Yuriyan Retriever delivers a satisfying film of subjective growth, yet not without a highly ironic aftertaste.
Tag: Akari Takaishi
Ghost Killer (2025) review [Japannual 2025]
Sonomura’s narrative does little to re-invent the genre, but delivers everything one’s desires in such narratives in spades – a crowd-pleaser, indeed.
Baby Assassins: Good Days (2024) review [Fantasia Film Festival]
Yugo Sakamoto successfully mixes up the formula that structured his previous two action narratives. Highly Recommended.
Short Movie Time: Perfect・Nervous (2024) review [OAFF 2024]
An exquisitely crafted narrative that touchingly shows that a simple encounter, a simple exchange of signifiers, can turn a wish to die into a desire to life.
Single8 (2023) review [Japan Cuts 2023]
Konaka offers the spectator a heartwarming invitation to re-find, within oneself, one’s (nearly extinguished) passion for creation.
As Long As We Both Shall Live (2023) review [Fantasia Fest 2023]
An over-the-top and highly powerful romance narrative.
Baby Assassins: 2 babies (2023) review [Nippon Connection 2023]
Sakamoto’s latest film has such a irresistible charm that even those who normally shy away of action or comedy narratives will leave satisfied.
Distant Thunder (2022) review [Skip City International D-Cinema Festival]
A strangely mesmerizing sci-fi slice-of-life narrative
Baby Assassins (2021) review
“One of the most satisfying Japanese action films of this year.”