Discover Movies

2004 release

Chizuru, a typical Japanese young female office worker, is socially clumsy, poor at romance and unhappy with her job. Being weary from a busy and stressful city life, she seriously desires to end her life somewhere faraway from the city and leaves for deep in the mountains, where she finds one lonely house. Then she attempts to commit suicide by taking sleeping pills in the guest house but she fails.... This is the beginning of her new life.

Minoru is diagnosed with cancer and undergoes surgery, but it is soon discovered that the cancer has spread to his lymphatic system and he is prescribed anti-cancer drugs. He is soon plagued by severe side effects such as vomiting, skin rash, and hematuria, and begins to distrust hospitals.

A free-spirited psychiatrist exudes a magnetic attraction for patients with out-of-the-ordinary neuroses and odd conditions brought about by stress.

The third film in Shin-Ei's series of annual WWII themed anime television movies for children "Sensou Douwa"

The movie is part of the Kindaichi TV movie series. Kindaichi is played by actor Goro Inagaki. The character's grandfather began with the written word. Kousuke Kindaichi started life in the novels of Seishi Yokomizo, written and set in post-war Japan. Inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie, Kindaichi is still very much a unique character, giving the Japanese their very own literary hero-detective. Young Hajime Kindaichi is a young man with bad dandruff and worse dress-sense (decades before Columbo), who wears a trademark, scruffy sunhat. He also happens to be better than the police at deductive reasoning. Having gained publicity for solving a high-profile murder case, the detectives allow him to work with them again. This story is slimmer than the twisty plots of Inugami and Village, but is graced by the presence of Chiaki Kuriyama (Battle Royale, Kill Bill Vol. 1, The Great Yokai War) in the title role.

In prison for 50 years after massacring his corrupt workmates with a samurai sword in 1945, Ginji Sonesaki (Riki Takeuchi) is given the nickname of Ginji the Slasher. On his release he finds himself on the streets living with the homeless hiding from a man whose life he tried to end. His former boss and the object of Ginji's hatred is now a highly-regarded figure in politics but Ginji plans to remind him of his past transgressions and make him pay for ruining his life.

Sakurai is a pretty police office lady working in Roppongi Police Station. Instead of a challenging environment, her daily work is simple and rather boring though she belongs to the Serious Crime Detection Section. A homicide case in Roppongi turns the brother of Sakurai's best friend into the murder suspect. Sakurai determines to spend her weekend to investigate the case herself to find out the true murderer. While she discover a mysterious website link to a large gang of criminals, her unexpected weekend begins...

With a mixture of drama, warlords, battles, love, tragedy all set with great music, this made for television movie has it all. Showing the rise of Tokugawa Ieyasu as portrayed by Matsudaira Ken (Abarenbo Shogun) this stunning portrait of an exciting era shows how the influence of three women played a pivotal role in the formation of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Brilliant performances by Nakamura Atsuo (Cold Wind Monjiro) and Nakamura Tamao (widow of Katsu Shintaro) highlight this production as such notables as Oda Nobunaga, Toyotami Hideyoshi, Lady Sena, Princess Asahi, and Lady Yodo jump from the pages of history all leading up to the Battle of Sekigahara that would change Japan forever!

Recently graduated from high school, 17-year-old Shiro decides to put off college and work at a gas station instead. Shy and introspective, Shiro understands he is at a turning point of his life, but is unsure of what lies ahead. Though his parents disapprove of his decision, he has the support of his flower child grandmother who declares that a gas station is a romantic place for life's drifters. Surely enough, soon a new co-worker, college student Noriko, drifts into Shiro's life. He falls headfirst into a bittersweet first love that ushers him into the world of adulthood.

2003 release

"Shadow of Sand" - Set in Tokyo in the 1980's. Yukie, a young woman lives with the vision of the lover she has murdered. After his death he continues to appear in her room. Yukie maintains her usual life, trying to avoid discovery of her crime until a new lover turns up.

A cop chasing after a female cop killer, but then gets caught in a dark web of departmental corruption.

A foreign university student tries to fit in in Kyoto by reading books to the blind and finds himself falling in love.

Two part adaptation of the comic by Keiko Nishi.

One day, Sayoko is raped by a masked man after school, but afterwards, she asks her student Takao, who enters the classroom, to keep it a secret. A few days later, Sayoko finds an envelope containing a threatening letter. Sayoko confides in Takao and goes with him to the meeting place, but no one shows up. Terrified, Sayoko calls her husband, Koichi, but it's his mistress, Yuki, who answers the phone. Takao gently comforts the wounded Sayoko, and they finally sleep together...

The famed leader Oda Nobunaga had two right-hand men who contributed to unifying the nation. One was Akechi Mitsuhide and the other Kinoshita Tokichiro, both rivals of each other for higher promotions. Eventually Mitsuhide was recognized for his work and was given a castle. However, Nobunaga's ambition to conquer the nation did not allow Mitsuhide to live happily in his territory. That is when an idea flashed across Mitsuhide's mind… Akechi Mitsuhide, the man who was considered to be the most intelligent general of the warring states era. What was the truth about him, Oda Nobunaga's best general and murderer?

One day, Sonoko, a married woman having a husband, meets young, beautiful Mitsuko. Puzzled Sonoko is charmed by the beauty of Mitsuko, and two people fall into relations between women at the start.

Once again, Lady Ninja Kasumi is a candidate for a dangerous mission that will use all of her abilities as both a kunoichi and a woman. Her clan elder approaches a specific former member of their group, Sakichi, for his aid in the matter. Unfortunately, due to a tragedy and a lost love, he is unwilling to lend his help to the Sanada ninja, and Kasumi volunteers to handle the matter. Ultimately, she is captured and it is up to Sakichi to help her get to safety... but not before she settles the score with a rival lady ninja.

Glowing, Growing is a unique little movie produced entirely by film students in which two young outsiders join a mass suicide group in an attempt to gain freedom. Along the way they both re-discover the positive aspects of life, giving them the opportunity to weigh the pros and cons of choosing to live or die

11th entry in the popular "Honto ni Atta. Noroi no Video" series.

2004 release

Matsuzaki, who gets critically injured after a sketchy deal, is taken by his girlfriend to a church where it is rumored that miracles happen. There, they find strange twins named Pinoko. With Pinoko's guidance, Matsuzaki is saved by a genius surgeon, BJ, in exchange for exorbitant fees. However, Matsuzaki is captured by the police. Meanwhile, Reiko, a female detective who pursues Matsuzaki and other organizations, tries to solve a mystery by conducting an independent investigation. It turns out Matsuzaki was found dead.

An old thief, Kuhei Sagiwara, used to visit his hometown at the foot of the Kurikara Pass in Kaga Province. Hiding from the rain, he overheard a secret conversation between three men, just like him, hiding from the rain. These three conspired to kill Heizo Hasegawa, the head of the arson and robbery police squad, and the head of these three is the outrageous villain, thief and murderer Jingoro Amikiri...

Bobo-kun is a fire demon who eats coal continuously.

Low-profile theatre troupe actor Mutsugoro Suzuki begins an oneiric journey home, marked by his quest to find the one responsible of infecting him with a STD.

Kozue loves to stargaze and does so regularly. On a trip to view a meteorite, she happens to meet a boy named Ginga. He has a mysterious ability to discover more information about the stars, which he uses to help scientists with astronomical research. Unfortunately, his life is mostly dictated for him, and when carrying out missions, he must always wear a protective suit. Kozue helps Ginga to gradually take control of his life by encouraging him to make his own decisions.

John is a cheerful and energetic young boy, who lives in a small coal-mining town in England. One day he finds a small dog lost in a flock of sheep. John takes him back home and names the puppy Lassie. Soon they become good friends, just like real siblings. Lassie is a very lovely and smart dog, so everyone in the town loves her very much. But their happy life doesn't last long. Suddenly a coal-mine owner closes his company because there is no more coal left in the coal mine. John goes to meet the coal-mine owner to request a further investigation. The owner accepts John's request, but in exchange for that, he takes Lassie to Scotland. Priscilla, the owner's granddaughter and also John's friend, cannot just stand by and let Lassie suffer in a cage. She opens the cage and sets Lassie free. Lassie sets out on a very long and hard journey from Scotland to her hometown.

Jun Kanai is a lecturer at the University of Tokyo who despite being in his thirties is still a virgin. One day he reunites with an old student of his and decides that she will be the one to take his virginity but finds out that she will soon be studying abroad.

Man lives with his best friend, Cat, to defend others from big bad.

In a small nook of Kawasaki Private investigator 591 and adultry specialist investigator 522 embark on separate investigations that leads them both to the same beautifician.

Yuda, a Chinese immigrant, and his adopted son Kirin, who he saved being eaten by a tiger in the jungle, stand at the head of a massive pirated goods operation that brings in both money and influence. But their empire is crumbling, as corrupt politicians and rival gangs seek to end their power in the city. Yuda is soon got arrested and his dedicated son tries his best to save not just the family business, but his father's reputation.

Jun, a 16-year-old teen, refuses to stand while the national anthem is being played at his graduation ceremony. This event will totally change his life, as he involuntarily becomes the new hero of a rebel anti-system youth. Singer Muy's pop music and his friend, Nozomi, with whom he shares his sadness and hatred for the society that surrounds them, help him bear his terrible loneliness.

Hideo Aiba is a reserved and obedient high school student, who has never had any girlfriend. He spends all his energy on masturbating, his true reason for living. His life and his solitary activities will take a radical change when a new transfer student, the sexy Kurumi Sahana, joins his class.

An hour-long archival documentary on the film's production.

A planetarium crossover movie between Kamen Rider Kiva and Kamen Rider Den-O.

Bunny and a new Honey as secret agents on three missions

Kuso no Sora Tobu Kikaitachi (Imaginary Flying Machines) is a 2002 Japanese animated short film produced by Studio Ghibli for their near exclusive use in the Ghibli Museum. It features director Hayao Miyazaki as the narrator, in the form of a humanoid pig, reminiscent of Porco from Porco Rosso, telling the story of flight and the many machines imagined to achieve it.

What's scary is being a human being, and what's scary is being myself. Truly horrifying things reside inside oneself. The work asks if you can stand the inescapable terror.

This school drama became a hot topic due to the large number of glamour models who appeared in it. The high school girls get caught up in a series of mysterious incidents that befall St. Helena Academy. The DVD includes a special 6-minute video.

"LIVE ATTRACTION" is the first concert released on video which contains footage from Mizuki Nana's 'Live Attratraction' Tour at Tokyo Kokusai Forum Hall C on November 30, 2002.

Prince Alexander, son of King Philip, and heir to the Macedonian empire, must fend off political saboteurs, assassins, and the jealousy of his own father to ascend to the position of king. Once there, he begins his quest to conquer all nations and become known as the Great King, though an ancient prophecy foretells that he will be the destroyer of the world and forever remembered as the Devil King.

A story about a hitman named Hayamada who carries a distinctive red gun. As the film progresses we discover the reason for his work, and how he came to be alone. His aim right now is to reach a desitination, but he's late.

A promotional film by Studio Ghibli about the work on the film "The Cat Returns" (directed by Hiroyuki Morita)

Hanatani Village in the valley of Tokushima Prefecture is going to be submerged when a dam is constructed. In order to preserve the beauty of the place for future generations, the villagers decide to take photographs of all the families in the village. Kenichi, the only photographer in the village, is put in charge of the project. He calls his son Takashi, an aspiring photographer, to help him with the task. Takashi is puzzled since his father and he are not at all close, but as they visit each family in turn and Takashi sees his father working, Takashi's feelings towards his father begin to change.

2007 release

When typical Japanese high school student Rika skips school to visit her grandfather, she fails to take into account the fact that his remote village is infested with the living dead.

After their desperate battle against a hundred men, the six members of the Tokuyama-kai complete their prison sentences and are released from the Osaka Detention Center. Meanwhile, back in Nishinari, Koyukai and Nakane-gumi have been fighting for dominance, and the Tokuyama-kai’s territory has been completely taken over. As the Tokuyama-kai attempts to reclaim its turf, the powerful Mizuta-gumi and Jinra-gumi, backing Nakane-gumi and Koyukai from behind the scenes, move to wipe out the Tokuyama-kai entirely. Facing threats from Osaka’s strongest Mizuta-gumi and Kobe’s largest Jinra-gumi, Katsuhiro Tokuyama realizes the gang’s survival is at stake. He makes a decisive choice—to take on the yakuza crest. The Tokuyama-kai becomes a subordinate organization of the Jinra-gumi. Then, Jinra-gumi boss Chujiro Jinra (Sonny Chiba) issues his command: as the first step toward nationwide unification, the Tokuyama-kai is ordered to conquer Wakayama.

"Cursed/ Cool Girls"- A man from North Korea brings in secret data into Tokyo. His purpose is to free his nation. The data is extremely dangerous for the Japanese government. A delicate matter needs a solution.

When a new, smart and sweet Tokyo girl, Rumiko, starts at a rural elementary school, Akira finds himself smitten, like every other male pupil. Newcomer's popularity is contrasted with the less-tolerant treatment of scruffy Hideko, who, thanks to the arrival of a carnival freak-show in town, is nicknamed the Wolf Girl. Teachers and parents snootily consider the carny off-limits, but Akira is determined to find out whether Hideko really is a wolf girl.

A seed of hope descends from the sky, landing atop Flappy's head and sprouting between his ears. Goyaan is sent after the seed of hope and uses a seed of despair to transform an Uzaina, causing big trouble for the Precure!

A look at the problems two couples, Kohei and Kinuko, and Manabe and Hijiri, have in their relationships, and the solutions they try to devise as a way out.

With a special natural instinct of “absolute taste”, the genius girl Sakiko was trained by her father in their family sushi bar. But one day Sakiko was fed up with her father’s harsh training. She left with her boyfriend. Years later she came back hom eonly to find her father’s sushi bar to be taken over by the rich girl Harumi and her Black Gang as a revenge of Harumi’s lost love. Now Sakiko had to fight not only for her family but her dignity to win the sushi contest.

Jiro (Jiro Sato) is a 32-year-old man who doesn't have a job. He lives at his parents' house and doesn't go outside or socialise with people. After the death of his father, Jiro's mother runs away and leaves behind a 6 month dog named Ichiro and some clues for Jiro. To find his mother, Jiro has to venture out into the world.

In the chaotic days of the 1960s, Misuzu, a lonely high school girl from a troubled family, finds sanctuary with her nihilistic brother, Ryo, and his friends. They pass their days hanging around a shadowy jazz cafe bar, indulging themselves in a life of sex, drugs and alcohol.