'37 Seconds': A woman's journey of self-discovery
In Hikari's debut feature, first-time actor Mei Kayama plays a woman determined to become a manga artist, but who must overcome her lack of life experience, her physical disability and her contolling mother.
'Beneath the Shadow': Too obscure for its own good
Keishi Otomo's latest film looks at two colleagues whose blossoming bromance threatens to turn into something more mysterious.
'Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku': A musical take on an otaku romance
This film adaptation of a web comic by single-named artist Fujita has the central couple dancing and singing their way to love.
'AI Amok': Futuristic flick rehashes old tech
In Yu Irie's sci-fi film set in 2030, Takao Osawa stars as a scientist who must save Japan from an artificial intelligence system he created.
'We Make Antiques! Kyoto Rendezvous': Kansai caper revisits old tricks
Kiichi Nakai and Kuranosuke Sasaki reprise their roles as scammers in Masaharu Take's sequel to 2018's 'We Make Antiques!'
'Prison Circle': A rare look at life behind bars
Kaori Sakagami's feature-length documentary offers an intimate view of inmates going through the process of therapy in a Japanese prison.
'Romance Doll': A mature take on guys and dolls
The premise for Yuki Tanada's film about a sex doll designer gets laughs, but also offers sharp insights into human issues.
'Voices in the Wind': Loss and a haunting journey home
Serena Motola gives a raw performance as a young survivor of the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 in Nobuhiro Suwa's latest film.
'Bad Poetry Tokyo': Indian director's first feature reveals major talent
Anshul Chauhan's woman-in-crisis drama has won prizes at festivals in Japan and abroad, despite the director having never attended film school.
'Last Letter': Love letter delivers sweetness and slush
Takako Matsu reunites with director Shunji Iwai to play a middle-aged woman who exchanges letters with her late sister's high school flame.
'On-Gaku: Our Sound': Indie anime seven years in the making is a surefire classic
Director Kenji Iwaisawa's hand-drawn anime, with voice acting by former Yura Yura Teikoku frontman Shintaro Sakamoto, taps into the riotous power of music.
'Complicity': Heartfelt film serves up food for the soul
Indie director Kei Chikaura's first feature — and winner of the Audience Award at Tokyo Filmex — avoids cliches in its realistic portrayal of Japan-China understanding.
