Why didn’t I tell you a million times? is a Japanese series written by Naoko Adachi starring Mao Inoue, Takeru Satō and Kenichi Matsuyama.
Why didn’t I tell you a million times? This is Netflix’s commitment to the most realistic, sensitive (and cheesy) Japanese fiction, with a certain intention, especially when it comes to photography.
A series that is committed to romanticism, sentimentality and to win over “its” audience. Without dissimulation, neither in the music nor in the dialogues. It is a series with intimate touches that offers us a journey with emotions running high.
It knows how to change from its initial approach but without changing course too much, without disappointing those viewers who expect the sensitive rather than the spectacular.
It has the merit of unfolding at a good pace, of knowing how to win over the spectator in its slow and reflective narrative and,...
Why didn’t I tell you a million times? This is Netflix’s commitment to the most realistic, sensitive (and cheesy) Japanese fiction, with a certain intention, especially when it comes to photography.
A series that is committed to romanticism, sentimentality and to win over “its” audience. Without dissimulation, neither in the music nor in the dialogues. It is a series with intimate touches that offers us a journey with emotions running high.
It knows how to change from its initial approach but without changing course too much, without disappointing those viewers who expect the sensitive rather than the spectacular.
It has the merit of unfolding at a good pace, of knowing how to win over the spectator in its slow and reflective narrative and,...
- 5/12/2023
- by TV Shows Martin Cid Magazine
- Martin Cid - TV
First Love Hatsukoi is a Netflix romantic drama series written and directed by Yuri Kanchiku and starring Hikari Mitsushima and Takeru Satō.
In nine episodes you can follow the stories of Yae and Hurimichi as they reminisce about the time they fell in love.
Premise
Their lives did not turn out to be as wondrous as they had expected when then were young, free and madly in love. Everything was so much easier as teenagers, they had everything they could dream of, especially, love. Now, grown and disenchanted with life they will lean on their memories to make it through the day, one dull day at a time. No amount of lackluster, no harsh reality, will take that away from them, they will always have those beautiful memories.
First Love Season 1. Chapters When the Lilacs Bloom
Yae drives through the streets of Sapporo as a taxi driver. Back in her rural hometown,...
In nine episodes you can follow the stories of Yae and Hurimichi as they reminisce about the time they fell in love.
Premise
Their lives did not turn out to be as wondrous as they had expected when then were young, free and madly in love. Everything was so much easier as teenagers, they had everything they could dream of, especially, love. Now, grown and disenchanted with life they will lean on their memories to make it through the day, one dull day at a time. No amount of lackluster, no harsh reality, will take that away from them, they will always have those beautiful memories.
First Love Season 1. Chapters When the Lilacs Bloom
Yae drives through the streets of Sapporo as a taxi driver. Back in her rural hometown,...
- 11/21/2022
- by Veronica Loop
- Martin Cid - TV
The Netflix Series “First Love” is a new story that has been crafted through inspiration from two songs by Hikaru Utada: the 1999 smash hit and musical gem “First Love,” and “Hatsukoi,” released 19 years later. The story follows a couple retracing their memories of their unforgettable first love over the course of more than 20 years and spanning three decades: the late ’90s, the 2000s, and the present.
The ultimate love story presented by the miraculous combination of Hikari Mitsushima, Takeru Satoh, director Yuri Kanchiku and the songs of Hikaru Utada
The Netflix Series “First Love” starts streaming from November 24, 2022, only on Netflix!
The ultimate love story presented by the miraculous combination of Hikari Mitsushima, Takeru Satoh, director Yuri Kanchiku and the songs of Hikaru Utada
The Netflix Series “First Love” starts streaming from November 24, 2022, only on Netflix!
- 11/17/2022
- by Don Anelli
- AsianMoviePulse
Emerging stars from Netflix Japan’s biggest original shows have revealed their experiences working with the streamer today at the final Tudum event of the past 24 hours.
Netflix is involved in a fierce battle for streaming supremacy in Japan with Amazon, Disney+ and others, and today’s event was a chance to show off its firepower.
As such, it held interviews with five up-and-coming stars from the Asian country at their Netflix Tudum event: Kento Yamazaki and Tao Tsuchiya, who play Arisu and Usagi from Alice in Borderland, appeared at the event alongside Nana Mori and Natsuki Deguchi, who play Kiyo and Sumire from The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House, and voice actress Fairouz Ai, who plays Jolyne Cujoh in the upcoming JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean.
Season one of Alice in Borderland is, based on the manga of the same name, launched in 2020, following Yamazaki and Tsuchiya...
Netflix is involved in a fierce battle for streaming supremacy in Japan with Amazon, Disney+ and others, and today’s event was a chance to show off its firepower.
As such, it held interviews with five up-and-coming stars from the Asian country at their Netflix Tudum event: Kento Yamazaki and Tao Tsuchiya, who play Arisu and Usagi from Alice in Borderland, appeared at the event alongside Nana Mori and Natsuki Deguchi, who play Kiyo and Sumire from The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House, and voice actress Fairouz Ai, who plays Jolyne Cujoh in the upcoming JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean.
Season one of Alice in Borderland is, based on the manga of the same name, launched in 2020, following Yamazaki and Tsuchiya...
- 9/25/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Teenagers locked in their rooms, chained to the desks, drawing frantically, ignoring personal hygiene and feeding on instant noodles, only to be able to appear – even just once – in a comic magazine, is undoubtedly difficult material to forge and transform into an exciting action story, but somehow, Hitoshi One succeeds in such a task. The director is rather familiar with manga adaptations and his 2015 film “Bakuman” is a good live action film from a well-known manga, which, despite its two-hour duration, amuses and engages.
on YesAsia
Japanese comics (manga) are very popular and “consumed” also in the West. In the last decades they wormed their way through all the European countries with their own strong tradition of comics, like Italy, France, Belgium, Spain. However, it is worth mentioning that, in Japan, the mangakas (comic book artists) are real stars, on a par with their characters. Becoming an...
on YesAsia
Japanese comics (manga) are very popular and “consumed” also in the West. In the last decades they wormed their way through all the European countries with their own strong tradition of comics, like Italy, France, Belgium, Spain. However, it is worth mentioning that, in Japan, the mangakas (comic book artists) are real stars, on a par with their characters. Becoming an...
- 8/17/2022
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
translation by Lukasz Mankowski
Takahisa Zeze is a Japanese film director and screenwriter first known for his soft-core pornographic pink films of the 1990s. Along with fellow directors, Kazuhiro Sano, Toshiki Sato, and Hisayasu Sato, he is known as one of the “Four Heavenly Kings of Pink”. Eventually, he moves away from the particular industry, directing movies such as “Heaven Story” which took the Fipresci and Netpac award in Berlin, and “The Chrysanthemum and the Guillotine”.
On the occasion of “In the Wake” screening at Toronto Japanese Film Festival, we speak with him about adapting Shichiri Nakayama’s novel, the Fukushima disaster and its connection with social welfare, the main characters and the casting, his past and present in cinema, and his latest project
“In the Wake” screened at Toronto Japanese Film Festival
Why did you decide to adapt Shichiri Nakayama’s novel “Mamorarenakatta Monotachi e”?
It all starts with...
Takahisa Zeze is a Japanese film director and screenwriter first known for his soft-core pornographic pink films of the 1990s. Along with fellow directors, Kazuhiro Sano, Toshiki Sato, and Hisayasu Sato, he is known as one of the “Four Heavenly Kings of Pink”. Eventually, he moves away from the particular industry, directing movies such as “Heaven Story” which took the Fipresci and Netpac award in Berlin, and “The Chrysanthemum and the Guillotine”.
On the occasion of “In the Wake” screening at Toronto Japanese Film Festival, we speak with him about adapting Shichiri Nakayama’s novel, the Fukushima disaster and its connection with social welfare, the main characters and the casting, his past and present in cinema, and his latest project
“In the Wake” screened at Toronto Japanese Film Festival
Why did you decide to adapt Shichiri Nakayama’s novel “Mamorarenakatta Monotachi e”?
It all starts with...
- 7/17/2022
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
The Film
The new Miyazaki. That’s a description I’ve heard applied to Mamoru Hosoda over and over, and it’s never sat well with me. Notwithstanding that Hosoda has expressed critical feelings about Miyazaki’s depiction of women, or my own apathy about Miyazaki’s films, Hosoda isn’t the new anybody, nor does he need to be. He’s the first Mamoru Hosoda, and across his six solo features, he’s established a strong authorial voice and, for my money, stands out as one of the best and most exciting filmmakers working today, and not just in animation.
Belle, like Hosoda’s previous films, takes a gigantic sci-fi concept and boils it down to a tiny personal story. The setting is contemporary, but the internet seems to be dominated by an app called U, a social network which, through body sharing technology (think a less gross take...
The new Miyazaki. That’s a description I’ve heard applied to Mamoru Hosoda over and over, and it’s never sat well with me. Notwithstanding that Hosoda has expressed critical feelings about Miyazaki’s depiction of women, or my own apathy about Miyazaki’s films, Hosoda isn’t the new anybody, nor does he need to be. He’s the first Mamoru Hosoda, and across his six solo features, he’s established a strong authorial voice and, for my money, stands out as one of the best and most exciting filmmakers working today, and not just in animation.
Belle, like Hosoda’s previous films, takes a gigantic sci-fi concept and boils it down to a tiny personal story. The setting is contemporary, but the internet seems to be dominated by an app called U, a social network which, through body sharing technology (think a less gross take...
- 7/13/2022
- by Sam Inglis
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
As we mentioned many times before, Takahisa Zeze has moved as far away from his pinku film past as possible during the last years, with his latest works essentially being mainstream, at least in Japanese movie industry terms. As such, a film about the aftermath of the 2011, which have been releasing aplenty after a “healing” decade has passed, was bound to come from the veteran filmmaker, who, once more, does not disappoint.
“In the Wake” is screening at Toronto Japanese Film Festival
The story is based on Shichiri Narayama’s novel “Mamorarenakatta Monotachi e”, begins in 2011, nine years after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, and focuses on two brutal murders of men working for Social Welfare, who were found tied up and starved to death. Prefectural investigator Tomashino, who has lost his family in the tsunami and carries the burden in the most evident way possible, works with young detective Hasuda to investigate the murders,...
“In the Wake” is screening at Toronto Japanese Film Festival
The story is based on Shichiri Narayama’s novel “Mamorarenakatta Monotachi e”, begins in 2011, nine years after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, and focuses on two brutal murders of men working for Social Welfare, who were found tied up and starved to death. Prefectural investigator Tomashino, who has lost his family in the tsunami and carries the burden in the most evident way possible, works with young detective Hasuda to investigate the murders,...
- 6/10/2022
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
U is the world’s biggest internet community and ethereal singer Belle is its brightest star. From the moment she burst onto the virtual scene, lovers and haters Irl and inside U have been consumed with learning the pink-haired pop icon true’s identity.
17-year-old Suzu (Kaho Nakamura) is horrified by Belle’s success. Devastated by the loss of her beloved mother, the weight of grief has stolen Suzu’s confidence and her voice from her. The act of singing now makes her ill and she has withdrawn from her father and closest friends to mourn alone.
Escaping into U was an act of desperation but the site’s biometric tech draws out its users’ inner strengths and gifts so once inside Suzu couldn’t help giving voice to her pain. Her plaintive song was raw and real and a host of avatars gathered to listen. Checking her phone back...
17-year-old Suzu (Kaho Nakamura) is horrified by Belle’s success. Devastated by the loss of her beloved mother, the weight of grief has stolen Suzu’s confidence and her voice from her. The act of singing now makes her ill and she has withdrawn from her father and closest friends to mourn alone.
Escaping into U was an act of desperation but the site’s biometric tech draws out its users’ inner strengths and gifts so once inside Suzu couldn’t help giving voice to her pain. Her plaintive song was raw and real and a host of avatars gathered to listen. Checking her phone back...
- 2/2/2022
- by Emily Breen
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
By Sophia Ng
A Faustian bargain is often recognised as a deal with the devil where one trades something of moral or spiritual importance such as the soul for the acquisition of worldly or material gains. It’s hardly a new trope in books and films, but is given a little twist in Akira Nagai’s film adaptation of “If Cats Disappeared from this World”. Based on Genki Kawamura’s book of the same name, the 2016 film follows its terminally-ill protagonist as he is offered a chance to prolong his life by a devil wearing his face– erasing one thing from the world in exchange for one more day of life. Compared to the high personal stakes involved in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”, where the titular character trades his soul for permanent youth, the deal offered by the devil in this case seems like a pretty good deal when...
A Faustian bargain is often recognised as a deal with the devil where one trades something of moral or spiritual importance such as the soul for the acquisition of worldly or material gains. It’s hardly a new trope in books and films, but is given a little twist in Akira Nagai’s film adaptation of “If Cats Disappeared from this World”. Based on Genki Kawamura’s book of the same name, the 2016 film follows its terminally-ill protagonist as he is offered a chance to prolong his life by a devil wearing his face– erasing one thing from the world in exchange for one more day of life. Compared to the high personal stakes involved in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”, where the titular character trades his soul for permanent youth, the deal offered by the devil in this case seems like a pretty good deal when...
- 10/28/2021
- by Guest Writer
- AsianMoviePulse
One of this year’s animated Oscar contenders could be veteran Mamoru Hosoda’s dazzling Cannes debut “Belle: The Dragon and the Freckled Princess”, inspired by the French “Beauty and the Beast” fairy tale, about rural school kids who take on alter egos in a digital universe, based on their strengths and weaknesses. “Belle” could mark the filmmaker’s second animated feature Oscar nomination after “Mirai.” The movie screens October 23 at Hollywood’s Animation Is Film festival before its later Oscar-qualifying GKids release.
Hosoda updates the 18th-century fairy tale that has spawned countless movie adaptations, from Jean Cocteau’s 1946 black-and-white French classic to the Disney animated musical and its recent live-action remake, with a near-future story that combines “Ready Player One” with “Eighth Grade.” The movie’s naturalistic setting is the filmmaker’s birthplace Kamiichi, a remote western island.
“It’s a very rural place,” Hosoda said. “It’s a...
Hosoda updates the 18th-century fairy tale that has spawned countless movie adaptations, from Jean Cocteau’s 1946 black-and-white French classic to the Disney animated musical and its recent live-action remake, with a near-future story that combines “Ready Player One” with “Eighth Grade.” The movie’s naturalistic setting is the filmmaker’s birthplace Kamiichi, a remote western island.
“It’s a very rural place,” Hosoda said. “It’s a...
- 10/23/2021
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
One of this year’s animated Oscar contenders could be anime veteran Mamoru Hosoda’s dazzling Cannes debut “Belle”, inspired by the French “Beauty and the Beast” fairy tale, about rural school kids who take on alter egos in a digital universe, based on their strengths and weaknesses. “Belle” could mark the filmmaker’s second animated feature Oscar nomination after “Mirai.” The movie screens October 23 at Hollywood’s Animation Is Film festival before its later Oscar-qualifying GKids release.
Hosoda updates the 18th-century fairy tale that has spawned countless movie adaptations, from Jean Cocteau’s 1946 black-and-white French classic to the Disney animated musical and its recent live-action remake, with a near-future story that combines “Ready Player One” with “Eighth Grade.” The movie’s naturalistic setting is the filmmaker’s birthplace Kamiichi, a remote western island. “It’s a very rural place,” Hosoda said. “It’s a part of Japan that is dying away.
Hosoda updates the 18th-century fairy tale that has spawned countless movie adaptations, from Jean Cocteau’s 1946 black-and-white French classic to the Disney animated musical and its recent live-action remake, with a near-future story that combines “Ready Player One” with “Eighth Grade.” The movie’s naturalistic setting is the filmmaker’s birthplace Kamiichi, a remote western island. “It’s a very rural place,” Hosoda said. “It’s a part of Japan that is dying away.
- 10/23/2021
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
(Welcome to The Daily Stream, an ongoing series in which the /Film team shares what they've been watching, why it's worth checking out, and where you can stream it.)
The Movies: Rurouni Kenshin Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3
Where You Can Stream It: Funimation
The Pitch: A former assassin nicknamed Hitokiri Battosai lays down his sword after committing countless atrocities during the Bakumatsu war and vows to never kill again. Ten years later, a wandering rurouni named Himura Kenshin (Takeru Satoh) makes his way through the Japanese countryside, offering protection and help to those in need. But he carries a strange...
The post The Daily Stream: The Rurouni Kenshin Trilogy Brings the Western-Samurai Dynamic Full Circle appeared first on /Film.
The Movies: Rurouni Kenshin Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3
Where You Can Stream It: Funimation
The Pitch: A former assassin nicknamed Hitokiri Battosai lays down his sword after committing countless atrocities during the Bakumatsu war and vows to never kill again. Ten years later, a wandering rurouni named Himura Kenshin (Takeru Satoh) makes his way through the Japanese countryside, offering protection and help to those in need. But he carries a strange...
The post The Daily Stream: The Rurouni Kenshin Trilogy Brings the Western-Samurai Dynamic Full Circle appeared first on /Film.
- 8/24/2021
- by Hoai-Tran Bui
- Slash Film
The conclusion of what came to be the pentalogy of Rurouni Kenshin live action movies, was another much anticipated film of the year, even though the 4th entry bordered on being disappointing, with the exceptions of a few action scenes. However, and although the ending of the story was essentially known due to the previous film (which I felt should be watched last actually) the final episode is actually quite good, on par with the previous trilogy, at least for the most part.
The story essentially focuses on the beginnings of Kenshin as Hitokiri Battosai, which is portrayed through a series of flashbacks. As the movie starts, Kenshin is already a notorious killer moving in the shadows of Kyoto, according to the orders of Katsura, who leads the Choshu clan, a group of anti-shogun members. Having killed a hundred people since his hiring from Katsura a year ago, Kenshin has...
The story essentially focuses on the beginnings of Kenshin as Hitokiri Battosai, which is portrayed through a series of flashbacks. As the movie starts, Kenshin is already a notorious killer moving in the shadows of Kyoto, according to the orders of Katsura, who leads the Choshu clan, a group of anti-shogun members. Having killed a hundred people since his hiring from Katsura a year ago, Kenshin has...
- 8/3/2021
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
One of the most anticipated movies of the last few years, particularly for fans of the “Rurouni Kenshin”-franchise, was the movie based on the final chapter of both the manga and the anime, which, in the original, concludes the story, in the most dramatic, but also the most magnificent way. Unfortunately, once more, a Netflix production went for impression rather than substance. Let us take things from the beginning though.
Wu Heishin, a man supposedly from Shanghai, arrives in Tokyo, only to be revealed a bit later, that his sole purpose is to exact revenge from Himura Kenshin, due to some events that took place between Battousai and his sister, Tomoe, in the past. Hajime Saito arrests the newcomer after a violent incident in the train that brought him, but a commercial agreement between Japan and China forces him to let him go. As Wu Heishin’s gang begins...
Wu Heishin, a man supposedly from Shanghai, arrives in Tokyo, only to be revealed a bit later, that his sole purpose is to exact revenge from Himura Kenshin, due to some events that took place between Battousai and his sister, Tomoe, in the past. Hajime Saito arrests the newcomer after a violent incident in the train that brought him, but a commercial agreement between Japan and China forces him to let him go. As Wu Heishin’s gang begins...
- 6/23/2021
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
9 years after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, two murder cases take place in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture. The two victims are assumed to have been murdered by the same person. Both of the victims were tied all over their body and starved to death. Yasuhisa Tone (Takeru Satoh) emerges as a suspect in the murders. Yasuhisa Tone was just recently released from prison. In his past, he committed arson and injured someone to protect his acquaintance. Detective Seiichiro Tomashino (Hiroshi Abe) discovers a common link between the two victims and chases after Yasuhisa Tone.
- 4/14/2021
- by Don Anelli
- AsianMoviePulse
"I've never seen him look so tormented before." Warner Bros Japan has released an official trailer for the epic new back-to-back series of movies titled Rurouni Kenshin: The Final and Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning. These are part of an ongoing series of Japanese period action-adventure films based on the manga of the same name written and illustrated by Nobuhiro Watsuki. The first one, Rurouni Kenshin: Origins, originally debuted in 2012. These next two are back-to-back sequels, technically the fourth and fifth films in the series, opening in theaters in Japan within months of each other later in the spring. Takeru Satoh returns as Himura Kenshin, joined by Emi Takei, Mackenyu, Munetaka Aoki, Yū Aoi, Yusuke Iseya, and Riku Ōnishi. This looks completely like a live-action anime set in the old times, with stylized action and endless characters with grudges and much more. Might be a kick ass double feature! Check it out.
- 3/11/2021
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Father and daughter relationship, corporate vs rock, fear of aging and near-death experience are only some of the hot topics that TV and commercial director Shinji Hamasaki has chosen to tackle and turn them into a madcap comedy in his first feature film “Not Quite Dead Yet”.
Not Quite Dead Yet is screening at Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme
Nanase Nobata (Suzu Hirose) is a brilliant scientist, fresh from University and with a dad who is president of the Nobata Pharmaceutics, a leading pharmaceutical company well known for their research on a rejuvenation drug called Romeo. It could be an ideal situation for Nanase if a little detail wasn’t in the way; Nanase hates her father and she would like to see him dead. So much so that she has written a song about it for her idol death metal band Soulzz. She despises him at the point that...
Not Quite Dead Yet is screening at Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme
Nanase Nobata (Suzu Hirose) is a brilliant scientist, fresh from University and with a dad who is president of the Nobata Pharmaceutics, a leading pharmaceutical company well known for their research on a rejuvenation drug called Romeo. It could be an ideal situation for Nanase if a little detail wasn’t in the way; Nanase hates her father and she would like to see him dead. So much so that she has written a song about it for her idol death metal band Soulzz. She despises him at the point that...
- 3/1/2021
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s big-screen adaptation of Rokuro Inui’s novel A Perfect Day for Plesiosaur marks the director’s slow transition from horrors like “Cure” and “Retribution” to more recent dramas including 2017’s “Before We Vanish” and “To the Ends of the Earth.” In this genre mashup of thriller, science fiction, drama, romance, and monster movie, Kurosawa creates an experience which is bound to be bizarre and disorienting, even for viewers who are accustomed to his surreal style.
The story revolves around Koichi Fujita, a neurologist with access to new and innovative technology, trying to access the depths of his comatose lover’s mind. Atsumi Kazu is a manga artist who had attempted to kill herself the year before, after a negative experience with writer’s block, and has been unconscious ever since. Alongside his assistants Aihara and Yonemura, Koichi spends hour-long sessions in the mind of Atsumi through a...
The story revolves around Koichi Fujita, a neurologist with access to new and innovative technology, trying to access the depths of his comatose lover’s mind. Atsumi Kazu is a manga artist who had attempted to kill herself the year before, after a negative experience with writer’s block, and has been unconscious ever since. Alongside his assistants Aihara and Yonemura, Koichi spends hour-long sessions in the mind of Atsumi through a...
- 12/1/2020
- by Spencer Nafekh-Blanchette
- AsianMoviePulse
Actor Haruma Miura, one of Japan’s top young film and television stars, has died at age 30 after being found unresponsive at his Minato ward home in Tokyo.
His manager found Miura when he came to his home to check on the star, who did not show up for work. News reports said he was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead upon arrival.
Tokyo Metropolitan Police are investigating his cause of death as a possible suicide, reports said.
Miura debuted in Japanese film at age seven, appearing in the drama Agri in 1997.
He was a founder of the band Brash Brats with his fellow classmates, but the group went on hiatus in 2005.
From there, Miura earned the Sponichi Grand Prix Newcomer Award at the Mainichi Film Awards in 2009 for his role in Naoko. He also won the newcomer award at the 31st Japan Academy Awards for that role.
His manager found Miura when he came to his home to check on the star, who did not show up for work. News reports said he was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead upon arrival.
Tokyo Metropolitan Police are investigating his cause of death as a possible suicide, reports said.
Miura debuted in Japanese film at age seven, appearing in the drama Agri in 1997.
He was a founder of the band Brash Brats with his fellow classmates, but the group went on hiatus in 2005.
From there, Miura earned the Sponichi Grand Prix Newcomer Award at the Mainichi Film Awards in 2009 for his role in Naoko. He also won the newcomer award at the 31st Japan Academy Awards for that role.
- 7/18/2020
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
"Whoever wins this race... I shall grant them a wish." Signature Ent. UK has debuted an official trailer for the indie action thriller Samurai Marathon, also known as Samurai Marathon 1855. Inspired by a real-life race that is still held annually in Japan, Samurai Marathon is an epic thriller from the team behind 13 Assassins and The Last Emperor. It is actually directed by a British filmmaker named Bernard Rose, best known for directing Candyman and Immortal Beloved. Set in the late feudal era of Japan, a young ninja is operating undercover in the court of an aging Lord during a peaceful era of Japan. His loyalties are put to the test as he competes in the Samurai Marathon event. Starring Takeru Satoh, Nana Komatsu, Mirai Moriyama, Shôta Sometani, Munetaka Aoki, Ryu Kohata, Yuta Koseki, Motoki Fukami, Junko Abe, and Danny Huston. Featuring a Philip Glass score, which is also a...
- 11/26/2019
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Stars: Takayuki Yamada, Takeru Satoh, Yoshiyoshi Arakawa, Takuzo Kubikukuri, Kei Ishibashi | Written by Kousuke Mukai | Directed by Nobuhiro Yamashita
I definitely do have a love for films are not only original but very strange as well. From the killer tyre movie Rubber, to the one-off brilliance of Swiss Army Man, to food that will murder you in Dead Sushi and there’s so many more I love. And Hard-Core, like those, is indeed a bit strange…
For about the first thirty minutes, Hard-Core doesn’t seem that odd. We see a guy, Ukon and his friend Ushiyama (who has a a learning disability) working in a derelict mine for a guy who believes there is gold there. These two then discover a robot in an abandoned factory and along with Ukon’s brother Sakon, their world changes forever.
Ukon is such a fascinating and brilliant character. I always felt like...
I definitely do have a love for films are not only original but very strange as well. From the killer tyre movie Rubber, to the one-off brilliance of Swiss Army Man, to food that will murder you in Dead Sushi and there’s so many more I love. And Hard-Core, like those, is indeed a bit strange…
For about the first thirty minutes, Hard-Core doesn’t seem that odd. We see a guy, Ukon and his friend Ushiyama (who has a a learning disability) working in a derelict mine for a guy who believes there is gold there. These two then discover a robot in an abandoned factory and along with Ukon’s brother Sakon, their world changes forever.
Ukon is such a fascinating and brilliant character. I always felt like...
- 7/29/2019
- by Alain Elliott
- Nerdly
Exclusive: HanWay Films has grown its sales team with the hire of former Protagonist and TF1 exec Marta Ravani who joins as director, HanWay Select.
Ravani will oversee HanWay’s extensive library and upcoming slate of documentaries. The UK firm’s catalog includes classics from the likes of Bernardo Bertolucci, David Cronenberg, Clint Eastwood, Martin Scorsese, Bob Rafelson and John Dower.
Long-time HanWay Select director of sales Mark Lane continues at the company as director of sales to focus on the company’s expanding slate.
Ravani worked in production in Paris before moving into international sales and acquisitions for Funny Balloons where she was responsible for the acquisition of Tony Manero by Pablo Larrain.
In 2014, she joined TF1 Studio as international sales manager and the following year she moved to London to join Protagonist Pictures as director of digital, video and TV sales. Recently she has spearheaded the international sales...
Ravani will oversee HanWay’s extensive library and upcoming slate of documentaries. The UK firm’s catalog includes classics from the likes of Bernardo Bertolucci, David Cronenberg, Clint Eastwood, Martin Scorsese, Bob Rafelson and John Dower.
Long-time HanWay Select director of sales Mark Lane continues at the company as director of sales to focus on the company’s expanding slate.
Ravani worked in production in Paris before moving into international sales and acquisitions for Funny Balloons where she was responsible for the acquisition of Tony Manero by Pablo Larrain.
In 2014, she joined TF1 Studio as international sales manager and the following year she moved to London to join Protagonist Pictures as director of digital, video and TV sales. Recently she has spearheaded the international sales...
- 7/18/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Discouraged by the arrival of U.S. Commodore Perry (Danny Huston), aboard black ships laden with bourbon and gunpowder, feudal lord Itakura Katsuakira (Hiroki Hasegawa) of the Annaka clan views his own forces with little confidence. They have grown slow and idle after decades of peaceful isolation, and as such he challenges all men of fighting age to a marathon to prove their mettle — the prize for first place being the winner’s wish come true. When Edo spy Jinnai Karasawa (Takeru Satoh) mistakes his lord’s agitation for insurrection, however, an order is placed in error and the shogun’s ninjas duly dispatched.
While not as sensitive as Memoirs of a Geisha or Letters from Iwo Jima, Samurai Marathon is surprisingly a congruous and measured entry in the growing genre of internationally produced Japanese period dramas — all the more so given that it was directed by Candyman’s Bernard Rose.
While not as sensitive as Memoirs of a Geisha or Letters from Iwo Jima, Samurai Marathon is surprisingly a congruous and measured entry in the growing genre of internationally produced Japanese period dramas — all the more so given that it was directed by Candyman’s Bernard Rose.
- 6/25/2019
- by Steven Neish
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Whoa! Toho Co. in Japan has debuted the first official trailer for a new Japanese 3D animated feature film titled Dragon Quest: Your Story, based on the popular video game series of the same name. For those in America, this game was released under the title Dragon Warrior, and the first version of it was released for the Nes back in the 1980s. Maybe you remember playing it? The series has since continued and is currently up to Dragon Quest XI. This film pulls its story from Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride - the fifth instalment in the series, released on the Super Famicom in 1992 and re-released on the Nintendo DS in 2008. Featuring the voices of Kasumi Arimura, Kentaro Sakaguchi, Takeru Satoh, and Takayuki Yamada. Looks action-packed and wildly entertaining. As a fan of the old game, I can't help but be curious. Here's the first Japanese...
- 4/4/2019
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
“Candyman” director Bernard Rose has helmed a new Japanese film, “Samurai Marathon,” which HanWay Films will introduce to buyers in Berlin. The picture has an original score by Philip Glass and is produced by HanWay’s Jeremy Thomas.
Thomas has a pedigree in Japanese cinema, making films including “13 Assassins” and “Hara-Kiri.” He has again teamed with Toshiaki Nakazawa, who produced the Academy Award-winning “Departures,” on “Samurai Marathon.”
Having an English director on the Japanese-language project is an unusual twist for a samurai movie. Thomas told Variety that Rose gives a subtly adjusted take on the genre but remains true to the form.
“I suggested why don’t we try and make a samurai film with an English director, or one not so entrenched in the tradition of samurai, which is a very traditional form of Japanese cinema,” Thomas said, adding that Rose “was fascinated by the challenge.”
The story...
Thomas has a pedigree in Japanese cinema, making films including “13 Assassins” and “Hara-Kiri.” He has again teamed with Toshiaki Nakazawa, who produced the Academy Award-winning “Departures,” on “Samurai Marathon.”
Having an English director on the Japanese-language project is an unusual twist for a samurai movie. Thomas told Variety that Rose gives a subtly adjusted take on the genre but remains true to the form.
“I suggested why don’t we try and make a samurai film with an English director, or one not so entrenched in the tradition of samurai, which is a very traditional form of Japanese cinema,” Thomas said, adding that Rose “was fascinated by the challenge.”
The story...
- 2/6/2019
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
London Born director Bernard Rose has completed production on his new film “Samurai Marathon 1855”. Filmed in Japan, the films stars Takeru Satoh as an government spy investigating an annual marathon, which is considered treasonous. The film marks veteran directors Bernard Rose first production working with a Japanese cast. The film, is adapted from the novel “Bakumatsu Marason Samurai”, written by Akihiro Dobashi.
The film is set to be released on February 22, 2019, a teaser for the film has been released by Gaga Corp.
Synopsis
To prepare his warriors for potential attacks from foreign invaders, the hanshu holds a marathon. The marathon runs along a mountain path for about 58 kilometers. Retainers join the marathon to get a prize offered to them. Meanwhile, the marathon is mistakenly viewed as an act of treason by the central Edo government. Assassins are sent to the hanshu’s castle. Jinnai Karasawa (Takeru Satoh) appears as a normal samurai at the han,...
The film is set to be released on February 22, 2019, a teaser for the film has been released by Gaga Corp.
Synopsis
To prepare his warriors for potential attacks from foreign invaders, the hanshu holds a marathon. The marathon runs along a mountain path for about 58 kilometers. Retainers join the marathon to get a prize offered to them. Meanwhile, the marathon is mistakenly viewed as an act of treason by the central Edo government. Assassins are sent to the hanshu’s castle. Jinnai Karasawa (Takeru Satoh) appears as a normal samurai at the han,...
- 11/28/2018
- by Adam Symchuk
- AsianMoviePulse
58 year old Ichiro Inuyashiki is a down trodden loser working in sales for a company who doesn’t want him, to pay for a mortgage for his wife and kids who couldn’t care less about him. Ichiro’s life seems like it can’t get any worse, until a letter sends him to the doctor’s office, where he is told he has a terminal illness. He attempts to confide in his family, but is completely disregarded due to their disdain towards him. Upon arriving home one night, he finds a dog that was left on his door step who he so wishes to befriend, but in keeping up with his wife’s wishes tries to abandon in a park. In his attempt to discard the dog, a bright light in the sky renders him unconscious and upon awakening the next day, he begins to experience new found abilities and a new found body.
- 7/16/2018
- by Nathan Last
- AsianMoviePulse
Fantasia 2018’s First Wave of Programming Announced, Joe Dante to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award
With the 22nd annual Fantasia International Film Festival kicks off in Montreal this July, the first wave of programming has now been announced, and as per usual, there are many events for genre fans to look forward to, including the world premiere of the horror anthology Nightmare Cinema, screenings of Unfriended: Dark Web and David Robert Mitchell's Under the Silver Lake, and a Lifetime Achievement Award presentation to filmmaker Joe Dante:
Press Release: Montreal, May 2, 2018 - The Fantasia International Film Festival will be celebrating its 22nd Anniversary in Montreal this summer, taking place from July 12-August 1, with its Frontières International Co-Production Market and Industry Rendez-Vous Weekend being held July 19-22.
The festival’s full lineup of over 130 feature films will be announced in early July. In the meantime, Fantasia is excited to reveal a carefully selected first wave of titles, along with several special happenings.
International Premiere Of...
Press Release: Montreal, May 2, 2018 - The Fantasia International Film Festival will be celebrating its 22nd Anniversary in Montreal this summer, taking place from July 12-August 1, with its Frontières International Co-Production Market and Industry Rendez-Vous Weekend being held July 19-22.
The festival’s full lineup of over 130 feature films will be announced in early July. In the meantime, Fantasia is excited to reveal a carefully selected first wave of titles, along with several special happenings.
International Premiere Of...
- 5/2/2018
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
In “Inuyashiki,” an alien encounter mutates two unsuspecting charaters — one, a decrepit salaryman, the other, a neighborhood teenager — into indestructible cyborgs, but contrary to genre conventions, it’s the kid who turns evil, leaving the wussy old codger to save the day. Adapted from a manga by Hiroya Oku, this Japanese genre effort is ably directed by Shinsuke Sato, who foregrounds interpersonal relationships and human emotion over action and effects. The fact that English translations of the 10-volume series exist digitally, while an anime miniseries can be viewed on Amazon Prime Video, should boost the film’s overseas potential. Meanwhile, in a country with the world’s highest elderly population, the action movie’s anti-ageist thrust — demonstrating how undervalued senior citizens kick ass — proves unexpectedly heart-warming.
From “Parasyste” to “Gantz” (also written by Oku), Japanese science fiction is rife with stories of humans merging with androids or aliens. Of this tradition,...
From “Parasyste” to “Gantz” (also written by Oku), Japanese science fiction is rife with stories of humans merging with androids or aliens. Of this tradition,...
- 5/1/2018
- by Maggie Lee
- Variety Film + TV
After experimenting with his form of boundary-pushing, cinema-as-memory films to great, succesful lengths with his last three narrative features–not to mention Voyage of Time, which we’re still awaiting an actual U.S. release for–Terrence Malick will return to more of a traditional script with his WWII drama Radegund, hopefully releasing later this year. But first, after splicing in avant-garde and experiential touches with his last few films, he’s making the natural step into virtual reality.
Premiering at South by Southwest Festival–where he gave a rare public talk last year–on March 13 is the Vr experience Together, which is directed by Malick and shot by cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto (Silence, The Wolf of Wall Street, Brokeback Mountain). Clocking in at 5 minutes and 46 seconds and featuring music by Simon Franglen, see the synopsis below, as well as the first look above.
“Together” is a Vr experience about the power of human connection.
Premiering at South by Southwest Festival–where he gave a rare public talk last year–on March 13 is the Vr experience Together, which is directed by Malick and shot by cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto (Silence, The Wolf of Wall Street, Brokeback Mountain). Clocking in at 5 minutes and 46 seconds and featuring music by Simon Franglen, see the synopsis below, as well as the first look above.
“Together” is a Vr experience about the power of human connection.
- 2/8/2018
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Following the announcement that John Krasinski's A Quiet Place will be the opening night movie at SXSW, the anticipated Midnighters genre slate has now been revealed, including the buzzed-about Hereditary (read Heather Wixson's Sundance review here), Leigh Whannell's Upgrade, Jenn Wexler's The Ranger, and Field Guide to Evil.
You can check out the full list of Midnighters below, and visit the official SXSW website for more information on the festival's schedule.
From SXSW: "The SXSW Midnighters section is a perennial favorite for SXSW audiences thrilled by the weird, electric, and sometimes terrifying selections. Featuring 10 genre films, including 6 World Premieres, the slate includes dark comedies, thrillers, Sci-Fi, mystery and slasher horror from a mix of established and first-time filmmakers. The Midnighters, as well as 12 additional films, which are included in the 132 total features now to be screened at the SXSW 2018 Film Festival.
Scary, funny, sexy, controversial – provocative...
You can check out the full list of Midnighters below, and visit the official SXSW website for more information on the festival's schedule.
From SXSW: "The SXSW Midnighters section is a perennial favorite for SXSW audiences thrilled by the weird, electric, and sometimes terrifying selections. Featuring 10 genre films, including 6 World Premieres, the slate includes dark comedies, thrillers, Sci-Fi, mystery and slasher horror from a mix of established and first-time filmmakers. The Midnighters, as well as 12 additional films, which are included in the 132 total features now to be screened at the SXSW 2018 Film Festival.
Scary, funny, sexy, controversial – provocative...
- 2/7/2018
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
This year’s South by Southwest Conference and Festivals has announced the remainder of its film festival program, including the full run of their Midnighters, Shorts, Virtual Cinema, Music Video, Title Sequence, and the brand-new Independent Episodic lineup, along with a number of additions to their Features slate. Additionally, the festival has announced that the North American premiere of Wes Anderson’s highly anticipated new stop-motion feature, “Isle of Dogs,” will serve as the event’s Closing Night Film, following the film’s world premiere at Berlin. The festival has also added a number of Sundance favorites, including “Sorry to Bother You,” “Blindspotting,” and “Science Fair.”
This year’s Midnighter’s section — a long-time favorite of the genre-loving SXSW audiences — features 10 genre films, including six world premieres, with offerings that span dark comedies, thrillers, sci-fi, mystery, and slasher horror from a mix of established and first-time filmmakers.
Highlights include Ari Aster’s “Hereditary,...
This year’s Midnighter’s section — a long-time favorite of the genre-loving SXSW audiences — features 10 genre films, including six world premieres, with offerings that span dark comedies, thrillers, sci-fi, mystery, and slasher horror from a mix of established and first-time filmmakers.
Highlights include Ari Aster’s “Hereditary,...
- 2/7/2018
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Click here to read our french "Real" movie review, directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa with Takeru Satô, Haruka Ayase, Jô Odagiri starring.Koichi (Sato) and Atsumi (Ayase) are childhood friends who have become lovers. Despite this closeness when Atsumi attempts suicide Koichi is at a loss to understand the circumstances that drove her to do such a thing. Now she is in a coma and Koichi needs to find out the reason. Since Koichi is a neurosurgeon he has access to the latest studies and so he takes part in a medical procedure that will allow him to enter Atsumi's subconscious. Through 'sensing', a type of neurosurgical procedure allowing contact with the intentional aspect of a comatose patient's mind, Koichi tries to discover why Atsumi tried to kill herself, and to bring her back to...
- 3/26/2014
- www.ohmygore.com/
Filth | Sunshine On Leith | The Perverts Guide To Ideology | For Those In Peril | How I Live Now | The Crash Reel | Thanks For Sharing | Camp 14 | The To Do List | Emperor
Filth (18)
(Jon S Baird, 2013, UK) James McAvoy, Jamie Bell, Eddie Marsan, Imogen Poots. 97 mins
Drugs, sleaze, sex, Scots, Irvine Welsh – is it 1996 again? This is just as energetic as Trainspotting, but less hip and more theatrically grim, wallowing in the debauchery and mania of a copper bent way out of shape. The only subtlety to be found is on the face of McAvoy, whose committed performance holds it all together.
Sunshine On Leith (PG)
(Dexter Fletcher, 2013, UK) George MacKay, Kevin Guthrie. 100 mins
It worked for Abba, so why not the Proclaimers? Basing an Edinburgh love story around their music turns out to be a fine idea.
The Pervert's Guide To Ideology (15)
(Sophie Fiennes, 2013, UK) 133 mins
Slavoj Žižek gives an absorbing, annotated...
Filth (18)
(Jon S Baird, 2013, UK) James McAvoy, Jamie Bell, Eddie Marsan, Imogen Poots. 97 mins
Drugs, sleaze, sex, Scots, Irvine Welsh – is it 1996 again? This is just as energetic as Trainspotting, but less hip and more theatrically grim, wallowing in the debauchery and mania of a copper bent way out of shape. The only subtlety to be found is on the face of McAvoy, whose committed performance holds it all together.
Sunshine On Leith (PG)
(Dexter Fletcher, 2013, UK) George MacKay, Kevin Guthrie. 100 mins
It worked for Abba, so why not the Proclaimers? Basing an Edinburgh love story around their music turns out to be a fine idea.
The Pervert's Guide To Ideology (15)
(Sophie Fiennes, 2013, UK) 133 mins
Slavoj Žižek gives an absorbing, annotated...
- 10/5/2013
- by Steve Rose
- The Guardian - Film News
From a collection of graphic novels, to an animated television series, to Playstation video games – it seems that the natural progression of the Rurouni Kenshin franchise is a move into cinema, and this popular Japanese manga has finally made its way to the big screen. Though it may not be particularly well known outside of East Asia, with a theatrical release in over 60 nations worldwide, perhaps it’s about time we got to know what Rurouni Kenshin is all about.
Directed by Keishi Ohtomo, we set foot into 1868, in the aftermath of the brutal Bakumatsu war. We delve into the life of Kenshin (Takeru Satô), a former assassin who, in a bid to repent for past sins, has decided to protect the locals, living by an oath to never kill again, One of those in need is Kaoru Kamiya (Emi Takei), a fearsome yet vulnerable woman who seeks in defending...
Directed by Keishi Ohtomo, we set foot into 1868, in the aftermath of the brutal Bakumatsu war. We delve into the life of Kenshin (Takeru Satô), a former assassin who, in a bid to repent for past sins, has decided to protect the locals, living by an oath to never kill again, One of those in need is Kaoru Kamiya (Emi Takei), a fearsome yet vulnerable woman who seeks in defending...
- 10/2/2013
- by Stefan Pape
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
You can’t keep a wandering Samurai down. Take a look at the latest UK trailer for Keishi Ohtomo’s latest actioner “Rurouni Kenshin”, based on the popular manga. Apparently back in feudal Japan Samurais started really young, because the main character here, who is supposed to be a badass swordsman who has been active for the last 10 years or so, looks barely 17. Must be the good wandering Samurai food. And the pop music soundtrack never hurts, I suppose. Ex-assassin Kenshin Himura (Takeru Satô) has made a vow never to kill again. Now a wandering samurai, Kenshin protects those in hope of reparation. Finding a home at a failing dojo run by Miss Kaoru (Emi Takei), he becomes entangled in a string of murders related to a drug ring run by the ruthless Kanryuu (Teruyuki Kagawa). Rurouni Kenshin follows the story of a man avoiding violence — but will his vow...
- 10/1/2013
- by Nix
- Beyond Hollywood
As if you hadn’t already noticed, we are going through a boom of films made from comic books or graphic novels. On the whole, they’re quite a popular choice for cinema goers and to that we say “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Next up is Rurouni Kenshin, which is based on the popular manga of the same name by Nobuhiro Watsuki; and tells the story of ex-assassin Kenshin Himura (Takeru Satô) who has made a vow never to kill again. Now a wandering samurai, Kenshin protects those in need in hope of reparation. Finding a home at a failing dojo, he becomes entangled in a string of murders related to a drug ring. His vow is put to the test when those he’s come to care about are threatened by his troubled and violent past…
With Rurouni Kenshin hitting the big screen on October 4th,...
With Rurouni Kenshin hitting the big screen on October 4th,...
- 9/30/2013
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Rurouni Kenshin has debuted an exclusive new trailer on Digital Spy.
Takeru Satô stars as Himura Kenshin in the tale of a former assassin who is trying to build himself a life free from killing.
Set in 19th century Japan following the end of the era of warring shoguns, Rurouni Kenshin centres around the struggle of former warriors to find a place in the new world order.
As a vicious killer posing under his name stalks the street, Kenshin is drawn into the plot of a powerful and ruthless drug baron.
The movie is based on Nobuhiro Watsuki's acclaimed manga of the same name.
It became a surprise hit in Japan when it was released last summer.
Rurouni Kenshin will arrive in UK cinemas on October 4.
Takeru Satô stars as Himura Kenshin in the tale of a former assassin who is trying to build himself a life free from killing.
Set in 19th century Japan following the end of the era of warring shoguns, Rurouni Kenshin centres around the struggle of former warriors to find a place in the new world order.
As a vicious killer posing under his name stalks the street, Kenshin is drawn into the plot of a powerful and ruthless drug baron.
The movie is based on Nobuhiro Watsuki's acclaimed manga of the same name.
It became a surprise hit in Japan when it was released last summer.
Rurouni Kenshin will arrive in UK cinemas on October 4.
- 9/30/2013
- Digital Spy
Rurouni Kenshin has released a poster.
The artwork for the Japanese film shows star Takeru Satô swinging into action.
The actor plays Kenshin Himura, a former assassin who has sworn never to kill again.
Making his new home in a rundown dojo, he finds himself drawn into a string of murders perpetrated by a corrupt drug ring.
The movie is based on Nobuhiro Watsuki's acclaimed manga of the same name.
Rurouni Kenshin will be released on October 4 in the UK. Watch a trailer for the film below:...
The artwork for the Japanese film shows star Takeru Satô swinging into action.
The actor plays Kenshin Himura, a former assassin who has sworn never to kill again.
Making his new home in a rundown dojo, he finds himself drawn into a string of murders perpetrated by a corrupt drug ring.
The movie is based on Nobuhiro Watsuki's acclaimed manga of the same name.
Rurouni Kenshin will be released on October 4 in the UK. Watch a trailer for the film below:...
- 9/13/2013
- Digital Spy
Directed by Keishi Ohtomo, Rurouni Kenshin is a live-action adaptation of the well-regarded manga written by Nobuhiro Watsuki and stars Takeru Satô as the titular character alongside Emi Takei, Yû Aoi, Teruyuki Kagawa, Yôsuke Eguchi, Munetaka Aoki and Kôji Kikkawa.
Ex-assassin Kenshin Himura (Takeru Satô) has made a vow never to kill again. Now a wandering samurai, Kenshin protects those in hope of reparation. Finding a home at a failing dojo run by Miss Kaoru (Emi Takei), he becomes entangled in a string of murders related to a drug ring run by the ruthless Kanryuu (Teruyuki Kagawa).
Rurouni Kenshin follows the story of a man avoiding violence – but will his vow be put to the test when those he loves are threatened by his troubled past?
Rurouni Kenshin is released in UK cinemas on October 4th.
Ex-assassin Kenshin Himura (Takeru Satô) has made a vow never to kill again. Now a wandering samurai, Kenshin protects those in hope of reparation. Finding a home at a failing dojo run by Miss Kaoru (Emi Takei), he becomes entangled in a string of murders related to a drug ring run by the ruthless Kanryuu (Teruyuki Kagawa).
Rurouni Kenshin follows the story of a man avoiding violence – but will his vow be put to the test when those he loves are threatened by his troubled past?
Rurouni Kenshin is released in UK cinemas on October 4th.
- 9/12/2013
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
The latest film from "Tokyo Sonata" director Kiyoshi Kurosawa, "Real," which had its premiere at Locarno, will be a part of the New York Film Festival main slate. Read More: Locarno Film Festival Review: Kiyoshi Kurosawa's 'Real' Wanders Through a Comatose Mind The synopsis of the film, from the Film Society of Lincoln Center: "A star manga artist (Haruka Ayase) is in a coma, the result perhaps of a suicide attempt. In an experimental medical procedure, her husband (Takeru Satô) enters her unconscious in an attempt to awaken her. But when one psyche merges with another, mirror opposites are the possible, troubling result. A haunting successor to the mother of all time travel films, Chris Marker’s La JETÉE, with a tip of the hat to Bong Joon-ho’s The Host, Real finds its mysteries in the ordinary. What does it mean to be coupled? Can love conquer death?...
- 8/23/2013
- by Bryce J. Renninger
- Indiewire
Update: Nyff has added Japanese helmer Kiyoshi Kurosawa's "Real" to its main slate of films. This is the director's first feature since 2008's "Tokyo Sonata." The film recently had its festival premiere at Locarno. Here's the official synopsis:real is Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s first feature since his 2008 Tokyo Sonata (which was an Nyff Main Slate selection as was his film, License To Live in 1999), and is at once the most romantic and tender film of his career, and entirely consistent with the rest of his unparalleled body of work. It is also, as always, as visually and tonally exquisite as it is unsettling. A star manga artist (Haruka Ayase) is in a coma, the result perhaps of a suicide attempt. In an experimental medical procedure, her husband (Takeru Satô) enters her unconscious in an attempt to awaken her. But when one psyche merges with another, mirror opposites are the possible,...
- 8/23/2013
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
When it comes to anime/manga adaptation, the U.S. has a less-than-stellar track record with films like Dragonball: Evolution and Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li. Many fans insist that Hollywood should just leave anime adaptations to their Far East counterparts. While I've generally found myself on the opposite side of that sentiment, Rurouni Kenshin goes a long way towards supporting the other side of the argument. Possessing a strong following in Japan and a devoted fanbase in America thanks to its Toonami run, Rurouni Kenshin should please both hardcore fans and first-time viewers alike. Watching the film, it was as if Takeru Sato (Kenshin), Munetaka Aoki (Sanosuke), Emi Takei (Kaoru) and Yû Aoi (Megumi) stepped out of the anime, each of the main actors channeled the core elements of their respective character admirably. However, in a crowd of strong performances, it's Teryuki Kagawa's turn as the...
- 1/13/2013
- ComicBookMovie.com
A Sword That Protects
A troubled young warrior with an X-shaped scar on his cheek looking to make a fresh start ends up in a bustling little town called Tokyo. His name is Kenshin Himura and he carries with him a very special blade called a kutto ( a reverse-edge katana ). This type of blade is unique thanks to its unusual feature: instead of a normal katana with a convex cutting edge, the reverse katana slices its foes with its concave edge, giving it a slightly faster cut. At first glance, a sword like that might be considered useless but let’s face it: it’s not the sword that makes the warrior, it’s the man ( or woman, no prejudice here… ).
And in that town, there’s something of a wild beast on the loose. That beast’s name is Hitokiri Battousai: a legendary sword-fighter with uncanny abilities who’s...
A troubled young warrior with an X-shaped scar on his cheek looking to make a fresh start ends up in a bustling little town called Tokyo. His name is Kenshin Himura and he carries with him a very special blade called a kutto ( a reverse-edge katana ). This type of blade is unique thanks to its unusual feature: instead of a normal katana with a convex cutting edge, the reverse katana slices its foes with its concave edge, giving it a slightly faster cut. At first glance, a sword like that might be considered useless but let’s face it: it’s not the sword that makes the warrior, it’s the man ( or woman, no prejudice here… ).
And in that town, there’s something of a wild beast on the loose. That beast’s name is Hitokiri Battousai: a legendary sword-fighter with uncanny abilities who’s...
- 1/11/2013
- by The0racle
- AsianMoviePulse
Takeru Sato and Haruka Ayase are set to star in Rearu kanzennaru kubinagaryu no hi for filmmaker Kiyoshi Kurosawa (Toyko Sonata). The title of the film translate to ’s sci-fi drama The Day of the Real, Perfect Plesiosaur. It’s based on the novel of the same name by Rokuro Inui [Variety].
Sato will play a neurosurgeon who enters the dreams of his lover (Ayase) – who’s in a coma – to discover why she tried to take her own life. Miki Nakatani, Jo Odagiri, Yutaka Matsushige and Kyoko Koizumi also star.
It’s an intriguing no doubt, made more intriguing by Kurosawa’s involvement. The writer/director made a name for himself over the last 3 decades in Japan, producing everything from pink films in the 80s to the Internet-inspired horror film Pulse to heady, genre-mixing pieces like Toyko Sonata.
As Sonata snagged the Un Certain Regard at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival,...
Sato will play a neurosurgeon who enters the dreams of his lover (Ayase) – who’s in a coma – to discover why she tried to take her own life. Miki Nakatani, Jo Odagiri, Yutaka Matsushige and Kyoko Koizumi also star.
It’s an intriguing no doubt, made more intriguing by Kurosawa’s involvement. The writer/director made a name for himself over the last 3 decades in Japan, producing everything from pink films in the 80s to the Internet-inspired horror film Pulse to heady, genre-mixing pieces like Toyko Sonata.
As Sonata snagged the Un Certain Regard at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival,...
- 7/19/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Ask and you shall receive? Something like that anyway....It was just last month that we openly wondered about what was going on with Kiyoshi Kurosawa, who featured on our What Ever Happened To These 5 Foreign-Language Filmmakers? list, and lo and behold, he's back with a new feature. It has been four long years since "Tokyo Sonata," but going in front of cameras very soon is the fascinatingly titled "The Day Of The Real, Perfect Plesiosaur" ("Rearu kanzennaru kubinagaryu no hi"). No, we don't know what that means either, but the movie itself -- based on the book by Rokuro Inoi -- boasts a typically intriguing premise, telling the story of a neurosurgeon who goes into the subconscious of his coma stricken lover to find out why she attempted suicide. The director's regulars Miki Nakatani, Jo Odagiri, Yutaka Matsushige and Kyoko Koizumi will all feature with Takeru Sato and Haruka Ayase taking the lead roles.
- 7/18/2012
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Official Synopsis: Japan is about to enter the Meiji era and transition from the Middle Ages to industrialization. The samurai have no place in this modern society where warriors are less useful than traders. Unemployed, having lost the right to wear the sword, and facing guns and cannons, the samurai will gradually disappear into legend. Kenshin is one of such lost warrior. Once a grand master of the sword he is now a vagabond, wandering the roads of Japan. However, his chivalry and courage will make this one-time mercenary a loved and respected vigilante. Click here to see Movie Poster #1. Click here to see Movie Poster #2. Click here to see Trailer #1. Click here to see Trailer #2. Running Time: Unknown Release Date: August 25, 2012 (Japan) MPAA Rating: Unknown Starring: Yû Aoi, Teruyuki Kagawa and Takeru Sato Directed by: Keishi Ōtomo Written by: Nobuhiro Watsuki (manga, Kiyomi Fujii (screenplay)and Keishi Ohtomo (screenplay...
- 7/16/2012
- ComicBookMovie.com
You can watch an HD version by watching Here. Official Synopsis: Japan is about to enter the Meiji era and transition from the Middle Ages to industrialization. The samurai have no place in this modern society where warriors are less useful than traders. Unemployed, having lost the right to wear the sword, and facing guns and cannons, the samurai will gradually disappear into legend. Kenshin is one of such lost warrior. Once a grand master of the sword he is now a vagabond, wandering the roads of Japan. However, his chivalry and courage will make this one-time mercenary a loved and respected vigilante. Click here to see Movie Poster #1. Click here to see Movie Poster #2. Click here to see Trailer #1. Click here to see Trailer #2. Running Time: Unknown Release Date: August 25, 2012 (Japan) MPAA Rating: Unknown Starring: Yû Aoi, Teruyuki Kagawa and Takeru Sato Directed by: Keishi Ōtomo Written by: Nobuhiro Watsuki (manga,...
- 6/28/2012
- ComicBookMovie.com
Japanese rock band One Ok Rock announced on Tuesday that it is contributing its new song, titled The Beginning, as the theme song for the live-action Rurouni Kenshin film. According to the film’s website, One Ok Rock wrote the song specifically for the film. The band’s vocalist said that the film’s lead actor Takeru Sato [...]
Continue reading Live-Action Rurouni Kenshin’s Theme Performed by One Ok Rock on FilmoFilia.
Related posts: Live-Action Rurouni Kenshin’s Trailer, Poster and Behind-the-Scenes Video Harry Potter Writer to Pen and Direct Live Action The Jungle Book Listen To Quantum of Solace Theme Song “Another Way To Die”...
Continue reading Live-Action Rurouni Kenshin’s Theme Performed by One Ok Rock on FilmoFilia.
Related posts: Live-Action Rurouni Kenshin’s Trailer, Poster and Behind-the-Scenes Video Harry Potter Writer to Pen and Direct Live Action The Jungle Book Listen To Quantum of Solace Theme Song “Another Way To Die”...
- 5/30/2012
- by Sunrider
- Filmofilia
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