By Anton Bitel
Teruo Ishii’s Horrors of Malformed Men contains one of cinema’s most straightforwardly stark raving villains.
By Anton Bitel
Akio Jissôji’s celebrated – and controversial – This Transient Life boldly challenges social convention.
By Anton Bitel
Third Window Films are releasing two Animerama series films from Astro Boy creator Osamu Tezuka.
This delightful Japanese anime is one of the highlights of this year’s Directors’ Fortnight programme.
There’s shades of Spirited Away and Kiki’s Delivery Service in this charming animation from Studio Ponoc.
By Anton Bitel
An entrancing existential streak runs through Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s 1997 film, Cure.
Don’t miss this forensically constructed murder story from Japanese director Hirokazu Koreeda.
By Giacomo Lee
Patlabor 2 and other classic-era sci-fi show the past, present and future of Japan’s capital.
By Anton Bitel
Sion Sono’s fantasy horror TAG features one of the most arresting opening sequences in movie history.
Despite some initial promise, this striking looking anime from director Akiyuki Shinbô quickly fizzles out.
By Matt Turner
Rare works from Satoshi Kon and Osamu Tezuka were presented at this year’s festival.
Satoshi Kon’s cult anime contains a vital message for modern audiences.
By Taryn McCabe
Forty years ago, directed Nobuhiko Obayashi created a totally unique art-house treasure.
By Anton Bitel
Shinya Tsukamoto’s Fires on the Plain is a harrowing reminder of the futility and madness of human conflict.
This Japanese anime from Sunao Katabuchi doesn’t quite reach the dizzy heights of Studio Ghibli.