News

The official website for the upcomingUnder Ninjalive-action film adaptation ofKengo Hanazawa's manga released a character trailer and a new visual for four additional cast members. The film will release in Japan theaters on January 24, 2025. Under Ninja Live-Action Film Character Trailer The new cast members for the film include:Ono(played by Murotsuyoshi) Ai Kawado (played byHaruka Kinami) Homeroom Teacher (played byShinobu Hasegawa) Akikazu Yoshida (played byJiro Sato)Yuichi Fukudawrites and directs the live-action film, which also starsKento Yamazaki,Minami Hamabe,Shotaro Mamiya,Mai Shiraishi,Amane Okayama,Chihiro Yamamoto,Ryubi Miyase,Ryotaro SakaguchiandMitsuru Hirata.Hanazawa has serialized theUnder Ninjamanga in Kodansha's Weekly Young Magazine since 2018, with 13 collected volumes released in Japan to date. Denpa also publishes an English language version of the series. Ono, Ai Kawado, HomeroomTeacher,and Akikazu Yoshida Related:Under NinjaLive-Action Film Reveals First...

One of the prestigious national cinema awards in Japan presented by the Association of Tokyo Film Journalists, the 65th edition of the Blue Ribbon Awards announced its winners on February 24, 2023. The nominees are selected from movies released in 2022 within the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. Leading with 6 nominations,A ManbyKei Ishikawa,wins Best Film whilePlan 75byChie Hayakawapicks up Best Director and Best Actress forChieko Baisho.The full list of winners is described below.

Best Film

A Man

Kingdom 2: To Distant Lands

Small, Slow But Steady

Missing

Silent Parade

Dr Coto’s Clinic

Plan 75

Motherhood

Fragments of the Last Will

Wandering

A ManBest Director

Kei Ishikawa – A Man

Shinzo Katayama– Missing

Takahisa Zeze– Tombi: Father and Son; Fragments of the Last Will

Chie Hayakawa – Plan 75

Ryuichi Hiroki– 2 Women, Motherhood;Phases of the Moon

Best Actor

Sadao Abe– Lesson in Murder; I am...

2022 was an incredible year for horror films from across the world that deserve just as much attention as any domestic genre hit.

2022 has proven itself to be a banner year for horror and genre fans have never had more exciting and terrifying options at their disposal. Whether in the security of one’s own home or a dark movie theater, horror has been a comforting constant for audiences this year.

2022 hasn’t struggled when it comes to original horror blockbusters, withNope,Barbarian,The Black Phone,Smile,Bodies Bodies Bodies,and Ti West’s X andPearlbeing some of the year’s biggest releases. However, 2022 has had just as much to offer for sequel and franchise fans betweenHellraiser,Prey,Scream,Terrifier 2,andHalloween Ends.

It’s easy for horror fans to get tunnel vision when it comes to mainstream movies, but some of the year’s scariest...

The next collaboration between Bloody Disgusting andDark Star Picturesis the must-see Japanese crime thriller Missing, now on all VOD platforms and Blu-ray!

Missing is a nonstop engaging thriller that erupts into a helluva shocking finale.

In the film…

“Depressed and in debt following the death of his wife, Santoshi (Jiro Sato) tells his young daughter he has found a way out. Pointing to a reward note, he vows to find the infamous serial killer ‘No Name’ (Hiroya Shimizu) and cash in, claiming to have seen the man in the flesh a few days earlier. Kaeda (Aoi Ito) cannot take her aloof father seriously.

“But when he goes missing without a trace, she starts to fear the worst—and must begin looking for him.”

Missing is written and directed by Shinzô Katayama. The filmmaker crossed paths withBong Joon-Howhile shooting Tokyo! (2008) and served as his assistant director onMother(2009). In 2019, his debut feature,...

The next collaboration between Bloody Disgusting andDark Star Picturesis the must-see Japanese crime thriller Missing, now on all VOD platforms ahead of a Dec. 6 Blu-ray release.

Missing is a nonstop engaging thriller that erupts into a helluva shocking finale.

In the film…

“Depressed and in debt following the death of his wife, Santoshi (Jiro Sato) tells his young daughter he has found a way out. Pointing to a reward note, he vows to find the infamous serial killer ‘NoName’ (Hiroya Shimizu) and cash in, claiming to have seen the man in the flesh a few days earlier. Kaeda (Aoi Ito) cannot take her aloof father seriously.

“But when he goes missing without a trace, she starts to fear the worst—and must begin looking for him.”

Missing is written and directed by Shinzô Katayama. The filmmaker crossed paths withBong Joon-Howhile shooting Tokyo! (2008) and served as...

After a huge festival run, the truly insane Japanese crime thriller Missing is now on all VOD platforms fromDark Star Picturesand Bloody Disgusting. It will release on Blu-ray December 6th.

Missing is a nonstop engaging thriller that erupts into a helluva shocking finale. To say that it slips intoTakashi Miiketerritory isn’t an understatement.

We have an exclusive look at Missing in which two teens investigate a social media stalker who hangs and mutilated his victims… with a hack saw!

In the film…

“Depressed and in debt following the death of his wife, Santoshi (Jiro Sato) tells his young daughter he has found a way out. Pointing to a reward note, he vows to find the infamous serial killer ‘NoName’ (Hiroya Shimizu) and cash in, claiming to have seen the man in the flesh a few days earlier. Kaeda (Aoi Ito) cannot take her aloof father seriously.

Ever since her mum died, teenagerKaede(Aoi Itô) has been responsible for looking after herself. her home and her dad,Satoshi(Jirô Satô). In the opening scene, we see her apologising as she picks him up from a store where he has been accused of shoplifting, earnestly explaining that he’s not quite right in the head. It’s tough to have to do this all the time, and she knows they’re short of money. She’s not impressed by his claim that he has spotted a notorious serial killer in the vicinity and is going to catch him to get a reward. When he goes missing, however, she finds herself with a whole new crisis to contend with.

The killer (Hiroya Shimizu) is introduced so early here that is makes no sense to try to preserve a sense of mystery about him. That’s not where this film’s concerns lie.

The next collaboration between Bloody Disgusting andDark Star Picturesis the Japanese crime thriller Missing, which will open in theaters on November 4, 2022, before making its way to VOD platforms on November 18th and Blu-ray on December 6th.

Watch the official trailer below to begin this nail-biting game of cat-and-mouse!

In the film…

“Depressed and in debt following the death of his wife, Santoshi (Jiro Sato) tells his young daughter he has found a way out. Pointing to a reward note, he vows to find the infamous serial killer ‘No Name’ (Hiroya Shimizu) and cash in, claiming to have seen the man in the flesh a few days earlier. Kaeda (Aoi Ito) cannot take her aloof father seriously.

“But when he goes missing without a trace, she starts to fear the worst—and must begin looking for him.”

Missing is written and directed by Shinzô Katayama. The filmmaker crossed paths...

Official Selection: Busan International Film Festival, Fantasia International Film Festival, Fantastic Fest and many more.

Synopsis: Depressed and in debt following the death of his wife, Santoshi (Jiro Sato) tells his young daughter he has found a way out. Pointing to a reward note, he vows to find the infamous serial killer “No Name”(Hiroya Shimizu) and cash in, claiming to have seen the man in the flesh a few days earlier. Kaeda (Aoi Ito) cannot take her aloof father serious. But when he goes missing without a trace, she starts to fear the worst—and must begin looking for him.

After working as an assistant director for Japanese films, includingNobuhiro Yamashita’s works, filmmaker Shinzô Katayama crossed paths withBong Joon-Howhile shooting “Tokyo!” (2008) and served as his assistant director on “Mother”(2009). In 2019, his debut feature, “Siblings of the Cape” was selected by numerous domestic and international film festivals.

A successful thriller starts with a good story and ideally should take the viewer through various stages of excitement, astonishment, and anxiety — extra points if a film marketed as a thriller succeeds at being genre-defying. South Korean filmmakerBong Joon-hois known and loved for making movies that hit all these marks and more, so it’s interesting that one of the most gifted, up-and-coming directors in Japan has been referred to as Joon-ho’s protégé. Before making his feature film debut with Siblings of the Cape in 2018, filmmakerShinzô Katayamaserved as assistant director to Bong Joon-ho on his acclaimed filmMotherin 2009.Katayama’s second feature film, Missing (Sagasu), screened at Busan International Film Festival in 2021 and is premiering at this year’s Fantastic Fest. Written by Shinzô Katayama,Kazuhisa Kotera,andRyô Takada,and directed by Katayama, Missing is a twisty thriller and a heart-wrenching story with an amazing cast,...

It was announced last week thatDark Star Picturesacquired the North American distribution rights to the crime thriller Missing as part of its ongoing collaboration with Bloody Disgusting.

After screening at several prestigious festivals including Busan International Film Festival, Fantasia, and the forthcoming Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas, Missing will open in theaters on November 4, 2022, before making its way to VOD platforms on November 18th and Blu-ray on December 6th.

In the film…

“Depressed and in debt following the death of his wife, Santoshi (Jiro Sato) tells his young daughter he has found a way out. Pointing to a reward note, he vows to find the infamous serial killer ‘No Name’ (Hiroya Shimizu) and cash in, claiming to have seen the man in the flesh a few days earlier. Kaeda (Aoi Ito) cannot take her aloof father seriously. But when he goes missing without a trace, she starts to...

The ever prestigious Fantastic Fest returns next week for its seventeenth edition featuring 21 World Premieres, 14 North American Premieres, and 21 U.S Premieres.

The press release teases killer teddy bears, man-eating sharks, elderly zombies, cocktail-serving robots, and Park Chan-wook… all under one roof.

But this year’s fest is even more special to us.

Bloody Disgusting is beyond excited to share not one, but Six feature films that we’re directly involved in, all screening at the Fantastic Fest, which runs from September 22nd – 29th. Our coverage, presented by The Callisto Protocol, also begins during this time.

Here’s what’s premiering:

Terrifier 2

Before opening in theaters nationwide on October 6, Art the Clown will be terrorizing the Fantastic Fest crowd on opening night, September 22.

Terrifier 2is a sprawling follow-up that horror fans quite simply aren’t ready for. Art the Clown is more brutal than ever withTerrifier 2...

Cool news for fans of Japanese crime thrillers. Katayama Shinzô's crime thriller, Missing, has been picked up byDark Star Picturesfor North American distribution. Depressed and in debt following the death of his wife, Santoshi (Jiro Sato) tells his young daughter he has found a way out. Pointing to a reward note, he vows to find the infamous serial killer “No Name”(Hiroya Shimizu) and cash in, claiming to have seen the man in the flesh a few days earlier. Kaeda (Aoi Ito) cannot take her aloof father serious. But when he goes missing without a trace, she starts to fear the worst—and must begin looking for him. Dark Star Pictures and Bloody Disgusting have a three-pronged attack planned for Missing. There...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy...]...

Dark Star Pictureshas acquired the North American distribution rights to the crime thriller Missing as part of its ongoing collaboration with Bloody Disgusting, we’re excited to announce today.

After screening at several prestigious festivals including Busan International Film Festival, Fantasia, and the forthcoming Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas, Missing will open in theaters on November 4, 2022, before making its way to VOD platforms on November 18th and Blu-ray on December 6th.

In the film…

“Depressed and in debt following the death of his wife, Santoshi (Jiro Sato) tells his young daughter he has found a way out. Pointing to a reward note, he vows to find the infamous serial killer ‘No Name’ (Hiroya Shimizu) and cash in, claiming to have seen the man in the flesh a few days earlier. Kaeda (Aoi Ito) cannot take her aloof father seriously. But when he goes missing without a trace, she starts...

Santoshi Harada (Jirô Satô) has a plan. It concerns a three-million-yen reward for helping capture the infamous serial killer known as “No-Name” (Hiroya Shimizu). Santoshi says he saw him on the train to work. The man who’s been all over the news is inexplicably here in town, right now, and he’s pretty sure he knows where he can find him. Except, of course, that Santoshi is in no shape to “find” anyone. He’s been clinically depressed and unable to hold a full-time job since his wife’s (Tôko Narushima’sKimiko) suicide. He can barely keep food in the fridge for his middle school-aged daughterKaede(Aoi Itô) to cook. We literally meet her full-speed sprinting to scoop him up from the corner store after he was caught shoplifting.

DirectorShinzô Katayamaand screenwritersKazuhisa KoteraandRo Takadaare making it quite clear that the father-daughter...

Shinzo Katayamahad previously shown his colors with “Siblings of the Cape” one of the best Japanese indies of the last few years. This time, he returns with a second feature that is a Japanese-s. Korean co-production that follows some of the rules his debut created, but in a much tamer fashion, at least in terms of visual presentation.

“Missing” is screening on Fantasia International Film Festival

Satoshi is depressed and in debt, following the death of his wife, while his issues have essentially forced his teenage daughter,Kaede,to be the adult in their family. One day, though, he informs her that he has found a way out of their misery, since he thinks that he has discoverd a serial killer the police have been searching for some time, nicknamed “No Name”. Kaede does not take him seriously, but a few days later he disappears completely, and the girl begins searching for him,...

Stars: Ryohei Suzuki,Fumika Shimizu,Ken Yasuda,Shôta Chiyo,Shunsuke Daitô,Narushi Ikeda,Nana Katase,Tsuyoshi Muro,Shun Oguri,Yoshinori Okada,Jirô Satô,Takashi Tsukamoto| Written byYûichi Fukuda,Shun Oguri | Directed by Yûichi Fukuda

I love, nay Adore, completely-bonkers Far East flicks be they live-action or animation – hell, some of the first films I ever reviewed professionally (if anything I do can be called a profession) were titles likeBig Man Japanand13: Game of Death.So it’s safe to say that I’m part of the target [Western] audience for a film likeHk: Forbidden Superhero– even moreso given the ridiculous over-the-top ending that sees one of the films villains emerge in a giant mech that looks like a combination of two of my favourite kids TV shows: aPower RangersZord and the combiner Devastator from the original 80sTransformerscartoon.

Which is why I absolutely Loved this movie!

Stars:Tomori Abe,Kensuke Ashihara,Satoshi Eishima, Goki,Yôta Kawase,Riri Kôda,Rima Matsuda,Masanori Mimoto,Maki Mizui,Seminosuke Murasugi| Written byYoshihiro Nishimura,Sakichi Satô| Directed byYoshihiro Nishimura

Asian extreme horror is noted and adored for its absurdity and graphic content. For me, it can either be “Oh My God! This Insane Fun!” or “Really!? More of this!?”. That’s why admittedly, my experience with the genre (if it’s fair to pigeon hole these films to one genre.) is fairly limited. I feel it’s my duty as a reviewer to let you know I have never seen the originalMeatball Machinefrom 1999, but I did watch the 2005 remake a fair few years a go (which this film is the sequel of.) and I gold my hands up that it’s a mere blur to me. From my basic research, it seems like KodokuMeatball Machineis indeed a direct sequel,...

Stars: Ryohei Suzuki,Fumika Shimizu,Ken Yasuda,Shôta Chiyo,Shunsuke Daitô,Narushi Ikeda,Nana Katase,Tsuyoshi Muro,Shun Oguri,Yoshinori Okada,Jirô Satô,Takashi Tsukamoto| Written byYûichi Fukuda,Shun Oguri| Directed byYûichi Fukuda

I love, nay Adore, completely-bonkers Far East flicks be they live-action or animation – hell, some of the first films I ever reviewed professionally (if anything I do can be called a profession) were titles likeBig Man Japanand 13:Game of Death.So it’s safe to say that I’m part of the target [Western] audience for a film like Hk: Forbidden Superhero – even moreso given the ridiculous over-the-top ending that sees one of the films villains emerge in a giant mech that looks like a combination of two of my favourite kids TV shows: a Power Rangers Zord and the combiner Devastator from the original 80s Transformers cartoon.

Which is why I absolutely Loved this movie!