Happy Weekend
I hope you are keeping cool and safe.
The temperature’s rising so it’s a good idea to stay indoors and watch films. Be sure to sip lots of water throughout the day, as well.
In terms of what I watched this week, it was Thicker than Water (2018), While the Women are Sleeping (2016) and New York Asian Film Festival films in the run-up to the event’s launch. I published a review of Our House Party (2022) and an interview with its director, Shuichi Kawanobe, I also published a new review of Melting Sounds (2022) and an interview with its director, Kahori Higashi.
What is released this weekend?
Melting Sounds 
ほとぼりメルトサウンズ 「Hotobori Meruto Saunzu」
Release Date: July 16th, 2022
Duration: 80 mins.
Director: Kahori Higashi
Writer: Kahori Higashi, Yuichi Nagatsuma (Screenplay),
Starring: xiangyu, Keiichi Suzuki, Amon Hirai, Umeno Uno, Tadashi Sakata,
It plays tonight at K’s Cinema in Shinjuku and it’s a great watch that will move you to laughter and tears. Here’s my interview with director Kahori Higashi and a review of the film.
Synopsis from OAFF: An unexpected winter adventure happens for Koto (played by rising musician xiangyu), a young woman taking a solo getaway trip at her grandmother’s former home in the countryside, for when she arrives, she finds an old man named Take (SUZUKI Keiichi) has taken up residence in the garden and that he is recording the sounds of everyday life on cassette tapes and burying them in the ground to create a “sound tomb.” From dogs barking to washing machines whirring, the old man collects sounds and while a normal person might end up calling a relative or the police to mediate, this is a MOOSIC LAB film where music and a truly tear-inducing twist based on mortality lurk beneath the quirky set-up. From the old-fashioned house to the nostalgia-inducing pre-digital way of life that takes place on screen, the film is laced with a certain comfort, especially as the connections between the characters warms the atmosphere to make this a truly charming and moving experience.
Kingdom 2 Haru Kanaru Daichi e 
キングダム2 遥かなる大地へ 「Kingudamu 2 Haru Kanaru Daichi e」
Running Time: 134 mins.
Release Date: July 15th, 2022
Director: Shinsuke Sato
Writer: Tsutomu Kuroiwa (Screenplay), Yasuhisa Hara (Manga/Screenplay)
Starring: Kento Yamazaki, Ryo Yoshizawa, Nana Seino, Kanna Hashimoto, Amane Okayama, Etsushi Toyokawa, Hiroshi Tamaki, Takao Osawa, Koichi Sato, Kiyohiko Shibukawa,
Shinsuke Sato is an action movie director who you may have heard of thanks to live-action versions of multiple manga like Gantz, I Am a Hero, and Inuyashiki. He tackles a historical epic with the Kingdom franchise which is set in Qin Dynasty China during the warring states period.
Synopsis: Where the central protag, Shin (Kento Yamazaki), a war orphan, meets a young king named Eisei (Ryo Yoshizawa) and gets involved with the man’s plan to unify all of China after being ousted from his throne by his brother’s coup d’etat. Shin succeeds in regaining Eisei’s throne but not even six months pass when the neighbouring Wei Dynasty begins its invasion of Qin…
OLD DAYS 
Release Date: July 16th, 2022
Duration: 54 mins.
Director: Nobushige Suematsu
Writer: Nobushige Suematsu
Starring: Haruki Kono, Tetsuya Oda, Yuya Okutsu
Nobushige Suematsu was born in 1983 in Tokyo and started his career in the film industry as an actor. He has appeared in numerous films, theatre productions, commercials and artist’s PVs, including Babel and Tokyo Vice. This is his second work and it was screened at Kanazawa Film Festival 2019. It won the Audience Award at the Pia Film Festival 2019.
Synopsis: Kazuya is one of three former bikers are drawn back together in Saitama on the anniversary of their friend’s death. Their reconnection reminds them of their former youthful behaviour…
Goodbye, Band Apartment 
さよなら、バンドアパート 「Sayonara, Bando Aba-to」
Release Date: July 15th, 2022
Duration: 97 mins.
Director: Keiji Miyano
Writer: Keiji Miyano (Script), Takuro Hirai (Original Story),
Starring: Yukichi Seike, Misato Morita, Ayaka Umeda, Jun Matsuo, Takemasa Ono, Yu Uemura, Akari Takaishi, Naoto Takenaka,
This has been adapted from the novel of the same title written by Takuro Hirai, vocalist and guitarist for the three-piece rock band juJoe.
Synopsis: Kawashima is a kid in Osaka who wants to be a musician. An encounter with a young woman named Yuri encourages him but even after making his debut, the going is tough…
Sweet Bitter Candy 
スウィートビターキャンディ 「Sui-to Bita- Kyandi」
Release Date: July 15th, 2022
Duration: 105 mins.
Director: Yutaro Nakamura
Writer: Yutaro Nakamura (Script),
Starring: An Ogawa, Hoshi Ishida, Shunsuke Tanaka, Kurumi Shimizu, Yuya Matsuura,
I saw Sweet Bitter Candy at Osaka Asian Film Festival 2021. It was one of two films that Yutaro Nakamura had at the fest, the other being A New Wind Blows (2021). You can read my interview with Yutaro Nakamura about that film.
Synopsis: The bittersweet heart of a high school girl is on full display in this drama as we see her swaying innocently between being a child and an adult.
Life is gentle for Sanae (OGAWA An) since she comes from a rich family and lives a life of luxury and stability. Attending an all-girl’s school further shields her from the outside world and so what she knows best are her kind and funny friends and family. Things change when her father hires a quiet guy named Yusuke (ISHIDA Hoshi) to be a housekeeper and the two of them begin to connect. Just as Yusuke seems to be becoming part of the family and Sanae’s thoughts become consumed with him, one of her father’s employees, an unscrupulous guy named YAMASHITA (TANAKA Shunsuke), begins to investigate him for his own ends, and discovers something about his past which causes a split that leaves Sanae caught between her first love and YAMASHITA’s predatory advances…
Eternal of Link Mirai e 
Eternal of link 未来へ 「Eternal of Link Mirai e」
Release Date: July 16th, 2022
Duration: 57 mins.
Director: Katsunori Haruta
Writer: Yumi Hitose (Script), Katsunori Haruta (Original Story),
Starring: Natsumi Ishizaki, Rin Hazuki, Keaton Yamada, Take Fujimoto, Mizuki Tsuruoka, Yuuta Ito,
Synopsis: Natsu Iwasaki was born in Echizen City, a place famous for its papercraft. Her grandfather is a washi craftsman and she stands to inherit the trade from him. This could provide a path in life because her work in a Tokyo art college has stalled and she has lost her confidence. When her grandfather breaks his arm, natsu returns to Echizen to help him and learns from the old man. Meanwhile, Natsu’s younger sister also arrives, an idol fleeing a scandal back in Tokyo.
Gekijouban Aikatsu Planet! 
劇場版アイカツプラネット！ 「Gekijouban Aikatsu Puranetto!」
Release Date: July 15th, 2022
Duration: N/A
Director: Ryuichi Kimura
Writer: Misuzu Chiba (Script), Bandai (Original Concept),
Starring: Kaaya Date, Rio Ogura, Rion Watanabe, Narumi Uno, Mizuki, Shizune Nagao, Amy, Rurika Uno, Sayaka Akimoto,
Aikatsu Planet! is a franchise with a live-action and animated side. The focus is on girls who are idols in the virtual world.
Synopsis: Mao Otoha studies at Seirei Private High School and is active as the top idol Hana in Aikatsu Planet! She is busier than ever after winning so much acclaim and so she wants to give something back to the fans and she launches the “Aikatsu Planet! Gratitude Festival”.
Aikatsu! 10th Story ~Mirai e no Starway~ 
アイカツ！ 10th STORY 未来へのSTARWAY 「 Aikatsu! 10th Story ~Mirai e no Starway~ 」
Release Date: July 15th, 2022
Duration: N/A
Director: Ryuichi Kimura
Writer: Yoichi Kato (Screenplay), Bandai (Original Concept)
Starring: Ayaka Ohashi (Ran Shibuki), Azusa Tadokoro (Aoi Kiriya), Shino Shimoji (Akari Ozora), Sumire Morohoshi (Ichigo Hoshimiya),
Animation Production: Bandai Namco Pictures
The film project re-edits all 24 episodes of the television anime, but also add new sequences and new characters. The first film, Kimi no Ressha wa Seizon Senryaku (Your Train Is the Survival Strategy), opened on Friday.
Synopsis: The Aikatsu! TV anime continues in this story where Mao Otoha, an ordinary first-year student at Seirei High School, becomes the #1 idol Hana Her role as the avatar Hana is a secret to everyone else. Meanwhile, Ichigo Hoshimiya, a third-year student, and other seniors are thinking about their future paths as graduation approaches.