Discoveries from Japan World Cinema

The flavour of the popular King of Minami series , starring Riki Takeuchi, is back after 15 years. A new story of a man who judges evil not with violence but with the law in order to achieve retribution. Six months after serving a nine-year prison sentence for murder, a man appears in Minami, Osaka . He is joined by like-minded lawyers Sugiyama and private detective Shimizu, who cut their way into a fraudulent medical trial at a university hospital. Eventually, the dark side of the hospital's management comes to light...

A movie inspired by the 10th anniversary celebrations of i☆Ris voice actress idol unit.

Amidst rumors that the spirit of a student, who committed suicide years ago, appears in the photography club darkroom, high school sophomore Yuri borrows a mysterious horror manga from her elusive but studious senior, Miwako.

This is a human drama written by Keralino Sandorovich showcasing people fascinated with and obsessed with laughter in Shinjuku in the mid-1950s.

When his sister commits suicide as a result of his actions, Rokuheita, an enforcer for the Yagyu ninja clan, considers his choices and eventually deserts the organization. Hunted by an army of bizarre shadow warriors, the target turns on his pursuers when he finds something worth fighting for.

Drama following a young boxer Tomokazu and his relationship with his best friend Yoshiko and sister Misao as while he's training for an important match. His sister and friend have always been there for him, supporting him, but Tomokazu is about to find out that not everything is as simple as it may seem.

Tora-san befriends the descendant of a feudal lord. The man asks Tora to locate his deceased son's wife who resides somewhere in Tokyo.

A nerdy young college instructor named Shinji Kikyo returns home one day to find himself the target of a mad assassin. Surviving somewhat miraculously, he fends off other assassins and with the help of reporter Keiko Tsurumaki and car mechanic Bill Otomo, eventually discovering that a "population control" association is really an assassination squad led by Shogo Mizorogi, who has been training patients of a mental asylum to become killers.

The second-generation president and his brother-in-law of the Toba clan, a don of the music world, are kidnapped. Singer Chiaki and pianist Yonosuke contact Chiaki's father, a detective, and police surround the island. The president's mother-in-law, who entered the island with the ransom money, is shot and injured, but the culprit who stole the money cannot be found. Chiaki begins to investigate the island on her own, and soon finds Kunihiko's body, a hunting rifle, and the ransom money in an island bomb shelter. This is a mystery that challenges the mystery of a bizarre kidnapping and murder involving the family of a prestigious president

New York Jennifer returned from Japan. Immediately ordered a new mission from Kazama. It is the arrest of boss Asuka, a drug organization that has been chasing for many years. Asuka was also the enemy that had Jennifer's sister martyred. Miyuki, a police police officer, Haruko, a female police officer, and Ayu, a new policewoman, were selected for the investigation team. Based on the information from the FBI, he heads for the wharf where transactions will take place, but what was waiting there was Kazama and a sparrow table. Kazama stares at Asuka, who is lurking inside the police, among them, and tries to expose Asuka through "Strip Mahjong Investigation".

Kate, the agent of police planet G.P.P. is still fighting Ventica Empire. She has the aces against the Empire with her: Bavi and Mooma. They have to crashland on an unknown planet, where there is not only a thriving vegetation of trees higher than a hundred metres, but also animals resembling dinosaurs. Before the three could find a way of getting out of this jungle, a strong enemy sent by the Empire arrives: cyborg soldier Eyesman.

The youngest sister Miyo is an illustrator but she is a shut-in. She does not socialize with anybody. The middle sister Mizuki is working at a bar. She gives all of the money she earns to her boyfriend, who is actually married. One day, the oldest sister Hoshimi, who is a painter, returns home. Hoshimi brings different men to the house, and has sex with them. The two younger sisters are thrown off by her behavior, until they find the reason for Hoshimi's frustration.

Transfer student Mizuki is bullied mercilessly by her classmate. Nevertheless, she is always able to maintain her composure. Kirie, who is also bullied, becomes interested in Mizuki and longs for her. The two become close.

Meiko Kaji reprises her role as Nami, a vengeful female gang leader, in the second installment of this high-action series that casts a new actor -- martial arts legend Sonny Chiba -- in the role of Nami's loyal friend Ryuji. This time around, Nami is looking for Hoshiden, the man who murdered her father and shattered her once-hopeful childhood. But living under an assumed name, Hoshiden could stay hidden forever.

"Shiro" is a black cat who loves her family very much. She loves them so much she wants to help them out in times of need and trouble…but it’s difficult to do this if she’s just a cat. So one night, she wishes on the moon to make her able to help, and the next day, she has turned into a human girl.

Satomi is young woman that works in computer communication. One day she receives a strange message. And the person that sent it to her has committed suicide. As days go by, Satomi keeps receiving the messages from the spirit world....

A youth drama set in the Japanese alps. Two robbers, chased by the police, escape from the youths of a university mountain club who are trapped in a lodge during a blizzard. This ski action romp has the tempo of a musical, and Okamoto Kihachi's style is on full display. Tsuruta Koji makes a special appearance as a senior member of the mountain club.

Kaori, a professional thirty-something caught between her passion for an older married man and the indulgence of an energetic, but less-fulfilling, youthful suitor.

University students Yuri and Masato accept a peculiar invitation to a campground party, but things turn deadly when a cursed doll starts to attack.

Absent-minded fifth-grader Yuta is sent to spend the summer with his grandfather, whom Yuta's parents think is becoming senile and could benefit from Yuta's companionship. At first, Yuta thinks Gramps is a bit addled, too, but as he gets to know the old man better, he finds that his grandfather sees things quite differently from others.

This is the second installment of the trilogy based on Japan’s greatest novel “The Great Bodhisattva Pass”, following the life and times of bloodthirsty samurai, Tsukue Ryunosuke. Blinded in an explosion and further injured from a fall, the master swordsman is taken in by Otoyo, a woman who falls in love with him. Under Otoyo’s dedicated care, Ryunosuke’s physical and emotional wounds seem to heal. However, deep inside, the demons that drive him to kill yearn to resurface. Meanwhile he is being pursued by Utsugi Hyoma, a young samurai seeking to avenge his brother’s death at Tsukue’s hands. Hyoma is being aided along the way by the clever thief Shichibei.

The Kuroda clan is said to be in possession of a secret scroll. Legend has it that whoever can decode the scroll will rule the country. Using her body, Kasumi's mission to snatch it from them. And snatch it she does. Soon, the Kuroda clan are hot on her tail. She's eventually saved by Miyamoto, a sympathetic and exceptional swordsman. And when Hattori Hanzo puts a hit out on Kasumi, she's going to need those sword skills and all the help she can get totake on the formidable Oni clan assassins!

Only legendary Japanese garage rock band Guitar Wolf can stand between a race of aliens from destroying earth with an army of zombies.

The characters from SinoAlice face off against Parrah and Noya.

Three friends who will soon graduate from high school decide to take one last trip together.

Born in affluent families among the Japanese mountains, two close cousins fall in love and have to suffer through the social constraints of their time.

A police procedural surrounding murder at a bookstore and the private lives of the cops trying to solve the case.

Poor Yoko knows she is getting played and used by a playboy, but she loves him with all her heart and soul.

Kashiopea no Endo Roru A murder takes place on a luxury overnight train which runs from Sapporo to Ueno, Tokyo. The victim is a film director. The suspects are 4 women. Nokosareta Senritsu After a pianist concludes her best performance to date, she dies mysteriously in the waiting room. The cause of her death is potassium cyanide that was laced in her coffee. Kuroi Pan Teru A man works as a supervisor for a construction company. 30 years ago, he was a popular actor who played a hero character on TV. Now, he has a wife and a 20-year-old daughter. One day, the man learns that his daughter is kidnapped. Daiyamondo Dasuto A cold wave hits Tokyo. Two men, working for the same company, are unable to avoid overtime work that night. The snow storm then causes electrical outages. The two men must face difficult life or death decisions.

A former gangster gets released from prison and goes to work for a group of people. The leader of this group becomes his mentor and the fight to combat criminals and for world peace. The whole resulting in the wanted and are chased of all families mob in Japan. They may however be a little unexpected help from the police.

A musical film based on the original work of Saigo Teruhiko. After leaving the juvenile detention center and returning to his hometown of Ibusuki, Hachiro begins to investigate the cause of his older sister Sumiko's suicide. While Hachiro was in juvenile detention, Sumiko committed suicide, but there are too many mysteries surrounding this suicide...

Historical Yakuza gangster film set the early years of the Showa era.

Also known as: For My Daughter's 7th Birthday. Many years following her mother’s suicide, Maya seeks out her father, who deserted them, for revenge. All intertwined with the investigation of journalists into local murders, the manipulations of a palmist known as the “blue moth”, and political corruption.

Sixth entry in the Company President Series.

A violent action film depicting the story of "Fudokuichi," a clear-headed high school student who is the young head of a Kyokudo family in Kyushu. Starring Tanihara Shosuke, Takeuchi Riki, Natsume Rei and others.

A dying pianist composes one final song for his childhood friend.

Hotel Hibiscus is the story of one very young energetic girl named Mieko and her international family who live in Okinawa. They live in a run down old hotel called Hotel Hibiscus with only one room for rent.

1960s Japan—economic boom, Olympic pride, and a crackdown on “public morals.” An anti-prostitution law targets women but spares male sex workers, the so-called “blue boys.” When police arrest the doctor performing their sex reassignment surgeries, the sensational “Blue Boy Trial” begins. Three transgender women take the stand, igniting a national debate on identity, medicine, and happiness—long before the language of LGBT existed. Though the court ruled surgery legal, the verdict cast a shadow: no such operations would occur in Japan for 29 years. Half a century later, this buried history still reverberates in the lives of sexual minorities.

1962 Japanese movie

Naito Naito, a second-year high school student who has the ability to survive in any situation, teams up with Ryuo Soya, a talented boy whose father is the head of the Ryuo Group conglomerate. Along with others, they challenge "Area Z," a game created by a genius known only as "Kurii Eita." Can they complete their mission to save the city within 6 hours? An original story based on the characters of Hayamine Kaoru's mystery novels.

Wild young people kidnap a wealthy woman and she becomes attracted to one of them. When she tells the man that she is the mistress of a religious leader, he and his posse make plans to rob her partner.

Behind-the-scenes of Shōjo☆Kageki Revue Starlight 3rd StarLive "Starry Diamond" concert.

Sequel to 'Big Boobs Buster'

Yuri has assembled the Volunteer Army in an effort to defeat the Black King, who threatens to destroy the land with his Black Army, corrupting miasma, and nihilistic attitude. All the forces from assorted powers and races across the land of Yggdra have rallied behind his cause, but at the critical moment in what should be the final battle, Yuri and his allies are defeated by the Black King, the magical Chain Chronicle which records the history of the land is torn in half, and their sprite companion Pirika, who is the embodiment of the world's will, vanishes. After being forced to retreat, the Volunteer Army is left to pick up the pieces, and the alliance disintegrates. But even as the world seems to be succumbing to the dark influence of the Black King, a new hope emerges in the form of Aram, a young man with an unusual magical ability that could end up being the key to turning things around. Movie 1 (Episodes 1-4)

Beppu Sumire is a wedding planner who works for True Love Bridal (TLB), a well-established wedding hall. Her late mother, Sakura, showered love on her and would always tell her that she is lovely. After she passed away, Sumire lived with her father, Tetsuro. Sumire gave up on her own romance long ago because of her disappointing looks. But she works hard with a smile even when she gets scolded by her stern superior, Umemiya Hitomi, her impertinent junior, Sudo Yuri, pins trouble on her, and her relationship with her father is not working out, in order to bring smiles to many people’s faces.

Forced on the road by yakuza obligations, a man sets out on a reckless journey to Tsumagoi. Movie posters for local cinemas were often displayed at sento (public baths) too. The handwritten text on the bottom here announces the film will play at Hassen for 3 days.

A boy named Tsutomu and four cyborg dogs fight against insect-type aliens from the Planet Devil.

This science-fiction anime was inspired somewhat by the life of Kinshiro Toyama (1793-1855), who was first popularized in the 1893 kabuki play "Toyama no Kinsan."

Hiroki Matsukata is a fish market worker and a fanatical Japanese festival rascal. He also falls in love with a stripper while delivering his colleague's love letter to her but forgetting to mention it's from another man.

Watako has just lost her lover, Kimura, in a traffic accident in Tokyo. She decides to bury the trauma of this tragedy and carries on with her life with her husband. Although she puts on a facade for a while, the loss of Kimura has left deep marks, and she can't escape his memory any longer. She must now confront her grief.

Set in a (fictional) student dormitory at Tokyo Metropolitan University, which is in danger of being closed down, the film depicts the emotional exchange between students struggling to keep the dormitory alive and a prefect sent in by the university. Inspired by the movement to preserve the Komaba Dormitory at the University of Tokyo, the story differs greatly from historical fact.

A tale of two best friends in the WWII era Japan. Takao is a young man enthusiastic about joining the navy to fight for his country. He convinces his best friend Shinji to join him. As it turns out, however, Takao's poor health prevents him from entering the navy while his friend is chosen instead. As time goes by, Takao becomes a painter and changes his mind about the meaningfulness of war and fighting, while his friend goes the opposite path. Meanwhile Takao's sister falls in love with Shinji.

Ex-swimmer Kōhei, facing divorce, meets aspiring animator Yūtaka in Tokyo’s gay district. Their fiery attraction deepens amid emotional highs and lows.

The man is trying to get close to Gondo, the leader of the Kansai region, to avenge his old friend Shiraishi, who was killed by Gondo, and himself, who was framed by Gondo. However, Osaka Police Inspector Okura warns the man that he is dangerous. Meanwhile, a woman is defrauded and comes to the Sugiyama Law Office for help.

Too shy to speak out the word of appreciation, too busy to show that you care... Many excuses lie between each and every couple, when they look back the distance created during the long years in which they took each other for granted... Love Letters sent from husbands to wives and from wives to husbands, quietly voice their unspoken appreciation for each other over the years that they have shared. The original idea comes from the postcard project "Love Letters at Sixty" which has brought a wave of sympathy to the precious emotions shared by many married couples.

Ishihara Toru is an everyday guy with an on-and-off girlfriend and a position working for a train buff. Things become complicated when a ghostly vehicle dubbed the X Train begins to ride the rails, destroying everything in its path. Somehow, it seems that Toru is connected with the X Train by a strange power, which draws the attention of some very dangerous and power hungry people who would wield it for their own...

TV adaptation of the novel "Twenty-Four Eyes", combining animation with a few live-action scenes.

To combat rising crime and terrorist activities in Japan, the Japanese National Police Agency authorizes the formation of a secret motorcycle unit known as the Wild 7. The motley group consists of reformed convicts - ranging from simple thugs to former Yakuza members. The Wild 7 are tasked to take out criminals the police cannot touch - due to the criminal's connections with politicians and wily lawyers.