Happy Weekend
Ten Japanese films get released this weekend so I’ve split this trailer post into two parts with five titles each. Come back tomorrow for more trailers!
What are the first batch of films released this weekend?
Goodbye, Bad Magazines 
グッドバイ、バッドマガジンズ 「Guddobai, Maddo Magajinzu」
Release Date: October 28th, 2022
Duration: 95 mins.
Director: Shoichi Yokoyama
Writer: Shoichi Yokoyama, Kensuke Yamamoto, Nobumitsu Miyajima (Script),
Starring: Nanase Iwai, Seina Kasugai, Yosuke Nishi, Shinsuke Kato, Great Gidayu, Yuni Akino,
This film draws upon interviews with many people involved in sexual media and depicts their reality, most notably the struggles of working during a publishing slump caused by the rise of electronic media, the removal of adult magazines from convenience stores following the decision to host the Tokyo Olympics, and the effects of the spread of COVID-19.
This was originally released in October last year and it is getting a re-release.
Synopsis: A young woman named Shiori breaks into the magazine industry as she had always dreamed but it isn’t her ideal publication, a fashion magazine, but a publisher of erotica for men. Finding herself surrounded by salacious stories, saucy pics, and louche writers, editors, and more, it seems like a challenge but Shiori digs deep and develops an interest in erotica that she uses to hone her writing talent. Then she gets a really big challenge.
Aikatsu! 10th STORY ~Mirai e no STARWAY~ (2023 Movie) 
アイカツ！ 10th STORY 未来へのSTARWAY 「Aikatsu! 10th STORY ~Mirai e no STARWAY~ (movie 2023)」
Release Date: January 20th, 2023
Duration: 72 mins
Director: Ryuichi Kimura
Writer: Yoichi Kato (Screenplay), Bandai Namco (Original Creator)
Starring: Sumire Morohoshi (Ichigo Hoshimiya), Asami Seto (Shion Kamiya), Ayaka Ohashi (Ran Shibuki), Azusa Tadokoro (Aoi Kiriya), Miyono Yasuno (Sakura Kitaoji), Yui Ishikawa (Hinaki Shinjo), Minako Kotobuki (Mizuki Kanzaki),
Animation Production: Bandai Namco Pictures
This is a sequel/continuation to a short film released in July 2021.
Synopsis: Ichigo Hoshimiya, Aoi Kiriya, and Ran Shibuki are all third-year students at Starlight Academy High School, the place to be when it comes to learning the art of idoling. With graduation comes a live performance and it is there that they will reveal what paths they will take in the future.
SSSS.GRIDMAN Movie Compilation 
劇場総集編 SSSS.GRIDMAN 「Gekijou Soushuuhen SSSS.GRIDMAN」
Release Date: January 20th, 2023
Duration: 121 mins
General Director: Akira Amemiya, Director: Yoshiyuki Kaneko,
Writer: Keiichi Hasegawa (Screenplay),
Starring: Yuuya Hirose (Yuta Hibiki), Hikaru Midorikawa (Gridman), Soma Saito (Shou Utssumi), Yume Miyamoto (Rikka Takarada), Reina Ueda (Akane Shinjou),
Animation Production: Trigger
This is the first in a run of movies that take advantage of Studio Trigger’s collaboration with Tsuburaya Productions (Ultraman etc.). Both of the TV anime SSSS.GRIDMAN and SSSS.Dynazenon are getting compilation movies ahead of a new film released later this year. This one is billed as reconstructed in such a way that it can be regarded as a new interpretation.
Synopsis: In the town of Tsutsujidai, high schooler Yuta Hibiki awakens with amnesia and the ability to see things that others cannot. First it is a giant hero named Gridman in the reflection of his friend Rikka Takarada’s computer. Next it is a giant monster looming overhead. After the monster attacks and Yuta is pulled him within the computer and transforms into the giant hero named Gridman. Yuta and two of his classmates band together to save the world from giant monsters.
Soukyuu no Fafner: Behind the Line 
蒼穹のファフナー BEHIND THE LINE 「Soukyuu no Fafuna- BEHIND THE LINE」
Release Date: January 20th, 2023
Duration: 54 mins
Director: Takashi Noto,
Writer: Tow Ubukata (Screenplay),
Starring: Kohei Kiyasu (Soushi Minashiro), Makoto Ishii (Kazuki Makabe), Marika Matsumoto (Maya Tomi), Sanae Kobayashi (Kanon Hazama), Emi Shinohara (Chizuru Tomi),
Animation Production: Production I.G
A spin-off of the Tow Ubukata anime series Soukyu no Fafner. It takes place after the Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor: Heaven and Earth film and before the Soukyuu no Fafner: EXODUS TV series.
Synopsis: Ikki Makabe and his best friend Soji Minashiro pilot the humanoid robot weapons named Fafners and fight against alien enemies named Festum. This episode, however, reunites the cast of the last film, some of whom will die in the later instalment.
Bad City 
Release Date: January 20th, 2023
Duration: 80 mins.
Director: Kensuke Sonomura
Writer: OZAWA (Screenplay),
Starring: Hitoshi Ozawa, Mitsu Dan, Akane Sakanoue, Taro Suwa, Arisa Matsunaga, Tak Sakaguchi, Lily Franky,
Kensuke Sonomura, action/stunt director. Actor in The Machine Girl and director of Hydra. He helms a film written, executive-produced, and starring Hitoshi Ozawa, a veteran of V-Cinema, movies, TV dramas, and variety shows – he has appeared in Miike movies as well as Kitano ones. This project was made to commemorate Ozawa’s 60th birthday. Action film fans on Twitter went crazy over this, especially for its mass brawl involving lots of people.
Synopsis: Kaiko City aka CRIME CITY, is set to explode when the head of the Sakurada clan is murdered by a Korean gang. There’s the involvement of a big businessman who wants to run for mayor and he is prepared to kill to fulfil his ambition of taking a top job. A former police captain serving time for murder, is sprung from jail by the Public Prosecutors Office in order to join a special task force to arrest the villain.