Naoki Hanzawa – Episode 3 (Review)
Naoki Hanzawa Episode 3 Review by David Cirone Even though Hanzawa failed to grab Higashida’s property, the determined banker is causing too Continue reading…
Category: Reviews
Critical analysis of the sounds and stories shaping modern Japan. From the visceral energy of live rock, pop, and idol performances to the subtle mastery of award-winning manga and deeply personal films, our reviews offer an expert lens on the craftsmanship, production, and cultural legacy of Japanese media.
Versailles – The Greatest Hits 2007-2016 (Review)
Versailles Philharmonic Quartet The Greatest Hits 2007-2016 Review by Nhu Nguyen Versailles’s The Greatest Hits compilation undeniably captContinue reading…
Kasha (Film Review)
Kasha Review by David Cirone Kasha, based on the mystery novel by Miyuki Miyabe, is a disappointingly flat adaptation, packed with thematic miContinue reading…
A9 – Ginga no Woto (Review)
A9 Ginga no Woto Review by Jen Wang Last year, visual kei rockers Alice Nine rebranded themselves as A9, releasing a new artist’s statement. Continue reading…
PERFUME live at Wiltern Theatre – hits, dreams, and Pokemon (Live Report)
PERFUME The Wiltern, August 26, 2016 Live report by Nhu Nguyen The three members of Perfume, a-chan, Nocchi, and Kashiyuka, looked like the mContinue reading…
Naoki Hanzawa – Episode 2 (Review)
Naoki Hanzawa Episode 2 Review by David Cirone In the aftermath of Hanzawa’s face-off with the bank’s disciplinary committee, his superiors sContinue reading…
Hibana (Spark) (Series Review)
Hibana (Spark) Series Review by David Cirone Netflix’s latest Japanese series Hibana (Spark) is a deeply-felt, intelligent character drama aboContinue reading…
Naoki Hanzawa – Episode 1 (Review)
Naoki Hanzawa Episode 1 Review by David Cirone Hanzawa Naoki’s opening shot, a slowly-zooming close-up of the title character’s confession ofContinue reading…
KAMIJO – LA VIE EN ROSE 20th Anniversary Best – Grand Finale Zepp DiverCity Tokyo (DVD Review)
KAMIJO LA VIE EN ROSE 20th Anniversary Best – Grand Finale Zepp DiverCity Tokyo Review by Nhu Nguyen KAMIJO’s undeniable penchant for FrenContinue reading…
BABYMETAL – The Wiltern 2016 (Live Report)
BABYMETAL The Wiltern, July 15, 2016 Live report by Nhu Nguyen “I want to see a big circle pit — show me a big circle. Bigger and bigger! Continue reading…