A writer finds himself exploring an ethical dilemma after being guided to a cave containing luminous moss in Kei Kumai’s surreal psychological drama.
Sep 13, 2024 • Subscribe
More like this
The Light of Spring (ひかりのどけき, Fumito Fujikawa, 2022)
Pushed to breaking point by the pressures of the contemporary society amid the coronavirus pandemic, an ordinary family undergoes a trial separation in Fumito Fumikawa’s neorealist drama
[Translyrics] Madoka Magica: Eternal ED “Hikari Furu” (ひかりふる) by Kalafina
Back when Kalafina disbanded, I wrote a series of tribute posts, and opened up an opportunity for people to request my translyrics of any Kalafina song. For whatever…
Apart from Life (地の群れ, Kei Kumai, 1970)
Marginalised communities turn against each other while locked out of an increasingly prosperous society in Kei Kumai’s uncompromising post-war drama
ご多忙かと存じます
The Language of Job Hunting - How to Japanese - August 2022
Stay Mum (かくしごと, Kosai Sekine, 2024)
On returning to care for estranged father, a woman finds herself taking care of a neglected little boy in Kosai Sekine’s maternal melodrama.
The Sands of Kurobe (黒部の太陽, Kei Kumai, 1968)
Kei Kumai directs a three-hour epic devoted to the sometimes brutal construction of the Kurobe Dam.
Skeleton Flowers (かそけきサンカヨウ, Rikiya Imaizumi, 2021)
A pair of preoccupied teens learn to work through their difficulties with maturity and empathy in Rikiya Imaizumi’s wholesome coming-of-age drama
Darkness in the Light (日本の黒い夏ー冤罪, Kei Kumai, 2001)
Idealistic teen reporters have some questions to ask of mass media and the police in Kei Kumai’s true life drama.
I Go Gaga, Welcome Home Mom (ぼけますから、よろしくお願いします。~おかえりお母さん~, Naoko Nobutomo, 2022)
In a followup to her hugely popular documentary, Naoko Nobutomo follows her parents as her mother’s health continues to decline.
H2 [1992]
Adatchi Mitsuru’s H2, I am sure any diehard anime fan would have watched this anime at one point of their lives.
Aladdin (1992)
Aladdin (1992) Disney has seemingly always lumbered along plundering fairy and folk tales, sometimes egregiously and other times in a more transformative, artistic manner, and they’ve been a…
Willful Murder (日本の熱い日々 謀殺・下山事件, Kei Kumai, 1981)
A dogged reporter comes to the conclusion an industrialist was murdered but cannot say by whom in Kei Kumai’s searing exploration of the occupation and the economic miracle.
Alone Again in Fukushima ナオト、いまもひとりっきり Dir: Mayu Nakamura (2021) [Yamagata International Film Festival 2021]
Alone Again in Fukushima sees director Mayu Nakamura visit an interesting samaritan who remained behind to look after abandoned animals. Alone Again in Fukushima ナオト、いまもひとりっきり Dir: Mayu Nakamura…
LGBTQ Manga: Stop!! Hibarikun! Complete Edition, Volume 1 (ストップ!!ひばりくん! コンプリート・エディション)
Some series are famous because they create a whole new chapter of fandom. Others spearhead a new style of art or story telling. But there are some series…
In Her Room (ひとりぼっちじゃない, Chihiro Ito, 2022)
A shy dentist’s sense of reality is undermined by his relationship with a mysterious woman living in an indoor forest in Chihiro Ito’s ethereal drama.
Follow the Light (光を追いかけて, Yoichi Narita, 2021) [Fantasia 2021]
An alienated young man resentful of his forced relocation to the countryside bonds with an intense classmate in Yoichi Narita’s gentle coming of age drama
AnimeUK Magazines 1992 -
AnimeUK Magazines in 1992 Number 2 SPRING ( JUNE/JULY ) 1992 Click on the above TAB " AnimeUK Magazine 1992 " OR Click on this link, ' An...
確か・確かに
You sure about that? - How to Japanese - September 2024
New Moomin 33/52 - Pappa All Alone (ひとりぽっちのパパ) (1972) (English subtitles)
Pappa is feeling underappreciated. Moomin and Mamma did not tell him about a fire, and his idea to take them on vacation for a day conflicts with Moomin's…
Luminous Witches Episode #01
Well everyone, we got a new spin-off to the World Witches series focusing of a brand-new Joint Fighter Wing, one where it’s drastically different from both Strike Witches…
Luminous Witches Episode #06
On this episode, the Luminous Witches are practicing their shield deployment skills as part of their training in case the Neuroi attacks them. On the other hand, I…
Luminous Witches Episode #08
On this episode, the Luminous Witches went to the Fuso Empire as part of their world tour, although it seems that the 72nd Aviation Magic Band are here…
Luminous Witches Episode #04
Let’s begin this episode with Eleonore Giovanna “Ellie” Gassion where she told the witches to team up into 3 groups: Songs, Outfit, and Dance. These groups are responsible…
Luminous Witches Episode #10
Let’s begin this episode in Britannia where the Luminous Witches received various awards and recognition for bringing hope across the world against the Neuroi threat. While it’s nice…
Luminous Witches Episode #07
Let’s begin this episode where the 72nd Aviation Magic Band are currently travelling to Orussia for their world tour. Of course, the Luminous Witches will need to careful…
Luminous Witches Episode #09
Welcome to Liberion, Joanna Elizabeth Stafford’s home country as the Luminous Witches have arrived as part of their world tour. Unlike in Europe, the United States of Liberion…
Luminous Witches Episode #11
Well everyone, looks like Virginia Robertson will leave the military base and return as a normal civilian. It’s really unfortunate that the Luminous Witches will lose someone like…
Luminous Witches Episode #03
Well everyone, it’s time for these new recruits to do some extreme training, from vocal lessons to performing acrobatics while using a Striker Unit. Now, they won’t call…
Luminous Witches Episode #05
Let’s begin this episode where Sylvie Cariello receives a white ribbon from Joanna Elizabeth Stafford where she wanted Silvi to tie her hair into a ponytail. Why Jo…
Luminous Witches Episode #12
Let’s begin this final episode with Cyrille de Gaulle, the commander-in-chief of the Gallia Armed Forces where he’s deeply thrilled that his country was liberated from the Neuroi…
Luminous Witches Episode #02
On this episode, Commander Grace Maitland “Gracie” Steward is joined by both Aila Paivikki Linnamaa and Eleonore Giovanna “Ellie” Gassion as they interview various witches f…
First Look: Luminous Witches
In a world where World War II is fought against aliens instead of fascists, Major Grace Maitland Steward, who has retired from active duty after losing her magical…
#87 - Porco Rosso (1992)
This past weekend, Hayao Miyazaki celebrated his 79th birthday! What better way to celebrate than to review the film he regrets the most. On this episode, we take…
Rokudenashi Blues (1992) OVA
Did someone say more delinquent anime? Email | Discord Download it on Nyaa !
Rokudenashi Blues (1992) OVA
Did someone say more delinquent anime? Email | Discord Download it on Nyaa !
Guard from Underground (1992)
Kurosawa’s early slasher is a successful stylistic experiment that anyone who calls himself a fan of Japanese horror should see.
More on だけ
Quick follow-up on my newsletter from last month about the particle だけ (dake). I mostly discussed the non-“only” meaning of the word, which can be replaced with くらい…
Ora, Ora Be Goin’ Alone (おらおらでひとりいぐも, Shuichi Okita, 2020)
An older woman living alone is plagued by three strange sprites forcing her to confront the reality of her life in Shuichi Okita’s surreal meditation on loneliness and…
From the End of the World (世界の終わりから, Kazuaki Kiriya, 2023)
Charged with the responsibility of saving the world, a teenage girl wonders if she should in Kazuaki Kiriya’s pre-apocalyptic drama.
476th G-View: Luminous Witches
After a couple of delays this second spinoff (not counting the comedy shows) in the World Witches series finally got to air in Summer 2022. The catch with…
S4E1 - Police Story: Supercop (1992)
Table of Contents PodcastHello everyone,Welcome to season 4 of Heroic Purgatory: An Asian Cinema Podcast, centered around female action…
アイマス15周年記念 – 過去から未来へ、「アニマス」から受け継がられた思いと意志
15年の時を経て、『アイドルマスター』は様々な業界にその名を轟かせてきた。その記念として、2011年にアニメ化された『アニマス』が大ヒットになるまでの道のりだけではなく、それを可能にした情熱と、それがシリーズの未来とどう繋がるのかを振り返ってみたいと思います。…
Majuu Sensen, Sound of the Sky Specials, Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt, Jinsei - Life Consulting, Gurren Lagann
Girls Love of the Dead, Kioku no Kakera, Volume 2 (ガールズラブ・オブ・ザ・デッド〈記憶のかけら〉)
In Girls Love of the Dead, Shi ga Futari wo Waka..tanai? we met Mitsuki, a young woman mourning the death of the girl she loves. In her attempt…
Kumai Hitomi: From Beauty Contestant to the “Luffy” Crime Ring
Kumai Hitomi had a promising future. But she ended up running with the wrong crowd - and had to cheat and steal to save her own life.
お湯割り
In the newsletter this month I wrote about 角ハイ (kakuhai). This is a combination of 角瓶 (kakubin), Suntory’s flagship whiskey, and ハイボール (highball), a mixed drink made from…
We’re Millennials. Got a Problem? International (ゆとりですがなにか インターナショナル, Nobuo Mizuta, 2023)
Seven years on from the hit TV series, the guys are in a very different place.
New Moomin 48/52 - The Broken Necklace (こわれたくびかざり) (1972) (English subtitles)
The snows are approaching in Moominvalley, and Moomin and his pals are making their own necklaces while they still can. My, jealous of Nonnon's beautiful necklace, attempts to…
Futari ha Daitai Konna Kanji (ふたりはだいたいこんなかんじ)
In the Yuri world Ikeda Takashi is best known for Sasamekikoto / Whispered Words in English, from One Peace Books. That series made fun of every Yuri trope,…