Welcome to the Trailer Post
This is the first of a two-parter and it features anime and major releases. Come back tomorrow for more.
It’s coming up to Halloween and I’ve got two Japanese films ready to roll that are very season appropriate. My viewing habits have been entirely Halloween themed with horror films every day. I completed the Phantasm series and moved on to some Steven King adaptations and some Gegege no Kitaro.
What are the first batch of new Japanese films released this week?
Ai ni Inazuma 
愛にイナズマ 「Ai ni Inazuma」
Release Date: October 27th, 2023
Duration: 140 mins.
Director: Yuya Ishii
Writer: Yuya Ishii (Screenplay),
Starring: Maayu Matsuoka, Masataka Kubota, Koichi Sato, Sosuke Ikematsu, Ryuya Wakaba, Taiga Nakano,
A star-studded line-up of Mayu Matsuoka (The Kirishima Thing), Masataka Kubota (Home Sweet Home), Koichi Sato (Okiku and the World, Starfish Hotel), Sosuke Ikematsu (The Tokyo Night Sky is Always the Densest Shade of Blue), Ryuya Wakaba (Over the Town), and Taiga Nakano (All the Things We Never Said) are cast in Yuya Ishii’s offbeat rom-com full of painfully tight family ties. The above list features some of the best dramas produced by Japan – two of which were directed by Ishii, himself.
Synopsis: Hanako Orimura has always held the dream of directing films and as she has just hit 26, it seems to be on the verge of coming true. Things get even better when she meets and falls for a handsome man named Masao and he reflects her passion. HOWEVER! A shady producer wrecks her movie deal and that leaves Hanako down in the dumps. She returns to her family with Masao in tow as he vows to help her regain her dream!
Six Singing Women 
唄う六人の女 「Utau Rokunin no Onna」
Release Date: October 27th, 2023
Duration: 112 mins.
Director: Yoshimasa Ishibashi
Writer: Yoshimasa Ishibashi, Yosuke Otani (Screenplay),
Starring: Yutaka Takenouchi, Takayuki Yamada, Asami Mizukawa, Aoi Yamada, Minori Hagiwara, Momoka, Rena Takeda, Misaki Hattori,
Yutaka Takenouchi (three films out this year) and Takayuki Yamada (MILOCRORZE – A Love Story, Hard-Core) portray characters who find themselves in a village populated by beautiful women played by the likes of Asami Mizukawa (A Beloved Wife, Fuku-chan of Fukufuku Flats) and Rena Takeda (Poetry Angel). There’s gotta be a catch… READ ON!
Synopsis: Kayajima and Uwajima are both heading to Kayajima’s father’s house high up in the mountains upon hearing of the old man’s death. Kayashima will be a major part of the funeral while Kayajima is expecting news on inheriting land. They get into an accident. When they wake up, they find themselves in a beautiful village populated by six beautiful, and mysterious women, each of whom has a strange and somewhat disturbing personality. Are the men captive or…?
Takarazuka Review Cinema “1789 Lovers of the Bastille” Limited Screening 
タカラヅカ・レビュー・シネマ「1789 バスティーユの恋人たち」リミテッド上映 「Takarazuka Rebyu- Shinema “1789 Baudei-yu no Koibito-tachi” Rimiteddo Joei」
Release Date: October 27th, 2023
Duration: 158 mins.
Director: Shuichiro Koike
Writer: Yoshimasa Ishibashi, Yosuke Otani (Screenplay),
Starring: Makoto Rei, Hitomi Maisora, Yuria Seo, Chisei Akatsuki, Natsu Shirotae,
Synopsis: The this is a recording of Takarazuka Revue’s 2023 performance of the hit rock musical “1789: Lovers of Bastille” by Dove Attia and Albert Cohen.
Koibito no Mitsukekatta 
こいびとのみつけかた 「Koibito no Mitsukekatta」
Release Date: October 27th, 2023
Duration: 99 mins.
Director: Koji Maeda
Writer: Ryo Takada (Screenplay),
Starring: Yuki Kura, Haruka Imou, Yohta Kawase, Eita Okuno, Riho Takada, Airi Matsui,
Koji Maeda, director of off-beat rom-com You’re Not Normal, Either returns with another offbeat rom-com. This one features stellar actor Haruka Imou (Soiree).
Synopsis: Twa is a gardener and Sonoko works at a convenience store and lives in an abandoned factory where she makes sculptures. They may have different jobs but they are both eccentric and that gives them something in common. The two communicate with their own with unique conversations that the people around them cannot understand. However, Sonoko has a secret that might take her away from Toi…
Jitaku de Arigatou. Sayounara 
自宅でありがとう。さようなら 「Jitaku de Arigatou. Sayounara」
Release Date: October 27th, 2023
Duration: 89 mins.
Director: Takanori Matsuoka
Writer: Takanori Matsuoka (Screenplay), Yoshiyuki Takai (Original Story),
Starring: Kanji Tsuda, Yoko Hoshi, Shuichi Mine, Natsuko Fuji, Kota Yoshikawa,
Synopsis: Three generations of men experience the issue of home elderly care. It starts when patriarch Tsunezo becomes bedridden and his family, including his son, Yoshiaki, start taking care of the old man. Years pass and Yoshiaki’s own son, Takayoshi, has become used to the daily care routines. The memories of time spent together playing sports and going to restaurants come to each person as Tsunezo moves into the last phase of his life.
Digimon Adventure 02 THE BEGINNING 
デジモンアドベンチャー02 THE BEGINNING 「Dejimon Adobencha- 02 THE BEGINNING」
Release Date: October 27th, 2023
Running Time: 80 mins.
Director: Tomohisa Taguchi
Writer: Akatsuki Yamatoya (Screenplay), Akiyoshi Hongo (Original Creator),
Voice Actors: Arthur Lounsbery (Ken Ichijouji), Ayaka Asai (Miyako Inoue), Fukujurō Katayama (Daisuke Motomiya), Junya Enoki (Takeru Takaishi), MAO (Hikari Yagami), Miwa Matsumoto (Patamon), Yuka Tokumitsu (Tailmon), Miwa Matsumoto (Patamon), Rie Kugimiya (Ukkomon),
Animation Production: Toei Animation
Synopsis: This anime film is set in the year 2012, ten years after Daisuke Motomiya and the other “chosen children” had their great adventure. They have grown up and are still bonded with their partner Digimon. A new adventure begins with the appearance of a giant Digimon and a mysterious boy named Rui, the so-called “Chosen Child,” the first of many?
The IDOLM@STER Shiny Colors 
アイドルマスター シャイニーカラーズ 「Aidoru Masuta- Shaini- Kara-zu 」
Release Date: October 27th, 2023
Duration: 92 mins
Director: Mankyuu
Writer: Yoichi Kato (Screenplay),
Starring: Hitomi Sekine (Mano Sakuragi), Akiho Suzumoto (Natsuha Arisugawa), Anna Yamaki (Sakuya Shirase), Honoka Kuroki (Amana Ōsaki), Mayu Mineda (Meguru Hachimiya),
Animation Production: Polygon Pictures
This is the first of a three-part movie adaptation of a TV anime that will premiere in spring 2024. Each film will cover four episodes.
Synopsis: Sakuragi is 16 and has chosen to become an idol. She joinsthe entertainment agency 283 (Tsubasa) Productions, where she makes friends.