Happy Weekend
I’m going to start publishing trailer posts on Thursdays and Fridays to catch ALL OF the films as they go on release (typically Friday and Saturday) rather than missing some out because there are too many trailers to post about in one go!
Not much going on in terms of video games. Still rocking the 3DS.
What are the first batch of films released this weekend?
G-Men 
Gメン 「G Men」
Release Date: August 25th, 2023
Duration: 120 mins.
Director: Toichiro Ruto
Writer: Masato Kato, Maruichiro Maruo (Screenplay), Toshio Ozawa (Original Manga)
Starring: Yuta Kishi, Ryo Ryusei, Yuri Tsunematsu, Kengo Kora, Riho Yoshioka, Karin Ono, Kei Tanaka, Yuma Yamoto, Kaito Yoshimura,
Synopsis: Shota Kadomatsu is the new transferee at an all-boys high school. His reasons for the transfer? To find a girlfriend. How does one find a girlfriend at an all-boys high school? Well, it helps that it is located next to four all-girls high schools. Before he can get to know the fairer sex, he has to survive his new class – CLASS G! This the place where troubled kids are sent to keep them from the rest of the student body. With a rundown classroom to learn in and a uniform that announces his outcast status to wear, getting a girl will be even harder but as a member of CLASS G, he has an obligation to take on even worse kids.
Umibe no Koibito 
海辺の恋人 「Umibe no Koibito」
Release Date: August 25th, 2023
Duration: 89 mins.
Director: Shinji Imaoka
Writer: Hideki Shishido (Screenplay),
Starring: Fumika, Yuto Kobayashi, Tasuku Nagaoka, Manabu Hamada, Mai Otani,
Shinji Imaoka (Reiko and the Dolphins – Interview) has cranked a lot of films out this year already and there will be two this weekend. His latest is a love story based on his own experiences from his younger days.
Synopsis: When Yuriko and Shinji meet in a seaside town, it is love at first sight and Shinji moves into Yuriko’s place. Career troubles put a strain on their relationship as Shinji’s street performer lifestyle just isn’t working out while Yuriko’s work as a camera assistant leaves her exposed to power harassment from a cameraman. Things look like they are going to get bad but Shinji discovers a photo from when they started courting at a photo exhibition that Yuriko has organised.
Kakatte Koi Yo Sekai 
かかってこいよ世界 「Kakatte Koi Yo Sekai」
Release Date: August 25th, 2023
Duration: 80 mins.
Director: Yuki Uchida
Writer: Saki Hatanaka (Screenplay),
Starring: Ryo Sato, Daiki Hiba, Reiko Muto, Yuujin Baku, Ui Mihara,
Synopsis: Maki Hamada is an aspiring screenwriter and it makes sense since she lives with her grandfather, Shoichi, who runs a mini-theatre in Tokyo. Maki meets and falls in love with Kunihide Arai, an employee at a film distribution company. Their connection grows as Kunihide asks Shoichi to screen a film, a documentary film about Koreans living in Japan. As the event approaches, Maki learns that Kunihide is actually a third-generation Zainichi Korean and their relationship gradually changes.
Sheena & Rockets Makoto Ayukawa and his Family Ties 
シーナ＆ロケッツ 鮎川誠 ロックと家族の絆 「Shi-na & Rokettsu Ayukawa Makoto Rokku to Kazoku no Kizuna」
Release Date: August 25th, 2023
Duration: 98 mins.
Director: Itaru Terai
Writer: N/A
Starring: Makoto Ayukawa, Sheena, Yoko Ayukawa, Ryo Ishibashi, Junko Ayukawa, Yutaka Matsushige, Kengo Kora,
Synopsis: Rock musician Makoto Ayukawa, who passed away in January 2023 at the age of 74, gets this documentary about him. It is based on a work that was shown at the TBS Documentary Film Festival in March 2023 and has been re-edited for a theatrical release. It includes unseen/private footage that gives viewers an insight into Ayukawa’s life, that of his wife Sheena (who passed away in 2015) and the band they made in 1978, the work of their other family members in the band, and the gigs that Ayukawa played after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Haru ni Chiru 
春に散る 「Haru ni Chiru」
Release Date: August 25th, 2023
Duration: 98 mins.
Director: Takahisa Zeze
Writer: Takahisa Zeze, Wataru Hoshi (Screenplay), Kotaro Sawaki (Original Work)
Starring: Koichi Sato, Ryusei Yokohama, Kanna Hashimoto, Sho Aikawa, Masataka Kubota, Tomoko Yamaguchi, Shogen, Maki Sakai, Eita Okuna, Shinichiro Matsuura,
A boxing drama with a great cast that includes Koichi Sato (Starfish Hotel, Okiku and the World), Sho Aikawa (Eyes of the Spider, The Serpent’s Path), Shogen (December), Masataka Kubota (Home Sweet Home).
Synopsis: Jinichi Hirooka was a rising star in the boxing world until an unfair decision in a bout crushed his career. He moved to the US and never returned to Japan until 40 years elapsed. His return puts him in the orbit of Shogo, another boxer who has had a loss due to an unfair decision. Shogo takes out his anger on Jinichi after they encounter each other in a bar. Jinichi knocks the younger man down easily and Shogo senses that he might have a shot at greatness if he trains underneath the ageing bruiser. Jinichi puts the young man through intense training, seeing a real talent who could take on the world champion.
BE:the ONE 
春に散る 「Haru ni Chiru」
Release Date: August 25th, 2023
Duration: 104 mins.
Director: Oh Yoon-dong, Kim Ha-min
Writer: N/A
Starring: SOTA, SHUNTO, MANATO, RYUHEI, JUNON, RYOKI, LEO,
Synopsis: The seven-member group BE:FIRST get a documentary showing live performances from their earliest auditions, their first national tour and an appearance in the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen. Viewers get interviews with members and behind-the-scenes footage of their live performances, and a special performance of “Message -Acoustic Version-” shot in South Korea.