297 Essential Films in Kenji’s Japanese Collection

This Transient Life

1970 • 143 min

Drama

At a secluded Buddhist monastery, a young man grapples with the fallout of a forbidden love. He becomes responsible for his sister's pregnancy, and as rumors spread, he's offered a chance at redemption by becoming an assistant to a master…

7.3

7.6

When a Woman Ascends the Stairs

1960 • 111 min

Drama

"Mama," set in Tokyo's Ginza district, offers a look into the life of Keiko, a 30-year-old hostess. The film follows her daily experiences as a widow navigating societal expectations and the demands of her job. Keiko must project confidence and…

7.9

8.0

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Black Rain

1989 • 125 min • Budget $30M • Box office $134M

Drama, Action, Thriller

Two New York police officers become involved in a dangerous international situation when they become connected to the Yakuza, the Japanese mafia. Their mission to arrest a criminal associate goes wrong when he escapes during transport back to Japan. The…

6.6

17+

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The Castle of Cagliostro

1979 • 102 min • Budget $7M • Box office $8M

Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Lupin the Third, a renowned master thief, and his partner Jigen discover a large quantity of expertly made counterfeit money. Intrigued, Lupin sets out to find the counterfeiters, leading him to the imposing Castle of Cagliostro. Inside the castle, Lupin…

7.5

7.6

13+

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Apart from You

1933 • 64 min

A seasoned geisha finds herself working with a younger geisha who harbors resentment towards her family for their decision to enter this profession. The younger woman's feelings are compounded by her teenage son's shame of his mother's work.

7.0

7.1

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Fire Festival

1985 • 125 min

Tatsuo, a deeply respectful lumberjack, tries to stop the construction of a marine park on his family's property by championing traditional ways.

5.4

7.1

Spring on Leper's Island

1940 • 88 min

This is the story of a doctor's experiences living and working in a remote leper colony. It's a personal account of her life within that isolated community.

6.3

7.1

Where Chimneys Are Seen

1953 • 108 min

"Where Chimneys Are Seen" centers on the intertwined lives of two couples living in a working-class neighborhood in Senju, a poorer industrial area of Tokyo.

6.4

7.5

Chikamatsu Monogatari

1954 • 102 min

Drama, Romance

In 17th century Kyoto, a talented scroll-maker and his wife navigate the strict rules of their society. False rumors of an affair between his wife and his employee shatter their peaceful life. Threatened by public shame and financial loss, they…

7.7

8.0

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United Red Army

2007 • 190 min

Two radical student groups merge to create the United Red Army (URA) and establish a training camp in the mountains. However, their ideology transforms into authoritarianism, and the URA leaders start unfairly targeting their own members. This leads to a…

6.3

7.1

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Tsugaru Folksong

1973 • 103 min

A young girl is questioned about a man she's been spending time with, as her grandmother plays a mournful tune on a shamisen. The scene shifts to a couple arriving from Tokyo: the woman returning to her hometown, and the…

6.7

7.1

The Eel

1997 • 117 min

Drama, Crime

This character-driven story follows a businessman haunted by his past as he serves a prison sentence for killing his wife. After his release, he tries to start over by opening a small barbershop in a peaceful neighborhood. He seeks redemption…

6.9

7.3

A Taxing Woman

1987 • 127 min

Comedy, Crime

Ryoko Itakura, a dedicated tax investigator, becomes locked in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse with Hideki Gondo, a wealthy millionaire who expertly hides his true fortune. Itakura focuses on Gondo’s network of hourly hotels, suspecting he's been evading…

6.7

7.3

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The Yellow Handkerchief

1977 • 109 min

Comedy, Drama

A convict is released from prison after serving a long sentence for a murder he committed years ago. He hopes to reconnect with his ex-wife and start their life over. Their connection is subtly signaled by a yellow handkerchief she…

6.9

7.3

Suzaku

1997 • 95 min

Drama

This moving film follows the life of a family in a small Japanese logging village. Tahara Kozo is the head of the family, living with his mother Sachiko, wife Yasuyo, adopted nephew Eisuke, and daughter Michiru. The story unfolds during…

7.3

The False Student

1960 • 94 min

This youth drama takes place at a Japanese university, where a group of engaged students are actively involved in leftist politics.

6.5

7.5

The Hidden Fortress

1958 • 139 min

During a brutal war between feudal Japanese clans, two cowardly and greedy peasants, former soldiers from a defeated army, find themselves guided by a mysterious man to a hidden fortress in the mountains.

8.0

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+11

Pale Flower

1964 • 96 min

Crime, Romance

This crime drama centers on a recently released ex-gangster trying to find his place in a shifting world of criminal alliances. His life changes when he meets a spirited young woman drawn into the dangerous world of gambling and shady…

7.3

7.7

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Kotoko

2011 • 91 min

Drama, Horror

A single mother battling double vision and terrifying hallucinations struggles to care for her baby. Overwhelmed, she suffers a breakdown and is deemed unfit to parent, resulting in her child being taken away. The only relief from her visions comes…

7.2

6.8

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It's Only Talk

2006 • 128 min

"It's Only Talk," based on an award-winning novel, follows Yuko, a 35-year-old woman who is single, unemployed, and struggles with bipolar disorder. The film opens with Yuko relocating to Kamata Town.

6.1

7.1

Dear Pyongyang

2006 • 107 min

"Dear Pyongyang" is a documentary by Zainichi Korean director Yang Yong-hi, focusing on her own family. Shot in Osaka, Japan (Yang’s hometown) and Pyongyang, North Korea, the film follows the story of her father. In the 1970s, he sent his…

7.1

7.8

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Late Spring

1949 • 108 min

Drama

Noriko, a 27-year-old woman happily living with her father, enjoys a peaceful life free from marital expectations. But her aunt Masa's attempts to help disrupt their close family. Worried Noriko will be alone, Masa convinces her father, Shukichi, to find…

8.0

8.2

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Early Spring

1956 • 145 min

Drama, Romance

This film explores the strained marriage of a Tokyo couple, focusing on the husband's struggle with the routine and lack of connection in his life. Seeking escape from his passionless relationship, he begins an affair. The movie examines the personal…

7.5

7.7

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Sansho the Bailiff

1954 • 124 min

Drama

In feudal Japan, a determined mother embarks on a difficult journey to find her exiled father and reunite her family. Years ago, he was banished from his home, and now his whereabouts are unknown. Facing hardships in medieval Japan, she…

8.1

8.3

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The Whole Family Works

1939 • 65 min

A father of nine struggles to find work. His children, despite their own hopes, are urged by both parents to take on low-paying jobs and help support the family.

6.2

6.6

Yakuza Graveyard

1976 • 97 min

A police investigator targets yakuza operations. However, when he discovers the police are secretly negotiating with specific yakuza groups, he chooses to align himself with his preferred syndicate.

6.5

7.0

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+14

Early Summer

1951 • 125 min

Drama

This film follows a 28-year-old woman as she grapples with pressure from her friends and family to get married and have children. It explores her journey through love, loneliness, and finding herself. As she's urged towards marriage, she must examine…

7.8

8.0

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Moving

1993 • 124 min

Estranged from her father and struggling with her emotionally overwhelmed mother, a young woman navigates the complexities of growing up.

7.5

7.6

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The Demon

1972 • 8 min

Two brothers, hunters living with their mother, head to the mountains to set deer traps. A demon suddenly attacks the younger brother. The older brother shoots an arrow, severing the demon's arm, which they intend to bring back. However, they…

6.4

7.2

Repast

1951 • 97 min

Drama

Michiyo lives a predictable life as a housewife in Osaka, dedicating herself to her husband and home. Though she appears content, a deep unhappiness persists. Surrounded by the city's energy, Michiyo quietly struggles with marital dissatisfaction and a longing for…

7.5

7.6

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Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

1984 • 117 min • Budget $1M • Box office $9M

Adventure, Animation, Fantasy

After a devastating apocalypse, the peaceful kingdom of the Valley of the Wind is one of the last safe places left. It's surrounded by a poisonous forest protected by giant insects. Princess Nausicaä works to find a way for people…

7.9

8.0

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Typhoon Club

1985 • 115 min

Drama

This film offers a realistic look at a group of disheartened junior high students facing the transition to adulthood. The story takes place over five days, including the arrival of a powerful typhoon, the destruction it causes, and the days…

6.4

6.9

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Demons

1971 • 134 min

Horror, Drama

This is a story of betrayal and revenge, centered on Gengobe, an honorable samurai whose life is destroyed by a geisha and her husband's deceit. As his world falls apart, Gengobe becomes driven by a desire for vengeance that challenges…

7.6

7.9

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Throw Away Your Books, Rally in the Streets

1971 • 137 min

Drama

A visually compelling story follows a disillusioned young man as he explores the intricate world of Japanese subculture. Facing family problems and loneliness, he embarks on a surreal journey that examines the difficulties of modern life. This exploration of Japan’s…

7.3

7.5

Battle Royale

2000 • 113 min • Budget $4M • Box office $30M

Drama, Thriller, Action

In a dystopian future, the Japanese government enacts the controversial "Battle Royale" law. A group of ninth-grade students are selected and compelled to fight to the death by their own classmates.

7.3

7.5

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+12

Ghost in the Shell

1995 • 83 min • Budget $3M • Box office $10M

Action, Animation, Science Fiction

In 2029, technology has blurred the lines between the real and digital worlds, giving people new abilities but also new risks, especially brain hacking. A mysterious hacker known as The Puppetmaster has increased their activity, now targeting political matters. So,…

7.9

17+

Stream on

+11

With Beauty and Sorrow

1965 • 106 min

Years after a man captivated the young painter Otoko and later penned a popular novel based on their relationship, he returns to her life. Otoko, now his student and his partner, devises a plan to ruin him and his family.

5.5

6.7

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The Funeral

1984 • 124 min

Comedy, Drama

Wabisuke grapples with grief after his father-in-law's sudden death. Over three emotionally intense days at home, his family faces a series of strange events that test their relationships. As they prepare for the funeral, hidden secrets are revealed, old conflicts…

7.1

7.2

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The Rickshaw Man

1958 • 103 min

A struggling rickshaw driver unexpectedly assists a young woman and her son following the sudden death of her husband.

7.2

7.5

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Jumping

1984 • 6 min

Animation, Fantasy

A young boy's journey of self-discovery unfolds as he begins to leap over increasingly larger distances, transforming his hometown into a launching point for exploration. He traverses towns, forests, and oceans, gaining new perspectives on the world. Along the way,…

6.6

7.4

Always - Sunset on Third Street

2005 • 133 min • Box office $33M

Comedy, Drama

Mutsuko, a young woman, travels to Tokyo for employment and finds herself working at a repair shop. There, she forms close bonds with the owner's family. Meanwhile, her neighbors Hiromi, writer Chagawa, and Junnosuke navigate the changing landscape of postwar…

7.6

7.7

Princess Mononoke

1997 • 134 min • Budget $23M • Box office $176M

Adventure, Fantasy, Animation

Prince Ashitaka of the Emishi is cursed by a vengeful boar god and journeys west seeking a cure. His travels force him to confront the clash between those who want to protect the forest and those who seek to exploit…

8.3

13+

Stream on

The Ballad of Narayama

1983 • 130 min

Drama

In a hidden valley, a village follows a tradition: when residents turn 70, they journey to a mountain peak to die. This custom maintains order within the community. As winter nears, 69-year-old Orin prepares for this departure, but first feels…

7.5

7.8

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Soccer Aid

2001 • 125 min • Budget $19M • Box office $274M

Animation, Family, Fantasy

A young girl named Chihiro finds herself in a bewildering world inhabited by spirits. After her parents are mysteriously transformed, she must find the strength within herself to rescue her family.

8.5

8.6

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The Makioka Sisters

1983 • 140 min

Drama, Romance

"The Makioka Sisters" is a visually beautiful film depicting pre-war Japanese life through four sisters who gather each spring to see the cherry blossoms in Kyoto. The story follows the Makioka family from Osaka, showing their daily lives changing with…

7.4

7.2

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Ritual

2000 • 128 min

Drama

A jaded filmmaker meets a young woman with a peculiar habit: she repeats the phrase "Tomorrow is my birthday" every day. He attempts to connect with her using his video camera.

7.7

7.5

Visitor Q

2001 • 84 min • Budget $60K

Comedy, Drama, Horror

In a deeply troubled home, a mother struggles with heroin addiction and prostitution, enduring abuse from her son while the father, a former TV reporter, engages in incest with his daughter and films his son's beatings. The arrival of a…

6.4

6.5

17+

Akira

1988 • 124 min • Budget $5M • Box office $49M

Animation, Science Fiction, Action

In a futuristic Neo-Tokyo, a top-secret government experiment goes wrong, transforming a biker gang member into a dangerous psychic. This unstable individual threatens the city's survival. Two ordinary teenagers and a group of people with psychic abilities must join forces…

7.9

8.0

17+

Stream on

Eureka

2001 • 218 min

Drama

After a devastating event in the countryside of Japan, a group of survivors struggles to heal and rebuild their lives. Their efforts for recovery are complicated by the presence of a serial killer stalking the area.

7.7

Why Not?

1981 • 151 min

Set in Japan during the tumultuous years of 1867 and 1868, leading up to the Meiji Restoration, the film captures a vibrant, almost chaotic atmosphere embodied by the phrase "Ei ja nai ka" ("Why not?"). It explores how the era's…

6.1

6.8

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Souls on the Road

1921 • 91 min

In a quiet town, a young man aspires to become a renowned fiddler. Simultaneously, two prisoners break free from jail and seek refuge in the wilderness.

6.2

6.5

Graveyard of Honor

1975 • 94 min

Crime, Action

This film recounts the true story of Rikio Ishikawa, a man who descends into self-destruction and violence, eventually becoming a prominent member of Japan's notorious yakuza mafia. It presents a raw and honest look at a life caught between power…

6.6

7.1

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Five Scouts

1938 • 70 min

In China during the Second Sino-Japanese War, a small team of five soldiers is sent ahead to gather information about enemy locations in a dangerous area. A sudden, fierce battle breaks out, splitting the unit apart. The remaining soldiers must…

5.9

6.2

The Petrified Forest

1973 • 118 min

A young medical student navigates complex relationships with two women: a risky affair with a childhood acquaintance and his mother's attempts to repair their fractured bond.

6.0

7.0

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The Long Darkness

1972 • 121 min

Tetsuro, a university student carrying the weight of his family's disgrace, and Shino, a waitress struggling to support her relatives, fall in love. They choose to marry, hoping their love will help them conquer the emotional and social difficulties stemming…

6.4

7.3

Sandakan No. 8

1974 • 122 min

A young journalist interviews an elderly woman who recounts being forced into prostitution in Borneo at a brothel known as Sandakan No. 8.

7.7

7.6

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Vengeance Is Mine

1979 • 140 min

Crime, Drama

Iwao Enokizu is a skilled thief and a dangerous killer who has avoided the law for years. He expertly moves through the hidden world of society, creating a network of deception that keeps his enemies away. As Enokizu's life becomes…

7.5

7.6

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Grave of the Fireflies

1988 • 89 min • Budget $3M • Box office $842K

Animation, Drama, War

In the last months of World War II, this moving story follows siblings Seita and Setsuko as they cope with the loss of their mother in an air raid that destroyed Kobe, Japan. After a conflict with their aunt, the…

8.4

8.5

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Kikujiro

1999 • 121 min

Comedy, Drama

"Kikujiro" tells the story of Kikujiro, a boisterous man, and Masao, a young boy searching for his mother. Their journey together is a mix of humor and sadness as they meet all sorts of interesting people and experience unexpected situations.…

7.5

7.7

13+

Stream on

The Idiot

1951 • 166 min

Drama, Romance

This moving drama follows Kameda as he travels from an Okinawan asylum to Hokkaido, where he encounters Taeko and Ayako. He develops a love for Taeko, but their connection is complicated when Akama also falls for her. Realizing he can't…

7.0

7.1

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My Neighbor Totoro

1988 • 86 min • Budget $3M • Box office $41M

Fantasy, Animation, Family

Two sisters, Kiki and Chizu, leave their city home and move with their father to be near their mother, who is hospitalized. While adjusting to their new surroundings, they discover a magical secret: ancient Totoros live in the forest. The…

8.1

Stream on

+10

Impasse

1967 • 101 min

Shingo and Ritsuko welcome their son, Takashi, into the world. They are a happy couple, but Ritsuko begins to question Takashi's paternity, as he was conceived through artificial insemination.

6.4

6.8

Harakiri

1962 • 135 min

Action, Drama, History

Tsugumo Hanshirō, a retired samurai facing unemployment and isolation, seeks permission from the esteemed House of Iyi to commit ritual suicide (seppuku) and find someone to assist him. A senior counselor doubts Hanshirō’s motives, questioning if his desire for a…

8.4

8.6

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High and Low

1963 • 142 min • Budget $250K

Drama, Crime

A powerful CEO must abandon his corporate world to race against time and save a boy who has been mistakenly kidnapped. As he works to get the ransom and bring his employee's child home, the situation becomes increasingly urgent. This…

8.3

8.4

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The Twilight Samurai

2002 • 129 min • Budget $5M • Box office $7M

Drama, Romance

At the close of the 19th century, low-ranking samurai Seibei Iguchi faces hardship as a widower supporting his two daughters and aging mother. His life changes when Tomoe, a childhood friend, returns. Yet, as the feudal system collapses, Seibei is…

7.8

8.0

Mind Game

2004 • 103 min • Box office $36K

Animation, Romance, Comedy

Nishi is a failure with a longing for his childhood sweetheart. Following a run-in with the Japanese mafia, he experiences a trip to heaven and back, only to find himself stranded in an even stranger location.

7.5

7.7

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Magino Village: A Tale

1987 • 222 min

This film brings together over a decade of footage shot by Ogawa Production in Magino village. It uniquely blends documentary with fictional reenactments, presented in sections like "The Tale of Horikiri Goddess" and "The Origins of Itsutsudomoe Shrine." Ogawa weaves…

6.2

7.5

Mother

1952 • 98 min

A teenage girl observes her mother struggling to keep their family afloat after her father's death.

6.9

7.5

13+

Stream on

Kuroneko

1968 • 100 min

Drama, Fantasy, Horror

Set during Japan's warring Sengoku period, this story follows a young hero tasked with restoring peace to a land ravaged by civil war. A mother and daughter were brutally murdered by soldiers, and their vengeful spirits, known as Onryō, haunt…

7.4

7.7

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Japanese Girls at the Harbor

1933 • 72 min

In Yokohama, Sunako and Dora, two Christian schoolgirls, become friends. Their bond is tested when a young man named Henry arrives on a motorcycle and invites Sunako for a ride. This seemingly simple act sets in motion unforeseen changes, profoundly…

6.2

7.0

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Swallowtail Butterfly

1996 • 148 min

Drama, Crime, Music

Set in a future Japan, the film follows a group of people living in Yentown, a community on the fringes of society. These individuals have been rejected by mainstream culture and struggle to find acceptance. They navigate a world that…

7.5

Kwaidan

1965 • 183 min

Horror, Fantasy, Drama

"Kaidan: Ghost Stories" is an anthology film inspired by traditional Japanese folklore, presenting unsettling tales about human longing, the results of choices, and supernatural forces. Each story is richly detailed, transporting viewers to a chilling glimpse of Japan's past. One…

7.7

7.9

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Bloody Spear at Mount Fuji

1955 • 94 min

Drama, Adventure

This road movie, set in feudal Japan, follows a samurai and his two servants – including the loyal Genpachi – on an eventful journey. They meet various people from the time: a persistent police officer chasing a clever thief, a…

7.4

7.3

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2/Duo

1997 • 90 min

A fading actor and his girlfriend experience a gradual unraveling of their relationship.

7.6

6.9

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Street of Shame

1956 • 87 min

Drama

The film explores the lives of five women working in a Japanese brothel as the country considers a law to ban prostitution. Their stories unfold against a backdrop of societal change, revealing their personal struggles and the wider impact of…

7.7

7.8

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Zatoichi

2003 • 116 min • Budget $2M • Box office $34M

Adventure, Drama, Action

Zatoichi, a blind masseur and skilled swordsman who enjoys gambling, arrives in a village plagued by feuding gangs. He decides to defend the villagers from the violence.

7.2

7.4

17+

Stream on

+11

Emperor Tomato Ketchup

1971 • 72 min

Drama

In a secluded Japanese colony, a group of children attempts to build their own ideal society after rebelling from their guardians. The film examines the complicated relationships among them as their hopeful vision is challenged by darker impulses and desires…

5.4

5.8

Cure

1997 • 112 min • Budget $20K • Box office $234K

Crime, Thriller, Horror

A seasoned but jaded detective in modern Tokyo investigates a series of brutal murders that have terrified the city. The killings share unsettling similarities, and as the detective investigates, he becomes increasingly consumed by guilt and paranoia. He navigates the…

7.5

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Bitter End of a Sweet Night

1961 • 85 min

A department store employee exploits relationships with three women, aiming to use them to climb the social hierarchy.

5.8

6.7

Children of Hiroshima

1952 • 97 min

Drama, War

This moving film portrays the devastating effects of the atomic bombings in Japan through the personal stories of everyday people. It avoids sensationalism, focusing on their struggles in the aftermath. Using fiction, the movie offers a direct look at the…

7.1

7.6

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The Ceremony

1971 • 123 min

Drama

The film follows a complex protagonist from the Sakurada clan as militaristic Japan undergoes a turbulent period. As the last surviving heir, they experience political maneuvering and societal shifts within the context of traditional family life. Director Oshima uses rituals…

6.7

7.2

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Bright Future

2003 • 115 min • Budget $10M

Drama, Mystery

Two friends working as laundry workers in Tokyo discover an unusual fascination with jellyfish. As they become detached from everyday life, they find themselves drawn to the beauty and danger of these creatures. The film uses visuals and subtle character…

6.8

6.7

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Under the Blossoming Cherry Trees

1975 • 95 min

Drama, Horror, Fantasy

Deep in the mountains, a man lives alone, believing only extreme devotion can create true love. He's married several times, each spouse meeting a violent end at his hands. While traveling through a magical forest, he meets a captivating woman…

6.9

7.3

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Humanity and Paper Balloons

1937 • 86 min

Drama, History

Set in the crowded slums of Edo-period Japan, the story follows two people facing hardship: a ronin – a samurai without a master – and a former hairdresser who has fallen from grace. The ronin tries to find work with…

7.9

7.6

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Hush!

2001 • 135 min

Naoya and Katsuhiro are a new couple navigating an imbalance in their relationship: Naoya is open, while Katsuhiro is reserved and private. Their lives are upended when Asako, a woman with a difficult past including mental health struggles, abortions, and…

6.1

6.8

Okoto and Sasuke

1935 • 100 min

This period film tells the story of a wealthy blind woman and her relationships with a koto and shamisen teacher and her devoted manservant. It is based on a novella by Tanizaki Junichiro.

6.7

6.9

All About Lily Chou-Chou

2001 • 146 min • Budget $1M • Box office $6M

Drama, Crime

This film follows the difficult adolescence of Yūichi Hasumi and Shūsuke Hoshino, examining the evolving and complicated way they relate to each other. The story unfolds against the backdrop of Yūichi's deep fascination with the ethereal and imaginative music of…

7.4

7.5

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+14

Fighting Soldiers

1939 • 65 min

This documentary follows an Imperial Japanese Army regiment's advance from Shanghai to Wuhan in 1938. The film was ultimately withdrawn from consideration by the Japanese Home Ministry censors due to rumors surrounding Fumio's alleged Communist affiliations.

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7.0

Earth

1939 • 115 min

Kanji, a poor widower, works tirelessly to support himself and his daughter while trying to repay his late father-in-law's debts.

7.4

7.1

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A Sun-Tribe Myth from the Bakumatsu Era

1957 • 110 min

Comedy

Saheji, a resourceful city dweller, faces an unusual challenge when financial difficulties lead him to a luxurious brothel. Determined to escape his situation, Saheji begins adapting to life within the establishment, taking on different roles to earn money and advance…

7.0

7.2

Woman in the Dunes

1964 • 147 min

Drama, Thriller

A vacationing entomologist is held captive in a remote seaside village by its struggling residents, who are fascinated by him. Forced to live under their basic conditions, he develops a close relationship with a local woman whose life revolves around…

8.2

8.4

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God Speed You! Black Emperor

1976 • 90 min

In 1970s Japan, biker gangs called Bōsōzoku became a media sensation. God Speed You! Black Emperor centers on a member of one such gang and his relationship with his parents, following an incident that lands him in trouble with the…

5.6

6.5

Eros + Massacre

1969 • 216 min

Drama, Romance, History

This film tells two interconnected stories about love, activism, and freedom. One follows Sakae Osugi, a key anarchist in 1920s Japan. His relationships with three women illuminate the personal and political aspects of his beliefs. At the same time, two…

7.3

7.4

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Suzaki Paradise: Red Light District

1956 • 81 min

Newly unemployed, Yoshigi and Tsutue find themselves on the edge of Tokyo's red-light district in Suzaki. Tsutue secures a job serving sake at a small bar run by a kind older woman, while Yoshigi takes a noodle delivery job at…

7.0

7.4

Bitterness of Youth

1974 • 85 min

A law student passionate about football begins tutoring an undergraduate and they develop a romantic relationship. However, their romance quickly faces complications.

6.3

6.7

The Ball at the Anjo House

1947 • 89 min

Following Japan's defeat in World War II, the Anjo family is stripped of their noble status and fortune. With their mansion about to be seized by a creditor, they gather for a final celebration before departing.

6.8

7.4

Zigeunerweisen

1980 • 144 min

Mystery, Drama

This atmospheric period film follows a university professor and his enigmatic traveling companion as their lives become unexpectedly connected. Amidst shifting relationships and strange encounters, both men are confronted with their own mortality in unsettling ways. The film's dreamlike atmosphere…

6.5

6.9

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The Tale of Zatoichi

1962 • 96 min

Adventure, Action, Drama

During a time of conflict between rival groups for control of a village, Zatoichi, a blind masseur with a hidden talent for swordsmanship and gambling, finds himself drawn into the struggle. When he learns a yakuza gang has taken over…

7.3

7.6

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Kagero-za

1981 • 140 min

In the 1920s, a playwright falls for a stunning woman who appears to be the ghost of his wealthy patron's late wife.

6.5

6.9

Stream on

100

Children in the Wind

1937 • 88 min

The day before a family vacation, a young boy is sent to live with his uncle in the countryside. This happens after his father is imprisoned following an accusation of embezzlement.

7.6

7.3

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