog, living on the street from scraps, as long as he was close to the station.

As is to be expected, Hachi attracted attention. In 1928 a newspaper article was written about the faithful dog who had waited three years for his master. This made Hachi famous, and there was no lack of people who fed him. He accepted the food from others, but there was only one person he loved.

This is the photo of Hachi that was printed in the newspaper in 1928. I assume it was taken close to the station. On 8th March 1935 he died in front of the station, waiting at the exit.

I have never cried as much while watching a film. I was totally overwhelmed. There's never been a film like this. Strangely, it's out of print in America and England, but it's available on Blu-ray in Germany.

In 2009 the film was remade in America. I intend to watch the remake as well. I hope I'm not disappointed.