Five friends—Hanaya, Yuri, Hiroto, Akio, and Noriko—spend an afternoon at Shichirigahama Beach (Kamakura, Japan) after school. They reflect on what it means to trust God and stay true to His plan, even when everything feels quiet and uncertain. Amid their conversation, Hiroto surprises Hanaya in a way she never expected. Could it be that God had this moment planned all along?

Hanaya Oki Series:  https://superdifferent.com/hanaya  

What do you do when someone seems to be chasing Jesus but also chasing you? For every Christian teen wrestling with love and figuring out if a relationship is really part of God's plan — this one’s for you.

Hanaya is caught between the stirrings of first love and her desire to stay focused on what Jesus has for her. As she opens up to her mom about Hiroto's interest in her, she wrestles with questions about his genuine desire to follow Jesus, the spiritual responsibility of guiding him, and emotional boundaries. 

Whether you're a teen girl seeking godly wisdom or a parent guiding your child through these tender moments, this will touch your soul.

Hanaya Oki Series:  https://superdifferent.com/hanaya  

Are you living a surrendered life? Is there real synergy between you and Jesus? 

We’re stronger when we stop carrying life on our own.

While waiting for their turn in a theatre play, Hanaya and Hiroto start chatting about leaning on Jesus' strength when facing tough situations. Hanaya is impressed by some of the things Hiroto says. She also shares a meaningful life lesson from her childhood. As they keep talking, it seems like Hiroto gets a bit carried away and might have hinted that he likes her.

Is Hanaya hearing a quiet confession of love?
Was Hiroto being impulsive—or was this a bold, intentional step forward?

Let’s grow together as we learn to walk in step with Jesus—and recognize the right people He brings into our lives to walk with us.

Hanaya Oki Series:  https://superdifferent.com/hanaya  

Some girls at school are envious of the attention Hanaya is receiving from Hiroto. They gossip about her behind her back and slander her character. Meanwhile, Hiroto's mom is upset that he continues to hang out with Hanaya.

Despite all this, Hiroto defends Hanaya as she endures criticism for talking about Jesus and the God-honoring way she carries herself at school.

In Japan, there's a proverb that goes, "The nail that sticks out gets hammered down." Japanese society emphasizes conformity to keep things peaceful and harmonious. Any straying from the norm usually gets pushed back against.

Hiroto sees it. He feels it. And it stirs something deep in him. He admires how brave Hanaya is for being herself. He writes down his thoughts while reflecting on the world, his life, and Hanaya.

You probably could live a calmer life, an easier life, if you didn't know certain things, but once you know it, you can't go back on it.
— Kevin Zadai

I know there's a lot going on, but someone has to stay focused on the Great Commission and on taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth. The Kingdom of Heaven often advances best through small things and in places where very few people are looking. You need to be willing to suffer the scandal of teaching that there is one true God. And He has revealed Himself through one true Savior, and that Savior is Jesus Christ.
— Paul Washer

Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division.
— Jesus

I have people all the time just ask me, "Man, I don't know how you have such passion. I'm like, "Well, I don't know how you're so dead."
— Troy Brewer

Hanaya Oki Series:  https://superdifferent.com/hanaya  

Yuri: We are half-alive because we are half-awake to Jesus. We are far more busy than we want because we have far less of Jesus than we need. Our love for Him now resembles the cooling coals of a long-dying fire.

Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.
— Jesus

Are you constantly busy, distracted, anxious? Move beyond burnout and back into intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. This is not just another call to slow down — it's a divine invitation to come alive.

Something new is beginning to emerge on the other side. It's a new day of grace, a time of rebirth, a season of new strength. If you are ready to move forward in this appointed time as the person the Father has created you to be, make sure to check your oil. The true new thing of God cannot run apart from the fresh oil of intimacy and His presence. The oil that we have may seem small, but a whole other world and an unending Kingdom is ready to come alive from within it.

Hanaya Oki Series:  https://superdifferent.com/hanaya  

Hanaya can’t shake off her aunt’s comments about Hiroto (from the previous clip). While the two hang out in the school common room, she finally gathers the courage to ask what’s been weighing on her heart: “Are you following Jesus because you truly want to—or because you like me?”

Caught off guard and afraid that she might stop talking to him, Hiroto plays it safe. What follows is an honest, heart-searching conversation about relationships, calling, and eternity. Hanaya shares her passion for cross-cultural missions after high school, her personal boundaries around purity, and her desire to live a life that truly matters.

Hiroto begins to realize that pursuing her might come with deeper challenges—and deeper meaning—than he expected. He feels like time is slipping away. As Hanaya drifts off into a short nap, Hiroto watches her quietly, his heart stirred. In that still moment, he whispers a prayer to Jesus, unsure of the future but desperate to be real.

Whether you're a Christian teen, a parent, a mentor, or just someone seeking truth—you’ll find something here to stir your heart, challenge your thinking, and remind you what really matters. Perhaps God may prompt you to think outside the box of a conventional life.

Only one life, the still small voice
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave
And to God’s Holy will to cleave
Only one life, a few brief years
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears
Each with its days I must fulfil
Living for self or in His will
Give me Father, a purpose deep
Let me say, Thy will be done
And when at last I’ll hear the call
I know I’ll say it was worth it all
Only one life, it will soon be past
Only what’s done for Christ will last
— C.T. Studd

Hanaya Oki Series:  https://superdifferent.com/hanaya 

Hanaya’s aunt, who is deeply fond of and protective toward her, invites Hanaya to spend some time together before setting off on a long solo motorbike trip. At the garage, amidst the tools and bikes, the two share a meaningful conversation. Her aunt opens up about feeling frustrated over not having clarity on what God’s next step is for her. Hanaya gently offers her perspective. 

As their talk deepens, the conversation shifts to relationships—specifically, whether any boys at school have shown interest in Hanaya. With heartfelt wisdom, her aunt speaks about the importance of setting clear boundaries and urges Hanaya to never let her guard down, especially when it comes to love and purity.

Whether you’re a teen, young adult, or parent, this conversation will resonate with anyone seeking God’s direction and desiring to honor Him in their relationships.

Hanaya Oki Series:  https://superdifferent.com/hanaya 

Are you afraid to share the Gospel when it matters most? In this clip, we explore what it means to have courage as a Christian under pressure and why to boldly speak the truth.

Hanaya's teacher calls her in for a chat because some parents of her classmates have complained that she's influencing their children toward Christianity.

Hanaya must decide: will she shrink back or stand strong for Jesus? Can she hold her ground under pressure? Will she play it safe and dim her light, or will she continue to be a bright shining lamp for Jesus at school? And what does Jesus say to Hanaya at the end?

Context: What's Hanaya up against?

For many Japanese people, Shintoism and Buddhism are closely intertwined with their identity and culture. Leaving your family's religion can be like leaving your family. Also, due to negative experiences with religious cults in the past, many Japanese are skeptical and suspicious of new beliefs. Religion and religious events are considered separate things by the Japanese. Religious activities in Japan tend to be pragmatic, like praying for money, success in exams, naming ceremonies, removing bad luck, dressing up for fun, etc. They don't think deeply about their beliefs. Also, recent studies indicate that 30% to 39% of the population identify as convinced atheists.

We need the courage to declare and display the Gospel through our words, our work, and our character.
— Dr. Patrick Fung

It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brushfires in people’s minds.
— Samuel Adams

Our battle is a battle of persuasion. Be a voice, be an advocate for the Kingdom of God. Share the wonder, beauty, and truth of God without hesitation. Sometimes we get locked down in a way that the enemy would want us to, to not talk, to not speak up, to not declare the truth of God, because the truth is what sets people free.

Hanaya Oki Series:  https://superdifferent.com/hanaya 

Have you ever felt like no matter how much you accomplish, it still doesn’t quiet the ache inside? Like something’s missing—something that success, approval, or even time just can’t fix? Do you ever feel unseen, not enough, or weighed down by the past?

Hanaya has sensed something in Hiroto for a while—something unspoken. She knows it’s time to say what’s been on her heart. When she finally does, Hiroto opens up.

Could this be a God moment?

What about you? Are you trying to fix your heart on your own?

If you’re carrying pain, feeling the pressure, or wrestling with life’s deeper questions—maybe it’s time to encounter the love your heart has been longing for all along.

Hanaya Oki Series:  https://superdifferent.com/hanaya 

Do you ever experience God in the little, everyday things? Have you ever felt like God was speaking to you through something simple—like rain, nature, or a random moment in your day?

In this clip, Hiroto encounters another of Hanaya’s unique ways of seeing things. 

Hiroto has been reading the Bible Hanaya gave him, asking questions as he goes. But what’s really driving his curiosity? Is it a growing faith—or a quiet crush on Hanaya? As he spends more time with Hanaya, more of her world is bleeding into his. The more he listens to her, the more he finds himself drawn—not just to her, but to the God she knows so intimately.

Hanaya Oki Series:  https://superdifferent.com/hanaya