51 Japanese Films from 2018

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…

Following Oda Nobunaga's death in the late 16th century, Hideyoshi Toyotomi seizes power, signaling an end to an era of war. However, his rule brings hardship to the populace. Monk Senko Ikenobo, a master of flower arrangement, seeks to inspire…

Yojiro Enokida runs Enokida Trading Post, a used goods store with the motto, "Anything but garbage. We take it all." The shop becomes a meeting place for Yojiro's employees and regulars, who often bring their problems with them. When part…

A group of university students enjoy a night out, and a sophomore known as "The Girl with Black Hair" has a series of strange experiences throughout the city's nightlife. Unbeknownst to her, a senior student, "Senpai," is persistently trying to…

During the early 1990s, a Japanese samurai detective show found a devoted following in Australia. Originally titled *Ronin Suiri Tentai* in Japan (meaning roughly "Deductive Reasoning Ronin"), it was internationally recognized as *Top Knot Detective*. The series was already a…

In March 2017, six young people are chosen for a play in a small town. They dedicate themselves to rehearsals, but the production is unexpectedly canceled. Disappointed, the group decides to continue practicing on their own. Determined to perform, they…

Ono Sayaka, making her directorial debut, directs, shoots, and edits this documentary exploring Japan's sexual minorities. The film follows a man who, initially drawn to women's fashion for style, discovers he's attracted to men. He falls deeply in love with…

Yoshika has been in love with Ichimiya, whom she considers her soulmate, since middle school. Now a 24-year-old office worker, her intense feelings have kept her from even considering other men, until a colleague asks her on a date.

In a quiet fishing village, a withdrawn middle schooler named Kai encounters a mermaid named Lu.

Shizu, 85 and unmarried, has lived for 30 years in a public housing complex ("Danchi"), filling her home with a lifetime of keepsakes. When the Danchi is slated for demolition, Shizu and her neighbors must relocate to smaller, newer housing…

Shinohara has been wrongly convicted and imprisoned for 14 years for his wife's murder. Upon his release, he is consumed by a desire for revenge. He teams up with a police officer haunted by the mistake of contributing to Shinohara's…

A film crew shooting a zombie movie in a deserted warehouse discovers the location was rumored to be a site for human experimentation. Suddenly, real zombies appear and attack them.

The Watanabe Brothers bring their signature blend of humor and sadness to this charming road trip film. Two Beatles fans plan a journey to Tokyo to see a Paul McCartney concert.

Set in feudal Japan, the mother of a young lord's heir is kidnapped by her husband's powerful and controlling father. This forces the husband into a difficult choice: accept the injustice or risk the anger of those in power who…

In near-future Shinjuku, Tokyo, Shinji is released from youth detention. Barikan struggles with stuttering and shyness. They connect at a boxing gym, forging a friendship as they both pursue boxing despite their difficult circumstances.

In 1988 Hiroshima, Japan, before the anti-organized crime law was enacted, Detective Shogo Ogami is rumored to have connections to the yakuza. He's partnered with Detective Shuichi Hioka and they investigate a missing person case involving a financial company employee.…

This film explores the theme of psychophobia through the visualization of a dangerous psychic experiment. The experiment is designed as a "departure" into a world of madness, with the stated goal of achieving "spiritual revolution."

During the final years of the Japanese Shogunate, Ryunosuke is a highly skilled swordsman who expertly maneuvers the complex political scene. He kills without hesitation, driven by habit rather than morality. This detached existence begins to unravel him, threatening his…

Set in feudal Japan, this period drama follows a ruthless Daimyo whose cruel actions go unpunished due to his powerful connections. When an innocent couple is murdered and a loyal vassal protests, the Daimyo's position only strengthens. Driven by a…

In the bleak city of Dark Meat City, Angelino is just another nobody. But after a seemingly ordinary scooter accident caused by a captivating stranger, his life takes a terrifying turn. He begins to see monstrous figures lurking everywhere. Is…

In Tokyo, a solitary office worker with a habit of smoking seeks connection when she enrolls in English lessons. She develops feelings for her instructor, but her life is upended when he vanishes. Determined to uncover the truth, she embarks…

Makoto Tanaka, 40, is happily remarried to Nanae, and they share two daughters from Nanae's previous relationship. Makoto strives for a normal family life. When Nanae becomes pregnant, the family dynamic shifts unexpectedly.

Fumi and Kazu offer a powerful perspective on love. They establish Japan's first LGBTQ+ law firm, becoming deeply involved in the lives of those seeking protection and advocacy. While their own relationship lacks legal recognition, they dedicate themselves to pro-bono…

This documentary follows Sato Teiichi as he rebuilds his life after the devastating Tohoku earthquake and tsunami that destroyed his seed shop in Rikuzentakada City. Directed, filmed, and edited by Komori Haruka in her feature film debut, the film chronicles…

Haruna, a high school student, develops a friendship with the withdrawn Yamada and becomes entangled in his complicated relationship with a beautiful model and a girl who is deeply infatuated with him.

In Kurosawa's "Sanjuro," Toshiro Mifune is the charismatic antihero Sanjuro, moving through a world filled with lies and schemes. A sequel to "Yojimbo," the film follows Sanjuro as a seasoned samurai who encounters a group of young, idealistic warriors. They…

In Ushimado, a small village in Japan's Seto Inland Sea, Wai-chan, 86, is one of the last remaining fishermen, continuing to fish alone in hopes of retiring. Kumi-san, 84, regularly walks the shoreline, convinced a care home took her disabled…

A traveling gambler arrives in a village seeking revenge for his father's death. He soon discovers the village is secretly controlled by criminals who enslave the local population.

A troubled young woman is obsessed with her former boyfriend, the man who once violently attacked her and then vanished without a trace.

When his stock investments crash, a man becomes deeply indebted to a predatory loan shark named Uchiyama. Desperate, his wife offers herself to Uchiyama to buy time for her husband to repay the debt. Uchiyama then exploits her by asking…

Fumiko Tashiro, who works at a public library, unexpectedly reconnects with Ryota Saeki, a former college classmate. They quickly develop a strong attraction and decide to marry. As they plan their wedding and dream of a shared future, Ryota grapples…

Painter Morikazu cultivates a lush garden filled with insects and cats – his constant inspiration. For over thirty years, he has found joy in observing these creatures, and his loved ones share in the simple happiness of their days together.

Spring 1941. In the coastal town of Karatsu, sixteen-year-old Toshihiko attends school while his aunt cares for his sick cousin. Surrounded by the sea and local traditions, Toshihiko forms close bonds with other remarkable teenagers as they all grapple with…

A lawyer hired to defend someone accused of robbery and murder starts to question the official story.

A down-on-his-luck musician, living with his girlfriend, seeks a better life when he learns the truth about how she's been covering their rent.

The third installment of the ‘Red Peony Gambler’ series follows Red Peony Oryu as she embraces her womanhood with a red peony tattoo and navigates the world of yakuza honor in Meiji-era Nagoya. While traveling the country to restore her…

Yuichi is a part-time worker who enjoys a relaxed lifestyle, supported by an allowance from the woman he lives with, Tomoko, a housewife. They connect through an online dating site and begin a romantic relationship. However, their lives are on…

Snow blankets the mountains of Japan. Each night, a fisherman walks to the town market. His six-year-old son is awakened by his father's departure and can't fall back asleep. While the house sleeps, the boy draws a picture, which he…

Five years after a devastating war between the Sanno and Hanabishi crime families, Otomo, a former yakuza boss, works as a fixer in South Korea for Mr. Chang. When tensions escalate between Chang and the Hanabishi, putting his life at…

Kaung, a Burmese boy, and his family moved to Japan seeking a better future. They've been living in Tokyo for years without legal visas. The constant pressure of their illegal status begins to fracture their family.

Kurama Tengu is a 1928 Japanese silent film, accompanied by a benshi, and directed by Teppei Yamaguchi. It's part of a popular series following the adventurous hero Kurama Tengu. While the series is based on novels by Jiro Osaragi, the…

Kei, a 22-year-old, rejects Japan's focus on success. He lives on the streets of Kyoto, choosing a life outside societal norms, finding solace in nature and music. But when his money runs out, he must confront reality.

In a world where mythical creatures and humans coexist, Akiko, a bright publishing assistant, relocates to Kamakura after marrying Masakazu, a well-known mystery writer. She's charmed by the town's unique atmosphere. But her newfound happiness is shattered when a minor…

Masao (45) is struggling after a business failure left him broke and divorced, living a bleak life in Ibaraki. His routine is disrupted by the arrival of Emiko, a mysterious high school girl who occasionally teases him. Slowly, Masao finds…

"Ramen Heads" follows Osamu Tomita, Japan's top ramen chef, as he unveils his meticulous process for crafting exceptional ramen. The film details his intense dedication to perfecting the broth and noodles, and his unwavering pursuit of the finest ingredients.

In feudal Japan, Shingo's mother was an assassin executed for killing her lord's concubine. Years later, his adopted family is murdered to protect this secret. Possessing an unparalleled swordsmanship skill, Shingo becomes a masterless samurai driven by a desire for…

In feudal Japan, a masterless samurai named Sanjuro Kuwabatake arrives in a village where two businessmen, Tazaemon (a silk merchant) and Tokuemon (a sake merchant), are competing for control of the local gambling business. Sanjuro becomes their bodyguard, secretly manipulating…

Mary Smith, living with her great-aunt in the countryside, follows a mysterious cat into the woods. There, she discovers an unusual flower and an antique broom, each harboring secrets beyond the ordinary.

The 2008 Akihabara street killing, which deeply disturbed the world, served as the inspiration for director Yûsaku Matsumoto's film. He examines random violence in Japanese society, focusing on the events leading up to and following one particular incident. By observing…

In near-future Shinjuku, Tokyo, Shinji is released from youth detention. Barikan struggles with stuttering and shyness. They connect at a boxing gym, forging a friendship as they both pursue boxing despite their difficult circumstances.

After school, Bobby, an American boy, and his friend Akkun head into the mountains to find a secret base. They stop at a strange amusement park on their way. After enjoying themselves, they are trapped there and attacked, joining other…