Anime Blog Tracker

Episode #109 (S13E10) – Sonatine (1993) [ソナチネ]

We close out Season 13 with returning guest Ian Buckley! This time, we're discussing Takeshi Kitano's classic yakuza film, Sonatine. Thank you for listening! We'll be taking a hiatus,…

Japan On Film

Oct 16, 2025 • Subscribe

Episode #108 (S13E09) – The Yakuza (1974) [ザ・ヤクザ]

This time around, we're taking a break from Japan-made films and instead looking at an American-made film about Japan. Fellow podcaster Kaz Wheeler makes his debut on the…

Japan On Film

Oct 9, 2025 • Subscribe

Episode #107 (S13E08) – Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991) [ゴジラvsキングギドラ]

Author and magician Eoin Smith joins the show for a discussion on Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah, one of the Heisei-era Godzilla films involving just about everything they thought…

Japan On Film

Oct 2, 2025 • Subscribe

Episode #106 (S13E07) – Perfect Blue: Yume Nara Samete (2002) [PERFECT BLUE夢なら醒めて]

In this episode, Perry is joined by returning guest Michael Hale to discuss Perfect Blue: Yume Nara Samete. Contrary to what some may think, this isn't a live-action…

Japan On Film

Sep 25, 2025 • Subscribe

Perfect Blue

Episode #105 (S13E06) – Happy Flight (2008) [ハッピーフライト]

Christopher Hood, an academic and author specializing in Japanese society and transportation, joins the show to discuss Happy Flight, a movie all about air travel in Japan.

Japan On Film

Sep 18, 2025 • Subscribe

Episode #104 (S13E05) – Tokyo Godfathers (2004) [東京ゴッドファーザーズ]

Christmas comes early as Matthew Trecek of the Deskwarmers podcast joins Perry for a discussion of Satoshi Kon's beloved anime, Tokyo Godfathers.

Japan On Film

Sep 11, 2025 • Subscribe

Tokyo Godfathers

Episode #103 (S13E04) – Vital (2004) [ヴィタール]

Writer and Japanese film scholar Jennifer Upton returns again, and this time we're discussing Shinya Tsukamoto's Vital.

Japan On Film

Sep 4, 2025 • Subscribe

Episode #102 (S13E03) – High and Low (1963) [天国と地獄]

YouTuber and fellow Japan resident Amanda Hartsell joins Perry in this episode to discuss capitalism and Japanese society as depicted in Akira Kurosawa's High and Low.

Japan On Film

Aug 28, 2025 • Subscribe

Episode #101 (S13E02) – Weathering With You (2019) [天気の子]

Today, Perry is joined by author and filmmaker Liam Quane to talk about 2019's anime film, Weathering With You. Directed by Makoto Shinkai, this was his follow-up to…

Japan On Film

Aug 21, 2025 • Subscribe

Weathering With You, Your Name.

Episode #100 (S13E01) – Gozu [極道恐怖大劇場 牛頭] (2003)

Season 13 kicks off with our 100th episode! And for this, we've got a special one. Filmmaker Warren Badenski joins Perry for a deep dive into Takashi Miike's…

Japan On Film

Aug 14, 2025 • Subscribe

Episode #99 (S12E09) – Ikiru [生きる] (1952)

Returning guest and fellow podcaster Derick McDuff is back on the show for a discussion of one of Akira Kurosawa’s most well-known and well-regarded films—1952’s Ikiru. We chart…

Japan On Film

Mar 5, 2025 • Subscribe

Episode #98 (S12E08) – Monster [怪物] (2023)

It’s another film by Hirokazu Kore-eda! This time, Perry is joined by podcaster Sam Stokes to discuss the director’s latest film, Monster. With different perspectives, it’s an enl…

Japan On Film

Feb 26, 2025 • Subscribe

Episode #97 (S12E07) – Cowboy Bebop: The Movie [カウボーイビバップ 天国の扉] (2001)

Podcaster Ian Buckley returns for another anime film. This time, we spotlight Cowboy Bebop: The Movie, also known as Cowboy Bebop: Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door. We discuss the…

Japan On Film

Feb 19, 2025 • Subscribe

Cowboy Bebop

Episode #96 (S12E06) – Nobody Knows [誰も知らない] (2004)

Japanese film scholar Lindsay Nelson is back on the show to discuss Hirokazu Kore-eda’s heartbreaking drama, Nobody Knows. Based on a true story about a family of children…

Japan On Film

Feb 12, 2025 • Subscribe

Episode #95 (S12E05) – Pom Poko [平成狸合戦ぽんぽこ] (1994)

Comic creator Ryan Estrada makes his debut to discuss one of Studio Ghibli’s strangest films, 1994’s Pom Poko! We talk about the movie’s interesting structure, the deeper themes,…

Japan On Film

Feb 5, 2025 • Subscribe

Pom Poko

Episode #94 (S12E04) – Versus [ヴァーサス] (2000)

Author Jennifer Upton returns for a fun discussion about Ryuhei Kitamura’s Versus! A genre-bending film that plays with archetypes and looks far better than its budget should allow…

Japan On Film

Jan 29, 2025 • Subscribe

Episode #93 (S12E03) – Typhoon Club [台風クラブ] (1985)

Fellow podcaster Sam Inglis returns to discuss 1985’s Typhoon Club. A great character study, though with some aspects that are difficult to watch.

Japan On Film

Jan 22, 2025 • Subscribe

Episode #92 (S12E02) – Godzilla Minus One [ゴジラ-1.0] (2023)

This is the one many listeners have been waiting for. Podcaster Jason Kleeberg joins Perry to dive into the wildly successful Godzilla Minus One! Praised both at home…

Japan On Film

Jan 15, 2025 • Subscribe

Episode #91 (S12E01) – Ring 0 [リング0：バースデー] (2000)

Welcome to a new season of Japan On Film! We kick things off with returning guest and author Frank Schildiner to discuss Ring 0, the prequel to the…

Japan On Film

Jan 8, 2025 • Subscribe

Episode #90 (S11E10) – Ju-on: The Grudge [呪怨] (2003)

Podcaster Chris Osborne comes by the show for a discussion of one of the classics of J-Horror. In this episode, we dive into Takeshi Shimizu’s Ju-on: The Grudge,…

Japan On Film

Sep 18, 2024 • Subscribe

Episode #89 (S11E9) – Tokyo Drifter [東京流れ者] (1966)

Director Seijun Suzuki is a really unique figure in the world of Japanese cinema, with a style all his own. In this episode, Japanese film scholar Jennifer Upton…

Japan On Film

Sep 11, 2024 • Subscribe

Episode #88 (S11E8) – Godzilla Raids Again [ゴジラの逆襲] (1955)

Fellow podcaster Mike Lund returns to the show for a discussion of Godzilla Raids Again. The first of many Godzilla sequels, it also set the tone for the…

Japan On Film

Sep 4, 2024 • Subscribe

Episode #87 (S11E7) – 100 Yen Love [百円の恋] (2014)

Film fan and podcaster Sam Inglis joins the show today to discuss Masaharu Take’s boxing romance, 100 Yen Love. We break down the story, discuss some of its…

Japan On Film

Aug 28, 2024 • Subscribe

Episode #86 (S11E6) – Drunken Angel [酔いどれ天使] (1948)

Jamie Ryder, author and proprietor of Yamato Magazine, stops by the show to discuss Akira Kurosawa’s gangster classic, Drunken Angel! Notable for being the first of Kurosawa and…

Japan On Film

Aug 21, 2024 • Subscribe

Episode #85 (S11E5) – Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart to Hades [子連れ狼 死に風に向う乳母車] (1972)

This week, Perry is joined by Trevor McKillop of the First Look, Final Word podcast. We’ve discussed the first Lone Wolf and Cub film long ago, now we’re…

Japan On Film

Aug 14, 2024 • Subscribe

Episode #84 (S11E4) – Paprika [パプリカ] (2006)

Fellow Film Stories podcaster Ian Buckley returns to the show, this time to discuss Satoshi Kon’s anime thriller, Paprika! We have a fun discussion peeling back the layers…

Japan On Film

Aug 7, 2024 • Subscribe

Paprika, Perfect Blue

Episode #83 (S11E3) – House [ハウス] (1977)

Fellow podcaster KJ Brown joins Perry for a fun discussion of the infamous 1977 horror film, House! Widely regarded as one of the weirdest movies ever produced. We…

Japan On Film

Jul 31, 2024 • Subscribe

Episode #82 (S11E2) – Dogora [宇宙大怪獣ドゴラ] (1964)

Podcaster and screenwriter Nick Chandler joins Perry to discuss Dogora, an interesting kaiju film also directed by the great Ishiro Honda. One part monster film, one part heist…

Japan On Film

Jul 24, 2024 • Subscribe

Episode #81 (S11E1) – Pulse [回路] (2001)

In the first episode of Season 11, Perry is joined by Lindsay Nelson, an associate professor of Japanese cinema at Meiji University, to dive into Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s classic…

Japan On Film

Jul 17, 2024 • Subscribe

Episode #80 (S10E9) – Nightmare Detective [悪夢探偵] (2007)

Author Frank Schildiner returns to the show for the final episode of the season. This time, we discuss Shinya Tsukamoto’s serial killer thriller, Nightmare Detective. Though it has…

Japan On Film

Mar 27, 2024 • Subscribe

Episode #79 (S10E8) – Kwaidan [怪談] (1965)

Podcaster Mike Lund visits the show to discuss Kwaidan, an adaptation of four of Lafcadio Hearn’s Japanese ghost stories. We discuss our favorite stories from this anthology, some…

Japan On Film

Mar 20, 2024 • Subscribe

Episode #78 (S10E7) – Red Beard [赤ひげ] (1965)

In this episode, Ian Buckley joins the show to discuss Red Beard, one of Kurosawa’s most renowned films. With a lot of similar themes to Kurosawa’s earlier film,…

Japan On Film

Mar 13, 2024 • Subscribe

Episode #77 (S10E6) – 2LDK (2003)

Director and writer Claire Downs appears on the show to discuss the minimalist 2LDK. Featuring two actresses whose roommate quarrels spiral into violence, there’s also a lot of…

Japan On Film

Mar 6, 2024 • Subscribe

Episode #76 (S10E5) – Getting Any? [みんな〜やってるか!] (1995)

We’re going lighter this time with comedy podcaster Chris Andersen. In this episode, we discuss Getting Any?, Takeshi Kitano’s 1995 comedy/parody film about a middle-aged guy obsessed w…

Japan On Film

Feb 28, 2024 • Subscribe

Episode #75 (S10E4) – Cure [キュア] (1997)

Author and Japanese film scholar Jennifer Upton comes on the show to discuss Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s psychological thriller, Cure. There’s a lot to unpack in this movie, so get…

Japan On Film

Feb 21, 2024 • Subscribe

Episode #74 (S10E3) – A Colt is My Passport [拳銃は俺のパスポート] (1967)

In this episode, we dip into Nikkatsu’s noir catalog. Illustrator Joey Weiser joins the show to discuss A Colt is My Passport, a fun noir film featuring Joe…

Japan On Film

Feb 14, 2024 • Subscribe

Episode #73 (S10E2) – Sukiyaki Western Django [スキヤキ・ウエスタン ジャンゴ] (1997)

New guest Nick Frame joins the show to discuss Takashi Miike’s gonzo ramen western film, Sukiyaki Western Django. Clearly inspired by spaghetti westerns and trying to mix the…

Japan On Film

Feb 7, 2024 • Subscribe

Episode #72 (S10E1) – Princess Mononoke [ もののけ姫] (1997)

We kick off Season 10 with one of the most internationally renowned animated films of all time. Derick McDuff of the Underrated network returns to discuss Studio Ghibli’s…

Japan On Film

Jan 31, 2024 • Subscribe

Princess Mononoke, Mononoke

Episode #71 (S9E9) – Lady Snowblood: Love Song of Vengeance [修羅雪姫 怨み恋歌] (1974)

For the final episode of the season, Perry is joined by returning guest Joshua Cervenka to discuss Lady Snowblood: Love Song of Vengeance. And while there are some…

Japan On Film

Jul 6, 2023 • Subscribe

Episode #70 (S9E8) – My Friend “A” [友罪] (2018)

Perry welcomes back returning guest Jenn to discuss My Friend “A”. Marketed as something of a mystery or even a thriller, it actually turns out to be more…

Japan On Film

Jun 30, 2023 • Subscribe

Episode #69 (S9E7) – Tampopo [タンポポ] (1985)

Ray Chmielecki of the Spoon Mob podcast makes his debut appearance. He joins Perry to discuss Juzo Itami’s ramen western, Tampopo. We discuss the film’s influence on food…

Japan On Film

Jun 23, 2023 • Subscribe

Episode #68 (S9E6) – Akira [アキラ] (1988)

Konner Hudson and Michael Hale of the KMP Podcast Project return to Japan On Film to join Perry for a discussion on the groundbreaking Akira. We talk about…

Japan On Film

Jun 16, 2023 • Subscribe

Episode #67 (S9E5) – Castle in the Sky [天空の城ラピュタ] (1986)

This week, Perry is joined by returning guest, author Patrick Moody, to discuss the Studio Ghibli classic, Castle in the Sky. We discuss the film’s legacy, influence, and…

Japan On Film

Jun 9, 2023 • Subscribe

Laputa: Castle in the Sky

Episode #66 (S9E4) – After Life [ワンダフルライフ] (1998)

In the latest episode, Perry is joined by story coach Erin Rodgers to discuss Hirokazu Kore-eda’s 1998 film, After Life. They share their memories of discovering this film…

Japan On Film

Jun 2, 2023 • Subscribe

Episode #65 (S9E3) – Kagemusha [影武者] (1980)

In this episode, Perry is joined by Derick McDuff of the Underrated podcast network to discuss Akira Kurosawa’s 1980 film, Kagemusha. It received a lot of support from…

Japan On Film

May 26, 2023 • Subscribe

Episode #64 (S9E2) – Battles Without Honor and Humanity [仁義なき戦い] (1973)

This week, Perry is joined by Jordan Forbes, co-host of the Shonen Flop Podcast. We discuss Kinji Fukasaku’s 1973 yakuza film, Battles Without Honor and Humanity (仁義なき戦い). It’s…

Japan On Film

May 19, 2023 • Subscribe

Jingi

Episode #63(S9E1) – The Great Yokai War [妖怪大戦争] (2005)

In the first episode of season 9, Perry is joined by Lyndsey Little, writer and artist of the OniGirl comic. And in keeping with that theme of Japanese…

Japan On Film

May 12, 2023 • Subscribe

Season 9 Announcement

Welcome to the return of Japan On Film! In this announcement trailer, Perry tells you what movies you can expect us to cover this season and about our…

Japan On Film

Mar 18, 2023 • Subscribe

Japan On Film is (likely) coming back!

Last year, I told you that Japan On Film was ending for the time being, but that I hoped to find a way to bring it back. It…

Japan On Film

Jan 18, 2023 • Subscribe

Top 10s and Parting Thoughts

It’s several months overdue, but Perry’s back with the final (for now) episode of Japan On Film. Listen for some parting thoughts on the show, favorite films, and…

Japan On Film

Sep 8, 2022 • Subscribe