10 New Japanese Movies to Watch in 2024

After the hit movie Broker in 2022, famous director Hirokazu Koreeda is back with an exciting new film called Monster in 2023. This movie really makes you think about how our words and actions can affect other people's lives.

The story takes you into the life of Minato (played by Soya Korukawa), a boy who acts in a way that worries others. Minato's odd behavior leads to a big argument between his mom, Saori (Sakura Ando), and his teacher, Michitoshi, at school.

Michitoshi (Eita Nagayama) thinks Minato is bullying another student, Yori Hoshikawa (Hinata Hiiragi). But Minato's mom believes Minato is a victim of physical violence committed by one of his teachers. This makes her not want Minato to go to school anymore.

What's interesting is we also get to see things from Minato's perspective. It turns out he is actually good friends with Yori Hoshikawa. They hang out and have fun together after school. So, what's really going on with Minato? Why do his mom and teacher see his situation so differently?

Perfect Days stands out as one of Japan's finest films of 2023, notable not just for its storyline but also for the remarkable performance of Koji Yakusho as the lead character. The film has garnered several prestigious accolades, including Best Film at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards and recognition from the Junior Jury at the Montclair Film Festival.

The plot of Perfect Days revolves around Hirayama, a humble toilet cleaner in Tokyo who finds satisfaction in his uncomplicated, routine life. In his spare time, he indulges in reading, enjoys music, and expresses his affection for plants by often photographing them.

While Hirayama's existence appears to be as normal as anyone else's, his life takes a significant turn with the arrival of a young woman. This meeting serves as a catalyst, unveiling Hirayama's true self and revealing the challenges he has encountered in his past.

An explosive catastrophe strikes at Landmark Tower in Yokohama, sending thousands into a desperate fight for survival. In the midst of chaos, the Tokyo Mobile Emergency Room (MER) team hastens to join forces with their Yokohama counterparts, facing a daunting challenge as 193 individuals remain trapped on the building's 70th floor.

Leading the Tokyo MER team is Dr. Kitami (Ryohei Suzuki), who is determined to enter the tower without delay. However, his urgent plans are halted by Kamoi (Anne Watanabe), the head of the Yokohama MER Team. Kamoi insists on waiting for a safer opportunity, especially given the difficulties rescue helicopters face in approaching the site.

The stakes escalate for Dr. Kitami when he knows that his pregnant wife, Chiaki (Riisa Naka), is among those perilously confined on the 70th floor. Driven by a mix of professional duty and personal desperation, Kitami resolves to find a way to rescue the trapped victims, including his dearly loved wife, amidst the towering inferno.

In Love and Deep water is an alluring romantic mystery film centered around a tragic murder on a prestigious cruise liner. The narrative takes shape aboard the grand vessel, Ocean Majesty, as it sails towards the tranquil water of the Mediterranean Sea, where an unexpected crime disrupts its journey.

The plot is set in motion when Suguru Nakamura (Ryo Yoshizawa), a committed crew member aboard the Ocean Majesty, crosses paths with a guest, Chizuru (Aoi Miyazaki). In a twist of fate, Chizuru confides in Suguru that her boyfriend is romantically involved with Suguru's partner. This revelation leads Chizuru to persuade Suguru to abandon the voyage and head back to Japan.

Initially, Suguru is bewildered by Chizuru's startling disclosure. However, his confusion quickly pales in comparison to the shocking events that follow. Amidst the luxury and leisure, they, along with other guests, are horrified to discover a lifeless body floating in the cruise ship's pool.

Thrust into this mysterious circumstance, Suguru and Chizuru join forces to unravel the mystery behind the passenger's untimely demise. As they navigate through clues and uncover secrets, their collaborative effort gradually kindles a deep, mutual affection, binding them together beyond the investigation.

Japan is known for its movies about gang fights, and almost every year, a new one comes out. In 2023, the movie Out, based on Tatsuya Iguchi's manga, is one to watch. The main character, also named Tatsuya Iguchi (Yuki Kura), has a story that grabs your attention.

Tatsuya has just left a juvenile detention center and is trying to start fresh in Chiba, working at his uncle's barbecue restaurant. He's determined to turn his life around and make good choices.

But old habits die hard. Tatsuya still struggles with his violent past, keeps in touch with his former trouble-making friends, and even ends up in a brawl with Kaname Abe (Koshi Mizukami), a key member of the Kirihito motorcycle gang.

After their fight, Tatsuya and Abe actually become friends. But things get complicated when the leader of the Kirihito gang dies in a fight with another gang, the Bakurakan. Abe is pulled back into the gang life, and Tatsuya finds himself in a situation where he has to help his new friend avenge their leader's death.

In 2019, Yuchi Shinpo wrote a novel called "Omae no Tsumi o Jihaku Shiro" that caught the eye of director Nobuo Mizuta. Mizuta turned it into a movie named "Confess To Your Crimes." This film takes you on a thrilling journey with Koji Uda as he tries to rescue his kidnapped niece.

The twist in the story is that the kidnapping is connected to Koji's father, Seijiro Uda. He is a powerful government member of parliament where Koji works as his assistant.

Things get intense when Seijiro finds out his granddaughter has been kidnapped. The kidnapper demands that Seijiro publicly confess his past crimes as a condition for releasing his granddaughter. But Seijiro won't do it.

Koji keeps pushing his dad to confess, even though he doesn't know what Seijiro did wrong. But his dad always says no. So, Koji decides to take matters into his own hands and try to save his niece by himself.

Jigen Daisuke, the faithful sidekick of the famous thief Lupin, has really caught the eye of writer Yoshimasa Akamatsu and director Hajime Hashimoto. They decided to make a movie all about Jigen's own adventures. Tetsuji Tamayama, who played Jigen as Lupin's best friend in the 2014 movie Lupin the 3rd, is back in the role.

In this movie, Jigen has to go back to Japan because his favorite weapon is broken. He's looking for Chiharu Yaguchi (Mitsuko Kusabue), who he thinks is the best person to fix it. But when he finds her, he learns she's stopped working on guns and now fixes watches instead.

At first, Jigen is let down, but he soon gets to know and like Chiharu. Then, a young girl named Oto comes to Chiharu for help. Oto reveals a scary secret. She and her friends are about to be sold at a hidden market, and their blood will be used to make a drug that slows down aging. Hearing this, Jigen decides to help Oto save her friends and stop this illegal scheme.

In response to the eager anticipation of fans for more adventures from the beloved character Totono of the "Don't Call It Mystery" series, director Hiroaki Matsuyama brings to life a new cinematic chapter featuring the distinctive curly-haired student detective.

In this installment, Totono (Masaki Suda), travels to Hiroshima for an art exhibition. There, he meets Shioji Kariatsumari (Nanoka Hara), a young woman who presents him with an unexpected part-time job offer. Totono, in his characteristic spontaneous fashion, agrees, unaware that this seemingly simple job is intricately tied to the complex inheritance dispute of the Kariatsumari family.

The Kariatsumari is a prestigious family that finds themselves embroiled in a bitter internal struggle over who will claim their inheritance. This contentious battle has sadly set family members against each other, resulting in numerous tragic incidents.

Determined to prevent any further harm, Totono looks into the heart of the family's turmoil, seeking to unravel the hidden secrets and mysteries that shroud the Kariatsumari family, hoping his detective skills can bring resolution and peace.

Embarking on an adventure to see the world, Little Red Riding Hood (Kanna Hashimoto) sets off on an exciting journey. Her path soon crosses with a magical fairy who gifts her a shimmering glass slipper. Not long after, she meets Cinderella (Yuko Araki) and generously offers the shoe to the princess.

Cinderella is eager to attend a grand ball where she hopes to meet the prince. So, she invites Little Red Riding Hood to join her. However, on their way there, their pumpkin carriage hits a man who looks dead.

They both get scared and hide the man's body, then keep going to the ball. At the ball, they try to forget what happened. Cinderella even meets the Prince. But then, things go wrong when the dead man is found by people at the party. Now, Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood are in big trouble.

"Once Upon A Crime" is a unique fusion of fairy tale and detective genres, presenting a 1 hour and 45 minute film that showcases a different side to our beloved characters, Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella.

Kingdom III: Flame of Destiny, set against the historic backdrop of ancient China, unfolds in the once-peaceful State of Qin. This tranquility is abruptly shattered when the mighty neighboring nation of Zhao launches an unexpected invasion, igniting a fierce conflict. The State of Qin finds itself compelled to rally its soldiers to confront this daunting challenge.

Central to this epic narrative is Shin (Kento Yamazaki), a youthful and ambitious individual who dreams of achieving greatness as a military general. Fueled by a deep-seated determination, Shin steps into the fray, committed to protecting Qin's people and striving to bring an end to the war instigated by Zhao.

This film is a continuation of the saga from "Kingdom 2: To the Far Land," and specifically focuses on the gripping events of the Battle of Bayou Arc and the initial stages of the Escape from Zhao arc, weaving a tale of bravery, strategy, and the relentless pursuit of destiny.