Welcome to this week’s trailer post
There will only be one
Yesterday it was announced that Akira Toriyama had passed away earlier in the month.
Like many people around the world, I grew up reading and watching his work. Dr. Slump, Dragon Ball, Sand Land. Probably, the most memorable works for me were the character/creature/machine designs for games like Dragon Quest and Chrono Trigger. The characters and creatures all had upbeat personalities that added an extra layer of fun to what might be traditional fantasy-themed RPGs. It is as simple as seeing big smiles on a club-wielding cyclops or chasing a slime with a big grin. All of his solo works that mixed sci-fi and fantasy had a weirdness to them that was wonderful to experience – dinosaurs and cyborgs in Dragon Ball etc. It is just fun being in his worlds and seeing how the characters applied themselves to overcoming obstacles is always a reminder to keep smiling and work hard.
As a tribute to Akira Toriyama, I’m going to replay Chrono Trigger and various Dragon Quest games once I have completed Bravely Default and Fire Emblem: Awakening.
I cried when I heard the news. Thank you for all of the wonderful characters and stories.
Akira Toriyama R.I.P.
This trailer post is late since I have been covering this year’s Osaka Asian Film Festival (and Glasgow with the review for Falling Into Place and interview with its director Aylin Tezel).
For OAFF, I have reviewed/interviewed:
Suton and interview with director Rikako Watanabe
On a Boat and interview with director Heso
Memories of His Scent and interview with director Kahori Higashi
Snowdrop and interview with Kota Yoshida
Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry
It Must Be Love and interview with Junko Emoto
I intend to continue with my coverage over the next few months but will be slowing down with the releases. For anyone who has read any of these pieces, thank you very much. These are filmmakers with unique works and it’s great to support them.
What are the films released this weekend?
My Home Hero 
映画 マイホームヒーロー 「Eiga Mai H-mu Hi-ro-」
Release Date: March 08th, 2024
Duration: 118 mins.
Director: Takahiro Aoyama
Writer: Susumu Funabashi (Screenplay), Naoki Yamakawa, Masashi Asaki (Original Manga),
Starring: Kuranosuke Sasaki, Tae Kimura, Asuka Saito, Kyohei Takahashi, Eisaku Yoshida, Toshiyuki Itakura,
Website Twitter: @mhh_drama_movie
This is the film version of the same-named TV drama first broadcast in 2023.
Synopsis: Tetsuo Tosu was an ordinary businessman who was married and had a daughter until he intervened in her abusive relationship with her boyfriend and killed the guy. It turned out that the no good hood was part of a crime organisation so Tetsuo had to dispose of the body and avoid detection from the police and gangsters. Seven years later, body shows up again due to a landslide and Tetsuo has to go on the run again as the gangsters want money that went missing with the body and and the guy framed for all of the crimes linked to Tetsuo are on his tail. The police are also involved and his daughter, now a cop, has her suspicions…
Eiga Shimajiro Miracle-Jima no Nanairo Carnation 
映画しまじろう「ミラクルじまの なないろカーネーション」 「Eiga Shimajiro Miracle-Jima no Nanairo Ka-ne-shon」
Release Date: March 08th, 2024
Duration: 70 mins
Director: Tomohiro Kawamura
Writer: Masumi Sugiura (Screenplay), Bennesse Corporation (Original Creator),
Starring: Omi Minami (Shimajiro Shimano), Natsumi Fujiwara (Miller), Masami Suzuki (Nyakkii Momoyama), Chafurin (Shimataro Shimano), Kikuko Inoue (Sakura Shimano), Kana Hanazawa, Maaya Sakamoto,
Animation Production: Shirogumi Inc., Heyuan Culture Media Co., Ltd.
This is the tenth Shimajiro film and the second CG one (I think). Anyway, kids are encouraged to speak and move, as the theatres where screenings take place will be a comfortable space for them.
Synopsis: Shimajiro and pals help a boy named Miller who tells him that the rainbow carnations that grant wishes which are to be found on Miracle Island have all been taken by an evil magician.
Writer: Takehiko Minato (Screenplay), Joker Sun, Pan Yi Ran (Original Series: The Bad Kids (China)),
Starring: Masaki Okada, Haru Kuroki, Jinsei Hamura, Anna Hishino, Yo Maede, Rena Matsui, Kazuki Kitamura,
Website Twitter: @goldboy_movie
Shusuke Kaneko of the Heisei Gamera Trilogy has adapted a story that first saw life in a Chinese novel before being adapted into a Chinese TV series. The setting has been moved from China to Okinawa.
Synopsis: Three boys and a girl accidentally record a man pushing his rich in-laws off a cliff. They decide to blackmail him. Things. Go. Awry…
Kamen Rider Geats: Jyamato Awakening 
仮面ライダーギーツ ジャマト・アウェイキング 「Kamen Raida- Gi-tsu Jamato Aueikingu」
Release Date: March 08th, 2024
Duration: 55 mins.
Director: Koichi Sakamoto
Writer: Takehiko Minato (Screenplay),
Starring: Hideyoshi Kan, Kazuto Mokudai, Ryuga Sato, Yuna Hoshino, Nene Shida, Kokoro Aoshima, Ayaka Namiki,
Website Twitter: @krGEATS_toei IMDB Kamen Rider Fandom
Synopsis from IMDB: Sometime has passed since Ace Ukiyo ascended as a “god” and became the overseer of the peaceful world he left behind. However a single bullet tears through that peace, and a mutant breed Jyamato appears. The appearance of this particular Jyamato is capable of causing the extinction of humanity, with no one realizing that this is the harbinger who gave rise to the God of Destruction itself, the God Jyamato. Then a white-haired Ace appears, who then transforms into Kamen Rider Dooms Geats and attacks both Tycoon and Na-Go. Just when everyone is confused, another Ace appears. Meanwhile Beroba approaches Michinaga and awakens the dormant Jyamato powers inside of him. Just what is the ominous power that this Buffa possesses? Also what is the truth behind the existence of the “two Ace Ukiyos”? As the birth of the God of Destruction approaches every moment… just what will the Kamen Riders do in order to protect this world and humanity!?
Play! Katsu Toka Makeru Toka wa, Dodemo Yokute 
PLAY! 勝つとか負けるとかは、どーでもよくて 「Play! Katsu Toka Makeru Toka wa, Dodemo Yokute」
Release Date: March 08th, 2024
Duration: 122 mins.
Director: Tomoyuki Furumaya
Writer: Tsuyoshi Sakurai (Screenplay),
Starring: Daiken Okudaira, Oji Suzuka, Rio Yamashita, Kotone Hanase, Fumiya Ogura,
Website Twitter: @play_2024_movie
Just as the video game industry melts down with massive job losses, we get the first feature film about kids striving to make it in the esports world. Prince Hiroi is credited with planning this film. He’s a long-time vet of the video game world.
Synopsis: Three students at a technical college in Tokushima Prefecture take part in a Rocket League e-sports tournament as a team in the hopes of reaching the finals of the National High School eSports Tournament in Tokyo. They have to learn to get along together but sharing their nerdy passions together will help that.
Kyouryu Chodensetsu 2 Gekijoban Darwin ga kita! 
恐竜超伝説2 劇場版ダーウィンが来た！ 「Kyoryu Chodensetsu 2 Gekijoban Da-uin ga kita!」
Release Date: March 08th, 2024
Duration: 84 mins.
Director: Kazuki Ueda
Writer: N/A
Starring: Naoki Tatsuta, Inori Minase (Narration)
Synopsis: This is the fifth film in the Darwin is Here! series and the second to be focussed on dinosaurs. It looks at what the Terrible Thunder Lizards were doing on the ancient continent of Gondwana, as well as the latest research findings. Gondwana was when every land mass was joined together and fights for survival and a giant meteor feature in this documentary.
i ai 
アイアイ 「Ai Ai」
Release Date: March 08th, 2024
Duration: 118 mins.
Director: The People Mahito
Writer: The People Mahito (Screenplay),
Starring: Mirai Moriyama, Kentaro Tomita, Honsmi Sato, Komi_I, Yuuki Iwanami,
Website Twitter: @iai_2024 IMDB
Mahito of the People has made a coming-of-age film that features music from the rock band he works with, GEZAN.
Synopsis: Kou’s life in Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture, is dull and he has no expectations for the future. That all changes when he meets a musician with a strong presence and a cool band. Inspired to take up music, Kou, starts his own band with the musician’s younger brother and feels his life become re-energised. However, one day, the musician dies…