Based on the novel “Jimenshitachi” by Ko Shinjo, “Tokyo Swindlers” implements one of the current “TV” favorite tropes, focusing on a group of swindlers, impressing, though, particularly with its outstanding cast.
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In the first of the seven episodes, we are mostly introduced to the group of swindlers the story focuses on. Harrison Yamanaka is the leader of the group, a notorious land swindler, who has some dealings with the authorities in the past, as veteran investigator Tatsu narrates to his junior Kuramochi, but has managed to remain unscathed for the most part. Takumi Tsujimoto is Yamanaka’s prodigy and right hand, a man who was convinced to join him after hitting rock bottom due to the actions of another land swindler in the past. Tsujimoto has his own assistant in hacker Nagai, and seems to be intensely loyal to his benefactor.
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In the first of the seven episodes, we are mostly introduced to the group of swindlers the story focuses on. Harrison Yamanaka is the leader of the group, a notorious land swindler, who has some dealings with the authorities in the past, as veteran investigator Tatsu narrates to his junior Kuramochi, but has managed to remain unscathed for the most part. Takumi Tsujimoto is Yamanaka’s prodigy and right hand, a man who was convinced to join him after hitting rock bottom due to the actions of another land swindler in the past. Tsujimoto has his own assistant in hacker Nagai, and seems to be intensely loyal to his benefactor.
- 8/23/2024
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Tokyo Swindlers is a Japanese crime drama series written and directed by Hitoshi One. The Netflix series follows the story of a group of real estate scammers as they attempt an impossible scam of 10 billion yen while being constantly pursued by the police. Tokyo Swindlers stars Go Ayano, Etsushi Toyokawa, Kazuki Kitamura, Eiko Koike, Pierre Taki, Shota Sometani, Izumi Matsuoka, Kaito Yoshimura, Anthony, and Satoru Matsuo. Tokyo Swindlers is a fast-paced thrill ride with great characters and an interesting story, so if you loved the series on Netflix here are some similar shows you could watch next.
Sneaky Pete (Prime Video) Credit – Amazon Prime Video
Sneaky Pete is a crime drama series created by David Shore and Bryan Cranston. The Prime Video series follows the story of Marius Josipović, a con artist as he finds himself being pursued by some very dangerous people after getting out of prison. Soon, he...
Sneaky Pete (Prime Video) Credit – Amazon Prime Video
Sneaky Pete is a crime drama series created by David Shore and Bryan Cranston. The Prime Video series follows the story of Marius Josipović, a con artist as he finds himself being pursued by some very dangerous people after getting out of prison. Soon, he...
- 7/26/2024
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
With scamming a topic of current news and growing concern across Asia, Netflix’s “Tokyo Swindlers” is a timely addition to its slate of Japanese live-action programming.
Ayano Go and Toyokawa Etsushi head the cast of the seven-episode crime drama series that is an adaptation of a bestselling novel by Shinjo Ko, originally published by Shueisha Bunko.
The protagonists are a group of cunning con artists led by Harrison Yamanaka (Toyokawa) who use forged documents and recruit imposters to pose as landowners and defraud major land developers. Their biggest target is a JPY10-billion plot of land next to a Buddhist temple.
“Real estate prices in Tokyo have once again begun to skyrocket. Takumi Tsujimoto (Ayano) meets Harrison Yamanaka (Toyokawa), the leader of a notorious group of real estate swindlers. Along with informer Takeshita (portrayed by Kitamura Kazuki), impostor recruiter Reiko (Koike Eiko), and legal advisor Goto (Pierre Taki), Takumi...
Ayano Go and Toyokawa Etsushi head the cast of the seven-episode crime drama series that is an adaptation of a bestselling novel by Shinjo Ko, originally published by Shueisha Bunko.
The protagonists are a group of cunning con artists led by Harrison Yamanaka (Toyokawa) who use forged documents and recruit imposters to pose as landowners and defraud major land developers. Their biggest target is a JPY10-billion plot of land next to a Buddhist temple.
“Real estate prices in Tokyo have once again begun to skyrocket. Takumi Tsujimoto (Ayano) meets Harrison Yamanaka (Toyokawa), the leader of a notorious group of real estate swindlers. Along with informer Takeshita (portrayed by Kitamura Kazuki), impostor recruiter Reiko (Koike Eiko), and legal advisor Goto (Pierre Taki), Takumi...
- 7/15/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Chris Rudz's “All the Songs We Never Sang” is a film, much like its lead, that is full of promise, though gets somewhat distracted along the way, resulting in a more conventional summer excursion than it could have been. Such is the way with life.
“All the Songs We Never Sang” review is part of the Submit Your Film Initiative
Natsumi (Miru Nagase) is a teen who has seemingly hopped on a train and run away from her Tokyo life, somehow making her way to her aunt's house on the remote island of Kojima. But arriving unannounced, she is met with a cold shoulder by her mum's estranged sister, Reiko (Junko Kano). Eventually, taking some pity on the young woman, she takes her in, promising to show her the ways of ama, diving for pearls, if she gets up early enough.
Gradually, Natsumi becomes part of the team who...
“All the Songs We Never Sang” review is part of the Submit Your Film Initiative
Natsumi (Miru Nagase) is a teen who has seemingly hopped on a train and run away from her Tokyo life, somehow making her way to her aunt's house on the remote island of Kojima. But arriving unannounced, she is met with a cold shoulder by her mum's estranged sister, Reiko (Junko Kano). Eventually, taking some pity on the young woman, she takes her in, promising to show her the ways of ama, diving for pearls, if she gets up early enough.
Gradually, Natsumi becomes part of the team who...
- 12/20/2023
- by Andrew Thayne
- AsianMoviePulse
Although Netflix is still working its way around the Asian movies in its catalog, in terms of series the quality is quite high, with a quality in terms of production values of many of them being comparable, if not better with feature films. “Sanctuary”, which takes a look at the world of sumo, is definitely one of those films.
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The protagonist of the series is Kiyoshi Oze, a young delinquent from a broken family, which was destroyed when his father's debts forced him to close the shop, sending him into a being a traffic light attendant, and his wife, who obviously underwent some sort of shock, into prostituting. Kiyoshi was a judo champion at a teenager, but now finds himself bullying his way around life, until a proposition from Ensho, the owner of a sumo stable and the promise for...
Click the image below to follow our Tribute to Netflix
The protagonist of the series is Kiyoshi Oze, a young delinquent from a broken family, which was destroyed when his father's debts forced him to close the shop, sending him into a being a traffic light attendant, and his wife, who obviously underwent some sort of shock, into prostituting. Kiyoshi was a judo champion at a teenager, but now finds himself bullying his way around life, until a proposition from Ensho, the owner of a sumo stable and the promise for...
- 5/20/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Sanctuary is a Japanese film directed by Kan Eguchi, starring Wataru Ichinose, Shôta Sometani y Shiori Kutsuna,
If you expect something traditional from the Japanese country… not at all. Sanctuary is a very modern and humorous series about the world of sumo, the Japanese most famous sport.
About the series
A very realistic series in certain aspects, but without ever forgetting the fictional premise. It is the story of a boy who reveals himself to be arrogant and full of flaws but ends up conquering the public in a sport rooted in tradition.
The series seeks a bit of this, to combine the traditional with the modern show, to give a pick of the ins and outs of this intricate sport.
Is it a great series? To be honest, we are not going to recommend it. It is not a series that stands out at the production level, although it...
If you expect something traditional from the Japanese country… not at all. Sanctuary is a very modern and humorous series about the world of sumo, the Japanese most famous sport.
About the series
A very realistic series in certain aspects, but without ever forgetting the fictional premise. It is the story of a boy who reveals himself to be arrogant and full of flaws but ends up conquering the public in a sport rooted in tradition.
The series seeks a bit of this, to combine the traditional with the modern show, to give a pick of the ins and outs of this intricate sport.
Is it a great series? To be honest, we are not going to recommend it. It is not a series that stands out at the production level, although it...
- 5/4/2023
- by Veronica Loop
- Martin Cid - TV
Netflix will give a May launch to “Sanctuary,” a sports drama series set in the specialized world of Japanese sumo wrestling.
Produced by the Slowtide company for the streamer, the show follows a juvenile delinquent who becomes a sumo apprentice. He soon finds himself on a collision course with a voiceless wrestler carrying a secret.
Netflix pitches it as “a gritty look into the underbelly of professional sumo, a world full of young men with ambitions for money, women, fame, and power […] where some may find sanctuary with a history of more than 1,500 years in Japan’s traditional culture and as a religious ceremony.”
The show is directed by Eguchi Kan from a screenplay by Kanazawa Tomoki. The producer is Fujita Daisuke and the executive producer for Netflix Sakamoto Kaata. The show will upload from May 4.
The diverse cast includes Ichinose Wataru, Sometani Shota (“Themis”), Kutsuna Shioli (“Deadpool 2”), Taguchi Tomorowo,...
Produced by the Slowtide company for the streamer, the show follows a juvenile delinquent who becomes a sumo apprentice. He soon finds himself on a collision course with a voiceless wrestler carrying a secret.
Netflix pitches it as “a gritty look into the underbelly of professional sumo, a world full of young men with ambitions for money, women, fame, and power […] where some may find sanctuary with a history of more than 1,500 years in Japan’s traditional culture and as a religious ceremony.”
The show is directed by Eguchi Kan from a screenplay by Kanazawa Tomoki. The producer is Fujita Daisuke and the executive producer for Netflix Sakamoto Kaata. The show will upload from May 4.
The diverse cast includes Ichinose Wataru, Sometani Shota (“Themis”), Kutsuna Shioli (“Deadpool 2”), Taguchi Tomorowo,...
- 3/29/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
A scene from the Japanese crime thriller series Kinpika. Courtesy of Mhz Choice
Kinpika is a five-episode subtitled Japanese crime drama that manages to spin a complicated tale with all the efficiency one expects in a Toyota factory. No fat on the bones here as an ex-cop recruits three wrongfully-convicted felons to right the wrongs that were done to them, and to the country. One of them, Kenta Sakaguchi (Kiichi Nakai), is a Yakuza assassin, the second, Isao Okawara (Pierre Taki), was a hard-nosed soldier, and the third, Hirohashi Hidehiko (Yusuke Santamaria), was the top aide to high-ranking government officials. The first was abandoned by jealous under-bosses after years of loyal service in the trenches and time in the slammer. The second was drummed out of the Army for opposing a bill that would waste money and lives, while lining certain pockets. The third took the rap for a honcho’s embezzlement,...
Kinpika is a five-episode subtitled Japanese crime drama that manages to spin a complicated tale with all the efficiency one expects in a Toyota factory. No fat on the bones here as an ex-cop recruits three wrongfully-convicted felons to right the wrongs that were done to them, and to the country. One of them, Kenta Sakaguchi (Kiichi Nakai), is a Yakuza assassin, the second, Isao Okawara (Pierre Taki), was a hard-nosed soldier, and the third, Hirohashi Hidehiko (Yusuke Santamaria), was the top aide to high-ranking government officials. The first was abandoned by jealous under-bosses after years of loyal service in the trenches and time in the slammer. The second was drummed out of the Army for opposing a bill that would waste money and lives, while lining certain pockets. The third took the rap for a honcho’s embezzlement,...
- 10/5/2022
- by Mark Glass
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Japanese humor is rather unique, occasionally moving towards intelligent, quirky and deadpan paths, occasionally towards absurd, slapstick or even appalling and “blasphemous” ones. “Zokki”, the collective effort of Naoto Takenaka, Takayuki Yamada and Takumi Saitoh, thankfully lingers mostly towards the first two categories, in five intermingling episodes written by Yutaka Kuramochi, based on short stories by manga artist Hiroyuki Ohashi.
“Zokki” is screening at New York Asian Film Festival
The omnibus begins with a story of a kidnapping that ends up with a grandfather talking about secrets with his granddaughter, who eventually throws out of her mouth the milk she was drinking, which sets up the tone, to a point at least, for the rest of the movie. Another story focuses on Fujimura, a loner who decides to go for a road trip with his bike, eventually arriving at a seaside town, where he is taken in by a friendly...
“Zokki” is screening at New York Asian Film Festival
The omnibus begins with a story of a kidnapping that ends up with a grandfather talking about secrets with his granddaughter, who eventually throws out of her mouth the milk she was drinking, which sets up the tone, to a point at least, for the rest of the movie. Another story focuses on Fujimura, a loner who decides to go for a road trip with his bike, eventually arriving at a seaside town, where he is taken in by a friendly...
- 8/25/2021
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Although “Chiwawa” was the film that truly cemented the artfulness of his slightly disorienting, filled with (neon) colors and music, sexually charged style, it is interesting to examine the path Ken Ninomiya followed to reach that level, with his previous movie providing a great opportunity.
The story revolves around Aki Oria, a young girl who came to Tokyo ten years ago to become an actress, but eventually ended up staying in a circus of sorts, having a relationship with Kaito, the young man who introduced her, and acting as the magician’s assistant, with her role being pretending to be hypnotized. Eventually, she manages to land a part after a successful audition, even becoming a star, before a scandal takes a significant toll to her reputation. Is that the reality though? And who is this clown-like figure she calls Butch that seems to always be with her?...
The story revolves around Aki Oria, a young girl who came to Tokyo ten years ago to become an actress, but eventually ended up staying in a circus of sorts, having a relationship with Kaito, the young man who introduced her, and acting as the magician’s assistant, with her role being pretending to be hypnotized. Eventually, she manages to land a part after a successful audition, even becoming a star, before a scandal takes a significant toll to her reputation. Is that the reality though? And who is this clown-like figure she calls Butch that seems to always be with her?...
- 2/18/2021
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Masanori Taki better known by his stage name Pierre Taki, is a veteran actor with 70 credits to his name, including cooperations with Takashi Miike, Hirokazu Koreeda, Kazuya Shiraishi and Takeshi Kitano. He is also
the front man for Japanese synthpop group Denki Groove, which consists of himself and Takkyu Ishino while he frequently deals in voice acting, both for animated films and Video games.
We speak with him about his career, Netflix and the change brought due to the streaming services, his many collaborations and various roles, Denki Groove and many other topics.
translation by Bryan Button-Lewis
You have been in the industry since the 90s. What are the most significant changes you have witnessed during this time? Would you say that acting has become easier or harder?
I would say one outstanding change is the arrival of Netflix and on-demand streaming. In the past, a movie would be previewed...
the front man for Japanese synthpop group Denki Groove, which consists of himself and Takkyu Ishino while he frequently deals in voice acting, both for animated films and Video games.
We speak with him about his career, Netflix and the change brought due to the streaming services, his many collaborations and various roles, Denki Groove and many other topics.
translation by Bryan Button-Lewis
You have been in the industry since the 90s. What are the most significant changes you have witnessed during this time? Would you say that acting has become easier or harder?
I would say one outstanding change is the arrival of Netflix and on-demand streaming. In the past, a movie would be previewed...
- 9/12/2020
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Indie director and scriptwriter Yuki Tanada, one the most talented women filmmakers working in Japan in the last two decades is back with “Romance Doll”, a movie that escapes easy definitions, and takes an original look at love, sex, and relationships.
“Romance Doll” is screening at Udine Far East Film Festival 2020
Young and penniless artist graduate Tetsuo (Issey Takahashi) is tricked into a job interview that leaves him rather surprised. The interview is for a sculptor and he certainly fits the requirements but what Tetsuo doesn’t know is that the little factory where he’s being interviewed produces sex dolls or, as they are re-named to avoid law implications, love dolls. Tetsuo decides to accept the offer as he really needs to get a steady income and becomes, rather unenthusiastically, the assistant of the middle-age head of the department, Kinji (Kitaro) or Kin Kin as the colleagues call him.
“Romance Doll” is screening at Udine Far East Film Festival 2020
Young and penniless artist graduate Tetsuo (Issey Takahashi) is tricked into a job interview that leaves him rather surprised. The interview is for a sculptor and he certainly fits the requirements but what Tetsuo doesn’t know is that the little factory where he’s being interviewed produces sex dolls or, as they are re-named to avoid law implications, love dolls. Tetsuo decides to accept the offer as he really needs to get a steady income and becomes, rather unenthusiastically, the assistant of the middle-age head of the department, Kinji (Kitaro) or Kin Kin as the colleagues call him.
- 7/29/2020
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Imagine a Japanese version of “Pygmalion” in which the sculptor continues to caress slabs of marble even after Galatea has come to life. That is the unusual premise of “Romance Doll,” a marital drama in which a sex doll maker’s rapt obssession with his new prototype, leads to rejection of his human muse. Directed by Yuki Tanada, from her own 2009 novel of the same title, the film initially holds promise to become a liberating erotic art film against the objectification of the female body. However,
Although it’s underlying attitudes about female sexuality might be problematic for female and feminist viewers, its suggestive subject matter (handled without offensive kinkiness) will set many an imaginative mind sprinting. “Romance Doll” was snapped up for theatrical release by several Asian territories. Following a premiere at Udine Far East Film Festival, it starts streaming on Netflix on July 24.
Films that make sex dolls their subject,...
Although it’s underlying attitudes about female sexuality might be problematic for female and feminist viewers, its suggestive subject matter (handled without offensive kinkiness) will set many an imaginative mind sprinting. “Romance Doll” was snapped up for theatrical release by several Asian territories. Following a premiere at Udine Far East Film Festival, it starts streaming on Netflix on July 24.
Films that make sex dolls their subject,...
- 7/15/2020
- by Maggie Lee
- Variety Film + TV
Celebrity scandals are hardly unusual in Japan – the weekly tabloids found in every convenience store dig up new ones for every issue. But the March 12 arrest of musician-actor Pierre Taki for cocaine possession sent larger than usual shock waves through the local entertainment industry. Two weeks later, they are still reverberating.
A front man of the synthpop group Denki Groove since its 1989 start, the burly Taki (birth name: Masanori Taki) built a prospering acting career over two decades playing everything from heavies to comic foils. His portrayal of a menacing death-row convict in Kazuya Shiraishi’s 2013 crime drama “The Devil’s Path” earned him a Japan Academy best supporting actor nomination. After that breakthrough he was in demand for both TV dramas and films.
But following his arrest, Taki has become essentially a non-person, as the industry rushes frantically to erase him from current and future content, while wiping his...
A front man of the synthpop group Denki Groove since its 1989 start, the burly Taki (birth name: Masanori Taki) built a prospering acting career over two decades playing everything from heavies to comic foils. His portrayal of a menacing death-row convict in Kazuya Shiraishi’s 2013 crime drama “The Devil’s Path” earned him a Japan Academy best supporting actor nomination. After that breakthrough he was in demand for both TV dramas and films.
But following his arrest, Taki has become essentially a non-person, as the industry rushes frantically to erase him from current and future content, while wiping his...
- 3/29/2019
- by Mark Schilling
- Variety Film + TV
Happy Saturday, Kingdom Hearts fans. We've got some pretty interesting news for you guys today. It turns out that a behind-the-scenes arrest took place in regards to the recent Kingdom Hearts 3 video game release! According to the folks over at Polygon.com, The Kingdom Hearts developer Square Enix has decided to remove one of the voice actors from the game after a big drug arrest of one of the actors! The actor in question is named Pierre Taki. Apparently. he did voiceover work for the Japanese version of Kingdom Hearts 3 for the Olaf character from Frozen in Kingdom Hearts 3. Now, his voice will immediately be dubbed over with a new voice. Plygon pointed out that Pierre Taki was actually the voice actor in the Frozen movies. So, he was reprising his role in the video game until now. The drugs have officially did Pierre in. Pierre is going to be...
- 3/16/2019
- by Andre Braddox
- OnTheFlix
Happy Saturday, Kingdom Hearts fans. We've got some pretty interesting news for you guys today. It turns out that a behind-the-scenes drug scandal took place with the recent Kingdom Hearts 3 video game release! According to the folks over at Polygon.com, The Kingdom Hearts developer Square Enix has decided to remove one of the voice actors from the game after a big drug arrest of one of the actors! The actor in question is named Pierre Taki. Apparently. he did voiceover work for the Japanese version of Kingdom Hearts 3 for the Olaf character from Frozen in Kingdom Hearts 3. Now, his voice will immediately be dubbed over with a new voice. Plygon pointed out that Pierre Taki was actually the voice actor in the Frozen movies. So, he was reprising his role in the video game until now. The drugs have officially did Pierre in. Pierre is going to be replaced by voice actor Josh Gad.
- 3/16/2019
- by Andre Braddox
- OnTheFlix
After dealing with the Roman Porno Reboot, doing the same with the Yakuza film was the reasonable path for Kazuya Shiraishi, whose career seems to be picking up during the last few years, with productions like “Twisted Justice”, “The Devil’s Path”, and “Birds Without Names”. Furthermore, his approach toward the Yakuza film, with a combination of Kinji Fukasaku’s aesthetics as dictated in the “Yakuza Papers” and the style of “Training Day”, seems to be the way for the genre to go from now on. Let us take things from the beginning though.
“The Blood of Wolves” is screening at Five Flavours Festival
The script is based on the novel “Korou no Chi” by Yuko Yuzuki and is set in 1988 in Hiroshima, prior to the enactment of the anti-organized crime law. Shuichi Hioka is the new guy in the East Kurehara precinct and is partnered up with Detective Shogo Ogami,...
“The Blood of Wolves” is screening at Five Flavours Festival
The script is based on the novel “Korou no Chi” by Yuko Yuzuki and is set in 1988 in Hiroshima, prior to the enactment of the anti-organized crime law. Shuichi Hioka is the new guy in the East Kurehara precinct and is partnered up with Detective Shogo Ogami,...
- 11/15/2018
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
After dealing with the Roman Porno Reboot, doing the same with the Yakuza film was the reasonable path for Kazuya Shiraishi, whose career seems to be picking up during the last few years, with productions like “Twisted Justice”, “The Devil’s Path”, and “Birds Without Names”. Furthermore, his approach toward the Yakuza film, with a combination of Kinji Fukasaku’s aesthetics as dictated in the “Yakuza Papers” and the style of “Training Day”, seems to be the way for the genre to go from now on. Let us take things from the beginning though.
The Blood of the Wolves is screening at the 17th New York Asian Film Festival
The script is based on the novel “Korou no Chi” by Yuko Yuzuki and is set in 1988 in Hiroshima, prior to the enactment of the anti-organized crime law. Shuichi Hioka is the new guy in the East Kurehara precinct and is...
The Blood of the Wolves is screening at the 17th New York Asian Film Festival
The script is based on the novel “Korou no Chi” by Yuko Yuzuki and is set in 1988 in Hiroshima, prior to the enactment of the anti-organized crime law. Shuichi Hioka is the new guy in the East Kurehara precinct and is...
- 7/4/2018
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
“I still have something to do.”
“Don’t be too reckless.” Shortly after the release of “Beyond Outrage”, the first sequel he filmed to this day, Kitano stated how he wanted to conclude his modern day-narrative on the yakuza. Besides the financial success of the last two films, a conclusion seems to be the logical next step after focusing on the hierarchy within the underworld (“Outrage”) and its evolution to a business (“Beyond Outrage”). The last entry into the series would be centered around the individual and highlight the lasting consequences of Otomo’s actions and those of the other characters.
Outrage Coda is screening at the Toronto Japanese Film Festival
Despite their roots within the cinema of directors like Ken Takakura or Kinji Fukasaku, Kitano emphasizes how he regards his films as different from these traditions. Even though his approach remains stylized, the image of the yakuza as an...
“Don’t be too reckless.” Shortly after the release of “Beyond Outrage”, the first sequel he filmed to this day, Kitano stated how he wanted to conclude his modern day-narrative on the yakuza. Besides the financial success of the last two films, a conclusion seems to be the logical next step after focusing on the hierarchy within the underworld (“Outrage”) and its evolution to a business (“Beyond Outrage”). The last entry into the series would be centered around the individual and highlight the lasting consequences of Otomo’s actions and those of the other characters.
Outrage Coda is screening at the Toronto Japanese Film Festival
Despite their roots within the cinema of directors like Ken Takakura or Kinji Fukasaku, Kitano emphasizes how he regards his films as different from these traditions. Even though his approach remains stylized, the image of the yakuza as an...
- 6/14/2018
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
The third reboot of one of Japan’s most famous and successful franchises, and the 31st installment in the series was meant to be one of the greatest. Allocating a rather large budget (Us$15 million) and tasking Hideaki Ano, director of “Evangelion” and Shinji Higuchi, director of “Sinking in Japan, and special effects director of “Gamera”, and one of the top special effects supervisors in Japan, with the film’s direction, it was evident that Toho was not about to leave anything on chance. The result was hugely successful, since “Shin Godzilla” was the highest-grossing live-action Japanese film of 2016 and is the highest-grossing Japanese-produced Godzilla film. Furthermore, it received 11 Japan Academy Prize nominations and won seven, including Picture of the Year and Director of the Year.
The film follows the regular script of the franchise, as an unknown, gigantic creature appears in Japan from the sea, wreaking...
The film follows the regular script of the franchise, as an unknown, gigantic creature appears in Japan from the sea, wreaking...
- 4/1/2018
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Stars: Hiroki Hasegawa, Yutaka Takenouchi, Satomi Ishihara, Ren Ôsugi, Akira Emoto, Kengo Kôra, Mikako Ichikawa, Jun Kunimura, Pierre Taki, Kyûsaku Shimada, Ken Mitsuishi, Shingo Tsurumi, Kimiko Yo | Written by Hideaki Anno | Directed by Hideaki Anno, Shinji Higuchi
Godzilla, officially The King of the Monsters, returns to his Japanese roots following the 2014 Gareth Edwards directed Us film in Shin Godzilla. Set in present-day Japan, the film sees an unexplained seismic event occur off the coast of Shinagawa, causing ripple effects all the way to the capital. Ministers scramble to figure out what’s going on but only cabinet secretary Rando Yaguchi knows what the audience already does. That Godzilla has majestically returned and has his fire-breathing, stomping sights on Tokyo once more…
It’s hard to belive that Godzilla, such a symbol of the nuclear fallout of the Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki; and (to a lesser extent) the Daigo...
Godzilla, officially The King of the Monsters, returns to his Japanese roots following the 2014 Gareth Edwards directed Us film in Shin Godzilla. Set in present-day Japan, the film sees an unexplained seismic event occur off the coast of Shinagawa, causing ripple effects all the way to the capital. Ministers scramble to figure out what’s going on but only cabinet secretary Rando Yaguchi knows what the audience already does. That Godzilla has majestically returned and has his fire-breathing, stomping sights on Tokyo once more…
It’s hard to belive that Godzilla, such a symbol of the nuclear fallout of the Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki; and (to a lesser extent) the Daigo...
- 12/8/2017
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Exclusive: Watch first teaser for final film in Kitano’s Outrage Trilogy.
Screen can reveal the first full-length English language trailer for Outrage Coda, written, directed, and starring Takeshi Kitano.
Watch the trailer for the Yakuza thriller below or on YouTube Here.
Outrage Coda is the third and final instalment in Kitano’s Outrage trilogy. Starring alongside Beat Takeshi are Toshiyuki Nishida, Nao Ohmori, and Pierre Taki.
The plot sees veteran gangster Otomo attempting to rebuild his old gang having returned from exile in Korea, and settling old scores once and for all.
Warner Bros Japan and Office Kitano are releasing the film in Japan on October 7, with the film set to premiere internationally in an Autumn festival.
It is a Bandai Visual, TV Tokyo, Warner Bros Pictures Japan, Tohokushinsha Film Corporation and Office Kitano Production. Co-producers are Masayuki Mori and Takio Yoshida.
Celluloid Dreams handles world sales.
The film crew includes composer Keiichi Suzuki, cinematographer [link=nm...
Screen can reveal the first full-length English language trailer for Outrage Coda, written, directed, and starring Takeshi Kitano.
Watch the trailer for the Yakuza thriller below or on YouTube Here.
Outrage Coda is the third and final instalment in Kitano’s Outrage trilogy. Starring alongside Beat Takeshi are Toshiyuki Nishida, Nao Ohmori, and Pierre Taki.
The plot sees veteran gangster Otomo attempting to rebuild his old gang having returned from exile in Korea, and settling old scores once and for all.
Warner Bros Japan and Office Kitano are releasing the film in Japan on October 7, with the film set to premiere internationally in an Autumn festival.
It is a Bandai Visual, TV Tokyo, Warner Bros Pictures Japan, Tohokushinsha Film Corporation and Office Kitano Production. Co-producers are Masayuki Mori and Takio Yoshida.
Celluloid Dreams handles world sales.
The film crew includes composer Keiichi Suzuki, cinematographer [link=nm...
- 7/13/2017
- ScreenDaily
The third installment of the action-packed Outrage saga has just been given its first teaser. Although the footage is very brief, it does provide clues for what adventure lies ahead for star Takeshi Kitano, in a project which should hopefully give him more to do than Ghost in the Shell.
For those unfamiliar with the Outrage films, they follow underground organized crime in Japan, and center on Kitano’s character Otomo. From what’s been revealed by the teaser, Otomo is back with a vengeance as we see an assortment of yakuza-related activity.
The film is written, directed, and stars Kitano, who joins Toshiyuki Nishida, Nao Omori, Pierre Taki, and Ren Osugi. See the teaser below thanks to Screen Anarchy.
While Hanada (Pierre Taki) is in South Korea on a business trip, he kills CEO Jang’s subordinate. CEO Jang holds tremendous power in South Korea. A highly volatile situation...
For those unfamiliar with the Outrage films, they follow underground organized crime in Japan, and center on Kitano’s character Otomo. From what’s been revealed by the teaser, Otomo is back with a vengeance as we see an assortment of yakuza-related activity.
The film is written, directed, and stars Kitano, who joins Toshiyuki Nishida, Nao Omori, Pierre Taki, and Ren Osugi. See the teaser below thanks to Screen Anarchy.
While Hanada (Pierre Taki) is in South Korea on a business trip, he kills CEO Jang’s subordinate. CEO Jang holds tremendous power in South Korea. A highly volatile situation...
- 4/19/2017
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
Stars: Hiroki Hasegawa, Yutaka Takenouchi, Satomi Ishihara, Ren Ôsugi, Akira Emoto, Kengo Kôra, Mikako Ichikawa, Jun Kunimura, Pierre Taki, Kyûsaku Shimada, Ken Mitsuishi, Shingo Tsurumi, Kimiko Yo | Written by Hideaki Anno | Directed by Hideaki Anno, Shinji Higuchi
Godzilla, officially The King of the Monsters, returns to his Japanese roots following the 2014 Gareth Edwards directed Us film in Shin Godzilla. Set in present-day Japan, the film sees an unexplained seismic event occur off the coast of Shinagawa, causing ripple effects all the way to the capital. Ministers scramble to figure out what’s going on but only cabinet secretary Rando Yaguchi knows what the audience already does. That Godzilla has majestically returned and has his fire-breathing, stomping sights on Tokyo once more…
It’s hard to belive that Godzilla, such a symbol of the nuclear fallout of the Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki; and (to a lesser extent) the Daigo...
Godzilla, officially The King of the Monsters, returns to his Japanese roots following the 2014 Gareth Edwards directed Us film in Shin Godzilla. Set in present-day Japan, the film sees an unexplained seismic event occur off the coast of Shinagawa, causing ripple effects all the way to the capital. Ministers scramble to figure out what’s going on but only cabinet secretary Rando Yaguchi knows what the audience already does. That Godzilla has majestically returned and has his fire-breathing, stomping sights on Tokyo once more…
It’s hard to belive that Godzilla, such a symbol of the nuclear fallout of the Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki; and (to a lesser extent) the Daigo...
- 2/24/2017
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
The film is based on a true story that was first published in Shinchosha’s “Shincho 45” monthly magazine and was later republished as a nonfiction novel, written by the editorial staff of the magazine.
True crime
Shuichi Fuji is a journalist who works in a magazine. He is somewhat frustrated regarding his job, because his editor turns down his articles. Furthermore, he has some troubles at home, because his senile mother gives a lot of trouble to his wife, who has to put up with her all day, since he is constantly at work.
One day, he receives a letter from a death-row inmate named Junji Sudo, who asks to talk to someone from the magazine. Upon his visit, Sudo informs Fuji that apart from all the crimes he has been convicted for, he has committed more, not known to the police. Furthermore, he seems to blame an individual nicknamed “Doc” for them,...
True crime
Shuichi Fuji is a journalist who works in a magazine. He is somewhat frustrated regarding his job, because his editor turns down his articles. Furthermore, he has some troubles at home, because his senile mother gives a lot of trouble to his wife, who has to put up with her all day, since he is constantly at work.
One day, he receives a letter from a death-row inmate named Junji Sudo, who asks to talk to someone from the magazine. Upon his visit, Sudo informs Fuji that apart from all the crimes he has been convicted for, he has committed more, not known to the police. Furthermore, he seems to blame an individual nicknamed “Doc” for them,...
- 10/11/2016
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
The 31st film in the franchise is scheduled to be released on July 29, 2016. Hideaki Anno (Neon Genesis Evangelion) and Shinji Huguchi (Attack on Titan) will co-direct, with the former also penning the script.
When the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line mysteriously floods and collapses, Japan’s Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Rando Yaguchi is convinced that the incident was caused by a living creature. His claims are shrugged off by the Prime Minister who assumes the accident was caused by a natural disaster. However when a long massive tail surfaces from the Bay, the possibility of a giant monster becomes a reality
Hiroki Hasegawa (Why Don’t You Play in Hell?), Satomi Ishihara (Attack on Titan) and Yutaka Takenouchi(Best Wishes for Tomorrow) will star, while 328 well known actors will appear in supporting and cameo appearances including Kengo Kora, Ren Osugi, Akira Emoto, Kimiko Yo, Jun Kunimura, Mikako Ichikawa, Pierre Taki, Takumi Saito,...
When the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line mysteriously floods and collapses, Japan’s Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Rando Yaguchi is convinced that the incident was caused by a living creature. His claims are shrugged off by the Prime Minister who assumes the accident was caused by a natural disaster. However when a long massive tail surfaces from the Bay, the possibility of a giant monster becomes a reality
Hiroki Hasegawa (Why Don’t You Play in Hell?), Satomi Ishihara (Attack on Titan) and Yutaka Takenouchi(Best Wishes for Tomorrow) will star, while 328 well known actors will appear in supporting and cameo appearances including Kengo Kora, Ren Osugi, Akira Emoto, Kimiko Yo, Jun Kunimura, Mikako Ichikawa, Pierre Taki, Takumi Saito,...
- 7/20/2016
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Stars: Yayan Ruhian, Rirî Furankî, Hayato Ichihara, Mio Yûki, Pierre Taki, Denden, Tetsu Watanabe, Yoshiyuki Morishita, Riko Narumi, Reiko Takashima, Lily Frankie, Masanori Mimoto, Shô Aoyagi, Manzô Shinra, Kiyohiko Shibukawa | Written by Yoshitaka Yamaguchi | Directed by Takashi Miike
I’m not sure if it’s from watching Battles Without Honour and Humanity or my love of the Crows Zero movies that did it, but I have to admit that I was very excited about Takashi Miike’s Yakuza Apocalypse. Now that I’ve seen it, I may be a little confused but I’ll also admit to being in love with the insane little film.
Yakuza Apocalypse focuses on the story of Kageyama, a Yakuza who is ridiculed for his lack of signature tattoos down to his sensitive skin. When he witnesses the defeat of his former boss, whose decapitated head in turn bites him turning him into a vampire he turns into a vampire.
I’m not sure if it’s from watching Battles Without Honour and Humanity or my love of the Crows Zero movies that did it, but I have to admit that I was very excited about Takashi Miike’s Yakuza Apocalypse. Now that I’ve seen it, I may be a little confused but I’ll also admit to being in love with the insane little film.
Yakuza Apocalypse focuses on the story of Kageyama, a Yakuza who is ridiculed for his lack of signature tattoos down to his sensitive skin. When he witnesses the defeat of his former boss, whose decapitated head in turn bites him turning him into a vampire he turns into a vampire.
- 5/3/2016
- by Paul Metcalf
- Nerdly
The 31st film in the franchise is scheduled to be released on July 29, 2016. Hideaki Anno (Neon Genesis Evangelion) and Shinji Huguchi (Attack on Titan) will co-direct, with the former also penning the script.
Hiroki Hasegawa (Why Don’t You Play in Hell?), Satomi Ishihara (Attack on Titan) and Yutaka Takenouchi(Best Wishes for Tomorrow) will star, while 328 well known actors will appear in supporting and cameo appearances including Kengo Kora, Ren Osugi, Akira Emoto, Kimiko Yo, Jun Kunimura, Mikako Ichikawa, Pierre Taki, Takumi Saito, Keisuke Koide, Arata Furuta, and Atsuko Maeda.
Hiroki Hasegawa (Why Don’t You Play in Hell?), Satomi Ishihara (Attack on Titan) and Yutaka Takenouchi(Best Wishes for Tomorrow) will star, while 328 well known actors will appear in supporting and cameo appearances including Kengo Kora, Ren Osugi, Akira Emoto, Kimiko Yo, Jun Kunimura, Mikako Ichikawa, Pierre Taki, Takumi Saito, Keisuke Koide, Arata Furuta, and Atsuko Maeda.
- 4/15/2016
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Stars: Yayan Ruhian, Rirî Furankî, Hayato Ichihara, Mio Yûki, Pierre Taki, Denden, Tetsu Watanabe, Yoshiyuki Morishita, Riko Narumi, Reiko Takashima, Lily Frankie, Masanori Mimoto, Shô Aoyagi, Manzô Shinra, Kiyohiko Shibukawa | Written by Yoshitaka Yamaguchi | Directed by Takashi Miike
When considering the work of a director who often makes up to six or seven films a year, you might be forgiven for assuming that most of these would be low-key, simple productions focusing on small sets of characters. Not so in the case of Takashi Miike, the filmmaker behind such eyebrow-raising fare as the ultraviolent Ichi The Killer, zombie musical comedy The Happiness of the Katakuris and contemplative drama The Bird People in China. Never one to shirk an ambitious project for the sake of an easy life, Miike’s latest film sees him on world-ending form with Yakuza Apocalypse.
Kageyama is a low-level Yakuza thug bullied by his fellow gangsters...
When considering the work of a director who often makes up to six or seven films a year, you might be forgiven for assuming that most of these would be low-key, simple productions focusing on small sets of characters. Not so in the case of Takashi Miike, the filmmaker behind such eyebrow-raising fare as the ultraviolent Ichi The Killer, zombie musical comedy The Happiness of the Katakuris and contemplative drama The Bird People in China. Never one to shirk an ambitious project for the sake of an easy life, Miike’s latest film sees him on world-ending form with Yakuza Apocalypse.
Kageyama is a low-level Yakuza thug bullied by his fellow gangsters...
- 12/14/2015
- by Mark Allen
- Nerdly
Attack on Titan Live Action Movie ReviewSTORY53%ACTING43%DIRECTING45%VISUALS67%The design of the TitansLast half hour of the filmDirectionActingInadequate adaptation2015-10-2552%Overall ScoreReader Rating: (3 Votes)48%
Based on the world-renowned franchise, the live-action edition of Attack on Titan was highly anticipated by fans all over the world and on a personal note, I was eager to watch what Yoshihiro Nishimura, the director of Tokyo Gore Police and a special effects magician could achieve with the depiction of the Titans. However, the fact that the initial director, Tetsuya Nakashima (Confessions), left the project due to artistic differences seemed like a negative, although not one to ruin the movie.
Ι won’t get into much details about the general concept, since I believe it is largely known; thus, here is what happens in the movie. Eren, Armin and Mikasa, frustrated by their constraint inside the wall, decide to secretly break loose.
Based on the world-renowned franchise, the live-action edition of Attack on Titan was highly anticipated by fans all over the world and on a personal note, I was eager to watch what Yoshihiro Nishimura, the director of Tokyo Gore Police and a special effects magician could achieve with the depiction of the Titans. However, the fact that the initial director, Tetsuya Nakashima (Confessions), left the project due to artistic differences seemed like a negative, although not one to ruin the movie.
Ι won’t get into much details about the general concept, since I believe it is largely known; thus, here is what happens in the movie. Eren, Armin and Mikasa, frustrated by their constraint inside the wall, decide to secretly break loose.
- 10/24/2015
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Takayuki Yamada, the star of Crows Zero, Mirokurôze and Lesson of the Evil, flashes his stern look again with a crime film titled Kyoaku (The Devil's Path). Directed by Kazuya Shiraishi as his second feature-length film, The Devil's Path will deal with the triangular relationship of three masterminds. Death-row inmate Sudo (Pierre Taki) sends a letter to magazine reporter Fujii (Takayuki Yamada). In his letter, he states that a man named Kimura (Lily Franky), also known as "teacher" committed numerous murders for insurance money. While checking out the story, based on Sudo's tip, Fujii becomes convinced that the letter is correct. But a lot of time has passed since the incidents and Sudo's testimony isn't clear. Due to the persistence of Sudo, who is a former Yakuza, and Fujii, the police begin to...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 6/6/2013
- Screen Anarchy
A trailer has been released for Shinpei Hayashiya’s upcoming film Rakugo Story. As a filmmaker, Hayashiya is known for writing and directing the recent low-budget science fiction monster movies “The Deep-Sea Monster vs. the Battleship Yamato” and “Deep Sea Monster Raiga”, but he’s spent the majority of his career as a rakugo performer. His latest film is loosely based on his own experiences.
Story: After witnessing a rakugo performance, Masato (Wasabi Yanagiya) is inspired to become the apprentice of an established storyteller, Master Koroku Imadoya (Pierre Taki). Masato is given the name “Koharu” and is promoted to “zenza” (opening act performer). Koharu becomes extremely busy with his work as a zenza as well as with Master Koroku and his wife Aoi (Tomoko Tabata), but an unexpected incident soon thrusts him into the spotlight.
“Rakugo Story” was screened at the 3rd Old Town Taito International Comedy Film Festival on...
Story: After witnessing a rakugo performance, Masato (Wasabi Yanagiya) is inspired to become the apprentice of an established storyteller, Master Koroku Imadoya (Pierre Taki). Masato is given the name “Koharu” and is promoted to “zenza” (opening act performer). Koharu becomes extremely busy with his work as a zenza as well as with Master Koroku and his wife Aoi (Tomoko Tabata), but an unexpected incident soon thrusts him into the spotlight.
“Rakugo Story” was screened at the 3rd Old Town Taito International Comedy Film Festival on...
- 1/19/2011
- Nippon Cinema
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