The Best Films From Japan Released in 2016

Films from Japan Released In 2016

5 university students gather to exchange information on their job search activities. They encourage each other and post their thoughts & worries on Twitter, but behind that they have a lot on their minds. Takuto Ninomiya observes those around him. His roommate Kotaro Kamiya has a bright personality and communicates well with others. Mizuki Tanabe is Kotaro Kamiya’s ex-girlfriend. Takuto Ninomiya has feelings for his roommate's ex-girlfriend. Rika Kobayakawa is determined to land a job. Takayoshi Miyamoto is critical of job-seeking activities, but he later tries to get a job.

Someone (2016)

When Chihaya Ayase was in the 6th grade of elementary school, she met Arata Wataya. Arata Wataya transferred from Fukui Prefecture. Taichi Mashima was Chihaya Ayase's friend since they were little. Arata got close to Chihaya and Taichi from the card game karuta. Four years later, Chihaya is a high school student. Chihaya learns that Arata, who went back to Fukui Prefecture, doesn't play karuta anymore. Believing they will meet Arata again, Chihaya and Taichi starts a karuta club at their high school.

Chihayafuru Part I (2016)

After successfully won the Tokyo qualifying tournament, Chihaya and her friends are set to go on to the nationals. As they prepare, Chihaya is faced with new personal issues as her childhood friend and inspiration, Arata, has announced that he has quit competitive karuta. Not only that, but a new rival emerges in the reigning female champion karuta player, Shinobu Wakamiya, a karuta prodigy who became the nation's and the world's greatest female karuta player as a 9th grader. All of this forces Chihaya to reexamine her love of the game in the midst of preparing for one of the biggest tournaments of the year.

Chihayafuru Part II (2016)

Tama is a graduate student. She lives with her boyfriend Takuya. She becomes influenced by lectures about French writer Sophie Calle and begins to follow her neighbor Ishizaka. Tama soon discovers that her neighbor Ishizaka is having an affair. She becomes excited about discovering his secret. Her relationship with her boyfriend Takuya and her professor Shinohara changes.

Double Life (2016)

Schoolteacher Yohei is married to Miyoko. For the first time in 25 years they begin to live by themselves when their son marries and moves out. Then Yohei discovers that all’s not well in his marriage.

A Loving Husband (2016)

The movie depicts the confrontation between younger brother Akira Miyamoto (Shunya Shiraishi) and older brother Atsushi Miyamoto (Ryohei Suzuki) on Higanjima.

Nirvana Island: The Last 47 Days (2016)

High schoolers Mitsuha and Taki are complete strangers living separate lives. But one night, they suddenly switch places. Mitsuha wakes up in Taki’s body, and he in hers. This bizarre occurrence continues to happen randomly, and the two must adjust their lives around each other.

Your Name. (2016)

Popular actor Rengo Shiraki dies suddenly. Due to his sudden death, unpopular actor Daiki Kawata attracts the spotlight due to his close friendship with Rengo. Did Rengo Shiraki commit suicide or was he murdered?

Pink and Gray (2016)

Yusuke was a middle school teacher. but he quit his job due to problems with student bullying. After he quit, Yusuke learned that the bullied student committed suicide. Yusuke is now at Hotel Kopan to escape from everything. He keeps to himself and works as an employee at the hotel. The owner of the hotel is Sakuragi who wishes the hotel could return to its glory days during the Nagano Olympics. One day, a flurry of guests arrive at the hotel which makes Sakuragi ecstatic. Sakuragi decides to hold a party and invite the guests at his hotel. One of the guests is the mother of the student who committed suicide. Yusuke is distressed all over again. When the party begins, the guests talk about the problems they have.

Hotel Copain (2016)

Based on the true story about former cult leader of the religious group "Ho No Hana Sanhogyo", Fukunaga Hogen who was sentenced to 15 years in prison for fraudulent charges related to the fortune telling fraud, director Banmei Takahashi presents another social works which draws the audience's attention with his documentary style direction.

Teruyoshi Fukunaga was born during the end of the war, grew up to be an honest child due to the deep affection of his mother, Fusako, despite the poor family environment. Teruyoshi started a business with his colleagues, but the company went bankrupt due to a bill fraud. Teruyoshi was so angry that he tried commiting suicide with a gas pipe in his mouth but the spur of moment, Teruyoshi, who heard the voice of heaven with thunder, woke up to a resurgence and named himself Fukunaga Hogen, and presided over the religious corporation "Ho No Hana Sanhokou". He speaks of heavenly voice and will, gained many believers and went on to spread on the believes of the cult. Masaru Matsuda played the role of Fukunaga in the middle ages, and Yoko Shimada played the role of Fukunaga's mother. Fukunaga himself will also appear in the documentary part of the movie.

God in Jail (2016)