We’re Almost at the Weekend (I prefer weekdays, actually)
After watching Epic Name Bro play through Vagrant Story on Twitch, I’ve got a hankering to play it again and do a dagger run. As I’ve written previously, I really, really like the game.
Actually, I’ve got the urge to play the PS Vita – Muramasa, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Tactics Ogre, Final Fantasy Tactics, Parasite Eve, Breath of Fire IV… So many good games.
What are the first batch of films released this weekend?
Bad Lands 
BAD LANDS バッド・ランズ 「BADDO RANZU 」
Release Date: September 29th, 2023
Duration: 143 mins.
Director: Masato Harada
Writer: Masato Harada (Screenplay), Hiroyuki Kurokawa (Original Novel)
Starring: Sakura Ando, Ryosuke Yamada, Katsuhiko Namase, Mitsuo Yoshihara, Noriko Eguchi,
This is the latest film directed, written, and produced by Masato Harada (Kamikaze Taxi).
Synopsis: Neri is a con woman who helps run phone scams in Osaka. When her younger half-brother Joe returns from prison, Neri convinces her boss to hire him. Where she is smart and resilient, he’s violent and a loose cannon and it isn’t long before Joe ropes her into a dangerous plan that sees them make off with millions of yen and bad guys on their tails.
The IDOLM@STER Million Live! Third Act 
アイドルマスター ミリオンライブ！ 第3幕 「Aidoru Masuta- Mirion Raibu! Dai 3-maku 」
Release Date: September 08th, 2023
Duration: 96 mins
Director: Shinya Watada
Writer: Yoichi Kato (Screenplay),
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 third of a three-part theatrical run of the 12-episode TV anime which will air in October. The first part of the theatrical release ran 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.
The Silent Service 
沈黙の艦隊 「Chinmoku no Kantai 」
Release Date: September 29th, 2023
Duration: 143 mins.
Director: Kohei Yoshino
Writer: Hikaru Takai (Screenplay), Kaiji Kawaguchi (Original Manga)
Starring: Takao Osawa, Hiroshi Tamaki, Aya Ueta, Yui Natsukawa, Asami Mizukawa,
This is a live-action adaptation of a manga that was serialized in Kodansha’s weekly comic magazine “Morning” from 1988 to 1996. Looks a bit The Hunt for Red October but with bad CG.
Synopsis: Japan and America worked together to create a new nuclear submarine. It is crewed by Japanese submariners, all of whom were assumed to have died in a submarine accident. Their captain, Kaieda, hijacks his new ship, which should be under American command, and makes off with nuclear weapons. This betrayal makes him public enemy number one for the Americans who try to hunt him and his sub down. Meanwhile, a diesel submarine from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force is also on the hunt for Kaieda. It is commanded by Hiroshi Fukamachi and he has extraordinary feelings for Kaieda.
Kon Kon 
こん、こん。 「Kon, Kon.」
Release Date: September 29th, 2023
Duration: 98 mins.
Director: Hatsuki Yokoo
Writer: Kaori Fujii (Screenplay),
Starring: Kenshin Endo, Miu Shiota, Akira100%, Ayu Mori, Haruka Nakayama, Ryushin,
A sad love story shot entirely in Nagasaki Prefecture.
Synopsis: Kensei is a rational guy while his classmate Umi is more driven by emotions. They are an opposites-attract couple, for better and for worse…