Shiki-Jitsu takes place over 33 days and follows the relation between an apathetic film director (Iwai) and an odd young woman (Fujitani) who start a bizarre friendship after a chance meeting and they try to work their way out of a collective emotional funk.

Michael Ordona of the Los Angeles Times reported the film had "dark themes of mental illness and suicidal ideation".

[2] Shiki-Jitsu won an award for Best Artistic Contribution at the 13th International Film Festival in Tokyo.

The films ends with the Girl circling December 7 as her real birthday and the words "beyond the 33rd day: unknown".

The movie was later released on VHS and DVD by Buena Vista Home Entertainment Japan July 24, 2003 as part of the "Ghibli Cinematic Library" series.