watanabe takeshi

The Cat Is The Real Star In The Official Trailer For NEKO NINJA

So. What’s a ninja to do when he comes across what a cat he believes is his father? Anyone? …Yeah, I’ve got nothing either. But that’s the question facing a young ninja played by Ohno Takuro in Neko Ninja which opens on May 20 in Japan from AMG. Enter Watanabe Takeshi once more for this latest round of feline-centric action and comedy in the wake of successes like the Samurai Cat tvk drama in 2013 and the two subsequent films that followed – the second which he directed. Kagerota, a young ninja of the Kiryu family, has lived without feeling affection. His father Kenzan is a legendary red-nosed ninja. Kagerota parted from Kenzan at the age of 10 and loses all contact with his father. One day, Kagerota goes to the city of Edo with his fellow ninja for a mission. It is an easy task of stealing a special […]

NEKOSHIN: A Ninja And A Cat Spark A Unique Bond In The First Teaser

Lee B. Golden III

Happy New Year everyone! And lo and behold, the first post I’m doing lends a nod to Higanjima Deluxe helmer Watanabe Takeshi following his acclaimed work on tvk’s Neko Zamurai (Samurai Cat) series, and the films – both which become the delight of many a festival and filmgoer. Thus, we now get a peek at Sailor Suit And Machine Gun: Graduation co-star, actor Ohno Takuro leading the next phase, Nekoshin. SYNOPSIS: Young ninja Kagerota of the Kiryu family was separated from his father when he was 10 and has lived without knowing love. His father is the legendary ninja, Kenzan. One day, Kagerota goes to Edo on a mission with fellow ninjas. It is a simple mission to steal special goldfishes from the residence of a feudal lord. They successfully get into the place and are about to steal the gold fishes when they sense something by the side. It […]

HIGANJIMA: DELUXE Traps You On The Worst Island Ever In The Latest Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Neko Samurai 2 helmer Watanabe Takeshi is returning to cinemas this October with his latest thrillride, Higanjima: Deluxe, succeeding author Matsumoto Koji’s 2002-2010 Kodansha manga series, and the live-action film and TV show thereafter. A few teasers began making the rounds this year but the latest trailer is online, along with another few promo bits highlighting some great tropes for what looks to be a colorful, spectacular action horror adaptation. SYNOPSIS: Higanjima is a solitary island dominated by the vampires and monsters that the immortal vampire Miyabi (Louis KURIHARA) has created. Following up the TV series from 2013, Akira (Hayato SHIRAISHI) and his friends go back to Higanjima in order to look for his missing older brother Atsushi (Ryohei SUZUKI) who fought together against Miyabi. However, what was waiting for them was Atsushi who now turned into a vampire and working under Miyabi. Now it’s up to Akira and his […]

A Samurai And His Cat Face The World In The New Teaser For SAMURAI CAT 2: A TROPICAL ADVENTURE

Lee B. Golden III

Actor Kitamura Kazuki is back and defending his new beloved companion in the new period comedy, Samurai Cat 2: A Tropical Adventure. Expanding on its initial tvk programming, it’s almost impossible to put into words just what makes a narrative like this so appealing, but it’s something many can relate to in a way – a lone, masterless samurai who finds new meaning in life when he refuses to kill a cat at the behest of his employer. How fucking awesome is that, and the cat, well… the cat’s performance clearly speaks for itself. From Japan Cuts: Everyone’s favorite grumpy samurai and cute white cat are back! Once feared as “Madara the Devil,” master swordsman Kyutaro Madarame (Kazuki Kitamura) returns home from Edo a lowly ronin, living with his mother-in-law. When she tells him of an opportunity to work as sword instructor on the island of Shikoku, he sets off […]