
Returning the Favor
2006, Japanese. Directed by Ken Yoshida.
Kitahara Kazunori was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma in the fall of his second year in high school, and thereafter spent a year and 10 months battling the disease. Although he studied hard for the university examinations and was successfully admitted to his first choice, [the prestigious] Tokyo University, he only managed to visit it for a day before passing away. After that, last January [i.e. 2005], Kazunori's mother compiled the thoughts he had left behind and published it as a book, and it was adapted into this drama. Even as Kazunori had to fight his serious illness, he received support from his friends, school teachers and family members, and had warm relations with many people. This drama illustrates the 1 year and 10 months young Kazunori persevered together with the people around him.
- Runtime
- 1h 35m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- Japanese
- Rated
- Check local
Start now and it ends at ….
Too new to call
Not enough people have rated it yet for a verdict.
Seen it? Give your verdict.
Saved privately on this device.
Where to watch Returning the Favor
Returning the Favor isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 22 March 2006.
No streaming listings yet. Search JustWatch.
Cast & crew
- Ken YoshidaDirector
- Kazunari NinomiyaKazunori Kitahara
- Shinobu OtakeMikiko Kitahara
- Chizuru IkewakiMio Sasaki
- Ryo KatsujiTakumi Makiuchi
- Masanobu KatsumuraHiroaki Sakaki
- Takehiro MurataIchiro Kitahara
- Shigemitsu OgiTakatoshi Agawa
- Issey TakahashiMasaichi Kitahara
- Kei TaniPrincipal Tanokura
- Shunsuke DaitohCast
- Yōsuke AsariCast
Details
- Released
- 22 March 2006
- Original title
- 少しは、恩返しができたかな
- Country
- Japan
- Written by
- Mikiko Kitahara, Jun'ya Yamazaki, Yamazaki Atsuya
Check ratings elsewhere
News & fan talk
If you liked Returning the Favor

The Ballad of Narayama
1983 · 7.5/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers

Bang the Drum Slowly
1973 · 6.1/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers

What Maisie Knew
2013 · 7.1/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers

Hardball
2001 · 6.5/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers

Mindwalk
1991 · 6.9/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers

The Young One
1960 · 7.0/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers

Home Run
2013 · 6.2/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers

Hounddog
2008 · 6.5/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers

White Lie
2019 · 6.5/10
Popcorn FlickRecommended by TMDB viewers

Bastard Out of Carolina
1996 · 7.1/10
Worth the HypeRecommended by TMDB viewers
Returning the Favor: quick answers
Is Returning the Favor worth watching?
Returning the Favor doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How long is Returning the Favor?
Returning the Favor runs 95 minutes (1h 35m).
Does Returning the Favor have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for Returning the Favor. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
Returning the Favor parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for Returning the Favor yet.
Which OTT platform is Returning the Favor on?
Returning the Favor isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 22 March 2006. (Checked 11 November 2026.)
What movies are like Returning the Favor?
If you liked Returning the Favor, try The Ballad of Narayama, Bang the Drum Slowly, What Maisie Knew.
Who directed Returning the Favor?
Returning the Favor (2006) was directed by Ken Yoshida and stars Kazunari Ninomiya, Shinobu Otake, Chizuru Ikewaki.