Ichiyama previously chaired Tokyo Filmex, a festival that was once a rival to the Tokyo International Film Festival but has recently become an ally with the two events now being held simultaneously in the Japanese capital. Ahead of the Tokyo International Film Festival 2021, which runs from October 30 to November. 8, The Hollywood Reporter asked Ichiyama to select 10 half-forgotten Japanese films from the past five years that he believes all movie fans should watch. In addition to Western adaptations of Japanese anime, such as the action movie Detective Pikachu starring Ryan Reynolds (due November 20) and the original Netflix series Cowboy Bebop (due November 19), here are some sweet life scenes from movies and TV series. together. Please note that not all of these films and shows have English subtitles. Regional restrictions may apply.
Here’s a selection of old and new Japanese films that showcase the best the country has to offer. Directed by Yasujiro Ozus, Late Spring is a shomin-geki, a type of Japanese film that realistically depicts the everyday life of the modern working class and middle class.
It was the first film in Ozusa Noriko’s acclaimed trilogy, which also included Early Summer 1951 and Tokyo Story 1953. Its unexpected critical and international success made Takeshi Kitano one of the most popular directors in the country.
The plot tells the story of Reiko Asakawa, the director of the TV channel, whose fate is the strange death of four people who were interviewed about the Japanese urban legend. The film shows the history of Hiroshima in Japan through the life of a little girl Susus 10 years before and after the explosion of the atomic bomb.
The film is a brilliant blend of Japanese folklore and contemporary culture. The movie really made an impression, and if you want to experience the beauty of Japanese cinema, this is a must-see movie. This film is the result of the creative energy of Hayao Miyazaki’s mind and is the only Japanese animated film to receive an Oscar for Best Animated Feature.
The fifth and final film in the Liuli Jianxin series of films. This movie is an action movie. For those who are not familiar with the plot, Ruroni Kenshin tells the story of the legendary killer Kenshin Hikura, who is now a wandering warrior without a master. This part of the loop is a prequel to other movies and provides the audience with a story about how Kenshin Himura got the cross-shaped scar.
Ride or Death premiered this April on Netflix and I think this film is worth including as it is groundbreaking and does not feature the typical romance. Covid-19 complications may have prevented the film from gaining the acclaim it earned when it first aired in theaters across Japan, but this version of Netflix will surely get it right. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest news from Tokyo and Japan. Follow The Smart Local Japan on Facebook, Instagram and Telegram for more stories like this.
Here are ten of the most promising Japanese films to watch this year. As Japan’s most prolific Japanese artist, Hokusai has created up to 30,000 masterpieces, including the iconic Great Wave off Kanagawa.
As with any country that produces and distributes its own films, a look at the history of Japanese cinema reveals some of the most influential films of all time. Although the number of Japanese films that have made their mark on world cinema is too many to be named, if you ask me about the best Japanese film that you should definitely see, I would say that it is Tokyo Story. The iconic classic film is one of the most talked about films in Japanese cinema, and there is a reason I love this film so much; reminds me of The Hunger Games – a movie that I can come back to over and over again.
Battle Royale is arguably one of the most influential Japanese films of all time, and also one of the best. Even 20 decades after its first release, Battle Royale continues to be one of the most influential and best Japanese films ever made. Among his awards are the Academy Award for Best Animated Film and the Golden Bear of the Berlin Film Festival. Today it is the most popular streaming company in the world, offering its services in over 190 countries for just $ 10 (1,000 yen) per month and producing its own series and films.
Netflix is expanding its international library with new Japanese works, including by acclaimed director Hirokazu Kore-eda, who was hired to direct the Netflix series and movie. Among them are the second season of “Alice in a Border Country”, “First Love”, “Yu Yu Hakusho”, “Queen of Villains”, “Love is Blind” and others. From stunning horror films to romantic health films, there are many exciting releases planned for 2021. Well, you can expect loads of exciting theatrical releases along the way.
Some of these movies are already in theaters, which means impatient viewers don’t have to wait to watch the latest movies. Netflix lists 102 Japanese movies available for streaming, most of which come from anime franchises such as “Naruto”, “Inuyasha” or “Pokemon”. Although you can find things like Takashi Miike’s samurai movie, Kinji Fukasaku’s dystopian thriller, or a documentary about legendary Japanese actor Toshiro Mifune, this is the first time our recommended anime movie has appeared.
Luckily, there are some great anime films that range from drama and action / adventure genres to fantasy and science fiction. But beyond that, Japanese films also include thrillers, crime, romantic comedies, samurai films, and more. Netflix definitely has some hidden Japanese gems, including a samurai movie, a dystopian thriller, an irresistible Japanese romantic comedy, and some great anime films, including Netflix Originals. Shin Godzilla is an excellent action movie that has received worldwide recognition.
The Ring is an iconic Japanese horror film that has made many people fall in love with Japanese horror films. Japanese horror has always been big business, but The Ring was a movie that caught the attention of the whole world. It’s the movie (the mastermind behind the 2002 American remake of The Ring) that introduced the phrase that the Japanese original was better / scarier in the daily chirping of horror movie fans. With the 2021 film We Can’t Become Adults, it seems like Japanese cinema is taking a page from China, creating tragic romanticism with a touch of nostalgia.
This film tells us the story of a 10-year-old girl named Chihiro who is trapped in a new world with her parents. This Japanese film is a story of toxic parents, emotional torture and maternal control over their young and unstable family. A frightening Japanese thriller that shows a mother’s love for her daughter with her never-ending plan for revenge.
A Whisker Away is an anime film that follows high school student Miyo Sasaki. The original title was “Tomorrow I’ll Meet You Yesterday” as the film is based on the novel of the same name by Nanatsuki Takafumi. The film follows a 12-year-old boy known as Akira, who is also the eldest of four siblings living in an apartment in Tokyo.