6 new Japanese films and series coming to Netflix in February 2023

December and January introduced us a smashing line-up of new titles on Netflix, from the lengthy-awaited 2nd time of ‘Alice in Borderland’ to Hirokazu Kore-eda’s ‘The Makanai’, but you can find no slowing down for February. On top rated of the common rom-coms that are confident to crop up around Valentine’s Day, a handful of dramas, uplifting comedies and thrilling suspense exhibits are thanks to strike Netflix Japan in the coming months.

From the earth premiere of Netflix’s original movie ‘Call Me Chihiro’ to the 2020 film ‘Gift of Fire’ which got overlooked through its launch amid the pandemic, in this article are the best shows and movies to seem out for this February. Bear in thoughts that not all of these movies present English subtitles and regional restrictions may well utilize. 


A Madder Red 

Synopsis: 7 years right after dropping her spouse in a targeted traffic incident, Ryoko (Machiko Ono) is having difficulties to continue to keep her family members afloat amid the Covid-19 pandemic. When her café business enterprise goes below, Ryoko finds herself juggling employment at a flower shop and a sex club to assist her father-in-law, who is in a nursing dwelling, as well as her middle schooler Junpei. 

Overview: Machiko Ono is breathtaking in this tale about the minority class who suffered the most through the pandemic. Although the movie loses its footing a couple of occasions with its unstable plot products and overly prolonged runtime, ‘A Madder Red’ is stuffed with ample coronary heart to make it worthwhile.

Offered now


Get in touch with Me Chihiro

Synopsis: Just after leaving her work as a intercourse worker, a younger girl named Chihiro decides to make a dwelling by offering bento packing containers in a modest seaside town. Chihiro, who is unapologetically herself, originally arrives across as a minor unconventional to some of the regional citizens, but can make a lasting effect on every person who purchases bentos from her. 

Overview: Adapted from the well-known manga ‘Chihiro-san’, this element co-manufactured by Netflix and Asmik Ace, is making its world premiere on Netflix this month as perfectly as at the Musashino-kan Shinjuku theatre on February 23. The movie stars Kasumi Arimura as Chihiro and is directed by Rikiya Imaizumi (‘By the Window’), who is regarded as one particular of the most influential filmmakers of his technology.  

Out there February 23


Aggretsuko (year 5)

Synopsis: Retsuko is a 25-yr-previous pink panda who will work as an accountant. In the course of the day, she receives pushed all around by her manager and colleagues at the business office, but at night, she hits a karaoke parlour and unleashes all her rage with loss of life metal. 

Overview: Cue the sad tunes –  this fifth time of Aggretsuko will be the remaining instalment of the hit Netflix collection showcasing Sanrio’s most relatable heroine. The present proved to be specially well-liked amid twenty-somethings, who found comfort and ease in observing Retsuko dabble with dubious courting apps, place up with hard coworkers and cry about her regular payments like each individual other white-collar zennial. 

Whilst it appears issues are about to get a lot more complex for Retsuko in the new time as she can make an unexpected foray into politics, we are crossing our fingers that we will ultimately get an response to the will-they-or-won’t-they problem amongst her and Haida.

Readily available February 16


Present of Fire 

Synopsis: In 1940s Japan, a fantastic young scientist named Osamu Ishimura (Yuya Yagira) is tasked with developing the world’s first atomic bomb. This poses a problem for Osamu and his collaborators. Developing these types of a weapon would guide to an unthinkable degree of mass destruction, still failing to do so would leave Japan in chance of remaining the goal of the nuclear attack. 

Confronted with expanding stress from their superiors and a growing feeling of guilt as their peers are killed off in the war, Osamu and his team are successfully remaining with no choice but to function day and evening to come up with profitable results in a bid to conclusion the war once and for all. 

Overview: Any one who has at any time picked up a record e book will know about the nuclear assault of Japan throughout Environment War II. What quite a few people you should not know, nevertheless, is the tale of Japan’s tense race to create the initially atomic bomb prior to the United States or Soviet Union. In this gripping drama starring Yuya Yagira (named Very best Actor at the 57th Cannes Movie Competition for his efficiency in ‘Nobody Knows’), director Hiroshi Kurosaki would make a bold try to lose light on a lesser regarded minute of historical past.

Out there February 7


Elpis

Synopsis: Ena Asakawa (Masami Nagasawa) is a disgraced anchorwoman who is compelled to go away her job at a broadcasting network following a tabloid leaks evidence of her having an affair. She then picks a new task with a late evening wide range programme, the place she will work intently with a wealthy but inexperienced director named Takuro Kishimoto (Gordon Maeda). 

Shortly just after adopting her new placement, Ena picks up a discrepancy in a situation about a suspected serial killer on demise row. Confident that the convicted prisoner is basically harmless, Ena and Takuro staff up with a different reporter to observe down the true culprit. 

Overview: Suspense lovers will be energized to know that the fourth instalment of ‘You’ isn’t really the only thrilling sequence to catch on Netflix in February. Encouraged by genuine activities, ‘Elpis’ is a cleverly executed story of cat and mouse that manufactured its debut at the MIPCOM showcase in Cannes previous year. 

Readily available now


Tale of My Family 

Synopsis: Juichi Miyama’s partnership with his father Jusaburo – a renowned Noh theatre actor – is a rocky a person, to say the the very least. Although he spent his youth making an attempt to gain his father’s approval, Juichi eventually went on to become a experienced wrestler instead of following in his father’s footsteps. 

When Jusaburo’s overall health usually takes a convert for the even worse, Juichi braces himself for his father’s death and prepares to get the inheritance, but the ageing thespian surprises absolutely everyone by bouncing again from his sickness. Shortly right after, Jusaburo makes a general public announcement, declaring his selection to leave anything he has to his younger new caretaker and go away nothing to his sons. Chaos ensues. 

Overview: Its slapstick premise will intrigue any individual who’s in the mood for a good laugh, but there’s a whole lot far more to this story than the teaser would guide you to believe. Prepared by Kankuro Kudo (‘Go’, ‘Ikebukuro West Gate Park’), this offbeat comedy handles all the familiar drama, frustrations and absurdities that come with getting a big spouse and children, which even superior-flying, challenging-dude wrestlers can not escape. 

Obtainable now

This post was posted on January 27 and up to date on February 3.

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Want to be the initial to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Indication up to our publication for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan.

Shirley McQuay

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