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Yamabuki (2022) review [IFFR 2022]
“A beautiful socially-engaged narrative that explores the very fact that, by being grasped within the societal network of relations, one cannot but influence the other and become influenced…
Dawning (USA, 2022) [CAAMFest 2022]
Colleen Wanglund reviews Young Min Kim's psychological thriller Dawning.
Eleven Greed (2022) [JFFH 2022]
Despite its obvious low-budget nature, Soejima delivers a highly entertaining and engaging action-thriller.
Howling (Japan, 2022) [OAFF 2022]
Jason Maher reviews M Haris Sheikh's neo noir Howling.
Mixed (USA, 2022) [CAAMFest 2022]
John Atom reviews Caty Borum Chattoo & Leena Jayaswal's documentary Mixed.
Angry Son (Japan, 2022) [OAFF 2022]
Jason Maher reviews Kashou Iizuka's drama Angry Son.
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…
Random Call (Japan, 2022) [OAFF 2022]
Jason Maher reviews Riki Ohkanda's comedy-drama Random Call.
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.
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…
Shaman’s Daughter (2022) review [JFFH 2022]
A genre mish-mash – a cocktail of light-hearted comedy, family drama, bloody thriller, and ghostly romance – that is not only pleasant but offers the spectator a rich…
Bagmati River (Japan, 2022) [OAFF 2022]
Jason Maher reviews Yusaku Matsumoto's short film Bagmati River.
Summer Wedding (Japan, 2022) [OAFF 2022]
Jason Maher reviews Azusa Hieda’s short film Summer Wedding.
Melting Sounds (2022) review [OAFF 2022]
“Kahori Higashi’s debut is impressive.”
Stone Steps (2022) review [JFFH 2022]
A great indie narrative that highlights the need for the parental and the traditional Other to aid the subject to embark on the path of his own desire.…
Farewell, 2022…
This post is brought you by Nijiyon Animation, an upcoming short anime adaptation of a 4-koma manga series by Miyakohito which is based on Love Live! Nijigasaki High…
The Anime Rambler – By Benigmatica
Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club, NIJIYON ANIMATION
Winter 2022
Happy New Year! I’m aware January is almost over but I’m still taking this as a win that I managed to send this post out while it was…
Motherhood (2022)
An enjoyable and engaging exploration of the destructive impact of a subject’s fixation on gaining the (m)Other’s love and that the often-ignored truth that becoming a mother is…
2022 Retrospective
As we say hello to 2023, it's time to take a look back at the many highs and hilarious lows of 2022... 2:01 - 2022 Recommendations 3:16 - Liar Game 5:30…
BLUELOCK, Cipher, Crossing Time, Dororo, Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead
Farewell 2022
Happy New Year! We have entered into 2023 and so I decided to look back and reflect on the podcast and life in 2022. Lets go down memory…
Our House Party (2022) review [OAFF 2022]
Kawanobe delivers a very touching and emotional story about homosexuality in Japan.
North Shinjuku 2055 (Japan, 2022) [OAFF 2022]
Jason Maher reviews Daisuke Miyazaki's sci-fi short North Shinjuku 2055.
Goodbye Cruel World (2022) review [Japannual 2022]
“A stylish exploration of the cruel call for destruction that structures the perverse criminal field.”
In The Distance (2022) review [Japannual 2022]
“A very pleasant slice-of-life narrative that elegantly shows that bonds between subjects are that much more genuine if they are grounded in the acceptance of the other’s radical…
Kingdom of The Apes (2022) review [JFFH 2022]
Shugo Fujii proves that he is the master of indie-thrillers.
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.”
Convenience Story (2022) review [Fantasia Film Festival 2022]
Miki delivers a great psychological mystery narrative, yet it might not be for everyone.
One Day, A woman (2022) review [JFFH 2022]
“Mihiro Kaneko’s incredibly rich performance does not only engages the spectator from start to finish, but allows Yuko’s subjective turmoil, her flight from the societal Other, and her…
Two On The Edge (2022) review [Japannual 2022]
“A touching experience that highlights that the desire to be loved, for better or worse, is the ulitmate guide the neurotic subject within the societal field.”
Out of TOKYO 202x (Japan, 2022) [OAFF 2022]
Jason Maher reviews Akinori Ikuse's short film Out of TOKYO 202x.
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.”
CP Day 2022
As you’ve probably noticed, we haven’t had a whole lot of time to get any fansubbing done in the past year (or well, I haven’t, to be more…
Winter 2022 Preview
Alas, it is winter (depending on where you live) with bone-chilling winds blowing their way through the bare, dreary trees. Like the winter trees, this anime season is…
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Love of Kill, ORIENT, Requiem of the Rose King, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
Urusei Yatsura (2022)
Urusei Yatsura (2022) is a remake of the classic anime by the same name from 1981. But, is this remake any good?
2022 in Review
2022 winds down as catastrophically as most other recent years. The war in Ukraine grinds on. A "tripledemic" rages in the US. Covid has ret...
Special - NYAFF 2022
Hello everyone, In this special episode of Heroic Purgatory, John and Jason discuss their favorite movies from the 2022 New York Asian Film Festival. Timestamps:1:48 - Media Consumption10:32 - News17:13…
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?
2022 Anime Retrospective
Yet another year of anime has ended. I can say without hyperbole that 2022 has been one of the most interesting years in anime I have encountered in…
Fall 2022 Preview
Ahh autumn, truly the season of change. As hot snaps and long summer days give way to changing leaves, colder weather, and the always ubiquitous combo of Uggs…
Akiba Maid War, Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun, Urusei Yatsura, LOVE FLOPS, Chainsaw Man
Winter 2022 2
War-torn street to begin Girl’s Frontline. We start the second installment with Dolls’ Frontline, in a future world where we got another world war, but this one was…
Spring 2022 Preview
Ah, spring, when the bone-chilling snow melts into refreshing puddles that feed the budding spring blooms. Similarly, our dashed hopes and exceeded expectations from winter melt into our…
Aoashi, Date A Live, Date A Live IV, Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club Season 2, SPY x FAMILY
Review: Hero (2022)
Hero 世间有她 China/Hong Kong, 2022, colour, 2.35:1, 115 mins. Directors: Li Shaohong 李少红 (I), Chen Chong 陈冲 [Joan Chen] (II), Zhang Aijia 张艾嘉 [Sylvia Chang] (III). Rating: 6/10.…
Fall 2022 2
SpyxFamily reminds us of the premise. This second installment is off to a good start with Spy x Family’s return. We got two things going on, first, a…
Immoral Guild, The Eminence in Shadow, Management of a Novice Alchemist
Tsuyukusa (2022) review
A narrative of subtle affection carried by the layered performances of the cast.
Winter 2022 1
Looking over the previews at Random Curiosity, where I get most of my information, I didn’t see a single show I was excited about. I’m going to do…
World's End Harem, Slow Loop, Tokyo 24th Ward, In the Land of Leadale
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…
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…
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…
Winter 2022 Schedule
Sunday Sabiiro no Armor: Reimei 22:00 TOKYO MX (01/09) Bara Ou no Souretsu 22:30 TOKYO MX (01/09) Futsal Boys!!!!! 23:00 TOKYO MX (01/09) Kimetsu no Yaiba: Yuukaku Hen 23:15 Fuji TV (10/10) Shingeki no Kyojin: The Final…
Futsal Boys!!!!!, How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom, Love of Kill, Saiyuki Reload, Akebi’s Sailor Uniform