SciFi Japan

    Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co. ©2017 “HAMON: YAKUZA BOOGIE” Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: hamon-movie.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Shochiku Co., Ltd. presents HAMON: YAKUZA BOOGIE (?? ???????????, Hamon Futari no Yakubyogami), an adaptation of Hamon (Expulsion), the 151st Naoki Prize-winning novel from Hiroyuki Kurokawa`s hugely popular Yakubyogami (Jinx) series. The film is directed by Shotaro Kobayashi and stars Kuranosuke Sasaki (SAMURAI HUSTLE, THE INERASABLE, SOLOMON`S PERJURY) and "Kanjani Eight" band member Yu Yokoyama (TENCHI: THE SAMURAI ASTRONOMER, EIGHT RANGERS 1 & 2). STORY Yakuza Kuwahara (Kuranosuke Sasaki) and construction consultant Ninomiya (Yu Yokoyama) go on a search for a movie producer, who has run off with money invested in his dubious project by a yakuza lieutenant. Their pursuit takes them around Japan’s Kansai region and even to Macao, which accidentally leads to inter-gang conflict. The hunters become the hunted, forcing them to risk everything in a final desperate

    Satoshi Tsumabuki stars in the mystery GUKOROKU – TRACES OF SIN. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. © 2017 Hirune Hime Production Committee

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Japan, FilmPressPlus Official Site: gukoroku.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Richard Lormand A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Warner Bros. Pictures Japan and international publicity agent FilmPressPlus have provided press notes and high-res photos for their new mystery, GUKOROKU – TRACES OF SIN (???, Gukoruku). The movie opens in Japan on February 18th. INTRODUCTION GUKOROKU - TRACES OF SIN is a haunting and intense tale of the demons we face every day -- inside and out. Satoshi Tsumabuki (THE ASSASSINS by Hou Hsiao-Hsien, THE LITTLE HOUSE by Yohji Yamada, VILLAIN by Lee Sang-il ) and Hikari Mitsushima (HARA-KIRI: DEATH OF A SAMURAI by Takashi Miike, LOVE EXPOSURE by Sion Sono) star as the reporter Tanaka and his troubled sister Mitsuko. A graduate of ?ód? Film School and director of short films selected at New Directors, New Films and Sitges, Kei

    Toma Ikuta is back as Undercover Agent Reiji Kikukawa in the manga adaptation THE MOLE SONG -HONG KONG CAPRICCIO-. Photo courtesy of Pony Canyon Inc. © 2016

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Pony Canyon, Inc., Toho Co., Ltd. Official Site: mogura-movie.com (Japan) Pony Canyon and Toho have provided press materials for THE MOLE SONG -HONG KONG CAPRICCIO- (???? ?????, Mogura no Uta Honkon Kyoosoo Kyoku), the sequel to director Takashi Miike`s live action adaptation of the hit manga series. The film opens in Japan on December 23rd. ? Introduction WELCOME BACK TO MOGURA WORLD!!! This bizarre story begins with Reiji Kikukawa, a patrol cop who graduates with the lowest score in police academy history. Kikukawa is given an assignment to infiltrate the world of organized crime as an undercover cop -- a “Mole.” His mission: to restore purity in an increasingly corrupt society. The bestselling manga, Mogura no Uta by Noboru Takahashi, serialized in Big Comics Spirits Weekly, reached new heights in 2014 when it was adapted to a live action film directed by

    A yakuza funeral is one of the stories shown in Toei`s ALIBIS FOR HAPPINESS. Photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 2016

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: koufuku-alibi.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Toei has provided information and high-res photos from their new drama, ALIBIS FOR HAPPINESS (????????Picture?, Koofuku no Aribai ~Picture~). The film looks at important turning points of life, such as a "Coming-of-Age Ceremony”, “Arranged Marriage”, “Childbirth” and “Funeral”. STORY A funeral director unwittingly ends up organizing a yakuza funeral, while the family and acquaintances of the deceased argue over his will. A woman of marrying age considers meeting an affluent man, while her boyfriend gets caught cheating on her. A son tries to wear a bike gang outfit instead of a suit to his coming-of-age ceremony, while his parents desperately try to stop him from doing so. A husband drives to the hospital where his wife is about to give birth, while his father-in-law takes out his resentment on him

    High school girls are fascinated by death in NIGHT`S TIGHTROPE, the upcoming movie adaptation of the best-selling novel by Kanae Minato. Photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 2016 NIGHT’S TIGHTROPE Production Committee

    Asian Cinema

    New Drama from the Author of Confessions Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: shoujo.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Over one million copies published! The eagerly-awaited film adaptation of Kanae Minato’s novel! Toei has provided information and high-res photos from NIGHT’S TIGHTROPE (??, Shojo), the new feature film based on Shojo (Girls), the hit novel from the acclaimed author of Confessions and The Snow White Murder Case. The story is a feature-length mystery mired in the "forbidden world" of death, and the appeal that lurking darkness has for a pair of 17 year-old girls. NIGHT’S TIGHTROPE is being promoted as a 4-way women`s collaboration of "writer Kanae Minato × director Yukiko Mishima × actor Tsubasa Honda × actor Mizuki Yamamoto". Tsubasa Honda has starred in BLUE SPRING RIDE (??????, Aoharaido, 2014) and TERMINAL (???? ?????, Kishuten Eki Taminar, 2015) and will be

    Young Ung (SUPER JUNIOR`s Yesung) instructs Sakura (Nozomi Sasaki) in the romantic comedy MY KOREAN TEACHER. Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co. © 2016

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: Ikinarisensei.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Pop star Yesung of SUPER JUNIOR makes his film debut in MY KOREAN TEACHER (????????????????????, Ikinarisensei ni Natta Bokuga Kanojo ni Koi woshita), a romantic comedy set in Okinawa. The film makes its US premiere November 8th at the 2016 Hawaii International Film Festival. Young Ung (Yesung) refuses to take over his father’s business in Korea and works as a contract employee in Tokyo. While on a business trip to Okinawa, he unexpectedly loses his job and decides to stay in Okinawa for a while. One day, he happens to meet the principal of a local foreign language school who gives him a temporary job as a Korean language instructor. He meets a single mother Sakura (Nozomi Sasaki) who desperately needs to speak Korean fluently to get a fill-time job

    Takakura (Hidetoshi Nishijima) learns a disturbing truth in director Kiyoshi Kurosawa`s CREEPY. Photo courtesy of Asmik Ace. © 2016 “CREEPY” Film Partners?

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Fantasia Festival, Shochiku Co., Ltd., Asmik Ace Entertainment, Inc. Official Movie Site: creepy-movie.com (Japan) Special Thanks to Kaila Hier and Emmanuelle DiBuono Director Kiyoshi Kurosawa first came to international attention with the acclaimed suspense/horror films CURE (???, Kyua, 1997), CHARISMA (????, Karisuma, 1999) and PULSE (??, Kairo, 2001) before moving on to award-winning works like TOKYO SONATA (????????, 2008) and JOURNEY TO THE SHORE (????, Kishibe no Tabi, 2015). He recently made a welcome return to the genre of his early days with CREEPY (????? ?????, Kuriipii Itsuwari no Rinjin, 2016), an adaptation of Yutaka Maekawa`s mystery novel. His new film has proven a favorite at international film festivals, including the July 26th Canadian premiere at the 2016 Fantasia Festival. STORY After a traumatic incident, criminal psychologist and former police detective Takakura (Hidetoshi Nishijima) moves to a new neighborhood with his wife Yasuko (Yuko Takeuchi) to

    Kiyoshi Mitarai (Hiroshi Tamaki) investigates several interconnected mysteries in Toei`s THE SEA OF SEIRO: DETECTIVE MITARAI`S CASEBOOK. Photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 2016

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Movie Site: mitarai-movie.jp (Japan) Toei has provided information and high-res photos from their new thriller THE SEA OF SEIRO: DETECTIVE MITARAI`S CASEBOOK (?????????? ????, Tantei Mitarai no Jikenbo Seiro no Umi). The movie was released last month in Japan and is now being offered to foreign distributors. The film is based on the 2013 novel Sea of Hoshikago: The Clockwork Current (???? The Clockwork Current, Hoshikago no Umi The Clockwork Current), by mystery author Soji Shimada. The book was the 28th in Shimada`s popular Kiyoshi Mitarai series, which launched in 1981 and has sold more than 5.5 million copies to date. The protagonist, Kiyoshi Mitarai is a Japanese take on Sherlock Holmes, an astrologer, fortuneteller, and self-styled detective known as the "brain scientist". In THE SEA OF SEIRO, the character is played by actor/model/singer Hiroshi Tamaki, who first

    Underground police officer Saki Kubozuka (Shota Matsuda) hunts down a pair of killers in the live-action manga adaptation, DIAS-POLICE -DIRTY YELLOW BOYS-. Photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © Richard Woo, Shinichi Sugimura ? Kodansha / DiasPolice Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: dias-police.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from an upcoming movie. Toei has provided information and high-res images from their upcoming crime drama, DIAS-POLICE -DIRTY YELLOW BOYS- (??????? -DIRTY YELLOW BOYS-, Diasuporisu -DIRTY YELLOW BOYS-). The film is based on the manga series DiasPolice: Real Tokyo Underworld (???????-????-, Diasuporisu -Ihou Keisatsu-) by writer Richard Woo (aka Takashi Nagasaki) and artist Shinichi Sugimura, which was serialized in Kodansha`s Weekly Morning magazine from 2006-2009. The lead character in the manga is Saki Kubozuka, the sole member of the "Dias Police" (Gentiles Police), an unofficial police force created to protect the 150,000 illegal immigrants living in Tokyo. Not recognized by the Japanese government, the underground citizens have formed their own political, banking and health systems, with Kubozuka tasked to keep

    Rookie agent Aoki (Masaki Okada) accesses the memories of murder victims in the science fiction thriller THE TOP SECRET: MURDER IN MIND. Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co. © 2016

    Asian Cinema

    Sci-Fi Suspense from the Director of RUROUNI KENSHIN Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: himitsu-movie.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE The legendary manga is finally a movie. Shochiku has provided some information and images from their upcoming sci-fi suspense thriller, THE TOP SECRET: MURDER IN MIND (???THE TOP SECRET, Himitsu Toppu Shiikuretto). The film is based on Reiko Shimizu`s best-selling manga series Himitsu the Top Secret, which was originally serialized in Hakusensha`s Melody magazine. THE TOP SECRET: MURDER IN MIND is directed by Keishi Ohtomo, best known for the RUROUNI KENSHIN (??????) movie trilogy. STORY Unit No.9 is a special Police detective which uncover the unsolved cold cases by using a special MRI scanner that can scan the brains of dead people in order to visualize memories from their lifetimes. Rookie agent Aoki (Masaki Okada) and No.9 unit chief Maki (Toma Ikuta)

    Hapless samurai Masaatsu Naito (Kuranosuke Sasaki) is back on the run in the comedy SAMURAI HUSTLE RETURNS. Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co. © 2016 “Samurai Hustle Returns” Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: cho-sankin.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE In 2014, Shochiku released the samurai comedy SAMURAI HUSTLE (????????, Chokousoku! Sankin Kotai) -- aka MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: SAMURAI -- starring Kuranosuke Sasaki (20TH CENTURY BOYS trilogy, SOLOMON`S PERJURY, THE INERASABLE) and Kyoko Fukada (SECOND VIRGINITY, WILD 7, ROOMMATE). Directed by Katsuhide Motoki (the KITARO movie series, BATTLE LEAGUE HORUMO), the film followed the misadventures of Masaatsu Naito (Sasaki), the head of a small and poor clan who is ordered by the shogun to come to the capital city, Edo, with his entire staff. The samurai had to complete the 8 day journey in just 4 days or his clan`s land would be taken away. SAMURAI HUSTLE was a critical and commercial success so the cast and crew have reunited for a sequel, tentatively titled SAMURAI HUSTLE RETURNS (??????????????, Chokousoku! Sankin

    Fumi Nikaido is Erika Shinohara and Kento Yamazaki is Kyouya Sata in the live-action movie version of WOLF GIRL & BLACK PRINCE. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. © Ayuko Hatta / Shueisha © 2016

    Asian Cinema

    Trailer and High-Res Photos for New Film Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Japan Official Site: warnerbros.co.jp/ookamishojo (Japan) The romantic comedy WOLF GIRL & BLACK PRINCE (??????????, Okami Shojo to Kuro Oji) opened today at the Shinjuku Piccadilly and other theaters across Japan. Directed by Ryuichi Hiroki (KABUKICHO LOVE HOTEL), the movie is based on Ayuko Hatta`s manga of the same name, which has sold more than 450 million copies since its 2011 debut. WOLF GIRL & BLACK PRINCE stars Fumi Nikaido (WHY DON’T YOU PLAY IN HELL?, HIBI ROCK: PUKE AFRO AND THE POP STAR) as "wolf girl" Erika Shinohara and Kento Yamazaki (LOVE FOR BEGINNERS, L?DK – LIVING TOGETHER) as "black prince" Kyouya Sata. The supporting cast features Nobuyuki Suzuki (THE KIRISHIMA THING, STRAYER’S CHRONICLE), Mugi Kadowaki (GASSOH), Ryusei Yokohama (MARUYAMA THE MIDDLE SCHOOLER), Elaiza Ikeda (THE VIRGIN PSYCHICS), Tina Tamashiro (SADAKO VS

    Nikkatsu`s new thriller HIMEANOLE opened on Saturday. © 2016 “HIMEANOLE” Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Nikkatsu Corporation Official Movie Site: himeanole-movie.com (Japan) Which one are you? Predator or prey? Nikkatsu`s new thriller HIMEANOLE (??????, Himeano ~ ru) opened this weekend in Japan. Based on the manga series by Minoru Furuya, the film stars Go Morita (V-6), (ULTRAMAN GAIA: THE BATTLE IN HYPERSPACE, ONE PIECE FILM GOLD) and Aimi Satsukawa (SADAKO VS KAYAKO). Story Okada works part-time at a cleaning company. Recently he has been feeling frustrated about his go-nowhere life. One day his co-worker Mr. Ando asks Okada to help him in his quest to win the love of Yuka, a waitress at a nearby restaurant. Reluctantly Okada agrees and, by chance, meets high school classmate Shoichi Morita when at the restaurant. After seeing Okada and Morita talking, Yuka tells Okada that Morita has been stalking her. While Okada finds it hard to believe, he recalls how

    New York`s Japan Society kicks off their `Monthly Classics` series with Japan’s first-ever color film, CARMEN COMES HOME. Photo courtesy of Japan Society and Janus. © 1951/2012 Shochiku Co., Ltd.

    Asian Cinema

    Launches with Restoration of Japan’s First Color Film in September Source: Japan Society press release Special Thanks to Shannon Jowett Japan Society’s Film Program resurrects Monthly Classics to give New Yorkers regular screenings of beloved classics, hidden gems or recent discoveries of Japanese cinema on the first Friday of every month. Slated for September 2015 through June 2016, the first season of Monthly Classics launches Friday, September 4, 7:00 pm with Japan’s first-ever color film, CARMEN COMES HOME (1951), which was filmed during the end of the era of U.S. Occupation and addresses the issue of the influence of American culture in immediate postwar Japan. A “classic” in the traditional sense, the film was digitally restored in 2012 by Shochiku for Kinoshita’s centenary. This screening also marks the 120th anniversary of the renowned Shochiku studios. On Friday, October 2, at 7:00 pm, Monthly Classics screens PARADISE VIEW,

    The Terracotta Far East Film Festival returns this April. Image courtesy of Terracotta Distribution. © 2012 Terracotta Distribution

    Asian Cinema

    Author: Imogen Reed Official Site: terracottafestival.com Special Thanks to Claire Marty London, England -- ever the hub of Japan/Asia related goings-on -- is once again going to house the Terracotta Far East Film Festival, which -- as everyone should know -- plays host to some of the most exciting films to come out of Asia. Their official website may currently contain the barest of information, yet word on the street is that it’ll be the biggest and brightest iteration of the festival yet. With the festival reaching the shores of the UK, Japanese culture enthusiasts don`t need to worry about booking flights to Kyoto as they can immerse themselves in far Eastern film on their own doorstep. A New Face Along with the new dates for this year, there have been further substantial changes (the venue remains the same -- the festival will

    Ayako Fujitani (GAMERA Trilogy) stars in the award-winning MAN FROM RENO. Photo courtesy of Eleven Arts. © ELEVEN ARTS

    Asian Cinema

    Opens in Theaters March 27, 2015 Source: Strategy PR/Consulting press release Official Movie Site: manfromrenomovie.com Special Thanks to Emily Lu Nolan Gallagher, Founder and CEO of Gravitas Ventures, has announced the acquisition of North American rights to filmmaker Dave Boyle`s atmospheric thriller MAN FROM RENO which has been nominated for the "John Cassavetes" prize at this year`s Independent Spirit Awards (to be held February 21st at 2pm PT / 5pm ET). Commenting on his company`s acquisition of the film Mr. Gallagher said, "We are honored to continue our collaboration with Dave Boyle on his award winning MAN FROM RENO. His stylish and assured filmmaking have gained a considerable audience and we are excited to help new fans discover this film." MAN FROM RENO is already a multi-award winning film, having scored accolades and trophies from The Los Angeles Film Festival 2014 (Winner of "Best Dramatic Feature"),

    Jiji (Tomoe Shinohara), Chieko (Azusa Babazono), Tsukimi Kurashita (Rena Nounen), Banba (Chizuru Ikewaki) and Mayaya (Rina Ohta) in the first live action version of PRINCESS JELLYFISH. Photo courtesy of Asmik Ace. © 2014

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Asmik Ace Entertainment, Inc. Official Site: kuragehi.me (Japan) The live action adaptation PRINCESS JELLYFISH (???, Kuragehime) opens in Japanese cinemas on December 27th. Based on the manga series by Akiko Higashimura, the film is directed and co-written by Yasuhiro Kawamura (AKKO-CHAN: THE MOVIE). Jellyfish geek Tsukimi (Rena Nounen) shares an apartment with other nerdy girls who each have their own obsession. One day, the girls are thrown into a tizzy by the appearance of beautiful cross-dresser Kuranosuke (Masaki Suda) and his brother Shu (Hiroki Hasegawa). Plus, the sacred space of the apartment is menaced by an attack... Credits Japanese Theatrical Release: Saturday, December 27, 2014 (Nationwide Roadshow) Running Time: 126 Minutes Cast Tsukimi Kurashita: Rena Nounen Kuranosuke Koibuchi: Masaki Suda Shu Koibuchi: Hiroki Hasegawa Banba: Chizuru Ikewaki Mayaya: Rina Ohta Chieko: Azusa Babazono Jiji: Tomoe Shinohara Shoko Inari: Nana Katase Yoshio Hanamori:

    © 2014 INOUE SANTA/TOKYO TRIBE FILM PARTNERS

    Asian Cinema

    English Subtitled Version Also Screening in Japan Source: Nikkatsu Corporation Official Movie Site: tokyotribe-movie.com (Japan) The biggest domestic hit of director Sono Sion`s career, the manga adaptation TOKYO TRIBE (????? ????, Tokyo Toraibu, 2014) will soon be released outside Japan. Based on the legendary comic Tokyo Tribe 2 by Santa Inoue -- which has sold 2.5 million copies worldwide -- the film portrays the gangs and street culture of an alternate Tokyo. TOKYO TRIBE has screened to great success at film festivals and markets (including Toronto Film Festival and L’Étrange Festival 2014), with renowned director Alejandro Jodorowsky (EL TOPO, THE HOLY MOUNTAIN, SANTA SANGRE) singing the picture`s praises... "So exciting! This movie offers such freedom of expression, courage and humor. I enjoyed the perfect fighting scenes and stunning use of sound. Director Sion Sono, I thank you." Now distributor Nikkatsu Corporation has announced

    The Japanese box office smash RUROUNI KENSHIN 2: KYOTO INFERNO gets a UK theatrical release starting in late November. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. © Watsuki Nobuhiro/ Shueisha. © 2014

    Asian Cinema

    Live Action Manga Adaptation Opens Friday, November 28th Source: Warner Bros. Pictures UK, Maven Publicity press release Official Site: kuroshitsuji-movie.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Louise Rivers The release of RUROUNI KENSHIN (??????) in 2012 was the first of its kind -- taking in more than 3 billion yen at the box office, the Japanese film entered a new era. Based on the monumental manga by Nobuhiro Watsuki, Kenshin the Wanderer: The Romance of the Meiji Swordsman, which has sold more than 5.8 million copies and been translated into more than 20 languages, the commercial film combined unparalleled speed and overwhelming action in a moving human drama. Two years after the shocking prologue, Warner Bros. UK are releasing the brand new epic action sequel RUROUNI KENSHIN 2: KYOTO INFERNO (????????????, Rurouni Kenshin Kyoto Taika Hen, 2014). SYNOPSIS Kenshin Himura (Takeru Satoh) is a legendary

    Rocker Takuro Hibinuma (Shuhei Nomura) partners with pop star Saki Utagawa (Fumi Nikaido) in the manga adaptation HIBI ROCK: PUKE AFRO AND THE POP STAR. Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co. © 2014

    Asian Cinema

    New Manga Adaptation from Shochiku Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: hibirock.jp (Japan) Not good at school or sports, naturally no girlfriend... But I bow to nobody in my love for rock! HIBI ROCK: PUKE AFRO AND THE POP STAR (?????, Hibi Rokku), the latest music-themed movie from director Yu Irie (8000 MILES, RINGING IN THEIR EARS), will open in Japan on November 22nd. The film is based on Katsumasa Enokiya`s manga Hibi Rock, serialized in Shueisha`s Weekly Young Jump. Takuro Hibinuma (Shuhei Nomura) had no talent for sports or aptitude for studying throughout high school and never had a girlfriend. However, he found his true calling when he began playing rock music. While in high school, he formed a rock band named Rock`n Roll Brothers with his friends. After graduation, they move to Tokyo and begin playing live shows. One day, at

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