I have been watching yet more of the London 2012 Olympics and marvelling at how 
spectacular it has been and the great sporting achievements. Whilst writing reviews I have had the BBC’s coverage streaming in the background. What reviews did I write? Angel Dust, a brilliant psychological thriller by Sogo Ishii, Sweet Home, a brilliant haunted house film by Kiyoshi Kurosawa and I also wrote a preview for 009 Re:Cyborg.
What’s the state of the Japanese movie box-office chart this week?
- Umizaru 4: Brave Hearts
- The Wolf Children Ame and Yuki
- The Dark Knight Rises
- Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted
- Pokemon: Best Wishes 2012
- Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie
- Helter Skelter
- Eight Ranger
- Another
- Brave
The Dark Knight Rises drops one place from two to three in its second week as The Wolf Children Ami and Yuki claw their way back to second place. Helter Skelter remains at seven. Two of last week’s releases enter the top twenty with the Code Geass anime at twelve and Another at nine.
What Japanese films are released in Japan today?
Just Pretended to Hear 
Romaji: Kikoeteru, Furi wo Sita Dake
Japanese Title: 聴こえてる、ふり を した だけ
Release Date: 11th August 2012 (Japan)
Running Time: 99 mins.
Director: Kaori Imaizumi
Writer: Kaori Imaizumi
Starring: Hana Nonaka, Meru Gouda, Takayuki Sugiki, Aki Etohu, Yasumi Yashima
This film was at this year’s Berlin Film Festival where it came second in the Generation section and received a special mention from the Children’s Jury earning it a Crystal Bear. It is directed by Kaori Imaizumi, a nurse who shot this on maternity leave, and stars Hana Nonaka.
This film follows a young girl named Sachi whose mother has died and her father is emotionally self-destructing as a result. Her only relief is in a friend and the belief in an afterlife that allows her mother to stay by her side.
The Kirishima Thing 
Romaji: Kirishia, Bukatsu Yamerutteyo
Japanese Title: 桐島、 部活 やめるってよ
Release Date: 11th August 2012 (Japan)
Running Time: 99 mins.
Director: Daihachi Yoshida
Writer: Ryo Asai (Novel)
Starring: Ai Hashimoto, Ryunosuke Kamiki, Suzuka Ohgo, Mayu Matsuoka, Motoki Ochiai, Masahiro Higashide, Kurui Shimizu, Mizuki Yamamoto,
Ryo Asai’s high school novel “Kirishima, Bukatsu Yamerutteyo” (2010) gets the big screen treatment. The omnibus story tells of the stories of multiple characters and as a result it features a range of young acting talent. It stars Ai Hashimoto (Another, Control Tower), Ryunosuke Kamiki (Survive Style 5+, SPEC: Heaven), Suzuka Ohgo (Soup), Mayu Matsuoka (Love Exposure), and Motoki Ochiai (Hard Romanticker). The director of the film is Daihachi Yoshida who should be familiar to UK cinephiles from his excellent work film Funuke Show Me Some Love, You Losers!
When high school volleyball star player Kirishima quits the team shockwaves are sent through the school. This is the story of the students surrounding Kirishima from his friend Hiroki Kikuchi (Higashide), girlfriend Risa (Yamamoto), Aya (Ohgo) a brass band musician with a crush on Kirishima, badminton player Kasumi (Hashimoto), and the president of the film club Maeda (Kamiki). The students will cross social boundaries and defy groups as they attempt to redefine themselves.
Jewelpet the Movie: Sweets Dance Princess 
Romaji: Eiga Juerupetto: Suuītsu Dansu Purinsesu
Japanese Title: 映画 ジュエルペット スウイーツ ダンス プリンセス
Release Date: 11th August 2012 (Japan)
Running Time: N/A
Director: Hiroaki Sakurai
Writer: Takashi Yamada
Starring: Mana Ashida, Ayaka Saitō, Aya Hirano, Nozomi Sasaki, Miyuki Sawashiro Aki Toyosaki, Rina Hidaki
Despite writing for anime news sites and posting trailers daily I sometimes forget to place that info on my own blog. I might have forgotten this because it is an anime movie based on a property aimed at young girls but I am determined to get things in order! Not that I will ever watch this. Anyway the seiyuu involved include Aki Toyosaki (Momoka Oginome in Mawaru Penguindrum – her scene in the child crusher made me emotional…), Aya Hirano (Konata in Lucky Star), and Ayaka Saitō (Akane Kojima in Boogiepop Phantom).
Ruby (Saito) and her friends are preparing for Princess Mana’s birthday party in Sweetland but when a mysterious item falls out of the sky, a Sweetspet boy appears. Cue much hilarity.
Genkinahito 