Anime Blog Tracker

The Great Yokai War: Guardians (妖怪大戦争 ガーディアンズ, Takashi Miike, 2021)

An anxious little boy discovers his inner hero and saves the world through kindness in Takashi Miike’s warmhearted return to the world of folklore

Windows on Worlds

Aug 27, 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

VCinema

Sep 5, 2021 • Subscribe

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

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

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

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

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

VCinema

Sep 23, 2021 • Subscribe

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

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

VCinema

Sep 7, 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

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

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

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

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

It’s a Summer Film! (Japan, 2020) [JAPAN CUTS 2021]

John Atom reviews Soushi Matsumoto's teen comedy It's a Summer Film.

VCinema

Sep 5, 2021 • Subscribe

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

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

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

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

Japan Cuts Announces Lineup for 2021 Hybrid Edition

In-person & online Aug. 20 – Sept. 2

Windows on Worlds

Aug 17, 2021 • 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 and Yokai

From ancient to modern times, Japan’s monsters continue to be part of the cultural psyche. By Komatsu Kazuhiko Translated from this article The 1994 Yokai Boom When Kodansha…

百物語怪談会 Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai

Sep 2, 2015 • Subscribe

Idea

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

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

JAPAN CUTS Announces 2023 Lineup

At Japan Society New York July 26 to Aug. 6

Windows on Worlds

Jun 22, 2023 • 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

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

A surprisingly satisfying horror-narrative

psycho-cinematography

Dec 3, 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

The Three Sisters of Tenmasou Inn (2022) review [Japan Cuts 2023]

Those spectators that love to release their stress by releasing tears will be very satisfied by Kitamura’s narrative.

psycho-cinematography

Aug 13, 2023 • Subscribe

Mari and Mari  彼女来来  (2021) Director: Tatsuya Yamanishi [Japan Cuts 2021]

Mari and Mari  彼女来来  (2021) Director: Tatsuya Yamanishi [Japan Cuts 2021]

Genkinahito

Sep 8, 2021 • 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

Double Layered Town / Making a Song to Replace Our Positions (Japan, 2020) [JAPAN CUTS 2021]

Jason Maher reviews Haruka Komori and Natsumi Seo's documentary Double Layered Town / Making a Song to Replace Our Positions.

VCinema

Sep 15, 2021 • Subscribe

Interview with Mayu Nakamura, Director of Among Four of Us [OAFF 2021/JAPAN CUTS 2021]

Jason Maher talks to Mayu Nakamura about her short film Among Four of Us.

VCinema

Aug 30, 2021 • Subscribe

THE GREAT BRAIGER REWATCH 35 – The Great Mercury War (Part One)

GALAXY CYCLONE BRAIGEREPISODE 35: The Great Mercury War (Part One) WRITTEN BY: Yuu Yamamoto BROADCAST DATE: June 1, 1982 As always, this episode aired exactly 40 years ago…

J9 Hard Serenade

Jun 1, 2022 • Subscribe

THE GREAT BRAIGER REWATCH 36 – The Great Mercury War (Part Two)

GALAXY CYCLONE BRAIGEREPISODE 36: The Great Mercury War (Part Two) WRITTEN BY: Yuu Yamamoto BROADCAST DATE: June 8, 1982 And, as always, this episode aired exactly 40 years…

J9 Hard Serenade

Jun 8, 2022 • Subscribe

An Interview with Mayu Nakamura, Director of Among Four of Us [OAFF 2021/JAPAN CUTS 2021]

An Interview with Mayu Nakamura, Director of Among Four of Us [OAFF 2021/JAPAN CUTS 2021]

Genkinahito

Sep 23, 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

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

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

Books: Japan at War

by Lee Brimmicombe-Wood. A country opens up to the West and goes through a flowering of political and social liberalism before reactionaries force a backlash, democracy flounders, and…

All the Anime

Aug 18, 2022 • 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

December Bonus Review #2: Guardians of the Galaxy

Before I dive into this film I should make one thing clear. I don’t know much about this team. I was slightly familiar with the old Silver Age…

Anime Reviews

Dec 12, 2021 • Subscribe

The Asian Angel (Japan, 2021) [NYAFF 2021]

Rowena Santos Aquino review Yuya Ishii's road movie The Asian Angel.

VCinema

Aug 17, 2021 • Subscribe

Joint (2021) review [The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme]

Oudai Kojima proves, once again, that the yakuza genre is not dead and that, given the current societal constellation and the various currents within, engaging crime narratives can…

psycho-cinematography

Feb 2, 2023 • Subscribe