Shiru AKA Blank, a soul who reincarnates in the body of a deceased high school student named Makoto Kobayashi, is the focus of Amazon Prime Video’s Japanese film ‘Homestay.’ The film, directed by Natsuki Seta, follows Blank’s efforts to discover the cause of Makoto’s death in order to extend his second shot at life, as ordered by “Guardian.” The heartwarming drama, starring Kento Nagao as Makoto and Anna Yamada as Makoto’s childhood buddy Akira, ends astonishingly, revealing Makoto’s past and the concept of his death. We were intrigued by the ending’s intricacies and took a deeper look at its nuanced aspects. Let us all do the same. WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD.

Synopsis of the Homestay Plot

Blank, a soul, awakens in the body of Makoto Kobayashi, a dead high school student, in ‘Homestay.’ When Blank walks up, he meets “Guardian,” who promises him reincarnation if he can figure out Makoto’s “cause of death” without revealing that he is a soul. Blank transforms into Makoto in front of Makoto’s family, who celebrates Makoto’s rebirth after being assumed dead in the first place, in order to discover the truth behind the high school student’s death. He begins to visit Makoto’s school and interact with his classmates in search of any answers. Blank does his hardest to uncover the truth despite having three opportunities and a hundred days to do so.

As Blank’s life with Makoto unfolds, he finds Makoto was a recluse who spent most of his time painting. He goes out with Mitsuki to pick out a gift for Mitsuki’s classmate, presuming she likes him. Along with his efforts to discover the truth, Blank encounters “Guardian” in various forms, who leads him to Makoto’s cause of death. As the number of days remaining for him to uncover the answer decreases, he obtains Makoto’s sketchbook and reads the dead boy’s suicide note. The next time he sees Guardian, he responds that Makoto committed suicide. He loses one of his three chances owing to an inaccurate answer, because suicide was not the cause of Makoto’s death, but rather the manner in which he died.

Blank delves into Makoto’s life to learn more about him and come to a conclusion. He discovers that Makoto was ignored by everyone around him, even his family. Mitsuki’s lack of interest in him is further revealed by the suicide letter. He dismisses Makoto’s childhood friend Akira after being moved by Makoto’s final words before his death, not comprehending that she accompanied Makoto through thick and thin. Blank also discovers that Makoto’s mother cheated on her husband and that Makoto was aware of it. When Guardian approaches him, Blank responds that Makoto’s family and relatives murdered him, forcing him to commit suicide. He squanders his second chance owing to another erroneous response.

Homestay Comes to an End: Is Makoto Really Dead or Just Dreaming?

Since the beginning of the story, ‘Homestay’ has alternated between fantasy and actual drama on a regular basis. While the presence of the hourglass suggests that Guardian is more than just an entity in Makoto’s possible dream, Blank’s recollection of Makoto’s past and eventual realization that he is none other than Makoto’s soul raises questions about Makoto’s presumed death and Blank/existence Makoto’s as a soul. Makoto may be saved and imagining the existence of a guardian figure and a soul owing to brain injury because he consumed a lot of pills to die.

However, Makoto’s doctor’s assertion that the high school student resurrected after a day of apparent death proves that he died. We believe Makoto was dead and the story takes place in a fantasy universe because it appears impossible to return to life from death after a day’s length. Given that the film’s narrative does not seek to establish whether Makoto is dreaming or hallucinating his existence as Blank, it is safe to move on to the meaning of death and its placement in the narrative.

Death is employed as a story element to illustrate the film’s major topic, the value of life. ‘Homestay’ is mostly about Blank’s attempts to prolong his stay in the world after death. Even though the soul has no recollection of his previous life, his desire to live longer and the inherent desire to defeat death lead him to discover the truth behind Makoto’s death. When Blank/Makoto learns more about his life, he understands how much he was loved and cared for. He realizes how Akira was the ideal friend and Mitsuru was a selfless brother. These realizations help him realize that life is much more than a series of medicines.

When the hourglass of death hangs above Makoto’s soul, he understands the importance of life. The presence of death reminds him that life is a gift that he cannot waste. Makoto overcomes death and welcomes a second opportunity at life in order to be a better companion for Akira, a better brother for Mitsuru, and, above all, a better Makoto for himself.

What caused Makoto’s death?

Makoto’s life was full with difficulties and loneliness. He frequently felt that no one understood him. His father shattered his paintbrushes, discouraging him from pursuing art. Makoto was saddened when Mitsuki lied about knowing him. Makoto was devastated by Mitsuru’s ostensibly selfish life and his mother’s affair with her supervisor, driving him to commit suicide. Blank, however, first misses the “true cause” of Makoto’s suicide and eventual death in his search of the cause of death. He discovers the truth only after he realizes he is Makoto and that his misunderstandings are the cause of his death.

Makoto never bothered to fathom the lives of others while living in his own universe. When his father smashed his paintbrushes, he never spoke up for himself or indicated to his father his desire to pursue painting. Makoto failed to comprehend how much his brother cared for him as he grew older, even when he blamed Mitsuru for being cold to him. His mistaken belief that he is separated from Mitsuru, who is constantly present for him, led him to believe that he does not belong in his family. Makoto didn’t consider the causes of his mother’s affair or the bad marriage she is in while confronting it.

Makoto’s obsession with Mitsuki blinded him to her feelings for Riko. He misread Mitsuki and failed to recognize Akira’s company, leaving him lonely, something he could have averted if he had been patient enough to comprehend others rather than expecting to be understood. Makoto’s soul understands his errors and discovers that the cause of death is his own misunderstandings. When he realizes his mistakes, he promises to reform for the sake of others and himself.