KIKI’S TOP FIVE FAVOURITE JAPANESE FILMS: NUMBER 1 - Battle Royale “Quelle surprise, Kiki,” you say. Well, I like what I like, okay? You may as well get used to it. I never said I was sophisticated. Bean and I probably watched this film for the first time when we were still in high school. We (I?) transitioned out of a kung fu/martial arts films phase and into an anime/ultra violence phase which included films like Blood: The Last Vampire and Kill Bill. I remember looking it up on the interweb after we saw it, because it had impacted me and to be honest, confused me. It could have been that we watched a version which had been poorly subtitled; I would like to watch the latest release of it and see if things have been more fully explained for the intended western audience. Anyways, when I looked it up I came across a website which explained some portions of the film - like Noriko’s dream sequence and the ending - by basically saying “In Japan, films don’t have to make sense.” I used to think that gaps in the narrative or inexplicable happenings (such as Kitano’s character appearing out of nowhere to give Noriko an umbrella) were plot holes and a sign of a terrible film. Seeing Battle Royale and thinking about it afterwards, I realized that as a viewer, I can and do fill in the blanks when I’m trusted by a filmmaker to make assumptions. I think in many scenes (which I won’t mention so as not to spoil the ending) the film is trying to provoke the audience into wondering WTF and wondering it for days afterwards - and I’m not just talking about the depictions of graphic violence.  Ultimately, I see Battle Royale (and the manga) as a character driven peice. The strength of the film lies in is how quickly it gets you emotionally invested in the characters and their relationships. Considering how many characters there are, this is actually quite a feat. Sure, to a certain extent the film draws on archetypes and genre conventions (some of which might be more familiar to a Japanese audience) but there is a specificity of detail which makes even minor characters memorable. By engaging the audience with the characters and letting their relationships and emotions guide the story (as opposed to the action, of which there is plenty) the stakes are high, every death matters to the audience and there are a lot of them. Which is perhaps why I was so bored with The Hunger Games: despite the action and suspense which seems to be inherent in the premise, and the clarity with which the plot is presented, somehow the characters didn’t elicit a similar emotional investment from me. But I digress. Battle Royale: Watch it, or else:
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KIKI’S TOP FIVE FAVOURITE JAPANESE FILMS: NUMBER 1 - Battle Royale

“Quelle surprise, Kiki,” you say. Well, I like what I like, okay? You may as well get used to it. I never said I was sophisticated.

Bean and I probably watched this film for the first time when we were still in high school. We (I?) transitioned out of a kung fu/martial arts films phase and into an anime/ultra violence phase which included films like Blood: The Last Vampire and Kill Bill. I remember looking it up on the interweb after we saw it, because it had impacted me and to be honest, confused me. It could have been that we watched a version which had been poorly subtitled; I would like to watch the latest release of it and see if things have been more fully explained for the intended western audience. Anyways, when I looked it up I came across a website which explained some portions of the film - like Noriko’s dream sequence and the ending - by basically saying “In Japan, films don’t have to make sense.”

I used to think that gaps in the narrative or inexplicable happenings (such as Kitano’s character appearing out of nowhere to give Noriko an umbrella) were plot holes and a sign of a terrible film. Seeing Battle Royale and thinking about it afterwards, I realized that as a viewer, I can and do fill in the blanks when I’m trusted by a filmmaker to make assumptions. I think in many scenes (which I won’t mention so as not to spoil the ending) the film is trying to provoke the audience into wondering WTF and wondering it for days afterwards - and I’m not just talking about the depictions of graphic violence. 

Ultimately, I see Battle Royale (and the manga) as a character driven peice. The strength of the film lies in is how quickly it gets you emotionally invested in the characters and their relationships. Considering how many characters there are, this is actually quite a feat. Sure, to a certain extent the film draws on archetypes and genre conventions (some of which might be more familiar to a Japanese audience) but there is a specificity of detail which makes even minor characters memorable. By engaging the audience with the characters and letting their relationships and emotions guide the story (as opposed to the action, of which there is plenty) the stakes are high, every death matters to the audience and there are a lot of them. Which is perhaps why I was so bored with The Hunger Games: despite the action and suspense which seems to be inherent in the premise, and the clarity with which the plot is presented, somehow the characters didn’t elicit a similar emotional investment from me. But I digress. Battle Royale: Watch it, or else:

Spirited Away (2001)

KIKI’S TOP FIVE FAVOURITE JAPANESE FILMS: NUMBER 2 - SPIRITED AWAY

If you are reading this and for some reason, you made it to this point in your life without having seen Spirited Away, please stop reading immediately and just go watch it.

Are they gone? Okay. Great.

So… Spirited Away, best movie ever, huh? I think it really beautifully depicts the bathhouse, certain aspects of the shinto religion and other uniquely Japanese things like kompeito.

KIKI’S TOP FIVE FAVOURITE JAPANESE FILMS: HONORABLE MENTION - Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance I remember that, at the video store where I once worked, we used to have a sign in the japanese cinema section, which (somewhat snarkily) directed customers seeking Shogun Assassin to the Lone Wolf and Cub series because: Shogun Assassin, known in Japan as Kozure Ōkami (子連れ狼?), is a jidaigeki film made for the British and American markets and released in 1980… Shogun Assassin was edited and compiled from the first two films in the Lone Wolf and Cub series, using 12 minutes of the first film, Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance, and most of Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx. from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shogun_Assassin Oh man, I miss Pic-A-Flic so much - I hope they never go out of business! I haven’t read all of the manga, or seen all six of the films in the series, but I’m thinking maybe Bean and I will try to get a hold of them (with English subs, for me) when we are reunited in Japan and we will host a little marathon! I especially recommend this film for fans of Kill Bill or Samurai Jack, both of which are inspired by and directly reference Lone Wolf and Cub:
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KIKI’S TOP FIVE FAVOURITE JAPANESE FILMS: HONORABLE MENTION - Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance

I remember that, at the video store where I once worked, we used to have a sign in the japanese cinema section, which (somewhat snarkily) directed customers seeking Shogun Assassin to the Lone Wolf and Cub series because:

Shogun Assassin, known in Japan as Kozure Ōkami (子連れ狼?), is a jidaigeki film made for the British and American markets and released in 1980… Shogun Assassin was edited and compiled from the first two films in the Lone Wolf and Cub series, using 12 minutes of the first film, Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance, and most of Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx.

from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shogun_Assassin

Oh man, I miss Pic-A-Flic so much - I hope they never go out of business! I haven’t read all of the manga, or seen all six of the films in the series, but I’m thinking maybe Bean and I will try to get a hold of them (with English subs, for me) when we are reunited in Japan and we will host a little marathon!

I especially recommend this film for fans of Kill Bill or Samurai Jack, both of which are inspired by and directly reference Lone Wolf and Cub:

Source: samuraicinema

(gifs via psychrophile: The Flower of Carnage. Meiko Kaji [梶 芽衣子], Lady Snowblood [修羅雪姫] (1973). )

KIKI’S TOP FIVE FAVOURITE JAPANESE FILMS: HONORABLE MENTION - LADY SNOWBLOOD

Lady Snowblood is one of the films that inspired Kill Bill, so if you are a fan of O-Ren Ishii, it’s a must-see. Lady Snowblood (1973) has a lot in common with Lady Vengeance (2005), which is undoubtedly in my top five favourite films of all time.

Throne of Blood (1957) KIKI’S TOP FIVE FAVOURITE JAPANESE FILMS: NUMBER 4 - THRONE OF BLOOD Throne of Blood (1975) was directed by Akira Kurosawa, without whom no list of japanese films is complete. Throne of Blood is a film adaptation of Macbeth and as I am an aspiring English Lit major, it’s really no surprise that this is my favourite Samurai film. The special effects and the use of fog really capture the supernatural elements of the play well. Because it is a period drama, there is lots here for those of you wanting to learn more about Japanese culture; the historical class structures and gender roles portrayed in the film obviously have much in common with their medieval-european counterparts but the adaptation is definitely told from a Japanese perspective. For example, “the crone” is a character trope in western and eastern folklore but in Throne of Blood, the witch seems to be an Onibaba. There’s a nuanced difference in the characters and the application of the play’s themes, it seems to have as much in common with the Japanese tradition of Noh theater as it does with Shakespeare’s play. WHOA. I think I’m getting a little over my head here. That was borderline scholarly. I’m just going to say that there were samurais and ghosts, rad special effects and lots of action sequences WITH ARROWS. Watch it where ever criterion films are rented.
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Throne of Blood (1957)

KIKI’S TOP FIVE FAVOURITE JAPANESE FILMS: NUMBER 4 - THRONE OF BLOOD

Throne of Blood (1975) was directed by Akira Kurosawa, without whom no list of japanese films is complete. Throne of Blood is a film adaptation of Macbeth and as I am an aspiring English Lit major, it’s really no surprise that this is my favourite Samurai film.

The special effects and the use of fog really capture the supernatural elements of the play well. Because it is a period drama, there is lots here for those of you wanting to learn more about Japanese culture; the historical class structures and gender roles portrayed in the film obviously have much in common with their medieval-european counterparts but the adaptation is definitely told from a Japanese perspective. For example, “the crone” is a character trope in western and eastern folklore but in Throne of Blood, the witch seems to be an Onibaba. There’s a nuanced difference in the characters and the application of the play’s themes, it seems to have as much in common with the Japanese tradition of Noh theater as it does with Shakespeare’s play.

WHOA. I think I’m getting a little over my head here. That was borderline scholarly. I’m just going to say that there were samurais and ghosts, rad special effects and lots of action sequences WITH ARROWS. Watch it where ever criterion films are rented.

Kamikaze Girls (2004) KIKIS TOP FIVE FAVOURITE JAPANESE FILMS: NUMBER 5 - KAMIKAZE GIRLS Kamikaze Girls (2004) is a fun film. I’ve included it because it’s highly watchable (unlike most of the films I’m into… such as the previously mentioned Enter the Void) and because it features Japanese lolita fashion, which is something you will see a lot more of on this blog. The film is about the unlikely friendship between Momoko, a Baby the Stars Shine Bright fanatic, and Ichiko, a punk rock motorcycle gang member. The film introduces viewers to a few different Japanese cultural phenomena like lolita fashion, the yakuza and pachinko. PLUS the whole thing is available to watch on youtube for free (in low resolution but still). Enjoy! And stay tuned for the top four!
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Kamikaze Girls (2004)

KIKIS TOP FIVE FAVOURITE JAPANESE FILMS: NUMBER 5 - KAMIKAZE GIRLS

Kamikaze Girls (2004) is a fun film. I’ve included it because it’s highly watchable (unlike most of the films I’m into… such as the previously mentioned Enter the Void) and because it features Japanese lolita fashion, which is something you will see a lot more of on this blog. The film is about the unlikely friendship between Momoko, a Baby the Stars Shine Bright fanatic, and Ichiko, a punk rock motorcycle gang member.

The film introduces viewers to a few different Japanese cultural phenomena like lolita fashion, the yakuza and pachinko. PLUS the whole thing is available to watch on youtube for free (in low resolution but still). Enjoy! And stay tuned for the top four!

Internets, we meet again. How are you internets? BESIDE STOKED ABOUT MY FIRST POST! My name is Bean and I am currently living the only realistic dream I’ve ever really had (besides being a cartoon voice actor ‘CAUSE I COULD TOTALLY DO THAT), I’m living in Japan. I arrived in August 2011, so I’ve been living here for 7 months. I’m here on the JET Programme which means I spend my days teaching English to adorable little kids. I was lucky enough to get only Elementary Schools which means I don’t have to teach anyone who doesn’t get excited over playing BINGO, even for the 1 millionth time and I get to participate in tickle fights on a regular basis. In 45 days my sister will being coming to Japan and we will pal around and generally have an amazing time(I’ll also have a reason to clean my house and maybe buy groceries more often).  As previously stated, I have only been living in Japan for 7 months and although I am no expert, I feel like I could offer some advice for Kiki and anyone else who cares about coming to Japan and staying awhile. So that’s what I plan on doing, at least until we can post about our exploits in this great country.
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Internets, we meet again. How are you internets?

BESIDE STOKED ABOUT MY FIRST POST!


My name is Bean and I am currently living the only realistic dream I’ve ever really had (besides being a cartoon voice actor ‘CAUSE I COULD TOTALLY DO THAT), I’m living in Japan. I arrived in August 2011, so I’ve been living here for 7 months. I’m here on the JET Programme which means I spend my days teaching English to adorable little kids. I was lucky enough to get only Elementary Schools which means I don’t have to teach anyone who doesn’t get excited over playing BINGO, even for the 1 millionth time and I get to participate in tickle fights on a regular basis. In 45 days my sister will being coming to Japan and we will pal around and generally have an amazing time(I’ll also have a reason to clean my house and maybe buy groceries more often). 

As previously stated, I have only been living in Japan for 7 months and although I am no expert, I feel like I could offer some advice for Kiki and anyone else who cares about coming to Japan and staying awhile. So that’s what I plan on doing, at least until we can post about our exploits in this great country.

HI INTERWEB, IT’S ME, KIKI, AND THIS IS MY FIRST POST In just 49 days, I will be on a plane to Japan. It is hard to articulate my excitement. I have been thinking about my trip (constantly) and I have been trying to remember exactly when and how this dream was born. I’ve been carrying it on my back and in my heart and in my thoughts for so long that it feels like it’s always been there - I don’t know how it started but I’ve grown accustomed to my dream, my longing to go to Japan. We have lived together for years. We are an old married couple now and I am parting with my dream by realizing it.
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HI INTERWEB, IT’S ME, KIKI, AND THIS IS MY FIRST POST

In just 49 days, I will be on a plane to Japan. It is hard to articulate my excitement. I have been thinking about my trip (constantly) and I have been trying to remember exactly when and how this dream was born. I’ve been carrying it on my back and in my heart and in my thoughts for so long that it feels like it’s always been there - I don’t know how it started but I’ve grown accustomed to my dream, my longing to go to Japan. We have lived together for years. We are an old married couple now and I am parting with my dream by realizing it.

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