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The majority of Junji Itō adaptations are underseen or simply unknown. The sheer amount may also come as a surprise. The peak of movies based on the horror mangaka’s works was during the “J-Horror” wave; The Ring (1998) signaled a sea change in Japanese horror, and studios were looking everywhere for inspiration. Unfortunately, Itō is not the easiest of source materials. His stories and illustrations are surreal and visceral, and translating all of that into moving images is, to say the least, challenging.

Two years after living-dead girl Tomie made the leap to the big screen in 1998, Uzumaki was brought to life. The movie, which was put on a double-bill with Tomie: Replay, served as Akihiro “Higuchinsky” Higuchi’s feature debut. And so far in the cinematic collective derived from Itō’s oeuvre, Uzumaki is one of the most competent. Other adaptations have been partly inspired by their basis; they...

Director Anshul Chauhan has officially commenced production on his highly anticipated film, “Tiger“, an LGBT drama inspired by real-life stories he has meticulously gathered over the past three years. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Tokyo and its surrounding areas, the film is being brought to life by Kowatanda Films and Tower5 Entertainment. Known for his compelling and realistic storytelling, Chauhan’s latest endeavor promises a poignant and authentic exploration of the LGBT community’s experiences in Tokyo, marking a significant addition to his distinguished filmography.

The film features a remarkable ensemble cast, headlined by Takashi Kawaguchi (Bad Poetry Tokyo), a regular collaborator of Chauhan and the lead actor in “Tiger”. Joining him is Maho Nonami, celebrated for her role in the cult classic “2Ldk” (2002) and making a highly anticipated return to the screen. Nonami, a prominent figure in Japanese television industry, is expected to bring a fresh and powerful presence to the film.

In 2002, on a night in Berlin filled with alcohol, producer Shinya Kawai (The Ring), challenged directors Ryuhei Kitamura and Yukihiko Tsutsumi to a duel in filmmaking, with a number of peculiar rules:

1. The duration of the films ought to be 60 minutes, plus or minus 10 minutes.

2. The film could not be R rated.

3. The entire story was to be shot on a single set.

4. It could not have more than two characters

5. Kitamura was to cast male and Tsutsumi female protagonists

6. The movie was to be completed in a week, with an equal and miniscule budget

7. At least one of the characters was to die

The venture’s name was Dual Project, and the two films that were created were “Aragami” and “2Ldk”. The films were screened on successively, and, at the end of the screening, the spectators were asked to choose the movie they preferred. Unfortunately the result never became...