Top 100 Japanese movies
A list of my top 100 favourite Japanese movies, ranging from all ages and all genres ( also including anime), the only criterea for inclusion is that the movie has to be made by a Japanese director.
Here is also a list of my favourite japanese male actors:
10. Masaharu Fukuyama
9. Tsuyoshi Ihara
8. Hideaki Ito
7. Takeshi Kitano
6.Hiroshi Abe
5. Toshirō Mifune
4. Ken Watanabe
3. Takashi Shimura
2. Koji Yakusho
1. Tatsuya Nakadai
My favourite japanese female actors:
10. Yui Natsukawa
9. Takako Matsu
8. Kinuyo Tanaka
7. Kyôko Kagawa
6.Mariko Okada
5.Machiko Kyô
4.Yoko Tsukasa
3.Hideko Takamine
2.Masami Nagasawa
1. Shima Iwashita
And my favourite directors:
13. Keisuke Kinoshita
12. Kenji Mizoguchi
11. Yoshishige Yoshida
10. Tetsuya Nakashima
9. Yôji Yamada
8.Satoshi Kon
7. Katsuhiro Ōtomo
6.Takashi Miike
5. Hayao Miyazaki
4. Mamoru Oshii
3. Hirokazu Koreeda
2. Akira Kurosawa
1. Masaki Kobayashi
Here is also a list of my favourite japanese male actors:
10. Masaharu Fukuyama
9. Tsuyoshi Ihara
8. Hideaki Ito
7. Takeshi Kitano
6.Hiroshi Abe
5. Toshirō Mifune
4. Ken Watanabe
3. Takashi Shimura
2. Koji Yakusho
1. Tatsuya Nakadai
My favourite japanese female actors:
10. Yui Natsukawa
9. Takako Matsu
8. Kinuyo Tanaka
7. Kyôko Kagawa
6.Mariko Okada
5.Machiko Kyô
4.Yoko Tsukasa
3.Hideko Takamine
2.Masami Nagasawa
1. Shima Iwashita
And my favourite directors:
13. Keisuke Kinoshita
12. Kenji Mizoguchi
11. Yoshishige Yoshida
10. Tetsuya Nakashima
9. Yôji Yamada
8.Satoshi Kon
7. Katsuhiro Ōtomo
6.Takashi Miike
5. Hayao Miyazaki
4. Mamoru Oshii
3. Hirokazu Koreeda
2. Akira Kurosawa
1. Masaki Kobayashi
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- DirectorMasaki KobayashiStarsTatsuya NakadaiMichiyo AratamaTamao NakamuraHis ideals challenged by life as a conscript in war-time Japan's military, a pacifist faces ever greater tests in his fight for survival.Some people treat the three movies of “The human condition” as a whole and rate it as such, but I think they are quite different in style. I for one find the first one a very interesting and for its time revolutionizing take on a Japanese war drama, the second one being your typical soldier camp drama (maybe it was new at its time, but its still nothing too special), but the third one being such a profound masterpiece. I think the emotions you get for the characters do of course come from the duration you get to know them (the first two movies) but in the last instalment alone the way the story progresses is so impactful. In its heart this movie is about the brutality of the world and especially about the judgement of people; that no matter how much you as a person try to do good you will always be judged by stereotypes and images people have about you, even without knowing you. This movie is just so full of consequences and I love that.
- DirectorMizuho NishikuboMamoru OshiiStarsAtsuko TanakaIemasa KayumiAkio ÔtsukaA cyborg policewoman and her partner hunt a mysterious and powerful hacker called the Puppet Master.Ghost in the Shell basically combined elements from “Blade Runner” and “Akira” and expended those two movies in just the right way. With better detective work than Blade runner and better world building than Akira. I have to say that this movie is very complex and profound and has so many little details in it that you can’t possible find them all in your first watch. But that adds to the experience in my opinion. It deals a lot with computer technology in the future and therefore comes around as rather realistic, it’s thought provoking world gripped my way more than those of Blade runner or akira. It also used a new kind of cel animation technology that thought to be the upcoming thing which made the images and animation look breathtakingly beautiful.
Also with one of the best soundtracks in moviemaking history this is nothing less than a masterpiece and I always enjoy revisiting it nearly annually since I watched it the first time around 10-15 years ago. - DirectorSunao KatabuchiStarsNonAva PickardKenna PickardA spirited 18-year-old woman is married off to a man she barely knows as she combats the daily struggles of living in Hiroshima during World War II.A very refreshing anime movie with an amzing artstyle and a good soundtrack. The story is relaxing some times with many slice of life moments, however has many deep undertones of loss, suffering and regret, in connection to the horrors of war. I made a review about it if you want further details
- DirectorAkira KurosawaStarsTatsuya NakadaiTsutomu YamazakiKen'ichi HagiwaraA petty thief with an utter resemblance to a samurai warlord is hired as the lord's double. When the warlord later dies the thief is forced to take up arms in his place.My highest rated movie centered around the Japanese medieval times with samurai etc. Some of them like Seven Samurai or Harakiri normally make the tops of the list of Japanese movie fans and I also had a time where I loved them, but when you have seen a lot of them they are not really special anymore. Kagemusha on the other hand is something special. Not only does it try to depict an actual event that happened during the great civil war of Japan (Sengoku jidai, to be exact it depicts the battles between Sagen Takeda and Oda Nobunaga / Ieyasu Tokugawa), because of that it focuses way more on political intreges combined with showing you the life and mentality of Japans past. It doesn’t show too many unrealistic sword fights where one guy beats like 10 others but instead takes a more realistic approach, maybe that’s why its not ranked too high on other peoples list, but for me this is definitely Kurosawas best work.
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsRyo IshibashiEihi ShiinaTetsu SawakiA widower takes an offer to screen girls at a special audition, arranged for him by a friend to find him a new wife. The one he fancies is not who she appears to be after all.You might ask why this movie is so high on my list. It is quite different than the previous movies, which are mostly profound and thought-provoking epics and this one is just your typical horror movie. If you thought that you have missed the point of the movie entirely. Audition is nothing less than the best representation of a symbolic movie there is. I have watched a tone of David Lynch movie and I have also seen a few other movies praised for its symbolic nature like “The holy mountain” or “Syneticate New York” but all of those felt rather bland and dull to be honest. If the movie cant make you interested in what is going on you don’t really want to dig deaper into its meaning, at least that how I feel about it. Symbolism in movies can be called thought provoking but they can never teach you anything you didn’t know before (except you read or watch other people’s interpretation about the movie) so I rate them also lower than a really profound movie with a message to it, but nether the less “Audition” stuck with me for quite a while after watching it, and I always like to go back and rethink the meaning of many of the key scenes.
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsYôji MatsudaYuriko IshidaYûko TanakaOn a journey to find the cure for a Tatarigami's curse, Ashitaka finds himself in the middle of a war between the forest gods and Tatara, a mining colony. In this quest he also meets San, the Mononoke Hime.Princes Mononoke is in my opinion the best anime movie from Studio Ghibli. If you know any of their movies you know that those are rather made for a younger audience, from children to teenagers, but Princess Mononoke is a rather brutal movie with a very interesting storyline about myths and conflicts. Its one of the best fantasy movies I have seen in general (not only Japan). There isn’t anything deep or revolutionizing about it, but it got such a great atmosphere to it, especially since it focuses around an old forest that looks like it is out of legends (inspired by the forest of Yakushima Island, which I was lucky enough to have been to, and it was breathtaking..maybe thats what makes it even more special to me). Other than that it has a great soundtrack and beautiful artstyle overall and definitely worth a watch.
- DirectorSatoshi KonStarsJunko IwaoRica MatsumotoShinpachi TsujiA pop singer gives up her career to become an actress, but she slowly goes insane when she starts being stalked by an obsessed fan and what seems to be a ghost of her past.Perfect Blue is a perfectly crafted thriller. It just plays with your mind and does it so wonderfully, that you want to rewatch it over and over again. It follows the life of a Japanese Idol who wants to traverse into acting. Saying more would probably spoil the movie so I wont, the only thing more to say is that the movie is made from studio Madhouse, which is notorious for making movies and anime in a variety of different styles and magnitude. They are one of the biggest names when it comes to anime and Perfect Blue definitely is their best work, as far movies are concerned.
- DirectorKore-eda HirokazuStarsMasaharu FukuyamaMachiko OnoYôko MakiRyota is a successful workaholic businessman. When he learns that his biological son was switched with another boy after birth, he faces the difficult decision to choose his true son or the boy he and his wife have raised as their own.Like Father, like son is in its core a simple but very powerful movie. Its thought provoking more than anything else. You might read that word a lot when going my top rated Japanese movie list, but this is what I love the most about movies, when they make me think about new ideas. In this case it’s a rather psychological problem. You find out that your son who you raised for the past 6 years is in fact someone else’s child and this someone in fact has your son. A typical baby mix-up in the hospital and now you look forward to years of psychological problems for the child, possibly. So what do you do? Would you swap the child to its original parent? How important is bloody anyhow, or are your parents just who raised you? This movie really goes deep into these territories and I loved every second of it.
- DirectorMasaki KobayashiStarsTatsuya NakadaiMichiyo AratamaChikage AwashimaA Japanese pacifist, unable to face the dire consequences of conscientious objection, is transformed by his attempts to compromise with the demands of war-time Japan.Like I said before I rate “The human condition” series serperatly, that’s why it appears 3 times in this list (although the second one just barely made it onto it). The first of the three set everything up and is on its own a very refreshing and unique war drama. It deals with the cruelty the Japanese commited during the second world war in china and for its time that’s quite revolutionizing for a Japanese movie to do. It deals with a lot of consequences and other things that are just breath taking.
- DirectorKatsuhiro ÔtomoStarsMitsuo IwataNozomu SasakiMami KoyamaA secret military project endangers Neo-Tokyo when it turns a biker gang member into a rampaging psychic psychopath who can only be stopped by a teenager, his gang of biker friends and a group of psychics.Akira has a very similar feeling to Blade Runner, it borrowed heavily on its cyperpunk style and managed to create an even more intriguing story. Compared to Blade Runner and Ghost in the Shell, Akira focuses not so much about artificial intelligence but rather the unkown of science. In the process you got twists and more action heavy storytelling with a range of different characters. Many people say that the manga is better, but I disagree. The movie basically had the perfect ending and didn’t drag the story out too long, but both sure had a very memorable artstyle. Also the movie had one of the best ending scenes in the history of ending scenes.
- DirectorHideo NakataStarsNanako MatsushimaMiki NakataniYûko TakeuchiA reporter and her ex-husband investigate a cursed video tape that is rumored to kill the viewer seven days after watching it.I think horror movies often don’t get the praise they deserve. Maybe that’s because there are so many bad horror movies out there but in my opinion a good horror movie should be rated the same as a good drama because it succeeds in its genre with what it is trying to do.
Ringu is basically the best horror movie there is. Well its not simply a horror movie, it has a lot of mystery elements to it and also some drama, it combines multiple genres and does it perfectly. When you compare it to its American remake you can see the differences in style and needles to say, the Japanese do it better, WAY better. - DirectorTakashi ShimizuStarsMegumi OkinaMisaki ItôMisa UeharaA mysterious and vengeful spirit marks and pursues anybody who dares enter the house in which it resides.Ju On is what I would call a pure horror movie, nothing more but nothing less. I gave it such a good score because it does perfectly what it tries to do..scare you. It doesn’t want to make characters emotionally attached, create big twists or make a touching ending. All it wants to do is to make you shit your pants and well watch it for yourself, but don’t forget to bring an extra pair of pants. Many other horror movies have a style of sequencing their movie into "story" parts that are mostly not scary and the "scary" parts where you know something is about to happen, so you can relax and recover; well Ju on doesn’t have those, its basically a 80+ minutes movie of intense sweating and I love it for that.
- DirectorMasahiro ShinodaStarsShima IwashitaYoshio HaradaTomoko NaraokaA blind traveling musician is abused and oppressed while she tours the country, even though the modern world imposes changes on people's behavior.Ballad of Orin is quite a unique story and Shima Iwashita acted so well in it. Its a bitter sweet love drama Japan is pretty known for but the quite refreshing touch it has makes it something really special.
- DirectorTeinosuke KinugasaStarsMachiko KyôKazuo HasegawaIsao YamagataA samurai pursues a married lady-in-waiting.From here on start the entourage of medieval samurai movies from the 50s and 60s, Japan is known for. Many of them are together in score because they also dont really differ as movies. What I like about them is their representation of Japanese culture. The more realistic the better. The more it is about ideas, themes and intrigues the better. They are all an enjoyable watch and can be considered classics.
Hellgate in particular is compared to others not as grand and epic but more enclosed and personal, but there more gripping and it may be the most relatable of all the Japanese samurai movies to me - DirectorMasaki KobayashiStarsTatsuya NakadaiAkira IshihamaShima IwashitaWhen a ronin requesting seppuku at a feudal lord's palace is told of the brutal suicide of another ronin who previously visited, he reveals how their pasts are intertwined - and in doing so challenges the clan's integrity.Masaki Kobayashi really loves criticising Japan. Next to his critism of Japans actions during wartime in "the huiman condition"m "Seppuku" is his next step to go beyond that and criticise something more ingrained in Japanese society, honor itself. The movie deals with depression and despair but ultimately treads its subject matter "honor" a bit too lightely, especially when you compare it to Kobayashis previous work. Also the wood sword seppuku scene was probably better in the 2011 remake.
- DirectorAkira KurosawaStarsToshirô MifuneMinoru ChiakiIsuzu YamadaA war-hardened general, egged on by his ambitious wife, works to fulfill a prophecy that he would become lord of Spider's Web Castle.Long time this was my favourite medievil japanese movie, besides maybe Seppuku. Thats basically because compared to "seven samurai" and many other those 2 movies are way more about the themes of honor, betrayal and the culture of Japan of the past (and in some sense still today). Its still a great watch although the things that I really like about it arent as fleshed out as I would have liked them to be.
- DirectorKore-eda HirokazuStarsArata IuraErika OdaSusumu TerajimaAfter death, people have a week to choose only one memory to keep for eternity.This one is unusual to say the least. It is touching and emotional but also deep at times has a great pacing and is overall just a really enjoyable watch.
- DirectorYimou ZhangStarsKen TakakuraKiichi NakaiShinobu TerajimaA Japanese father travels to China's Yunnan province in the place of his ailing son to film a folk-opera singer.Some might say this is not a Japanese movie, but it was co-directed by a Japanese thats why it fullfills the requirements. "Riding alone for thousands of miles" has however the touch of the great Zhang Yimou famous Chinese director and expert when it comes to drama. And a pretty good drama it is. The emotion this movie can convay with its dialog and soundtrack are just stunning.
- DirectorAkira KurosawaStarsToshirô MifuneTakashi ShimuraKeiko TsushimaFarmers from a village exploited by bandits hire a veteran samurai for protection, who gathers six other samurai to join him.What is probably Japans most famous life action movie and also one of its highest rated movie on imdb, but with reason. It is quite understandable, since "Seven samurai" is a movie for nearly everyone. Its not complicated or deep, it a simple story with a relatable touch to it and crafted so well that the more than 3 hours pass like 2.
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsDaveigh ChaseSuzanne PleshetteMiyu IrinoDuring her family's move to the suburbs, a sullen 10-year-old girl wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches and spirits, and where humans are changed into beasts.Well one of the most famous and simultaneously best rated Japanese movies there is. What can I say about it what you dont already know? I mean its good, nothing profound or too emotional, but well directed with a great artstyle, great music and great voiceacting. It is touching.
- DirectorRyûichi HirokiStarsKumi TakiuchiKen MitsuishiKengo KôraBased on the novel "Kanojo no Jinsei wa Machigai ja Nai" (literal translation: Her life is not at fault) by Director Hiroki, it is a powerful story of survivors, who are all trying to find their own silver linings in life.A movie to really wrapp your head around. Its kinda symbollic, but rather in a sense that the character dont tell you anything about themselves so you have to figure it out by the smallest of detail and a bit of self interpretation. I made a review on the movie, go read that if you want to know more about what I think about the movie.
- DirectorKore-eda HirokazuStarsMasaharu FukuyamaKoji YakushoSuzu HiroseA courtroom drama centered around the murder of a factory president.Very similar in style to his previous movie "like father like son", but I think the cinematography was better and the soundtrack as well. It revolves around the ideas of motivation justice and truth and if you can ever trust someone. This movie is just the perfect combination of amazing movie making and profound storytelling and I will probably rate it higher after rewatching it a couple of times.
- DirectorMasahiro ShinodaStarsTetsurô TanbaShima IwashitaEiji OkadaIn 1863, when Americans warships approach Japan, a enigmatic ronin becomes a important figure in a complex game of power between the Shogunate and the empire.Similar to Kagemusha, Ansatsu depicts a more realistic event in ancient Japan. This time not as grand and epic as Kagemusha but still interesting to say the least. It has however not as interesting character as Kagemusha and many other Samurai movie have.
- DirectorIsao YukisadaStarsTakao OsawaKô ShibasakiMasami NagasawaWhile searching for his fiancee Ritsuko, Sakutarou rediscovers through flashbacks the void deep within him caused by the events from his high school days.A very emotional movie. You could say it is rather forced drama aka melodrama, but I would rather say it is beautifully crafted one. After all you need good acting and a fitting soundtrack to really make a good emotional drama scene. This one has both and an interesting story with lots of unique ideas to it.
- DirectorYasujirô OzuStarsChishû RyûShima IwashitaKeiji SadaAn aging widower arranges a marriage for his only daughter.As i wrote in my review, I think this is Ozus finest work. His very monotonic style only really works if you have relatable or interesting characters, but most of his other movies dont have these. "An autumn afternoon" however not only have well written character but also very intersting underlying ideas of letting go of your past.
- DirectorTaku ShinjôStarsRyôhei AbeTôru EmoriKen'ichi EndôYoung Japanese pilots are trained to sink Allied warships by flying into them.As said in my review, the movie is quite a unique touch on a war drama, especially since it depicts Kami kaze fighters. But not only that but shows the soldiers in a more friendly environment before they go into their deaths, which gave it this bitter sweet touch
- DirectorShunji IwaiStarsHayato IchiharaShûgo OshinariAyumi ItoThe problematic lives of teenager students for whom the singer Lily Chou-Chou's dreamy music is the only way to escape an alienating, violent and insensitive society.A very impacting high school drama, also seen a lot in Japan but most of them miss the necessary touch. All about Lily Chou Chou however has all of this, with interesting character, nice cinematography and a very well crafted story.
- DirectorKenji MizoguchiStarsMichiyo KogureAyako WakaoSeizaburô KawazuA seasoned geisha and her apprentice maiko are forced to give in to their clients' sexual advances to survive.Probably the best Geisha movie. Very well acted and very nice depicting the artform of the Geisha right after the verge between being seen as prostitues during the world war 2 area and getting rid of these prejudices in the 50s and onwards
- DirectorAkira KurosawaStarsToshirô MifuneYûzô KayamaTsutomu YamazakiIn 19th-century Japan, a rough-tempered yet charitable town doctor trains a young intern.
- DirectorMasaki KobayashiStarsRentarô MikuniMichiyo AratamaMisako WatanabeA collection of four Japanese folk tales with supernatural themes.
- DirectorToshio MatsumotoStarsPîtâOsamu OgasawaraYoshimi JôThe trials and tribulations of Eddie and other transvestites in Japan.Another example how Japan is ahead of many other countries in terms of cinema. This portrayal of transvesites is so unique and the movie itself is also so very well crafted around this theme. It feels very much like a documentary but with a nice touch of Japans craziness.
- DirectorMasaki KobayashiStarsToshirô MifuneYôko TsukasaGô KatôThe mother of a feudal lord's only heir is kidnapped away from her husband by the lord. The husband and his samurai father must decide whether to accept the unjust decision, or risk death to get her back.One of the last of kobayashis "known" movies, everything he made after this is pretty unknown and is often hard to find. A very well crafted Samurai movie, which has a very dramatic tone that somewhat differentiates it from others but that tone is very reminiscent of Kobayashis other movies, especially "Seppuku".
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsChieko BaishôTakuya KimuraTatsuya GashûinWhen an unconfident young woman is cursed with an old body by a spiteful witch, her only chance of breaking the spell lies with a self-indulgent yet insecure young wizard and his companions in his legged, walking castle.This was probably the third Ghibli movie I have watched, after Spirited away and Princess Mononoke and from the score it is also my third most favourite one after the ones previously mentioned. I think it encapsulates the term "magical" the best compared to all other ghibli movies and I like the WW1 era style to it. It is also quite confusing in a good sense but the ending is in my opinion not as well written as in other Ghibli movies.
- DirectorKinji FukasakuStarsTatsuya FujiwaraAki MaedaTarô YamamotoIn the future, the Japanese government captures a class of ninth-grade students and forces them to kill one another under the revolutionary "Battle Royale" act."Battle Royal" is probably the most famous of the crazy Japanese movies.
And it does its craziness perfectly. Its also so unique but still an enjoyable and interesting movie - DirectorHiroshi TeshigaharaStarsTatsuya NakadaiMikijirô HiraKyôko KishidaA businessman with a disfigured face obtains a lifelike mask from his doctor, but the mask starts altering his personality.A very interesting movie about self identity and the mask we all wear towards society. It has a quite fitting pacing and was very well acted.
- DirectorAkira KurosawaStarsToshirô MifuneYutaka SadaTatsuya NakadaiAn executive of a Yokohama shoe company becomes a victim of extortion when his chauffeur's son is kidnapped by mistake and held for ransom.A very well done crime drama and also lesser known movie from one of Japans best and most famous directors. Quite an enjoyable watch and an interesting perspective into the work of Japanese detectives. Also it is funny to see Kamakura and Enoshima in so many different movies from Japan.
- DirectorKore-eda HirokazuStarsHiroshi AbeYui NatsukawaYouA family gathers together for a commemorative ritual whose nature only gradually becomes clear.Less deep than Kareedas before mentioned movies, "Like father like son", "third murder" and "after life" but still a quite enjoyable watch. This one fits right in between his more familiy slice of life movies and his more profound ones and is acordingly rated.
- DirectorAkira KurosawaStarsTakashi ShimuraNobuo KanekoShin'ichi HimoriA bureaucrat tries to find meaning in his life after he discovers he has terminal cancer.This is basically Brazil done right. Or at least it has the same underlying message as Brazil; that is, the absurdity, incapability and corruptness of bureaucracy. But instead of a goofy sci-fi movie we have a serious drama that can be very touching at times, but a bit drawn out at others.
- DirectorIsao TakahataStarsTsutomu TatsumiAyano ShiraishiAkemi YamaguchiA young boy and his little sister struggle to survive in Japan during World War II.A very emotional movie that was quite impacting for me, especially since it was one of the first well written drama movies I have watched.
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsSumi ShimamotoMahito TsujimuraHisako KyôdaWarrior and pacifist Princess Nausicaä desperately struggles to prevent two warring nations from destroying themselves and their dying planet.A well written Ghibli movie about insects and stuff. The movie, like all Ghibli movies looks and sounds great and it was a bit unique compared to other Ghibli movies with its anti war message.
- DirectorMasahiro ShinodaStarsDavid LampsonDon KennyTetsurô TanbaTwo Jesuit priests encounter persecution when they travel to Japan in the 17th century to spread Christianity and to locate their mentor.A way better take on the book "Silence" than the 2016 Scorcese movie. Its way less drawn out incorparates the essence of the book better and in a sense did everything what the 2016 movie did, before the 2016 movie. After seeing Shinodas "Silence" i am really confused why Scorcese decided to make the same movie but worse.
- DirectorSang-il LeeStarsKen WatanabeMirai MoriyamaAoi MiyazakiA grisly unsolved murder links three seemingly unrelated stories in three different Japanese cities.Very well paced and shot drama. It was overall a bit predictable which somewhat take away what the movie offers as new. But as a drama it very much suceeds.
- DirectorYôji YamadaStarsHiroyuki SanadaRie MiyazawaNenji KobayashiAs the feudal Japan era draws to a close, a widower samurai experiences difficulty balancing clan loyalties, 2 young daughters, an aged mother, and the sudden reappearance of his childhood sweetheart.Of all the Yoji Yamada Samurai movies, this one is probably the best and at the same time the most famous. It does what many of the other Samurai movies by Yamada do best; that is, being a more calm and realisitc approach to the Samurai action genre and being more about the Samurais lifes and their families. It basically what I like about the Samurai movies from the 50s and 60s done in a new way and also very enjoyable, but I would need to find an example of a new age Samurai movie that really can keep up with the old masterpieces
- DirectorMamoru OshiiStarsRinko KikuchiRyô KaseShôsuke TaniharaThe Kildren, a group of eternally young fighter pilots, experience the sudden loss of innocence as they battle the enemy in astonishing dogfights above the clouds.Mamoru Oshii has such a good sense of picking his sorce materials. Ofc many of his movies are either hit or miss but thats what I really like about him. He makes movies that are so unique to one another each with their own niche audience. "Sky Crawler" however has many things similar to his earlier work "Ghost in the Shell", it portays equally emotionless character and deals with very profound themes. Thats where the similarities end however. "Skycrawler" is a movie about war and its psychological impact on people which makes it very interesting at times. The movie however is overall a bit monotonic and bland.
- DirectorYasuzô MasumuraStarsHiroshi KawaguchiHitomi NozoeHideo TakamatsuIn the middle of a fierce commercial competition between three caramel companies, an executive builds up a ditsy teenage girl as a mascot while simultaneously trying to uncover the rival companies' plans.Like I said in my review, a missed opportunity to make a masterpiece. The movie itself is enjoyable and even deep at times but overall not a coherent work but only pits and pieces of interesting moments with a lack of an interesting protagonist.
- DirectorYoshishige YoshidaStarsMariko OkadaShigeru TsuyuguchiTamotsu HayakawaA married woman lets her lover take naked pictures of her. The photos end up in possession of a man who starts blackmailing the couple.This movie really shines with outstanding cinematography and sound design. Its really like a piece of art, but the story itself is rather average.
- DirectorKyoko MiyakeStarsRio HiiragiYuzuha OdaMasayoshi SakaiGirl bands and their pop music permeate every moment of Japanese life. Following an aspiring pop singer and her fans, Tokyo Idols explores a cultural phenomenon driven by an obsession with young female sexuality, and the growing disconnect between men and women in hyper-modern societiesA very interesting documentory about the idol life and its fanbase. Its very unbiased in its approach and really makes you think. I always have a hard time rating documentaries with the same rating system as other movies, since both artforms are so different in their approach, but I thought I had to include this one in this list.
- DirectorKenji MizoguchiStarsKinuyo TanakaYoshiaki HanayagiKyôko KagawaIn medieval Japan, a compassionate governor is sent into exile. His wife and children try to join him, but are separated, and the children grow up amid suffering and oppression.Quite a unique movie for its time and its subject matter. It differs very much from the many other medival samurai movies and is very touching at times.
- DirectorYukiko MishimaStarsRena TanakaTadanobu AsanoMiu AraiA 40-year old man sees his life change when his wife gets pregnant. He already has a daughter from his first marriage whom he rarely sees and two step-daughters, from his wife's first marriage. The youngest of his step-daughters is looking forward to a baby brother or sister, but the oldest doesn't welcome the news and suddenly decides that she wants to live with her father. And as if that were not enough trouble, he is forced out of his good office job into an inferior position.It very much reminded me of "Like father like son" with its focus on a family father and its style. The overall message is however not as strong. The movie however is still very enjoyable and worth a watch.
- DirectorHitoshi ÔneStarsYûmi GotôTokie HiroseAya KunitakeNine men and women gather at a house party. The men are disappointed with a woman's appearance. People try to lighten the mood, but there is an awkwardness. The house party ends. Dates among the nine men and women begin.It felt very commedic with its characters. Its overall a very well paced character driven story, which feels very minimalistic but suceeds in what it approaches.
- DirectorHideaki AnnoKazuya TsurumakiStarsMegumi OgataMegumi HayashibaraYûko MiyamuraConcurrent theatrical ending of the TV series Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995).Neon Genesis Evangelium is such an interesting anime and this movie is the continuation of the story with its true ending, since the anime ran out of budget. Everything that comes after this movie is for me not kannon anymore and disregarded.
- DirectorMasato HaradaStarsKoji YakushoMasahiro MotokiTsutomu YamazakiThe War ended on August 15th, 1945. What took place in Japan on the previous night? The unknown destiny of the day is unveiled.A interesting take on a Japanese war drama, seeing the inner cabinate of the Japanese goverment during the end of WW2. It has a lot of tension throughout the whole duration and was very well made.
- DirectorMikio NaruseStarsHideko TakamineTatsuya NakadaiMasayuki MoriA middle-aged bar hostess, constantly in debt, is faced with numerous social constraints and challenges posed to her by her family, customers and friends.
- DirectorAkira KurosawaStarsToshirô MifuneMachiko KyôMasayuki MoriThe rape of a bride and the murder of her samurai husband are recalled from the perspectives of a bandit, the bride, the samurai's ghost and a woodcutter.
- DirectorKeisuke KinoshitaStarsHideko TakamineItsuo WatanabeMakoto MiyagawaSchoolteacher Hisako Oishi forms an emotional bond with her pupils and teaches them various virtues, while at the same time worrying about their future.I have written a review about this movie. Go read it please.
- DirectorKenji KamiyamaHiroyuki OkiuraStarsMichael DobsonYoshikazu FujikiSumi MutohA traumatized member of an elite para-military police force falls for the sister of a female terrorist courier who died in front of him on duty.A well made anime drama with a war like feel to it. Artstyle and soundtrack are top notch, story could have been a bit better but still shines with some very well made scenes
- DirectorYôji YamadaStarsTakuya KimuraRei DanMitsugorô BandôA look at the relationship between a young blind samurai (Kimura) and his wife, who will make a sacrifice in order to defend her husband's honor.
- DirectorYôjirô TakitaStarsKiichi NakaiKôichi SatôYui NatsukawaA samurai goes to extraordinary lengths to provide for his family.
- DirectorIsao TakahataStarsChloë Grace MoretzJames CaanMary SteenburgenKaguya is a beautiful young woman coveted by five nobles. To try to avoid marrying a stranger she doesn't love, she sends her suitors on seemingly impossible tasks. But she will have to face her fate and punishment for her choices.As I mentioned in my review, the thing that this movie stuck out the most for is its artstyle and soundtrack. The story also has a very sweet touch to it with quite an impressiv ending.
- DirectorNaoko KusumiMizuho NishikuboMamoru OshiiStarsAkio ÔtsukaAtsuko TanakaTamio ÔkiIn the year 2032, Batô, a cyborg detective for the anti-terrorist unit Public Security Section 9, investigates the case of a female robot--one created solely for sexual pleasure--who slaughtered her owner.The second part of "Ghost in the Shell" is also a very enjoyable watch, but the complexity of the story is drastically reduced and so is the profoundness. It rather tries to be overly smart with putting in a lot of quotes from old philosophers but all and all the movie itself isnt as smart. Its a good watch however
- DirectorNobuhiko ÔbayashiStarsKimiko IkegamiMiki JinboKumiko ÔbaA schoolgirl and six of her classmates travel to her aunt's country home, which turns out to be haunted.A very good and old example of the "crazy japanese movies" done right. Its one of the few japanese comedies I really enjoy
- DirectorKore-eda HirokazuStarsLily FrankySakura AndôKirin KikiOn the margins of Tokyo, a dysfunctional band of outsiders are united by loyalty, a penchant for petty theft and playful grifting. When the young son is arrested, secrets are exposed that upend their tenuous, below-the-radar existence.A neat little family drama, which like "Like father like son" also touches a bit on the question what is familiy?
- DirectorTetsuya NakashimaStarsKyôko FukadaAnna TsuchiyaHiroyuki MiyasakoMomoko, a strange and seemingly emotionless girl obsessed with 18th century France, befriends a Yanki biker and the two experience the ups and downs of their unusual lives in a rural Japanese town.Another one of these crazy japanese movies
- DirectorSang-il LeeStarsShioli KutsunaKen WatanabeJun KunimuraJapanese-Korean filmmaker Sang-il Lee (Villain) has decided to reinterpret Eastwood's Oscar®-winning Unforgiven as a Japanese period film.A remake of the Clint Eastwood movie "Unforgiven" but a very well crafted one. It basically captures the essence of its predecessor and converts it into new cinema with a japanese touch. Really liked it
- DirectorKeisuke KinoshitaStarsShima IwashitaMariko KagaGô KatôA Tokyo family escaping the war relocates to a Hokkaido village; their daughter is set to marry the local leader's son, but her siblings disapprove, which eventually leads to a violent tragedy.
- DirectorTetsuya NakashimaStarsKoji YakushoNana KomatsuSatoshi TsumabukiAs former detective Akikazu searches for his missing daughter, Kanako, he soon learns she has a mysterious secret life.Another one of these crazy japanese movies
- DirectorMichael AriasHiroaki AndôStarsKazunari NinomiyaYû AoiYûsuke IseyaTwo boys defend Treasure Town and Yakuza try to take over and clear it for new development.A very bizar story that also managed to be touching at times. Quite unique.
- DirectorMasahiro ShinodaStarsKen'ichi HagiwaraSayoko NinomiyaMasako YagiMedical student Himoto Haruo makes no compromises in resolving issues with his mother, his authoritarian department boss, and his girlfriend's abusive employer.
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsShûichirô MoriyamaTokiko KatôBunshi Katsura VIIn 1930s Italy, a veteran World War I pilot is cursed to look like an anthropomorphic pig.This might be one of the overlooked Ghibli movies, but it is definitley one of the better ones. Very enjoyable action movie with lovable characters all around planes
- DirectorRintarôStarsToshio FurukawaScott WeingerYuka ImotoKenichi and his uncle Shunsaku Ban must find the mystery behind robot girl Tima.A very unique artstyle and feel towards this movie and it definitly is a well made mix of cyberpunk and 70s detective story. It has a nostalgic feel to it in terms of presentation and storytelling.
- DirectorTakeshi KoikeStarsTakuya KimuraYû AoiTadanobu AsanoA story about the most popular racing event in the galaxy, the Redline, and the various racers who compete in it.A movie that basically shines with music and artstyle. Its a cool action movie more than anything else with a typical story and a little bit of a cringe ending
- DirectorHiromasa YonebayashiStarsSara TakatsukiKasumi ArimuraNanako MatsushimaAnna, a shy 12-year-old girl, is sent to spend time with her aunt and uncle who live in the countryside, where she meets Marnie. The two become best friends. But Anna gradually discovers that Marnie is not quite who she appears to be.The movie is a lovely character story which is watchable just for its stunning visuals (it’s from Ghibli after all).
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsYasuo YamadaEiko MasuyamaKiyoshi KobayashiA dashing thief, his gang of desperadoes and an intrepid cop struggle to free a princess from an evil count, and learn the secret of a treasure that she holds part of the key to.A very well paced and interesting heist action movie, with likeable characters and beautifully drawn scenery.
- DirectorKiyoshi KurosawaStarsKoji YakushoManami KonishiTsuyoshi IharaAn experienced police detective has to investigate the murder of an unknown woman dressed in a scarlet dress.Sakebi (english name: Retribution) and Cure (which is a little lower) both are very nice crime thrillers from Kiyoshi Kurosawa staring Kiyoshi Kurosawa, both are quite intriguing crime thrilles however I found Sakebi a bit more interesting
- DirectorMasahiro AndôStarsTomoya NagaseYuri ChinenKôichi YamaderaA swordsman from a strange land is caught in a struggle between morality, righteousness, and devotion as he reluctantly agrees to take a raggedy boy and his dog to a remote, Buddhist temple.Basically a pure action anime movie which succeeds in artstyle, animation, soundtrack and has a nice enjoyable but not too compelx action story to it. Very enjoyable watch
- DirectorKiyoshi KurosawaStarsMasato HagiwaraKoji YakushoTsuyoshi UjikiA frustrated detective deals with the case of several gruesome murders committed by people who have no recollection of what they've done.An interesting crime thriller staring one of my favourite japanese actors Kôji Yakusho
- DirectorMikio NaruseStarsSetsuko HaraSô YamamuraKen UeharaAn ingratiating bride develops warm ties to her father-in-law while her cold husband blithely slights her for another woman.
- DirectorRyôta NakanoStarsRie MiyazawaHana SugisakiAoi ItôA strict, but caring mother has an awakening when she is told she has cancer and it is terminal. She has a few months. She needs to complete her tasks in that short time frame.An enjoyable family drama, very well made but also a little forgettable.
- DirectorMasaki KobayashiStarsKeiji SadaYoshiko KugaIsao KimuraMasaki Kobayashi directs this romantic drama concerning a family of florists.
- DirectorKon IchikawaStarsRentarô MikuniShôji YasuiTatsuya MihashiA conscience-driven Japanese soldier traumatized by the events of WWII adopts the lifestyle of a Buddhist monk.
- DirectorHiroshi TeshigaharaStarsEiji OkadaKyôko KishidaKôji MitsuiAn entomologist on vacation is trapped by local villagers into living with a woman whose life task is shoveling sand for them.A very sandy movie
- DirectorShunji IwaiStarsKevin ZegersKeisha Castle-HughesAmanda PlummerA biology teacher looks for young suicidal women online to satisfy his taste for blood. Rather than violent, his acts are quite peaceful and always consented.A very unique and interesting take on the vampire genre. Maybe a little boring at times but quite memorable and definitley worth a watch
- DirectorKore-eda HirokazuStarsYûya YagiraAyu KitauraHiei KimuraIn a small Tokyo apartment, twelve-year-old Akira must care for his younger siblings after their mother leaves them and shows no sign of returning.A very unique drama about children trying to live on their own. If it had ended a few minutes earlier it would have had one of the best ending scenes in movie history, other than that I found it not too special, or memorable
- DirectorMikio NaruseStarsYûzô KayamaYôko TsukasaMitsuko KusabueA man falls in love with the widow of a man he killed in a car accident. Eventually she falls in love with him in return.
- DirectorMasahiro ShinodaStarsRyô IkebeMariko KagaTakashi FujikiA gangster gets released from prison and has to cope with the recent shifts of power between the gangs, while taking care of a thrill-seeking young woman, who got in bad company while gambling.
- DirectorHideo GoshaStarsKen OgataKimiko IkegamiAtsuko AsanoThe loves and tragedies of a geisha in 1933 Japan.A quite sexualized movies about Geisha, which has nice cinematography and costume design but overall a quite forgettable story line
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsYûta SoneKimika YoshinoShohei HinoA yakuza enforcer is ordered to secretly drive his beloved colleague to be assassinated. But when the colleague unceremoniously disappears en route, the trip that follows is a twisted, surreal and horrifying experience.One of Miikes best movies, besides "Audition" of course. It is basically like Audition in terms of craziness, maybe even more but sadly unlike Audition doesnt have anything more to it.
- DirectorMasaki KobayashiStarsTatsuya NakadaiMichiyo AratamaKokinji KatsuraAs a conscript in war-time Japan's military, a pacifist struggles to maintain his determination to keep his ideals.The worst of the 3 "the human condition" movies but still very necessary in order to get the full emotional impact in the third movie. It reminded me a lot of "Full Metal Jacket", but a little more drawn out. You care more about the characters however and the ending scene is better made.
- DirectorKaneto ShindôStarsKichiemon NakamuraNobuko OtowaKei SatôTwo women are raped and killed by samurai soldiers. Soon they reappear as vengeful ghosts who seduce and brutally murder the passing samurai.
- DirectorSadao YamanakaStarsChôjûrô KawarasakiKan'emon NakamuraTsuruzô NakamuraThe lives of two slum neighbors, one of a happy-go-lucky gambler and the other of a poor ronin, converge when the two get involved with the affairs of a powerful samurai official and his gangsters.The oldest movie on this list, but still quite a nice one depicting the traditional japanese lifestyle
- DirectorKore-eda HirokazuStarsHaruka AyaseMasami NagasawaKahoThree sisters who live in their grandmother's home invite their thirteen-year-old half sister, whom they have just met, to join them.
- DirectorTetsuya NakashimaStarsTakako MatsuYoshino KimuraMasaki OkadaA psychological thriller of a grieving mother turned cold-blooded avenger with a twisty master plan to pay back those who were responsible for her daughter's death.I would count that also as one of movies with a weird or crazy plot, but its maybe a bit forgettable
- DirectorMasahiro ShinodaStarsKichiemon NakamuraShima IwashitaShizue KawarazakiA doomed love between a paper merchant and a courtesan.
- DirectorNaomi KawaseStarsMasatoshi NagaseAyame MisakiTatsuya FujiA passionate writer of film versions for visually impaired people meets an older photographer who is slowly losing his eyesight.Very good soundtrack and a unique story, however overall a bit blant and forgettable
- DirectorYoshishige YoshidaStarsMariko OkadaYoshie MinamiTadahiko SuganoA woman, unhappily married to a cheating executive, starts meeting her dead mother's lover and gets thrown into a romantic dilemma after succumbing to a rough laborer.
- DirectorMasaki KobayashiStarsShin SaburiMayumi OgawaKeiko KishiA detailed look at a Tokyo business tycoon (played by Shin Saburi) given a diagnosis of terminal cancer who must now re-assess his life and values.Enjoyable but a bit monotonic. I wrote a review about this movie, you should go read it.
- DirectorMasaki KobayashiStarsKeiko KishiTatsuya NakadaiSô YamamuraA dying businessman intends to will two hundred million yen to his three illegitimate children, but his associates scheme to take advantage of the situation.
- DirectorKon IchikawaStarsEiji FunakoshiMantarô UshioYoshihiro HamaguchiIn the closing days of WWII, remnants of the Japanese army in Leyte are abandoned by their command and face certain death by starvation.
- DirectorYasujirô OzuStarsGanjirô NakamuraMachiko KyôHaruko SugimuraThe head of a Japanese theatre troupe returns to a small coastal town where he left a son who thinks he is his uncle, and tries to make up for the lost time, but his current mistress grows jealous.
- DirectorRyôichi KimizukaStarsKiichi NakaiMasami NagasawaMirai ShidaAn experienced entertainment show host was asked to interview a kidnap at a coffee shop by the kidnapper. It's a threat on personal safety, but also a good chance to save the show from shutting down.A quite well made, crazy drama story from Japan. It definitly is able to keep up the tension, but is not as well made other movies of this genre on this list.