Welcome to the second and last trailer post of this week.
Seven Japanese films have been included. There is another film, a Cinema Kabuki screening but I’m not covering that.
The previous trailer post detailed two films released on January 02nd, both documentaries but very different in terms of the subject matter. There was also an indie film and a major feature debut. I also published my Top Ten Films of 2023 at the start of 2024.
In terms of the films released this week, there’s a healthy selection that shows different sectors of the Japanese film industry. The Kyoshi Sugita release would be my highlight since I am already a fan of his work but all of them look interesting. We also have a nice crop of foreign films, the biggest being Concrete Utopia from South Korea, a disaster movie that hides social critique amidst the spectacle.
What are the films that have been released?
Kurosaki Maon THE MOVIE “Moshi Kimi ga Anohi no Boku ni Nattemo”
黒崎真音 THE MOVIE「もし君があの日の僕になっても」 「Kurosaki Maon THE MOVIE “Moshi Kimi ga Anohi no Boku ni Nattemo” 」
Release Date: January 06th, 2024
Duration: 116 mins.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
Starring: Maon Kurosaki
Synopsis: This is a documentary dedicated to the singer Maon Kurosaki. Its release originally looked shaky due to the tragic death of Kurosaki and the budget running out. Its completion and theatrical screening was the result of a crowdfunding campaign.
Maon Kurosaki is famous for being an Anisong artist and her works include High School of the Dead and A Certain Magical Index. The documentary focuses on her live performances, one from the autumn of 2021 and a concert from 2022. They are stages on her recovery after experiencing a serious medical episode. The release comes close to her birthday (January 13) and it is hoped that the film expands beyond its initial Tokyo locations. (source)
Farewell to Space Battleship Yamato: In the Name of Love 4K Remaster 
さらば宇宙戦艦ヤマト 愛の戦士たち 「Saraba Uchuu Senkan Yamato Ai no Senshi-Tachi 」
Release Date: August 05th, 1978
Duration: 151 mins
Director: Toshio Matsuda, Leiji Matsumoto
Writer: Toshio Matsuda, Hideaki Yamamoto Keisuke Fujikawa (Screenplay), Leiji Matsumoto, Yoshinobu Nishizaki (Original Creator),
Starring: Kei Tomiyama (Susumu Kodai), Youko Asagami (Yuki Mori), Akira Kamiya (Saburo Kato), Kazue Komiya (Sabera),
Animation Production: Group TAC
Website Twitter: @new_yamato_2199 ANN MAL
Hot on the heels of the remaster of the first film comes a remaster of the second film.
Synopsis: After completing their mission, the crew of the rebuilt World War II battleship Yamato have returned to earth and the ship has been decommissioned and replaced with the Andromeda, a new hi-tech vessel with a new weapon, the diffusion wave motion gun. The crew are now on escort duty for trade vessels when one of them receives a signal from an unknown planet that calls out to Earth for help. The message comes from a woman named Theresa who warns about a white comet which destroys everything in its path. The crew of the Yamato cannot wait and launch a mutiny and resurrect the Yamato to stop the comet.
The IDOLM@STER Shiny Colors Part 3 
アイドルマスター シャイニーカラーズ第3章 「Aidoru Masuta- Shaini- Kara-zu Dai San Shou 」
Release Date: January 05th, 2024
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
Website Twitter: @imassc_official ANN MAL
This is the third and final instalment of a three-part movie adaptation of a 12-episode TV anime based on a Namco Bandai idol training game. The TV anime will premiere in spring 2024. Each film covers four episodes.
Synopsis: The story depicts the struggles of new idols in four idol units that belong to the talent agency, 283 Pro.
Detective Conan vs. Kid the Phantom Thief 
名探偵コナン vs. 怪盗キッド 「 Meitantei Konan vs. Kaitou Kiddo」
Release Date: January 05th, 2024
Duration: 81 mins
Director: Junichi Miyashita
Writer: Junichi Miyashita (Screenplay), Gosho Aoyama (Original Creator),
Starring: Minami Takayama (Conan Edogawa). Kappei Yamaguchi (Kaitou Kid).
Animation Production: TMS Entertainment, Yomiuri TV, Shogakukan,
Website Twitter: @conan_movie ANN MAL
Synopsis: On April 12th, 2024, a new Detective Conan movie will be released in Japan and it features Kid, the Phantom Thief. Ahead of its release comes this special compilation film comprising re-edited footage from the Detective Conan anime in which Kid, the Phantom Thief makes appearances. Additional footage has been added. It looks like it sets up the origin story for Kid, who follows his magician father’s footsteps into the burglary trade…
BLOODY ESCAPE – Jigoku no Tosogeki 
ブラッディエスケープ ー地獄の逃走劇 「 Buraddi Esuke-pu – Jigoku no Tousougeki」
Release Date: January 05th, 2024
Duration: 81 mins
Director: Goro Taniguchi
Writer: Goro Taniguchi, Shingo Nagai (Screenplay), Goro Taniguchi (Original Creator),
Starring: Yuki Ono (Kisaragi), Reina Ueda (Lunalu), Ayaka Ohashi (Ekua), Jun Fukuyama (Zanza), Rie Takahashi (Ferres), Rina Hidaka (Em),
Animation Production: Polygon Pictures
Website Twitter: @BLOODY__ESCAPE ANN MAL
The is is a CG animation by Polygon Pictures (Blame, Knights of Sidonia) based on an original idea by Goro Taniguchi. He has directed instalments of the Code Geass franchise and also One Piece Film Red.
Synopsis: In the distant future, Tokyo is a divided magical city where vampires lurk. Kisaragi, a human experimenter turned cyborg, is being hunted by a group of vampires known as the Immortal Knights. Also on his tail are yakuza who have sworn to avenge their murdered master. It’s a good thing Kisaragi is a cyborg with all sorts of weapons and powers…