Happy Weekend
This is the first of a two-part trailer post so come back tomorrow for more.
Well, I’m moving from playing my PS Vita to a Nintendo 3DS to finally play (a decade after purchasing them on release) Project X Zone I & II, Bravely Default, and Fire Emblem Awakening.
I really enjoyed Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and will return to it on and off and I still have a few PS Vita games and plenty of PSP games to go back through so I’ll keep the consoles handy but in safe storage. Also, I’m finishing off unfinished X-Box games like Silent Hill 4 before packing them and the console away safely.
That’s enough game talk, on to the films!
All Summer Long 
明ける夜に 「Akeru yoru ni」
Release Date: August 18th, 2023
Duration: 95 mins.
Director: Yuki Horiuchi
Writer: Yuki Horiuchi (Script),
Starring: Ryo Igarashi, Taku Yamanobe, Ayano Hanazumi, Kimi Sarue, Riho Toshio, 
Yuki Horiuchi came to attention when his 2021 film Fuckin Spring Has Come won the Audience Award and the Jury’s Special Award at Tokyo Student Film Festival 2021.
This film is a fine ensemble piece taking place over the night from August 31st to September 1st. It was featured at Skip City D-Cinema Festival and the Tokyo Student Film Festival. It is playing at as part of the Tanabe-Benkei Film Festival Selection 2023 that is running at select cinemas.
Theatre Shinjuku: August 04th-24th
Cine Libre Umeda: September 01st-07th
Synopsis: Yamanobe and Kimi are students whose scheduled job interview has been suddenly postponed. Shuichi calls Rinko, the former manager of his baseball team, in the hope of meeting her. Kento and Kyoko work together as part-timers at a convenience store. In a town near the sea, three pairs of young people face the end of summer over an unforgettable night.
SAND LAND 
サンドランド 「Sando Rando 」
Release Date: August 18th, 2023
Duration: 106 mins
Director: Tashihisa Yokoshima
Writer: Hayashi Mori (Screenplay), Akira Toriyama (Original Creator)
Starring: Mutsumi Tamura (Beelzebub), Akio Otsuka (Satan), Chafurin (King), Cho (Thief), Hiroyuki Yoshino (Shark), Kazuhiro Yamaji (Rao),
Animation Production: Sunrise, Kamikaze Douga, Anima
This is the anime movie adaptation of a manga by Akira Toriyama (Dragon Ball). It won the special jury mention in the best animated feature film category at Fantasia International Film Festival 2023.
Synopsis: In a desolate desert wasteland called Sand Land, humans and demons alike are short on water because the king and his army have a monopoly on it and charges too much. Prince Beezlebub, the demon Shifu, who is an expert thief and a knowledgeable chaperone, and Rao, a human sheriff with a strong sense of justice, set out into the vast desert to find the elusive Phantom Lake.
The IDOLM@STER Million Live! First Act 
アイドルマスター ミリオンライブ！ 第1幕 「Aidoru Masuta- Mirion Raibu! Dai 1-maku 」
Release Date: August 18th, 2023
Duration: 93 mins
Director: Shinya Watada
Writer: Yoichi Kato (Screenplay), Akira Toriyama (Original Creator)
Starring: Haruka Yamazaki (Mirai Kasuga), Azusa Tadokoro (Shizuka Mogami), Aimi (Julia), Akari Harashima (Iku Nakatani), Arisa Kori (Kaori Sakuramori), Asuka Kakumoto (Elena Shimabara), Atsuki Nakamura (Roko),
Animation Production: Shirogumi Inc.
This is the first of a three-part theatrical run of the TV anime which will air in October. The first part of the theatrical release will run from August 18th to September 07th. The second part will run from September 08th to September 28th, and the final part will run from September 29th to October 19th.
Synopsis: Junior high schooler Mirai Kasuga becomes inspired to become an idol when she sees a live performance by the idol group “765PRO ALLSTARS” and meets Shizuka Mogami, a girl who is in the same grade as her, and has been an idol since she was a child.
1.4BILLION 
明ける夜に 「Ninchisho to Ikiru Kibo no Shohosen」
Release Date: August 18th, 2023
Duration: 107 mins.
Director: Kazuyuki Nozawa
Writer: N/A
Starring: Keiichiro Asao, Akira Amari, Shinjiro Koizumi, Taro Kono, Shinzo Abe,
Synopsis: This is a documentary about Keiichiro Asao. He was the last leader of the short-lived “Everybody’s Party,” which returned the 1.4 billion yen in party funds left over from its dissolution of the party to the national government. Audiences watch Asao’s election campaign in Kanagawa and his work as a member of the House of Councillors and his political ties to the LDP.
Okashiratsuki 
尾かしら付き。 「Okashiratsuki」
Release Date: August 18th, 2023
Duration: 82 mins.
Director: Mikiya Sanada
Writer: Satoko Okazaki (Screenplay), Mizu Sahara (Original Manga)
Starring: Gaku Sano, Rina Takeda, Eito Konishi, Ayaka Oohira, Mai Shinuchi,
Synopsis: Nachi Hiyama is in her junior high school’s softball club but gets sunburnt easily and so she has developed a pale skin complex. Although popular with boys, she rejects them all except Utsumi Kaisei. He has a pig-like tail and shares feelings of alienation similar to Nachi.
Oji-san, Gekidan Hajimemashita 
オジさん、劇団始めました。 「Oji-san, Gekidan Hajimemashita」
Release Date: August 18th, 2023
Duration: 124 mins.
Director: Hiroki Yamamoto
Writer: Hiroki Yamamoto (Screenplay),
Starring: Ikkei Yamamoto, Kyosuke Yabe, Ayane, Kazuya Tanabe, Himena Tsukimiya,
Synopsis: An ordinary salaryman named Takumi is facing retirement and being with a family he doesn’t communicate easily with. He starts a theatre troupe after meeting an actor and falling under his charm.