Posts Categorized: Japanese Movies

Mar 15 2017

Kento Nakajima & Kyoko Yoshine cast in live-action film “The Anthem of the Heart”

Kento Nakajima & Kyoko Yoshine are cast in live-action film “The Anthem of the Heart.” Movie is based on 2015 animation film “The Anthem of the Heart” (“Kokoro ga Sakebitagatterunda”). Also cast in the live-action film are Anna Ishii & Kanichiro. Story for the film revolves around two students who are appointed to an executive committee by their teacher. The committee is tasked to put on a musical for the Regional Friendship Exchange. Kento Nakajima will play Takumi Sakagami and Kyoko Yoshine will play Jun Naruse. Jun Naruse doesn’t speak because of a traumatic incident in her past, but she is able to sing really well. Movie will be directed by Naoto Kumazawa.

“The Anthem of the Heart” will be released July 22, 2017 in Japan.

Mar 15 2017

Teaser trailer for live-action film “The Disastrous Life of Saiki K”

Teaser trailer for live-action film “The Disastrous Life of Saiki K” starring Kento Yamazaki. Movie is based on manga series “Saiki Kusuo no Sainan” by Shuichi Aso and directed by Yuichi Fukuda. In addition, supporting actors for the film have been announced today and they are Kanna Hashimoto (‘Rev. from DVL’), Hirofumi Arai, Ryo Yoshizawa, Hideyuki Kasahara, Kento Kaku, Tsuyoshi Muro and Jiro Sato.

In the upcoming live-action film, Kanna Hashimoto will play Kokomi Teruhashi. She knows that she is the most beautiful girl at her school and she is an idol there. Hirofumi Arai will play Riki Nendo. He views himself as Saiki’s (Kento Yamazaki) partner. His specialty is his telepathic powers. Ryo Yoshizawa will play Shun Kaito. He is friends with Saiki. Hideyuki Kasahara will play Kineshi Hairo. He is the hot tempered class president. Kento Kaku will play Aren Kuboyasu. He looks like a nice guy, but he is actually a former leader of a motorcycle gang.  Tsuyoshi Muro will play Uroku Chono. He is a trouble maker and popular Illusionist.
Lastly, Jiro Sato will play high school principal Pinsuke Kanda.

“The Disastrous Life of Saiki K” opens October 21, 2017 in Japan.

Mar 14 2017

Trailer #2 for movie “To Each His Own”

Trailer #2 added for upcoming movie “To Each His Own” starring Sota Fukushi & Asuka Kudo. Movie is directed by Izuru Narushima & based on 2015 novel “Chotto Ima Kara Shigoto Yamete Kuru” by Emi Kitagawa. Story for “To Each His Own” follows workaholic salaryman Takashi Aoyama (Asuka Kudo). He blacks out on a subway platform and is about to fall into the path of an oncoming train, but is saved by a mysterious man (Sota Fukushi).

“To Each His Own” opens May 27, 2017 in Japan.

Mar 13 2017

Teaser trailer for movie “Sekigahara”

Teaser trailer for upcoming period film “Sekigahara” starring Junichi Okada, Koji Yakusho & Kasumi Arimura. Movie is based on novel “Sekigahara” by Ryotaro Shiba and directed by Masato Harada. Story for “Sekigahara” takes place in 1600 during the Battle of Sekigahara. Mitsunari Ishida (Junichi Okada) and Ieyasu Tokugawa (Koji Yakusho) face off with the fate of the nation hanging in the balance. Hatsume (Kasumi Arimura) was sent as a spy to watch Mitsunari Ishida, but she falls in love with him.

“Sekigahara” opens Augsut 26, 2017 in Japan.

Mar 13 2017

Elaiza Ikeda & Masaki Nakao cast in live-action film “Make a Bow and Kiss”

Elaiza Ikeda and Masaki Nakao are cast in upcoming live-action film “Make a Bow and Kiss” (literal title). Movie is based on manga “Ichirei Shite, Kisu” by Yakko Kaga and directed by Takeshi Furusawa. Filming for the movie has already begun and production is expected to finish by June, 2017. For their respective roles in the movie, Elaiza Ikeda and Masaki Nakao practiced kyudo (Japanese martial art of archery) for 2 months prior to filming.

“Make a Bow and Kiss” will be released autumn, 2017 in Japan.

Mar 10 2017

Eriko Hatsune & Kengo Kora cast in movie “Moon and Lightning”

Eriko Hatsune & Kengo Kora are cast in new movie “Moon and Lightning” (literal title). The film is based on 2012 novel “Tsuki to Kaminari” by Mitsuyo Kakuta. Mitsuyo Kakuta has numerous novels adapted previously into movies and drama series, with “Kami no Tsuki” (“Pale Moon“) and “Youkame no Semi” (“Rebirth“) standing out for the amount of bling it brought the films at the Japan Academy Prize. “Moon and Lightning,” distributed by Suurkiitos, opens October, 2017 in Japan.

Mar 10 2017

Trailer and English subtitled trailer for movie “What A Wonderful Family! 2”

Japanese trailer and international English subtitled trailer added for upcoming sequel film “What A Wonderful Family! 2.” Movie is directed by Yoji Yamada and features the return of the Hirata family played by Isao Hashizume, Kazuko Yoshiyuki, Masahiko Nishimura, Yui Natsukawa, Tomoko Nakajima, Shozo Hayashiya, Satoshi Tsumabuki & Yu Aoi.

“What A Wonderful Family! 2” opens May 27, 2017 in Japan.