SciFi Japan

    Shioriko Shinokawa (Haru Kuroki) and Daisuke Gora (Shuhei Nomura) investigate a mystery involving a signed book in THE ANTIQUE. Photo courtesy of Kadokawa Pictures. © 2018

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Kadokawa Pictures Official Site: biblia-movie.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Kadokawa Pictures has provided information and photos for their new movie, THE ANTIQUE. The film is based on the best-selling novel series by author En Mikami*, about the owner of a used book store who solves various mysteries involving books. THE ANTIQUE was directed by Yukiko Mishima (NIGHT’S TIGHTROPE, DEAR ETRANGER) and stars Haru Kuroki (SOLOMON`S PERJURY, THE BRIDE OF RIP VAN WINKLE), Shuhei Nomura (PUZZLE, CHIHAYAFURU), Ryo Narita (YOUR NAME, It’s Boring Here, Pick Me Up) and Kaho (GAMERA THE BRAVE, THE KODAI FAMILY). STORY Shioriko Shinokawa (Haru Kuroki) is the owner of Biblia Antiquarian Bookshop in Kita-Kamakura. She is beautiful but introverted, an expert on vintage books, and a great storyteller. Shioriko also has amazing powers of logical deduction, and can solve great mysteries from

    Photo courtesy of Shochiku. © 2018 “A Banana? At This Time of Night?” Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: bananakayo.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Shochiku Co. has provided SciFi Japan with information and photos for A BANANA? AT THIS TIME OF NIGHT? (??????????????????, Konna Yofuke ni Banana Kayo Itoshiki Jitsuwa), the film adaptation of author Kazufumi Watanabe`s non-fiction masterpiece. STORY Thirty-four-year-old Yasuaki Shikano (Yo Oizumi) can only move his neck and hands because of muscular dystrophy. He uses a wheelchair to get around. But he ditches the hospital in search of freedom and mobilizes volunteers so he can live exactly as he pleases. One day, a new volunteer named Misaki (Mitsuki Takahata) flips out at the self-indulgent Shikano. And Shikano`s response is to falls head over heels in love with her, but she has a boyfriend, medical student volunteer Tanaka (Haruma Miura). CREDITS Release Date: Friday, December 28, 2018 (Nationwide Roadshow) Running Time: 120

    Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. ©Anashin/Kodansha ©2018 Waiting For Spring Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Japan Official Site: harumatsumovie.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Warner Bros. Pictures Japan has provided information and large, high-res photos from WAITING FOR SPRING (?????, Haru Matsu Bokura), the live-action adaptation of Anashin`s popular comic of the same name. A teen love story, the film stars Tao Tsuchiya (ULTRAMAN ZERO: THE REVENGE OF BELIAL, RUROUNI KENSHIN series, YELL FOR THE BLUE SKY, POLICEMAN AND ME, THE 8-YEAR ENGAGEMENT) and is directed by Yuichiro Hirakawa (UNTIL THE BREAK OF DAWN, ERASED). STORY Lonely Mitsuki (Tao Tsuchiya) makes every effort to try and make friends when she entered high school, but is not successful. Then by chance, she meets the basketball team`s Towa (Takumi Kitamura) at work and they hit it off well. One day, she meets her childhood friend Aya (Yuta Koseki) again. CREDITS Japanese Theatrical Release: Friday, December

    Taishi Nagakawa and Erika Karata star in Toei`s manga adaptation, LOCK-ON LOVE. Photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 2018

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: kakugo-joshi-movie.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Toei has provided press notes and high-res photos from LOCK-ON LOVE (???????????, Kakugo wa Iika Soko no Joshi), the live-action film based on Nana Shiiba’s manga, Are You Ready? Hey You Girl! Taishi Nakagawa (YOUR LIE IN APRIL, CLOSEST LOVE TO HEAVEN, ReLIFE, RAINBOW DAYS) stars as the "ultimate loser boy", high school student Towa Furuya, a role he originated in the ARE YOU READY? HEY YOU GIRL television drama that aired this past June. He is joined by two other returning cast mates... Jiei Wakabayashi (SOLOMON`S PERJURY) as Towa`s friend, Ryusei Kuze, and Teppei Koike (KIDS, SABUIBO MASK, EATING WOMEN) as teacher Ryuji Masaki. Rising star Erika Karata (ASAKO, LOVE X DOC) plays the object of Towa`s affection, the "cool beauty", Misono Miwa. LOCK-ON LOVE is directed by

    Image courtesy of Well Go USA Entertainment. © Warner Bros. Entertainment

    Asian Cinema

    Directed by KIM Yong-wan & Starring Don LEE (MA Dong-seok) Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications press release Special Thanks to Leif Helland and Rachel Villegas #Champion @wellgousa A former arm-wrestling champion raised in the U.S. returns to South Korea for a tournament that could return him to glory, but he finds his life complicated by the appearance of the biological family he never knew in the South Korean sports comedy CHAMPION (???, 2018), debuting on digital October 9 from Well Go USA Entertainment. Don LEE (MA Dong-seok), the star of hits TRAIN TO BUSAN and ALONG WITH THE GODS: THE TWO WORLDS, flexes his muscles as the arm-wrestling champion, with KWON Yul (THE ADMIRAL) and HAN Ye-ri (SERA FOG) offering support under the direction of newcomer KIM Yong-wan. Synopsis In this rousing crowd-pleaser, a former arm-wrestling champion raised in the US returns to South Korea

    Image courtesy of Well Go USA Entertainment. © Showbox

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications press release Special Thanks to Leif Helland and Rachel Villegas #DetectiveKSecretOfTheLivingDead @wellgousa DETECTIVE K: SECRET OF THE LIVING DEAD (?????: ????? ??, Joseon Myeongtamjeong: Heupyeolgoemaui Bimil, 2018), the third film in the popular South Korean action-mystery franchise, debuts on digital September 25 from Well Go USA Entertainment. KIM Myung-min and OH dal-su reprise their roles as bumbling sleuths investigating a string of strange murders that suggest the work of vampires. This hilarious outing follows the hugely popular DETECTIVE K: SECRET OF THE VIRTUOUS WIDOW (?????: ?????? ??, Joseon Myeongtamjeong: Gakshituku Ggotui Bimil, 2011) and DETECTIVE K: SECRET OF THE LOST ISLAND (?????: ??? ?? ?, Joseon Myeongtamjeong: Sarajin Nobeui Ddal, 2015) and also stars Kim Ji-won (HORROR STORIES), Lee Min-ki (TIDAL WAVE) and Kim Bum (YOUNG DETECTIVE DEE: RISE OF THE SEA DRAGON). Synopsis When a series of unusual murders

    Mahiro Takasugi as Tsuyopon, Reo Sano as Natchan, Taishi Nakagawa as Mattsun and Ryusei Yokohama as Keichan in the manga adaptation RAINBOW DAYS. Photo courtesy of Shochiku. © 2018 “Rainbow Days” Film Partners © Minami Mizuno/Shueisha

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: nijiiro-days.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Shochiku Co. has provided SciFi Japan with information and photos for RAINBOW DAYS (?????, Nijiiro Deizu), their live action adaptation of the girl`s manga by artist Minami Mizuno. The film is a coming-of-age story about the friendship and love interests of four silly, playful high school boys enjoying their youth that “only comes around once.” RAINBOW DAYS is directed by Ken Iizuka (ARAKAWA UNDER THE BRIDGE, DROPS IN YOUR HAND, LAUGHING LUCKY CATS) and stars Reo Sano (HIGH AND LOW series), Taishi Nakagawa (YOUR LIE IN APRIL, CLOSEST LOVE TO HEAVEN, ReLIFE), Mahiro Takasugi (KAMEN RIDER GAIM, POLICEMAN AND ME, BEFORE WE VANISH), Ryusei Yokohama (RESSHA SENTAI TOQGER, WOLF GIRL & BLACK PRINCE, KISEKI -SOBITO OF THAT DAY-) and Ai Yoshikawa (AKKO-CHAN: THE MOVIE, ROOMMATE). STORY Natchan (Reo Sano), a

    Young Atsuko Kagami (Haruka Ayase) unexpectedly finds love in AKKO-CHAN: THE MOVIE, the new live action adaptation of the popular manga. Photo courtesy of NTV. © 2012 “AKKO-CHAN: The Movie” Film Partners. © Fujio Akatsuka

    Asian Cinema

    Source: NTV (Nippon Television Network) and Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Movie Site: akko-chan-movie.com (Japan) SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from a Japanese movie not yet released in the United States. Last August, SciFi Japan previewed the then-upcoming film, AKKO-CHAN: THE MOVIE (?? ??????????, Eiga Himitsu no Akko-chan, 2012). NTV is now offering AKKO-CHAN: THE MOVIE for international sales and has provided SFJ with English production notes for the film. The accompanying photos are courtesy of NTV and Shochiku, the movie`s domestic distributor... The compact lets her become whatever she wants to be. The magic words are... Introduction A must-see delight! A super adorable romantic entertainment movie! AKKO-CHAN: THE MOVIE is based on Akko-chan’s Got a Secret (??????????, Himitsu no Akko-chan), a classic manga by Fujio Akatsuka that shines in the history of Japanese comics. It was adapted as

    Go Ayano stars in PUNK SAMURAI SLASH DOWN from director Gakuryu Ishii. Photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © Avex Communications Broadcasting Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site:

    Asian Cinema

    The incomparably talented director, Gakuryu Ishii, explodes extreme personalities in his world. “Ten guys” are searching for each other. A love story between “a girl” is a key for their battle. “A monkey” starts telling a surprising secret. Who will be killed in the end?! An extraordinary tale has begun... Starring Go Ayano + Story by Kankuro Kudo + Director Gakuryu Ishii The movie that Japan`s best performers fought to be in. A movie that entertains audiences in the most imaginative and unimaginable way. Providing enough fun for the universe to burst into laughter! Every decade has its iconic moment. In 1969 Apollo 11 landed men on the Moon. In 1989 the Berlin Wall came down. In 1991 the world got its first website. Now on June 30, 2018, the release of this monumental movie is the entertainment event of this decade. Many well-established actors fought to

    © Nihonkai Telecasting Co., Ltd.

    Asian Cinema

    Source: HIDIVE press release HIDIVE announced today that it acquired the streaming rights to the live-action television series 100 SIGHTS OF ANCIENT CITIES premiering on June 27, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. CDT with two episodes releasing every week on Wednesdays in the United States, Canada and other territories. As Japan continues to modernize, much of its cultural history is being lost, but residents of the San-in region keep these time-honored myths and traditions alive in their everyday life. Explore the rich and deeply cherished customs in this television documentary series that has made the San-in region a place truly unique to the rest of Japan. Viewers will learn about the sights, crafts, food, festivals and much more to discover the beauty of these unique customs in 100 Sights of Ancient Cities. For more information, a full list of plan features, or to sign up for HIDIVE visit

    SENNAN ASBESTOS DISASTER © Shissoh Production. MORI, THE ARTIST’S HABITAT © 2018 “Mori, The Artist`s Habitat” Film Partners. NIGHT IS SHORT, WALK ON GIRL © Tomihiko Morimi,KADOKAWA/NAKAME COMMITTEE.

    Asian Cinema

    North America`s Largest Festival of New Japanese Cinema Announces First Confirmed Highlights for 12th Annual Installment Source: Japan Society press release Official Site: japan-cuts-2018 Special Thanks to Shannon Jowett Now entering its 12th year, JAPAN CUTS: Festival of New Japanese Film returns to present the best new movies made in and around Japan and the filmmakers and performers who made them, with new titles never before seen in New York and many screening for the first time outside Japan or in North America. Set for July 19 to 29, the 2018 edition will feature an exclusive premiere roster of nearly 30 feature films, ranging from big budget blockbusters to powerful shoestring indies, and includes spotlights on documentary cinema, experimental films, shorts and recent rediscoveries and restorations of classic Japanese favorites. With the full schedule to be announced in early June, first highlights include: • MORI, THE ARTIST`S

    Unlucky at love Asuka Goda (Yo Yoshida, center) tries a scientific approach to find her soulmate in LOVE X DOC. Photo courtesy of Asmik Ace. © 2018

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Asmik Ace, Inc. Official Movie Site: lovedoc.asmik-ace.co.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Asmik Ace has provided information and high-res photos from their upcoming romantic comedy LOVE X DOC (??×???, Rabu × Dokku). Opening in Japan on May 11th, LOVE X DOC is the directorial debut of screenwriter Osamu Suzuki (LOVE COMPLEX, HANDSOME SUIT, SHINJUKU SWAN). Suzuki was inspired by the growing popularity of girls` manga in Japan to create an original "love story that can be enjoyed by adults". The lead role is played by Yo Yoshida, a popular television and film actress whose credits include TIME TRIP APP (?????, Bakumatsu Kokosei, 2014), HERO (2015), SCOOP! (????!, Sukuupu!, 2016) and GOOD MORNING SHOW (???????????, Guddo Mooningu Shoo, 2016). The supporting cast includes Shuhei Nomura (HIBI ROCK: PUKE AFRO AND THE POP STAR, SAGRADA RESET), Kotaro Yoshida (THE NEXT GENERATION PATLABOR -TOKYO

    DEPARTURES` Masahiro Motoki stars in THE LONG EXCUSE, the latest film from director Miwa Nishikawa. Photo courtesy of Asmik Ace. © 2016

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Asmik Ace Entertainment, Inc. Official Movie Site: nagai-iiwake.com (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Asmik Ace Entertainment has provided information and high-res photos from THE LONG EXCUSE (?????, Nagai Iiwake). Masahiro Motoki (DEPARTURES) stars in this gently humorous drama from director Miwa Nishikawa (SWAY, DREAMS FOR SALE, DEAR DOCTOR). THE LONG EXCUSE opens in Japan on October 14th. Synopsis Sachio (Masahiro Motoki), a popular novelist, loses his wife (Eri Fukatsu) of many years in a bus accident, along with her best friend (Keiko Horiuchi). He is with another woman when he hears the news and with any affection long gone from their marriage, he has to fake the grief everyone expects from him. Under pressure to channel emotions he does not feel into his writing , he meets Yoichi (Pistol Takehara), the truly devastated husband of his wife’s friend, left with 2

    DOWNRANGE, the new thriller from GODZILLA: FINAL WARS director Ryuhei Kitamura, debuts on Shudder April 26. © Genco. All Rights Reserved.

    Asian Cinema

    Acclaimed, Horrifying Battle for Survival from Director of VERSUS and GODZILLA: FINAL WARS Source: Shudder press release Special Thanks to Ted Geoghegan DOWNRANGE -- the terrifying, dark new thriller from acclaimed genre director Ryuhei Kitamura (THE MIDNIGHT MEAT TRAIN, VERSUS, GODZILLA: FINAL WARS) -- lands exclusively on Shudder April 26th. Six college students are carpooling cross-country when one of their tires blows out on a desolate stretch of country road. Getting out to fix the flat, they quickly discover that this was no accident. The tire was shot out. With their vehicle incapacitated, the group is pinned down and mercilessly attacked by an unseen assailant as they desperately attempt to find a way to escape. Produced by Kitamura and ELEVEN ARTS` Ko Mori (LORDS OF CHAOS, MAN FROM RENO), the film is executive produced by Taro Maki (IN THIS CORNER OF THE WORLD).

    Image courtesy of Japan Society.

    Asian Cinema

    Retrospective Series at Japan Society and MoMA Features Masterpieces and Rarities in 35mm & a World Premiere Restoration of Yasujiro Ozu`s FLOATING WEEDS Source: Japan Society press release Special Thanks to Shannon Jowett Kazuo Miyagawa: Japan`s Greatest Cameraman April 12-29, 2018, at The Museum of Modern Art April 13-28, 2018, at Japan Society ** Related Screenings April 6 at Japan Society, and April 6-12 at Film Forum ** New York, NY -- Working intimately with directors like Yasujiro Ozu, Akira Kurosawa, Kenji Mizoguchi and Kon Ichikawa on some of their most important films, Kazuo Miyagawa (1908-99) pushed Japanese cinema to its highest artistic peaks through his lyrical, innovative, and technically flawless camerawork. Considered the greatest cinematographer of postwar Japanese cinema whose career endured through the 1990s, Miyagawa has influenced generations of leading filmmakers around the world. In celebration of the 110th anniversary of

    Sayuri Yoshinaga stars in SAKURA GUARDIAN IN THE NORTH. Photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 2018 SAKURA GUARDIAN IN THE NORTH Production Committee Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site:

    Asian Cinema

    Toei has provided information and high-res photos from SAKURA GUARDIAN IN THE NORTH (????, Kita no Sakuramori). The movie marks the 120th role for lead actress Sayuri Yoshinaga, and -- along with YEAR ONE IN THE NORTH (????, Kita no Reinen, 2005) and A CHORUS OF ANGELS (????????, Kita no Kanariatachi, 2012) -- completes the "Northern Trilogy" written by Machiko Nasu that features Yoshinaga portraying women dealing with life in the harsh conditions of Northern Japan. SAKURA GUARDIAN IN THE NORTH is directed by Yojiro Takita, director of the Oscar-winning DEPARTURES (Okuribito, 2008). STORY North, the two of them went, and north again, towards a lost time... In the spring of 1945, cherry blossoms flower in southern Sakhalin. For Tetsu Ezure and her sons, they symbolize hope. But the following August, the Soviet Union invades and they flee from Sakhalin. Barely managing to make it

    Japanese poster art for CHIHAYAFURU Part.1 and Part.2. The two films had the North American premieres at the 2016 Fantasia Festival. Images courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. © 2016 “Chihayafuru” Film Partners © Yuki Suetsugu / KODANSHA LTD.

    Asian Cinema

    North American Premiere Live-Action Manga Adaptation Source: Toho, Nippon Television Network, Fantasia Festival Official Movie Site: chihayafuru-movie.com (Japan) Special Thanks to Kaila Hier and Emmanuelle DiBuono On July 23-24, the 2016 Fantasia International Film Festival hosted the North American premieres of CHIHAYAFURU Part.1 / Part.2. Directed by Nori Koizumi (THE LIAR AND HIS LOVER), the two live-action movies are based on the award-winning manga Chihayafuru by Yuki Suetsugu, which has sold more than 16 million copies. CHIHAYAFURU tells the story of Chihaya Ayase, a teenager who is obsessed with "competitive karuta", a game using traditional Japanese playing cards featuring classic Japanese poems called "waka". Seeing karuta as a link to her long-lost grade school friends Taichi and Arata, Chihaya forms a club at her high school. Soon, she and her friends are pouring their passion, love and dreams into competitive karuta. Suzu Hirose has her first lead

    Photo courtesy of Well Go USA Entertainment. © 2017

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications press release Special Thanks to Leif Helland and Rachel Villegas High stakes and fast talk are the game when the South Korean crime caper THE SWINDLERS (?, Kkun, 2017) debuts on digital March 6 from Well Go USA Entertainment. Written and directed by first-time filmmaker Jang Chang-won, THE SWINDLERS stars Yoo Ji-tae (OLDBOY), Hyun Bin (SECRET GARDEN), Bae Seong-woo (NO TOMORROW), Park Sung-woong (NEW WORLD), newcomer Nana and Ahn Sae-ha (WILL YOU BE THERE?) in the fast-paced tale of a group of con men go on a quest to hustle a Bernie Madoff-style scam artist. Synopsis High stakes and fast talk are the game in this crime caper that brings together an all-star cast (Yoo Ji-tae, Hyun Bin, Bae Seong-woo, Park Sung-woong, Nana) as unlikely allies from different sides of the law. Each member of the team

    Detective Tomoko Tada (Erika Sawajiri) confronts murder suspect Tadashi Usobuki (Tori Matsuzaka) in the live-action manga adaptation, IMPOSSIBILITY DEFENSE. Photo courtesy of Showgate Inc. © Arata Miyatsuki/Yuya Kanzaki/Shueisha 2018 “Funohan” Production Committee

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Showgate Inc., Pony Canyon Official Site: funohan.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Distributor Showgate Inc. has provided information, a trailer and high-res photos from their upcoming release, IMPOSSIBILITY DEFENSE (???, Funohan). The live-action film is based on the blockbuster manga Funohan by Arata Miyatsuki and Yuya Kanzaki, and is directed by Koji Shiraishi (SADAKO VS KAYAKO). IMPOSSIBILITY DEFENSE opens in Japanese cinemas on February 1. The movie is being offered to foreign distributors by sales agent Pony Canyon. INTRODUCTION What is a “FUNOHAN”? A premeditated criminal act leaving no physical proof -- such as a murder in which the victim appears to be “cursed” or “brainwashed.” In such cases, the act goes unpunished, even if the victim actually dies. The protagonist, Tadashi Usobuki: He manipulates his target with glowing, red eyes that exert a mysterious, mind-controlling power. His “perfect crimes” are impossible

    The relationshop between Rio Yazaki (Fumino Kimura) and Seijiro Ito (Masaki Okada) has more than its share of secrets in ITO-KUN A TO E. Photo courtesy of Showgate Inc. © 2018

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Showgate Inc. Official Site: ito-kun.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Distributor Showgate Inc. has provided information and photos from ITO-KUN A TO E (???? A to E), a new live-action film based on the novel of the same name by author Asako Yuzuki. The movie opens in Japanese theaters on January 12th. In 2017, the story was adapted as a television series that aired on TBS and MBS. The cast and crew of the show -- including director Ryuichi Hiroki (KABUKICHO LOVE HOTEL, WOLF GIRL & BLACK PRINCE, POLICEMAN AND ME) and stars Masaki Okada (CONFESSIONS, VILLAIN, AKKO-CHAN: THE MOVIE, STRAYER`S CHRONICLE) and Fumino Kimura (LOVE FOR BEGINNERS, SCANNER) -- have returned for the film. Okada plays Seijiro Ito, an egotistical young man who is seeing Rio Yazaki (Kimura), a struggling television writer. When Yazaki. When Yazaki learns that Ito is

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