Dolls takes puppeteering as its overriding motif, which relates thematically to the action provided by the live characters. Chief among those tales is the story of Matsumoto and Sawako, a young couple whose relationship is about to be broken apart by the former's parents, who have insisted their son take part in an arranged marriage to his boss' daughter.

Set in Sapporo during the oil crisis of the early '70s, the film centers on the Hokkaitei soba stand run by a stoic patriarch and his perky wife. One New Year's day, a haggard-looking mother and her two adorable moppets poke their heads into the restaurant and ask for a single bowl of kakesoba. Noticing that the trio is looking a little low in the heels, she puts in an extra scoop of noodles. The youngest boy declares that the soba is delicious. The next year, the same threesome appears again asking for one bowl of kakesoba. This time the old man dumps in two helpings. He is struck by how much the youngest looks like their own son who was hit by a truck three years previous. The following year, the three return and this time the mother tells her story...

Reportage writer Kenzo has made an interview appointment with Morishima, the mastermind behind the political and business world. On that day, Morishima is killed and a 200 million yen diamond is stolen. The diamond was brought by jeweler Kuhara to sell to Morishima. A woman named Maki who was present and disappeared immediately after the incident is suspicious. However, the site is a completely closed room. Kenzo's older brother, Matsushita, the chief of the investigation section, also shook his head...

A man she was once in a relationship with has been killed. A wife keeping a secret from her husband gets involved in a strange case.

An ambitious Kansai yakuza don moves in on Tokyo using financial and political tactics, sparking conflict with a local criminal association.

A milestone in Japanese teen drama, representing the 1970s. It questions the meaning of life, worries, and joys.

Global South guerrillas hijack the Japanese oil tanker Arabian Light, threatening to blow it up in Tokyo Bay, unless the cabinet complies with an economically devastating ultimatum.