On this episode of Japan Station, filmmaker Cuauhtemoc Velazquez joins us to talk about Apparition, his new short film about a Tokyo izakaya that gets visited by the Virgin Mary. 👉Topics Discussed What Apparition is about What inspired Cuauhtemoc Velazquez to make Apparition Japan’s loose but respectful relationship with religion About making a short film in Japan About renting a film set in Japan …

On this episode of Japan Station, we’re joined by documentary filmmaker Ema Ryan Yamazaki to talk about her latest documentary The Making of a Japanese and her latest short documentary Instrument of a Beating Heart. During the conversation we focus on the making of these films, what makes Japanese elementary schools unique, the role Japanese elementary schools play in shaping Japanese society, …

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we talk about Suzume no Tojimari, the latest film by the popular Japanese anime filmmaker Makoto Shinai. Topics Discussed How Suzume no Tojimari did int he box office in Japan How it ranks up to the revenue of other films What Suzume no Tojimari is about An overview of the story of Suzume no Tojimari  The hidden meaning found …

 On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Is Weathering With You bad? (About Tenki No Ko) Topics Discussed The commercial success of Weathering With You/Tenki no Ko The cultural impact of Weathering With You/Tenki no Ko About the plot of Weathering With You/Tenki no Ko Overall impression of Weathering With You/Tenki no Ko The animation of Weathering With You/Tenki no Ko Product …

 On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, documentary filmmaker Ema Ryan Yamazaki discusses being inspired by Ichiro Suzuki and her latest documentary Koshien: Japan’s Field of Dreams. About Ema Ryan Yamazaki Ema Ryan Yamazaki is a documentary filmmaker who has worked on several Japan-related projects. Her most recent feature-length documentary is titled Koshien: Japan’s Field of Dreams and …

 Today’s Question On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What’s the deal with “fish girl on a cliff?” And by “fish girl on a cliff” we mean the 2008 Studio Ghibli film Ponyo. Topics Discussed The general reception of Ponyo Whether Ponyo was better received in the West or in Japan The “catchiness” of the theme from Ponyo …

http://media.blubrry.com/notwriting/s/mindrobber.net/podcasts/immunities/immunities-4t1goke.mp3 Download MP3 Japan Station host Tony Vega makes a guest appearance on this special episode of the Immunities podcast. On this episode Tony Vega, Immunities podcast creator/director Bob J. Koester, Maria Burnham, and Jacob Van Hoorn, discuss the 1968 classic (?) Japanese science fiction horror film Goke, Body Snatcher From Hell (吸血鬼ゴケミドロ, Kyūketsuki Gokemidoro) (lit. Vampire Gokemidoro). Questions are …

 Episode 14 of the Japan Station podcast is here and this time we’re learning about Brazilians in Japan. Released in 2017, One Day We Arrived in Japan is a gripping documentary that follows the lives of three Brazilian families who move to Japan in search of a better future. Ten years in the making, One Day We Arrived in …

 Episode 12 of the Japan Station podcast is here and this time we’re stomping our way into the world of kaiju. Kevin Derendorf is an expert on the world of giant monster movies and the author of the recently published book Kaiju for Hipsters: 101 “Alternative” Giant Monster Movies. In this episode we discuss: What the word kaiju means …

This time we’re taking a deep deep dive into the history of Japanese animation with Dr. Jonathan Clements. An expert on Asia and anime, Jonathan Clements is the author of many books, including Anime: A History, The Anime Encyclopedia (co-authored with Helen McCarthy), and Sacred Sailors: The Life and Work of Seo Mitsuyo. In this episode we discuss the origins …

 Celebrate the official start of the Japan Station podcast with not one, but two amazing guests! This episode I’m joined by filmmakers Dominic Pearce (left in top image) and Aaron McCann (right), the creators of the hilarious mockumentary Top Knot Detective. In the episode Aaron and Dominic talk about what inspired them to make Top Knot Detective and the …

Never underestimate the drunken fist. The Japanese pop idol group Yurumerumo! (You’ll Melt More!) has just released an action-packed music video inspired by one of the most famous series of kung fu movies of all time. This new music video is for Yurumerumo!’s latest single: “Nebagiba Suiken” (Never Give Up Drunken Fist). Inspired by the classic 1978 Jackie Chan kung …