My favourite Japanese films
favourite Japanese films - not necessarily the best
the list is ordered by prefence
the list is ordered by prefence
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15 titles
- DirectorAkira KurosawaStarsToshirô MifuneMinoru ChiakiIsuzu YamadaA war-hardened general, egged on by his ambitious wife, works to fulfill a prophecy that he would become lord of Spider's Web Castle.great visualisations, great acting, Macbeth story, historically set
- DirectorAkira KurosawaStarsToshirô MifuneMachiko KyôMasayuki MoriThe rape of a bride and the murder of her samurai husband are recalled from the perspectives of a bandit, the bride, the samurai's ghost and a woodcutter.great visualisations, great acting, very fascinating story with psychological background, historically set
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsRyûhei MatsudaMasanobu AndôShunsuke KubozukaA visually stylish tale of two male prisoners bonded by emotion, love and murder.great visualisations, good acting, fascinating story with philosophical background
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsSumi ShimamotoMahito TsujimuraHisako KyôdaWarrior and pacifist Princess Nausicaä desperately struggles to prevent two warring nations from destroying themselves and their dying planet.great visualisations, great story with ecological background, holds interchangeable position with "Howl's Moving Castle"
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsChieko BaishôTakuya KimuraTatsuya GashûinWhen an unconfident young woman is cursed with an old body by a spiteful witch, her only chance of breaking the spell lies with a self-indulgent yet insecure young wizard and his companions in his legged, walking castle.great visualisations, nice story, holds interchangeable position with "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind"
- DirectorKinji FukasakuStarsHiroko YakushimaruHiroyuki SanadaShin'ichi ChibaPrincess Shizu was born under a terrible curse. Only the eight legendary samurai, hailing from across Japan, can protect her from an ancient supernatural clan to fulfill their destinies as foretold by prophecy.impressive visualisations, has nevertheless a tinge of B-movie feeling, good acting, very interesting story about eight of the Confucian virtues embodied in warriors fathered by a dog, based on a 19th century epic (106 volumes published 1814 to 1842)
- DirectorAkira KurosawaStarsToshirô MifuneTakashi ShimuraKeiko TsushimaFarmers from a village exploited by bandits hire a veteran samurai for protection, who gathers six other samurai to join him.great visualisations, good acting, fascinating story
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsDaveigh ChaseSuzanne PleshetteMiyu IrinoDuring her family's move to the suburbs, a sullen 10-year-old girl wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches and spirits, and where humans are changed into beasts.very ingenious visualisations, nice story
- DirectorSang-il LeeStarsEri FukatsuSatoshi TsumabukiDendenA young woman's murder provokes reflection on the ugliness and villainy of modern society.great story, great acting
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsShun OguriKyôsuke YabeMeisa KurokiA transfer student attempts to take over the most violent high school in the country, whose students form factions and battle each other for power.one of my favourite action films (don't forget the second part Crows Zero II (2009))
- DirectorKeishi OtomoStarsTakeru SatohEmi TakeiYû AoiA former assassin who has resolved to never kill again has his vow sorely tested.Because of the story Rurouni Kenshin (1996) is one of my favourite anime series. This is a very good adaptation with live actors and great martial arts action. Don't forget the two sequels to complete the story, Rurouni Kenshin Part II: Kyoto Inferno (2014) and Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends (2014)
- DirectorShûichi OkitaStarsKoji YakushoShun OguriTsutomu YamazakiRookie movie director Koichi and his crew travels to the mountain village of Yamamura to film his next movie. The villagers are eventually enlisted to help film the movie and, in particular, 60-year-old lumberjack Katsuhiko helps against his will.very nice story with lots of tongue-in-the-cheek humour, great acting
- DirectorAkihiko ShiotaStarsSatoshi TsumabukiKô ShibasakiKiichi NakaiA female warrior who was raised as a man joins a young samurai's quest to recover 48 of his body parts from 48 demons and to avenge her parents death.fascinating story, interesting visualisations, has B-film charme
- DirectorRyûhei KitamuraStarsTakao OsawaMasaya KatôKanae UotaniA raging god of battle and a master samurai duke it out in a series of sword fights in a remote temple.great story, great acting, a tour de force by two actors in a closed room, good martial arts
- DirectorMizuho NishikuboMamoru OshiiStarsAtsuko TanakaIemasa KayumiAkio ÔtsukaA cyborg policewoman and her partner hunt a mysterious and powerful hacker called the Puppet Master.great visualisations, interesting story, don't forget Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (2004)