108 Strikes of the Bell

Every New Year's night at exactly midnight, 108 strikes of the bell can be heard in all Japanese temples — corresponding to the number of earthly sins that prevent humanity from achieving happiness and finding harmony. Each strike of the... bell releases one of these sins, symbolizing that with the beginning of the new year, a new life starts, free from burdens and suffering.
 
Sohara Mamoru was born on the smallest of all Japanese islands on New Year's night with the last strike of the bell, and this circumstance changed his entire life. He learned early on how to fix everything that broke. And Sohara repaired not only things — with an encouraging smile, a kind word, or a compassionate silence, he selflessly tried to support the people around him and ease their pain. Sohara did not know that by simply existing, he brought faith in small miracles into the lives of his neighbors. He had no idea how much he meant to the villagers until a letter arrived on the eve of another New Year, turning his entire life upside down — and until all the islanders united to repay him for all the good he had done.