Anime Blog Tracker

Hand (2022) review [Japan Cuts 2023]

Matsui avoids delivering an exploitative erotic piece merely to be enjoyed by male audiences.

psycho-cinematography

Aug 22, 2023 • Subscribe

Amiko (2022) review [Japan Cuts 2023]

A fabulous narrative that explores the destructive effects caused by the radical misunderstanding that marks the field of speech and the refusal to speak to one’s child as…

psycho-cinematography

Jan 23, 2024 • Subscribe

Single8 (2023) review [Japan Cuts 2023]

Konaka offers the spectator a heartwarming invitation to re-find, within oneself, one’s (nearly extinguished) passion for creation.

psycho-cinematography

Aug 16, 2023 • Subscribe

Winny (2023) review [Japan Cuts 2023]

Matsumoto offers a serene insight in how the Other of the law curtails a subject and, indirectly, sabotages the prospects of a new industry.

psycho-cinematography

Aug 5, 2023 • Subscribe

Plastic (2023) review [Japan Cuts 2023]                

Miyazaki creates a moody narrative that highlights the equivocal functionality of music for the subject as well as the destructive impact of not being able to create an…

psycho-cinematography

Aug 19, 2023 • Subscribe

The Three Sisters of Tenmasou Inn (天間荘の三姉妹, Ryuhei Kitamura, 2022)

A young woman faces an existential dilemma while trapped between life and death in Ryuhei Kitamura’s touching drama.

Windows on Worlds

Aug 5, 2023 • Subscribe

Father of The Milky Way Railroad (2023) review [Japan Cuts 2023]

By being able to rely on such talent, Narushima is able to deliver a narrative that gracefully moves the spectator and elegantly provokes spectator’s emotions and tears.

psycho-cinematography

Sep 3, 2023 • Subscribe

JAPAN CUTS Announces 2023 Lineup

At Japan Society New York July 26 to Aug. 6

Windows on Worlds

Jun 22, 2023 • Subscribe

Best Wishes To All (2023) review [Japan Cuts 2023]

A surprisingly satisfying horror-narrative

psycho-cinematography

Dec 3, 2023 • Subscribe

The Legend and The Butterfly (2023) [Japan Cuts 2023]

The combination of historical anchor points, a phantasmatic romance to link those points together, and satisfying burst of action will surely be able to satisfy those who thirst…

psycho-cinematography

Aug 31, 2023 • Subscribe

A Preview of Japan Cuts 2023 (July 26th – August 06th)

Details on the line-up for Japan Cuts 2023 (July 26th – August 06th)

Genkinahito

Jun 28, 2023 • Subscribe

THE FIRST SLAM DUNK

The Goldfish Dreaming Of The Sea (2021) review [Japan Cuts 2021]

“Ogawa’s thoughtful lyricism that gives the emotionality of the performances their power to touch the spectator and enables her exploration of the difficulty to separate from one’s mother…

psycho-cinematography

Sep 9, 2021 • Subscribe

Amiko Wins Obayashi Prize at 2023 JAPAN CUTS

Prize introduced in 2020 is awarded an independently produced narrative feature from an emerging filmmaker.

Windows on Worlds

Aug 8, 2023 • Subscribe

Hiroku The Goblin (1991) review [Japan Cuts 2021]

‘A classic that offers an unforgettable experience that is as touchingly lighthearted as is it disturbingly horrifying.’

psycho-cinematography

Sep 3, 2021 • Subscribe

Talking The Pictures (2019) review [Japan Cuts 2021]

“Mayayuki’s celebration of cinematic history deeply satisfies the spectator’s desire to see cinema as an experience that can touch our being and the art of the benshi triumph.&#82…

psycho-cinematography

Sep 6, 2021 • Subscribe

Kiba: The Fangs of Fiction (Japan, 2021) [JAPAN CUTS 2021]

Arthi Vasudevan reviews Daihachi Yoshida’s workplace comedy Kiba: The Fangs of Fiction.

VCinema

Sep 5, 2021 • Subscribe

Kiba

Kiba: Fangs of Fiction (2021) review [Japan Cuts 2021]

“Daihachi Yoshida succeeds in turning Shiota’s interesting story and fascinating world of publishing and bookstores into an engaging and pleasant filmic narrative.”

psycho-cinematography

Aug 31, 2021 • Subscribe

Kiba

The Blue Danube (Japan, 2020) [JAPAN CUTS 2021]

Epoy Deyto reviews Akira Ikeda's anti-war satire The Blue Danube.

VCinema

Sep 16, 2021 • Subscribe

Japan Cuts 2018 Film Festival at the Japan Society

This past few weeks I  volunteered for the Japan Society Film Department’s annual Japan Cuts film festival, which screens a host of new Japanese blockbusters, avant-garde films, and…

踊る猿life is kyōgen

Aug 3, 2018 • Subscribe

B/B (Japan, 2020) [JAPAN CUTS 2021]

Grant Watson reviews Kosuke Nakahama’s debut feature B/B.

VCinema

Sep 7, 2021 • Subscribe

Wonderful Paradise (Japan, 2020) [JAPAN CUTS 2021]

Epoy Deyto reviews Masashi Yamamoto's eccentric comedy Wonderful Paradise.

VCinema

Sep 23, 2021 • Subscribe

Spaghetti Code Love (2021) review [Japan Cuts 2021]

“Maruyama’s narrative speaks powerfully to the spectator’s subjectivity – his fears and hopes – and enables his evocation of a glimmer of hope that remains present in this…

psycho-cinematography

Oct 16, 2021 • Subscribe

Mari and Mari (2021) review [Japan Cuts 2021]

“A beautiful narrative that seems to bear no relation to our romantic life at first, but ultimately hits close to home.”    

psycho-cinematography

Sep 12, 2021 • Subscribe

Town Without Sea (2020) review [Japan Cuts 2021]

“A visually engaging narrative about the nature of happiness and the importance of desire that is highly relevant for Japanese youth.”

psycho-cinematography

Sep 15, 2021 • Subscribe

The Great Yokai War – Guardians (2021) review [Japan Cuts 2021]

“A pleasant and truly satisfying ride for the whole family.”

psycho-cinematography

Aug 28, 2021 • Subscribe

Three Sisters (세자매, Lee Seung-won, 2020)

Three middle-aged women rediscover their sisterly bond when forced to face their traumatic past in Lee’s subtle condemnation of a relentlessly patriarchal society

Windows on Worlds

Apr 7, 2021 • Subscribe

Three Sisters (South Korea, 2020) [OAFF 2021]

Three Sisters (South Korea, 2020) [OAFF 2021]

VCinema

Mar 10, 2021 • Subscribe

Among Four of Us (Japan, 2020) [OAFF 2021/JAPAN CUTS 2021]

Jason Maher reviews Mayu Nakamura’s short Among Four of Us.

VCinema

Aug 30, 2021 • Subscribe

Mari and Mari (Japan, 2021) [JAPAN CUTS 2021]

Jason Maher reviews Tatsuya Yamanishi's romantic mystery Mari and Mari.

VCinema

Sep 5, 2021 • Subscribe

Neptunia: Sisters VS Sisters (Quick Review)

Continuing with the trend of never giving us a new mainline entry in the series, Neptunia is back with yet another spin-off. And also continuing that trend, its…

cublikefoot

Jan 23, 2023 • Subscribe

Short Movie Time: Honeymoon (2021) review [Japan Cuts 2021]

“A pleasing narrative about the arbitrariness of language and culture.”

psycho-cinematography

Nov 9, 2021 • Subscribe

Robinson’s Garden (1988) [Japan Cuts 2021]

“Yamamoto is not able to create a composition that engages the spectator with its highly relevant message.”

psycho-cinematography

Feb 10, 2024 • Subscribe

Short Movie Time: Bath House of Whales (2019) review [Japan Cuts 2020]

Introduction Mizuki Kiyama’s graduation short film Bath House of Whales is a creative reworking of her memories of accompanying her mother, a person of Korean descent living in…

psycho-cinematography

Oct 19, 2021 • Subscribe

Okko’s Inn

This is one of many films marketed for it’s ex-Studio Ghibli staff member credentials. The director is Kitaro Kosaka, who was a key animator for the studio. It’s…

The View from the Junkyard

May 25, 2020 • Subscribe

Okko's Inn

Review: SHAOLIN SISTERS

 Our final review for the month is not just a celebration of sisterhood but also a return to a series I reviewed six years ago. SHAOLIN SIST...

The Manga Test Drive

Nov 28, 2023 • Subscribe

Dr. Slump, Vampire Princess Miyu, Vampire Princess Miyu

Review: SHAOLIN SISTERS

 Our final review for the month is not just a celebration of sisterhood but also a return to a series I reviewed six years ago. SHAOLIN SIST...

The Manga Test Drive

Nov 28, 2023 • Subscribe

Dr. Slump, Vampire Princess Miyu, Vampire Princess Miyu

Short Movie Time: Born Pisces (2020) review [Japan Cuts 2021]

“Yamanaka does not only reaffirm that she has talent but also that she improved her compositional style and her storytelling.”

psycho-cinematography

Jan 14, 2022 • Subscribe

Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland

Straying (2022) review [Camera Japan 2022]

A pleasant and charming exploration of the fact that, within the game of love and romance and beyond, subjects often rely on acting-out to reveal to the other…

psycho-cinematography

Sep 14, 2022 • Subscribe

First Impressions: The Inn Between BL Demo Review

The Inn Between is an upcoming modern fantasy boys’ love visual novel developed by Australian based indie developer Cats on a Lilypad Studios. Drawing inspiration from Japanese mythology,…

Blerdy Otome

Oct 8, 2021 • Subscribe

A Preview of Japan Cuts 2021 (August 20th – September 02nd)

Japan Cuts 2021 Line-up and ticketing details

Genkinahito

Aug 17, 2021 • Subscribe

Kiba

An inn at Osaka (1954) review

“An important document that traces how the post-war capitalistic machine of modernity poisons subjectivity by ‘promoting’ a selfish monetary desire, slowly empties social relations, and cause…

psycho-cinematography

Mar 6, 2022 • Subscribe

School Radio to Major Tom (Japan, 2021) [JAPAN CUTS 2021]

Jason Maher reviews Takuya Chisaka's short film School Radio to Major Tom.

VCinema

Aug 31, 2021 • Subscribe

Tora-san, Wish you were here (2019) review [Japan Cuts 2020]

“Yamada’s latest offers not only a powerful homage to the late great Kiyoshi Atsumi but also a moving nostalgic ride along many of the iconic scenes of the…

psycho-cinematography

May 27, 2021 • Subscribe

Blind Bombing, Filmed by a Bat (2019) review [Japan Cuts 2020]

 Introduction Kota Takeuchi is man of many creative talents, but whatever he does – be it painting, filming, or sculpting – it is related to historical or contemporary…

psycho-cinematography

Jul 20, 2021 • Subscribe

Short Movie Time: Go Seppukku Yourselves (2021) review [Japan Cuts 2021]

“An enthralling audiovisual experience and a powerful critique of the Japanese political system.”

psycho-cinematography

Oct 9, 2021 • Subscribe

Sisters Royale Review Link

Review of a “Bullet Hell” vertical Shoot-em Up where five sisters duke it out to see which one is worthy of marrying a guy who has no idea…

The Yuri Empire

Sep 2, 2020 • Subscribe

Neptunia: Sisters VS Sisters

Neptunia Sisters VS Sisters isn't doing anything new in the JRPG space, but is it at least a fun ride?

Anime News Network - Views

Jan 29, 2023 • Subscribe

To Sleep So as to Dream (Japan, 1986) [JAPAN CUTS 2021]

Jason Maher reviews Kaizo Hayashi's debut feature To Sleep So as to Dream.

VCinema

Sep 8, 2021 • Subscribe

Japan Trip – Week Three – Hokkaido

  Whereas the first week was a relatively quiet week, with some intense traveling at the beginning, and periods of activity throughout – including a couple of days…

illogicalzen

Aug 4, 2016 • Subscribe

Japan Cuts Announces Lineup for 2021 Hybrid Edition

In-person & online Aug. 20 – Sept. 2

Windows on Worlds

Aug 17, 2021 • Subscribe