Posts Categorized: Japanese Movies

Jan 20 2020

Yuko Tanaka & Yu Aoi cast in movie “I’ll Live By Myself”

Yuko Tanaka & Yu Aoi are cast in movie “I’ll Live By Myself” (literal title). The film is based on 2017 novel “Ora Ora de Hitori Igumo” by Chisako Wakatake and directed by Shuichi Okita (“The Woodsman and the Rain“). The novel is Chiako Wakatake’s first novel and it was published when in 2017 when Chisako Wakatake was 63 years old. For the movie, Yuko Tanaka and Yu Aoi will play main character Momoko, but in different periods of her life.

“I’ll Live By Myself” will be released sometime later this year in Japan.

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Jan 20 2020

Tori Matsuzaka cast in live-action film “In Those Days”

Tori Matsuzaka is cast in live-action film “In Those Days.” The film is based on autobiographical manga essay “Ano Koro: Danshi Kashimashi Monogatari ” by Mikito Tsurugi. Mikito Tsurugi is the bassist for electronic band Arakajime and he has acted in films “The Mohican Comes Home” and “Ringing in Their Ears.” The film will be directed by Rikiya Imaizumi (“Little Nights, Little Love“).

“In Those Days” will be released sometime during 2021 in Japan.

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Jan 18 2020

Ren Nagase cast in live-action film “Yowamushi Pedal”

Ren Nagase is cast for the lead role in live-action film “Yowamushi Pedal.” Also cast in major supporting character roles are Kentaro Ito and Kanna Hashimoto. The film is based on manga series “Yowamushi Pedal” by Wataru Watanabe and directed by Koichiro Miki (“Evergreen Love“). For the film Ren Nagase will play otaku Sakamichi Onoda who takes up the sport of bicycle racing. Kentaro Ito will play racing rival Shunsuke Imaizumi and Kanna Hashimoto will play bicycle racing club manager Miki Kanzaki. Filming for the movie will begin February, 2020. To prepare for his role, Ren Nagase began practicing bicycle racing from December, 2019.

“Yowamushi Pedal” will be released August 14, 2020 in Japan.

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Jan 17 2020

Main trailer & poster for movie “Yayoi, March: 30 Years That I Loved You”

Main trailer and poster added for movie “Yayoi, March: 30 Years That I Loved You” (literal title) starring Haru & Ryo Narita. Movie is written and directed by Kazuhiko Yukawa (“A Loving Husband“). The romance film spans 30 years as it tells the relationship between Yayoi Yuki (Haru) and Taro Yamada (Ryo Narita). Caption on the main poster states in Japanese “For 30 years, I kept liking you from somewhere.” Below are still images from the film.

“Yayoi, March: 30 Years That I Loved You” will be released March 20, 2020 in Japan.

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Jan 16 2020

Main trailer & teaser poster for movie “The Sun Does Not Move”

Main trailer and teaser poster added for movie “The Sun Does Not Move” (literal title) starring Tatsuya Fujiwara & Ryoma Takeuchi. Korean actors Han Hyo-Joo & Byun Yo-Han were already announced as supporting cast members in the film. Additional supporting cast members announced today are Hayato Ichihara, Sara Minami, Seishiro Kato, Eiji Yokota, Arisa Yagi, Hiroshi Katsuno, Yoshiko Miyazaki, Shingo Tsurumi, and Koichi Sato.

“The Sun Does Not Move” will be released May 15, 2020 in Japan.

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Jan 15 2020

Kentaro Sakaguchi cast in movie & drama special “Signal”

Kentaro Sakaguchi is cast in movie “Signal The Movie” and related drama special “Signal SP.” Both titles are sequels to 2018 Fuji TV drama series “Signal,” which is a remake of 2016 tvN drama series “Signal.” For the movie and drama special, Kentaro Sakaguchi will reprise his role of Police Officer Kento Saegusa. In the Fuji TV drama series, his character found a walkie talkie which allowed him to talk to a detective from the past.

Plot synopsis by AsianWiki: Story continues from the “Signal” drama series. Kento Saegusa (Kentaro Sakaguchi) and Misaki Sakurai (Michiko Kichise) head to the place where Takeshi Ooyama (Kazuki Kitamura) is in the present days.

“Signal The Movie” will be released sometime during 2021 in Japan and “Signal SP” will air around that time.

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Jan 14 2020

Nana Seino & Tori Matsuzaka cast in live-action film “Whisper of the Heart”

Nana Seino & Tori Matsuzaka are cast in live-action film “Whisper of the Heart.” The film is based on manga series  “Mimi o Sumaseba” by Aoi Hiiragi and directed by Yuichiro Hirakawa (“Erased“). The manga was adapted into 1995 anime film “Whisper of the Heart,” which was released by Studio Ghibli. Filming will begin mid-February, 2020 and finishes March, 2020.

Plot synopsis by AsianWiki: Shizuku Tsukishima (Nana Seino) is a 3rd grade middle school student. She likes reading books. Shizuku Tsukishima meets Seiji Amasawa (Tori Matsuzaka). He is in the same grade and school that Shizuku Tsukishima attends. At first, she does not like him, but she becomes fascinated with his pursuit of his dream. Seiji Amasawa also knows Shizuku Tsukishima’s dream is to become a novelist. They vow to each other to achieve their dreams.

10 years later, Shizuku Tsukishima is 24 years old. She gave up her dream of becoming a novelist and now works as an editor for a publishing company that specializes in children’s books. She struggles in her daily life at work. Meanwhile, Seiji Amasawa is abroad and still pursuing his dream.

“Whisper of the Heart” will be released September 18, 2020 in Japan.

Jan 13 2020

Masaki Okada & Jun Shison cast in live-action film “The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window”

Masaki Okada and Jun Shison are cast in live-action film “The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window.” The film is based on manga series “Sankaku Mado no Sotogawa wa Yoru” by Tomoko Yamashita and directed by Yukihiro Morigaki (“Goodbye, Grandpa“). Filming for the movie will begin January 15, 2020 and finish mid-February, 2020.

Plot synopsis by AsianWiki: Since Kosuke Mikado (Jun Shison) was a child, he has seen ghosts. He has had a difficult time because of that. One day, Rihito Hiyakawa (Masaki Okada) comes to the bookstore where Kosuke Mikado works at and tells Kosuke Mikado that if he is with him, he won’t be afraid anymore.

Rihito Hiyakawa is an exorcist. Kosuke Mikado decides to take part in exorcisms conducted by Rihito Hiyakawa. They then receive a request from a detective about a serial murder case. While investigating the case, Rihito Hiyakawa and Kosuke Mikado find a cursed dead body.