JUNK STORY – 50th Anniversary hide Documentary (Film Review)
2015 marks the year Matsumoto Hideto – better known by his stage name, hide – would have turned 50 years old. To commemorate this, Headwax OrgContinue 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.
DISACODE – Anime Matsuri 2015 (Live Report)
DISACODE Anime Matsuri, April 5, 2015 Live Report by Jen Wang Last year, model/rocker AKIRA won over Anime Matsuri’s attendees with her cool,Continue reading…
Anna Tsuchiya – Anime Matsuri 2015 (Live Report)
Anna Tsuchiya Anime Matsuri, April 5, 2015 Live Report by Jen Wang The first couple of hazy guitar riffs drifted into the crowd, which grew eContinue reading…
VAMPS drink deep in L.A. (Live Report)
VAMPS Live at Club Nokia, April 11, 2015 Live report by Nhu Nguyen Back in February, VAMPS invited Sixx:A.M. to join their two day rock festiContinue reading…
Miyavi – El Rey 2015 Live Report
Miyavi Live at El Rey, February 18, 2015 Live report by Nhu Nguyen “Now you look at me? Don’t look at me!” Miyavi sarcastically says toContinue reading…
BIGMAMA – Roclassick2 (Review)
BIGMAMA Roclassick2 Review by Jen Wang BIGMAMA has done it again, blending classical and rock in a completely unique manner. Rather than covContinue reading…
Rookies – Episode 8 (Review)
ROOKIES Episode 8 Review by David Cirone SUMMARY The Nikogaku team faces off against their old nemesis Enatsu (Yusuke Kamiji), the instigatoContinue reading…
Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno (Film Review)
Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno Review by Jen Wang The red-haired wanderer is back, and so are the demons of the past. The second live-action aContinue reading…
TsuShiMaMiRe – MaMiRe (Review)
TsuShiMaMiRe MaMiRe Review by David Cirone TsuShiMaMiRe hits hard. For over a decade, they’ve firmed up their worldwide fan base by proving tContinue reading…
The Yellow Handkerchief (Film Review)
The Yellow Handkerchief (Shiawase no Kiiroi Hankachi) Review by David Cirone Starring Ken Takakura as a drifter picked up by a joyriding youngContinue reading…