Welcome to the first trailer post of the week.
Another one will follow tomorrow.
I’m still grinding on Bravely Default to the point that I have reached level 50 midway through chapter one and I have near end-game weaponry. My reason for doing so much grinding is to reach a level high enough where I can just play with the classes and not be too concerned about enemy attacks. While it takes the tension out of a battle, it allows room for fun experimentation and to run through the game as quickly as I like. I only play 30 minutes a day, anyway…
What are the first films released this weekend?
Gekijouban Murder Mystery – Tantei Madarame Misuo no Jikenbo 
劇場版 マーダー★ミステリー 探偵・斑目瑞男の事件簿 鬼灯村伝説 呪いの血 「Gekijouban Ma-da- Mystery – Tantei Madarame Misuo no Jikenbo」
Release Date: February 16th, 2024
Duration: 103 mins.
Director: Mugi Mitsuoka
Writer: Jin Watanabe (Screenplay),
Starring: Gekidan Hitori, Ayame Goriki, Ryo Kimura, Atsuhiro Inukai, Ayane, Rie Kitahara, Sayuri Matsumura,
Website Twitter: @MadarameMisuo
This is the movie version of the TV drama series “Murder Mystery” which is, in turn, based on the same-named game whereby players take on the role of characters from a mystery novel and discuss their way to solving a case. For the film, the cast were given characters and allowed to improvise much of their dialogue.
Synopsis: It is said that the dead can be revived in the village of Onikoro. All it takes is dripping blood from three sacrifices during the “Three Head Festival.” In the lead-up to the night, a landslide blocks off access to the village. On the night, the village chief is found dead. Since the police won’t be around any time soon, it is down to the people at the location to resolve matters. Each has their own motive for murder…
Gekijouban Haikyu!! Gomi Suteba no Kessen 
劇場版ハイキュー!! ゴミ捨て場の決戦 「 Gekijouban Haikyu!! Gomi Suteba no Kessen」
Release Date: February 16th, 2024
Duration: 85 mins
Director: Susumu Mitsunaka
Writer: Susumu Mitsunaka (Screenplay), Haruichi Furudate (Original Creator),
Starring: Ayumu Murase (Shouyou Hinata), Kaito Ishikawa (Tobio Kageyama), Hiroshi Kamiya (Ittetsu Takeda), Kaori Nazuka (Kiyoko Shimizu), Kouki Uchiyama (Kei Tsukishima), Miyu Irino (Koushi Sugawara), Nobuhiko Okamoto (Yuu Nishinoya),
Animation Production: Production I.G
Website Twitter: @animehaikyu_com ANN MAL
This is the first of a two-part movie adaptation that runs under the name Decisive Battle at the Garbage Dump when translated.
Synopsis: Karasuno High School’s volleyball team takes on Nekoma High School. It is a case of cats (Neko) vs crows (Karasu)! Their match is known as the “Battle of the Garbage Dump” because of the names of the schools but it’s okay because they are good friends, not that being friends will stop them from having a fierce fight!
WILL 
Release Date: February 16th, 2024
Duration: 140 mins.
Director: Elizabeth Miyaji
Writer: N/A
Starring: Masahiro Higashide, Bunsho Hattori, Tatsuya Abe, Ryuichi Ishikawa, GOMA, KOM I, Tatsuya Mori,
Website Twitter: @WILL_movie0216
Synopsis: This documentary follows actor Masahiro Higashide into the wilderness as he goes hunting and deals with internal conflict. He roughs it, eating the animals he kills and interacting with the locals he meets. Rap group MOROHA score/appear in the film, as do other famous faces that Higashide has acted alongside.
Nothing New – NN4444 
Release Date: February 16th, 2024
Duration: 81 mins.
Director: Natsuki Nakagawa, Keisuke Sakuma, Takuya Miyahara,
Writer: N/A
Starring: An Ogawa, Ryusei Isoda, Uri Suzuki, Erika Osanai, Natsuko, Hiroto Ooshita,
Synopsis: Four horror shorts from four up-and-coming directors have been put together. One of them, Void, was at this year’s Rotterdam International Film Festival:
Release Date: 2024
Duration: 24 mins.
Director: Yusuke Iwasaki
Writer: N/A
Starring: Maru Nouchi, Mizuki Oishi, Kaho Ito, Rika,
Yusuke Iwasaki attended Keio University’s Faculty of Literature before moving on to film. He has earned awards in advertising and now makes his fiction film debut with Void (2024).
Synopsis: In this psychological horror, high schooler Asagi finds herself descending into madness when her friend Satake suddenly dies in a strange way and an eerie atmosphere swallows her up, all while her classmates simply continue their everyday routines.
This Hamburger Has No Pickles 
このハンバーガー、ピクルス忘れてる。 「Kono Hanba-ga-, Pikurusu Wareteru.」
Release Date: February 16th, 2024
Duration: 140 mins.
Director: Satoshi Kimura
Writer: Satoshi Kimura (Screenplay),
Starring: Amon Hirai, Ruka Ishikawa, Futaba Mori, Marupi, Miyuu Teshima, Ayumu Nakajima,
Amon Hirai and Ruka Ishikawa have been steadily racking up credits in indie cinema. Hirai has appeared in numerous works, ranging from low-low-budget indies like For Rei (2019) to more popular works like On the Edge of Their Seats (2020). Ishikawa made a big intro with colorless (2020) and has recently appeared in the well-regarded mystery drama Ichiko (2023).
Both actors have appeared in Satoshi Kimura films in the past. His film, Take Me to Another Planet (2023) was released a month ago. In 2022, his film, There Is a Landing on the Stairs was released and Hirai was in that one, for example. Then there was Clingy Girlfriend (2018). Anyway, various characters from his past films rock up in this one.
Synopsis: We follow the foiled love of Senpai. A Ferris wheel might seem like a romantic place for a confession of love but imagine being trapped in a cabin with a person who rejects you. Well, that’s what happens to Senpai when he reveals his feelings to Aki. It gets worse when he gets off and confesses his feelings to Nacchan at his workplace. It doesn’t stop there as he meets a girl at a bar…
Coffee White 
コーヒーはホワイトで 「Ko-hi- wa Howaito de」
Release Date: February 16th, 2024
Duration: 100 mins.
Director: Kazuhiro Okayama
Writer: Yoshiyuki Morita (Screenplay),
Starring: Konatsu Kato, Masao Yoshii, Yuuki Ikushima, Mayumi Ono, Ayako Omura,
Website Twitter: @coffeewhite2024
Synopsis: Yumiko and Goro run an old-fashioned coffee shop named “Moa.” As well as brewing up coffee, they solve crimes as it doubles as a detective agency. Their ace investigator is Monako, a part-timer at the place. She goes to the aid of the owner of a high-class club who is having trouble with a customer and when she resolves the issue, more customers emerge.
Shimokita Blazer 
シモキタブレイザー 「Shimokita Bureiza-」
Release Date: February 16th, 2024
Duration: 71 mins.
Director: Kozo Ando
Writer: Kenzo Kaga, Anthony Koyaji (Screenplay),
Starring: Kazuto Ando, Ryunosuke Akana, Ken Aoki, Naoto Kuratomi, Keitoku Ito,
Website Twitter: @KozoAndo_film
Synopsis: Shimokitazawa is the scene of multiple crimes and car chases that all start when a tattoo artist named KEN needs to pay for his dog’s surgery. Selling marijuana grown by his partner SMOKY won’t cut it and so the two take on dodgy deals from the internet, such as stealing a legendary record. Said record is the legendary “Shimokita Blazer” and many people want it, including the villainous owner of the jewellery store and the police…