Who is the greatest anime director of all time? One name that cinephiles won't let be forgotten (nor should they) is Satoshi Kon. A surrealist who always tied his imagination to a strong character or theme, only Kon could make the movies he chose to in the way he made them.
His "hyper-real" style of animation is the core of his filmmaking philosophy; animation can tell the same stories that live-action movies can, but shouldn't try to emulate how those movies tell them. He also understood how the greatest advantage animation has is editing; since the images are drawn, not blocked and framed, it's all the easier for scene after expressive scene to flow into one another.
Kon's influence on international filmmakers (particularly "Perfect Blue" obsessive Darren Aronofsky) is undeniable. Tragically, Kon died in 2010 at the age of 46, cutting that influence (and his in-development projects like "The Dream Machine") short.
His "hyper-real" style of animation is the core of his filmmaking philosophy; animation can tell the same stories that live-action movies can, but shouldn't try to emulate how those movies tell them. He also understood how the greatest advantage animation has is editing; since the images are drawn, not blocked and framed, it's all the easier for scene after expressive scene to flow into one another.
Kon's influence on international filmmakers (particularly "Perfect Blue" obsessive Darren Aronofsky) is undeniable. Tragically, Kon died in 2010 at the age of 46, cutting that influence (and his in-development projects like "The Dream Machine") short.
- 5/27/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
Hiroyuki Sanada has been honing his acting skills for over fifty years, having started when he was six years old. He landed his first role opposite the celebrated Japanese actor and martial artist Sonny Chiba in Game of Chance. Since then, the Tokyo-born actor, 63, has barely decelerated.
Hiroyuki Sanada in Shōgun (Credit: FX)
That being said, we cannot overlook the brilliant performance he gave in Rachel Kondo & Justin Marks’ Shōgun. As Lord Yoshii Toranaga, he practically steals every scene of the FX series. Unfortunately, the 10-episode series is over, but he has starred in a number of similar flicks that are well worth your time.
Nevertheless, Sanada’s résumé includes a number of stellar but lesser-known roles. Rest assured, if you enjoy his portrayal of Lord Toranaga, here are three must-see films starring the talented actor that will satisfy your craving for more of his compelling performances.
1. The Twilight Samurai...
Hiroyuki Sanada in Shōgun (Credit: FX)
That being said, we cannot overlook the brilliant performance he gave in Rachel Kondo & Justin Marks’ Shōgun. As Lord Yoshii Toranaga, he practically steals every scene of the FX series. Unfortunately, the 10-episode series is over, but he has starred in a number of similar flicks that are well worth your time.
Nevertheless, Sanada’s résumé includes a number of stellar but lesser-known roles. Rest assured, if you enjoy his portrayal of Lord Toranaga, here are three must-see films starring the talented actor that will satisfy your craving for more of his compelling performances.
1. The Twilight Samurai...
- 5/11/2024
- by Siddhika Prajapati
- FandomWire
Beyond the fact that both films star Sonny Chiba taking revenge against the Yakuza, Yakuza Wolf 2: Extend My Condolences (Ôkami Yakuza: Tomurai Ha Ore Ga Dasu) has almost nothing to do with Yakuza Wolf 1: I Perform Murder.
While imprisoned, Ibuki (Chiba) befriends Goro Yuki (Tatsuya Fuji). Ibuki and his new buddy plot escape and a heist that will avenge his betrayal by the Yakuza. On the cusp of the prison break the pair are comically and unexpectedly released. Shortly after gaining their freedom, they are saved from assassination by an old friend. Undeterred, they go about putting together a crew for the heist.
As a movie, Yakuza Wolf 2 feels somewhat confused as to what it is. Is it a buddy comedy, a crime caper or a WW2 style men on a mission film? It tries to cram in a bit of everything. The film's construction is also a.
While imprisoned, Ibuki (Chiba) befriends Goro Yuki (Tatsuya Fuji). Ibuki and his new buddy plot escape and a heist that will avenge his betrayal by the Yakuza. On the cusp of the prison break the pair are comically and unexpectedly released. Shortly after gaining their freedom, they are saved from assassination by an old friend. Undeterred, they go about putting together a crew for the heist.
As a movie, Yakuza Wolf 2 feels somewhat confused as to what it is. Is it a buddy comedy, a crime caper or a WW2 style men on a mission film? It tries to cram in a bit of everything. The film's construction is also a.
- 2/21/2024
- by Donald Munro
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Yakuza Wolf 1: I Perform Murder is a 1970s Japanese action film staring Sonny Chiba as Gosuke Himuro. The film is a rip of of Django which is a rip off of A Fistful Of Dollars which is a rip off of Yojimbo which is a licensed remake of The Glass Key (1942). Seeking revenge for his murdered father and kidnapped sister, Gosuke Himuro pits two rival Yakuza factions against each other. The filmmakers steal from other films with abandon. If it's not nailed to a solid slab of copyright law, it's filched. This is your intellectual property? You must have drooped it somewhere.
Yakuza Wolf opens with Gosuke Himuro performing a black gloved giallo murder of a couple in coitus. It could have come straight out of Bava's Blood And Black Lace. The colour palette is Argento. Chiba wears...
Yakuza Wolf opens with Gosuke Himuro performing a black gloved giallo murder of a couple in coitus. It could have come straight out of Bava's Blood And Black Lace. The colour palette is Argento. Chiba wears...
- 2/18/2024
- by Donald Munro
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
In a recent Twitter post, the creator of Kindergarten Wars manga, Chiba Yuu, opened up about the importance of healthy fan interaction while addressing concerns about overly intense behaviours from some fans.
She emphasized the need for responsible and respectful behaviour from fans, highlighting concerns about actions lacking online literacy, exhibiting excessive emotions, or showing possessiveness towards both Chiba and the staff on social media and fan letters.
Concerned about the safety of the workplace, particularly given the presence of many women and young staff members, Chiba requested fans to think about actions that could potentially make others uncomfortable or frightened. The author hinted that if such behaviours escalates, there might be considerations about discontinuing participation in events like Comitia in the future, underlining the importance of ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone involved.
Despite the cautionary note, Chiba expressed immense appreciation for various forms of fan engagement,...
She emphasized the need for responsible and respectful behaviour from fans, highlighting concerns about actions lacking online literacy, exhibiting excessive emotions, or showing possessiveness towards both Chiba and the staff on social media and fan letters.
Concerned about the safety of the workplace, particularly given the presence of many women and young staff members, Chiba requested fans to think about actions that could potentially make others uncomfortable or frightened. The author hinted that if such behaviours escalates, there might be considerations about discontinuing participation in events like Comitia in the future, underlining the importance of ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone involved.
Despite the cautionary note, Chiba expressed immense appreciation for various forms of fan engagement,...
- 1/30/2024
- by Ami Nazru
- AnimeHunch
The official website of AnimeJapan 2024 revealed the line-ups for its main stages, Red, Blue and Green, on Jan 19, 2024.
AnimeJapan 2024 will take place at Tokyo Big Sight on March 23-24, 2024.
An overview of the stages can be viewed below:
Red & Green Stage: Closed stage with assigned seating. Entry requires both an entrance ticket and a stage viewing ticket. Blue Stage: Open stage with assigned seating for seated viewing near the stage front. Entry requires both an entrance ticket and a stage viewing ticket. Limited free viewing at the rear due to space constraints.
Check out the complete timetable of AnimeJapan 2024 stages below:
Red Stage AnimeJapan 2024 Line-up: Date: March 23, 2024 Timings (Jst)Event NameMembers attending09:15 – 09:50Suicide Squad ISEKAIAnna Nagase, Yuuichirou Umehara, Reigo Yamaguchi, Jun Fukuyama and more10:25 – 11:00Mushoku Tensei: Jobless ReincarnationYumi Uchiyama, Tomokazu Sugita, Ai Kayano, Yuuki Takada, Yuiko Ohara11:35 – 12:10i☆Ris the Movie – Full Energy!
AnimeJapan 2024 will take place at Tokyo Big Sight on March 23-24, 2024.
An overview of the stages can be viewed below:
Red & Green Stage: Closed stage with assigned seating. Entry requires both an entrance ticket and a stage viewing ticket. Blue Stage: Open stage with assigned seating for seated viewing near the stage front. Entry requires both an entrance ticket and a stage viewing ticket. Limited free viewing at the rear due to space constraints.
Check out the complete timetable of AnimeJapan 2024 stages below:
Red Stage AnimeJapan 2024 Line-up: Date: March 23, 2024 Timings (Jst)Event NameMembers attending09:15 – 09:50Suicide Squad ISEKAIAnna Nagase, Yuuichirou Umehara, Reigo Yamaguchi, Jun Fukuyama and more10:25 – 11:00Mushoku Tensei: Jobless ReincarnationYumi Uchiyama, Tomokazu Sugita, Ai Kayano, Yuuki Takada, Yuiko Ohara11:35 – 12:10i☆Ris the Movie – Full Energy!
- 1/20/2024
- by Ami Nazru
- AnimeHunch
Sadao Nakajima passed away from pneumonia on 11th June, 2023. He was 88 years old. Active as a director until just four years before his passing, Nakajima left behind legacy of work that most directors would dream of. Alongside Kinji Fukasaku and Junya Sato, he is credited as being one of the main names to define the Yakuza genre, with some of his greatest works coming within that genre for Toei Studios, showcasing a range of styles and narrative complexities while at it. Outside of the yakuza genre as well though, Nakajima made a number of terrific features, mixing a range of genres and filmmaking styles effectively over an illustrious career that lasted a little under 60 years, starting from his debut in 1964 all the way until his swansong in 2019.
Without further ado, we list 12 essential films by Sadao Nakajima that are not in the Yakuza genre, in chronological order.
1. Female Ninja Magic...
Without further ado, we list 12 essential films by Sadao Nakajima that are not in the Yakuza genre, in chronological order.
1. Female Ninja Magic...
- 7/11/2023
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
The Film
When Battle Royale came out in 2000, I was 19 and just really getting into foreign language films. Like many of my generation of cinephiles, it was an early part of my DVD collection. While I enjoyed it though, I have to confess that I’ve not been back to it for over 15 years, and I never used it as a jumping off point to discover more of its director Kinji Fukasaku’s work. On this evidence, that was an error.
After a failed rebellion in which 37,000 Christians are massacred, their leader Amakusa Shiro (Kenji Sawada) returns from the dead, pledges his soul to the Devil and becomes a demon who can resurrect others to join him in his quest for vengeance. This is an interesting jumping off point for the film, because for much of the opening half hour, as Shiro gathers his band of demons (including swordmaster Miyamoto Musashi...
When Battle Royale came out in 2000, I was 19 and just really getting into foreign language films. Like many of my generation of cinephiles, it was an early part of my DVD collection. While I enjoyed it though, I have to confess that I’ve not been back to it for over 15 years, and I never used it as a jumping off point to discover more of its director Kinji Fukasaku’s work. On this evidence, that was an error.
After a failed rebellion in which 37,000 Christians are massacred, their leader Amakusa Shiro (Kenji Sawada) returns from the dead, pledges his soul to the Devil and becomes a demon who can resurrect others to join him in his quest for vengeance. This is an interesting jumping off point for the film, because for much of the opening half hour, as Shiro gathers his band of demons (including swordmaster Miyamoto Musashi...
- 6/21/2023
- by Sam Inglis
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
By Earl Jackson
In 1939, Sadaho Maeda was born in Fukuoka, the third of five children to an Imperial Army pilot and a retired track-and field runner. While still a toddler, the family moved to Chiba Prefecture where Sadaho grew up. Perhaps that location was the inspiration of the publicity people at Toei in 1960 to rename this “new face” – Shin'ichi Chiba. He became a teen favorite as a “funky hat” detective in a series directed by Kinji Fukasaku, and then gained another fan base with his pursuit of serious martial arts training. Chiba was already a powerhouse by the time the three “Street Fighter” films in 1974 introduced him to the world as Sonny Chiba.
If the world had granted him more time, Toru Murakawa's “Game Trilogy” in 1978-1979, might have done the same for Yusaku Matsuda. Although it was always already too late for Matsuda, we now have time to...
In 1939, Sadaho Maeda was born in Fukuoka, the third of five children to an Imperial Army pilot and a retired track-and field runner. While still a toddler, the family moved to Chiba Prefecture where Sadaho grew up. Perhaps that location was the inspiration of the publicity people at Toei in 1960 to rename this “new face” – Shin'ichi Chiba. He became a teen favorite as a “funky hat” detective in a series directed by Kinji Fukasaku, and then gained another fan base with his pursuit of serious martial arts training. Chiba was already a powerhouse by the time the three “Street Fighter” films in 1974 introduced him to the world as Sonny Chiba.
If the world had granted him more time, Toru Murakawa's “Game Trilogy” in 1978-1979, might have done the same for Yusaku Matsuda. Although it was always already too late for Matsuda, we now have time to...
- 5/26/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
The Film
I’m trying to remember the title of a movie. There’s a bomber, who puts a device on public transport. If it registers a speed over… ah I forget what the exact marker was, but anyway, that arms the bomb, then if it goes below that speed…Boom! So the cops have to figure out who this guy is, and how to disarm the bomb. I think it was called “The bus that couldn’t slow down”, but it might have been a bit snappier than that.
That aside, 1975’s The Bullet Train definitely bears some striking similarities to, you know, that bus movie. Ken Takahara plays Okita, he’s 40, has lost his company in a bankruptcy and is recently divorced. Recruiting two friends (Kei Yamamoto and Akira Oda) to help set it up, he develops a plan to hold a bullet train with approximately 1500 passengers to...
I’m trying to remember the title of a movie. There’s a bomber, who puts a device on public transport. If it registers a speed over… ah I forget what the exact marker was, but anyway, that arms the bomb, then if it goes below that speed…Boom! So the cops have to figure out who this guy is, and how to disarm the bomb. I think it was called “The bus that couldn’t slow down”, but it might have been a bit snappier than that.
That aside, 1975’s The Bullet Train definitely bears some striking similarities to, you know, that bus movie. Ken Takahara plays Okita, he’s 40, has lost his company in a bankruptcy and is recently divorced. Recruiting two friends (Kei Yamamoto and Akira Oda) to help set it up, he develops a plan to hold a bullet train with approximately 1500 passengers to...
- 4/27/2023
- by Sam Inglis
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
1974: a great year for many filmmakers. This was the year Francis Ford Coppola released both “The Godfather: Part II” and “The Conversation”. Mel Brooks hit a prolific streak too with “Young Frankenstein” and “Blazing Saddles”. Over in West Germany, Rainer Werner Fassbinder continued his hot streak by directing Four feature films, including his most beloved work, “Ali: Fear Eats the Soul”. However, it was perhaps Shinichi ‘Sonny' Chiba who had the most iconic and significant year out of that roster, with a career-defining bumper year that contained an impressive amount of diversity for an actor nominally known as a martial arts star. Surrounding himself with the posse from his expert team ‘Japan Action Club' and with the backing of the Toei Company, Ltd., Chiba completed a full trilogy, a two-part crime caper saga, a spin-off to the aforementioned trilogy And a powerful anti-war drama all in one year.
- 4/13/2023
- by Simon Ramshaw
- AsianMoviePulse
2021 was one of the best years in recent memory for Asian films on physical media, with a number of boutique, established and newer labels realising the market for it and trying to capitalise on it, giving us consumers and collectors plenty to spend our money on and lots of Asian cinemas to watch. And if it seemed hard to top, most labels one-upped themselves by giving us even more releases, giving fan favourites, classics as well as hidden gems on stacked blu-ray and 4K Uhd releases.
Without further ado, we list here 30 Best Asian DVD and Blu-ray releases of 2022, in no particular order.
1. Ptu (Spectrum Films)
French Spectrum has been investing heavily in the “Golden Era” of Hong Kong cinema with a number of titles, but the Johnnie To’s “Ptu” is definitely one of the releases that truly stand out. The six (!) discs of the collection are filled...
Without further ado, we list here 30 Best Asian DVD and Blu-ray releases of 2022, in no particular order.
1. Ptu (Spectrum Films)
French Spectrum has been investing heavily in the “Golden Era” of Hong Kong cinema with a number of titles, but the Johnnie To’s “Ptu” is definitely one of the releases that truly stand out. The six (!) discs of the collection are filled...
- 12/24/2022
- by AMP Group
- AsianMoviePulse
It is amusing to ponder just how stealthily life can imitate art and vice versa, happening right underneath our noses we are blind to its reflection whilst all those around us have grabbed a front row seat just to watch how it unfolds with popcorn in one hand and a beverage in the other. A stark reminder of how blurred the line between fiction and real life can be, one serving as a harbinger for the other, these encounters usually fall into two categories: a devastating disaster of which no one can avert their eyes from, or a heart-warming glimpse into the fairy-tale world we all wish our lives could be. Thankfully for Shuichi Okita’s latest offering, “One Summer Story”, its loveable cast of misfits practically living out their common ground – a tender anime about a magical plasterer – steers its story into the latter and, for the most part,...
- 11/21/2022
- by James Cansdale-Cook
- AsianMoviePulse
It seems that high profile werewolf movies are in short supply these days, doesn’t it? When you’re talking horror movies, there’s plenty of zombies to be had, vampires aren’t going anywhere, and slasher films will always come back into fashion.
But werewolves? They’re not so lucky. Maybe it’s because they seem to require a little more of a budget, and some proper special effects wizardry to make those transformations really pop. CGI werewolves just won’t cut it. And then there’s always the question of just how different you can really make any given werewolf story from the classics of yore. Marvel’s Werewolf by Night just did something really cool, but that’s a TV special and not really a feature film.
There have been a few signs of furry life recently, with fare like Wolfcop, Late Phases, and Werewolves Within starting...
But werewolves? They’re not so lucky. Maybe it’s because they seem to require a little more of a budget, and some proper special effects wizardry to make those transformations really pop. CGI werewolves just won’t cut it. And then there’s always the question of just how different you can really make any given werewolf story from the classics of yore. Marvel’s Werewolf by Night just did something really cool, but that’s a TV special and not really a feature film.
There have been a few signs of furry life recently, with fare like Wolfcop, Late Phases, and Werewolves Within starting...
- 10/18/2022
- by Mike Cecchini
- Den of Geek
Mamoru Oshii has solidified himself from one acclaimed anime film to another. “Ghost in the Shell” is hailed as a masterpiece of cyberpunk storytelling, and “Urusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer” is highlighted for its hilarious comedy. Oshii has a lot of range as a visionary that transcends beyond animation, as he has done live-action features as well. One of his most personal projects is the franchise known as the “Kerberos Saga,” a gritty alternate history political thriller. Various forms of media, from radio dramas to comic books, have painted a picture of the gloomy society presented in this horrifying rendition of alternate history. When it comes to cinema, the most popular entry is Hiroyuki Okiura’s anime movie “Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade,” which, which Oshii wrote. Yet, the saga’s first depiction on film would be in Oshii’s surreal and marvelous gem, “The Red Spectacles.”
“The...
“The...
- 10/2/2022
- by Sean Barry
- AsianMoviePulse
Some stories seem impossible to translate from the written page to the moving image, but a few brave creatives have taken on the task and created masterpieces. Japanese author Yasutaka Tsutsui's acclaimed 1993 novel "Paprika" is one such story, about a brilliant young psychologist named Chiba who begins experimenting with dream therapy. Chiba and her research partner, Tokita, develop a machine that allows them to not only view the dreams of others but experience them firsthand. When their dream-walking machine is stolen, the two have to figure out how to track him down in the real world while dealing with the repercussions in their dreams. It's mind-bending science fiction that works in part because of the limitless potential of the imagination.
Now, Prime Studios has announced that they will be producing and releasing a live-action series based on the novel, helmed by "Birds of Prey" director Cathy Yan. It's going...
Now, Prime Studios has announced that they will be producing and releasing a live-action series based on the novel, helmed by "Birds of Prey" director Cathy Yan. It's going...
- 8/22/2022
- by Danielle Ryan
- Slash Film
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