Chizuru Ikewaki

After helping a cat, a young girl finds herself involuntarily engaged to a cat prince in a magical world where her only hope of freedom lies with a dapper cat statuette come to life. (imdb)

The story of a woman's life work founding a bone marrow bank for her son. (CD Japan)

Naisu no Mori: The First Contact is the only film that features an ejaculating Ass-Television that plugs into a schoolgirl's navel to save an alien planet and give birth to a tiny sushi chef. (SFIndie.com)

Four very different women search for love and meaning in their lives in the hustle and bustle of downtown Tokyo in this comedy-drama... (All Movie Guide)

Who is the mysterious "Friend" and how does he tie into Kenji's youth? Why are there disappearances and deaths tied into Ochanomizu University? Their memories hold the keys to the puzzle, but time and age have clouded their minds. The strange occurrences and the reach of the "Friend" conspiracy grow by the day. It will all culminate on New Year's Eve 2000. Will Kenji and the others be able to put together the puzzle and save the world? (robojapan.blogspot.com)

The story of Tsuneo, a college student who meets a young girl named Josee with Cerebral Palsy. Despite their differences, the two develop a close relationship. But will the gap between them prove to be too wide to bridge (asiacue.com)

Early in the summer season, Shuhei Amamiya, a fifth grade boy, moves to a rural town. He introduces his classmates to his dream of becoming a professional pianist where he is challenged to play on a broken piano discarded in the forest, but there is a spooky rumour that the sound of the piano can mysteriously be heard at night. Shuhei is at loss at what to do with this sudden demand.After school, Kai invites Shuhei to the forest to see the grand piano.

Akari is a 14-year-old schoolgirl living in Japan's northern island of Hokkaido. One day, a puppy wanders into her yard, looking lost and frightened. She is a Golden Retriever with white paw markings. Akari names her Socks. Akari's mother consents to her keeping the dog but only after she agrees to keep 10 Promises to Socks. Akari enthusiastically assents and the two begin their journey of growing up together.

The story centres on the growing relationship between 80 year-old Nippori and his new carer Narisu, who is in her early 20's. The problem is that Nippori thinks he is still 20 years old, and that he is still living in 1920's Japan. Despite being initially turned-off by the old man's behaviour, Narisu gradually becomes fond of the odd-but-kind Nippori (imdb)

Swordsman Kanemi Sanzaemon stabs and kills the Lady Renko , mistress to the Lord Tabu Ukyou. This crime is normally punishable by beheading, yet Sanzaemon is spared. Instead, he is imprisoned in isolation for a year, during which time we learn of the corruption of Renko, and the growing rift that is forming between the Lord and his cousin Hayatonosho Obiya. When Sanzaemon is released and promoted to chief attendant, things really start to get complicated. (japanesefilmfestival.blogspot.com)

A newly divorced young woman, played by Miho Kanno, returns to work at "Permanent Nobara" - a beauty salon run by her mother. Friends and love relations will be shown, as will the introduction of Miho Kanno's love interest played by Yosuke Eguchi. (asianmediawiki.com)

Set during World War II, the film follows a young brother and sister as they attempt to survive the aftermath of the firebombing of Kobe City.

A down and out musician goes to Japan where he befriends a local woman. (imdb)

Mitsuya Majime is an unsuccessful salesman. But his love of reading and dedication, as well as a post-graduate degree in linguistics, catches the eyes of Masashi Nishioka and Kouhei Araki, dictionary editors who are seeking a replacement for Araki himself. With Majime on the editing team, the group plans to produce a new dictionary called The Great Passage which would bridge the gap between people and the sea of words and would take years to complete. (wikipedia)

Journalist Fujii receives a letter from convicted killer Sudo. Writing from death row, Sudo wants to confess to crimes unknown to the police. Visiting Sudo in prison, Fujii learns about a real estate broker called "Doc" who masterminded murders in which Sudo worked muscle for. Set up by Doc, Sudo seeks revenge and implores Fujii to find the evidence needed to arrest his former boss. Working off Sudo's sketchy memories, Fujii begins to piece together a grizzly tale of torture, rape, and arson. (Nikkatsu Corporation)

Two troubled souls living on the fringes of a port town fall in love, but their trials are far from over. (imdb)

A young girl, Emili, is killed by a stranger in elementary school. Although her four friends saw the suspect, they say they don't remember it. 15 years have passed and the incident is still unsolved. Emili's mother, Asako (Kyoko Koizumi), makes them do penance for it. The series focuses on the psychological repercussions on each of the four girls, 15 years later. (wikipedia)

A doctor (Sho Sakurai) ponders his future while caring for a terminally ill patient (Mariko Kaga).

Portrait of the Wind centers on Tamio, a world-traveling photographer who came home to take over the family business after his father's death. One day at the photo studio, he finds a kindred spirit in Ayako and the requisite sparks fly between them. The beginning of the film deal with their budding romance, and it isn't long before the two become a serious couple, and Ayako is pregnant. As compelling as all of this proves to be, the romance merely sets the viewer up for a tragic narrative turn. (lovehkfilm.com)

A family of small-time crooks take in a child they find on the street. (imdb)

Five young directors and five versions of this country's near future. (japantimes.co.jp)

The 50th film in Tora-san series to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the series. The adult Mitsuo, Tora-san's nephew, who runs into Izumi, his first love, whom he had once promised to marry. The familiar faces of Kurumaya Cafe, which Tora-san's family ran in Shibamata, also return. Catching up with old friends, it is always their dearest memories of Tora-san which everyone shares on such occasions.

***Replay ***Inochibi (Life Force) ***Ame no Houmonsha (The Visitor in the Rain) ***Okusanya-san (The Wife Seller) ***Imakiyo-san (Mr. Imakiyo)

An elementary student named Junichi is having trouble returning an eraser he borrowed from his secret crush, Maeda. With the support and encouragement of rookie teacher Anna, Junichi gets over his shyness and starts a band with his classmates. (letterboxd.com)

A love story between a young man who has been forced to grow up too quickly, and a young woman with an ailment that has placed restrictions on her life. (imdb)