Anime Blog Tracker

Sep 6, 2021 • Subscribe

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

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

Sep 5, 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.

Sep 8, 2021 • Subscribe

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

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

Sep 23, 2021 • Subscribe

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

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

Sep 7, 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.”

Feb 10, 2024 • Subscribe

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

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

Sep 16, 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.

Sep 5, 2021 • Subscribe

Kiba

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…

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.”

Sep 12, 2021 • Subscribe

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

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

Aug 30, 2021 • Subscribe

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.”

Aug 31, 2021 • Subscribe

Kiba

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

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

Nov 9, 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…

Sep 6, 2021 • Subscribe

Japan Cuts Announces Lineup for 2021 Hybrid Edition

In-person & online Aug. 20 – Sept. 2

Aug 17, 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.”

Sep 15, 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.’

Sep 3, 2021 • Subscribe

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

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

Aug 28, 2021 • 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.

Sep 15, 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.”

Oct 9, 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…

Sep 9, 2021 • Subscribe

JAPAN CUTS Announces 2023 Lineup

At Japan Society New York July 26 to Aug. 6

Jun 22, 2023 • 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.”

Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland

Jan 14, 2022 • Subscribe

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

Japan Cuts 2021 Line-up and ticketing details

Aug 17, 2021 • Subscribe

Kiba

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

A surprisingly satisfying horror-narrative

Dec 3, 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…

Jan 23, 2024 • Subscribe

Hand (2022) review [Japan Cuts 2023]

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

Aug 22, 2023 • 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.

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.

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…

Aug 19, 2023 • Subscribe

Japan Weighing Major Changes to Border, Quarantine Policy in March

Japanese government sources give those stuck outside Japan or planning re-entry reason for cautious optimism.

Unseen Japan

Feb 16, 2022 • Subscribe

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

Sep 8, 2021 • Subscribe

Spiraken Mini Movie Review: Tom & Jerry 2021

In this mini movie review, Xan gives his initial impression on the latest addition to the Tom & Jerry franchise. Is it worth watching or was it dud?…

Spiraken Review Podcast

Feb 27, 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

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.

Aug 30, 2021 • Subscribe

Life For Sale (售命, Tom Teng, 2021)

A nihilistic insurance broker decides to sell his life but is drawn into a dark web of crime and conspiracy in Tom Teng’s stylish thriller.

Jul 19, 2022 • Subscribe

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

Sep 23, 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.

Aug 8, 2023 • Subscribe

Back to School with Anime: 2021 Edition

The school year is now here, and Krystallina again provides some cool anime and otaku suggestions in Back to School with Anime: 2021 Edition!

TheOASG

Aug 4, 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…

Aug 31, 2023 • Subscribe

To Sleep So as to Dream 夢みるように眠りたい (1986) Director: Kaizo Hayashi [Japan Cuts 2021]

Sep 14, 2021 • Subscribe

NTR Radio

I just had the pleasure to be on Episode 23 of the NTR Radio Podcast! I talked about the glorious 1980’s, specifically anime from that decade (but also…

Prede's Anime Reviews

Dec 15, 2013 • Subscribe

Radio Suspect

detective fiction, 推理小説、games, mystery, murder, locked room, Japanese, translations,

ボクの事件簿

May 20, 2023 • Subscribe

PTSD Radio

A collection of short creepy stories. Continue reading →

Manga Machinations

Oct 11, 2020 • Subscribe

Japan Life Update: School Edition

So I was going to write another list post about random tidbits you maybe didn’t know about Japan schools, but first I figured I’d give an update on…

Umai Yomu Anime Blog

Jun 14, 2020 • Subscribe

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

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

Jun 28, 2023 • Subscribe

THE FIRST SLAM DUNK

Films: Japan 2021

by Jeremy Clarke. So, Scotland Loves Anime is over (save a few stragglers at the Film House) and you’re wondering where you can see more Japanese movies. Today,…

All the Anime

Oct 18, 2021 • Subscribe

POP! (Japan, 2021) [OAFF 2021]

Jason Maher reviews Masashi Komura's surreal coming-of-age tale POP!

Apr 27, 2021 • Subscribe

Ito (Japan, 2021) [OAFF 2021]

Jason Maher reviews Satoko Yokohama's comedy-drama Ito.

Apr 14, 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…