A complex full-bodied filmic wine that cannot but stir the spectator’s emotions.
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Yoko Hikasa – Ex:Futurize
Tracklist: 1. EX:FUTURIZE (Z/X IGNITION OP) 2. Technoholica 3. EX:FUTURIZE (Instrumental) 4. Technoholica (Instrumental) 1. EX:FUTURIZE The tricky, impending start filled with violins and a single …
Yoko (658km、陽子の旅, Kazuyoshi Kumakiri, 2023)
An isolated woman begins to rediscover herself while hitchhiking to her estranged father’s funeral in Kazuyoshi Kumakiri’s quietly moving road movie.
Seiyuu Series: Yoko Hikasa
Welcome! Instead of my usual random rant, today we have a list entry. I’ve been wanting to have some posts about cast and production committees of anime series…
Yoko Kanno: What's She Been Up To?
At 32 years old, she composed one of the most iconic anime soundtracks in history. Now two decades later, what is the famed Yoko Kanno up to?
So What if yoko kanno is Involved?
A small rant about live action Cowboy Bebop, Yoko Kanno, and the spirit of Cowboy Bebop. Sorry.
#247 – Hataraku Saibō BLACK: Enoki Junya & Hikasa Yoko
Interview with stars of the Hataraku Saibō spin-off Hataraku Saibō BLACK, Enoki Junya (Red Blood Cell AA2153) and Hikasa Yoko (White Blood Cell 1196). Perfectly Black!? Q: Impressions…
Yoko Kanno: Crafting the Songs of 90s Anime
Yoko Kanno is perhaps the definitive anime composer. Her soundtracks include Cowboy Bebop, Macross Plus, Porco Rosso, and many others!
Yoko Kanno & TikToker Maya Collaborate on Cowboy Bebop’s Blue
Although Cowboy Bebop aired over 25 years ago, one of the most enduring elements from that anime is Yoko Kanno’s soundtrack. It’s focus on jazz, along with an…
Yoko Kanno & TikToker Maya Collaborate on Cowboy Bebop’s Blue
Although Cowboy Bebop aired over 25 years ago, one of the most enduring elements from that anime is Yoko Kanno’s soundtrack. It’s focus on jazz, along with an…
Cafune (2023) review [OAFF 2023]
A very strong debut by Haruki Kinemura.
Yoko Kanno Creates Song of Comfort for Quake & Tsunami Victims
Pixiv Source The song titled Kimi de Ite, Buji de Ite was created by Kanno this week and posted on Youtube in support of those going through the…
Immersion (2023) review
Spectators looking for something new and fresh will find little to like about Shimizu’s latest.
Review: Flashover (2023)
Flashover 惊天救援 China, 2023, colour/b&w, 2.35:1, 113 mins. Director: Peng Shun 彭顺 [Oxide Pang]. Rating: 5/10. Solid, procedural firefighting movie is short on character development and has a…
Monster (2023) review
Kore-eda succeeds in delivering an utterly engaging narrative about the fundamental misunderstanding that underpins our fabrication of our truth.
Review: Revival (2023)
Revival 回廊亭 China, 2023, colour, 2.35:1, 98 mins. Director: Lai Mukuan 来牧宽. Rating: 4/10. Atmospheric, well-cast whodunit, set in a remote villa, is severely unbalanced by an over-twisty…
Review: Cyberheist (2023)
Cyberheist 断网 Hong Kong/China, 2023, colour, 2.35:1, 109 mins. Director: Huang Qingxun 黄庆勋 [Danny Wong]. Rating: 5/10. Crime drama centred on an IT specialist targeted by a money-laundering…
Review: Hachiko (2023)
Hachiko 忠犬八公 China, 2023, colour, 2.35:1, 124 mins. Director: Xu Ang 徐昂. Rating: 8/10. A high-quality heartwarmer, inspired by a true story of canine loyalty, that features strong…
#Manhole (2023) review
A highly engaging and twist-rich narrative that beautifully illustrates the continued importance of the image for the subject as well as the disastrous effects of the frustration of…
Review: Papa (2023)
Papa 学爸 China, 2023, colour, 2.35:1, 117 mins. Director: Su Liang 苏亮. Rating: 5/10. A working-class widower becomes obsessed with his young son’s education in this light drama…
Undercurrent (2023) review
Imaizumi delivers an engaging but understated emotional experience that explores the deceptive nature of imaginary veil that binds two subjects together.
Village (2023) review
Introduction Michihito Fujji might not be a big name in Japanese cinema, but he has, over the last few years, put himself on the international map, be it…
2023 in Review
A year of retreads and repeats, none of them good: War in Ukraine. War in the Middle East. Covid, flu, and RSV. Donald Trump and Joe Biden r...
Laughing Salesman, Noel's Fantastic Trip, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Tomo-chan Is a Girl!, Undead Murder Farce
Winny (2023) review [Japan Cuts 2023]
Matsumoto offers a serene insight in how the Other of the law curtails a subject and, indirectly, sabotages the prospects of a new industry.
Plastic (2023) review [Japan Cuts 2023]
Miyazaki creates a moody narrative that highlights the equivocal functionality of music for the subject as well as the destructive impact of not being able to create an…
Single8 (2023) review [Japan Cuts 2023]
Konaka offers the spectator a heartwarming invitation to re-find, within oneself, one’s (nearly extinguished) passion for creation.
Weekly Round-Up, 27 December 2023 – 2 January 2024: Year-End Lists, Yoko Taro Letter, and A Sign of Affection
AniFem Round-Up Fushigi Yugi: Adolescence Apotheosis This is early 90s isekai is big, messy, and heartfelt; a powerful snapshot by a young author that captures the anxieties and…
Doki Doki News: Yoko Kanno, Promised Neverland S2, and PS5 News
Welcome to Doki Doki News, your source for updates in the world of anime, gaming, and otakudom, for the week of November 1st through 7th! Check out latest…
Newtype Magazine (11/1999) – A Talk with Yoko Kanno & Akira Yasuda
Music and Visuals—when these two realms collided, a new wind was born in the Turn A world. Yoko Kanno and Akira Yasuda. What did they bring to Turn…
River (2023) review [Fantasia Film Fest 2023]
If you like low-key humour and some time-twisting fun, you should not miss Yamaguchi’s latest.
Side by Side (2023) review [OAFF 2023]
A peaceful dream-like visual experience that celebrates both the impact subjects have on each other as well as the manner in which the subject remains opaque to himself…
Ice Cream Fever (2023) review [Japannual 2023]
A gorgeous stylish exploration of the subjective struggles and the solutions subjects invent within the field of love and desire.
2023 Reviews in Review
I normally don’t write seasonal posts, but seeing as I’ve published a lot of reviews this year compared to my usual, I thought I’d put out a summary…
Review: Wonder Family (2023)
Wonder Family 超能一家人 China, 2023, colour, 2.35:1, 111 mins. Director: Song Yang 宋阳. Rating: 5/10. Ma Hua FunAge comedy about a crazy family with super powers has a…
Review: Trending Topic (2023)
Trending Topic 热搜 China, 2023, colour, 2.35:1, 120 mins. Director: Xin Yukun 忻钰坤. Rating: 8/10. Actress Zhou Dongyu shines in a quality mainstream drama centred on corporate corruption…
Lonely Glory (2023) review
Sakon succeeds in infusing his narrative about selfish benevolence with a rough emotional naturalness that engages and affects the spectator.
Review: Seven Killings (2023)
Seven Killings 刀尖 China, 2023, colour, 2.35:1, 120 mins. Director: Gao Qunshu 高群书. Rating: 7/10. Low-key but absorbing WW2 spy thriller set in Japanese-occupied Nanjing, with a strong…
Review: Endless Journey (2023)
Endless Journey 三大队 China, 2023, colour, 1.85:1, 132 mins. Director: Dai Mo 戴墨. Rating: 6/10. The best is in the first half in this performance-driven drama centred on…
MAD CATS (2023) review
A dose of cinematic pleasure that does not only provides the laughs but also engages the spectator with well-choreographed action.
Review: Delicious Romance (2023)
Delicious Romance 爱很美味 China, 2023, colour, 2.35:1, 120 mins. Directors: Chen Zhengdao 陈正道 [Leste Chen], Xu Zhaoren 许肇任. Rating: 6/10. This big-screen sequel to an online drama series…
Review: Hidden Blade (2023)
Hidden Blade 无名 China, 2023, colour, 2.35:1, 128 mins. Director: Cheng Er 程耳. Rating: 9/10. Cracking WW2 spy drama set among collaborationists in Japanese-controlled Shanghai is challenging but…
Review: Death Stranding (2023)
Death Stranding 困兽 China/Hong Kong, 2023, colour, 2.35:1, 96 mins. Director: Peng Fa 彭发 [Danny Pang]. Rating: 5/10. Generic, Hong Kong-style crime drama is poorly scripted, but watchable…
Bad Lands (2023) review
The incredibly well-crafted narrative structure, fuelled by Sakura Ando’s extremely satisfying performance, ensures that the spectator remains engaged from start and finish
Review: Wolf Hiding (2023)
Wolf Hiding 怒潮 China, 2023, colour, 2.35:1, 105 mins. Director: Ma Yuke 马浴柯. Rating: 7/10. A hard-driven, stygian tale of gangsterly ambition, deceit and murder is a striking…
Review: Ocean Rescue (2023)
Ocean Rescue 深海危机 China, 2023, colour, 2.35:1, 92 mins. Director: Shen Dong 沈东. Rating: 4/10. Routine, poorly plotted action movie, with Mainland operatives taking on terrorists with a…
Review: Death Notice (2023)
Death Notice 暗杀风暴 Hong Kong/China, 2023, colour/b&w, 2.35:1, 99 mins. Director: Qiu Litao 邱礼涛 [Herman Yau]. Rating: 6/10. Despite a shapeless script, this serial-killer mystery is largely entertaining…
Monster (2023) – Movie Review
I won’t say that Koreeda Hirokazu is a must-see director for me. I honestly didn’t connect the dots between some of my favorite films, and his screenwriting/directorial talents…
Review: The Procurator (2023)
The Procurator 检察风云 China, 2023, colour/b&w, 2.35:1, 112 mins. Director: Mai Zhaohui 麦兆辉 [Alan Mak]. Rating: 6/10. Part courtroom drama, part crime procedural, this ends up being not…
Review: Flaming Cloud (2023)
Flaming Cloud 三贵情史 China, 2023, colour, 2.35:1, 106 mins. Director: Liu Siyi 刘斯逸. Rating: 6/10. Mainland actress Yao Chen is the main delight in this post-modern fairytale that…
Review: Tainted Love (2023)
Tainted Love 鹦鹉杀 China, 2023, colour, 2.35:1, 100 mins. Director: Ma Yingxin 麻赢心. Rating: 4/10. Ambitious but stylistically messy drama about a woman who hunts down her online…
Techno Brothers (2023) review
An amazing blend of arthouse minimalism and weird deadpan comedy.