Features

MIDNIGHT EYE RETIRES. After 15 years of making the world's go-to source for info on Japanese cinema in English, we're calling it a day.

What was up in Japanese film in 2014? Ask the makers of Midnight Eye.

Tracing the lineage of one of Japan's greatest cinematographers, from Daimajin to Hitokiri and beyond.

Tom Mes continues his trek through the wild world of Japan's straight-to-video film business.

The second chapter in our odyssey brings messages from space and greetings from Jupiter, while taking a detour into the realm of anime.

Inside the box office politics of an increasingly conservative Japanese cinema. Or: why Nagisa Oshima still matters in the era of Hayao Miyazaki and The Eternal Zero.

Distant galaxies and hostile worlds, interplanetary disaster and mighty monsters: the first in a two-part odyssey into the Japanese space opera.

Tom Mes commences a journey through one of the most important developments in recent Japanese film.

While the Japanese film industry turns increasingly 'insular', what do the writers at Midnight Eye make of the releases of 2013?

Part 2 traces Hideo Gosha's career into the 1980s and "female oriented" hits like Yakuza Wives and Tokyo Bordello.

Mapping the sounds of several generations of Japanese cinema, from punk rebellion to contemporary confusion.

The first installment in Robin Gatto's two-part exploration of the life and films of an overlooked master of the samurai film.

New venue, familiar atmosphere: the prime annual venue for Japanese films in Europe returns for its 13th edition.

Roger Macy comments on the Japanese selection at Europe's main venue for Asian mainstream film.

Introducing the new book by Tom Mes, the companion piece to his influential and acclaimed tome, Agitator.

The snowy town and its fantastic film festival retain their magic, as well as a fascinating line-up of films that includes some real discoveries.

The makers of Midnight Eye pay tribute to the Western world's foremost authority on Japanese film.

R.I.P. Nagisa Oshima, 1932 - 2013

The makers of Midnight Eye present their choices in cinematic highs and lows from the year 2012.

Jasper Sharp laments the passing of a unique figure in world cinema.

Jeff Hammond reports from a recent addition to the Japanese festival scene.

An exclusive spotlight on Jasper Sharp's brand new, indispensable reference work.

Tom Mes and Jasper Sharp weigh in with their pros and cons of the year 2011.

Marc Saint-Cyr reports from the 2011 edition of Canada's showcase for the vital Japanese indie scene.

From Sogo Ishii to Yoshihiro Nishimura, by way of Akira and Tetsuo - cyberpunk remains a vital genre in Japanese film. An in-depth exploration by Mark Player.

The past decade has seen the rise of a new generation of independent animators in Japan. Catherine Munroe Hotes explores the lay of the land.

The makers of Midnight Eye reveal their favourites and dislikes in Japanese cinema of the year 2010.

You, the Midnight Eye readers, have spoken... These Japanese films are your favourites of the year 2010.

Chris MaGee chronicles the cinematic legacy of butoh dance pioneer Tatsumi Hijikata, who worked with Donald Richie, Takahiko Iimura and Teruo Ishii among others.

Tom Mes dissects the twisted works of Yasuzo Masumura, director of The Blind Beast, Red Angel and Giants and Toys, and a key influences on Japan's new wave.

The makers of Midnight Eye bring you their best ten Japanese films from the first decade of the 21st century.

Midnight Eye readers choose their favourite Japanese film of the decade.

Our contributors give you their likes and dislikes of the past year in Japanese film.

The votes are in! And the winner is...

In Japan, he is the director of such perennial favorites as House and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. In the rest of the world, he is all but unknown. Join us in discovering the unique world of a stylish, fascinating, versatile filmmaker. By Paul Roquet.

Roland Domenig delivers the third chapter in his in-depth history of the Japanese sex education film.

In its second year after rising from its ashes, the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival confirms its importance in discovering new talent. Includes an interview with director Tsuki Inoue. By Eija Niskanen

The votes are in! And the winner is...

The new year wouldn't be the new year without the traditional best and worst lists from our contributors.

Mark Schilling pays tribute to director Jun Ichikawa, director of Tony Takitani, Tokyo Marigold and many others, who died September 19, 2008.

An in-depth and exclusive spotlight on Behind the Pink Curtain, the groundbreaking book by Jasper Sharp.

Tom Mes sends a postcard from the resurrection of one of Asia's finest festivals, the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival.

A profile of one of Japan's most original animators, with a complete filmography. By Catherine Munroe Hotes.

The votes are in! And the winner is...

It's that time again. We put our heads together to bring you our favourite and and not-so-favourite Japanese films of the past year.

Robin Gatto shines a much needed light on an obscure master of the chanbara film, Eiichi Kudo, director of The Great Killing and the original 13 Assassins.

Roland Domenig continues his trek through the obscure history of the Japanese sex education film, in part 2 of this ongoing series.

Eija Niskanen provides the perfect introduction to the work of this great creator of modest but extremely resonant films.

The readers have spoken. Your favourite Japanese film of 2006 is...

The makers of Midnight Eye get together to give your their traditional year-end lists.

An in-depth look at the world of the japanese porn industry, guided by one of its most prolific practicioners, Company Matsuo, the master of hamedori. By Johannes Schönherr.

Special guest Roland Domenig illuminates another dark corner of Japanese film history, in the first of a four-part series.

Eija Niskanen reports from Tokyo's annual platform for new filmmakers and finds that this crucial festival remains as pioneering as ever.

Ubiquitous yet unique - "Japan's Super Actor" remembered.

Special guest Abé Mark Nornes discusses the importance and significance of Frankfurt's delightful Nippon Connection festival, and what it says about our changing views on Japanese film.

The Japanese government's attempts to support film may have some adverse effects, as special guest Aaron Gerow observes.

A hard look at the more obscure recesses of the rich history of foreign films about Japan, packing in low budget film noir, Ed Wood-penned monster movies and Bollywood musicals. By Matt Kaufman.

Anime authority Jonathan Clements kicks off our series of special guest features, with an odyssey through the weird world of anime voice acting.

Midnight Eye readers choose their favourite Japanese film of 2005.

The Midnight Eye folks present their lists of a year's worth of highs and lows.

It has a rich past and an active present, but what about the future? A descent into the dark waters of Japanese horror film history, by Nicholas Rucka.

Jason Gray and Tom Mes explore the length and breadth of the works by Japan's master of the macabre.

Alexander Jacoby delves into the silent past of Japan's oldest film studio and uncovers rare gems by the likes of Ozu, Shimizu, Naruse and Ito.

A salute to one of the genre's late masters, as remembered by those who worked with him. By Robin Gatto and Tom Mes.

A look at the impact and legacy of the PIA Film Festival and Japan's thriving 'jishu eiga' indie scene. By Jasper Sharp.

A deeper look at the close symbiotic relationship between New Wave bastion ATG and Tokyo's cinematic underground of the 1960s. By Go Hirasawa.

An exclusive and in-depth spotlight on the book Iron Man: The Cinema of Shinya Tsukamoto by Tom Mes.

Join us as we dive headlong into the sordid world of one of the major Japanese filmmakers of the past decade, who is only just starting to get his due in the West. By Tom Mes.

Midnight Eye salutes the multi-faceted talents of director Kihachi Okamoto - of Sword of Doom, Human Bullet and Red Lion fame - who passed away at the age of 81.

Midnight Eye readers' favourite Japanese film of 2004 is...

Jasper Sharp, Jason Gray and Tom Mes attended the Tokyo FILMeX festival's groundbreaking retrospective of the fascinating works of Tomu Uchida.

Our editors and contributors choose their annual likes and dislikes from a year's worth of Japanese films.

Anime boom? Globalisation of Japanese pop culture? Anime has been around us for a long, long time. And not just in the vicinity of Tokyo, Michael Arnold argues.

An exclusive spotlight on the book The Midnight Eye Guide to New Japanese Film by Tom Mes and Jasper Sharp.

Part 2 of Jasper Sharp's odyssey into the early days of Japanese animation.

When anime was in its infancy, a handful of men made an indelible mark on the genre. Jasper Sharp investigates.

In praise of the life and career of one Japan's best-loved movie stars, who remains a virtual unknown abroad: Yusaku Matsuda. By Tom Mes.

Roland Domenig's in-depth look at the history of the production house whose name is synonymous with the Japanese New Wave.

Midnight Eye pays tribute to an actor whose career spanned the length of Japanese film history.

One of the most overlooked giants of Japanese cinema gets his due with this encompassing look at some of his early classics. By William M. Drew.

Brush up your knowledge of samurai films with our introduction to Japanese cinema's most enduring genre. By Nicholas Rucka.

Midnight Eye readers select their favourite Japanese films of 2003.

We at Midnight Eye reveal our favourite and not so favourite Japanese films of 2003.

Midnight Eye celebrates the centenary of "the most Japanese of directors".

Jasper Sharp writes in from one of the world's most respected documentary film festivals and discovers the real cutting edge of Japanese cinema.

On set with director Junji Sakamoto for a recreation of post-war Japan that stars Peter Mullan, Joe Odagiri and Sho Aikawa. By Jason Gray.

The inside scoop on one of Asia's fastest-growing and most interesting film festivals: the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival. By Jasper Sharp.

An exclusive spotlight on the book Agitator: The Cinema of Takashi Miike by Tom Mes.

A huge world of stunning Japanese animation exists beyond what we know as anime. Jasper Sharp uncovers some true gems.

Midnight Eye readers' favourite Japanese films of 2002.

Our humble tribute to one of Japanese cinema's true greats.

Midnight Eye's lists of the best, and worst, in Japanese cinema of 2002.

Benshi narrator Midori Sawato leads us on our second foray into the world of silent cinema. By Jasper Sharp and Michael Arnold.

Jasper Sharp looks at a silent classic that remains startling and fresh today.

Midnight Eye readers choose their favourite Japanese films of 2001.

Tom Mes and Jasper Sharp reveal their favourite Japanese films of 2001.

The early 80s punk scene, as captured on camera by one Sogo Ishii. By Tom Mes.

Tom Mes visits the training ground of Japan's future filmmakers.

Though his legacy as the godfather of pink film remains, Tetsuji Takechi's career is shrouded in mystery. Jasper Sharp unravels the enigma.