RAd music blog: Japanese Film Festival

Showing posts with label Japanese Film Festival. Show all posts

Friday, September 05, 2025

Restored "Love Letter", other films that connect at the Japanese Film Festival this September

The Japan Foundation, Manila is thrilled to announce the return of the Japanese Film Festival (JFF) to Philippine theaters this September 2025!

From Metro Manila and Baguio, to Cebu, Angeles, and Davao, JFF is back with a curated selection of 12 films–featuring beloved classics alongside critically acclaimed new releases. Admission is free for all screenings.

Since its inception in 1997, JFF has grown into one of the most anticipated film festivals in the country, attracting around 40,000 audiences every year, and has become the largest Japanese film festival in the world. This year’s lineup offers something for everyone; timeless romances, laugh-out-loud comedies, and monumental blockbusters!

The theme for this year's festival is “Bridg(e)ing”. Films that serve as metaphorical bridges connecting the past with the future, humans with technology, body with spirit, and individual stories with community experiences. We hope that this year’s lineup will inspire people to build bridges rather than walls and connect with each other.

Opening the festival is the 4K remaster of Love Letter, Shunji Iwai’s acclaimed directorial debut and a timeless masterpiece of romance. Screened in over 20 countries since its release, Love Letter is celebrated for its breathtaking snowy landscapes and the unforgettable line, Ogenki desu ka? (“How are you?”). Its influence and homage can be clearly felt in 18×2 Beyond Youthful Days, a Taiwan-Japan co-production directed by Michihito Fujii.

Audiences can also look forward to a selection of masterpieces spanning genres and generations, including Akira Kurosawa’s SEVEN SAMURAI, the animated cult classic GHOST IN THE SHELL, Hayao Miyazaki’s SPIRITED AWAY, A SAMURAI IN TIME, the live-action adaptation of Cells at Work!, and Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM, among others.

Below are more details of all the films included in the lineup

Love Letter (1995)

"LOVE LETTER" Written and Directed by Shunji lwai
©︎ Fuji Television Network,Inc.

Director: Iwai Shunji

Cast: Nakayama Miho, Toyokawa Etsushi, Sakai Miki, Kashiwabara Takahashi, Han Bunjaku, Shinohara Katsuyuki, Kaga Mariko

A Timeless Masterpiece of Romance Returns in Stunning 4K! Two years after losing her fiancé, Hiroko Watanabe (Miho Nakayama) discovers her fiancé’s old yearbook and sends a letter to his former address in Otaru… only to receive an unexpected reply, from a woman with the same name as her late fiancé. This connection unearths memories and reveals two long buried romances. Set against the snowy beauty of Otaru, Love Letter is a poignant tale of love, loss, and remembrance, with Nakayama delivering a moving dual performance.

18x2 Beyond Youthful Days | 青春18x2 君へと続く道 (2024)

Director: Fujii Michihito

Cast: Hsu Kuang Han, Kiyohara Kaya, Joseph Chang, Michieda Shunsuke

This Japan-Taiwan co-production is a teen romance based on the travelogue essays "Youth 18×2” that made a splash in Taiwan. Script and direction by Fujii Michihito.

Taiwanese high school student Jimmy (Hsu Kuanghan) and Japanese backpacker Ami (Kiyohara Kaya) meet and fall in love. But when Ami has to suddenly return to Japan, she proposes a “certain promise” to the devastated Jimmy. Eighteen years later, Jimmy heads to Japan to fulfill the promise they made that day.

The Boy and the Dog | 少年と犬 (2025)

Director: Zeze Takahisa

Cast: Takahashi Fumiya,Nishino Nanase

Kazumasa is desperately struggling to earn a living having lost his job. Months after the Great East Japan Earthquake he is met by Tamon a stray dog and a welcome breath of fresh air for everyone but the dog’s sudden disappearance one night causes everyone to confront their own shortcomings. It sends Kazumasa off in search of Tamon and leads him to Miwa with struggles of her own when the two realize their dog is also trying to make its way home.

Cells at Work! | はたらく細胞 (2024)

©AKANE SHIMIZU/KODANSHA
©SHIGEMITSU HARADA, ISSEY HATSUYOSHIYA,
AKANE SHIMIZU/KODANSHA
©2024 “CELLS AT WORK!” FILM PARTNERS

Director: Takeuchi Hideki

Cast: Nagano Mei, Satoh Takeru

Ever wondered what’s going on with the intricate workings inside your body? This live-action take on the hit manga series Cells at Work! reimagines the human body as a bustling metropolis populated by 37 trillion cells. A rookie red blood cell and a ruthless white blood/Neutrophil cell are just two inhabitants of high schooler Niko’s body, and the duo must fight together to keep their human alive—one immune system emergency and bacterial invasion at a time! Quirky, and over-the-top, this chaotic adventure follows the shenanigans of the microscopic crews inside Niko’s body, as they work tirelessly to keep her going.

Evil Does Not Exist | 悪は存在しない (2023)

Director: Hamaguchi Ryusuke

Cast: Omika Hitoshi, Nishikawa Ryo, Kosaka Ryuji, Shibutani Ayaka, Kikuchi Hazuki, Miura Hiroyuki

Takumi and his daughter Hana live in Mizubiki Village, close to Tokyo. Like generations before them, they live a modest life according to the cycles and order of nature. One day, the village inhabitants become aware of a plan to build a glamping site near Takumi’s house; offering city residents a comfortable ‘escape’ to nature. When two company representatives from Tokyo arrive in the village to hold a meeting, it becomes clear that the project will have a negative impact on the local water supply, causing unrest. The agency’s mismatched intentions endanger both the ecological balance of the nature plateau and their way of life, with an aftermath that affects Takumi’s life.

Ghost in the Shell | 攻殻機動隊 (1995)

Director: Oshii Mamoru

Cast: Tanaka Atsuko, Otsuka Akio, Yamadera Koichi

In 2029, the onset of information technology and rise of sophisticated cybercrime has led to the formation of a team of elite cyborg operatives, a “Shell Squad” officially known as Public Security Section 9. Their leader, Major Motoko Kusanagi, tracks a mysterious hacker known only as the “Puppet Master” who operates in the deepest parts of cyberspace. First released in 1995 from the manga series by SHIROW Masamune, the introspective and action-packed GHOST IN THE SHELL asks what it means to be human.

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM | 機動戦士ガンダムSEED FREEDOM (2024)

Director: Fukuda Mitsuo

Cast: Hoshi Soichiro, Tanaka Rie

Latest entry in the "Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Series." Set in the Cosmic Era (C.E.), the story depicts the battle between humans with genetically enhanced physical and mental abilities from birth (Coordinators) and naturally born humans (Naturals). The year is C.E. 75. COMPASS has been established as a world peace monitoring organization to counter the invasion by Blue Cosmos, which calls for the expulsion of Coordinators. COMPASS member Kira Yamato and others join the fight.

A Samurai in Time | 侍タイムスリッパー (2024)

Director: Yasuda Junichi

Cast: Yamaguchi Makiya, Fuke Norimasa, Sakura Yuno

At the end of the Edo period in Kyoto, during a stormy night a samurai prepares to fight against a ronin, when a flash of lighting hits and when he wakes up to find himself in a different time. He has been transported through time to the present day and the location where he was about to duel is now a film set for jidaigeki TV shows and movies. Still in his samurai clothes he is mistaken for an extra and immediately thrust into the world of jidaigeki productions. Due to his very ‘authentic’ look and speech, he starts working on many productions and finds himself playing the role of a “kirareyaku”, a swordsman whose job is to die spectacularly on film

Seven Samurai | 七人の侍 (1954)

Director: Kurosawa Akira

Cast: Mifune Toshiro, Shimura Takahashi

KUROSAWA Akira’s 1954 classic SEVEN SAMURAI tells the tale of feudal class and warfare in ancient Japan. A village under fi re from bandits calls on seven swordsmen wandering the countryside to help rid them of marauders threatening to destroy their village. With the aid of the elder samurai SHIMADA Kanbei and six other fellow mercenaries with no status or income, the village prepares to battle the anonymous threat on horseback while battling the bitterness they keep for their hired swordsmen.

Showtime 7 | ショウタイムセブン (2025)

Director: Watanabe Kazutaka

Cast: Abe Hiroshi, Ryusei Ryo, Nukumi Meru

Once the face of the prime time news program Showtime 7, Shinnosuke Orimoto was a national news anchor until mysteriously being forced to step down from his position. Now relegated to a late-night radio gig, he receives an ominous call from a stranger warning of an imminent bomb threat, and jumps at the chance to relive his glory days as a newscaster. But when the incident spirals into a high-stakes negotiation, Orimoto must tread carefully—or face explosive consequences. Every second matters in this fast-paced suspense thriller, based on the South Korean box office hit The Terror Live.

Spirited Away | 千と千尋の神隠し (2001)

Director: Hayao Miyazaki

Cast: Hiiragi Rumi, Irino Miyu, Natsuki Mari, Naito Tsuyoshi, Sawaguchi Yasuko, Sugawara Bunta

While relocating to their new home in another town, Chihiro and her parents come across a mysterious tunnel. They pass through it to fi nd a vast grassy hill, and beyond, a shopping arcade of sorts. It is a world which humans were not meant to enter. Chihiro’s parents eat food left on a shop counter without permission, and are turned into pigs. Left alone, Chihiro is forced to obey two conditions in order to survive: she must work for the witch Yubaba, and have her name taken away, which severs her from the world of humans. She begins working at a bathhouse under the name Sen, where she is aided by Haku, Lin, Kamaji and others, while gradually regaining the strength to live on.

Teasing Master Takagi-san | 映画からかい上手の高木さん (2024)

Director: Imaizumi Rikiya

Cast: Nagano Mei, Takahashi Fumiya

Based on the original graphic novel “Karakai Jōzu no Takagi-san” created by Soichiro Yamamoto, published by Shogakukan Inc.

Nishikata, a physical education teacher at a middle school on a small island, receives a phone call from an ex school-mate Takagi-san, who moved to Paris 10 years ago. When Nishikata was attending middle school, he was always teased by Takagi-san. One day, the vice principal of the school, appoints Nishikata to be in charge of the teacher trainee. After school, when Nishikata returns to the classroom and opens the door to the cleaning supplies compartment, Takagi-san jumps out from inside. From this moment, the time between the two of them, which had stopped since the summer of their junior high school, begins to move…

JFF 2025 kicks off in Manila at the Shangri-La Red Carpet Cinema starting September 18 and will continue into the regions. The regional run begins September 26 in SM City Baguio, followed by screenings at SM City Cebu, SM City Lanang, and SM City Clark. The festival then returns to Manila for screenings at the UP Film Institute, and concludes at SM City Manila.

This year, JFF is expanding its reach by bringing films directly to university campuses. JFF Special Screenings @ Universities will take place in November at selected institutions across parts of the Visayas and Mindanao.

JFF 2025 is supported by the Film Development Council of the Philippines, JTI Philippines, Theo and Philo Artisan Chocolates and the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines.

For full schedules, ticketing guidelines, and venue details, Please visit the official JFF 2025 website (http://www.japanesefilmfestph.jfmo.org.ph) or follow @jfmanila on Facebook and instagram

Thursday, January 16, 2025

Godzilla Minus One leads 'monster' Japanese Film Festival 2025 lineup

The Japanese Film Festival (JFF) 2025 returns with a monster lineup of films led by Academy Award® winner Godzilla Minus One.

Presented by the Japan Foundation Manila, JFF 2025 will open at Red Carpet Cinema at the Shangri-La Plaza on January 30, 2025 and will have subsequent screenings in Manila, Baguio, Iloilo, Cebu, and Davao.

“In Zen Buddhism there is a word satori which means a sudden awakening or enlightenment,” says festival director Yojiro Tanaka. “Satori is the perfect word to describe this year’s lineup of films, whether it’s the profound awakening of the characters in the movie or the feeling that the audience will get after watching. We hope that the audience will enjoy what we have prepared, and at the same time spark something new in them.”

The opening film Godzilla Minus One is hailed by many reviewers and legions of worldwide fans as one of the best Godzilla movies of all time. Directed by renowned Japanese filmmaker Takashi Yamazaki, the film features both poignant storytelling, and awe-inspiring visuals that is best enjoyed on the big screen.

Another notable inclusion in this year’s lineup is Sand Land, the pinnacle of the Akira Toriyama universe. Creator of the legendary Dragon Ball series, Akira Toriyama sadly passed away in 2024 leaving a monumental legacy in the world of anime and manga. Sand Land (2023) is one of his best works with some praising it as a "masterpiece of utter perfection.” This film is the long-awaited movie adaptation of the manga that condenses Akira Toriyama’s full-blown world of unique, humorous, and friendly characters, mechanical design, wrapped in an expertly written adventure story.

Audiences can also look forward to the best and latest movies straight from Japan including Perfect Days, Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle, Let’s Go Karaoke!, Matched, and the recently remastered version of the animated cult-classic Akira .

JFF 2025 is supported by the Film Development Council of the Philippines, JT International (Philippines) Inc., and the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines. Admission is free for all screenings but a convenience fee may apply for tickets procured online.

Walk-in guests are welcome if seats are still unoccupied. Please bear in mind that seats are limited and are not guaranteed. Please visit the official JFF 2025 website for our complete ticketing guidelines.

For more information on the festival’s full film lineup, ticketing guidelines, and complete screening schedules, please visit www.japanesefilmfestph.jfmo.org.ph or follow the Japan Foundation, Manila and JFF on social media.

Japanese Film Festival 2025 lineup in detail:

Akira | アキラ (1988)

Director: Otomo Katsuhiro

Cast: Iwata Mitsuo, Sasaki Nozomu, Koyama Mami

Based on the graphic novel “Akira” by Otomo Katsuhiro.

First published by “Young Magazine”, Kodansha Ltd.

July, 1988— World War III breaks loose. Then, in 2019, in megalopolis Tokyo...

As the leader of a group of young robust delinquents, Kaneda spent his nights tearing through the urban wastes, racing his motorbike against rival groups. One night while riding with his gang, his friend Tetsuo suddenly encounters a strange boy - the product of human experimentation - and is injured in the ensuing crash. Shortly thereafter, a military squadron appears to take the boy and Tetsuo away to an army research facility. Determined to free Tetsuo from capture, Kaneda sneaks into the army research lab. However, a regimen of extreme experimental procedures has awakened a new power in his friend, and now he is consumed by madness.

DitO | ディト (2024)

Director: Yuki Takashi

Cast: Yuki Takashi, Tanabe Momoko, Ono Machiko

A stunning human drama depicting the growth and bond between a father and daughter who find "DitO," a place to live in the present, in a foreign land.

Leaving his wife and children behind in Japan, professional boxer Eiji Kamiyama is trying to make a comeback in a foreign land, the Philippines. One day, his only daughter Momoko appears in front of Kamiyama. Reunited, father and daughter clash but gradually deepen their bond. Meanwhile, Kamiyama, who has just turned 40, receives an offer for his last chance at a match.

Godzilla Minus One | ゴジラ-1.0 (2023)

Director: Yamazaki Takashi

Cast: Kamiki Ryunosuke, Hamabe Minami, Yamada Yuki, Aoki Munetaka, Yoshioka Hidetaka, Ando Sakura, Sasaki Kuranosuke

Godzilla Minus One, an Academy Award® winner – Best Visual Effects, commemorating the 70th anniversary of Godzilla series, stars Kamiki Ryunosuke, Hamabe Minami, Yamada Yuki, Aoki Munetaka, Yoshioka Hidetaka, Ando Sakura and Sasaki Kuranosuke.

A guilt - ridden pilot, Shikishima Koichi, finds new strength and courage to stand up against Godzilla that suddenly appeared, in helping a young woman, Oishi Noriko and the little orphan girl in her care. Hailed by many reviewers and legions of worldwide fans as one of the best Godzilla movies of all, this is a must-see film.

Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle | 劇場版ハイキュー!! ゴミ捨て場の決戦 (2024)

Director: Mitsunaka Susumu

Cast: Murase Ayumu, Ishikawa Kaito, Kaji Yuuki

Original Author: Fueudate Haruichi (Shueisha “JUMP COMICS”)

Shoyo Hinata began playing volleyball after seeing the "small giants" who played the sport when he was in elementary school. He suffers a crushing defeat in his first and last tournament in middle school at the hands of his rival Tobio Kageyama. So, Shoyo joins Kurasuno High School's volleyball team, vowing revenge against Tobio. However, Tobio is also on Kurasuno's team. The former rivals form a legendary combo with Shoyo’s mobility and Tobio’s precision ball-handling.

During the joint training camp between Karasuno High School and Nekoma High School from Tokyo, Shoyo encountered his future arch-nemesis, Kenma Kozume. While Karasuno relied on an aggressive attacking style, Nekoma excelled in their defensive play, embodying the motto of "Connect." Through their encounters with Nekoma, the players of Karasuno gradually discovered new possibilities and strategies.

During the Miyagi Prefecture Spring High School Volleyball Tournament and the preliminaries for the Spring High, Karasuno High School emerged victorious over formidable opponents, continuously evolving their skills. They achieved a stunning triumph over Inarizaki High School in the second round of the Spring High tournament. Now, they stand ready to face their longstanding rivals, Nekoma High School, in the highly anticipated third round. These two powerhouse teams have never clashed on the official stage despite engaging in numerous practice matches. This long-awaited showdown between Karasuno High School and Nekoma High School is famously known as "The Dumpster Battle."

The Imaginary | 屋根裏のラジャー (2023)

Director: Momose Yoshiyuki

Cast: Terada Kokoro, Suzuk Rio, Ando Sakura

Based on “The Imaginary” by A.F. Harrold

Studio Ponoc’s new animated feature film The Imaginary is a wondrous adventure that portrays the depths of humanity and creativity through the eyes of young Amanda and her imaginary companion, Rudger, a boy no one can see imagined by Amanda to share her thrilling make-believe adventures. But when Rudger, suddenly alone, arrives at The Town of Imaginaries, where forgotten Imaginaries live and find work, he faces a mysterious threat.

Directed by Studio Ghibli veteran Yoshiyuki Momose and produced and written by twice-Academy Award®-nominated producer Yoshiaki Nishimura, The Imaginary is an unforgettable and emotional journey that delves into the limitless imaginations of children. Hand-drawn, hand-painted and incorporating new light and shadow techniques, this visual feast of a film vividly breathes life into the award-winning novel by A.F. Harrold.

Let's Go Karaoke! (2024)

Director: Yamashita Nobuhiro

Cast: Ayano Go, Saito Jun

As his school’s choir club leader, 14-year-old Satomi (Saito Jun) has only one thing on his mind – the upcoming final competition before he graduates middle school. However, his routine is disrupted when he’s approached by Kyoji (Ayano Go), a menacing yakuza with an unusual request: “Let’s go karaoke!” Baffled and cautious, Satomi soon discovers the off-key gangster needs singing lessons to avoid losing his gang’s karaoke contest and a harrowing punishment... a bad tattoo selected by the boss himself! Reluctantly, Satomi agrees to help Kyoji through a series of karaoke sessions, and the duo forge an unexpected friendship. Featuring comedic twists, heartwarming moments and of course, a stellar soundtrack, this adaptation brings WAYAMA Yama's beloved manga series to life!

Matched | マッチング (2024)

Director: Uchida Eiji

Cast: Tsuchiya Tao, Sakuma Daisuke, Kaneko Nobuaki

Successful at work but shy in love, wedding planner Rinka reluctantly joins a dating app at the urging of her colleague. She matches with a blonde-haired charmer named Tom, but on the first date Rinka quickly realises something off about this mysterious stranger. What began as an innocent meeting soon takes a rotten turn: Tom starts sending an endless stream of messages, and unbeknownst to Rinka, he’s a suspect in a murder case targeting users of the same dating app... the victims of which were all Rinka’s clients! Frightened by Tom’s relentless pursuit, Rinka seeks help from app developer Kageyama, soon finding comfort in her newfound hero’s arms. Is this finally Rinka’s happy-ever-after, or is something sinister still lurking in the shadows?

Monster | 怪物 (2023)

Director: Kore-eda Hirokazu

Cast: Ando Sakura, Eita Nagayama, Kurokawa Soya, Hiragi Hinata

When her young son Minato starts to behave strangely, his mother feels that there is something wrong. Discovering that a teacher is responsible, she storms into the school demanding to know what's going on. But as the story unfolds through the eyes of mother, teacher and child, the truth gradually emerges.

Our Secret Diary | 交換ウソ日記 (2023)

Director: Takemura Kentaro

Cast: Takahashi Fumiya, Sakurada Hiyori

One day, second-year high school student Nozomi finds a letter in her desk from Setoyama, the most popular boy in school that simply reads "I like you." Though confused if it's a prank, she puts a response in his shoe box, leading to the start of a secret exchange diary. But it turns out that the letters and diary were intended for her best friend. Although everything started because of a misunderstanding, she keeps up with the exchange diary without telling Setoyama the truth. Nozomi, who always reads the room too much and isn’t much of a talker, initially dislikes the straightforward Setoyama, but she starts to fall for him as she gets to know him. However, as she starts to lose her chance of coming out with the truth, things take an unexpected turn... Where will this bittersweet one-sided love that began with a lie end up?

Perfect Days (2023)

Director: Wim Wenders

Cast: Yakusho Koji, Emoto Tokio, Nakano Arisa

Hirayama seems utterly content with his simple life as a cleaner of toilets in Tokyo. Outside of his very structured everyday routine he enjoys his passion for music and for books. And he loves trees and takes photos of them. A series of unexpected encounters gradually reveal more of his past. A deeply moving and poetic reflection on finding beauty in the everyday world around us.

Sand Land (2023)

©BIRD STUDIO/SHUEISHA
©SAND LAND Film Partners

Director: Yokoshima Toshihisa

Original Story: Toriyama Akira

Cast: Tamamura Mutsumi, Yamaji Kazuhiro

The pinnacle of the Akira Toriyama universe! The legendary masterpiece has finally been turned into a miraculous film adaptation.

Among the many works of manga artist Akira Toriyama, who brought the world legendary stories including Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump, Sand Land has been called a "masterpiece of utter perfection". Set in a mysterious desert world where demons and humans coexist, Sand Land is an adventurous fantasy following the mischievous but pure-hearted Fiend Prince, Beelzebub, who forms a trio with a demon named Thief and a human sheriff, Rao, in search of the Legendary Spring hidden somewhere in the desert. After its short period of being serialised in the Weekly Shōnen Jump in 2000, this captivating adventure gained popularity both in Japan and abroad. Taken in hand by the talented production teams of Sunrise, Kamikaze Douga and ANIMA, this film is the long-awaited movie adaptation of the manga that condenses Akira Toriyama’s full-blown world of unique, humorous and friendly characters, mechanical design and an expertly written adventure story.

Under the Open Sky | すばらしき世界 (2021)

Director: Nishikawa Miwa

Cast: Yakusho Koji, Nakano Taiga, Nagasawa Masami

Mikami, an ex- yakuza of middle age with most of his life in prison, gets released after serving 13 years of sentence for murder. Hoping to find his long lost mother, from whom he was separated as a child, he applies for a TV show and meets a young TV director Tsunoda. Meanwhile, he struggles to get a proper job and fit into society. His impulsive, adamant nature and ingrained beliefs cause friction in his relationship with Tsunoda and those who want to help him.

Japanese Film Festival 2025 Schedule overview:

January 30 - February 9, 2025 Red Carpet Cinema, Shangri-La Plaza

February 7-16, 2025 SM City Baguio

February 14-23, 2025 SM City Iloilo, SM Seaside City Cebu

February 21 - March 2, 2025 SM City Davao, SM City North EDSA

Tuesday, February 06, 2024

Voltes V: Legacy gets commendation at the Japanese Film Festival

Voltes V: Legacy's Radson Flores, Matt Lozano, and Mark Reyes

After what seemed like a January that went on forever, February made a slam dunkin' entrance courtesy of the Japanese Film Festival 2024 that formally opened at the Shangri-La Plaza Mall.

Minister Kenichi Matsuda and Telesuccess Productions' Larry Chan

The opening night program saw the Embassy of Japan, represented by Deputy Chief of Mission Kenichi Matsuda, awarding of Certificates of Commendation to Telesuccess Productions Chairman and CEO Larry Chan and to the GMA Network led by VP for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy for championing Voltes V to the Filipino people via the animated series and Voltes V: Legacy, the subsequent live action series adaptation. Also present at the opening reception is Voltes V: Legacy director Mark Reyes and two of the series' lead stars namely Radson Flores and Matt Lozano.

GMA Network led by VP for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy (3rd from left)
with Minister Kenichi Matsuda (4th from left)

Two of the most highly anticipated films of the Japanese Film Festival 2024 are Voltes V: Legacy - The Cinematic Experience and Voltes V: Liberation with only one time screenings scheduled towards the tail end of the festival.

Sharlla Cerilles

Another highlight of the program was Sharlla Cerilles serenading the crowd with Voltes V no Uta and Kimi Ga Suki da to Sakebitai, the iconic opening theme songs of Voltes V and Slam Dunk respectively.

RAd views: The First Slam Dunk

There was not enough time to watch 101 episodes of the anime (nor to read up to the 25th volume of the manga) between the announcement that The First Slam Dunk would be opening the Japanese Film Festival and the actual opening night itself.

But there is no need to go through all this to fully enjoy the sequel to the anime adaptation of Inoue Takehiko's sports magnum opus.

Told from the perspective of Ryota Miyagi, the point guard of Shohoku High School basketball team, the movie intersperses his back story with a match between Shohoku and top team Sannoh. This is the match that fans were waiting for but the anime ended just as the Inter-High School National Championship was to begin although this storyline was told in volumes 25-31 of the manga.

Miyagi's backstory in the movie gives an added dimension to his character which was mostly depicted as prone to violence in the manga/anime.

Even if the film clocked at a little over two hours, the fast paced action on the court was a relief for those who had to sit through several anime episodes or manga volumes for just a few minutes of a basketball game.

Thursday, January 25, 2024

A trip down anime memory lane at the Japanese Film Festival 2024

Movies based on manga/anime series Slam Dunk and Detective Conan lead a nostalgic trip down memory lane at the Japanese Film Festival 2024 that is set to have its opening run on February 1-11, 2024 at the Red Carpet Cinema, Shangri-La Plaza Mall.

Adding to the sense of nostalgia are two Voltes V theatrical releases in the JFF lineup namely Voltes V: Legacy, screened in cinemas last year prior to the television broadcast of the live action series and Voltes V: Liberation, a theatrical cut of the last four episodes that were unaired during the animated series' original run in the Philippines back in the late 1970s.

Voltes V: Legacy Director Mark Reyes & JFF Festival Director Tanaka Yojiro

Apart from the films based on properties from the 1970s (Voltes V) and 1990s (Slam Dunk, Detective Conan), the JFF also features contemporary films from various genres ranging from romance, comedy, drama, and more.

Another highlight of the JFF to watch out for is director Iizuka Kasho and actor Horike Kazuki gracing the screening of their film Angry Son on February 3, 2024 with a Q&A session happening afterwards.

Limited edition Beep cards, a huge hit last year, will also make their return via a rewards system similar to those offered by coffee chains during the holiday season.

Here is a detailed look on the films of the Japanese Film Festival 2024.

And Yet You are So Sweet | なのに、千輝くんが甘すぎる (2023)

Director: Shinjyo Takehiko

Cast: Takahashi Kyohei, Hata Mei

One-sided love has never felt so good!

KISARAGI Maaya is in her second year of high school, and has just been completely rejected by her crush. Heartbroken and mortified, she vows out loud to “never confess to someone ever again”… only to realise later that her high school’s heartthrob CHIGIRA Sui is within earshot! Upon hearing Maaya’s weeping, CHIGIRA proposes a strange solution to heal her heartbreak – that she pretends to have a crush on him instead. When CHIGIRA starts treating Maaya sweetly, it isn’t hard for her to keep up pretences in this strictly one-sided love game… but as the pair grow closer, Maaya’s feelings for CHIGIRA become undeniable. What will become of their “pretend crush”now?

Angry Son | 世界は僕らに気づかない (2022)

©LesPros entertaiment

Director: Iizuka Kasho

Cast: Horike Kazuki, Gow, Shinohara Masafumi, Murayama Tomoka, Iwaya Kenji

Jungo (18), a high school student living in Ota City, Gunma Prefecture, has a Filipino mother who works at a Filipina hostess bar. His mother has never told him about his father, and the only connection he has to his father is the monthly child support payments. Jungo is homosexual and has a boyfriend, Yusuke (18). Even though Yusuke wanted to form a partnership with him, he was reluctant to do so because of his background. One day, her mother, Reina (41), brings her boyfriend home, saying she wants to remarry with him. Jungo doesn‘t want to live with a stranger, so he decides to find his real father.

Detective Conan The Movie: The Private Eyes' Requiem | 名探偵コナン　探偵たちの鎮魂歌 (2006)

Based on the original graphic novel " Meitantei Conan"
by Gosho Aoyama, published by Shogakukan Inc.
©2006 GOSHO AOYAMA/SHOGAKUKAN
YTV • NTV • ShoPro • TOHO • TMS All Rights Reserved

Director: Yamamoto Yasuichiro

Cast: Takayama Minami, Kamiya Akira, Horikawa Ryo

Detective Conan faces his worst crisis yet in this 10th anniversary feature film! Someone has figured out Conan’s real identity as Shinichi Kudo. Worse, he’s taken Conan’s friends hostage; in 12 hours, a bomb will kill them all. Can Conan solve the case, save his friends and keep his secret identity?

Detective Conan The Movie: The Time-Bombed Skyscraper | 名探偵コナン時計じかけの摩天楼 (1997)

Based on the original graphic novel "Meitantei Conan"
by Gosho Aoyama, published by Shogakukan Inc.
©1997 GOSHO AOYAMA/SHOGAKUKAN
YTV • UNIVERSAL MUSIC • ShoPro
TMS All Rights Reserved

Director: Kodama Kenji

Cast: Takayama Minami, Yamaguchi Kappei, Yamazaki Wakana

Shinichi used to be a high school detective until a dark organization turned him into a little boy. Now called Conan, he can’t reveal himself… not even when a bomber kidnaps his girlfriend! Time is ticking, there’s a wall between them, and Conan only has his phone. The heart-stopping first movie!

The Father of the Milky Railroad | 銀河鉄道の父 (2022)

Director: Narushima Izuru

Cast: Yakusho Koji, Suda Masaki, Mori Nana, Toyoda Yudai, Sakai Maki, Tanaka Min

The story of one of Japan’s most beloved authors and the father who always believed in him Directed by NARUSHIMA Izuru, this powerful biopic details the life of legendary poet and novelist MIYAZAWA Kenji, one of Japan’s most beloved children’s authors. As the eldest son of Masajiro, a wealthy pawnbroker, Kenji was raised with the expectation that he would one day inherit the family business. However, the free-spirited Kenji is determined to walk his own path in life, and takes it upon himself to pursue agricultural studies, synthetic gemstones and other eccentric ventures, despite his father’s bewilderment. Based on the best-selling novel of the same name, this incredible story depicts the power of family and unconditional love that endures through times of hardship.

The First Slam Dunk (2022)

©I.T. PLANNING, INC. ©The FIRST SLAM DUNK Film Partners

Director: Inoue Takehiko

Cast: Nakamura Shugo, Kasama Jun, Kamio Shinichiro, Kimura Subaru, Miyake Kenta

Shohoku’s “speedster” and point guard, Ryota Miyagi, always plays with brains and lightning speed, running circles around his opponents while feigning composure.

Born and raised in Okinawa, Ryota had a brother who was three years older. Following in the footsteps of his older brother, who was a famous local player from a young age, Ryota also became addicted to basketball.

In his second year of high school, Ryota plays with the Shohoku High School basketball team along with Sakuragi, Rukawa, Akagi, and Mitsui as they take the stage at the Inter-High School National Championship.

And now, they are on the brink of challenging the reigning champions, Sannoh Kogyo High School.

Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom | 金の国水の国 (2023)

Director: Watanabe Kotono

Cast: Kaku Kento, Hamabe Minami, Kamiya Hiroshi, Ginga Banjyo

Cats and dogs, deserts and trees: will these kingdoms ever get along?

Glistening with gold and water beneath the same sun, Alhamit and Baikari are two warring kingdoms that have come to a diplomatic agreement: Alhamit will gift their most beautiful woman and Baikari their cleverest man, to wed the nations into peace. But apparently they are too stubborn to even honour such a simple deal, and trouble sparks when a dog and cat arrive in place of the promised bride and groom! In a strange twist of fate however, Princess Sarah of Alhamit and Naranbayar of Baikari meet in the forest by chance, without realising who the other is…

A Man | ある男 (2022)

Director: Ishikawa Kei

Cast: Tsumabuki Satoshi, Ando Sakura, Kubota Masataka

Does the truth really set you free?

Over four blissful years, Rie and her son shared a loving new life with her second husband, Daisuke. His sudden accidental death brings not only grief, but an unnerving discovery for the widow: the man she thought she knew was posing under someone else’s identity. In a startling dual narrative, the mystery around Mr. X unfolds beneath the hands of KIDO, the attorney handling the case. Prefaced by René Magritte’s surrealist painting Not to be Reproduced, this thought-provoking film is a vital addition to a growing genre of Japanese cinema that interrogates fragile morals permeating contemporary society.

Mondays: See You "This" Week! | このタイムループ、上司に気づかせないと終わらない (2022)

Director: Takebayashi Ryo

Cast: Marui Wan, Makita Sports, Osamura Koki, Mikawa Yugo, Takano Haruki

Manic Monday takes on a whole new meaning!

Working over night with colleagues, a head injury from a traffic accident, constant sleepiness on the job and a bird slamming itself into the office window… on top of a pressing deadline at her advertising job, YOSHIKAWA is having the worst week ever. As if her headache wasn’t bad enough, her coworkers ENDO and MURATA are going mad and claim the entire office is stuck in a time loop… but after a few rounds of reliving the same mundane Monday, YOSHIKAWA soon realises they’re telling the truth. Now the teammates must work together, enlighten their oblivious colleagues and find a way to end this endless Monday!

Not Quite Dead Yet | 一度死んでみた (2020)

Director: Hamasako Shinji

Cast: Hirose Suzu, Yoshizawa Ryo, Tsutsumi Shinichi

Angst-ridden college student, Nanase Nobata, lives with her father, Hakaru, president of the Nobata Pharmaceutical Company, resentful of his constant nagging about her life, and for being so absorbed in his work that he failed to be at her mother’s deathbed. Exhorting him daily to “Drop dead (once)!”, Hakaru finally does drop dead one day while developing a revolutionary “reverse aging” drug. Hakaru’s team had accidentally discovered a drug that causes temporary death, followed by full recovery in 2 days. Hakaru had been persuaded to take the drug in an attempt to expose a corporate spy planted in his company by a rival firm looking to merge with Nobata and capitalize on the anti-aging formula. When Hakaru drops dead, it sets the company in an uproar as his will names Nanase as the new president. A bewildered and distraught Nanase had no inkling of her father’s death, but can see his ghost hanging around watching. She soon learns the truth about her father’s condition and the spy from Matsuoka, a young employee so unremarkably invisible to others that he’s nicknamed “Ghost.” Together with “Ghost Matsuoka” and the actual ghost of Hakaru, Nanase endeavors to prevent her father’s enemies from prematurely cremating his body before the drug can wear off and allow him to revive.

Tokyo Story | 東京物語 (1953)

Director: Ozu Yasujiro

Cast: Ryu Chishu, Higashiyama Chieko, Yamamura So

Shukichi and Tomi set off on a trip to Tokyo, where two of their grown-up children live. The elderly couple have spent most of their lives in the small coastal town of Onomichi in Hiroshima, and hope their visit will be a memorable experience to cherish for the rest of their lives. However, once they arrive in the bustling metropolis, their eldest son and daughter prioritize maintaining their own lifestyles over spending quality time with their parents. Despite an initially amiable reception, Shukichi and Tomi sense an absence of sincere warmth, which makes them feel unwelcome and disappointed. They cut their stay short and return home. Before long, the son and daughter in Tokyo receive a telegram from their young sister Kyoko (Kyoko Kagawa) in Onomichi, informing them that their mother is critically ill.

Voltes V: Legacy - The Cinematic Experience (2023)

Director: Marciano Reyes V

Cast: Miguel Tanfelix, Ysabel Ortega, Radson Flores, Raphael Landicho, Matt Lozano, Martin Del Rosario

Based on the popular 70’s Japanese anime, Voltes V: Legacy follows the story of three brothers, Steve, Big Bert, and Little Jon Armstrong. Together with their friends, Jamie Robinson and Mark Gordon, they pilot five vehicles that form the Ultra Electromagnetic Voltes V Super Robot and defend the Earth from the invading forces of the Boazanian Empire and their Beast Fighters.

Voltes V: The Liberation (1977-1978)

Director: Nagahama Tadao

In the climactic conclusion of “Voltes V,” the Voltes Team faces Prince Zardoz and his devastating weapon in a desperate gambit to overcome the overwhelming threat, putting their skills and the Volt Machines to the ultimate test. The showdown unfolds as they embark on a perilous mission. Emotions running high, the team combines the Volt Machines to form the Ultra Magnetic Voltes V robot to deliver a decisive blow against the Boazanian forces and Emperor Zambojil’s ambition of inter-galactic conquest.

We Made a Beautiful Bouquet | 花束みたいな恋をした (2021)

Director: Doi Nobuhiro

Cast: Suda Masaki, Arimura Kasumi

Petals of young love on an upstream current

The last train at midnight leaves a group of stragglers stranded at the station, who opt for a bar rather than paying for a taxi home. Among them are twenty-two-year-olds Mugi and Kinu, whose curiosity for one another is fated to have a lasting and more intricate outcome than initially expected. Caught in the period of youth when many enter the gruelling Japanese workforce, the pair live under the pressure of maintaining an income without compromising their creative passions. Patient and bittersweet, this romance chronicles the fleeting lifespan of love, as Mugi and Kinu reckon with the hard realities of societal life imposing on their relationship and senses of self.

Here is the schedule of the public screenings at the Shang's Red Carpet Cinema.*

February 2, 2024

1:00 PM Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom

4:00 PM We Made a Beautiful Bouquet

7:00 PM Tokyo Story

February 3, 2024

12:00 PM Detective Conan The Movie: The Time-Bombed Skyscraper

2:10 PM And Yet You are So Sweet

4:20 PM Not Quite Dead Yet

6:00 PM Angry Son

February 4, 2024

12:30 PM Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom

3:00 PM The First Slam Dunk

5:35 PM Detective Conan The Movie: The Private Eyes' Requiem

8:00 PM Not Quite Dead Yet

February 5, 2024

4:00 PM And Yet You are so Sweet

7:00 PM Mondays: See You "This" Week!

February 6, 2024

4:00 PM We Made a Beautiful Bouquet

7:00 PM The Father of the Milky Way Railroad

February 7, 2024

1:00 PM Not Quite Dead Yet

4:00 PM Mondays: See You "This" Week!

7:00 PM Angry Son

February 8, 2024

1:00 PM And Yet You are so Sweet

4:00 PM We Made a Beautiful Bouquet

7:00 PM Tokyo Story

February 9, 2024

1:00 PM The Father of the Milky Way Railroad

4:00 PM Angry Son

7:00 PM A Man

February 10, 2024

12:30 PM Detective Conan The Movie: The Time-Bombed Skyscraper

2:40 PM Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom

5:10 PM The First Slam Dunk

7:45 PM Voltes V: Legacy

February 11, 2024

12:30 PM Detective Conan The Movie: The Private Eyes' Requiem

2:55 PM The First Slam Dunk

5:30 PM A Man

8:10 PM Voltes V: The Liberation

*Film lineup and schedule are subject to change

After the Shang's Red Carpet Cinema run, the festival will screen at the following venues.

SM Seaside City Cebu February 16-25, 2024

SM City Baguio February 23-March 3, 2024

SM City Iloilo February 23-March 3, 2024

SM City Davao February 23-March 3, 2024

UPFI Film Center February 22-March 2, 2024

The Japanese Film Festival 2024 is presented by the Japan Foundation, Manila and is also supported by the Film Development Council of the Philippines, JT International (Philippines) Inc., and the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines.