Japanese

by J. Fletcher|31 March 202231 March 2022|Features, Interviews, Post Category

Although destiny can be a rather philosophical musing, certain individuals do seem more disposed to its sway via historical or genetic association. One such induvial who falls into this unique community of outliers would have to be Japanese multi-hyphenate, Macoto...

It’s A Summer Movie!: Review

by J. Fletcher|21 February 202221 February 2022|Film Reviews, Post Category

In what feels like a throwback to Japan’s golden comedy era of the early 2000’s, where films like Swing Club, Waterboys, DMC and Hula Girls enjoyed both box office and critical acclaim, It’s a Summer Film! deftly manages to update...

Satoshi Kon: I’illisionniste: Review

by J. Fletcher|02 November 202125 February 2022|Film Reviews, Post Category

Those familiar with the feature length anime genre know that the entire Western permeation of the artform lies with a handful of auteurs, Mamoru Oshii whose Ghost in The Shell delivered a masterful blend of science fiction and metaphysics with dark drama...

The Fable: The Killer Who Doesn’t Kill: Review

by J. Fletcher|01 November 202126 February 2022|Film Reviews, Post Category

After the overwhelming success and popularity of the first Fable (2019) film, it came as no surprise when the studio Shochiku announced a sequel had been fast-tracked, continuing the misadventures of Akira Sato, one of Japan’s most notoriously efficient assassins,...

Hold Me Back: Review

by J. Fletcher|28 October 202126 February 2022|Film Reviews, Post Category

Based on the 2020 novel from Risa Wataya, Hold Me Back takes an interesting approach to the modern day rom-com, delivering a poignant and moving glimpse into the lives of young Japanese women tackling the new gender norms and dating...

Japanese Film Festival: 2021

by J. Fletcher|17 October 202127 February 2022|Interviews, New, Post Category

With the Japanese Film Festival having just launched its full 2021 program, the popular film festival is set to emerge from the pandemic with a slew of pop-cultural extravagance, heartfelt drama, bold documentaries, and some rather eclectic fare from the...

Josee, The Tiger & The Fish: Review

by J. Fletcher|09 June 202123 February 2022|Film Reviews, Post Category

Having received a live action adaption back in 2003, author Seiko Tanabe’s classic short story Josee, the Tiger & the Fish has finally been granted the anime treatment thanks to animation studio BONES, the team behind the wildly popular fantasy series My Hero...

Penguin Highway: Review

by J. Fletcher|13 September 201807 March 2022|Film Reviews, Post Category

Whenever a new anime feature film causes a stir at the Japanese box-office or creates ripples within in the industry, the inevitable platitudes of a possible ‘New Hayao Miyazaki’ or a new ‘Studio Bones’ seems to get throw about with...

Your Name: Review

by J. Fletcher|24 November 201626 February 2022|Film Reviews, Post Category

Taking the star-crossed lover theme to extraordinary new heights, Makoto Shinkai’s (Children Who Chase Lost Voices) latest animated feature film, Your Name, has not just dominated the Japanese box office - where it maintained the number one position for nine straight...

Attack on Titan: Part One: Review

by J. Fletcher|24 August 201524 February 2022|Film Reviews, Post Category

While Japan’s anime industry is revered domestically as something of a national treasure, it’s still often relegated to its own quirky niche within the larger entertainment sector. However the absolute fanaticism that has sprung up around the dark-fantasy series Attack...

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