Discover Movies

On November 8, 1998, Osaka City Chuo Dohall. A live record of performance by Yasusho Morimura and Masami Tada.

A memorial to the atomic annihilation of 321 students at Hiroshima Middle School.

≠ME is finally coming to the big screen! In their first-ever live and documentary film, their journey toward their dreams is etched into history.

1974 documentary about Ali.

This short documentary explains the unique Japanese film genre of Pink Films (or: Pinku Eiga, as they're called in Japan) - a short-form, independently produced, Japanese erotic movie.

On October 12, 1956, 53 surveyors and 1,300 armed police rushed the gathered union and Zen Gaku Ren (the All Japan Federation of Self-Governing Students Associations) members who then formed a scrum to protect themselves. 278 people from both sides were injured. On the 13th, at the protest’s peak, 5,000 workers and Zen Gaku Ren members had been mobilized when the police attacked the demonstrators’ picket lines. 844 protesters and 80 police were injured. Public opinion erupted against the the violence of the armed police and the government’s lack of a policy, and on the 14th, the radio suddenly announced that the government would stop its survey. Sunagawa overflowed with joy and excitement, and a victory demo was held. On the 15th, a National People’s Rally was held to celebrate the victory of Sunagawa’s fight against the base, and protesters who had sustained grave injuries came from the hospital to address the meeting.

Actor and musician Kôji Kikkawa and film director Takashi Miike collaborated for the realization and recording of a live concert at the Nippon Budokan before 10,000 people on February 1, 2005.

The life of iconic Japanese director Kon Ichikawa.

Behind the scenes of Zeiram 2

With the city of Shinjuku as the motif, a physical urban theory is illustrated by the flesh of the dancers.

Documentary following the band members of BUCK-TICK.

Documentary about the director's films.

Nippon Television "Super TV Information Frontline Exclusive Coverage of 15 Months! The Secrets of the Rumored Movie "My Neighbors the Yamadas""

An experimental music film showcasing the filming locations of "Twin Peaks" using silent footage and eleven tracks from the original score composed by Angelo Badalamenti. It was released only on LaserDisc in Japan, and includes liner notes with lyrics to three songs performed by Julee Cruise.

Documentary about Wataru Takada who suddenly passed away in 2005.

Documentary made by Toho for the Masterworks reissue of all of its Kurosawa films. This one focuses on "Sanjuro" (1962).

The Making of the movie "Yakuza Apocalypse".

Veteran director Nakajima Sadao examines the appeal, background, context and transition of chambara, or period sword-fighting and samurai films, in Kyoto. Not only interviews with actors, choreographers and critiques are included, but the director orchestrates an original chambara scene for the documentary.

This documentary follows the path of musician Kazuhiko Kato, who has created many masterpieces that remain in the history of Japanese pop music. Kazuhiko Kato, affectionately known as "Tonovan," influenced many people with his musicality that was ahead of its time, such as "The Folk Crusaders" and "Sadistic Mika Band." The documentary introduces the behind-the-scenes story of the formation of The Folk Crusaders, who created Japan's first million-selling hit, rare footage of the Sadistic Mika Band's overseas performances and recording scenes as they made their way around the world, and hidden anecdotes about the "Europe Trilogy," which is said to be a monumental work of Japanese pop music. In addition, a new recording of the timeless classic "Ano Subarashii Ai wo Mouichido" is made, and the song's evolution by musicians of various genres is shown. The film was planned, directed, and produced by Yumi Aihara, who also worked on "SUKITA: A Moment Carved by Artists."

A documentary looking back on the making of Shunji Iwai's TV play Fireworks, Should We See it from the Side or the Bottom?.

JO1 is a global boy group formed in 2019 by 11 members selected in PRODUCE 101 JAPAN. Since their debut in 2020, they have steadily progressed under the slogan “GO TO THE TOP!” In 2025, they held their first world tour and their first solo concert in Tokyo Dome. This is the second documentary film that shows the glory of their 5 years of challenging the world and the thoughts and conflicts that the 11 members had in their hearts, and the bond between them during their journey. The trajectory and future of the 11 members, presented to all those who are chasing after their dreams.

The production of Gamera: Guardian of the Universe. Includes interviews with director Shusuke Kaneko, screenwriter Kazunori Ito and lead actress Ayako Fujitani. Also includes behind the scenes footage from special effects director Shinji Higuchi and interviews with suit actors Jun Suzuki and Yumi Kameyama.

Kazuo Hara follows Ayumi Yasutomi, a transgender candidate, who is also a Tokyo University professor, as she embarks on a national campaign for a seat in Japan's Upper House.

The story of Henri Mitowa, a 93-year old Japanese monk, who wants to make a movie based on his own life.

A 43-minute video piece reconstructing Kagemusha through Akira Kurosawa's paintings and sketches.

Every day, people would queue for over two hours for a bowl of ramen. What’s the celebrated chef’s secret ingredient? There is no secret ingredient. In fact, as most fans of Taishoken believe, it’s the charisma of owner Kazuo Yamagishi that attracted people from all around Japan to his modest shop. His personality and love for his craft, combined with a precise mélange of flavours, combined to create perfection in each ramen bowl. This heart-warming documentary is not just for noodle fans, but for anyone who loves to be inspired by passionate people.

Documentary directed by Norio Tsuruta and Yukio Miyajima.

"Electric Mole" is a concert film that documents Sheena Ringo's nationwide "Sugoroku Xstasy" tour in the summer of 2003. It marks the start of Sheena's band, Tokyo Jihen (albeit only as a backing band for Sheena at the time.)

On April 1, 1945, the United States military launched its invasion of the main island of Okinawa, the start of a battle that was to last 12 weeks and claim the lives of some 240,000 people. This film depicts the Battle through the eyes of Japanese and American soldiers who fought each other on the same battlefield, along with Okinawa civilians who were swept up in the fighting. The film also depicts the history of discrimination and oppression forced upon Okinawa by the American and Japanese governments. Carrying up to the current controversy over the construction of a new base at Henoko, the film explores the root causes of the widespread disillusionment and anger expressed by many Okinawans. This ambitious documentary was directed by the American John Junkerman, long-term resident of Japan and Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker. Okinawa: The Afterburn is a heartfelt plea for peace and an expression of deep respect for the unyielding spirit of the Okinawa people.

Sequel to MAD Video and Cell's Death Women

An in-depth and stylish look at the hardcore punk scene in Japan at the late half of the 70's and the beginning of the 80's. Features bands such as GASTUNK, THE EXECUTE, GAUZE among others.

Captures the avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusamas creative process as she diligently works to complete her series of 50 large monochrome drawings. As her work comes to life, one can witness the essence of her art as it wells up in the conflict between life, death, and love.

Poetry, literature, painting and old film clips converge in this lyrical, unusually designed film essay about Le Moulin, the Taiwanese poets’ collective which protested in the 1930s against the cultural superiority of the Japanese occupier and the domination of realism in poetry.

After the war, many filmmakers were expelled from the Japanese film industry due to the Toho Dispute and the Red Purge. Amid such circumstances, there were people who set up their own independent production companies and embarked on film production without relying on corporations. This documentary film focuses on the passionate "spirit of film" of directors such as Satsuo Yamamoto and Tadashi Imai, who, despite many hardships, produced a succession of masterpieces overflowing with humanism and rebellious spirit.

Takashi Miike answers questions about Ichi the Killer in a special feature included in the Bluray release of the movie.

A compilation of avant-garde artwork and talent of the mid to late 20th century hosted by Ryuichi Sakamoto.

A look at sex in Japan, that covers underground gay life, transvestites, sex change operations, tattoos, and S&M. What does it mean to live an individualistic life in the modern age? By capturing the seemingly bizarre customs of men in drag and women in men's clothing seen on the streets, and examining the world of sexual perversion in an attempt to unravel the mysteries of our homogenized modern society, we explore whether it represents the pinnacle of pleasure, or a world of endless hell.

The Making of Antiporno

Recently retired from a company after some 40 years of service, Sunada Tomoaki, father of filmmaker Sunada Mami, is diagnosed with terminal cancer and only has a few months left to live. True to his pragmatic core, Sunada sets out to accomplish a list of tasks before his final departure: playing with his grandchildren, planning his own funeral, saying “I love you” to his wife, among others. In a voice over, using words taken from her father’s diary, filmmaker Sunada speaks tenderly in first person as the elder Sunada.

Postwar Japan as it is described by Etsuko, the manager of a bar catering to foreigners in Yokosuka. The way of life of a woman brimming with vitality, who skipped the countryside right after the war and, with her womanhood as a weapon, lived through atomic bombings, black markets, prostitution aimed at American soldiers and the Korean War. Inserting newsreels, Shohei Imamura depicts the history of twenty-five years in the Japanese postwar by way of the female body. (doclisboa)

A companion piece to The Wages of Resistance: Narita Stories, which dealt with the protests against the construction of Narita Airport. Depicts the lives of youth who fought alongside farmers against the nation state. Farmers launched a protest movement after the government decided to build a giant airport on the farming land of Sanrizuka in Narita City. Youth who believed in their ability to change the world supported the farmers' protests. Fifty years have gone by. The camera examines what used to be there and brings to light the past era buried beneath Narita Airport.

A documentary series of interviews with elderly Japanese men, former soldiers in Thailand or Burma, who hid from the departing Japanese troops at the end of WWII and made their lives with native families.

Fight! Our Heroes Gather was a televised celebration of tokusatsu heroes in 1975.

Director Park Soo-nam, a second-generation Korean resident in Japan who is losing his eyesight, decides to digitally restore 16mm film she shot a long time ago, relying on her daughter Park Ma-eui's eyesight. The blood, tears, and numerous corpses of Koreans living in Japan are clearly engraved in the film filmed over 50 years.

Live is Smile Always, Eve&Birth: The Birth at Nippon Budokan. Performance and documentary release surrounding LiSA’s 10th anniversary show at Nippon Budokan in April 2022.

Without heir or apprentice, Masamoto Ueda's recipes will die with him, which is perhaps the secret to his vitality and hunger for new ingredients and experiences even after 40 years—he is able to invent new techniques and flavours without the burden of tradition.

This documentary by Hubert Niogret looks at the revival of Japanese cinema during the 1990s.

The first documentary for Japanese idol group Hinatazaka46.

Two weeks after the earthquake, writer and movie director Tatsuya Mori, journalist Takeharu Watai, movie director Yojyu Matsubayashi, and movie producer Takuji Yasuoka, headed for the disaster stricken area, not thinking this film would become a production. "Only to confirm the situation" was their common objective.

Story of Kyoto: its history, culture, as well as the role it has played in the director's life and the life of his mother.

Direct-to-video documentary special focusing on the Ultraman Series, spotlighting the heroines who appeared from Ultra Q to Ultraman Gaia. The program features insights from the original production staff, who provide introductions to these characters. The documentary notably highlights three actresses: Hiroko Sakurai, Mitsuko Hoshi, and Takami Yoshimoto, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from their time working on the series.

Toru Iwakawa is elected mayor of Takanosu on the platform of improving welfare. With the support of a group formed by residents, he aims to develop a "care town" to stop the isolation of the elderly. However, the town council refuses to support his proposal.

Documentary on Nikkatsu's Roman Porno film series, with a heavy focus on prolific director Masaru Konuma.

Part 2 of Mononoke Hime wa koushite umareta, also known as The Making of "Princess Mononoke", an exhaustive three-part making of documentary of Hayao Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke