Listmania!
Japanese Movies That I Actually Own on DVD & Enjoy
By an Amazon.com customer
Tokyo Story - Criterion CollectionTokyo Story - Criterion Collection
Buy new: $30.49 / Used from: $19.49
I heard about this movie from Donald Richie's books. His writings made me want to see it.
Seven Samurai - 3 Disc Remastered Edition (Criterion Collection Spine # 2)Seven Samurai - 3 Disc Remastered Edition (Criterion Collection Spine # 2)
Buy new: $21.99 / Used from: $21.92
A friend of mine was taking Japanese Swordfighting at St Pete beach. He would meet with a elderly Japanese man from WWII and train with wooden swords in the sand. He recommended this movie. When I was working at my college library, I saw it and had to see it.
Ugetsu - Criterion CollectionUgetsu - Criterion Collection
Buy new: $31.99 / Used from: $18.95
Wonderfully shot movie about ghosts in feudal Japan.
The Family Game (Foreign Film Favorites)The Family Game (Foreign Film Favorites)
I watched this during a college class in Japan. A great funny movie that looks at how hard the Japanese family pushes their kids to succeed in school.
The Machine GirlThe Machine Girl
Buy new: $12.49 / Used from: $6.88
a funny, amusing, violent guilty pleasure.
Afraid to DieAfraid to Die
Buy new: $17.99 / Used from: $9.50
World famous author, Mishima Yukio, decides to act as a Yukuza gangster. Its interesting to see the shots of Tokyo inside the station. I was too young for the Tokyo of the 50's and 60's so this movie makes good use of location and exterior shots.
My Neighbor TotoroMy Neighbor Totoro
Buy used from: $63.90
I saw this for my Japanese III class in Japan. Its still a huge hit in Japan. Japanese women love it. Before going to Japan I was into Gundam and Robotech and this movie showed me a different kind of anime.
Spirited AwaySpirited Away
Buy new: $18.49 / Used from: $15.71
My last week in Osaka, two Japanese girls took me to see it. Afterwards I asked them what it was about because there was no subtitles. They didn't know because they fell asleep. Cultural differences. I liked it and they didn't care.
Rashomon - Criterion CollectionRashomon - Criterion Collection
Buy new: $30.49 / Used from: $15.90
Great performance by Mifune in this must see Kurosawa classic.
When a Woman Ascends the Stairs: Criterion CollectionWhen a Woman Ascends the Stairs: Criterion Collection
Buy new: $35.99 / Used from: $18.95
A honest look at the floating world of Tokyo's bar scene by a hostess who hates her job.
Crazed Fruit (Criterion Collection)Crazed Fruit (Criterion Collection)
Buy new: $26.99 / Used from: $17.90
Young, proud, rude, and rich Japanese running amuck. The rebellious Japanese that scared their parents like rebel teenages in the US during the 50's.
Story of a Prostitute (Criterion Collection)Story of a Prostitute (Criterion Collection)
Buy new: $26.99 / Used from: $14.98
A look at Japanese prostitutes sent to China to service the Japanese army.
Gate of Flesh - Criterion CollectionGate of Flesh - Criterion Collection
Buy new: $26.99 / Used from: $10.96
Beaten down Japan after WWII during the American occupational. Young prostitutes band together to survive.
Shall We Dance?Shall We Dance?
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $7.47
A movie shown at Kansai Gaidai to encourage advanced students on how to understand Japanese movies in Japanese. A great film about a mid life crisis.
Kamikaze GirlsKamikaze Girls
Buy new: $20.99 / Used from: $10.44
Girls bonding and having fun. This is a funny movie.
Linda Linda LindaLinda Linda Linda
Buy new: $20.99 / Used from: $9.97
I've been a Shonen Knife fan since the mid 90's so I had to see this film about young girls forming a punk band in high school.
Train Man : Densha OtokoTrain Man : Densha Otoko
Buy new: $22.49 / Used from: $14.96
Unlikely love between a stay-at-home otaku and a beautiful woman.
Godzilla 2000Godzilla 2000
Buy new: $11.99 / Used from: $2.91
I saw this movie, opening night in Osaka, Japan. Didn't understand all the Japanese dialouge but it didn't matter, its a Godzilla movie. A lot of fun.
ShikokuShikoku
Buy used from: $1.74
I took a chance and bought this used at Tsutaya (video rental chain) and I liked it overall. There have been better Japanese horror movies made but this was one of the first ones I watched along with all the Ring movies.
Gamera Limited Edition Box SetGamera Limited Edition Box Set
Buy used from: $77.00
I wasn't expecting much but my American Kaiju friend convinced me to watch this trilogy of re-vamped Gamera with an attitude for the 90's.
Sukeban Deka PackSukeban Deka Pack
Buy new: $17.99 / Used from: $9.99
A great series of movies from the mid 80's with fighting schoolgirls using yo-yos. I met a lonely Japanese college student who was addicted to Japaense 80's pop culture and he showed me these two movies.
All About Lily Chou-ChouAll About Lily Chou-Chou
Buy new: $26.99 / Used from: $9.92
A look at bullying in Japanese schools. What a youth does to endure it. Not my favorite film by Iwai Shunji. Its hard to find but seek out Swallowtail featuring Jpop star, Chara.
Cutie Honey - The Movie (Live Action)Cutie Honey - The Movie (Live Action)
Buy new: $26.99 / Used from: $3.98
I saw the anime years ago and this movie does a good job of following that story line. A fun movie.
Zatoichi the Blind Swordsman, Vol. 12 - Zatoichi and the Chess ExpertZatoichi the Blind Swordsman, Vol. 12 - Zatoichi and the Chess Expert
Buy new: $17.99 / Used from: $13.94
Zatoichi is the blind samurai who succeeds despite the odds. I like this one because I like games. In this one the chess expert kills anyone who can beat him.
Early Summer - Criterion CollectionEarly Summer - Criterion Collection
Buy new: $35.99 / Used from: $17.32
What happens when a mid 20's Japanese woman decides to get married after years of avoiding relationships.
PaprikaPaprika
Buy new: $16.49 / Used from: $7.14
Cool Sci Fi anime about people entering their dreams.
Happy Lesson: Complete CollectionHappy Lesson: Complete Collection
Buy new: $39.99 / Used from: $15.82
An amusing anime series about a hopeless young student who is adopted by five teachers. He has to put up with them at home and during class.
Black Society Trilogy (Shinjuku Triad Society/ Rainy Dog/ Ley Lines)Black Society Trilogy (Shinjuku Triad Society/ Rainy Dog/ Ley Lines)
Buy new: $40.49 / Used from: $19.95
Great Yakuza films by Miike
Audition (Uncut Special Edition)Audition (Uncut Special Edition)
Buy used from: $6.19
Miike's torture film that helped gain him an overseas fanbase.
Masters of Horror - ImprintMasters of Horror - Imprint
Buy new: $10.49 / Used from: $2.62
Miike's contribution to Showtimes Masters of Horror series. This is the episode that was banned.
2007 Japanese Drama - Hanazakari No Kimitachie - w/ English Subtitle2007 Japanese Drama - Hanazakari No Kimitachie - w/ English Subtitle
Funny Japanese drama about a girl trying to pass as a boy to enter an Osaka high school for up-n-coming male idols. Lots of Kansai references.
FLCL FOOLY COOLY Tv Series Anime DVD Complete 6 EpisodeFLCL FOOLY COOLY Tv Series Anime DVD Complete 6 Episode
Buy used from: $23.00
A twisted anime that parodies the genre while offering an entertaining storyline.
Osaka Tough GuysOsaka Tough Guys
Buy new: $22.49 / Used from: $4.26
A rare humorous look at the Yakuza life by Mikee.
Three Films By Hiroshi Teshigahara (Pitfall / Woman In The Dunes / The Face Of Another) (Criterion Collection)Three Films By Hiroshi Teshigahara (Pitfall / Woman In The Dunes / The Face Of Another) (Criterion Collection)
Buy new: $50.49 / Used from: $30.00
4 Discs at a good price. You get 3 movies including Woman in the Dunes plus shorts films and a biographical documentary. One short film is Tokyo 1958 starring Donald Richie looking at Ukiyo-e at the beginning.
2LDK2LDK
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $3.68
Better Girl vs Girl fighting then both Kill Bills combined.
Aragami: The Raging God of BattleAragami: The Raging God of Battle
Buy new: $26.99 / Used from: $5.57
Great action film featuring a Samurai Tengu.