SciFi Japan

    Photo courtesy of NEON. ©2026 Plus M Entertainment, Forged Films Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of NEON. ©2026 Plus M Entertainment, Forged Films Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Source: NEON Official Site: https://www.neonrated.com/film/hope  Special Thanks to Layla Hancock-Piper     The New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF), celebrating its landmark 25th edition, and Film at Lincoln Center will present the North American premiere of HOPE (호프, Hopeu) the final cut of the fourth feature from acclaimed South Korean director Na Hong-Jin (THE WAILING, THE CHASER, THE YELLOW SEA). Selected as the festival's Centerpiece Film presented by NEON, the screening will take place on Monday, July 20, 2026, at 7:00 PM at the SVA Theatre, as part of NYAFF 2026, which runs July 10–26 across five New York venues anchored by Film at Lincoln Center. HOPE also caps off NYAFF's complete Na Hong-Jin retrospective, a rare chance to see all four of the director's features, every one of

    Photo courtesy of Arrow Films and MVD.

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Arrow Films and MVD. Source: Arrow Films, MVD EntertainmentSpecial Thanks to Derek Stubinski   Toy Robot Video are proud to announce the launch of a temptingly-priced slate of cult-tastic titles on Blu-ray and 4K UHD this September, including ninja mayhem, a brand new slasher, kung-fu comedy action, a Blu-ray debut for a superhero classic and the 4k UHD debut of Dolph Lundgren’s original He-Man from 1987.     The new label - a subsidiary of Arrow Video - aims to recreate the wondrous experience of browsing titles at the local video store, with fabulous new cover artwork, film masters transferred from the best elements available, colorfully-branded OBI-Strips, slip cards, art cards, and extras - and at allowance-friendly prices, so you’ll have bucks left over for snacks!    Toy Robot Video’s Mike Hewitt commented: "We are thrilled to announce the launch of a new

    A highly skilled strategist is recruited by the man holding him captive to solve a murder in THE SAMURAI AND THE PRISONER. Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co., Ltd. © Honobu Yonezawa / KADOKAWA ©️2026 KOKUROJO Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    A highly skilled strategist is recruited by the man holding him captive to solve a murder in THE SAMURAI AND THE PRISONER. Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co., Ltd. © Honobu Yonezawa / KADOKAWA ©️2026 KOKUROJO Film Partners Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: https://movies.shochiku.co.jp/kokurojo-movie/ (Japan)      Shochiku Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with press notes, promotional artwork, and a photo gallery for their new historical mystery drama from internationally acclaimed director Kiyoshi Kurosawa (CURE, PULSE, CLOUD). While the film's Japanese title KOKUROJO (黒牢城) translates to "The Black Fortress", Shochiku is marketing it internationally with the English title THE SAMURAI AND THE PRISONER.    The movie is based on the 2021 novel of the same name by author Honobu Yonezawa. The cast features Masahiro Motoki (star of the Oscar-winning DEPARTURES), Masaki Suda  (star of KAMEN RIDER W), Yuriko Yoshitaka (GANTZ), Munetaka Aoki (GODZILLA MINUS ONE), Tasuku Emoto (SHIN KAMEN RIDER), and Joe

    Veteran movie star Hiroshi Nanjo (Hiroshi Tachi) gets in trouble and may lose his driver's license in the new comedy, GOODBYE MY CAR. Photo courtesy of Toei. ©2026 GOODBYE MY CAR Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Veteran movie star Hiroshi Nanjo (Hiroshi Tachi) gets in trouble and may lose his driver's license in the new comedy, GOODBYE MY CAR. Photo courtesy of Toei. ©2026 GOODBYE MY CAR Film Partners Source: Toei Co., Ltd.Official Site: https://menkyohenno-movie.com (Japan)   Theatrical poster. Photo courtesy of Toei. ©2026 GOODBYE MY CAR Film Partners Toei has provided information and pics for their new film, GOODBYE MY CAR (免許返納!?, Menkyo Hennō!?), which opens in Japanese cinemas on June 19th. It stars Hiroshi Tachi (ABUNAI DEKA series) as a veteran movie actor—who has enjoyed a smooth, successful career—finding himself caught up in a commotion over surrendering his driver's license, all while aspiring to star in an action movie. GOODBYE MY CAR is directed by Hayato Kawai the maker of such hits as MY LOVE STORY!! (俺物語!!, Ore Monogatari!!, 2015) and KAGUYA-SAMA: LOVE IS WAR (かぐや様は告らせたい〜天才たちの恋愛頭脳戦〜, Kaguya-sama wa Kokuraseta 〜 Tensaitachi

    Photo courtesy of NEON. ©2025 TOHO CO., LTD./Story inc./office nino Co., Ltd./AOI Pro. All Rights Reserved.

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of NEON. ©2025 TOHO CO., LTD./Story inc./office nino Co., Ltd./AOI Pro. All Rights Reserved. Kawamura’s Videogame-Based, Box Office Hit Stakes Its Claim As A Masterwork Of The Burgeoning Liminal Horror Genre  Source: NEON Official Site: https://exit8-movie.toho.co.jp/ (Japan), https://www.neonrated.com/film/exit-8 (US) Special Thanks to Ezra Scott-Henning and Vanessa Agovida      Photo courtesy of NEON. ©2025 TOHO CO., LTD./Story inc./office nino Co., Ltd./AOI Pro. All Rights Reserved. NEON has announced that the widely-acclaimed, audience favorite EXIT 8 (８番出口, 8-Ban Deguchi, 2025), from rising auteur Genki Kawamura, will be available on Blu-ray starting Tuesday, August 4th. After premiering at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in the Midnight Section and continuing on to Toronto, Busan, and BeyondFest, EXIT 8 hit US theaters on April 10th and opened to number 8 at the box office and has since crossed 4 million dollars domestically.

    Photo courtesy of Netflix. ©Netflix.

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Netflix. ©Netflix. Source: NetflixOfficial Site: https://www.netflix.com/viralhit   Can a “loser” at the bottom rung of his school’s social ladder turn around by livestreaming himself fighting? Viewers, give me strength... and money.   Netflix will debut the Japanese series VIRAL HIT (喧嘩独学, Kenka Dokugaku) in more than 190 countries worldwide on June 11th. Based on the highly popular South Korean webtoon “Viral Hit” ( 싸움독학, Ssaumdokhak) that has surpassed 540 million views in Japan and 2.28 billion views worldwide, this live-action adaptation marks the first Netflix series from director Hideki Takeuchi and writer Yuichi Tokunaga, the powerhouse team that has enthralled Japan with its unconventional worlds in works such as FLY ME TO THE SAITAMA (翔んで埼玉, Tonde Saitama, 2019) and CELLS AT WORK! (はたらく細胞, Hataraku Saibō, 2024). Ouji Suzuka (LISTEN TO THE UNIVERSE, silent) stars as the unlikely hero,

    Members of the idol group Ae! group - and 1 member of the trainee group Kansai Juniors - play the Matsuno brothers in the new live-action MR. OSOMATSU THE MOVIE. From left to right: Masaya Sano as Choromatsu (green shirt), Yoshinori Masakado as Karamatsu (blue shirt), Keita Richard Kusama as Jushimatsu (yellow shirt), Seiya Suezawa as Osomatsu (red shirt), Takuya Nishimura as Todomatsu (pink shirt), and Ken Kojima as Ichimatsu (purple shirt). Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. © Osomatsu-san Movie Film Partners 2026

    Asian Cinema

    Members of the idol group Ae! group - and 1 member of the trainee group Kansai Juniors - play the Matsuno brothers in the new live-action MR. OSOMATSU THE MOVIE. From left to right: Masaya Sano as Choromatsu (green shirt), Yoshinori Masakado as Karamatsu (blue shirt), Keita Richard Kusama as Jushimatsu (yellow shirt), Seiya Suezawa as Osomatsu (red shirt), Takuya Nishimura as Todomatsu (pink shirt), and Ken Kojima as Ichimatsu (purple shirt). Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. © Osomatsu-san Movie Film Partners 2026 Source: Toho Co., Ltd. Official Site: https://osomatsusan-movie.jp/ (Japan)   Theatrical poster. Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. © Osomatsu-san Movie Film Partners 2026 Toho has provided information and images for their live action feature film MR. OSOMATSU THE MOVIE: THE HUMAN SCUMIFICATION PROJECT!!!!!? (映画『おそ松さん 人類クズ化計画!!!!!?』, Eiga “Osomatsu-san Jinrui Kuzu-ka Keikaku!!!!!?”), which opens in Japanese cinemas on Friday, June12th.  

    Photo courtesy of NEON. ©2026 Plus M Entertainment, Forged Films Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of NEON. ©2026 Plus M Entertainment, Forged Films Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Source: NEON Official Site: https://www.neonrated.com/film/hope  Special Thanks to Courtney Ott    Teaser poster. ©2026 Plus M Entertainment, Forged Films Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. The South Korean science fiction thriller HOPE (호프, Hopeu) will be released theatrically in the United States and other English-speaking territories by NEON starting this Wednesday, April 10. The film was written and directed by Na Hong-jin, the filmmaker behind the acclaimed horror film THE WAILING (곡성, Gokseong, 2016).   Story In the remote South Korea village of Hope Harbor, police chief Bum-seok (Hwang Jung- min) and officer Sung-ae (Hoyeon) are called to find a mysterious creature that has wreaked havoc on the village.   In the nearby forest, a coterie of hunters, including Sung- ki (Zo In-Sung)

    Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. ©2026 Your Own Quiz Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. ©2026 Your Own Quiz Film Partners Source: Toho Co., Ltd. Official Site: https://yourownquiz.toho-movie.jp/ (Japan)   Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. ©2026 Your Own Quiz Film Partners Toho has provided information and images for their live action feature film YOUR OWN QUIZ (君のクイズ, Kimi no Kuizu), which opens in Japanese cinemas this Friday, May 15th.   Introduction Widely hailed by top creators across various fields—including author Kotaro Isaka (Bullet Train) and producer Nobuyuki Sakuma (GOD TONGUE: KISS PRESSURE GAME THE MOVIE)—Satoshi Ogawa's masterpiece mystery novel, Your Own Quiz, has received a live-action film adaptation. The setting: the live-broadcast finals of a quiz show with a grand prize of 10 million yen. The phenomenon: an inexplicable miracle known as the "Zero-Character Answer." How did the quiz show champion manage to answer the question correctly without hearing

    Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. ©Yuto Suzuki / SHUEISHA ©2026 SAKAMOTO DAYS Film Production Committee

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. ©Yuto Suzuki / SHUEISHA ©2026 SAKAMOTO DAYS Film Production Committee Source: Toho Co., Ltd. Official Site: skmtdays-movie.jp (Japan)   Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. ©Yuto Suzuki / SHUEISHA ©2026 SAKAMOTO DAYS Film Production Committee Toho has provided information and images for the live action feature film SAKAMOTO DAYS (サカモト デイズ, Sakamoto Deizu), which opens in Japanese cinemas this Wednesday, April 29th. The movie is based on the wildly popular manga by Yuto Suzuki, which began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in November 2020 and has since surpassed 15 million copies in worldwide circulation. An action story that blends the mundane with the extraordinary, it follows Taro Sakamoto, a former legendary hitman, as he engages in fierce battles against a relentless stream of assassins in order to protect the ordinary, everyday life he shares with his beloved family. With

    Photo courtesy of NEON. ©2025 EXIT 8 Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of NEON. ©2025 EXIT 8 Film Partners Based On The Global Hit Game, Directed By Genki Kawamura Source: NEON Official Site: https://exit8-movie.toho.co.jp/ (Japan), https://www.neonrated.com/film/exit-8 (US) Special Thanks to Vanessa Agovida    Teaser poster. Photo courtesy of NEON. ©2025 EXIT 8 Film Partners The liminal thriller EXIT 8 (８番出口, 8-Ban Deguchi, 2025) will be released theatrically in the United States by NEON starting this Friday, April 10. The film is based on the global hit eponymous video game created by KOTAKE CREATE and directed by Genki Kawamura (A HUNDRED FLOWERS, producer of YOUR NAME and MIRAI). Tickets for EXIT 8 can be purchased at https://films.neonrated.com/exit-8/   Story A man (Kazunari Ninomiya) trapped in a endless sterile subway passageway sets out to find Exit 8. The rules of his quest are simple: do not overlook anything out of the

    Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. ©Toei Co., Ltd.

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. ©Toei Co., Ltd. Source: Arrow Films, MVD Entertainment Special Thanks to Derek Stubinski   Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. ©Toei Co., Ltd. On the same year that she defined the action heroine with her role in the Female Prisoner Scorpion series, Japanese screen legend Meiko Kaji teamed up with future Sister Street Fighter director Kazuhiko Yamaguchi for a diptych of gambling, deception and violence set on the mean streets of 1970s' Tokyo: WANDERING GINZA BUTTERFLY (銀蝶渡り鳥, Gincho Wataridori, 1972) and its sequel SHE CAT GAMBLER (銀蝶流れ者 牝猫博奕, Ginchō Nagaremono: Mesuneko Bakuchi, 1972), now coming to Blu-ray in Arrow's WANDERING GINZA BUTTERFLY COLLECTION. The first film sees Kaji's character Nami "The Red Cherry Blossom" returning to her old stomping ground in the seedy Tokyo district of Ginza after a stint in prison for killing a yakuza boss. She soon settles in,

    Photo courtesy of Nikkatsu. ©2025 NIGHT FLOWER Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Nikkatsu. ©2025 NIGHT FLOWER Film Partners Source: Nikkatsu CorporationOfficial Site: https://movies.shochiku.co.jp/nightflower/ (Japan)Special Thanks to Mai Mino   Nikkatsu Corp. and Shochiku have provided information and photos from their new crime drama NIGHT FLOWER (ナイトフワラー, Naito Fuwarā). The film was written and directed by Eiji Uchida, director of the Japan Academy Award-winning MIDNIGHT SWAN (ミッドナイトスワン, Middonaito Suwan, 2020), and stars Keiko Kitagawa (THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT, THE PROMISED NEVERLAND, STOLEN IDENTITY).  NIGHT FLOWER had its World Premiere at the 2025 Tokyo International Film Festival, Gala Selection. Shochiku will release the film in Japanese cinemas on Friday, November 28th. Nikkatsu is handling international sales.   Photo courtesy of Shochiku. ©2025 NIGHT FLOWER Film Partners Photo courtesy of Shochiku. ©2025 NIGHT FLOWER Film Partners STORY By day, a devoted mother; by

    Jiro Sato and Yuki Yamada star in the thriller, SUZUKI=BAKUDAN. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan.©Katsuhiro Go/KODANSHA Ltd. All Rights Reserved. ©2025 BAKUDAN Film Partners. All Rights Reserved.

    Asian Cinema

    Jiro Sato and Yuki Yamada star in the thriller, SUZUKI=BAKUDAN. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan.©Katsuhiro Go/KODANSHA Ltd. All Rights Reserved. ©2025 BAKUDAN Film Partners. All Rights Reserved. Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Japan Official Site: https://wwws.warnerbros.co.jp/bakudan-movie/ (Japan)   Warner Bros. Pictures Japan has provided press notes and photos for their new thriller,  BAKUDAN (爆弾, meaning "bomb"), which opens in Japanese cinemas this Friday, October 31st.  International sales agents Fuji Television Network and Pony Canyon are marketing the film outside Japan with the title SUZUKI=BAKUDAN.   Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan.©Katsuhiro Go/KODANSHA Ltd. All Rights Reserved. ©2025 BAKUDAN Film Partners. All Rights Reserved. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan.©Katsuhiro Go/KODANSHA Ltd. All Rights Reserved. ©2025 BAKUDAN Film Partners. All Rights Reserved. Introduction    2025—The greatest shock of the Reiwa era is

    Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co., Ltd. ©️2025 THE FINAL PIECE Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co., Ltd. ©️2025 THE FINAL PIECE Film Partners Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: https://movies.shochiku.co.jp/banjyo-movie/ (Japan)   What is it that enables us to say we are truly alive? This mystery begins with a man's corpse found on a mountain, holding a bag of valuable shogi pieces. What gradually unravels is a startling truth and a painful and sad ‘life choice’.   Shochiku has provided information and photos for their new film, THE FINAL PIECE (盤上の向日葵, Banjo no Himawari), based on the 2017 bestseller The Sunflower on the Shogi Board by author Yuko Yuzuki. The films stars Kentaro Sakaguchi (SIGNAL THE MOVIE, PARADES) and Ken Watanabe (THE LAST SAMURAI, INCEPTION , GODZILLA, KOKUHO).    THE FINAL PIECE opens in Japan this Friday, October 31st.   Japanese poster. Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co.,

    Photo courtesy of Nikkatsu. ©2025 HOKUSAI'S DAUGHTER Production Committee

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Nikkatsu. ©2025 HOKUSAI'S DAUGHTER Production Committee Source: Nikkatsu CorporationOfficial Site: https://oioui.com (Japan)Special Thanks to Mai Mino Theatrical poster. Photo courtesy of Nikkatsu. ©2025 HOKUSAI'S DAUGHTER Production Committee Nikkatsu Corp. has provided information and photos from the historical drama HOKUSAI’S DAUGHTER (おーい、応為, O ̄ i, ōi). The movie "Hokusai's Daughter" is the first Japan film to depict the life of O-Ei (Katsushika Oi), the daughter of Katsushika Hokusai, the legendary painter who created "Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji" and "The Great Wave Off Kanagawa".  It was released theatrically in Japan on October, 17th, 2025. Nikkatsu Corporation is now handling international sales. HOKUSAI’S DAUGHTER was written and directed by Tatsushi Omori (THE WHISPERING OF THE GODS, MOTHER), and is based on the biography The Life of Katsushika Hokusai by Koshin Iijima and the manga Miss Hokusai by Hinako Sugiura. The latter was previously adapted as the anime film SARUSUBERI: MISS HOKUSAI 

    Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. ©SHUICHI YOSHIDA/ASP ©2025 KOKUHO Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. ©SHUICHI YOSHIDA/ASP ©2025 KOKUHO Film Partners Japan’s Official Selection for Best International Feature Confirms One Week Special Engagements at AMC Universal CityWalk Hollywood In Los Angeles starting November 14 & Angelika Film Center in New York on November 21 Source: GKIDSOfficial Site: kokuhou-movie.com (Japan), https://gkids.com/films/kokuho/ (US) Special Thanks to Hannah Kim   Photo courtesy of GKIDS. ©SHUICHI YOSHIDA/ASP ©2025 KOKUHO Film Partners Academy Award-winning producer and distributor GKIDS announced today special one-week-only theatrical engagements of KOKUHO (国宝, 2025) in New York and Los Angeles, and revealed new poster artwork. The film is set to play at the AMC Universal CityWalk Hollywood in Los Angeles on November 14, 2025 and Angelika Film Center in New York City on November 21, 2025, with a nationwide release to come.  Previously announced as Japan’s official submission for Best International Feature at

    Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. Source: Well Go USA, LBHpr  Special Thanks to Leif Helland Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. Famine and plague have decimated 15th century Japan, and the shogun watches as his country falls into chaos in the action-packed historical epic SAMURAI FURY (室町無頼, Muromachi Burai, 2025), debuting on Digital October 7, and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD October 28 from Well Go USA Entertainment. A rebellious wanderer gathers a small army of misfit warriors who are ready to fight back, but victory will be hard won. Adapted from the award-winning novel Muromachi Outsiders by Ryosuke Kakine and Directed by Irie Yu (A GIRL NAMED ANN, MEMOIRS OF A MURDERER)​, SAMURAI FURY stars Oizumo Yo (SPIRITED AWAY), Tsutsumi Shinichi (ALWAYS: SUNSET ON THIRD STREET), Nagao Kento (ROHAN AT THE LOUVRE), and Matsumoto Wakana (THE BLUE SKY AT YOUR FEET).

    Photo courtesy of capelight pictures.

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of capelight pictures. Source: capelight pictures press releaseOfficial Site: https://www.capelight.de/project-genesisSpecial Thanks to Richard Stafford   Photo courtesy of capelight pictures. Today capelight pictures announced the U.S. release of the visually stunning, genre-bending Thai sci-fi fantasy adventure PROJECT GENESIS (ตาคลี เจเนซิส, Taklee Genesis, 2024), available on digital platforms and in physical formats (UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD) on October 21, 2025. Directed by visionary Thai filmmaker Chookiat Sakveerakul (13 BELOVED, LOVE OF SIAM), the film is a breathtaking, high-concept journey that fuses time-travel science fiction with kaiju monsters, dinosaurs, cavemen, and zombies—a bold cinematic mashup that spans over 7,000 years of history. Project Genesis stars Paula Taylor (THE PARALLEL), Peter Corp Dyrendal (FABULOUS 30), Wanarat Ratsameerat (JACK & JOKER), and Nutthacha Jessica Padovan (DEATH WHISPERER 2). It was written by Chookiat Sakveerakul, Thanamas Dhalerngsuk, and Sorawit Muangkaew, and produced by Monaiya Tharasak, Nakorn

    Photo courtesy of Third Window Films.

    Asian Cinema

    Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. Source: Third Window Films, Terracotta Special Thanks to Adam Torel   Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. Third Window Films is pleased to announce the Blu-ray box set and Digital release of The Maiku Hama Trilogy, three films from director Kaizo Hayashi (CIRCUS BOYS, TO SLEEP AS TO DREAM), coming October 27th.   The Maiku Hama Trilogy Masatoshi Nagase stars as Yokohama private eye Maiku Hama—a Japanese approximation of Mike Hammer, in Kaizo Hayashi’s offbeat trilogy.  In THE MOST TERRIBLE TIME IN MY LIFE he gets embroiled in the disappearance of a Taiwanese immigrant’s brother, getting caught in the crosshairs of a gang war. In the 2nd film THE STAIRWAY TO THE DISTANT PAST he goes after a “Man in White” reigning over the embattled riverfront of Yokohama. The ominous final chapter THE TRAP straddles the line

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