Reviews

Spring has officially begun, bringing with it a fresh selection of Japanese dramas and anime! With so much Japanese content being released on Netflix, it can be challenging to keep up. Fortunately, I'm here to help you navigate it all. Whether you're a Japanese language learner seeking immersion content, interested in exploring Japanese media, or simply in need of some new Netflix recommendations, this guide is for you. Here is my latest list of Must-Watch Japanese dramas and

If you have even a slight interest in gritty legal dramas, Sins of Kujo is a show that immediately makes its intentions clear: it's not about clean victories or moral certainty. Adapted from a popular manga, this 2026 Japanese series delves into ambiguity, questioning what justice truly means when those you defend are, frankly, terrible. While the premise isn't novel, the execution—stylish, cynical, and often unsettling—makes it worth watching. A Lawyer Who Defends the “Wors

Japanese cinema is frequently associated with distinguished directors such as Kurosawa, Ozu, and Mizoguchi, as well as prominent contemporary filmmakers including Kore-eda, Hamaguchi, and Fukada. But behind the camera, there are women whose powerful voices and stories shaped Japanese film history — often without the recognition they deserve. Today, I am celebrating the female directors of Japanese cinema — past and present. Chapter 1: The Early Pioneers In the early 20th cent

We have once again been blessed with a new wave of Netflix Japanese drama releases in the past month. As always, I am here to guide you through it and potentially give you a steer as to which show you should start your J-drama journey with for the winter months ahead. Without any further ado, let's get into it! Romantics Anonymous (Netflix)(2025) The Netflix original Japanese drama, Romantics Anonymous, centers on two individuals with severe social anxieties who find an unlik

We have once again been blessed with a new wave of Japanese drama releases in the past month. As always, I am here to guide you through it and potentially give you a steer as to which show you should start your J-drama journey with for the winter months ahead. Without any further ado, lets get into it! Romantics Anonymous (Netflix)(2025) The Netflix original J-drama, Romantics Anonymous, centers on two individuals with severe social anxieties who find an unlikely connection i

What a time to be alive! The cinematic evolution of anime since the pandemic has been truly culture-defining. The powers that be have gifted us with the latest installment of the Demon Slayer series featuring Infinity Castle, and just a month afterward, we receive the continuation of the Chainsaw Man anime with Reze Arc. These two titans of the anime industry are dominating the US box office and likely every other box office globally at the moment. However this post wont be

Aniplex/Ufotable© I know I often say this about many things, but with this movie, I genuinely feel like I'm late to the party. Yesterday, I finally had the opportunity to watch the latest Demon Slayer film, Infinity Castle , and wow, the internet was absolutely right about every aspect of it. The Next Chapter in the Demon Slayer Saga “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle” marks the highly anticipated next chapter in the Demon Slayer world. It brings the beloved anime series into it

NON in Miss King - ABEMA © So, I think I just stumbled upon one of the best J-drama's of the season. Over the past few years Netflix has been continuously dropping more and more J-drama for the global masses, which is amazing if you consider that pre 2022, you could barely find any J-dramas, and if you did, they werent exactly good. Fast forward to 2025 and we get 3-4 new dramas on a monthly basis, sometimes even more. But not only that, we also get shows that are currently

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

A Journey Through Kore-eda's Masterpieces The time has come. I am finally putting pen to paper (virtually speaking) on my definitive ranking of Hirokazu Kore-eda's filmography (at least the ones that are available for me to watch legally!). Anyone who knows me or has been watching my videos on YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/@amview ) knows how much I admire Kore-eda's filmmaking. He is probably my favorite filmmaker of all time. Why, you may ask? Well, you'll find out thro

Interested in diving deep into Japanese TV Shows and Movies but unsure where to begin? From timeless samurai classics and mind-bending anime to heartwarming slice-of-life dramas, Japanese entertainment offers something for everyone. However, with so many streaming platforms and titles available, it can be a bit overwhelming. That's why I've put together this ultimate guide. I'll show you exactly where to find and stream the top Japanese content, whether you're a seasoned fan,

A New Venture in Cinema YES! A new Fukada Koji film has been announced! His upcoming project, "Love On Trial," featuring Saito Kyoko, will be part of the prestigious Cannes Premiere section of the 78th Cannes Film Festival. "Renai Saiban," which translates to "Love On Trial," tells the story of a young female idol embroiled in a legal battle with her agency. She faces allegations that she violated her contract due to a romantic relationship. The plot delves into crucial quest

Winners of the 48th Japan Academy Film Prize Ceremony

Here are the highest-grossing films in Japan so far in 2025

NetflixJP - Extremely Inappropriate 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 is Japan. With its unique culture and captivating storytelling, Japanese movies and TV shows have become increasingly popular on the streaming platform. In this series, I will explore some of my recent favorites from the Land of the Rising Sun. Please keep in mind that not all of these

As a huge Kore-eda fan, I'm embarrassed it took me over a year to watch his latest film, "Monster," which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023. Fast forward to June 2024, and I finally saw one of 2023’s best films and possibly one of Kore-eda’s top three or five works. I need more time to fully process it before deciding its exact place in my Kore-eda ranking, but rest assured, a ranking is coming. This film marks Kore-eda’s long-awaited return to Japanese cinema and

Love Life is the latest film of one of my favorite contemporary Japanese directors, Koji Fukada. I was first introduced to Fukada in 2020 when I discovered the incredible film that is ‘Harmonium’ or 淵に立つ, Fuchi ni Tatsu in Japanese. That summer I found myself being drawn to the slow-burning fire of Japanese family dramas by filmmakers such as Hirokazu Koreeda and the legendary Yasujirō Ozu, eventually that newfound love would lead me to find ‘Harmonium’ on Amazon Prime with

First Love: Directed by Takashi Miike First Love is a "tarantino-esque" story about a boxer who is suddenly diagnosed with an inoperable brain turnover, and a call girl, who has to pay back her family debts to the yakuza. Together they become caught up in a drug smuggling scheme that occurs over the course of one night in Tokyo’s underworld. Harmonium: Directed by Koji Fukada Harmonium is your typical Japanese family drama, but with a brutal twist and an ending, you will neve