Streaming Sleepers: Rock Out On The Criterion Channel With ON-GAKU: OUR SOUND!
It’s been a while since Japan Cuts had a festival run, but one of the most memorable catches for me was Kenji Iwaisawa’s On-Gaku: Our Sound, adapted from an original manga and made in the span of seven years with almost 40,000 hand drawings. GKids eventually released the pic in late 2020 and launched it on disc the following year, while those who are more streaming-oriented can also find it available on The Criterion Channel to which folks can subscribe with a free trial.
Based on Hiroyuki Osashi’s cult manga, the film centers on trio of delinquent high schoolers whose jaded leader decides to start a band. Not knowing a single thing about music or how to play instruments or sing, the film commences a quirky, remarkable, and vivid journey of self-discovery with an incredible soundtrack to boot. I’ll paste a trailer just below for good measure, but you’re welcome to read my review from 2020 for a fair reference, and of course, while this isn’t a paid promotion, this is, however, a solemn recommendation for anyone keen on something different and equally cool as hell.
Lead photo: Nikkatsu
“Streaming Sleepers” is a sub-column in which I discuss obscure titles and releases streaming on legit platforms that don’t typically get much commercial attention and mainstream promotion.
Native New Yorker. Lover of all things pizza, chocolate, pets, and good friends. Karaoke hero. Left of center. Survivor. Fond supporter of cult, obscure and independent cinema - especially fond of Asian movies and global action cinema. Author of the bi-weekly Hit List. Founder and editor of Film Combat Syndicate. Still, very much, only human.
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