Posts Categorized: Japanese Movies

Apr 2 2019

Takumi Kitamura, Nana Komatsu & Ryo Yoshizawa cast in movie “Sakura”

Takumi Kitamura (‘Dish’), Nana Komatsu and Ryo Yoshizawa are cast in movie “Sakura.” The film is based on 2005 novel “Sakura” by Kanako Nishi (“Yellow Elephant“) and directed by Hitoshi Yazaki (“Strawberry Shortcakes“). In the film “Sakura,” Takumi Kitamura, Nana Komatsu and Ryo Yoshizawa will play siblings. A car accident that the oldest child (played by Ryo Yoshizawa) gets into causes major grief for the family. The title of the film “Sakura” refers to the family dog named Sakura. Filming for the movie will begin April, 2019 in Japan.

“Sakura” will be released summer, 2020 in Japan.

Apr 1 2019

Trailer and poster for live-action film “Rose and Tulip”

Trailer and poster for live-action film “Rose and Tulip” (literal title) starring Lee Joon-Ho (2PM) and Mitsuki Tanimura. Movie is based on manga series “Bara to Tsuripu” by Akiko Higashimura (“Princess Jellyfish“) and directed by Teruo Noguchi. Movie’s screenplay adaptation is written by Saeki Nejime who wrote the screenplay for 2007 film “Curling Love” which starred Korean actor Kim Seung-Woo and Japanese actress Kazue Fukiishi. The trailer for “Rose and Tulip” also contains the movie’s theme song which is “Nothing But You” by Lee Joon-Ho.

“Rose and Tulip” will be released May 3, 2019 in Japan.

Mar 29 2019

Takeru Satoh cast in movie “Over Night”

Takeru Satoh is cast in movie “Over Night” (literal title). Also cast in supporting roles are Ryohei Suzuki, Mayu Matsuoka and Yuko Tanaka. The film is scripted by Izumi Takahashi and directed by Kazuya Shiraishi. The duo previously worked together on movies “Lost Paradise in Tokyo,” “The Devil’s Path” and “Sunny / 32.” In the film “Over Night” Takeru Satoh will play Yuji. His older brother is Hiroki played by Ryohei Suzuki, sister Sonoko played by Mayu Matsuoka and mother Koharu played by Yuko Tanaka. A life altering case hit the family 15 years earlier and they meet again now for the first time since that case.

“Over Night” will be released sometime this autumn in Japan.

Mar 27 2019

Yutaka Matsushige & Keiko Kitagawa cast in movie “Hikita-san! Gokainin Desuyo”

Yutaka Matsushige and Keiko Kitagawa are cast in movie “Hikita-san! Gokainin Desuyo.” Yutaka Matsushige and Keiko Kitagawa will play a married couple who decide to have a baby, but have trouble conceiving a child. The movie is based on 2012 personal essay “Hikita-san! Gokainin Desuyo” by Kunio Hikita and directed by Toru Hosokawa (“Golden Orchestra“). Filming for the movie took place from April to May, 2018. “Hikita-san! Gokainin Desuyo” will screen in competition section at the upcoming 9th Beijing International Film Festival which is held from April 13 to April 20, 2019 and then have its general release October, 2019 in Japan.

Mar 26 2019

Sara Minami cast in movie “Momi’s House”

Sara Minami is cast for the lead role in movie “Momi’s House” (literal title). Also cast in supporting roles are Naoto Ogata and Misato Tanaka. The film is scripted by Ayako Kitagawa and directed by Yoshihiro Sakamoto. The duo previously worked together on 2017 movie “Pure White” (“Mashiro no Koi”). “Momi” in the movie’s title refers to a type of tree (also referred to as Momi Fir or Abies firma) that is native to central and southern Japan. The film is set at a facility called Momi’s House which is for troubled teens. Sara Minami will play Ayaka Honda. She begins to stay at Momi’s House after having refused to go to school for half a year. Filming for “Momi’s House” finishes this spring and took place over the course of a year to cover the four seasons.

“Momi’s House” will be released spring, 2010 in Japan via Bitters End.

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Mar 23 2019

Trailer for movie “Jesus”

Main trailer added for movie “Jesus” starring Yura Sato. The film is directed, written and shot by first time feature film director Hiroshi Okuyama. The quirky film had its world premiere last year at the 66th San Sebastian Film Festival and won the “New Directors Award” at that film festival. Story for “Jesus” follows a young boy who moves to a small town and starts school at a Christian school. One day, he begins to see a miniature Jesus.

Movie “Jesus” will be released May 31, 2019 in Japan

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Mar 22 2019

Teaser trailer & poster for movie “No Longer Human”

Teaser trailer and poster added for upcoming film “No Longer Human” starring Shun Oguri, Rie Miyazawa, Erika Sawajiri and Fumi Nikaido. The Japanese title for the film has been updated from “Ningen Shikkaku” to “Ningen Shikkaku: Dazai Osamu to 3 Nin no Onnatachi” (literally “Human Disqualification: Osamu Dazai And 3 Women”). The film is based on the life of writer Osamu Dazai. The teaser trailer begins with Shun Oguri stating in Japanese “Humans were born for love and revolution.” Movie is directed by suddenly prolific director Mika Ninagawa (“Sakuran“).

“No Longer Human” is now set for release September 13, 2019 in Japan.

Mar 21 2019

Teaser trailer & poster for live-action film “Hot Gimmick: Girl Meets Boy”

Teaser trailer and poster added for live-action film “Hot Gimmick: Girl Meets Boy” starring Miona Hori, Hiroya Shimizu and Mizuki Itagaki. Caption on the poster states in Japanese “1 Answer. 3 First Loves.” The film is based on manga series “Hot Gimmick” by Miki Aihara and directed by Yuki Yamato (“Drowning Love“).

“Hot Gimmick: Girl Meets Boy” will be released June 28, 2019 in Japan.

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