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69 Japanese Films - Nippon Connection 2020

69 titles

Default orderPopularityIMDb ratingTMDB ratingRelease dateRuntimeTitleBudgetBox officeAscending
  1. 1Transparent, the World Is.Movie · 2019 · 7mThis film explores the complex relationship between my inner self and the external world as it existed in 2018. It follows the shifting dynamic between my personal identity and how I perceive society, particularly as reflected through my daughters' evolving roles. The concepts of "red," "white," and "black" expand beyond simple definitions, incorporating shades of gray, and ultimately revealing a world that becomes increasingly translucent. Ultimately, focusing on the individual transforms into understanding the larger world – a journey central to my artistic work [FilmFreeway].
  2. 2What Can You Do About It?Movie · 2019 · 119mFilmmaker Yoshifumi Tsubota visits his uncle, who lives alone and has a slightly autistic nature. Captivated by his uncle's distinct personality, Tsubota documents their visits over several years. Having also been diagnosed with a developmental disability, Tsubota's connection with his uncle becomes a journey of self-discovery. This intimate documentary offers a charming look at their relationship while also shedding light on current societal challenges related to aging and care for people with disabilities.IMDb 7.0TMDB 7.0
  3. 3Fukuchan of Fukufuku FlatsMovie · 2014 · 111mFuku-chan is a kind, cheerful, and somewhat overweight man. The return of a woman from his past forces him to confront his long-held anxieties about women.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.3
  4. 4CenoteMovie · 2020 · 75mCenotes were sacred water sources for the ancient Mayans, believed to link the world of the living with the afterlife. The past and present of those who lived near these cenotes intertwine, creating vivid moments filled with light and shadow that evoke distant memories.IMDb 5.7TMDB 5.0
  5. 5Lesson of the EvilMovie · 2012 · 129m · Thriller, HorrorSeiji Hasumi is a well-liked English teacher at a private high school. However, he harbors a violent, sociopathic nature and devises a drastic plan to address the increasing bullying and misconduct among his students.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.7
  6. 6HouseMovie · 1977 · 88m · Comedy, Fantasy, HorrorTo learn more about her mother's history, Gorgeous travels with six friends to visit their aunt at a historic country estate. The large, mysterious house reveals hidden secrets and stories from the past. As Gorgeous and her friends explore, they uncover connections to their own lives and relationships. This story combines personal reflection and close friendship as Gorgeous and her companions explore the old house. It's an engaging look at discovering oneself, family, and the impact of shared experiences. This captivating story of history, friendship, and self-discovery offers a memorable film experience.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.3
  7. 7Trifling HabitsMovie · 2013 · 4mA series of disheartening routines persist, but a series of bizarre events unexpectedly spark a glimmer of hope.
  8. 8Little Miss PeriodMovie · 2019 · 75mThe film portrays menstrual periods as pink, heart-shaped entities with sentience. These beings repeatedly inconvenience women each month, causing physical discomfort and emotional distress, yet also providing a source of comfort and support.IMDb 6.0TMDB 6.4
  9. 9Infinite FoundationMovie · 2018 · 102mA solitary high school girl navigates life and blossoms into adulthood through a series of experiences, all while feeling isolated. Accompanied by the evocative music of Kosame Nishiyama's "Mirai E," this film evokes a gentle sense of nostalgia.IMDb 5.3TMDB 3.0
  10. 10An Ant Strikes BackMovie · 2019 · 98mBetween 2006 and 2017, over 5,000 people in Japan died as a result of overwork – and the official count is likely lower. Japanese employees rarely challenge exploitative working conditions due to intense social pressure. This documentary follows a moving company sales agent who decides to fight back against illegal contract clauses and a degrading work environment. Starting as one of many, he joins a labor union and advocates for the rights of all workers in Japan.IMDb 7.9
  11. 11What a Wonderful WorldMovie · 2018 · 41mSixteen-year-old Yu (Haruya Dan) lives with his mother. However, when his father remarries, he insists Yu move in with him. Heartbroken by this change, Yu reacts with anger at what he perceives as his parents' selfishness.
  12. 12Tokyo GirlMovie · 2019 · 8mTokyo Girl is a fast-paced, visually intense film exploring modern life through the eyes of a young woman. Released in January 2019, it captures the feeling of Japan at the end of the Heisei era, just before the Reiwa era began. Featuring a monologue by Mako Hiragi and on-screen text, the film is a highly creative and engaging experience – potentially overwhelming, but deeply relatable. It's an immersive and stimulating look at contemporary Tokyo.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.0
  13. 13Book-Paper-ScissorsMovie · 2020 · 93mNobuyoshi Kikuchi has dedicated his life to the world of books, designing over 15,000 covers. He continues to work with traditional tools – rulers, scissors, and pencils – crafting unique fonts and carefully selecting paper. He values personal connections with authors, a good coffee, and exploring flea markets. Nanako Hirose offers a compelling look at Kikuchi's seemingly old-fashioned approach, suggesting that this very quality might hold the key to appreciating life's true values.IMDb 7.0TMDB 5.5
  14. 14Lost Three Make One FoundMovie · 2019 · 26mSushi, a Japanese man, journeys through southern Portugal in a camper van his age, searching for a legendary spring rumored to heal heartbreak. His travels lead to unexpected encounters, and the people he meets along the way, along with shared drinks, help him find his path and reconsider his understanding of love.
  15. 15RedMovie · 2020 · 123m · RomanceA woman enjoys a happy life with her daughter until she reunites with her former lover at a wedding. After a decade apart, they rekindle their affair.IMDb 6.1TMDB 4.7
  16. 16Proof Of FamilyMovie · 2019 · 34mA short film by Yu Iwasaki.
  17. 17This Planet is not my PlanetMovie · 2019 · 90mThis documentary follows Mitsu Tanaka, the renowned leader of Japan's women's liberation movement in the 1970s. Filmed over four years, starting in 2014, the film offers an intimate look at her life and daily experiences.
  18. 18TransitionMovie · 2019 · 19mA short film by Daijiro Mizuno and Kana Ohashi.
  19. 19The Wandering PlantsMovie · 2019 · 30mKanako, longing to be a plant, encounters Koh in a botanical garden. Slowly, Koh begins to develop roots. Their unusual friendship evolves into a connection that transcends typical human relationships built on spoken words.
  20. 20When The Rain StopsMovie · 2019 · 28mA short film by Yui Yamaguchi.TMDB 6.0
  21. 21Ainu: Indigenous People of JapanMovie · 2019 · 80mThe Ainu are the native people of Japan, and Hokkaido, the country's northern island, was once called Ainumosir, meaning "land of the Ainu." Ainu traditions are now in serious decline; recent estimates show fewer than 20,000 Ainu people remain in Hokkaido, and UNESCO classifies their language as critically endangered. This documentary was filmed in Biratori town, a region with a strong Ainu heritage and the hometown of Shigeru Kayano, a prominent researcher of Ainu culture.IMDb 6.3
  22. 22The World of KanakoMovie · 2014 · 118m · Mystery, Crime, ThrillerWhen Kanako, a model daughter and high-achieving student, vanishes, her mother enlists the help of her ex-husband, a former police officer with a history of violence, to find her. As he investigates, his perfect image of Kanako begins to crumble, revealing a hidden, darker side of the girl that her father never knew.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.4
  23. 23Deep-Sea’s RainbowMovie · 2019 · 11mA short film by Makiko Sukikara.
  24. 24While The Crow WeepsMovie · 2013 · 8mAs dawn approaches, a thick fog blankets the landscape, and a funeral takes place for a crow.
  25. 25Summer Days with CooMovie · 2007 · 138m · Animation, Fantasy, ComedyOver 200 years after his time, a solitary Kappa survives in modern Japan and is discovered by a young boy named Koichi. Koichi secretly adopts the Kappa, whom he names Coo. Together, the unlikely friends search for remote locations, hoping to find other members of Coo's species.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.8
  26. 26Wild PearMovie · 2011 · 9mA short film by Makiko Sukikara.
  27. 27Mrs. NoisyMovie · 2020 · 106mMaki Yoshioka, a novelist and mother struggling with writer's block, finds herself increasingly harassed by her neighbor, Miwako Wakata, after a dispute over a futon. Maki decides to write a novel inspired by Miwako, but the resulting story unexpectedly becomes a media sensation, turning a small disagreement into a public spectacle.IMDb 6.7TMDB 7.7
  28. 28Rabbit TalesMovie · 2016 · 3mA short film by Lisa Fukaya.
  29. 29Under Your BedMovie · 2019 · 98mNaoto felt invisible. In school, Chihiro was the first to ever address him. He's spent years dreaming of finding her and finally locates her after eleven years. But she's changed. He becomes fixated on her, and begins secretly residing under her bed.IMDb 6.0TMDB 6.3
  30. 30Labyrinth of CinemaMovie · 2020 · 179mA sudden lightning strike hits a theater just as it's closing, and three moviegoers are unexpectedly transported into the world of the film they were about to watch.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.9
  31. 31My Sweet Grappa RemediesMovie · 2020 · 108mYasuko Matsuyuki stars in this drama about a woman in her forties who enjoys being single, but then begins dating a man who is 24 years younger than her.IMDb 6.4TMDB 7.4
  32. 32LOVE-HATE RELATIONSHIPMovie · 2012 · 3mA graduation film by Sarina Nihei from Tama Art University.
  33. 33After the SunsetMovie · 2019 · 133mTowa lives with his parents Satsuki and Yuichi in a coastal town on Nagashima. Yuichi is a fisherman, and Satsuki runs a restaurant. Unbeknownst to Towa, he was adopted as a baby, found abandoned and severely malnourished in an internet café. As his parents secretly struggle for custody and try to shield him from his origins, the family's peace begins to unravel. Their concerns for Towa’s future are shared by others.IMDb 7.2TMDB 8.0
  34. 34Prison CircleMovie · 2020 · 120mKaori Sakagami spent six years gaining access to film inside a Japanese prison. Her documentary follows a special program where a few inmates participate in a therapeutic circle, aiming to understand the root causes of their actions. Even after release, these former inmates receive ongoing support from psychologists and social workers. The film highlights how, within this program, the inmates develop the ability to support one another and share their personal stories.IMDb 7.5TMDB 1.0
  35. 35Listening To The AirMovie · 2020 · 73mIn 2011, the devastating Tohoku earthquake and tsunami ravaged the town of Rikuzentakata. Hiromi ABE hosts a local radio show there, covering current events and speaking with residents. Her focus extends beyond the immediate aftermath and rebuilding efforts to capturing individual experiences.
  36. 36Beautiful, GoodbyeMovie · 2020 · 114mOn the run after a stabbing, Shinoda accidentally hits a young woman with his car. He discovers she's a zombie fleeing her abusive ex-boyfriend. They form an unlikely partnership and decide to escape together, aware that they have nowhere safe to go.IMDb 6.2TMDB 5.0
  37. 37Flowers And RainMovie · 2020 · 114mYoshida's return to Tokyo from London with his parents marks a difficult transition. He struggles to fit into Japanese society, feeling lost and resentful. He discovers a new outlet in hip-hop, adopting the name SEEDA and beginning to rap while navigating life as a drug dealer to fund his music. However, he soon learns that his newfound identity as an artist can't fully sever ties with his family, and the consequences are irreversible.IMDb 5.2TMDB 9.6
  38. 38Kinta And GinjiMovie · 2019 · 84mKinta and Ginji are best friends, often teasing each other but never holding a resentment. They're too easygoing for that. They spend their days together exploring fields and forests, relaxing in the grass, and playing music – just two ordinary guys. Except one is a tanuki (raccoon dog), and the other is a robot. Their everyday life takes a turn when they encounter other talking creatures and objects.
  39. 39Minori, on the BrinkMovie · 2019 · 130mMinori works as a server in a ramen shop, but she's growing weary of customers who only focus on her looks and themselves. She's blunt and often angry with everyone, and carries a deep frustration with her own inability to improve her circumstances.IMDb 6.2TMDB 7.3
  40. 40Sleeping VillageMovie · 2019 · 96mIn 1961, Japan is rocked by the "Nabari Poison Wine" case, a shocking incident where five people die at a village party. Masaru Okunishi, a participant, becomes the prime suspect. The story suggests he intended to kill his wife and lover to end an affair. After days of police questioning, he signs a confession, but later retracts it. He is ultimately sentenced to death, with all appeals for a retrial rejected.TMDB 6.7
  41. 41Crap-ManMovie · 2019 · 3mA woman is walking with her baby on a remote road alongside a river when they are stalked by a dangerous man with malicious intentions. Will anyone intervene to protect them? The answer is… Crap-Man!
  42. 42Night Is Short, Walk On GirlMovie · 2017 · 93m · Comedy, Romance, AnimationA group of university students enjoy a night out, and a sophomore known as "The Girl with Black Hair" has a series of strange experiences throughout the city's nightlife. Unbeknownst to her, a senior student, "Senpai," is persistently trying to win her affection by inventing increasingly elaborate excuses to see her.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.4
  43. 43Forgiven ChildrenMovie · 2020 · 134mKira is playing with a homemade crossbow when he accidentally kills his classmate, Itsuki. Because there's no proof, Kira is acquitted. But the trial receives massive media attention, and the resulting public outcry deeply affects his family.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.5
  44. 44YanMovie · 2020 · 86mA young man travels from Japan to Taiwan with the mission of persuading his brother, who is struggling, to relinquish his inheritance.IMDb 4.8TMDB 6.0
  45. 45Rabbit's BloodMovie · 2017 · 5mAfter a painful loss, a young woman encounters a rabbit.
  46. 46i -Documentary Of The Journalist-Movie · 2019 · 113mIn Japan, a quiet understanding exists between the government and the major news outlets: journalists generally avoid harsh criticism, and the government provides access to specific information through press conferences. Isoko Mochizuki, a reporter for the Tokyo Shimbun, disrupts this established order.IMDb 6.3TMDB 8.2
  47. 47The Whispering StarMovie · 2015 · 102m · Drama, Science FictionA delivery robot with a human-like form travels the galaxy, making deliveries. While completing her routes, she contemplates the complexities of humanity.IMDb 6.5TMDB 7.2
  48. 48WAAAHMovie · 2018 · 1mThe sound of a baby crying perfectly mirrors the frustration I feel. It seems everyone is born crying, and life is just a series of cries as you grow. Despite being an adult, I desperately wish I could be a baby again.IMDb 5.3TMDB 8.0
  49. 49MimiMovie · 2019 · 4mMimi experiences her first pimple – a noticeable red spot on her face. Self-conscious and worried about standing out, she tries to fit in with her classmates by copying their style. However, these attempts at conformity don't hide her blemish. As a result, Mimi becomes increasingly frustrated and angry.IMDb 6.7TMDB 2.0
  50. 50The Piano ForestMovie · 2007 · 101m · Music, Animation, DramaShuhei Amamiya transfers to Moriwaki Elementary, full of optimism. However, he quickly becomes a target for the school bullies and is drawn into a dare to play a strange piano in the woods. There, he meets Kai Ichinose, an equally mysterious child who appears to be the only one who can produce sound from the broken instrument.IMDb 7.1TMDB 7.0
  51. 51Magical Sisters Yoyo & NeneMovie · 2013 · 100mTwo sisters, skilled in magic as "noroiya" (cursers), live in a fantasy world. When a massive tree unexpectedly appears in a forest, entwined with structures resembling those from our own world, they investigate and are transported to Earth. There, they encounter two children who flee in alarm, only to discover their parents have been transformed into monsters.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.7
  52. 52ChiyoMovie · 2019 · 13mChiyo is a poetic look at suburban life in Japan, seen through the filmmaker's memories of her grandmother. The film presents a collection of ordinary moments in Yashio – from a summer festival to Buddhist ceremonies – weaving together small stories and exploring cinema's potential to create a space for quiet reflection.
  53. 53A Life Turned Upside Down: My Dad's an AlcoholicMovie · 2020 · 94mSaki's father struggles with alcoholism, and her mother finds solace in a new religion. Witnessing her father’s erratic behavior and her mother’s isolation, Saki observes her family unraveling. Amidst this turmoil, she tries to envision her own path forward.IMDb 6.0TMDB 7.5
  54. 54ExtroMovie · 2019 · 89mThis film offers a sharp, comedic look at the lives of the extras who work at Warp Station Edo, a popular filming location for samurai movies. Through the story of a 63-year-old extra, the mockumentary explores the dreams that drive filmmaking and the quiet emotions found in ordinary lives.IMDb 5.3TMDB 7.7
  55. 55Tamaran HillMovie · 2020 · 86mHinako discovers the novel "Tamaran Hill" and is instantly captivated, especially since "tamaran"—her father's favorite curse word—is in the title. She quickly finds herself immersed in the story, which features a character similarly fascinated by the word, and unexpectedly encounters the author, Senji Kuroi, in the book's world.IMDb 6.2TMDB 4.5
  56. 56The JournalistMovie · 2019 · 113mA young reporter, Erika, covers news related to corporate crime, government conspiracies, and social issues. While investigating what appears to be a government cover-up, she encounters a government bureaucrat named Sugihara, setting the stage for a likely conflict.IMDb 6.3TMDB 7.4
  57. 57F Is For FutureMovie · 2020 · 60mTakuya drifts through life, hanging out with his old high school friends, avoiding any thought of what comes next. But after a sudden tragedy, he resolves to uphold a promise he made years ago: He must hide his friend's adult collection before his parents discover it.TMDB 3.0
  58. 58Family Romance, LLCMovie · 2019 · 110m · DramaFamily Romance is a company that rents people to fill roles in life. Founder Yuichi Ishii helps his customers achieve their desires. However, things become complicated when a mother hires Ishii to pretend to be her missing father for her son. The distinction between acting and real life begins to fade.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.2
  59. 59Hello WorldMovie · 2019 · 98m · Animation, Romance, Science FictionIn Kyoto, a quiet high school student encounters a man who insists he is the student's older self from the future. The future self claims to have manipulated time to prevent a tragedy – the loss of their first love.IMDb 6.7TMDB 7.3
  60. 60Miss HokusaiMovie · 2015 · 90m · Animation, Drama, HistoryA daughter struggles for recognition while living in the shadow of her celebrated father, fiercely pursuing her own path to success.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.7
  61. 61Dancing MaryMovie · 2019 · 105mKenji, the youngest of a construction team building a new shopping center, faces a challenge: the project requires demolishing an old dance floor. However, attempts to tear down the building are repeatedly blocked by an unknown force. Rumors of a curse surrounding the site have circulated, leading the construction team to consider hiring exorcists, but so far, no one has been able to resolve the issue.IMDb 6.4TMDB 6.8
  62. 62Me & My Brother’s MistressMovie · 2019 · 96mYoko, a high school student, lives with her brother Kenji, and they've always relied on each other since their parents died. One night, Yoko sees Kenji, who is planning his wedding, having an affair with Misa. This betrayal deeply frustrates Yoko, who has also felt uneasy about Kenji’s fiancée, Kaho, who unexpectedly entered their lives. During a weekend, Yoko follows Misa and decides to confront her. Driven by a mix of compulsion and curiosity, Yoko meets with Misa and is drawn to her complex personality. Yoko then suggests to Misa that they should stop Kenji's wedding, and an unusual bond forms between the two women.IMDb 6.5TMDB 5.6
  63. 63MakukoMovie · 2019 · 108mA fifth-grade student forms a connection with a new girl who possesses an intriguing aura. He eventually discovers her significant secret.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.6
  64. 64Shell and JointMovie · 2019 · 154mNitobe and Sakamoto, childhood friends, work the front desk at a capsule hotel. Nitobe is drawn to philosophy and shellfish; Sakamoto is consumed by thoughts of suicide. The hotel's diverse clientele includes a grieving Finnish mother, a woman on the run, and a researcher studying water fleas. Their lives remain separate, existing alongside each other but never truly connecting, like individuals in individual capsules. The film offers a fragmented look at their lives, exploring themes of life and death.IMDb 5.8TMDB 5.3
  65. 65100 Yen LoveMovie · 2014 · 114m · Drama, Comedy, RomanceIchiko, a laid-back slacker, has a falling out with her sister and moves out to live independently, taking a late-night job at a discount store. Returning home one evening, she encounters Kano, a silent boxer who trains at a nearby gym.IMDb 7.1TMDB 7.2
  66. 66A Snowflake into the NightMovie · 2018 · 6mYoko Yuki's film uses stop-motion animation to bring the natural world to life, making it feel tangible. The story follows the shifting seasons.
  67. 67100 percent ElectricalMovie · 2016 · 15mThe story of a trip to Thailand unfolds through various media during a relaxed conversation between the filmmaker and Foodman, who also composed the music.
  68. 68Her Blue SkyMovie · 2019 · 108m · Animation, RomanceAoi Aioi lives with her older sister, Akane, alone since their parents died in an accident 13 years ago. Feeling responsible for Akane's well-being, Aoi plans to move to Tokyo after graduation to ease her sister's load and chase her dream of a music career, inspired by Akane’s former boyfriend, Shinnosuke "Shinno" Kanamuro. Shinno was in a band before he left for Tokyo to pursue a career as a professional guitarist after the sisters' parents died, and he has since disappeared.IMDb 6.8TMDB 7.3
  69. 69Small People with HatsMovie · 2014 · 7mTiny people who always wear hats find themselves caught in absurd situations as the world around them unfolds.IMDb 5.7TMDB 6.1

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