36 Top Films of the Decade

Rei, a writer struggling with inner turmoil, battles insomnia, eating disorders, and a constant barrage of voices in her head. On Valentine's Day, she encounters truck driver Takatoshi and impulsively joins him on a trip in his rickety truck. The…

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.

This film explores the joys and challenges faced by four female friends living in Tokyo as they navigate relationships and manage the demands of their everyday lives.

Yu, a teenage boy, develops feelings for Yoko, a girl he meets while working as an "up-skirt" photographer. His efforts to win her affection are complicated by cross-dressing, a fascination with kung fu and crime, and ongoing guilt stemming from…

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…

Satoru is one of the increasing number of young people who are not working, studying, or training. He lives a very isolated life, rarely leaving his mother's house and with little connection to the outside world. When his mother’s friend,…

A captivating young woman joins an erotic writing class and initiates a sexually charged dynamic with a sheltered college student. Their intimate encounters become increasingly unconventional, leading him to suspect she's treating him as a subject for her stories rather…

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…

A woman is stalked by an unknown man. The stalking escalates into blackmail when he sends her compromising photographs. He gains control over her, forcing her to obey his demands, no matter what they are.

Five teenage outcasts at a Japanese school team up with a new, unconventional swimming coach to compete in synchronized swimming. They face ridicule from the school's athletic crowd as they pursue their unlikely goal.

Momoko lives a seemingly normal life, except for her passion for wearing elaborate Rococo-era lolita dresses. But her ordinary existence is disrupted when Ichiko, a punk girl with a rebellious "Yanki" style, enters the scene, signaling a significant change to…

A bartender earns the trust of a Yakuza boss by saving his life, quickly rising through the ranks. But his underlying fear creates unforeseen complications.

"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.

In a poor district of Edo, a young samurai named Soza is tasked by his clan with avenging his father's death. Lacking skill as a swordsman, he prefers a simple life among the locals, teaching children literacy. When he finally…

A young man is wrongly accused of indecent behavior towards a high school girl on a train. He's arrested and charged with the crime, and faces a relentless series of court hearings, consistently maintaining his innocence.

In feudal Japan, a sheltered noblewoman, stifled by her privileged life, finds herself with little to occupy her time. She spends her days meticulously copying a Buddhist scripture sent by her father, who has been away on official duties for…

After becoming the leader of his high school gang, Kujo finds himself disillusioned by the constant violence and animosity. He longs to step away from his role, but his position of authority paradoxically leaves him feeling helpless.

"Late Bloomer" follows Sumida-san, a man with severe disabilities, as he experiences a devastating decline. The film depicts his descent into a deeply troubled state.

A rough character proposes a deal to a law student: he'll cover the student's gambling debt if the student agrees to go with him on a journey through Tokyo.

Following the deadly Sarin gas attack on Tokyo's subway system, two children who have both been abandoned by their families find themselves drawn together. The story is based on the true events of the devastating attacks carried out by members…

Two professional assassins meet during a job and discover they are childhood friends. They take a break from their work to revisit their hometown on a small island. Reflecting on their shared past, they decide to collaborate and use their…

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.

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…

In a small Tokyo apartment, twelve-year-old Akira is left to care for his younger siblings after their mother departs with no word of return.

This film follows a family in rural Tochigi as they navigate everyday life. Yoshiko balances being a housewife with her work on an animated film. Her uncle, Ayano, a music producer, returns from Tokyo seeking a fresh start. Sachiko becomes…

A withdrawn illustrator develops feelings for a vibrant young woman with a passion for shopping.

Ryo, emotionally damaged, has stopped attending school and isolates himself at home. Hiroki, a student who frequently talks about making a difference, finds it difficult to connect with his peers. Ami, a withdrawn girl, enters the lives of both boys.…

A family comes together for a traditional ceremony, the meaning of which is revealed slowly.

One day, a life-size inflatable sex doll unexpectedly comes to life. Unbeknownst to her owner, she wanders into town and falls in love with Junichi. She begins dating him and gets a job at the same store where he works.…

Kanao is a courtroom artist who silently witnesses the crimes, scandals, and changing morals of Japan. Amidst the grief of losing their first child, Kanao and his wife find a fragile hope and rekindle their love.

Tachigui chronicles Japan's history from 1945 to the 21st century through the stories of "dine and dash" experts – individuals who skillfully avoid paying for their meals. These "Fast Food Grifters" are a reflection of changing eating habits, rising and…

As his family falls apart following his father's job loss, a young boy discovers a passion for the piano.

A boxer known for his aggressive fighting style and electric guitar playing is pitted against an opponent who has become deeply connected with technology, almost merging with a robotic Buddha.

In a low-security prison, a man serves his time within a highly structured environment. Over time, the regimented routine gradually erodes the inmates' sense of self, leading them to lose their individuality.

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.

The Kyobashi family projects an image of happiness, but beneath the surface, a different reality exists. They maintain a facade of openness, though everyone in the family is aware that they are not truly honest with each other.