Wasted Beauty: A Critical Examination of Sakuran Director: Miki Ninagawa Cast: Anna Tsuchiya, Yoshino Kimura, Renji Ishibashi, Masatoshi Nagase Related Films: Tokyo Bordello, Street of Shame, The Life of Oharu, Guilty of Romance Studio: Ninagawa Group - Sakuran Film Committee Year: 2007 Verdict: 2/6 It made quite a buzz when the prolific photographer Miki Ninagawa joined forces with rebel model Anna Tsuchiya to make Sakuran. But as it turned out, it took more than a keen eye for visuals and a pretty face to measure up to the titans of Japanese cinema. Sakuran garnered significant attention in ..read more

Under the Skin of Satoshi Kon’s Skin-Crawling Cult Classic Director: Satoshi Kon Cast/Voices: Shôzo Iizuka, Toshihiko Seki, Mamiko Noto, Kotono Mitsuishi Related Films: Perfect Blue, Millennium Actress, Tokyo Godfathers, Paprika Studio: Asmik Ace/Madhouse Studios/Tohokushinsha/WoWoW Year: 2004 Verdict: 4.5/6 Contents Introducing Paranoia Agent from a Personal Perspective The Background and Ideas that Shaped Paranoia Agent Thirteen Chapters of Madness | The Story of Paranoia Agent Themes of Paranoia Agent | Mental Health & Social Isolation The Sense of Senselessness | Paranoia Agent Analy ..read more

Yôji Yamada Cut the Theatrics and Found Real Samurai Honor Director: Yôji Yamada Cast: Hiroyuki Sanada, Rie Miyazawa, Nenji Kobayashi, Min Tanaka, Erina Hashiguchi Related Films: The Hidden Blade, Love and Honor, Harakiri, The 47 Ronin Studio: Eisei Gekijo, Hakuhodo, Nippan, NTV, Shochiku, Sumitomo Co. Year: 2002 Verdict: 5/6 Contents Introducing The Twilight Samurai Inspirations, Parallels, and Historical Background The Twilight Samurai Synopsis Samurai Humanity | Yamada’s Twilight Themes The Twilight Samurai Analysis Making of The Twilight Samurai Final Verdict for The Twilight Samurai In ..read more

Everybody knows: An in-depth look at Kore-eda’s breakthrough film Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda Cast: Yûya Yagira, Ayu Kitaura, Hiei Kimura, Momoko Shimizu, Hanae Kan, You Related Films: Shoplifters, Still Walking, After Life, Our Little Sister Studio: Bandai/Engine/Cine Qua Non/TV Man Union Year: 2004 Verdict: 4.5/6 Contents: Introducing Nobody Knows The Real-Life Incident that Inspired Nobody Knows Hidden in Plain Sight | The Story of Nobody Knows Fallen Between the Cracks | Nobody Knows Analysis Nobody Knew Acting Like That Kore-eda’s Breakthrough Production Final Verdict for Nobody Knows ..read more

Borrowed & Delegated: An In-Depth Look At Arrietty Director: Hiromasa Yonebayashi Cast/Voices: Mirai Shida, Ryûnosuke Kamiki, Kirin Kiki, Shinobu Ôtake Related Films: My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke Studio: Ghibli Year: 2010 Verdict: 4/6 Contents: Introducing The Secret World of Arrietty Arrietty Director Thought Miyazaki Had Lost His Mind The Story of Arrietty the Borrower and the Human Beans The Production of Arrietty | Atmosphere Before Substance Beneath the Floorboards | The Secret World of Arrietty Analysis Arrietty Parallels | Fleeting Beauty and Disney Moments ..read more

Mizoguchi’s First Reveal of Japanese Gender Issues. Director: Kenji Mizoguchi Cast: Isuzu Yamada, Eitarô Shindô, Benkei Shiganoya, Yôko Umemura, Kensaku Hara Related Films: Sisters of the Gion, Tokyo Story, Yearning, The 47 Ronin Studio: Daiichi Year: 1936 Verdict: 4/6 Contents: Introducing Osaka Elegy Mizoguchi’s Voice of Reason The Story in Osaka Elegy The Implications of Ayako’s Actions Osaka Elegy Analysis Part 1 | The Fathers of Japan Hostile Hierarchies | Osaka Elegy Analysis Part 2 Mizoguchi’s Osaka Elegy vs. Ozu’s Tokyo Story Osaka Elegy Review | The Line Between Good and Bad Final V ..read more

Defining The Style Of Japanese Cinema Once And For All Japanese film is often admired. In film theory, however, Japanese cinema is usually categorized as «Alternative Film» or «Asian Film», both of which are wildly imprecise. It’s about time that Japanese film style is recognized for what it is: One of the most distinct film paradigms ever made. This is JCA’s definition of the Japanese film paradigm, and we call it Japanese Cinimalism. Contents: What Is Japanese Film Style? What is Japanese Cinimalism? The History of the Japanese Film Paradigm in a Nutshell The Biggest Problem in Japanese Fi ..read more

Tatsuya Nakadai’s Sociopath Samurai In The Most Beautiful Chambara Ever Made Director: Kihachi Okamoto Cast: Tatsuya Nakadai, Michiyo Aratama, Yûzô Kayama, Yôko Naitô, Toshiro Mifune Related Films: Harakiri, Samurai Assassin, Yojimbo, Three Outlaw Samurai Studio: Toho/Takarazuka Eiga Year: 1966 Verdict: 5/6 His eyes went blank. The tiniest of smiles quivered in the corner of his mouth. Only when his blade tasted blood, did the voices die out. The moment of bliss never lasted. Soon, whispers again turned to screams. Contents: Introducing The Sword of Doom A Doomed Production Turned To Triumph ..read more

Satoshi Kon’s Coincidental Christmas Miracle Director: Satoshi Kon Cast/Voices: Tôru Emori, Aya Okamoto, Yoshiaki Umegaki, Shôzô Iizuka, Seizô Katô Related Films: Perfect Blue, Millennium Actress, Paprika, Paranoia Agent Studio: Madhouse Year: 2003 Verdict: 5/6 The Sins of a Throwaway Society For every blinding neon light, there’s a dark back-alley to wander down. For every perfectly polite smile, another soul disappears in the night. Consume or be consumed! Tokyo’s mantra rings truer than ever when Christmas comes to town. Contents: Introducing Tokyo Godfathers Background & Facts The St ..read more

How Yamanaka’s Million Ryo Pot Made Japanese Film History Director: Sadao Yamanaka Cast: Denjirô Ôkôchi, Kiyozu, Kunitaro Sawamura, Reisaburô Yamamoto Related Films: Priest of Darkness, Humanity and Paper Balloons, Rashomon Studio: Nikkatsu Year: 1935 Verdict: 4/6 Contents: Introducing Sazen Tange and the Pot Worth a Million Ryo The Lost Legacy of Sadao Yamanaka The Lively Legacy of Tange Sazen The Million Ryo Crock and Bull Story A Production that Missed its Target Reading Into Pots and Plots | A One Ryo Mini-Analysis Links Between Sazen Tange, Toshiro Mifune and Hollywood Final Verdict for ..read more