Reviews: Aruku from TJFF 2026 July 17, 2026 Final Rating: 4/5 Shikoku Island in Japan is host to a multi-site pilgrimage of 88 Buddhist temples associated with the monk Kukai (also called… Continue Reading
Reviews: How Dare You from TJFF 2026 July 9, 2026 Final Rating: 4.5/5 How Dare You, directed by Mipo Oh, centres around Ueda Yuishi (Tetta Shimada), an elementary schooler who loves bugs and animals… Continue Reading
Reviews: Purehearted from TJFF 2026 July 7, 2026 Final Rating: 3/5 Set in Okinawa, Purehearted, directed by Kaoru Haga, tells the story of a young woman determined to produce local rum. Based… Continue Reading
Reviews: Night Flower from TJFF 2026 June 26, 2026 Final Rating: 4/5 Night Flower, directed by Eiji Uchida, stars Keiko Kitagawa as a struggling woman whose life changes after she begins selling drugs…. Continue Reading
Reviews: Sai – disaster from TJFF 2026 June 24, 2026 Final Rating: 4.5/5 Sai – disaster is an atmospheric thriller about the creeping dread of everyday life. Incorporating elements of murder mystery, slice-of-life, and… Continue Reading
Reviews: Nintama Rantarō: Invincible Master of the Dokutake Ninja from TJFF 2025 July 7, 2025 Invincible Master of the Dokutake Ninja is the latest in the Nintama Rantarō films. Here the young ninja’s must investigate the disappearance of their missing teacher. Continue Reading
Reviews: Muromachi Outsiders (Samurai Fury) from TJFF 2025 July 1, 2025 Final Rating: 4/5 In 1461, the Kanshō famine devastated Kyoto, at that time the seat of the ruling Ashikaga shogunate. As thousands starved –… Continue Reading
Reviews: Grand Maison Paris from TJFF 2025 June 30, 2025 Grand Maison Paris is a sequel to the series Grand Maison Tokyo, where a Japanese chef in Paris must face an uphill battle to become a master of his craft. Continue Reading
Reviews: River Returns from TJFF 2025 June 25, 2025 Final Rating: 4/5 River Returns enters the frame like an older family member sharing a story around a campfire. Each sentence is a thread… Continue Reading
Reviews: Give It All from TJFF 2025 June 18, 2025 Give It All is a Japanese animated film about a girls high school rowing club and the adversities they face. Continue Reading
