The best Motoki Ochiai’s movies of 2020

Eiichi and Riku have grown up together. Their days and nights were filled with challenging one another in shogi, Japanese chess. After years of practice and enhancing one another’s shogi skills, Eiichi becomes disappointed at his failure to win against Riku. Riku has improved over the years and triumphs over Eiichi until finally, Eiichi submits to Riku’s skill and quits. Soon after, a disheartened Eiichi enrolls in college courses to live his life like a normal adult. But after failed attempts at finding friends and adjusting to his new way of life, Eiichi learns about AI programmed shogi at his new school. Reinvigorating his passion for shogi, Eiichi dedicates himself to crafting a strong shogi program with the help from a senior student. But his quest for greatness leads him down a familiar road where he once again must attempt to challenge Riku. AWAKE documents the lives of an obsessed artist, searching for one moment of triumph. Synopsis written by: Kanani Lyons

The whole play stands or falls on the fact that the leading actress cries off the cuff. Too bad Ayano can't do that.