Reviews

Final Draft - Netflix © Final Draft is the high-stakes, deeply personal Japanese survival competition that puts a unique spin on the genre, blending punishing physical trials with a resonant exploration of post-athletic identity. Over eight grueling episodes, 25 retired athletes—a mix of celebrated champions and those whose careers were cut short—battle for a life-changing ¥30 million prize (over $200,000 USD) to fund their second careers and rewrite their professional legaci

Kento Yamazaki as Arisu - (Netflix ©) It's that time again, where I provide you with some gems from the constantly giving gold mine that is Japanese Netflix. You know the drill by now, but if you don't, here's a quick intro: Netflix has become a popular source for streaming movies and TV shows from all over the world. One country that has continued to produce entertaining content for the army of weebs, J-drama, and cinema lovers to enjoy is Japan. With its unique culture and

Lily Franky in 'Last Scene' - Apple If you're a fan of Hirokazu Kore-eda, you're probably already buzzing with excitement about his latest project. I know I am! The master filmmaker behind masterpieces like Shoplifters and Nobody Knows is currently in production on a new film, and it sounds like everything a Kore-eda fan could hope for. Titled "Sheep in the Box", this new film is a sci-fi family drama set in the near future. The story, which Kore-eda says was inspired by Th

The Japanese film industry continues to captivate audiences in 2025. Anime leads the charge, with surprising domestic hits making waves. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what’s happening at the box office right now. Weekend Trends & Box Office Health On the weekend of September 20–21, 2025, Japan’s box office raked in about USD 22.7 million. This marks a hefty 47% increase over the previous weekend. Such volatility highlights how heavily Japanese cinema depends on blockbuster o

Garnt Maneetapho, better known as Gigguk, is one of the most popular anime YouTubers, known for his sharp commentary, comedic skits, and deep love for the "isekai" genre. But with his latest project, he’s stepping into a new role: not just commentating on anime, but creating it. I've been aware of Gigguk's content for years, especially his "In a Nutshell" series where he reviews the past season of anime projects is probably what I enjoy the most from his catalgue of videos. I

Cover for Kore-eda Hirokazu's film for Apple "Last Scene" What if one unfinished script could decide the future of television drama? That’s the premise of Hirokazu Kore-eda’s short film, Last Scene. On the surface, it’s a 28-minute time-travel short film. But underneath, it’s something bigger — a reflection on legacy, on the fragile place of television in our culture, and on how the stories we tell today shape the future. I want to explore how Last Scene uses a simple sci-fi