Akiko Yano (矢野 顕子, Yano Akiko, born Akiko Suzuki (鈴木 顕子, Suzuki Akiko); February 13, 1955) is a Japanese pop and jazz musician and singer born in Tokyo and raised in Aomori and later began her singing career in the mid-1970s.
She has been called "one of the major musical talents of the Japanese popular music world", and her vocals and singing style have been compared to English singer Kate Bush.
This documentary follows the path of musician Kazuhiko Kato, who has created many masterpieces that remain in the history of Japanese pop music. Kazuhiko Kato, affectionately known as "Tonovan," influenced many people with his musicality that was ahead of its time, such as "The Folk Crusaders" and "Sadistic Mika Band." The documentary introduces the behind-the-scenes story of the formation of The Folk Crusaders, who created Japan's first million-selling hit, rare footage of the Sadistic Mika Band's overseas performances and recording scenes as they made their way around the world, and hidden anecdotes about the "Europe Trilogy," which is said to be a monumental work of Japanese pop music. In addition, a new recording of the timeless classic "Ano Subarashii Ai wo Mouichido" is made, and the song's evolution by musicians of various genres is shown. The film was planned, directed, and produced by Yumi Aihara, who also worked on "SUKITA: A Moment Carved by Artists."
A sensation to indies rock scene since 2000s and actively present today among fans even during their breaks. The first full-length documentary in the band’s history starts from the production base in LA for the first album in 16 years, and navigates the stories from how they started, took break after breaking through, and reunited with nationwide fans awaited.
In 1997, Hirano Katsuyuki, a married, middle-aged AV director, and his 26-year-old actress and lover, Hayashi Yumika, set out to cycle from Tokyo to Hokkaido. Two video versions of their trip already exist, the intimate documentary Yumika and its gonzo porno alter ego 41-Day Adultery Bicycle Tour. Hirano’s Kantoku Shikkaku reframes this ambiguous relationship in light of Yumika’s death in 2005.
When Sosuke, a young boy who lives on a clifftop overlooking the sea, rescues a stranded goldfish named Ponyo, he discovers more than he bargained for. Ponyo is a curious, energetic young creature who yearns to be human, but even as she causes chaos around the house, her father, a powerful sorcerer, schemes to return Ponyo to the sea.
A girl goes exploring to find a new house. Along the way, she encounters many of Japan's guardian spirits.
Portrait of the Wind centers on Tamio Murase, a world-traveling photographer who came home to take over the family business after his father’s fatal heart attack. One day at the family photo studio, he finds a kindred spirit in Ayako and the requisite sparks fly between them. The initial portions of the film deal with their budding romance, and it isn’t long before the two become a serious couple, and Ayako is pregnant with Tamio’s child.
The Yamadas are a typical middle class Japanese family in urban Tokyo and this film shows us a variety of episodes of their lives. With tales that range from the humorous to the heartbreaking, we see this family cope with life's little conflicts, problems, and joys in their own way.
A new Mothra takes to the air and battles against Desghidorah to save all of humanity.
A documentary capturing the recording process of singer Yano Akiko's 1992 cover album, Super Folk Song.
Documentary about the eclectic Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto during the recording sessions for his 1984 album "Illustrated Musical Encyclopedia".