Movies Similar to Manga - The Drawn Japan

Isle of Flowers(1989)

A tomato is planted, harvested and sold at a supermarket, but it rots and ends up in the trash. But it doesn’t end there: Isle of Flowers follows it up until its real end, among animals, trash, women and children. And then the difference between tomatoes, pigs and human beings becomes clear.

8.1

Nanking(2007)

The story of the rape of Nanking, one of the most tragic events in history. In 1937, the invading Japanese army murdered over 200,000 and raped tens of thousands of Chinese. In the midst of this horror, a small group of Western expatriates banded together to save 250,000. Nanking shows the tremendous impact individuals can make on the course of history.

7.2

Junk Story(2015)

A look back at the life and career of Japanese guitarist hide, who died under questionable circumstances in 1998.

6.8

Made in Japan(2015)

Made in Japan is the remarkable story of Tomi Fujiyama, the ﬁrst female Japanese country music star. From playing the USO circuit throughout Asia to headlining in Las Vegas and recording 7 albums for Columbia records, Tomi’s career culminates in a 1964 performance at The Grand Ole Opry where she followed Johnny Cash and received the only standing ovation of the night. Forty years later, Tomi and her husband set out on a journey through Japan and across the United States to fulﬁll a dream of performing at The Opry one more time. Made in Japan is a funny yet poignant multi-cultural journey through music, marriage, and the impact of the corporate world on the dreams of one woman.

5.0

The Shiranui Sea(1975)

The sea around Minamata was heavily polluted with mercury during the 1950s and 1960s from the Chisso Corporation's chemical factory. This highly toxic chemical bioaccumulated in shellfish and fish in the Yatsushiro Sea which, when eaten by the local populace, gave rise to Minamata disease. The disease was responsible for the deaths and disabling of thousands of residents, all around the Yatsushiro Sea. The marine ecosystem was also extensively damaged.

7.2

Documentary of AKB48 To Be Continued(2011)

This documentary follows the unstoppable all-female Japanese idol group, AKB48. With a complicated balance of competition and friendship among the members, their bond is strong. The footage was taken from over 1000 hours of recorded videos throughout 2010 and includes personal interviews with select members revealing each of the girls' struggle, joy, growth, and dream.

0.0

The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness(2013)

Follows the behind-the-scenes work of Studio Ghibli, focusing on the notable figures Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki.

7.6

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A Wild Sheep Chase: In Search of Haruki Murakami(2008)

A 2008 documentary about Japanese author Haruki Murakami

8.5

SCANDAL Documentary film HELLO WORLD(2015)

The documentary film follows the group as they perform in countries across Europe, North America and Asia. It includes live and behind-the-scenes footage of their sold-out performances at the O2 Academy Islington in London, Le Bataclan in Paris and House of Blues in Los Angeles among others, bringing audiences closer to HARUNA, MAMI, TOMOMI, and RINA of SCANDAL like never before.

7.8

Mono: The Sky Remains the Same as Ever(2008)

"The Sky Remains The Same As Ever" is a nearly two-hour document of the recording sessions for Mono's "You Are There", and the several worldwide tours that followed its release.

0.0

ITO – A Diary of an Urban Priest(2010)

A biographical documentary following the life of a young Japanese priest and bar-owner.

6.0

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Repas en famille(1897)

A Japanese family having tea.

5.3

Tadao Ando(1988)

Tadao Ando, a self-taught architect, proposes an international architecture that he believes can only be conceived by someone Japanese. His architecture mixes Piranesian drama with contemplative spaces in urban complexes, residences and chapels. This film presents the formative years of his impressive career before he embarked on projects in Europe and the United States.

0.0

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The Invention of Dr. NakaMats(2009)

NakaMats is an unlikely character made for the movies, an eccentric 80-year-old Japanese inventor responsible for 3,357 inventions, including the floppy disk. With his deadpan English and impeccable comic timing, he provides nonstop laughs— utterly nutty, but also a paean to the spirit of human invention.

5.2

95 and 6 to Go(2016)

Filmmaker Kimi Takesue captures the cadence of daily life for Grandpa Tom, a retired postal worker born to Japanese immigrants to Hawai’i in the 1910s. Amidst the solitude of his home routines — coupon clipping, rigging an improvised barbecue, lighting firecrackers on the New Year — we glimpse an unexpectedly rich inner life.

6.0

Pretty Kyun Kyun Suzuka Ito(2014)

Suzuka Ito, the japanese original gravure idol. New Label CURE Start! It is extremely popular "Ito cool down summer chan" Exhibition so much! There is no doubt that you will be healed by a cute smile and slender body. This work was shot in Thailand.

10.0

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VAMPS LIVE 2008(2009)

VAMPS, a rock unit created by HYDE and K.A.Z (Oblivion Dust). Recordings of their first live nationwide Zepp tour "VAMPS LIVE 2008" 46 performances in 6 cities

10.0

Devil's Circuit(1988)

A film in which the one 60-story skyscraper that soars in the spaces between roofs spins with incredible speed. I centered the circumference with its 400 or 500 meter radius on the skyscraper and divided it into 48 sections, then took photographs from those spots and shot the photographs frame by frame.

5.8

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Faith Live(2006)

Recordings of live performances and documentary of HYDE TOUR 2006 FAITH. The biggest tour that HYDE held as a solo artist.

0.0

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KanZeOn(2011)

An unusual documentary exploring sound. Unique elements of Japanese culture are revealed through ancient rituals and extraordinary musical spectacles. A young Buddhist priest whose family has been serving a temple for the past 500 years is also a DJ and beat-boxer. A drum teacher takes part in a costume performance of a 700-year-old ghost story. A female performer plays the Sho, a rare bamboo instrument that is believed to imitate the call of the mythical phoenix. The core ideas explaining the magical potential of sound that permeates all parts of the film are presented in the tradition of Shingon Buddhism. These beliefs are explored through following Buddhist chanting lessons for student priests at Shuchiin University in Kyoto.

10.0