Japanese cinema possesses an elegant beauty that is truly unique, wouldn’t you agree? Ranging from heartwarming slice-of-life films to sinister thrillers, this list of 8 films has been specially curated for those who wish to hone their Japanese skills while enjoying an entertaining production. To further enhance your learning, consider using two sets of subtitles (one in Japanese and one in your native language). Don’t forget a notebook to take down your own notes as well!
1. We Made A Beautiful Bouquet (花束みたいな恋をした)
Directed by: Nobuhiro Doi
Genres: Romance, Drama
Running in the rain. Finding someone who watches the same films as you, who reads the same books as you. Looking through old pictures. Sitting by the beach. These are all small, intricate details that are typically present in our lives, but these are also the moments that make our hearts beat, put a smile on our faces, and give us that warm, fuzzy feeling inside. This feeling is exactly what We Made a Beautiful Bouquet elicits.
The film chronicles the ups and downs of two young adults’ relationship, spanning several years. This story is pure and sincere, feeling like a hug on a rainy day, like someone blow-drying your hair after a bath, or like sharing one side of your earphones with someone else. Most importantly, director Nobuhiro Doi tells us that although flowers wilt and stories end, they once made a beautiful bouquet.
Since the film is set in contemporary times, you’ll hear up-to-date vocabulary, common phrases and expressions used in daily life, and slang, which is useful for understanding current Japanese language trends.
2. Godzilla Minus One (ゴジラ -1.0)
Directed by: Takashi Yamazaki
Genres: Horror, Science Fiction, Action
Seventy years after the very first Godzilla (ゴジラ) film, directed by Ishirō Honda, was released in 1954, Godzilla Minus One took the world by storm with its mind-blowing visual effects and surprisingly poignant story. The film combines practical effects with modern CGI to create a realistic and immersive portrayal of Godzilla and the destruction he causes. The quality of the visual effects is immensely great, earning the franchise its first Academy Award in its seventy-year history. This film is particularly praised for its delicate balancing act, serving up top-tier thrills that satisfy the cravings of hardcore fans and the general public alike, while also leaving time for more emotional, personal moments. It truly is something special, and definitely one of the strongest entries in the franchise. This film is so adored that fans are begging director Takashi Yamazaki to return for a sequel!
3. Akira (アキラ)
Directed by: Katsuhiro Otomo
Genres: Action, Science Fiction
Perhaps the most iconic animated film in cinema history, Akira is two hours of relentless, non-stop adrenaline. The amazing music, vibrant colours and three years’ worth of painstakingly hand-drawn animation makes the city of Neo Tokyo come to life, completely immersing you in the film’s world. It is pretty unbelievable that this film was released in 1988 because it looks eons ahead of its time; even looking better than some animations released in this day and age. This film also knows to avoid taking itself too seriously and is filled with sharp comedy and informal manners of speech that are fitting to the teenage age of the main characters. The complex plot and futuristic setting also introduces advanced vocabulary and technical jargon, making this film great for both beginner and advanced Japanese learners. This revolutionary film just flows flawlessly, with insane action happening at every twist and turn. I guarantee that your eyes will be glued to the screen!
4. Tokyo Story (東京物語)
Directed by: Yasujirō Ozu
Genres: Drama
One of Japan’s most prolific directors, Yasujirō Ozu has always approached filmmaking with value and empathy for the worth and agency of humans. In perhaps his most well-known film, he tells the story of an elderly couple who visit their adult children in Tokyo. However, their elder son and daughter seem to not have much time for them, so it falls to Noriko, the widow of their younger son who was killed in the war, to keep them company. This film takes a patient look at the themes of generational conflict and separation, family and responsibility, as well as loss. With Ozu’s ever-intimate visual style and wonderfully natural performances from the cast, this is a touching story that will make you feel like picking up your phone and calling your family. The film depicts family dynamics and social changes in post-war Japan, providing more advanced learners with the opportunity to learn and understand realistic conversations and expressions of that era.
5. Shoplifters (万引き家族)
Directed by: Hirokazu Kore-eda
Genres: Drama, Thriller, Crime
Who says you need to be blood-related to be a family? In Shoplifters, director Hirokazu Kore-eda tells the story of a poor family who takes in a neglected girl. As secrets unfold, the notion of family is challenged. Shoplifters is an intricately detailed story disguised as a simple one, a film that feels like a hug until it punches you in the gut. A story about family that flows with so much grace and beauty that it is sure to pierce through your heart and open the floodgates of your tear ducts. The film’s natural, everyday conversations will be sure to help you learn common phrases and expressions, and characters from various age groups and backgrounds provide a range of speech patterns, vocabulary, and formality, making it a perfect learning experience for beginners!
6. Wolf Children (おおかみこどもの雨と雪)
Directed by: Mamoru Hosoda
Genres: Fantasy, Family, Drama
Wolf Children is a Japanese animated fantasy film that follows the life of Hana, a young woman who falls in love with a werewolf. They have two children, Yuki and Ame, who inherit their father’s ability to change into wolves. After their father’s sudden death, Hana is left to raise Yuki and Ame alone. The story spans thirteen years, focusing on the challenges Hana faces as a single mother and the children’s struggle with their dual identities. At first glance, you might think it would be difficult to emotionally connect with a subject matter that seems so absurd, but you will quickly feel that fade away as the film’s opening minutes play out. The film gives off a very poignant, sincere mood, one that will have you naturally falling in love with the characters and their story. Accompanied by a serene, melodic soundtrack and a lighthearted pastel colour palette, you might not be able to stop the tears from rolling down your cheeks by the time you are done with the film.
7. The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (かぐや姫の物語)
Directed by: Isao Takahata
Genres: Fantasy, Drama
Have you heard of Studio Ghibli, Japan’s most adored animation studio? The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is probably one of Studio Ghibli’s most underrated films, but definitely one of the best that the studio has to offer. Utilising a unique animation style reminiscent of traditional Japanese ink wash paintings that also complements the story’s classic origins, this film is a retelling of The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, a Japanese folktale about an elderly bamboo cutter who finds an infant Princess Kaguya in a bamboo stalk. This film deals with the rather mature themes of human emotions and the impermanence of life, but delivers its messages in a digestible and entertaining way. The animation in this film is simply mesmerising. Every frame is a literal work of art, and the amount of hard work put into this film is extremely evident. Poetic and archaic language is used in the film, ideal for those interested in classical Japanese literature and traditional storytelling.
8. Cure (キュア)
Directed by: Kiyoshi Kurosawa
Genres: Crime, Mystery, Thriller, Horror
The highly respected film auteur Kiyoshi Kurosawa delivers something deliciously dark with this film. The film follows detective Kenichi Takabe as he investigates a series of seemingly unconnected murders in Tokyo. Each victim is killed in a similar manner, with an “X” carved into their necks, but each murderer has no memory of committing the crime. This blend of psychological thriller and crime drama deals a lot with the human mind and its vulnerability, resulting in it being a really unique take on the horror genre. An incredibly slow burn, this film takes a minimalist approach with long, unsettling shots and a subtly eerie soundtrack to send chills down your spine. Characters get shaken to their core, so much so that they are changed irreversibly, and that in itself might be the true horror in this masterpiece. This widely loved film by fans of the genre absolutely demands your trust but makes sure it pays off.
Japanese cinema is flooded with gems; this is just the very tip of the iceberg! Exploring Japanese cinema will not only prove to be an enriching experience but will definitely also help you practise and hone your Japanese language skills. What are you waiting for? Get your snacks, a nice drink, and most importantly, your Japanese vocabulary notebook, and enjoy a film from this list!