SciFi Japan

    Japanese poster art for CHIHAYAFURU Part.1 and Part.2. The two films had the North American premieres at the 2016 Fantasia Festival. Images courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. © 2016 “Chihayafuru” Film Partners © Yuki Suetsugu / KODANSHA LTD.

    Asian Cinema

    North American Premiere Live-Action Manga Adaptation Source: Toho, Nippon Television Network, Fantasia Festival Official Movie Site: chihayafuru-movie.com (Japan) Special Thanks to Kaila Hier and Emmanuelle DiBuono On July 23-24, the 2016 Fantasia International Film Festival hosted the North American premieres of CHIHAYAFURU Part.1 / Part.2. Directed by Nori Koizumi (THE LIAR AND HIS LOVER), the two live-action movies are based on the award-winning manga Chihayafuru by Yuki Suetsugu, which has sold more than 16 million copies. CHIHAYAFURU tells the story of Chihaya Ayase, a teenager who is obsessed with "competitive karuta", a game using traditional Japanese playing cards featuring classic Japanese poems called "waka". Seeing karuta as a link to her long-lost grade school friends Taichi and Arata, Chihaya forms a club at her high school. Soon, she and her friends are pouring their passion, love and dreams into competitive karuta. Suzu Hirose has her first lead

    Photo courtesy of Well Go USA Entertainment. © 2017

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications press release Special Thanks to Leif Helland and Rachel Villegas High stakes and fast talk are the game when the South Korean crime caper THE SWINDLERS (?, Kkun, 2017) debuts on digital March 6 from Well Go USA Entertainment. Written and directed by first-time filmmaker Jang Chang-won, THE SWINDLERS stars Yoo Ji-tae (OLDBOY), Hyun Bin (SECRET GARDEN), Bae Seong-woo (NO TOMORROW), Park Sung-woong (NEW WORLD), newcomer Nana and Ahn Sae-ha (WILL YOU BE THERE?) in the fast-paced tale of a group of con men go on a quest to hustle a Bernie Madoff-style scam artist. Synopsis High stakes and fast talk are the game in this crime caper that brings together an all-star cast (Yoo Ji-tae, Hyun Bin, Bae Seong-woo, Park Sung-woong, Nana) as unlikely allies from different sides of the law. Each member of the team

    Detective Tomoko Tada (Erika Sawajiri) confronts murder suspect Tadashi Usobuki (Tori Matsuzaka) in the live-action manga adaptation, IMPOSSIBILITY DEFENSE. Photo courtesy of Showgate Inc. © Arata Miyatsuki/Yuya Kanzaki/Shueisha 2018 “Funohan” Production Committee

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Showgate Inc., Pony Canyon Official Site: funohan.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Distributor Showgate Inc. has provided information, a trailer and high-res photos from their upcoming release, IMPOSSIBILITY DEFENSE (???, Funohan). The live-action film is based on the blockbuster manga Funohan by Arata Miyatsuki and Yuya Kanzaki, and is directed by Koji Shiraishi (SADAKO VS KAYAKO). IMPOSSIBILITY DEFENSE opens in Japanese cinemas on February 1. The movie is being offered to foreign distributors by sales agent Pony Canyon. INTRODUCTION What is a “FUNOHAN”? A premeditated criminal act leaving no physical proof -- such as a murder in which the victim appears to be “cursed” or “brainwashed.” In such cases, the act goes unpunished, even if the victim actually dies. The protagonist, Tadashi Usobuki: He manipulates his target with glowing, red eyes that exert a mysterious, mind-controlling power. His “perfect crimes” are impossible

    The relationshop between Rio Yazaki (Fumino Kimura) and Seijiro Ito (Masaki Okada) has more than its share of secrets in ITO-KUN A TO E. Photo courtesy of Showgate Inc. © 2018

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Showgate Inc. Official Site: ito-kun.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Distributor Showgate Inc. has provided information and photos from ITO-KUN A TO E (???? A to E), a new live-action film based on the novel of the same name by author Asako Yuzuki. The movie opens in Japanese theaters on January 12th. In 2017, the story was adapted as a television series that aired on TBS and MBS. The cast and crew of the show -- including director Ryuichi Hiroki (KABUKICHO LOVE HOTEL, WOLF GIRL & BLACK PRINCE, POLICEMAN AND ME) and stars Masaki Okada (CONFESSIONS, VILLAIN, AKKO-CHAN: THE MOVIE, STRAYER`S CHRONICLE) and Fumino Kimura (LOVE FOR BEGINNERS, SCANNER) -- have returned for the film. Okada plays Seijiro Ito, an egotistical young man who is seeing Rio Yazaki (Kimura), a struggling television writer. When Yazaki. When Yazaki learns that Ito is

    © 2017 Showbox. All Rights Reserved.

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications Special Thanks to Leif Helland and Rachel Villegas REMEMBER THE KILLER, REMEMBER TO PROTECT YOUR DAUGHTER... Based on a bestselling book by Kim Young-ha, MEMOIR OF A MURDERER (???? ???, 2017) debuts on digital December 19 from Well Go USA Entertainment. Directed by Won Shin-Yun (SEVEN DAYS), the South Korean hit stars Sol Kyung-Gu (OASIS), Kim Nam-Gil (PIRATES, NO REGRET) and Kim Seol-Hyun (Gangnam Blues) in a horror-thriller about a former serial killer with Alzheimer’s who fights to protect his daughter from her psychotic boyfriend. Byung-soo, a retired serial killer, lives a quiet life with his daughter Eun-hee, who has cared for him ever since his Alzheimer’s diagnosis. When Eun-hee brings home her new boyfriend Tae-ju, Byung-soo realizes Tae-ju is a serial killer too. To save his daughter, Byung-soo must fight Tae-ju as well as his own mind. MEMOIR OF

    Takada (Ryuhei Matsuda) and the Detective (Yo Oizumi) return in THE LAST SHOT IN THE BAR. Photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 2017 THE LAST SHOT IN THE BAR Production Committee

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: tantei-bar.com (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Toei has provided information and high-res photos from THE LAST SHOT IN THE BAR (???BAR???3, Tantei Wa Bar Ni Iru 3). The film is the third in a series based on the Susukino Detective novels by Tadashi Higashi, following PHONE CALL TO THE BAR (???BAR???, Tantei Wa Bar Ni Iru, 2011) and DETECTIVE IN THE BAR (???BAR???2, Tantei Wa Bar Ni Iru 2, 2013). STORY THE ULTIMATE COMBINATION, THE ULTIMATE CRISIS SORROW MINGLES WITH FURY AS THE LAST CASE BEGINS To the Detective (Yo Oizumi), passing time as he always does in the old familiar bar, comes a job. The client is a younger schoolmate of the Detective`s sidekick Takada (Ryuhei Matsuda) named Harada. His girlfriend Reiko (Atsuko Maeda) has suddenly vanished. As much to kill time

    Hotaro Oreki (Kento Yamazaki) tries to solve a decades-old mystery in HYOUKA: FORBIDDEN SECRETS. Photo courtesy of Kadokawa Pictures. © 2017

    Asian Cinema

    Information and High-Res Images from Kadokawa Source: Kadokawa Pictures Official Site: hyouka-movie.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE HYOUKA: FORBIDDEN SECRETS (??, Hyouka) is the film adaptation of author Yonezawa Honobu`s best-selling mystery novel. The movie is directed by Mari Asato of BILOCATION (????????, Bairokeeshon, 2013) and FATAL FRAME (????????, Gekijooban Rei Zero, 2014) and stars Kento Yamazaki (DEATH NOTE television series, LOVE FOR BEGINNERS, L?DK – LIVING TOGETHER, WOLF GIRL & BLACK PRINCE, ONE WEEK FRIENDS) and Alice Hirose (THE SEA OF SEIRO: DETECTIVE MITARAI’S CASEBOOK, ACID BLACK CHERRY: L, SHINJUKU SWAN). Story Hotaro Oreki doesn`t like to do things that he considers a waste of energy. However, things start to change when his sister forces him to join the Classics Club, a school group that is on the verge of dissolution. There he meets Eru Chitanda, a gorgeous yet mysterious girl

    Tao Tsuchiya stars in POLICEMAN AND ME, the live-action film version of the best-selling manga P and JK. Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co. ©2017 “Policeman and Me” Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: ptojk.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Shochiku Co., Ltd. presents POLICEMAN AND ME (P?JK, P to JK), a live-action adaptation of the best-selling comic series P and JK (Police and Jyoshi Kousei) which has sold over 2.1 million copies. The film, described as "a heartwarming and pure `age-gap` love story between a Policeman and a High School girl", was directed by Ryuichi Hiroki (KABUKICHO LOVE HOTEL, WOLF GIRL & BLACK PRINCE) and stars Kazuya Kamenashi (GOKUSEN THE MOVIE, HUMANOID MONSTER BEM, JOKER GAME) and Tao Tsuchiya (ORANGE, MAREE, ULTRAMAN ZERO: THE REVENGE OF BELIAL, RUROUNI KENSHIN series, YELL FOR THE BLUE SKY). STORY A high school freshman named Kako (Tao Tsuchiya) meets a policeman named Kota (Kazuya Kamenashi) at a party. They are attracted to each other but when Kota finds out Kako’s true age, his attitude turns cold

    Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co. ©2017 “ReLIFE” Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: relife-movie.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Shochiku has provided information and high-res photos for their romantic drama ReLIFE (????, Riraifu), opening in Japan on April 15th. The film is an adaptation of the manga series by So Yayoi, published on the free comic App "comico" which has been downloaded 21 million times worldwide. ReLIFE stars Taishi Nakagawa, who had a breakout role in the NHK drama series I`M MITA, YOUR HOUSEKEEPER (??????, Kaseifu no Mita, 2011) followed by the films BLUE DEMON VER. 2.0, ?? ver.2.0, Ao Oni ver.2.0, 2015), YOUR LIE IN APRIL (??????, Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso, 2016) and CLOSEST LOVE TO HEAVEN (???????, Kyo no Kira-kun, 2017). The female lead is Yuna Taira, who previously worked with Nakagawa on BLUE DEMON VER. 2.0 and CLOSEST LOVE TO HEAVEN. Additional credits include SADAKO

    The Virgin Mary Girls Academy literature club. Seated: Shiyo Takaoka (Nana Seino), Sayuri Sumikawa (Fumika Shimizu), Itsumi Shiraishi (Marie Iitoyo) and Mirei Nitani (Yuna Taira). Standing in back: Diana Decheba (Tina Tamashiro) and Akane Kominami (Riria Kojima). Photo courtesy of Showgate Inc. © 2017

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Toei Co., Ltd., Showgate Inc. Official Site: ankoku-movie.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Distributors Showgate and Toei have provided information and photos from their upcoming release, ANKOKU JOSHI (????), an adaptation of the novel of the same name by author Rikako Akiyoshi. Akiyoshi`s story has been hailed as a masterpiece; a locked room mystery packed with betrayal and an ending that makes for uncomfortable reading. The film co-stars a number of popular Japanese starlets, led by Marie Iitoyo (KYORYUGER, CLOSEST LOVE TO HEAVEN) and the recently retired Fumika Shimizu (KAMEN RIDER FOURZE, HK / FORBIDDEN SUPER HERO, RYUZO AND THE SEVEN HENCHMEN, HENTAI KAMEN: THE ABNORMAL CRISIS). The supporting cast includes Nana Seino (DANGER DOLLS, TOKYO TRIBE, ALIBIS FOR HAPPINESS), Tina Tamashiro (SADAKO VS KAYAKO, WOLF GIRL & BLACK PRINCE, POLICEMAN AND ME, SAGRADA RESET), Riria Kojima (RESSHA SENTAI TOQGER, WOLF

    Photo courtesy of Nikkatsu Corporation. © 2014 INOUE SANTA/TOKYO TRIBE FILM PARTNERS

    Asian Cinema

    Sion Sono Tackles the Tokyo Criminal Underworld! Source: Nikkatsu Corporation, Toronto International Film Festival Official Movie Site: tokyotribe-movie.com (Japan) Introduction Set in an alternate Tokyo of the near future, director Sion Sono continues his run of sensational films with the explosive street gang tale, TOKYO TRIBE (????? ????, Tokyo Toraibu). The film is the first live-action adaptation of the best-selling manga series Tokyo Tribe 2, by Santa Inoue, which has sold 2 million copies and has been published in Asia and even the west to great popularity. Story Tokyo. A multitude of tribes exist, with resident youth ruling the streets through violence while protecting their own turf. Shibuya Saru, Shinjuku Hands, Kabuki GiraGira Girls, Musashino Saru and... Bukuro Wu-Ronz. Until now, crossing territorial lines has led to riots and rumbles. In Bukuro, Big Buppa (Big Daddy), his son Nkoi and

    Amazon Prime Video (Japan) has provided high-res photos from their live-action manga adaptation GAKI ROCK: ASAKUSA 6TH- WARD HONOR STORY. Photo courtesy of Amazon Prime Video. © CLUSTAR inc.

    Asian Cinema

    Drama Series About Honor Among Street-Punks in Downtown Tokyo to Start Streaming from April 14 Source: Amazon Prime Video, Wright Film Inc. press releases Special Thanks to Richard Jeffery, Ayame Yamamoto and Sarasa Saiki A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Amazon Prime Video has provided a selection of high-res photos from its latest Japanese Amazon Original series GAKI ROCK: ASAKUSA 6TH- WARD HONOR STORY (????????????????, Gaki?Rokku ? Asakusa Roku Kuhito Jomonogatari ?). A dramatization of the popular manga Gaki Rock (??????), the 12-episode series will start streaming exclusively with unlimited viewing on Amazon Prime Video (Japan) beginning April 14.

    The live-action manga adaptation GAKI ROCK: ASAKUSA 6TH- WARD HONOR STORY is the latest Japanese Amazon Original series. Photo courtesy of Amazon Prime Video. © CLUSTAR inc.

    Asian Cinema

    Drama Series About Honor Among Street-Punks in Downtown Tokyo to Start Streaming from April 14 Source: Amazon Prime Video, Wright Film Inc. press releases Special Thanks to Richard Jeffery, Ayame Yamamoto and Sarasa Saiki A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Amazon announced its latest Japanese Amazon Original series GAKI ROCK: ASAKUSA 6TH- WARD HONOR STORY (????????????????, Gaki?Rokku ? Asakusa Roku Kuhito Jomonogatari ?), a dramatization of the popular comic book Gaki Rock (??????) serialized in Young Champion, is to start streaming exclusively with unlimited viewing on Amazon Prime Video (Japan) beginning April 14. The 12-episode series will stream with new episodes every week on Fridays. Amazon Prime members can watch and download the series via the free Amazon Prime Video app for iOS and Android mobile devices, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, Fire tablets, game consoles, smart TVs and online at amazon.co.jp/primevideo.

    Kento Yamazaki and Haruna Kawaguchi star in the manga adaptation, ONE WEEK FRIENDS. Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co. © 2017 Matcha Hazuki/SQUARE ENIX, “ONE WEEK FRIENDS” Film Partners ? Author / Matcha Hazuki

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: ichifure.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Shochiku Co., Ltd. presents ONE WEEK FRIENDS (????????, Isshuukan Furenzu.), an "innocent, heart-rending pure love story" based on a best-selling manga of the same name by Maccha Hazuki. The film stars Kento Yamazaki (DEATH NOTE television series, LOVE FOR BEGINNERS, L?DK – LIVING TOGETHER, WOLF GIRL & BLACK PRINCE) and Haruna Kawaguchi (SAY “I LOVE YOU”, TIME TRIP APP, CREEPY). Yuki Hase (Kento Yamazaki) wants to be friends with his high school classmate Kaori Fujimiya (Haruna Kawaguchi) who always keeps to herself. One day he takes the courage to talk to her but she tells him, “I lose all memory of my friends at the end of each week”. Still eager to befriend Kaori, Yuki approaches her every Monday when her memory is reset, “Please be friends with me!” They

    Yuiji Kira (Taishi Nakagawa) wows Nino Okamura (Marie Iitoyo) in CLOSEST LOVE TO HEAVEN, the movie adaptation of the manga Kyo no Kira-kun. Photo courtesy of Showgate Inc. © 2017 ?CLOSEST LOVE TO HEAVEN

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Showgate Inc. Official Site: kirakun.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Kira, I want to be with you forever. Distributor Showgate Inc. has provided information and photos from their upcoming release, CLOSEST LOVE TO HEAVEN (???????, Kyo no Kira-kun). The film is based on the manga series Kyo no Kira-kun (Today`s Kira) by Rin Mikimoto. Nino falls in love with Kira, a heartthrob of the whole class. Introverted Nino finds it hard to interact with people, but when she learns Kira`s secret, the two quickly become close. Though uncertain about the new feelings she is experiencing, Nino does her best to make Kira smile, despite his big secret. What will happen to Nino`s first love? Their invaluable "365 days" have begun, joined by classmate Yabe and Kira`s childhood friend Mio. CREDITS Japanese Theatrical Release: Saturday, February 25, 2017 (Nationwide Roadshow)

    Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co. ©2017 “HAMON: YAKUZA BOOGIE” Film Partners

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: hamon-movie.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Shochiku Co., Ltd. presents HAMON: YAKUZA BOOGIE (?? ???????????, Hamon Futari no Yakubyogami), an adaptation of Hamon (Expulsion), the 151st Naoki Prize-winning novel from Hiroyuki Kurokawa`s hugely popular Yakubyogami (Jinx) series. The film is directed by Shotaro Kobayashi and stars Kuranosuke Sasaki (SAMURAI HUSTLE, THE INERASABLE, SOLOMON`S PERJURY) and "Kanjani Eight" band member Yu Yokoyama (TENCHI: THE SAMURAI ASTRONOMER, EIGHT RANGERS 1 & 2). STORY Yakuza Kuwahara (Kuranosuke Sasaki) and construction consultant Ninomiya (Yu Yokoyama) go on a search for a movie producer, who has run off with money invested in his dubious project by a yakuza lieutenant. Their pursuit takes them around Japan’s Kansai region and even to Macao, which accidentally leads to inter-gang conflict. The hunters become the hunted, forcing them to risk everything in a final desperate

    Satoshi Tsumabuki stars in the mystery GUKOROKU – TRACES OF SIN. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. © 2017 Hirune Hime Production Committee

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Japan, FilmPressPlus Official Site: gukoroku.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Richard Lormand A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Warner Bros. Pictures Japan and international publicity agent FilmPressPlus have provided press notes and high-res photos for their new mystery, GUKOROKU – TRACES OF SIN (???, Gukoruku). The movie opens in Japan on February 18th. INTRODUCTION GUKOROKU - TRACES OF SIN is a haunting and intense tale of the demons we face every day -- inside and out. Satoshi Tsumabuki (THE ASSASSINS by Hou Hsiao-Hsien, THE LITTLE HOUSE by Yohji Yamada, VILLAIN by Lee Sang-il ) and Hikari Mitsushima (HARA-KIRI: DEATH OF A SAMURAI by Takashi Miike, LOVE EXPOSURE by Sion Sono) star as the reporter Tanaka and his troubled sister Mitsuko. A graduate of ?ód? Film School and director of short films selected at New Directors, New Films and Sitges, Kei

    Toma Ikuta is back as Undercover Agent Reiji Kikukawa in the manga adaptation THE MOLE SONG -HONG KONG CAPRICCIO-. Photo courtesy of Pony Canyon Inc. © 2016

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Pony Canyon, Inc., Toho Co., Ltd. Official Site: mogura-movie.com (Japan) Pony Canyon and Toho have provided press materials for THE MOLE SONG -HONG KONG CAPRICCIO- (???? ?????, Mogura no Uta Honkon Kyoosoo Kyoku), the sequel to director Takashi Miike`s live action adaptation of the hit manga series. The film opens in Japan on December 23rd. ? Introduction WELCOME BACK TO MOGURA WORLD!!! This bizarre story begins with Reiji Kikukawa, a patrol cop who graduates with the lowest score in police academy history. Kikukawa is given an assignment to infiltrate the world of organized crime as an undercover cop -- a “Mole.” His mission: to restore purity in an increasingly corrupt society. The bestselling manga, Mogura no Uta by Noboru Takahashi, serialized in Big Comics Spirits Weekly, reached new heights in 2014 when it was adapted to a live action film directed by

    A yakuza funeral is one of the stories shown in Toei`s ALIBIS FOR HAPPINESS. Photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 2016

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: koufuku-alibi.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Toei has provided information and high-res photos from their new drama, ALIBIS FOR HAPPINESS (????????Picture?, Koofuku no Aribai ~Picture~). The film looks at important turning points of life, such as a "Coming-of-Age Ceremony”, “Arranged Marriage”, “Childbirth” and “Funeral”. STORY A funeral director unwittingly ends up organizing a yakuza funeral, while the family and acquaintances of the deceased argue over his will. A woman of marrying age considers meeting an affluent man, while her boyfriend gets caught cheating on her. A son tries to wear a bike gang outfit instead of a suit to his coming-of-age ceremony, while his parents desperately try to stop him from doing so. A husband drives to the hospital where his wife is about to give birth, while his father-in-law takes out his resentment on him

    High school girls are fascinated by death in NIGHT`S TIGHTROPE, the upcoming movie adaptation of the best-selling novel by Kanae Minato. Photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 2016 NIGHT’S TIGHTROPE Production Committee

    Asian Cinema

    New Drama from the Author of Confessions Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: shoujo.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Over one million copies published! The eagerly-awaited film adaptation of Kanae Minato’s novel! Toei has provided information and high-res photos from NIGHT’S TIGHTROPE (??, Shojo), the new feature film based on Shojo (Girls), the hit novel from the acclaimed author of Confessions and The Snow White Murder Case. The story is a feature-length mystery mired in the "forbidden world" of death, and the appeal that lurking darkness has for a pair of 17 year-old girls. NIGHT’S TIGHTROPE is being promoted as a 4-way women`s collaboration of "writer Kanae Minato × director Yukiko Mishima × actor Tsubasa Honda × actor Mizuki Yamamoto". Tsubasa Honda has starred in BLUE SPRING RIDE (??????, Aoharaido, 2014) and TERMINAL (???? ?????, Kishuten Eki Taminar, 2015) and will be

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