For Mark Schilling's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Director Yukihiro Morigaki’s horror-mystery film based on a ‘boys’ love’ manga focuses more on confronting inner demons rather than battling ghouls.
This year’s release lineup is stacked with domestic films that have little competition for audiences as many Hollywood films have been set back by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Katsuhide Motoki’s drama about the “rice riots” in 1918 shows the bravery of female protestors who fought against sexism and the deep poverty that threatened their livelihoods.
The anime film beat out former record holder “Spirited Away,” due in part to fortuitous timing and word-of-mouth popularity.
The film industry was hit hard by the pandemic, with the closure of theaters and festivals moving online. However, that's what made the triumph of “Demon Slayer” all the more surprising.
Akiko Ohku’s charming rom-com explores the inner struggles of working women in modern-day Tokyo.
Director Kaizo Hayashi’s three-part film based on the meltdown disaster of 2011 at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant is a mishmash of noir, sci-fi and fantasy.
Chihiro Amano’s humorous film about rowdy next-door neighbors coming to blows makes a well-meaning plea for tolerance and kindness toward others.
Director Masaharu Take’s 276-minute film was inspired by Martin Scorsese’s boxing saga “Raging Bull.”
Taiga Nakano gives a raw performance as a social pariah who attempts to make amends with his family and town in Takuma Sato’s film.
