Hiroko Yakushimaru

Film Review: Sailor Suit and Machine Gun (1982) by Shinji Somai

08 December 2019
by Panos Kotzathanasis
AsianMoviePulse

After experiencing the permeating machismo of the Yakuza Papers Pentalogy, the opportunity to watch a film that actually parodied the yakuza ways, and even more, which had a girl for a protagonist, was more than welcome. “Sailor Suit and Machine Gun” is based on the homonymous, 1978 novel by Jiro Akagawa and stars pop idol Hiroko Yakushimaru, with her presence helping immensely in the appeal the film had in Japan, winning popularity awards for both the title and the protagonist from the Japanese Academy. Furthermore, the distribution income it generated was the biggest in the domestic market for 1982, while the theme song of the film, which was also sung by Yakushimaru, stayed at the 1st place of the weekly Oricon Singles Chart for five consecutive weeks.

Izumi Hoshi is a normal high school girl, until one day, and after a number of yakuza appear in the school she attends,

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Fantasia 2018: ‘Destiny – The Tale of Kamakura’ Review

17 July 2018
by Phil Wheat
Nerdly

Stars: Masato Sakai, Mitsuki Takahata, Shinichi Tsutsumi, Min Tanaka, Jun Kunimura, Hiroko Yakushimaru, Tomokazu Miura, Sakura Ando, Tamao Nakamura, Koji Ohkura, Mayu Tsuruta | Written and Directed by Takashi Yamazaki

The honeymoon is over for newlyweds Akiko and Masakazu Isshiki, who’ve just moved into his family home in the quiet town of Kamakura. While her husband, an author of fantastic fiction, struggles with writers block, Akiko has to come to terms with the rough spots in a marriage – the misunderstandings, the doubts, her husbands obsessive toy-train hobby. And then there are the peculiarities of Kamakura, which, as Masakazu remarks offhandedly, has been a magnet for mystical energy for millennia. Ghosts, goblins, even a charming local death god amble through its streets, and what’s more, her husband moonlights as a “spectral investigator” for the local police! For such a sleepy little town, there are certainly a lot of strange things going on.

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Third Always film being shot in 3D

20 January 2011
Nippon Cinema

Takashi Yamazaki is set to direct a third film in the Always franchise. The new film, Always: Sanchome no Yuhi ‘64, is set in the year of the Tokyo Summer Olympics and will be shot in full stereoscopic 3D.

Based on Ryohei Saigan’s manga “Sanchome no Yuhi - Yuyake no Uta”, the films present a nostalgic view of a bustling Tokyo neighborhood during post-occupation Japan. The first two installments, released in 2005 and 2007, were set in the late 50s as the Tokyo Tower was being built. The leap forward to 1964 was not part of the original manga, but Saigan signed off on the new film and even added some of his own ideas to the screenplay.

Returning cast members include Hidetaka Yoshioka, Shinichi Tsutsumi, Koyuki, Maki Horikita, Masako Motai, Tomokazu Miura, and Hiroko Yakushimaru.

Filming began on January 12 and will be completed by the end of April. Theatrical release is slated

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New trailer for "Hanamizuki" starring Yui Aragaki and Toma Ikuta

13 June 2010
Nippon Cinema

The official website for Nobuhiro Doi‘s Hanamizuki has been updated with a full trailer. The film is named after and inspired by a hit 2004 single by singer Yo Hitoto which is also used as the main theme song.

Yui Aragaki stars as a Hokkaido high school student named Sae who lives with her mother Ryoko (Hiroko Yakushimaru) and dreams of attending a Tokyo university. Sae studies for her entrance exams while being watched over by the flowering dogwood tree (hanamizuki) planted by her father (Arata), who died when she was young. Eventually, she meets and falls in love with Kohei (Toma Ikuta), who is planning to stay in Hokkaido and become a fisherman like his father. When Sae leaves Hokkaido for university, they attempt a long-distance relationship, but it’s ill-fated. However, a miracle occurs ten years later…

Toho will be releasing “Hanamizuki” in Japan on August 21, 2010.

Thanks to logboy for the heads up.

See full article at Nippon Cinema »

Teaser for "Hanamizuki" starring Yui Aragaki and Toma Ikuta

18 April 2010
Nippon Cinema

The official website for Nobuhiro Doi‘s Hanamizuki has been updated with a teaser trailer. The teaser actually premiered on Japanese TV a few weeks ago, but it was predictably covered with morning news graphics and talked over by a chatty announcer.

The film is named after and inspired by a hit 2004 single by singer Yo Hitoto which is also used as the main theme song. Yui Aragaki stars as a Hokkaido high school student named Sae who lives with her mother Ryoko (Hiroko Yakushimaru) and dreams of attending a Tokyo university. Sae studies for her entrance exams while being watched over by the flowering dogwood tree (hanamizuki) planted by her father (Arata), who died when she was young. Eventually, she meets and falls in love with Kohei (Toma Ikuta), who is planning to stay in Hokkaido and become a fisherman like his father. When Sae leaves Hokkaido for university,

See full article at Nippon Cinema »

A Good Husband (2010 – Japan) Trailer

22 February 2010
by simplyzane
AsianMoviePulse

Shunsuke Kitami (Etsushi Toyokawa) is once the hottest photographer and during his life in early 40s he suddenly becoming so lazy that he have not touched his camera over the last one year since a trip to Okinawa with his wife Sakura (Hiroko Yakushimaru). Despite being persuaded by his assistant Makoto (Gaku Hamada) for him to return to work, Shunsuke's laziness remains and his womanizing behavior continues and this prompts Sakura to file for a divorce. One day Shunsuke tries to take advantage of an young actress, Ranko (Asami Mizukawa) after a photo session. At the same time Sakura arrives and he scrambles to look normal and ensure that nothing happens between both of them. Sakura wants Shunsuke to take last portrait of her while their divorce is being finalized. While developing the photo inside a dark room he sees one shot of Sakura running away from the camera and saying goodbye.

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