Thriller
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Episode #115 (S14E06) – Yakuza Apocalypse (2015) [極道大戦争]
This season, we're covering two of Takashi Miike's films. And in this episode, Japanese film expert and returning guest Jennifer Upton is here to discuss the very bizarre Yakuza Apocalypse.
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Episode #113 – Ichi the Killer (2001) [殺し屋1]
Returning guest and fellow podcaster Derick McDuff returns to discuss one of the most infamous Japanese films ever made. We're finally discussing Takashi Miike's Ichi the Killer.
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Episode #110 (S14E01) – Creepy (2016) [クリーピー 偽りの隣人]
Season 14 of Japan On Film kicks off with Kiyoshi Kurosawa's disturbing thriller, Creepy! And joining Perry to discuss another of Kurosawa's films is returning guest and Japanese film scholar, Lindsay Nelson.
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Episode #106 (S13E07) – Perfect Blue: Yume Nara Samete (2002) [PERFECT BLUE夢なら醒めて]
In this episode, Perry is joined by returning guest Michael Hale to discuss Perfect Blue: Yume Nara Samete. Contrary to what some may think, this isn't a live-action adaptation of the anime, nor even an adaptation of the novel it was based on. Instead, it's an adaptation of a novella from a spin-off anthology. And spoilers: it's nowhere near as good as the far-superior anime.
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Episode #100 (S13E01) – Gozu [極道恐怖大劇場 牛頭] (2003)
Season 13 kicks off with our 100th episode! And for this, we've got a special one. Filmmaker Warren Badenski joins Perry for a deep dive into Takashi Miike's infamously wild, wonderful, and very weird Gozu!
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Episode #98 (S12E08) – Monster [怪物] (2023)
It's another film by Hirokazu Kore-eda! This time, Perry is joined by podcaster Sam Stokes to discuss the director's latest film, Monster. With different perspectives, it's an enlightening film about the concept of bullying.
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Episode #92 (S12E02) – Godzilla Minus One [ゴジラ-1.0] (2023)
This is the one many listeners have been waiting for. Podcaster Jason Kleeberg joins Perry to dive into the wildly successful Godzilla Minus One! Praised both at home and abroad for good reason, there's a lot to unpack here.
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Episode #84 (S11E4) – Paprika [パプリカ] (2006)
Fellow Film Stories podcaster Ian Buckley returns to the show, this time to discuss Satoshi Kon's anime thriller, Paprika! We have a fun discussion peeling back the layers of this film and comparing it both to Kon's more famous Perfect Blue and a certain American film about entering dreams...
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Episode #80 (S10E9) – Nightmare Detective [悪夢探偵] (2007)
Author Frank Schildiner returns to the show for the final episode of the season. This time, we discuss Shinya Tsukamoto's serial killer thriller, Nightmare Detective. Though it has some unique ideas and impressive filmmaking, there are some shortcomings that we discuss.
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Episode #77 (S10E6) – 2LDK (2003)
Director and writer Claire Downs appears on the show to discuss the minimalist 2LDK. Featuring two actresses whose roommate quarrels spiral into violence, there's also a lot of stuff in here about the treatment of the Japanese entertainment industry's treatment of women.
