“Bakuman.” is a 2015 Japanese live-action film adaptation of the popular manga and anime series “Bakuman” created by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. The film is directed by Hitoshi Ōne. The story follows Moritaka Mashiro (played by Takeru Satoh) and Akito Takagi (played by Ryunosuke Kamiki), two high school students who aspire to become successful … Read more
“Miss Hokusai” (Japanese: “百日紅”) is a 2015 Japanese animated drama film Directed by Keiichi Hara. The movie is based on the manga series “Sarusuberi” by Hinako Sugiura, which fictionalizes the life of the real historical figure Katsushika Ōi, the daughter of the famous ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai. The story is set in Edo (modern-day Tokyo) … Read more
“Lesson of the Evil” (Japanese: “Aku no Kyoten”) is a 2012 Japanese psychological horror-thriller film Directed by Takashi Miike. The movie is based on a novel of the same name written by Yusuke Kishi. The story revolves around Seiji Hasumi (played by Hideaki Itō), a charismatic and seemingly ideal high school teacher. Behind his facade … Read more
“Journey to the Shore” (Japanese: “Kishibe no Tabi”) is a 2015 Japanese fantasy drama film Directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa. The movie is based on a novel of the same name written by Kazumi Yumoto. The story follows Mizuki (played by Eri Fukatsu), a piano teacher whose husband Yusuke (played by Tadanobu Asano) disappeared three years … Read more
“Our Little Sister” (Japanese: “Umimachi Diary”) is a 2015 Japanese drama film Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda. The movie is based on a manga of the same name written by Akimi Yoshida. The story centers around three adult sisters – Sachi (played by Haruka Ayase), Yoshino (played by Masami Nagasawa), and Chika (played by Kaho) – … Read more
“Thermae Romae” is a 2012 Japanese comedy film Directed by Hideki Takeuchi. The movie is based on a manga of the same name written by Mari Yamazaki. The story revolves around Lucius Modestus (played by Hiroshi Abe), a Roman bathhouse architect in ancient Rome during the reign of Emperor Hadrian. Lucius finds himself transported through … Read more
“Rurouni Kenshin” is a 2012 Japanese action-adventure film Directed by Keishi Ōtomo. The movie is based on the popular manga and anime series of the same name created by Nobuhiro Watsuki. The story is set in the Meiji era of Japan and follows a wandering swordsman named Kenshin Himura (played by Takeru Satoh), who once … Read more
“Like Father, Like Son” (Japanese: “そして父になる” – Soshite Chichi ni Naru) is a 2013 Japanese drama film Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda. The movie explores themes of parenthood, identity, and the complexities of family relationships. The story follows Ryota Nonomiya (played by Masaharu Fukuyama), a successful architect, and his wife Midori (played by Machiko Ono). Their … Read more
“Guilty of Romance” is a 2011 Japanese psychological horror drama film Directed by Sion Sono. The movie is part of Sion Sono’s “Hate Trilogy,” which also includes “Love Exposure” and “Cold Fish.” The story follows Izumi (played by Megumi Kagurazaka), a seemingly ordinary housewife who becomes increasingly dissatisfied with her monotonous life. She embarks on … Read more
“The Devil’s Path” (Japanese: “Kyoaku”) is a 2013 Japanese psychological thriller film Directed by Kazuya Shiraishi. The movie is based on a novel of the same name written by Shuichi Yoshida. The story centers around two men, Tsukisue (played by Takayuki Yamada) and Taguchi (played by Pierre Taki), who find themselves entangled in a series … Read more