Anime Blog Tracker

Interview with Azusa Hieda, Director of Summer Wedding [OAFF 2022]

Azusa Hieda’a short film Summer Wedding received its World Premiere at the Osaka Asian Film Festival 2022 where it was one of the few films to directly use the Covid-19…

VCinema

Jun 24, 2022 • Subscribe

Howling (Japan, 2022) [OAFF 2022]

Jason Maher reviews M Haris Sheikh's neo noir Howling.

VCinema

Apr 18, 2022 • Subscribe

The Wonder of a Summer Day (Japan, 2022) [OAFF 2022]

John Atom reviews Yuka Obayashi's drama The Wonder of a Summer Day.

VCinema

Apr 9, 2022 • Subscribe

Angry Son (Japan, 2022) [OAFF 2022]

Jason Maher reviews Kashou Iizuka's drama Angry Son.

VCinema

May 24, 2022 • Subscribe

Random Call (Japan, 2022) [OAFF 2022]

Jason Maher reviews Riki Ohkanda's comedy-drama Random Call.

VCinema

Apr 3, 2022 • Subscribe

Bagmati River (Japan, 2022) [OAFF 2022]

Jason Maher reviews Yusaku Matsumoto's short film Bagmati River.

VCinema

Apr 7, 2022 • Subscribe

Charlotte

North Shinjuku 2055 (Japan, 2022) [OAFF 2022]

Jason Maher reviews Daisuke Miyazaki's sci-fi short North Shinjuku 2055.

VCinema

Apr 18, 2022 • Subscribe

Melting Sounds (Japan, 2021) [OAFF 2022]

Jason Maher reviews Kahori Higashi's debut feature Melting Sounds.

VCinema

Jul 7, 2022 • Subscribe

Out of TOKYO 202x (Japan, 2022) [OAFF 2022]

Jason Maher reviews Akinori Ikuse's short film Out of TOKYO 202x.

VCinema

May 15, 2022 • Subscribe

Wedding High (2022) [Female Gaze – Japan Society]

Akiku Ohku might not only have delivered her best narrative yet, but one of the best comedy narratives of this year.

psycho-cinematography

Dec 13, 2022 • Subscribe

The Wonder Of a Summer Day (2022) [OAFF 2022]

“A visually pleasing narrative that underlines, in a charming and touching way, the importance for the subject to find the kind of signifiers that can unlock his/her deadlock.”

psycho-cinematography

Apr 23, 2022 • Subscribe

OAFF 2022 Special

 Hello everyone, In this special episode of Heroic Purgatory, John and Jason discuss their favorite movies from the wonderful 2022 Osaka Asian Film Festival. Timestamps:2:53 - Media Consumption19:12 - News23:42…

Heroic Purgatory

Mar 28, 2022 • Subscribe

OAFF 2022 Special

 Hello everyone, In this special episode of Heroic Purgatory, John and Jason discuss their favorite movies from the wonderful 2022 Osaka Asian Film Festival. Timestamps:2:53 - Media Consumption19:12 - News23:42…

Heroic Purgatory

Mar 28, 2022 • Subscribe

OAFF 2022 Special

 Hello everyone, In this special episode of Heroic Purgatory, John and Jason discuss their favorite movies from the wonderful 2022 Osaka Asian Film Festival. Timestamps:2:53 - Media Consumption19:12 - News23:42…

Heroic Purgatory

Mar 28, 2022 • Subscribe

POP! (Japan, 2021) [OAFF 2021]

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

VCinema

Apr 27, 2021 • Subscribe

Ito (Japan, 2021) [OAFF 2021]

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

VCinema

Apr 14, 2021 • Subscribe

JOINT (Japan, 2020) [OAFF 2021]

Jason Maher reviews Oudai Kojima’s debut feature JOINT.

VCinema

Apr 5, 2021 • Subscribe

Letters from Japan: “Traditional Wedding”

Savvy Tokyo's resident "Love in Japan" columnist, Hilary Keyes, answers anonymous questions from readers on everything from dating in Japan to women’s health issues. Got a question you’d…

Savvy Tokyo

May 31, 2023 • Subscribe

Boy Sprouted (Japan, 2021) [OAFF 2022/Short Shorts and Asian Film Festival 2022]

Jason Maher reviews Yuko Watanabe's short film Boy Sprouted.

VCinema

Apr 27, 2022 • Subscribe

Angry Son (2022) review [OAFF 2022]

“An incredibly rich and deep narrative that not only delivers a satisfying coming-of-age story but also an elegantly delivered social commentary on some of the frictions marking Japanese…

psycho-cinematography

Mar 18, 2022 • Subscribe

Random Call (2022) review [OAFF 2022]

Ohkanda’s narrative proves that one does not need a big budget to deliver a narrative that touches the spectator.

psycho-cinematography

Apr 20, 2022 • Subscribe

Melting Sounds (2022) review [OAFF 2022]

“Kahori Higashi’s debut is impressive.”

psycho-cinematography

Apr 14, 2022 • Subscribe

Gotō-san (Japan, 2020) [OAFF 2021]

Jason Maher reviews Hiroshi Gokan's capitalist critique Gotō-san.

VCinema

Apr 9, 2021 • Subscribe

Our House Party (2022) review [OAFF 2022]

Kawanobe delivers a very touching and emotional story about homosexuality in Japan.

psycho-cinematography

Apr 11, 2022 • Subscribe

yes, yes, yes (Japan, 2021) [OAFF 2021]

yes, yes, yes (Japan, 2021) [OAFF 2021]

VCinema

Mar 17, 2021 • Subscribe

Far Away, Further Away (2022) review [OAFF 2022]

“A beautiful film that elegantly explores the role the imaginary plays in marital failure as well as in the beginning of a new romantic bond.”

psycho-cinematography

Apr 2, 2022 • Subscribe

Short Movie Time: Outsourcing (2022) review [OAFF 2022]

“A very satisfying satirical short thta shows that, within the job-seeking process, only the image matters.”

psycho-cinematography

Apr 17, 2022 • 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

Short Movie Time: Bagmati River (2022) review [OAFF 2022]

“A beautiful poetic short that elegantly plays with the contrast between life and death.”

psycho-cinematography

Mar 24, 2022 • Subscribe

The Light Of The Spring (2022) review [OAFF 2022]

“An experimental ‘dramamentary’ that succeeds to charm and touch the spectator with its rich mundane and genuine interactions.”

psycho-cinematography

Mar 20, 2022 • Subscribe

Sanka: Nomads of the Mountains (2022) review [OAFF 2022]

“A visually enticing narrative that elegantly explores the unresolvable tension between the societal Other and the subject.”

psycho-cinematography

Apr 8, 2022 • Subscribe

An Interview with Azusa Hieda, Director of Summer Wedding [Osaka Asian Film Festival 2022]

SUMMER WEDDING is a short by Azusa Hieda that sees a relationship undergo a massive change due to isolation forced by the Covid-19 pandemic. You can read some…

Genkinahito

Jun 29, 2022 • Subscribe

Summer Wedding 恋がする Director: Azusa Hieda [Osaka Asian Film Festival 2022]

Summer Wedding is a unique and strong take on pandemic isolation. Summer Wedding 恋がする Director: Azusa Hieda [Osaka Asian Film Festival 2022]

Genkinahito

Mar 29, 2022 • Subscribe

Short Movie Review: Natsuko (2020) [OAFF 2022]

“A splendid debut by Shuna Iijima.”

psycho-cinematography

Mar 27, 2022 • Subscribe

Wedding High (ウェディング・ハイ, Akiko Ohku, 2022)

A cool-headed wedding planner is all that stands between a couple’s big day and total chaos in Akiko Ohku’s ensemble comedy.

Windows on Worlds

Nov 8, 2022 • Subscribe

Summer in Japan 2021

Last year in the summer I went on a good road trip with a few friends through Nagano Prefecture. This year, I didn’t get up to as much,…

Umai Yomu Anime Blog

Sep 12, 2021 • Subscribe

Ask For The Moon (2022) review [OAFF 2024]

A satisfying narrative that illustrates how the subject’s ego is but a response to his complexes and struggles.

psycho-cinematography

Mar 5, 2024 • Subscribe

Summer Wedding 恋がする Director: Azusa Hieda [Osaka Asian Film Festival 2022] V-Cinema

Summer Wedding is a unique and strong take on pandemic isolation. Summer Wedding 恋がする Director: Azusa Hieda [Osaka Asian Film Festival 2022]

Genkinahito

Jun 29, 2022 • Subscribe

Summer 2022 Plans

AstroNerdBoy takes a moment to spell out his anime and manga plans for the Summer 2022 cour. Is there anything new on his docket?

AstroNerdBoy's Anime & Manga Blog

Jun 30, 2022 • Subscribe

Summer 2022 Schedule

Sunday Love Live! Superstar!! (2022) 19:00 NHK-E (07/17) Renmei Kuugun Koukuu Mahou Ongakutai Luminous Witches 21:00 AT-X (07/03) Isekai Yakkyoku 21:30 AT-X (07/10) RWBY: Hyousetsu Teikoku 22:30 TOKYO MX (07/03) Yurei Deco 23:00 TOKYO MX (07/03) KJ File 24:00 TV…

Random Curiosity

Jul 22, 2022 • Subscribe

Utawarerumono, Fuuto PI, Lycoris Recoil, SHINEPOST, Shoot! Goal to the Future

Summer 2022 4

I think that’s the gateway to the next world. Kuro no Shoukanshi has Kelvin as the one reincarnated to a fantasy world. We learn that he gave up…

Too Old for Anime

Jul 16, 2022 • Subscribe

Parallel World Pharmacy, Black Summoner

Summer 2022 1

Hello and welcome to the new season, Summer 2022, when there’s nothing to do since it’s 36 degrees outside but sit at home and watch shows, well, there’s…

Too Old for Anime

Jul 6, 2022 • Subscribe

Engage Kiss, Lycoris Recoil, YUREI DECO

Summer 2022 Preview

Summer is the season of waves-surfing the water waves, suffering the heat waves, and of course-tuning into new anime on the air waves. This summer we have some…

Random Curiosity

Jun 22, 2022 • Subscribe

Uncle from Another World, Lycoris Recoil, Shoot! Goal to the Future, TEPPEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Laughing 'til You Cry, Utawarerumono

Review: Summer (2022)

Summer 野夏天 China/Taiwan, 2022, colour, 2.35:1, 113 mins. Director: Su Zhexian 苏哲贤. Rating: 4/10. Taiwan singer Chen Jiahua is overshadowed by Mainland character actor Geng Le in a…

Sino-Cinema 《神州电影》

Feb 3, 2023 • Subscribe

Summer 2022 2

A burned-out land where Yuji’s foot is about to appear. Next is Tensei Kenja no Isekai Life, where some adventurers are drinking and laughing at Gale, a guy…

Too Old for Anime

Jul 9, 2022 • Subscribe

Uncle from Another World, Tokyo Mew Mew

Summer 2022 Reflections

Hi friends, hope you’re well! Coming back to you for another reflection on a new anime season, and the one that has recently wrapped up is Summer 2022!…

mosaicboy's Interest Nook

Oct 5, 2022 • Subscribe

A Couple of Cuckoos, Parallel World Pharmacy, Lycoris Recoil, Phantom of the Idol, Call of the Night

Summer 2022 3

That’s a compass point to, well, you can guess. Of all the shows I’ve watched so far this season, and the few that remain, there’s only one that…

Too Old for Anime

Jul 13, 2022 • Subscribe

Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer, Made in Abyss, Made in Abyss: The Golden City of the Scorching Sun, When Will Ayumu Make His Move?, Call of the Night

To Be Killed by a High School Girl (2022) review [OAFF 2022]

“The effective interaction between his fluid composition, the great narrative structure, and the thematical exploration of trauma and perverse fantasies ensures that the film hits all the rig…

psycho-cinematography

Apr 5, 2022 • Subscribe

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

Japan Diary: July 2022

The start of July called for more organisation than I’m used to, but I was determined to hit the ground running. Time was running out to get things…

IGIRISUJEN (AGAIN)

Aug 7, 2022 • Subscribe