Happy weekend, audience!
It is the month of May and the film festivals start crowding the calendar so expect posts on a few of them. I’ve still got plenty of reviews ready to post and I may try and get back into writing about anime but maybe not first impressions or series reviews (I’m more into writing about films at the minute). The reason for my resurgent interest in writing is because of a few stellar shows like Ore Monogatari!!, Yahari Ore no Seishun…, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, and Kekkai Sensen which I have been ranting about. Anyway, back to films, I posted a review of the Korean film Broken (2014) and about the trailer for The Boy and the Beast.
Well here’s the latest set of trailers for films released in Japan this weekend:
Biri Gyaru
Japanese Title: ビリギャル
Romaji: Eiga Biri Gyaru
Release Date: May 01st, 2015 (Japan)
Running Time: 117 mins.
Director: Nobuhiro Doi
Writer: Hiroshi Hashimoto (Screenplay), Nobutaka Tsubota (Original Novel),
Starring: Kasumi Arimura, Atsushi Ito, Shuhei Nomura, Rie Minemura, Ken Yasuda, Airi Matsui, Yo Yoshida, Tetsushi Tanaka,
Based on the novel “Gakunen Biri no Gyaru ga 1 nen de Hensachi o 40 Agete Keio Daigaku ni Geneki Gokaku Shita Hanashi” by Nobutaka Tsubota (published December 26, 2013 by Kadokawa). The novel is based on the true story of the author Nobutaka Tsubota, who runs a private institute, and his student Sayaka Kobayashi.
Blonde-haired “gyaru” Sayaka has always been more interested in fashion than her studies. Because of this, she now has the scholastic aptitude of a 4th grader as a second-year high school student. However, when she visits a cram school, lecturer Mr. Tsubota recognizes her innate intelligence. After an informal discussion, and with the support of her family, Sayaka becomes determined not only to improve her grades, but to spend her final year of high school working hard toward getting accepted into prestigious Keio University.
The Next Generation Patlabor: Shuto Kessen
Japanese Title: THE NEXT GENERATION パトレイバー 首都決戦
Romaji: The Next Generation Patlabor: Shuto Kessen
Release Date: May 01st, 2015 (Japan)
Running Time: 94 mins.
Director: Mamoru Oshii
Writer: Mamoru Oshii (Screenplay), Headgear (Original Novel),
Starring: Erina Mano, Toshio Kakei, Seiji Fukushi, Rina Ohta, Shigeru Chiba, Yoshikatsu Fujiki, Reiko Takashima, Kanna Mori,
Based on the novel “Gakunen Biri no Gyaru ga 1 nen de Hensachi o 40 Agete Keio Daigaku ni Geneki Gokaku Shita Hanashi” by Nobutaka Tsubota (published December 26, 2013 by Kadokawa). The novel is based on the true story of the author Nobutaka Tsubota, who runs a private institute, and his student Sayaka Kobayashi.
The story is set in Tokyo in 2013, and it represents the “third generation” of Patlabor. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police has disbanded its Section 2 Division 1 of police robots, and Section 2 Division 2 barely survived the budget cuts due to the long recession.
The project began with a seven-part series, which is composed of the “episode 0″ and 12 full episodes helmed by chief director Mamoru Oshii and other directors. Each full episode is about 48 minutes long. Finally, Oshii is directing and writing the feature-length film, which is expected to run about 100 minutes long.
The film will centre on the Section 2 team fighting against a terrorist group that has taken all of the 10 million residents of Tokyo hostage.
Inhabitants of Arayashiki
Japanese Title: アラヤシキの住人たち
Romaji: Arayashiki no Junintachi
Release Date: May 01st, 2015 (Japan)
Running Time: 117 mins.
Director: Seiichi Motohashi
Writer: N/A
Starring: N/A
World renowned photographer Seiichi Motohashi travelled to Otari village in Nagano prefecture, a place nestled in a mountain range, and visits a farm run by a community (who live in that big house) inspired or founded by the teacher/intellectual Shinichiro Miyajima. I think that’s what this is about. Here’s a website which has a farm with a similar looking set-up but an English explanation which is easy to understand.
Kuro 100 Minutes Version
Japanese Title: はなればなれに100分版
Romaji: Hanare Banareni 100-bu-ban
Running Time: 100 mins.
Release Date: May 02nd, 2015 (Japan)
Director: Daisuke Shimote
Writer: Daisuke Shimote (Screenplay),
Starring: Airi Kido, Yu Saitoh, Hideo Nakaizumi, Wakana Matsumoto
This one was released in April last year and screened at the 2014 East End Film Festival where fellow movie blogger Alua saw it and found it enjoyable enough to give it 8 out of 10 in her review. It’s got a new screening which adds 14 extra minutes to the original film.
Three people recently traumatised by life’s ups and downs meet up: Kuro once had dreams of being a baker until she was fired, Eito has recently broken up with his fiancé and Gou’s career as a theatre director is in imminent danger of dying when the lead actress of his own play goes missing. The three retreat from the world to a remote seaside hotel where a schoolgirl named Momo falls in with them and they all indulge in silly games.
Strike Witches: Operation Victory Arrow Vol. 3 Bridge of Arnhem
Japanese: ストライクウィッチーズOperation Victory Arrow Vol 3 アルンヘムの橋
Romaji: Sutoraiku Uicchi-zu Operation Victory Arrow Vol 3 Arnhem no Hashi
Release Date: May 02nd, 2015 (Japan)
Running Time: 30 mins.
Director: Kazuhiro Takamura
Original Creator: Huikane Shimada
Starring: Sayuri Yahagi (Amelie Planchard), Miyuki Sawashiro (Perrine-H. Clostermann), Kaori Nazuka (Lynette Bishop), Saori Seto (Mio Sakamoto),
This the third of three 30-minute short OVAs that take place at the end of the second TV series which depicted the lives of the members who returned to their respective homes and before the 2012 Strike Witches movie. (according to Anime News Network ). The action takes in Arnhem which is under alien occupation and the strike witches having to protect a brother and sister who are war orphans.
Akahama Rock ‘n Roll
Japanese Title: 赤浜Rock’n Roll
Romaji: Akahama Rock ‘n Roll
Release Date: May 02nd, 2015 (Japan)
Running Time: 90 mins.
Director: Haruko Konishi
Writer: N/A
Starring: N/A
This documentary film takes place in Akahama in Iwate Prefecture. It was heavily damaged in the Great East Japan Earthquake with massive loss of life but people are picking themselves up, reconstructing the town and the coastline and restoring their pride as they continue to live with the sea, grateful for its blessings while accepting its many risks.
Code Geass: Akito the Exiled 3 – The Brightness Falls
Japanese: コードギアス 亡国のアキト 第3章 輝くもの天より墮つ
Romaji: Code Geass: Boukoku no Akito 3 – Kagayaku Mono Ten yori Otsu
Release Date: May 02nd, 2015 (Japan)
Running Time: 59 mins.
Director: Kazuki Akane
Writer: Kazuki Akane (Screenplay), Ichiro Okouchi (Original Creator),
Starring: Miyu Irino (Akito Hyuuga), Maaya Sakamoto (Leila Malkal), Yukana (C.C.), Takahiro Sakurai (Suzaku Kururugi),
The year is 2017 around the time Lelouch took on the alter-ego “Zero” and built up his “Black Knights” rebellion army to free Japan from The Holy Britannian Empire but the Akito series is a spin-off which takes place in Europe. Here’s a ten minute preview:
The Holy Britannian Empire has invaded the continent and is about to defeat the E.U and a young pilot named Akito Hyuuga leads a special team fighting to prevent what seems inevitable. Then Layla Malkal, a former Britannian Aristocrat comes to the E.U.’s aid, commanding the “Wyvern” Knightmare corps comprised of Japanese teenagers and t looks like they might be able to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat but the risks involved in every battle is immense.
Music video of the week:
