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“Doesn’t everyone have something they’re not proud of?” This question, asked by the eldest sister Tsunako in the new trailer for Asura, sets the tone for a series that dives into family secrets and personal struggles. The Japanese drama remake, directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, will premiere on January 9 and promises to engage audiences with its powerful story and talented cast.

The main cast includes Jun Kunimura as the sisters’ father Kotaro, Keiko Matsuzaka as their mother Fuji, and Masahiro Motoki as Makiko’s (Machiko Ono) husband Takao. Ryuhei Matsuda plays Katsumata, a private investigator who has feelings for Takiko (Yu Aoi).

Kisetsu Fujiwara appears as Sakiko’s (Suzu Hirose) boxer boyfriend Hide, while Seiyo Uchino portrays Sadaharu, a restaurant owner secretly involved with Tsunako (Rie Miyazawa). These supporting characters shine alongside the four sisters, building excitement for their on-screen dynamics.

Other notable roles include Yui Natsukawa as the wife of Tsunako’s lover,...

From Me to You: Kimi ni Todoke (君に届け) is a series directed by Takehiko Shinjo and Takeo Kikuchi. It is based on the manga by Karuho Shiina.

Today, we get to enjoy this Japanese series about teenage love, which is – curiously enough – about a girl called Sadako, like the girl from Ringu, and who is believed to be cursed. But not everything in life has to be a horror movie, and she meets the most popular boy in high school.

About the Series

It is a series that would be equivalent to Dawson’s Creek or something along those lines (just to give you an idea), it’s one of those initiation series that little by little show us what life is about and that, gradually – and at the protagonists’ sides – we grow up at the same time as we watch the characters grow up. It knows how to take its time,...

‘The Takatsu River’ stars Masahiro Koumoto and ‘Meeting Myself’ stars Takahiro and Keiko Matsuzaka

Japan’s Free Stone Productions has picked up international rights to two dramas directed by Yoshinari Nishikori: The Takatsu River and Meeting Myself.

Starring Masahiro Koumoto and Naho Toda, The Takatsu River is set in a town that is struggling with population decline and the loss of its traditional arts, as young people move away to the big cities. Japanese release is scheduled for the first quarter of 2020.

Meeting Myself is the story of a fisherman suffering from amnesia following an accident, whose mother sees an...

It marks the first time a samurai period film will screen in competition at the 34th Montreal World Film Festival. The latest adaptation of a Shuhei Fujisawa short story, Hisshiken Torisashi is set to change things up a bit for this festival. If you find yourself in Montreal during this festival don't miss out! 

Etsushi Toyokawa stars as Kanemi Sanzaemon, a skilled swordsman and the tending president of the Unasaka clan. Three years ago, he dealt with a case of misgovernment by murdering a former prostitute named Renko (Megumi Seki) who was abusing the influence she had gained by becoming the mistress of a powerful daimyo (Jun Murakami). However, he received a lenient punishment for his actions and was eventually allowed to return to his duties within the clan.

After the death of his wife (Naho Toda), Sanzaemon takes care of her niece, Satoo (Chizuru Ikewaki), but doesn't realize she...

Excellent. The long line of films adapted from Shuhei Fujisawa short stories keeps growing and we keeping asking for more. Nothing absolutely wrong with having these finely crafted samurai/chambara films coming out so often. Enter Hisshiken Torisashi from Fujisawa's 'Hidden Blade' series.

Etsushi Toyokawa stars as Kanemi Sanzaemon, a skilled swordsman and the tending president of the Unasaka clan. Three years ago, he dealt with a case of misgovernment by murdering a former prostitute named Renko (Megumi Seki) who was abusing the influence she had gained by becoming the mistress of a powerful daimyo (Jun Murakami). However, he received a lenient punishment for his actions and was eventually allowed to return to his duties within the clan.

After the death of his wife (Naho Toda), Sanzaemon takes care of her niece, Satoo (Chizuru Ikewaki), but doesn't realize she harbors a secret love for him. Meanwhile, a situation arises which...

Toei has released a longer trailer for Hideyuki Hirayama‘s Hisshiken Torisashi, the latest in a long line of film adaptations of stories by the late Shuhei Fujisawa. This particular film is based on a short story taken from Fujisawa’s “Hidden Blade” series, a compilation of stories which involve a character (not always the protagonist) mastering a secret sword technique to be unleashed on his enemies later on.

Etsushi Toyokawa stars as Kanemi Sanzaemon, a skilled swordsman and the tending president of the Unasaka clan. Three years ago, he dealt with a case of misgovernment by murdering a former prostitute named Renko (Megumi Seki) who was abusing the influence she had gained by becoming the mistress of a powerful daimyo (Jun Murakami). However, he received a lenient punishment for his actions and was eventually allowed to return to his duties within the clan.

After the death of his wife...