The film Doraemon: Nobita’s Sky Utopia will be released on March 3, 2023. The 42nd Doraemon movie follows Doraemon, Nobita, and his friends as they venture off to find Utopia, a perfect land in the sky where everyone lines in joy and happiness. They do so using an airship with a time warp function on their adventure, and to commemorate the film’s release, the Flying Doraemon Project began on January 14. A real-life 17-meter-long Doraemon blimp will soon appear in the sky, and fans are being asked to decide on a name for the craft.

The blimp, inspired by the Doraemon movie, will feature popular characters including Nobita, Shizuka, Suneo, and Gian. The blimp is the largest unmanned airship in Japan.

The message of the Flying Doraemon Project is to convey the feeling that in this day and age, children and adults alike can once again look upward and move forward toward their hopes and dreams.

Fans are asked to contribute ideas for the blimps name during the application period. Check the website for more details!

Natsume Mito will star in the upcoming film Kono Chiisana Te (These Small Hands). The film will debut in theaters on April 8.

The movie is an adaptation of the manga series by Mamora Goda, also known for his works Kira Kira Hikaru and Mori no Asagao. The story follows a father who never cared for his daughter and a daughter who has forgotten her father.

This is the feature-length debut of director Hiroyuki Nakada, who previously worked as an assistant director on films such as Love is Light and Tsukuritai Onna to Tabetai Onna.

<Comment from Director Hiroyuki Nakada>

“What is a father?

This question came to me as I was watching my newborn son sleep.
Does supporting a family financially make a good father?
Can a man be a father in some other way? Can he do something else?
While I was pondering this, I came across Kono Chiisana Te.
I really wanted to find the answer to my question, so I decided to work on plans for this live-action film.

I hope that everyone who sees this film will take some time to think about their families in this fast-paced world.”

<Story>
Kazuma, an illustrator, lives with his wife Sayuri and their three-year-old daughter Hina.

One night, while Kazuma is drinking with his work buddies, Sayuri gets into an accident and is hospitalized while out shopping.

Kazuma falls asleep at the bar and Hina wakes up alone the next day. She is rescued by the police and placed in an orphanage.

Given his actions, Kazuma can’t take Hina home. Having done nothing to help raise her, he’s decidedly unfit to parent. Sayuri doesn’t wake up, and time continues to pass.

Desperate, Kazuma gradually realizes that there are people who care for him and want the best for his life. Determined, he sets out to repair his bond with his daughter.

When Kazuma visits, however, all Hina can do is cry. Has she forgotten her father’s face?

（Ｃ）映画「この小さな手」製作委員会

Based on the Tsuburaya Productions Gridman live-action tokusatsu series from 1993, the
SSSS.GRIDMAN anime series aired in October 2018. A sequel, SSSS.DYNAZENON, followed in April 2021.

Ahead of the release of GRIDMAN UNIVERSE, an all-new anime film coming in March, both SSSS.GRIDMAN and SSSS.DYNAZENON will be getting compilation films. Each will only be
in theaters for two weeks.

劇場総集編『SSSS.GRIDMAN』

The SSSS.GRIDMAN film will be in theaters starting January 20. Those buying tickets will
receive a special illustration card with a voice drama created by Akira Amemiya, the director of the SSSS series, while supplies last. The title of the drama is Hinekuremono Demo (Even if You’re Cynical) starring Soma Saito (Sho Utsumi) and Hass (Akari Kito).

The newly-revealed illustration card’s design features Yuta Hibiki, Sho Utsumi, Rikka
Takarada, and Akane Shinjo happily snapping photos.

SSSS.DYNAZENON will be released for two weeks starting March 10, and those buying
tickets will also get an illustration card and a special voice drama written by Akira Amemiya.

The SSSS.GRIDMAN compilation film is being directed by Yoshiyuki Kaneko, who served as assistant director on the anime series. The film will show a somewhat new interpretation of the story under his new direction. Both compilation films will include extra footage leading
up to the release of GRIDMAN UNIVERSE on March 24, 2023.

©円谷プロ ©2023 TRIGGER・雨宮哲／「劇場版グリッドマンユニバース」製作委員会

In October 2022, maid-themed rock band BAND-MAID will embark on its largest-ever U.S. tour. The girls’ group has become massively popular overseas in recent years, with the total number of views on their YouTube channel surpassing 130 million. BAND-MAID’s previous four world tours have all sold out, and streaming videos of their shows have been viewed by audiences in more than 60 countries around the world. 

This is the first time BAND-MAID will tour in the U.S. solo. Tickets will go on general sale tomorrow, March 3. 

The tour will start with the band’s first appearance at the AFTERSHOCK Music Festival in California, which will feature many of the world’s most popular artists like KISS and Slipknot. Will you be grabbing tickets?

DEEMO: Memorial Keys is scheduled to release in select locations nationwide on February 25, 2022, and a new key visual and 90-second trailer filled with brand-new footage just dropped!

The key visual was created by Mebachi, a popular illustrator known for creating the character designs for both DEEMO and the ending animation of Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club.

Against the backdrop of the castle where Deemo lives, a spiral staircase made of piano keys leads guests to a mysterious world. Alice, the main heroine, and Deemo, the masked girl, along with other characters are seen gazing up at the sky. Cherry blossom petals and light pour down from above in this emotional key visual that perfectly encapsulates the story’s world.

DEEMO tells the story of a girl who falls from the sky. She has no memories and finds herself traversing a strange castle. The sound of piano rings out, and the girl must discover the truth of who she is, and where she finds herself.

DEEMO: Memorial Keys Trailer

Based on the popular DEEMO mobile game, many famous tracks from the title will appear in the movie, so fans shouldn’t miss it!

ⓒRayark Inc./「DEEMO THE MOVIE」製作委員会

Hard rock band BAND-MAID has announced their first U.S. tour in two years! After holding an acoustic online live show on Christmas Day, 2021, the band announced the 2022 U.S. tour on their official website.

BAND-MAID’s Christmas live show received a flood of comments from overseas fans and was viewed from over 50 countries around the world. In 2021, the group is making its Hollywood debut in the Netflix original movie ‘KATE.’

This will be the rock band’s first overseas tour since 2019. Their previous four world tours managed to completely sell out. The dates for the U.S. tour and other details will be announced soon, so stay tuned for more info!

The Boat Race track at BOATRACE Tokonome will be home to a 3-day Drive-in Theater event on November 19, 20, and 21. The vast west parking lot will welcome guests to enjoy three films from the safety and privacy of their vehicles. In past years, the Hamanako, Tokuyama, Naruto, and Mikuni locations have participated. Now, it’s Tokoname’s turn!

Selected Films

La La Land (with subtitles) – November 19, 2021

© 2017 Summit Entertainment, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

The Secret Life of Pets 2 (dubbed) – November 20, 2021

© 2019 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

A Whisker Away – November 21, 2021

© 2020「泣きたい私は猫をかぶる」製作委員会

This lineup of films can be enjoyed by families, lovers, and friends. The final film, A Whisker Away, is a coming-of-age fantasy set in the city of Tokoname. Visitors can enjoy these films on one of the largest air screens in Japan, at 722 inches. Don’t miss some additional boat race content that even beginners can enjoy!

The Japanese art director Hideyuki Tanaka has directed a special movie to promote the 2^nd season of Marc Jacob’s new line “Heaven by Marc Jacobs” as a contributor of this season.

ROBOT GIRL BABY TEE ¥14,300 (tax included) / ROBOT GIRL PILLOW ¥12,100 (tax included)

Special Movie：https://www.marcjacobs.jp/contents/heaven.php

The original graphic robot, Heaven is pop and cute, yet her poisonous ambience with Chinese character “Heaven” on her forehead is iconic. Heaven’s motto is to protect Double-headed Teddy. To celebrate the collaboration, Marc Jacobs launches a compact baby T-shirt decorated with a playful three-dimensional patchwork and a pillow cushion featuring Heaven with scribbles as a print. Don’t miss out the exclusive items and special movie of Heaven by Marc Jacobs.

Interdisciplinary art collective teamLab is joining Light and Space artist James Turrell and British artist and stage designer Es Devlin and the opening exhibition of Superblue Miami, a new art centre in Miami, Florida, beginning on December 22, 2020.

Superblue Miami is set to open as the first experimental art centre by Superblue, a new company that looks into experimental art. Superblue will kick off its launch with Every Wall is a Door where large-scale installation art created by teamLab, James Turrell, and Es Devlin will be showcased through to 2022.

teamLab: Between Life and Non-Life

teamLab will showcase a selection of installations themed on the concept of “Between Life and Non-Life” which looks at human and nature and the ambiguity between life and non-life.

Transcending Boundaries / Universe of Water Particles, Transcending Boundaries
teamLab, 2017, Interactive Digital Installation, Sound: Hideaki Takahashi

Transcending Boundaries, A Whole Year per Hour / Flowers and People, Cannot be Controlled but Live Together – Transcending Boundaries, A Whole Year per Hour
teamLab, 2017, Interactive Digital Installation, Sound: Hideaki Takahashi

“teamLab is an interdisciplinary art collective founded in 2001 in Tokyo, whose team includes several hundred specialists. At the heart of their practice lies the belief that digital art can bring people together through shared experiences. Their immersive, colourful installations fuse art and science to encourage meaningful interactions with both the work and other people. As we move around the space, our very actions—along with those of other participants—provoke flowers to bloom, waterfalls to change the course of their flow, and butterflies to twirl in the air. We are reminded that there is strength in the collective and are invited to reconnect with nature and marvel at its beauty.”
ーSuperblue

ASOBINEXT is a new project launched by event management and talent agency ASOBISYSTEM, which is known for managing artists like Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. The project aims to create next generation icons who will promote their unique personalities and outlooks to the world using social media and in turn bring about new forms of culture.

As part of ASOBINEXT, MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON will be publishing content from each talent that is tied to ASOBINEXT in the form of their favourite and recommended things. Today, we are joined by ASOBINEXT’s Haruna Tamura, an actor and YouTuber, whose film recommendation in this edition is the live-action adaptation of Let Me Eat Your Pancreas.

Synopsis

The story is centred on two individuals who, at the start of their relationship had never really spoken about anything in particular… initially. “Me,” the male protagonist in the film, comes across a diary in a hospital waiting room and discovers it belongs to his classmate Sakura Yamauchi. He learns in the diary that she has a pancreatic illness.

映画「君の膵臓をたべたい」（7/28公開）の公式Twitterアカウントです✨
映画の最新情報をお届けします😊フォロー・RTをお願いします🙇#キミスイ #君の膵臓をたべたい #7月28日公開 #浜辺美波 #北村匠海 #北川景子 #小栗旬 #映画 pic.twitter.com/L3aWLoRomu

— 映画「キミスイ」公式 (@kimisui_movie) March 23, 2017

＼映画『#キミスイ』公開カウントダウン企画第3弾／
公開まであと1ヶ月となる明日28日（水）に「#キミスイみたい」のハッシュタグをつけて、映画への期待コメントをツイートして下さい💕今回は、抽選で10名様に映画『キミスイ』ブックカバーをプレゼントしちゃいます‼続く⬇ pic.twitter.com/CHoXxj7IUT

— 映画「キミスイ」公式 (@kimisui_movie) June 27, 2017

Sakura is a very popular girl in Me’s class, and he never thought she would be suffering from such a fatal illness. She had kept it a secret, with only the people in her family knowing about it. And so begins a bittersweet love story between the plain and simple Me and Sakura, his complete opposite who is the popular one of the class.

＼映画『#キミスイ』公開カウントダウン企画スタート‼／
ただ今から～21時🕘までの間に「#キミスイ楽しみ」のハッシュタグをつけて、映画への期待コメントをツイートして下さい‼抽選で10名様に映画プレスをプレゼント💕皆さまお気軽にご参加ください😊#キミスイ #7月28日公開 pic.twitter.com/y5mLcviWUC

— 映画「キミスイ」公式 (@kimisui_movie) May 28, 2017

Cast 

There are different cast members in Let Me Eat Your Pancreas for playing both the present and past selves of the characters.

The characters of the past, 12 years ago, are played by the following: Minami Hamabe as Sakura Yamauchi, Takumi Kitamura as Me/Haruki Shiga, Karen Otomo as Kyoko, and Yuma Yamoto as Gamu-kun.

This film marked the first time Minami and Takumi had starred in film together, and it was a huge success amongst viewers who shed tears at the relationship between the ill-stricken girl, and the boy who found her diary that details her experiences of living with said illness.

Playing the characters of the present is: Shun Oguri as Haruki Shiga, Keiko Kitagawa as Kyoko, and Yusuke Kamiji as Gamu-kun. Comments from viewers who have watched the film often pointed towards how Shun and Yusuke gave authentic performances of Haruki and Gamu-kun grown-up together, and how they Keiko Kitagawa’s dress was spot on. I was drawn in by how they all knew each other at school.

＼レポートアップしました😆／
「#君の膵臓をたべたい」初日舞台挨レポートをアップしました🌻https://t.co/LD3gZP5kRh#キミスイ #君の膵臓をたべたい #大ヒット公開中 #浜辺美波 #北村匠海 #北川景子 #小栗旬 #月川翔 pic.twitter.com/fWXasWDZxa

— 映画「キミスイ」公式 (@kimisui_movie) August 1, 2017

My Favourite Part

The highlight of the film for me which I want to point out to everyone is Minami Hamabe’s portrayal of Sakura Yamauchi. She purposely puts energy into her performance, and that really left an impression on me. The world of the movie and the real world are two completely different things. Of course, this character doesn’t really exist, but when I watched the performance I felt I understood her. There was a real affinity there. As the story progresses, so too does the illness grow more serious, so what I want is for people to pay attention to her facial expressions, her demeanour, and such, as that happens.

＼映画『#キミスイ』公開カウントダウン企画実施中‼／
本日21時🕘まで実施中！「#キミスイ楽しみ」のハッシュタグをつけて、映画への期待コメントをツイートして下さい😆映画「キミスイ」を知らないーという方はこちらから予告をどうぞ🎵⇒https://t.co/utJI3lLlJG pic.twitter.com/zixCSjyTW8

— 映画「キミスイ」公式 (@kimisui_movie) May 28, 2017

Wrapping Up

I first watched this film when I was a 3rd year high school student. Since the film is set in the same school year, the story had an even greater impact on me. I was able to learn the bittersweet-ness of romance as well as the preciousness of life. To this day, I think it remains my favourite film.

I was captured by the array of emotions that Minami Hamabe portrays in particular. There are a lot of parts that I can relate to from being a student to becoming an adult. It’s a very easy story to get behind, so if you’re reading this, I’d love it if you checked it out.

Minami Hamabe and Takumi Kitamura are also starring in the film Omoi, Omoware, Furi, Furare which is showing now too. I want to go and see it for myself to see how they have both grown.

ASOBINEXT is a new project launched by event management and talent agency ASOBISYSTEM, which is known for managing artists like Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. The project aims to create next generation icons who will promote their unique personalities and outlooks to the world using social media and in turn bring about new forms of culture.

As part of ASOBINEXT, MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON will be publishing content from each talent that is tied to ASOBINEXT in the form of their favourite and recommended things. Today, we take a look at 5 recommended nostalgic Japanese films from ASOBINEXT’s Mirai who makes sure to watch at least one film a week.

Our Little Sister

©2015 吉田秋生・小学館／フジテレビジョン 小学館 東宝 ギャガ

・Film Summary
The film follows three sisters: Sachi, Yoshino, and Chika who all live in the house of their grandparents in Kamakura where they all grew up together. One day, they receive news of the death of their father. At his funeral, they meet their 14-year-old half-sister Suzu for the first time, whose mother is already dead. She had been living with their father and her stepmom after he remarried. When the eldest daughter Sachi looks at Suzu as the sisters are saying goodbye to her, she invites Suzu to go and live with them in Asakusa. Suzu agrees to go, and thus begins the sisters’ journey together to deepen their relationship with Suzu. Its a very ‘Japanese’ film in many ways, and has a nostalgic Asakusa feel to it from the scenery and how people interact with one another.

・Why I Chose This Film
The story really gripped my heart. It’s heartwarming, sad, and has a kind of nostalgia I can’t quite put my finger on which makes me want to go back home. I love Asakusa, the setting of the movie, and go there every year to have fun with my family. We’re also four siblings, brothers and sisters, so this film felt more relatable to me as I watched it. If you’re someone who feels like they want to return to their hometown, or see someone you treasure, or want to feel something Japanese, then I recommend giving this film a go!

My Neighbor Totoro

 

この投稿をInstagramで見る

 

#TriviaTuesday✨The original poster for My Neighbour Totoro features only one young girl who was supposed to be the sole main character, before the story changed into one about two sisters. Mei was based on Miyazaki’s own niece, whilst the English dub from 2004 featured a then six year old Elle Fanning as her voice actor, with her older sister Dakota Fanning as Satsuki!

Studio Ghibli UK(@ghibliuk)がシェアした投稿 – 2020年 1月月28日午前9時40分PST

・Film Summary
In the early summer, Satsuki and her younger sister Mei move into the countryside with their father to be closer to their mother who is hospitalised. They meet a mysterious creature who Mei gives the name “Totoro,” a being which cannot be seen by adults. Satsuki and Mei get whisked into a fantastical world as we see them grow.

・Why I Chose This Film
I’ve loved it since I was a kid. It’s one of Ghibli’s films I’ve always watched. The film is set to be set in 1952 during the Showa Period. I was born in the Heisei Period so I wasn’t even born yet when the film was released. Even so, this is a film that continues to receive love, so much so that it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that it’s known to all in Japan, and all have seen it. I believe there are still lots of kids who are watching Totoro even now. This film is an emotion that continues to live in our hearts as a memory, one that’s like a dream we had when we were young. I want the people of the world to watch this regardless of their age or gender!

Always: Sunset on Third Street

・Film Summary
Mutsuko Hoshino arrives in Tokyo from Aomori Prefecture to begin her employment at the auto repair shop Suzuki Auto. Captivated by the prospect of living and working in the sparkling city of Tokyo, Mutsuku is disappointed to find that Suzuki Auto is actually a rundown shop in Tokyo’s lower districts. Despite this, she goes into her job with will-power and positivity, and finds herself becoming a member of the Suzuki family. There is also the struggling writer Ryunosuke Chagawa, who accepts the custody of Junnosuke from Hiromi. Junnosuke is the orphaned offspring of the previous tenant of the building where Hiromi opens a bar. All of the cast members convey love, courage, and warmth in this story about being human.

・Why I Chose This Film
The moment I saw this film, it felt like I had been transported back in time to 1926, even though I was born in the Heisei Period and not the Showa Period. Despite that, it still fills me with a sense of nostalgia, and it makes me well up with a feeling of courage. The film is set in a time where smartphones, PCs, and TVs aren’t a thing yet, so it really made me realise the importance of our connection to others. I want to recommend this film to anyone who wants to know about old time Japan, or is looking for a film with heart!

Kimi ni Todoke

©2010映画「君に届け」製作委員会　©椎名軽穂 / 集英社

・Film Summary
Sawako is avoided by her classmates in elementary school because of her appearance which leads them to name-call her “Sadako,” the main character from the film The Ring. They also call her a zashiki-warashi, a child spirit. But her father teachers her that a zashiki-warashi is a spirit that actually makes people happy. This makes her happy, since her motto is to “do one good thing a day.” When she becomes a high school stduent, she meets a certain boy, which marks the start of this cute and pure love story.

・Why I Chose This Film
This is my favourite of Japan’s love stories. It makes you feel that pure, butterfly stomach kind of youthful love. The music and the backgrounds in the film serve to add another layer to their relationship too. The film makes you want to cheer the two of them on from the shadows as they come to face complicated emotions they have never felt before. Everyone should check this out, regardless of age or gender, if they’re wanting a heart-throb story or feel like returning to their youthful days!

Korede iinoda! Eiga Akatsuka Fujio

・Film Summary
This film covers the life of manga artist Fujio Akatsuka—known for such popular series as Tensai Bakabon—and his 35 year relationship with his editor Toshiki Takei. You get to learn about the unique life of the manga artist, who has been called a genius.

・Why I Chose This Film
This comedy film is set in the 1970s and shows how the popular weekly manga magazine Weekly Shonen Sunday came about, a magazine which it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call the start of Japanese manga. Of course, if you love Japanese manga, you should watch this, but I want all of the people of the world who are interested in the history of Japanese anime to see it!

After announcing that she will invade the stage at Mexico’s music festival VIVE LATINO2020 and America’s Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival 2020, Japanese pop princess Kyary Pamyu Pamyu has now revealed that she will conquer Los Angeles with a solo live show on April 14. 

The last time Kyary struck America with a solo live show was two years ago in 2018 for Kyary Pamyu Pamyu World Tour 2018 THE SPOOKY OBAKEYASHIKI -PUMPKINS STRIKE BACK-. As she previously announced that she will perform in San Francisco on April 16, this now means that two cities are scheduled for a kawaii invasion at the same time as Coachella. 

Don’t miss out on Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s kawaii invasions of 2020.