SciFi Japan

    Unlucky at love Asuka Goda (Yo Yoshida, center) tries a scientific approach to find her soulmate in LOVE X DOC. Photo courtesy of Asmik Ace. © 2018

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Asmik Ace, Inc. Official Movie Site: lovedoc.asmik-ace.co.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Asmik Ace has provided information and high-res photos from their upcoming romantic comedy LOVE X DOC (??×???, Rabu × Dokku). Opening in Japan on May 11th, LOVE X DOC is the directorial debut of screenwriter Osamu Suzuki (LOVE COMPLEX, HANDSOME SUIT, SHINJUKU SWAN). Suzuki was inspired by the growing popularity of girls` manga in Japan to create an original "love story that can be enjoyed by adults". The lead role is played by Yo Yoshida, a popular television and film actress whose credits include TIME TRIP APP (?????, Bakumatsu Kokosei, 2014), HERO (2015), SCOOP! (????!, Sukuupu!, 2016) and GOOD MORNING SHOW (???????????, Guddo Mooningu Shoo, 2016). The supporting cast includes Shuhei Nomura (HIBI ROCK: PUKE AFRO AND THE POP STAR, SAGRADA RESET), Kotaro Yoshida (THE NEXT GENERATION PATLABOR -TOKYO

    DEPARTURES` Masahiro Motoki stars in THE LONG EXCUSE, the latest film from director Miwa Nishikawa. Photo courtesy of Asmik Ace. © 2016

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Asmik Ace Entertainment, Inc. Official Movie Site: nagai-iiwake.com (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Asmik Ace Entertainment has provided information and high-res photos from THE LONG EXCUSE (?????, Nagai Iiwake). Masahiro Motoki (DEPARTURES) stars in this gently humorous drama from director Miwa Nishikawa (SWAY, DREAMS FOR SALE, DEAR DOCTOR). THE LONG EXCUSE opens in Japan on October 14th. Synopsis Sachio (Masahiro Motoki), a popular novelist, loses his wife (Eri Fukatsu) of many years in a bus accident, along with her best friend (Keiko Horiuchi). He is with another woman when he hears the news and with any affection long gone from their marriage, he has to fake the grief everyone expects from him. Under pressure to channel emotions he does not feel into his writing , he meets Yoichi (Pistol Takehara), the truly devastated husband of his wife’s friend, left with 2

    DOWNRANGE, the new thriller from GODZILLA: FINAL WARS director Ryuhei Kitamura, debuts on Shudder April 26. © Genco. All Rights Reserved.

    Asian Cinema

    Acclaimed, Horrifying Battle for Survival from Director of VERSUS and GODZILLA: FINAL WARS Source: Shudder press release Special Thanks to Ted Geoghegan DOWNRANGE -- the terrifying, dark new thriller from acclaimed genre director Ryuhei Kitamura (THE MIDNIGHT MEAT TRAIN, VERSUS, GODZILLA: FINAL WARS) -- lands exclusively on Shudder April 26th. Six college students are carpooling cross-country when one of their tires blows out on a desolate stretch of country road. Getting out to fix the flat, they quickly discover that this was no accident. The tire was shot out. With their vehicle incapacitated, the group is pinned down and mercilessly attacked by an unseen assailant as they desperately attempt to find a way to escape. Produced by Kitamura and ELEVEN ARTS` Ko Mori (LORDS OF CHAOS, MAN FROM RENO), the film is executive produced by Taro Maki (IN THIS CORNER OF THE WORLD).

    Image courtesy of Japan Society.

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    Retrospective Series at Japan Society and MoMA Features Masterpieces and Rarities in 35mm & a World Premiere Restoration of Yasujiro Ozu`s FLOATING WEEDS Source: Japan Society press release Special Thanks to Shannon Jowett Kazuo Miyagawa: Japan`s Greatest Cameraman April 12-29, 2018, at The Museum of Modern Art April 13-28, 2018, at Japan Society ** Related Screenings April 6 at Japan Society, and April 6-12 at Film Forum ** New York, NY -- Working intimately with directors like Yasujiro Ozu, Akira Kurosawa, Kenji Mizoguchi and Kon Ichikawa on some of their most important films, Kazuo Miyagawa (1908-99) pushed Japanese cinema to its highest artistic peaks through his lyrical, innovative, and technically flawless camerawork. Considered the greatest cinematographer of postwar Japanese cinema whose career endured through the 1990s, Miyagawa has influenced generations of leading filmmakers around the world. In celebration of the 110th anniversary of

    Sayuri Yoshinaga stars in SAKURA GUARDIAN IN THE NORTH. Photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 2018 SAKURA GUARDIAN IN THE NORTH Production Committee Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site:

    Asian Cinema

    Toei has provided information and high-res photos from SAKURA GUARDIAN IN THE NORTH (????, Kita no Sakuramori). The movie marks the 120th role for lead actress Sayuri Yoshinaga, and -- along with YEAR ONE IN THE NORTH (????, Kita no Reinen, 2005) and A CHORUS OF ANGELS (????????, Kita no Kanariatachi, 2012) -- completes the "Northern Trilogy" written by Machiko Nasu that features Yoshinaga portraying women dealing with life in the harsh conditions of Northern Japan. SAKURA GUARDIAN IN THE NORTH is directed by Yojiro Takita, director of the Oscar-winning DEPARTURES (Okuribito, 2008). STORY North, the two of them went, and north again, towards a lost time... In the spring of 1945, cherry blossoms flower in southern Sakhalin. For Tetsu Ezure and her sons, they symbolize hope. But the following August, the Soviet Union invades and they flee from Sakhalin. Barely managing to make it

    Japanese poster art for CHIHAYAFURU Part.1 and Part.2. The two films had the North American premieres at the 2016 Fantasia Festival. Images courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. © 2016 “Chihayafuru” Film Partners © Yuki Suetsugu / KODANSHA LTD.

    Asian Cinema

    North American Premiere Live-Action Manga Adaptation Source: Toho, Nippon Television Network, Fantasia Festival Official Movie Site: chihayafuru-movie.com (Japan) Special Thanks to Kaila Hier and Emmanuelle DiBuono On July 23-24, the 2016 Fantasia International Film Festival hosted the North American premieres of CHIHAYAFURU Part.1 / Part.2. Directed by Nori Koizumi (THE LIAR AND HIS LOVER), the two live-action movies are based on the award-winning manga Chihayafuru by Yuki Suetsugu, which has sold more than 16 million copies. CHIHAYAFURU tells the story of Chihaya Ayase, a teenager who is obsessed with "competitive karuta", a game using traditional Japanese playing cards featuring classic Japanese poems called "waka". Seeing karuta as a link to her long-lost grade school friends Taichi and Arata, Chihaya forms a club at her high school. Soon, she and her friends are pouring their passion, love and dreams into competitive karuta. Suzu Hirose has her first lead

    Photo courtesy of Well Go USA Entertainment. © 2017

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications press release Special Thanks to Leif Helland and Rachel Villegas High stakes and fast talk are the game when the South Korean crime caper THE SWINDLERS (?, Kkun, 2017) debuts on digital March 6 from Well Go USA Entertainment. Written and directed by first-time filmmaker Jang Chang-won, THE SWINDLERS stars Yoo Ji-tae (OLDBOY), Hyun Bin (SECRET GARDEN), Bae Seong-woo (NO TOMORROW), Park Sung-woong (NEW WORLD), newcomer Nana and Ahn Sae-ha (WILL YOU BE THERE?) in the fast-paced tale of a group of con men go on a quest to hustle a Bernie Madoff-style scam artist. Synopsis High stakes and fast talk are the game in this crime caper that brings together an all-star cast (Yoo Ji-tae, Hyun Bin, Bae Seong-woo, Park Sung-woong, Nana) as unlikely allies from different sides of the law. Each member of the team

    Detective Tomoko Tada (Erika Sawajiri) confronts murder suspect Tadashi Usobuki (Tori Matsuzaka) in the live-action manga adaptation, IMPOSSIBILITY DEFENSE. Photo courtesy of Showgate Inc. © Arata Miyatsuki/Yuya Kanzaki/Shueisha 2018 “Funohan” Production Committee

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Showgate Inc., Pony Canyon Official Site: funohan.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Distributor Showgate Inc. has provided information, a trailer and high-res photos from their upcoming release, IMPOSSIBILITY DEFENSE (???, Funohan). The live-action film is based on the blockbuster manga Funohan by Arata Miyatsuki and Yuya Kanzaki, and is directed by Koji Shiraishi (SADAKO VS KAYAKO). IMPOSSIBILITY DEFENSE opens in Japanese cinemas on February 1. The movie is being offered to foreign distributors by sales agent Pony Canyon. INTRODUCTION What is a “FUNOHAN”? A premeditated criminal act leaving no physical proof -- such as a murder in which the victim appears to be “cursed” or “brainwashed.” In such cases, the act goes unpunished, even if the victim actually dies. The protagonist, Tadashi Usobuki: He manipulates his target with glowing, red eyes that exert a mysterious, mind-controlling power. His “perfect crimes” are impossible

    The relationshop between Rio Yazaki (Fumino Kimura) and Seijiro Ito (Masaki Okada) has more than its share of secrets in ITO-KUN A TO E. Photo courtesy of Showgate Inc. © 2018

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Showgate Inc. Official Site: ito-kun.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Distributor Showgate Inc. has provided information and photos from ITO-KUN A TO E (???? A to E), a new live-action film based on the novel of the same name by author Asako Yuzuki. The movie opens in Japanese theaters on January 12th. In 2017, the story was adapted as a television series that aired on TBS and MBS. The cast and crew of the show -- including director Ryuichi Hiroki (KABUKICHO LOVE HOTEL, WOLF GIRL & BLACK PRINCE, POLICEMAN AND ME) and stars Masaki Okada (CONFESSIONS, VILLAIN, AKKO-CHAN: THE MOVIE, STRAYER`S CHRONICLE) and Fumino Kimura (LOVE FOR BEGINNERS, SCANNER) -- have returned for the film. Okada plays Seijiro Ito, an egotistical young man who is seeing Rio Yazaki (Kimura), a struggling television writer. When Yazaki. When Yazaki learns that Ito is

    © 2017 Showbox. All Rights Reserved.

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications Special Thanks to Leif Helland and Rachel Villegas REMEMBER THE KILLER, REMEMBER TO PROTECT YOUR DAUGHTER... Based on a bestselling book by Kim Young-ha, MEMOIR OF A MURDERER (???? ???, 2017) debuts on digital December 19 from Well Go USA Entertainment. Directed by Won Shin-Yun (SEVEN DAYS), the South Korean hit stars Sol Kyung-Gu (OASIS), Kim Nam-Gil (PIRATES, NO REGRET) and Kim Seol-Hyun (Gangnam Blues) in a horror-thriller about a former serial killer with Alzheimer’s who fights to protect his daughter from her psychotic boyfriend. Byung-soo, a retired serial killer, lives a quiet life with his daughter Eun-hee, who has cared for him ever since his Alzheimer’s diagnosis. When Eun-hee brings home her new boyfriend Tae-ju, Byung-soo realizes Tae-ju is a serial killer too. To save his daughter, Byung-soo must fight Tae-ju as well as his own mind. MEMOIR OF

    Takada (Ryuhei Matsuda) and the Detective (Yo Oizumi) return in THE LAST SHOT IN THE BAR. Photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 2017 THE LAST SHOT IN THE BAR Production Committee

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: tantei-bar.com (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Toei has provided information and high-res photos from THE LAST SHOT IN THE BAR (???BAR???3, Tantei Wa Bar Ni Iru 3). The film is the third in a series based on the Susukino Detective novels by Tadashi Higashi, following PHONE CALL TO THE BAR (???BAR???, Tantei Wa Bar Ni Iru, 2011) and DETECTIVE IN THE BAR (???BAR???2, Tantei Wa Bar Ni Iru 2, 2013). STORY THE ULTIMATE COMBINATION, THE ULTIMATE CRISIS SORROW MINGLES WITH FURY AS THE LAST CASE BEGINS To the Detective (Yo Oizumi), passing time as he always does in the old familiar bar, comes a job. The client is a younger schoolmate of the Detective`s sidekick Takada (Ryuhei Matsuda) named Harada. His girlfriend Reiko (Atsuko Maeda) has suddenly vanished. As much to kill time

    Hotaro Oreki (Kento Yamazaki) tries to solve a decades-old mystery in HYOUKA: FORBIDDEN SECRETS. Photo courtesy of Kadokawa Pictures. © 2017

    Asian Cinema

    Information and High-Res Images from Kadokawa Source: Kadokawa Pictures Official Site: hyouka-movie.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE HYOUKA: FORBIDDEN SECRETS (??, Hyouka) is the film adaptation of author Yonezawa Honobu`s best-selling mystery novel. The movie is directed by Mari Asato of BILOCATION (????????, Bairokeeshon, 2013) and FATAL FRAME (????????, Gekijooban Rei Zero, 2014) and stars Kento Yamazaki (DEATH NOTE television series, LOVE FOR BEGINNERS, L?DK – LIVING TOGETHER, WOLF GIRL & BLACK PRINCE, ONE WEEK FRIENDS) and Alice Hirose (THE SEA OF SEIRO: DETECTIVE MITARAI’S CASEBOOK, ACID BLACK CHERRY: L, SHINJUKU SWAN). Story Hotaro Oreki doesn`t like to do things that he considers a waste of energy. However, things start to change when his sister forces him to join the Classics Club, a school group that is on the verge of dissolution. There he meets Eru Chitanda, a gorgeous yet mysterious girl

    Tao Tsuchiya stars in POLICEMAN AND ME, the live-action film version of the best-selling manga P and JK. Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co. ©2017 “Policeman and Me” Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: ptojk.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Shochiku Co., Ltd. presents POLICEMAN AND ME (P?JK, P to JK), a live-action adaptation of the best-selling comic series P and JK (Police and Jyoshi Kousei) which has sold over 2.1 million copies. The film, described as "a heartwarming and pure `age-gap` love story between a Policeman and a High School girl", was directed by Ryuichi Hiroki (KABUKICHO LOVE HOTEL, WOLF GIRL & BLACK PRINCE) and stars Kazuya Kamenashi (GOKUSEN THE MOVIE, HUMANOID MONSTER BEM, JOKER GAME) and Tao Tsuchiya (ORANGE, MAREE, ULTRAMAN ZERO: THE REVENGE OF BELIAL, RUROUNI KENSHIN series, YELL FOR THE BLUE SKY). STORY A high school freshman named Kako (Tao Tsuchiya) meets a policeman named Kota (Kazuya Kamenashi) at a party. They are attracted to each other but when Kota finds out Kako’s true age, his attitude turns cold

    Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co. ©2017 “ReLIFE” Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: relife-movie.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Shochiku has provided information and high-res photos for their romantic drama ReLIFE (????, Riraifu), opening in Japan on April 15th. The film is an adaptation of the manga series by So Yayoi, published on the free comic App "comico" which has been downloaded 21 million times worldwide. ReLIFE stars Taishi Nakagawa, who had a breakout role in the NHK drama series I`M MITA, YOUR HOUSEKEEPER (??????, Kaseifu no Mita, 2011) followed by the films BLUE DEMON VER. 2.0, ?? ver.2.0, Ao Oni ver.2.0, 2015), YOUR LIE IN APRIL (??????, Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso, 2016) and CLOSEST LOVE TO HEAVEN (???????, Kyo no Kira-kun, 2017). The female lead is Yuna Taira, who previously worked with Nakagawa on BLUE DEMON VER. 2.0 and CLOSEST LOVE TO HEAVEN. Additional credits include SADAKO

    The Virgin Mary Girls Academy literature club. Seated: Shiyo Takaoka (Nana Seino), Sayuri Sumikawa (Fumika Shimizu), Itsumi Shiraishi (Marie Iitoyo) and Mirei Nitani (Yuna Taira). Standing in back: Diana Decheba (Tina Tamashiro) and Akane Kominami (Riria Kojima). Photo courtesy of Showgate Inc. © 2017

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Toei Co., Ltd., Showgate Inc. Official Site: ankoku-movie.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Distributors Showgate and Toei have provided information and photos from their upcoming release, ANKOKU JOSHI (????), an adaptation of the novel of the same name by author Rikako Akiyoshi. Akiyoshi`s story has been hailed as a masterpiece; a locked room mystery packed with betrayal and an ending that makes for uncomfortable reading. The film co-stars a number of popular Japanese starlets, led by Marie Iitoyo (KYORYUGER, CLOSEST LOVE TO HEAVEN) and the recently retired Fumika Shimizu (KAMEN RIDER FOURZE, HK / FORBIDDEN SUPER HERO, RYUZO AND THE SEVEN HENCHMEN, HENTAI KAMEN: THE ABNORMAL CRISIS). The supporting cast includes Nana Seino (DANGER DOLLS, TOKYO TRIBE, ALIBIS FOR HAPPINESS), Tina Tamashiro (SADAKO VS KAYAKO, WOLF GIRL & BLACK PRINCE, POLICEMAN AND ME, SAGRADA RESET), Riria Kojima (RESSHA SENTAI TOQGER, WOLF

    Photo courtesy of Nikkatsu Corporation. © 2014 INOUE SANTA/TOKYO TRIBE FILM PARTNERS

    Asian Cinema

    Sion Sono Tackles the Tokyo Criminal Underworld! Source: Nikkatsu Corporation, Toronto International Film Festival Official Movie Site: tokyotribe-movie.com (Japan) Introduction Set in an alternate Tokyo of the near future, director Sion Sono continues his run of sensational films with the explosive street gang tale, TOKYO TRIBE (????? ????, Tokyo Toraibu). The film is the first live-action adaptation of the best-selling manga series Tokyo Tribe 2, by Santa Inoue, which has sold 2 million copies and has been published in Asia and even the west to great popularity. Story Tokyo. A multitude of tribes exist, with resident youth ruling the streets through violence while protecting their own turf. Shibuya Saru, Shinjuku Hands, Kabuki GiraGira Girls, Musashino Saru and... Bukuro Wu-Ronz. Until now, crossing territorial lines has led to riots and rumbles. In Bukuro, Big Buppa (Big Daddy), his son Nkoi and

    Amazon Prime Video (Japan) has provided high-res photos from their live-action manga adaptation GAKI ROCK: ASAKUSA 6TH- WARD HONOR STORY. Photo courtesy of Amazon Prime Video. © CLUSTAR inc.

    Asian Cinema

    Drama Series About Honor Among Street-Punks in Downtown Tokyo to Start Streaming from April 14 Source: Amazon Prime Video, Wright Film Inc. press releases Special Thanks to Richard Jeffery, Ayame Yamamoto and Sarasa Saiki A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Amazon Prime Video has provided a selection of high-res photos from its latest Japanese Amazon Original series GAKI ROCK: ASAKUSA 6TH- WARD HONOR STORY (????????????????, Gaki?Rokku ? Asakusa Roku Kuhito Jomonogatari ?). A dramatization of the popular manga Gaki Rock (??????), the 12-episode series will start streaming exclusively with unlimited viewing on Amazon Prime Video (Japan) beginning April 14.

    The live-action manga adaptation GAKI ROCK: ASAKUSA 6TH- WARD HONOR STORY is the latest Japanese Amazon Original series. Photo courtesy of Amazon Prime Video. © CLUSTAR inc.

    Asian Cinema

    Drama Series About Honor Among Street-Punks in Downtown Tokyo to Start Streaming from April 14 Source: Amazon Prime Video, Wright Film Inc. press releases Special Thanks to Richard Jeffery, Ayame Yamamoto and Sarasa Saiki A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Amazon announced its latest Japanese Amazon Original series GAKI ROCK: ASAKUSA 6TH- WARD HONOR STORY (????????????????, Gaki?Rokku ? Asakusa Roku Kuhito Jomonogatari ?), a dramatization of the popular comic book Gaki Rock (??????) serialized in Young Champion, is to start streaming exclusively with unlimited viewing on Amazon Prime Video (Japan) beginning April 14. The 12-episode series will stream with new episodes every week on Fridays. Amazon Prime members can watch and download the series via the free Amazon Prime Video app for iOS and Android mobile devices, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, Fire tablets, game consoles, smart TVs and online at amazon.co.jp/primevideo.

    Kento Yamazaki and Haruna Kawaguchi star in the manga adaptation, ONE WEEK FRIENDS. Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co. © 2017 Matcha Hazuki/SQUARE ENIX, “ONE WEEK FRIENDS” Film Partners ? Author / Matcha Hazuki

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: ichifure.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Shochiku Co., Ltd. presents ONE WEEK FRIENDS (????????, Isshuukan Furenzu.), an "innocent, heart-rending pure love story" based on a best-selling manga of the same name by Maccha Hazuki. The film stars Kento Yamazaki (DEATH NOTE television series, LOVE FOR BEGINNERS, L?DK – LIVING TOGETHER, WOLF GIRL & BLACK PRINCE) and Haruna Kawaguchi (SAY “I LOVE YOU”, TIME TRIP APP, CREEPY). Yuki Hase (Kento Yamazaki) wants to be friends with his high school classmate Kaori Fujimiya (Haruna Kawaguchi) who always keeps to herself. One day he takes the courage to talk to her but she tells him, “I lose all memory of my friends at the end of each week”. Still eager to befriend Kaori, Yuki approaches her every Monday when her memory is reset, “Please be friends with me!” They

    Yuiji Kira (Taishi Nakagawa) wows Nino Okamura (Marie Iitoyo) in CLOSEST LOVE TO HEAVEN, the movie adaptation of the manga Kyo no Kira-kun. Photo courtesy of Showgate Inc. © 2017 ?CLOSEST LOVE TO HEAVEN

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Showgate Inc. Official Site: kirakun.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Kira, I want to be with you forever. Distributor Showgate Inc. has provided information and photos from their upcoming release, CLOSEST LOVE TO HEAVEN (???????, Kyo no Kira-kun). The film is based on the manga series Kyo no Kira-kun (Today`s Kira) by Rin Mikimoto. Nino falls in love with Kira, a heartthrob of the whole class. Introverted Nino finds it hard to interact with people, but when she learns Kira`s secret, the two quickly become close. Though uncertain about the new feelings she is experiencing, Nino does her best to make Kira smile, despite his big secret. What will happen to Nino`s first love? Their invaluable "365 days" have begun, joined by classmate Yabe and Kira`s childhood friend Mio. CREDITS Japanese Theatrical Release: Saturday, February 25, 2017 (Nationwide Roadshow)

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