I Want to Be a Shellfish
1958, Japanese. Directed by Yoshihiko Okamoto.
Television production of I Want to Be a Shellfish. On a post-war peaceful day in Japan, Toyomatsu Shimizu, a barber as well as a good father and husband, is suddenly arrested by the Prefectural Police as a war criminal and sued for murder. According to the accusation by GHQ, Toyomatsu "attemped to kill a US prisoner", which was nothing but an order by his superior and failed after all with hurting the prisoner by weak Toyomatsu. Also, Toyomatsu was driven to corner at the trial by the fact that he fed the US prisoner some burdock roots to nourish him. Toyomatsu believes nothing but being not guilty, but he is sentenced to death by hanging. Prior to the execution, Toyomatsu writes a long farewell letter to his family, the wife and the only son: "If I ever incarnate, I hate to be a human being any more.... Oh yes, I would like to be...a shellfish living on the rock-bottom of the sea."
- Runtime
- 1h 40m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- Japanese
- Rated
- Check local
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Where to watch I Want to Be a Shellfish
I Want to Be a Shellfish isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 31 October 1958.
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Cast & crew
Details
- Released
- 31 October 1958
- Original title
- 私は貝になりたい
- Country
- Japan
- Written by
- Tetsutarō Katō, Shinobu Hashimoto
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News & fan talk
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I Want to Be a Shellfish: quick answers
Is I Want to Be a Shellfish worth watching?
I Want to Be a Shellfish doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How long is I Want to Be a Shellfish?
I Want to Be a Shellfish runs 100 minutes (1h 40m).
Does I Want to Be a Shellfish have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for I Want to Be a Shellfish. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
I Want to Be a Shellfish parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for I Want to Be a Shellfish yet.
Which OTT platform is I Want to Be a Shellfish on?
I Want to Be a Shellfish isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 31 October 1958. (Checked 11 November 2026.)
What movies are like I Want to Be a Shellfish?
If you liked I Want to Be a Shellfish, try Shark Tale, Fisherman's Friends, Cold Fish.
Who directed I Want to Be a Shellfish?
I Want to Be a Shellfish (1958) was directed by Yoshihiko Okamoto and stars Frankie Sakai, Mutsuko Sakura, Toshie Takada.