It is also known as "Crying out love in the center of the world - Sekai no Chūshin de, Ai wo Sakebu". It is a japanese novel
written by Kyoichi Katayama.It was published by Shogakukan in April 2001.
The novel and the manga adaptation (illustrated by Kazumi Kazui) are published in the United States by VIZ Media under the title "Socrates in Love". In 2005, the film was remade as "My Girl and I" in South Korea and the Korean remade version is also shown on August 26, 2006 in Japan. Japanese title of Korean film is "You are the Center of my World" (Boku no, Sekai no Chūshin wa, Kimi da, 僕の、世界の中心は、君だ).
When initially released only 8,000 copies of the book were printed. A year after its publication, Japanese celebrity Kou Shibasaki wrote an article according it high praise: "I read it thoroughly even though it made me cry. I wished to have a relationship as such in my life." The book instantly became a bestseller. By May 2004 over 3 million copies were sold, exceeding the sales record of Norwegian Wood, previous record keeper of the biggest issue in Japan since 1987. In 2004, a movie derived from the novel was presented, and Shibasaki acted in it.
PLOT SUMMARY:
In a small regional town in 1980s southern Japan, Sakutaro "Saku" Matsumoto and Aki Hirose, who were classmates all through junior high school, become high school students and then fall in love with one another. They share audio diaries, go on excursions together, and enjoy summer vacation. However, Aki soon finds herself suffering from leukemia and begins to weaken day by day, rendering her unable to see Saku or go outside. Saku, desperate to take Aki to Uluru (Ayer''s Rock) in Australia (the "Center of the World" in the Japanese title), a place she had wished to go to, desperately tries to achieve just that. Aki dies before ever boarding the plane, and Saku is left to live out his life without her. 17 years later, as an older, sombre Saku trudges through everyday existence, the last tape of Aki''s audio diary is suddenly unearthed, leading Saku back to his hometown in the south, and back into his memories of his last days with Aki.
(MAIN CHARACTERS):
Sakutaro "Saku" Matsumoto (松本朔太郎 Matsumoto Sakutarō, サク "Saku") - Hero. Called "Saku-chan" by Aki. Saku''s name derives from that of the Japanese poet Sakutaro Hagiwara.
Aki Hirose (廣瀬亜紀 Hirose Aki, アキ "Aki") - Heroine. Saku''s classmate and later girlfriend. Suffers from leukemia.
Ryunosuke Oki (大木龍之介 Ōki Ryūnosuke) - Saku and Aki''s classmate. His name is derived from that of the Japanese writer Ryūnosuke Akutagawa.
Kentaro Matsumoto (松本謙太郎 Matsumoto Kentarō) - Saku''s grandfather.
ABOUT THE TITLE:
The book''s title bears a resemblance to that of the science fiction short story by Harlan Ellison, "The Beast that Shouted Love at the Heart of the World".
The English title originates from the original Japanese title, "Socrates in Love" (Japanese: Koi suru Sokuratesu, 恋するソクラテス), originally chosen by Katayama. This is why the English version of the manga and the novel use this title instead of the lengthy "Crying Out Love in the Center of the World".
In Japan, the movie''s title ("Sekai no Chūshin de, Ai wo Sakebu") is abbreviated as "Sekachū" (セカチュー)
The Hong Kong English version of the film is entitled Crying Out Love, In the Center of the World.