Welcome to the second of two trailer posts
You can find the first one here.
One post this week (so far) and that’s an interview with Ikunosuke Okazaki on his film Wash Away. I have a review and interview due out tomorrow but wanted time to work on it while giving the trailers enough of a gap before the films get released.
Next week will just be reviews, probably!
I’m watching and reading a lot about Dragon’s Dogma 2 and I really want to get it. I have the first one on the X-Box 360 so that would get a replay.
What are the other Japanese films released this weekend?
Gekijouban Kaijuu wa Osotte Kurenai 
劇場版 怪獣は襲ってくれない 「Gekijouban Kaijuu wa Osotte Kurenai」
Release Date: March 29th, 2024
Duration: N/A
Director: Masaya Okamoto
Writer: Masaya Okamoto (Screenplay),
Starring: Yuzumi Shintani, Himari Hazuki, Momoko Kobayashi, Yuya Shinataro, Jun Hosoi,
Website Twitter: @kaiju_stage
Synopsis: This is footage from a stage play that was performed at Shinjuku Theatre Tops back in 2023. It focusses on a certain class of runaway youth known as “Toyoko Kids.” These are young people hang out around TOHO Cinemas Shinjuku. You can read more about the harrowing reality here. Part of bringing their reality to the screen is capturing their fashion and clothes have been made by the designer yusho kobayash.
Our lead protag is a 15-year-old girl who hangs out around for hours with only her smartphone and a charger. She is played by Yuzumi Shintani (Lonely Glory, People Who Talk to Plushies Are Kind).
MY LIFE IN THE BUSH OF GHOSTS 
Release Date: March 29th, 2024
Duration: 69 mins.
Director: Daisuke Miyazaki
Writer: N/A
Starring: Toki Miyoshi, Husen Akimoto, Kanon Kobayashi, Misaki Yatabe, Reo, Akito Imai,
Website Twitter: @MYLIFE_GHOSTS
Daisuke Miyazaki (VIDEOPHOBIA review + interview, Tourism review + interview, Yamato (California), North Shinjuku 2055 review + interview) has created a science fiction coming-of-age ensemble drama in collaboration with students from the Actor’s Course at The Film School of Tokyo – site news.
Synopsis: The film is split into two parts:
“MY LIFE” is set in the far distant future, a time when humanity lives on both Earth and Mars. Earth is in decay and so people are fleeing to the stars. One particular young man becomes obsessed with a game that allows him to relive the experiences and emotions of humans from the past. Meanwhile, a young woman wants to move to Mars with her boyfriend, but only he gets permission to go.
“BUSH OF GHOSTS” is set in a forest where a group of people end up congregating. They seem like bystanders, because one is drawn by the desire to have a picnic while another two consist of a thug and the brother he suspects of being involved with drugs…
Watashi no Kaasan Tenshi no Uta 
わたしのかあさん 天使の詩 「Watashi no Kaasan Tenshi no Uta」
Release Date: March 29th, 2024
Duration: 114 mins.
Director: Hisako Yamada
Writer: Toshiko Sakata, Hisako Yamada (Screenplay), Sumiko Kikuchi (Original Book),
Starring: Shinobu Terajima, Takako Tokiwa, Yumi Adachi, Miyuko Ochii, Chizuru Azuma,
Website Twitter: @Gendaipro
This is the 10th feature film by Japan’s oldest female film director, Hisako Yamada. She made her directorial debut at the age of 70 and she has adapted a children’s book for the screen and has recruited long-respected pro Shinobu Terajima (Vibrator) for a lead role.
Synopsis: Takako Yamakawa runs a special needs facility for the disabled. She is the daughter of parents who had learning disabilities and acted out and she was embarrassed to have to deal with them when growing up. One time, she hid an invitation to a parent’s class observation visit because she was afraid of her them drawing attention to their condition but Kiyoko, her mother, found it and went and did just that. Growing up, however, Takako began to learn more about her parents and understand their love for her and slowly, her mind begins to change.
Toritsukushima 
とりつくしま 「Toritsukushima」
Release Date: March 29th, 2024
Duration: 90 mins.
Director: Kahori Higashi
Writer: Kahori Higashi (Screenplay), Naoko Higashi (Original Novel),
Starring: Tsumugi Hashimoto, Soushi Kujishima, Kyoko Koizumi, Miyu Ogawa, Umeno Uno, Yuzumi Shintani,
Twitter: @toritsukushi_ma
Kahori Higashi (Melting Sounds review + interview) has two films out this month: Memories of His Scent (review + interview) and this one, Toritsukushima, which stars Kyoko Koizumi (Leave My Girl Alone), Yuzumi Shintani, and Higashi’s familiar actress Umeno Uno. The film is based on Kahori’s mother’s own novel!
Synopsis: When people die, they get a visit from the “Toritsukushima.” It grants anyone with regrets the chance to return to Earth as whatever object they want to be. A wife turns into her husband’s favourite mug, a boy who becomes his favourite blue jungle gym, a grandmother who becomes the camera she gave to her grandson, and there are many others who become objects at the end of their lives to be near their loved ones.