Movie

I Want to Be a Shellfish

★ 8.3(3)20082h 19m

I Want to Be a Shellfish isn't available to stream, rent or buy in United Kingdom right now. Availability changes often, so check back soon. Availability checked 21 July 2026.

Where to watch I Want to Be a Shellfish

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

No streaming, rental or purchase options are listed in United Kingdom right now. Availability changes often — try switching your region in the header.

Streaming in other regions

🇯🇵 JP

Good to know

Director: Katsuo Fukuzawa
Release date: 2008-09-22
Runtime: 2h 19m
Language: Japanese
Status: Released
Country: Japan
Studio: TOHO

I Want to Be a Shellfish — trailer

About I Want to Be a Shellfish

I Want to Be a Shellfish is a 2008 movie in the TV Movie, War and Drama genres, directed by Katsuo Fukuzawa, starring Masahiro Nakai, Yukie Nakama and Yuki Shibamoto. It has a runtime of 2 hours 19 minutes. It holds an average rating of 8.3/10 from 3 viewers. Below you can see where to watch I Want to Be a Shellfish in United Kingdom — across streaming, rental and purchase options — along with the full cast, trailer and viewer reviews.

Synopsis

1944, in the depths of World War II. Toyomatsu Shimizu is a completely typical barber from a remote sea-side town who lives frugally but happily with his wife Fusae and their five-year-old son. Eventually, though, the army beckons and he is drafted. One day an officer on the battle-field orders him to kill a captive U.S. soldier. Although Toyomatsu lacks the spirit to kill the man, and only wounds him in the arm, the victorious U.S. soldiers will not accept this, and Toyomatsu is arrested and tried as a war-criminal. And he receives the cruelest sentence possible...

Cast

Masahiro Nakai

Toyomatsu Shimizu

Yukie Nakama

Fusae Shimizu

Yuki Shibamoto

Toshiko

Masahiko Nishimura

Nemoto

Magi

Shokichi Sakai

Tsubasa Katô

Kenichi

Tetsuya Takeda

Takeuchi

Ainosuke Kataoka

Captain Hidaka

Tatsuo Nadaka

Major Adachi

Isao Takeno

Sergeant Kimura

Naomasa Musaka

Private Tateishi

Yoshiyoshi Arakawa

Private Takita

Themes & keywords

war crimessnowtokyo, japanshōwa era (1926-89)

Frequently asked questions

Where can I watch I Want to Be a Shellfish in United Kingdom?+

I Want to Be a Shellfish is not currently listed on any streaming, rental or purchase service in United Kingdom. Availability changes often, so check back or switch your region.

Is I Want to Be a Shellfish on Netflix?+

I Want to Be a Shellfish is not on Netflix in United Kingdom right now.

How long is I Want to Be a Shellfish?+

I Want to Be a Shellfish has a runtime of 2 hours 19 minutes (139 minutes).

Who stars in I Want to Be a Shellfish?+

I Want to Be a Shellfish stars Masahiro Nakai, Yukie Nakama, Yuki Shibamoto, Masahiko Nishimura and Magi.

When did I Want to Be a Shellfish come out?+

I Want to Be a Shellfish is a 2008 movie directed by Katsuo Fukuzawa.

What genre is I Want to Be a Shellfish?+

I Want to Be a Shellfish is TV Movie, War and Drama film.

Who directed I Want to Be a Shellfish?+

I Want to Be a Shellfish was directed by Katsuo Fukuzawa.