Anime Blog Tracker

Monster (怪物, Hirokazu Koreeda, 2023)

Gossip and petty prejudice give rise to a series of “misunderstandings” in Koreeda’s probing drama.

Windows on Worlds

Mar 13, 2024 • Subscribe

Air Doll (空気人形, Hirokazu Koreeda, 2009)

An inflatable doll gains a heart only to find it broken by the emptiness of contemporary society in Hirokazu Koreeda’s urban fable

Windows on Worlds

Feb 3, 2022 • Subscribe

Sumiko

Of Love, Loss, Regret and Growth: A feature on Japanese master filmmaker Hirokazu Koreeda and his work

Written by: Mallika Mandal, 1st Year Economics Honours Do you also enjoy some complexity in your rather delicately curated watchlists from time to time? Fine additions of literature…

Zetsubō Free Zone

Mar 1, 2022 • Subscribe

Monster  怪物 (2023) Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda [Chicago International Film Festival 2023]

Monster 怪物 (2023), by director Hirokazu Kore-eda, is a Rashomon-like story about how misapprehension can cause problems and hide people’s suffering. [Chicago International Film Festival 2023]…

Genkinahito

Dec 25, 2023 • Subscribe

Hirokazu Kore-eda's Latest Film Gets Underway with Masaharu Fukuyama in Lead Role

by Marc Saint-Cyr Great news for fans of contemporary auteur Hirokazu Kore-eda (like myself) recently surfaced at Tokyograph : the directo...

Toronto J-Film Pow-Wow

Mar 27, 2012 • Subscribe

North American Release Date and Trailer for Hirokazu Kore-eda's "I Wish" Unveiled

by Marc Saint-Cyr Here is some news that is surely getting a lot of Japanese film fans very excited: Apple's trailer website recently post...

Toronto J-Film Pow-Wow

Apr 14, 2012 • Subscribe

veil

Dawning (USA, 2022) [CAAMFest 2022]

Colleen Wanglund reviews Young Min Kim's psychological thriller Dawning.

VCinema

May 28, 2022 • Subscribe

Eleven Greed (2022) [JFFH 2022]

Despite its obvious low-budget nature, Soejima delivers a highly entertaining and engaging action-thriller.

psycho-cinematography

Jul 19, 2022 • Subscribe

Howling (Japan, 2022) [OAFF 2022]

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

VCinema

Apr 18, 2022 • Subscribe

Mixed (USA, 2022) [CAAMFest 2022]

John Atom reviews Caty Borum Chattoo & Leena Jayaswal's documentary Mixed.

VCinema

May 23, 2022 • Subscribe

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…

psycho-cinematography

Feb 4, 2022 • Subscribe

Kirara

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

Random Call (Japan, 2022) [OAFF 2022]

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

VCinema

Apr 3, 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

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

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…

psycho-cinematography

Aug 18, 2022 • Subscribe

Bagmati River (Japan, 2022) [OAFF 2022]

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

VCinema

Apr 7, 2022 • Subscribe

Charlotte

Summer Wedding (Japan, 2022) [OAFF 2022]

Jason Maher reviews Azusa Hieda’s short film Summer Wedding.

VCinema

Jun 24, 2022 • Subscribe

Melting Sounds (2022) review [OAFF 2022]

“Kahori Higashi’s debut is impressive.”

psycho-cinematography

Apr 14, 2022 • Subscribe

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.…

psycho-cinematography

Jul 1, 2022 • Subscribe

Angry Son (Japan, 2022) [OAFF 2022]

Jason Maher reviews Kashou Iizuka's drama Angry Son.

VCinema

May 24, 2022 • Subscribe

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

Dec 28, 2022 • Subscribe

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…

xxanimexxgirlxx

Jan 31, 2022 • Subscribe

Bastard! (2022)

See here for the review.

USA Anime

Jul 3, 2022 • Subscribe

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…

psycho-cinematography

Dec 9, 2023 • Subscribe

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…

Weekly Manga Recap

Jan 5, 2023 • Subscribe

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…

dadneedstotalk.com

Jan 1, 2023 • Subscribe

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

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

VCinema

Apr 18, 2022 • Subscribe

Goodbye Cruel World (2022) review [Japannual 2022]

“A stylish exploration of the cruel call for destruction that structures the perverse criminal field.”

psycho-cinematography

Dec 7, 2022 • Subscribe

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…

psycho-cinematography

Dec 4, 2022 • 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

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

Convenience Story (2022) review [Fantasia Film Festival 2022]

Miki delivers a great psychological mystery narrative, yet it might not be for everyone.

psycho-cinematography

Aug 6, 2022 • Subscribe

Girl from Phantasia

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…

psycho-cinematography

Jul 10, 2022 • Subscribe

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.”

psycho-cinematography

Nov 22, 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

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

Kingdom of The Apes (2022) review [JFFH 2022]

Shugo Fujii proves that he is the master of indie-thrillers.

psycho-cinematography

Jun 27, 2022 • Subscribe

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…

Heroic Purgatory

Jul 26, 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

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…

Random Curiosity

Sep 27, 2022 • Subscribe

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…

Too Old for Anime

Jan 12, 2022 • Subscribe

Akebi’s Sailor Uniform

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…

Random Curiosity

Mar 24, 2022 • Subscribe

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.…

Sino-Cinema 《神州电影》

Nov 18, 2022 • Subscribe

Shigeru

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…

Too Old for Anime

Oct 9, 2022 • Subscribe

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.

psycho-cinematography

Sep 19, 2023 • Subscribe

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…

Too Old for Anime

Jan 10, 2022 • Subscribe

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…

Heroic Purgatory

Mar 28, 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