A Samurai In Time (侍タイムスリッパー)

Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Running time (min): 131
Rating: 13
Genre: Comedy, Action
Cast: Yamaguchi Makiya, Fuke Norimasa
Director: Yasuda Junichi 
Producer: Yasuda Junichi 
Release year: 2024

Synopsis: At the end of the Edo period in Kyoto, during a stormy night a samurai prepares to fight against a ronin, when a flash of lighting hits and when he wakes up to find himself in a different time. He has been transported through time to the present day and the location where he was about to duel is now a film set for jidaigeki TV shows and movies. Still in his samurai clothes he is mistaken for an extra and immediately thrust into the world of jidaigeki productions. Due to his very ‘authentic’ look and speech, he starts working on many productions and finds himself playing the role of a “kirareyaku”, a swordsman whose job is to die spectacularly on film. 

Movie trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EX7iBuxDT4

 

All the Long Nights (夜明けのすべて 

Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Running time (min): 119
Rating: P12
Genre: Drama
Cast: Kamishiarashi Mone, Matsumura Hokuto 
Director: Miyake Sho
Producer: Inoue Ryuta, Jonai Masayoshi
Release year: 2024

Synopsis: Fujisawa, who cannot control her PMS induced irritability that comes once a month, ends up exploding in anger one day because of something her colleague Yamazoe does. But it also turns out that Yamazoe, seemingly unmotivated despite having just changed jobs, suffers from anxiety disorder, has given up on things, is burned out and lost the will to live. Supported by understanding workplace colleagues, they develop a special feeling toward each other that is neither friend nor lover but more like comrades. Before you know it, they each start to think that even if their own condition doesn’t improve, they may be able to help the other.　

Movie trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKOJGU4iNbM

 

GODZILLA (ゴジラ) 

Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Running time (min): 97
Rating: P12
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Black & White 
Cast: Takarada Akira, Kochi Momoko, Hirata Akihiko, Shimura Takashi
Director: Honda Ishiro
Producer: Tanaka Tomoyuki
Release year: 1954

Synopsis: Godzilla, the legendary monster of Odo Island awakens from the experiment of the atomic and hydrogen bomb tests. As it lands in Tokyo, Tokyo is destroyed and becomes abandoned. Should the dangerous weapon be used against this giant creature? Director HONDA Ishiro worked with visual effects maestro TSUBURAYA Eiji (now famous for Ultraman) and composer IFUKUBE Akira, whose iconic scoring has become inseparably linked to the Godzilla universe. Starring TAKARADA Akira and HIRATA Akihiko as well as SHIMURA Takashi who had his defining role in SEVEN SAMURAI in the same year.

Movie trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuV-Vb1PlSU

 

GODZILLA MINUS ONE (ゴジラ-1.0)

Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Running time (min): 125
Rating: 13
Genre: Sci fi, Action
Cast: Kamiki Ryunosuke, Hamabe Minami
Director: Yamazaki Takashi
Producer: Ichikawa Minami, Abe Shuji, Yamada Kenji, Kishida Kazuaki, Moriya Keiichiro
Release year: 2023

Synopsis: GODZILLA MINUS ONE, an ACADEMY AWARD® WINNER – Best Visual Effects, commemorating the 70th anniversary of Godzilla series, stars KAMIKI Ryunosuke, HAMABE Minami, YAMADA Yuki, AOKI Munetaka, YOSHIOKA Hidetaka, ANDO Sakura and SASAKI Kuranosuke. A guilt-ridden pilot, SHIKIJIMA Koichi, finds new strength and courage to stand up against Godzilla that suddenly appeared, in helping a young woman, OISHI Noriko and the little orphan girl in her care. Hailed by many reviewers and legions of worldwide fans as one of the best Godzilla movies of all, this is a must-see film.   

Movie trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7DqccP1Q_4

 

Let’s Go Karaoke! (カラオケ行こ！)

Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Running time (min): 108
Rating: P12
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Ayano Go, Saito Jun
Director: Yamashita Nobuhiro
Producer: Nanomiya Naohiko, Osaki Norimasa, Chiwata Hidehisa, Negishi Hiroyuki
Release year: 2024

Synopsis: As his school’s choir club leader, 14-year-old Satomi (SAITO Jun) has only one thing on his mind – the upcoming final competition before he graduates middle school. However, his routine is disrupted when he’s approached by Kyoji (AYANO Go), a menacing yakuza with an unusual request: “Let’s go karaoke!” Baffled and cautious, Satomi soon discovers the off-key gangster needs singing lessons to avoid losing his gang’s karaoke contest and a harrowing punishment... a bad tattoo selected by the boss himself! Reluctantly, Satomi agrees to help Kyoji through a series of karaoke sessions, and the duo forge an unexpected friendship. Featuring comedic twists, heartwarming moments and of course, a stellar soundtrack, this adaptation brings WAYAMA Yama's beloved manga series to life!

Movie trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsRZAVtGV2A

 

 

 

Masked Hearts  (愛にイナズマ)

Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Running time (min): 141
Rating: 16
Genre: Drama, Family
Cast: Kubota Masataka, Matsuoka Mayu, Ikematsu Sosuke, Sato Koichi
Director: Ishii Yuya
Producer: Kitajima Naoaki, Nagai Takuro, Nakajima Yuusaku
Release year: 2023

Synopsis: At 26, Hanako is on the brink of directing her first feature film, but industry sabotage and personal betrayal threaten to crush her dream. With determination and the help of her estranged family, she fights back to reclaim her vision and make her dream a reality—on her own terms.

Movie trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFFntNzbI_Y

 

 

 

 

MATCHED  (マッチング)

 

Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Running time (min): 111
Rating: 16
Genre: Thriller
Cast: Tsuchiya Tao, Sakuma Daisuke(Snow Man), Kaneko Nobuaki
Director: Uchida Eiji
Producer: Ninomiya Naohiko, Ohsaki Norimasa, Chiwata Hidehisa
Release year: 2024

Synopsis: Successful at work but shy in love, wedding planner Rinka reluctantly joins a dating app at the urging of her colleague. She matches with a blonde-haired charmer named Tom, but on the first date Rinka quickly realises something off about this mysterious stranger. What began as an innocent meeting soon takes a rotten turn: Tom starts sending an endless stream of messages, and unbeknownst to Rinka, he’s a suspect in a murder case targeting users of the same dating app... the victims of which were all Rinka’s clients! Frightened by Tom’s relentless pursuit, Rinka seeks help from app developer Kageyama, soon finding comfort in her newfound hero’s arms. Is this finally Rinka’s happy-ever-after, or is something sinister still lurking in the shadows?

Movie trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wjre4BpElrw

 

 

Mom, Is That You?!  (こんにちは、母さん))

Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Running time (min): 111
Rating: P12
Genre: Drama, Family
Cast: Yoshinaga Sayuri, Oizumi Yo, Nagano Mei
Director: Yamada Yoji 
Producer: Fusa Shunsuke, Abe Masato
Release year: 2023

Synopsis: Working amongst the so-called “elite” in bustling Tokyo, HR manager Akio (OIZUMI Yo) finds himself seriously burnt out amidst work-related problems,  his impending divorce and a strained relationship with his college-aged daughter, Mai (NAGANO Mei). Seeking a reprieve from the stresses of modern life, Akio decides to pay a visit to his childhood home in downtown Tokyo where his mother Fukue (YOSHINAGA Sayuri) lives. But instead of the familiar matronly figure he’s used to, Akio is shocked when he is greeted by a transformed Fukue donning fashionable attire, and that’s not the biggest surprise... she seems to have fallen in love! Heartfelt, wholesome and relatable, film veteran YAMADA Yoji’s 90th film is a feelgood portrayal of intergenerational family in modern Japan.

Movie trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4mEGwj7P0M

 

 

One Second Ahead, One Second Behind  (1秒先の彼)

Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Running time (min): 120
Rating: P12
Genre: Drama, Romance
Cast: Okada Masaki, Kiyohara Kaya, Fukumuro Rion
Director: Yamashita Nobuhiro
Producer: Negishi Hiroyuki, Sadai Yuji
Release year: 2023

Synopsis:  Hajime is a 30-year-old man who does things one second faster is than others. Born in Kyoto, Haime works at a post office. A handsome man, he has trouble with his romantic relationships for some reason. He meets and dates a street musician, Sakurako.

The day Hajime and Sakurako decide to go on a fireworks date, he wakes up to find that a day has passed without him remembering it. Apparently, the person who knows the secret of the missing day is a woman, Reika who came to the \post office every day to buy stamps...

 

Movie trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iU3RhGJi97s

 

 

 

OUR SECRET DIARY  (交換ウソ日記)

Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Running time (min): 111
Rating: 13
Genre: Romance, Youth
Cast: Takahashi Fumiya, Sakurada Hiyori
Director: Takemura Kentaro
Producer: Ishida Satoko, Tone Tetsuta
Release year: 2023

Synopsis: “I like you!” When Nozomi Kuroda discovers a one-line love letter in her desk, her ordinary life takes an unexpected turn. This confession isn't any ordinary one – it comes from Jun Setoyama, her high school’s heartthrob and the object of everyone’s affections! Surprised, confused and slightly flattered, Nozomi responds by leaving her own letter in Setoyama’s shoebox, kicking off a secret diary exchange between the two. However, it’s not long before Nozomi learns a painful truth: these words of love were not intended for her, but for her best friend Erino... Adapted from the best-selling novel by IIYO Sakura, director TAKEMURA Kentaro vibrantly brings to life this entangled love story that captures the awkward charm of teenage romance.

Movie trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsoTSaodJ1s

 

 

 

 

(SAND LAND)

Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Running time (min): 106
Rating: 13
Genre: Animation
Cast: Tamura Mutsumi, Yamaji Kazuhiro 
Director: Yokoshima Toshihisa
Producer: Sunrise, Kamikaze Douga, and Anima
Release year: 2023

Synopsis: Sand Land is a mysterious world where demons and humans eke out an existence in a barren desert wasteland. In hopes of replenishing their water supply, Fiend Prince Beelzebub, a demon named Thief, and a human named Sheriff Rao team up and embark on a journey in search of the Legendary Spring.

Movie trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yd6yih8fSE

​​

 

 

 

TO MOM, WITH LOVE (お母さんが一緒)

Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Running time (min): 107
Rating: 13
Genre: Drama, Family
Cast: Eguchi Noriko, Uchida Chika, Furukawa Kotone, Aoyama Hisashi
Director: Hashiguchi Ryosuke 
Producer: Fukada Seigou, Miki Kazushi
Release year: 2023

Synopsis: Yayoi, Manami, and Kiyomi are 3 sisters with different characters, each hiding their own complex from each other.  One day, they take their mother on a trip to the hot springs.  Having a common feeling that they do not want to lead a life like their mother, their complaints gradually escalate.  What is supposed to be a happy family trip takes an unexpected turn when Kiyomi’s boyfriend, Takahiro, appears.  

Movie trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssfn8Y06CI0

​​