Highlights
February sees the return of actress Sawajiri Erika, followed by a surprise directorial debut from Yuriyan Retriever. We also have a few interesting film releases previously showcased in festivals from the likes of Kawase Naomi, DIY-style director Nakao Hiromichi and Chinatown director Du Jie.
Movies
Hodonaku, Owakare desu
#SnowMan Meguro Ren, Hamabe Minami, Mitsuishi Ken, Morita Misato, Watanabe Keisuke, Shida Mirai, #DISH Kitamura Takumi, Furukawa Kotone, Nonami Maho, Harada Taizo, Nishigaki Sho, Kubo Shiori, and more
Release date: Feb 6
A drama set in a funeral home setting based on Nagatsuki Amane’s novel of the same name, Hodonaku, Owakare desu tells the story of funeral company intern Shimizu Misora (Hamabe Minami) and funeral planner Urushibara Reiji (Meguro Ren) who mentors her through strict teachings. Initially discouraged by her training, Shimizu finds her motivation to pursue a career as a funeral planner after witnessing Urushibara’s sympathetic actions towards the deceased and bereaved family.
The Height of The Coconut Trees / Yashi no Takasa
Ohba Minami, Tanaka Soichiro, Kojima Riria, Shibuya Seita, and more
Release date: Oct 5, 2024 (Busan International Film Festival) • Feb 6, 2026 (Cinema)
Pet worker Sugamoto (Ohba Minami) departs for Cape Shizuki after a breakup with her boyfriend, Aoki (Shibuya Seita), with whom she had promised to marry. During her journey, she meets an innkeeper named Mochida (Tanaka Soichiro) who lost his lover to suicide. Directed and written by Du Jie — known prior as the director of photography for the Detective Chinatown series — Yashi no Takasa marks his first feature-length directorial debut about loneliness and rebirth. Additionally, he also serves as the movie’s cinematographer, production designer and editor.
Yakushima’s Illusion / L’Illusion de Yakushima / Tashikani Atta Maboroshi
Kanichiro and Vicky Krieps
Release date: Feb 6
Known internationally as Yakushima’s Illusion, Kawase Naomi’s recent release follows Cory (Vicky Krieps), a French coordinator of paediatric hearts transplant based in Japan where the practice of organ transplant remains culturally taboo. There, she meets photographer Jin (Kannichiro), and together, they get along well despite prevailing conflicts. One day, as she fights to save a young boy, Jin suddenly disappears.
Mag Mag / Magamaga Onna
Minami Sara, Maeda Oshiro, Yamada Aoi, Takaishi Akari, Kujo Joe, Suzuki Fuku, Maehara Mizuki, Mizushima Marina, Motojima Junsei, Hirata Atsuko, Hirahara Tetsu, Saito Takumi, and Tanaka Rena
Release date: Sep 30, 2025 (Festival) • Feb 6 (Cinema)
Comedian Yuriyan Retriever debuts as a director of horror genre about a “crazy love story” based on her past. Written by Nato Keisuke, who previously worked on Misumisou and Funohan, the movie stars Minami Sara as Uehara Sanae following the death of her lover at the hands of the Magamaga ghost.
This Is I
Mochizuki Haruki and Saito Takumi
Release date: Feb 10 (Netflix)
Written by Yamaura Masahiro (Ajin: Demi Human, Bakudan) and directed by Matsumoto Yusaku (House of the Owl, Sirius no Hansho and Tomeina Watashitachi), This Is I is a LGBT documentary drama based on the real life experience of Haruna Ai. It follows Mochizuki Haruki in the titular role of Onishi Kenji and his transformative journey to debut as an idol under the stage name Ai.
Michiyuki
Hosoma Hiromichi, Tamura Ruiki, and Otsuka Masaji
Release date: Feb 13
Shot in Nara and produced by the 28th Pia Film Festival, Nakao Hiromichi’s Obayashi Award-winning black and white movie follows the experience and conversation between videographer Komai and Umemoto, the former owner of an old house he’s moving into. Described as an “elegant meditation on time and memories”, the movie discusses the historical tides and realities of rural life in Japan.
I Fell in Love with a Z-Grade Director in Brooklyn / Brooklyn de Z-Kyu Kantoku to Koi ni Ochita Watashi
Miihara Ui, Estevan Muñoz, and #OWV Nakagawa Katsunari
Release date: Feb 13
Actress Shiina (Mihara Ui) finds herself caught in an occupational burnout and a burning scandal to match. In despair, she decides to quit her agency and departs to New York with her boyfriend Ren to unwind. However, after a big fight leading to their separation, Shiina stumbles into a bar very much drunk and alone. There, she meets an unsuccessful director of “Z-Grade movies”, Jack (Estevan Muñoz), who approaches Shiina with a bright idea of his own.
Angel Flight
Yonekura Ryoko
Release date: Feb 13 (Prime)
A direct sequel to the Angel Flight drama released in 2023, Yonekura Ryoko returns as Izawa Nami, an international funeral director whose job includes transporting the bodies of the deceased from international waters back to their families. Horikirizono Kentaro, known for Atsuhime, is set to direct in collaboration with a screenplay written by Kosawa Ryota (Parasyte, Confidence Man JP series, Dou Suru Ieyasu).
Love Punch! / Junai Joto!
#MILK Yamanaka Jyutaro, #CTQ Takamatsu Aloha, #FANTASTICS Hori Natsuki, Shiratori Haruto, Arashi Shoma, Asano Shunya, Kodaira Daichi, Takahashi Rio, Miyawaki Yu, Aoi Yo, Kurosawa Ryo, Okawa Taiga, Hayase Kei, and Uruki Tokitaka
Release date: Feb 13
Bright and cheerful top student Kamei Madoka (Takamatsu Aloha) has never lost a fight. At Benisakura High School, not only is he popular, he also leads his classmates to victory until an incident made him choose to “never fight or date again” in favour of a peaceful life. One day, that sense of normalcy is disrupted by Shiraiwa High School’s Sato Mitsuru (Yamanaka Jyutaro), causing a tension between the two despite their ceasefire prior. Moreover, Mitsuru ends up moving into the second floor of his grandmother’s candy store, causing the two to spend more time together.
Sai: Disaster
Kagawa Teruyuki, Nakamura An, Takehara Pistol, #TravisJapan Miyachika Kaito, Nakajima Sena, Matsuda Ryuhei, Uchida Chika, Fujiwara Kisetsu, #Sissonne Shiro, Sakai Maki, Adachi Yumi, and Inowaki Kai
Release date: Feb 20
Following the drama that aired in 2025, Sai returns as a featured film for the big screen. Kagawa Teruyuki reprises his role as The Man, a mysterious shapeshifter who infiltrates the lives of four different people, each with their own story and conflict, and neither ever realising who he is. Written and directed by Hirase Kentaro, who previously worked with Kawamura Genki for Exit 8, and in collaboration with Seki Yutaro, the psychological suspense has gained international attention and was selected as the main competition for the 73rd San Sebastian Film Festival.
The Convenience Store / Yakin Jiken The Convenience Store
Minami Kotona, #ONO Seki Tetta, Tanaka Shunsuke, Gozu Takeo, Sakamoto Makoto, Tezuka Mai, Yoshioka Yuki, Sakurai Atsuko, Kato Natsuki, and Takezai Terunosuke
Release date: Feb 20
Based on an indie horror game by Chilla’s Art titled the same, the live adaptation stars Minami Kotona as Tazuru Yukino who experiences supernatural phenomenon while working part-time at the convenience store at night. She is joined by Seki Tetta in his portrayal as Takuya, a part-time worker and the protagonist’s senpai who also appears in the game.
Dead or Zombie
Kurashima Sara, Miyabe Hono, Kina Kiriko, and more
Release date: Feb 21
Both a prequel and sequel to the short film released in 2022, the feature-length film will be divided into four episodes, each centred on the quiet survival of people from a zombie apocalypse. Former Sakura Gakuin member Kurashima Sara leads as the protagonist Saki who takes care of her family after they’ve turned into zombies.
Samurai Vengeance / Kobikicho no Adauchi
Emoto Tasuku, Watanabe Ken, #NaniwaDanshi Nagao Kento, Kitamura Kazuki, Seto Koji, Takito Kenichi, Takahashi Kazuya, Masana Bokuzo, Yamaguchi Makiya, Manaki Reika, Imoto Ayako, Nomura Shuhei, Ishibashi Renji, and Sawaguchi Yasuko
Release date: Feb 27
Set against the backdrop of Edo period, Minamoto Takashi, known for directing Akihabara@Deep and Tokyo Tower among others, returns to direct a thrilling mystery based on Nagai Sayako’s award-winning novel. Starring Emoto Tasuku and Watanabe Ken, the movie follows a revenge story near a theatre, in which the act itself is considered a pass around heroic tale among witnesses. A year after the incident, a man who claims to be a relative of the perpetrator arrives to investigate the details of said killing.
#Viral / #Kakusan
Narita Ryo and Sawajiri Erika
Release date: Feb 27
Asaoka Shinji (Narita Ryo) is a caretaker tormented by his wife’s death shortly after she received a vaccine. A grieving widower, Shinji blames the doctor and continues his protest publicly while holding up a portrait of his wife. Because of this, the media dubs him as the “symbol of marital love”, utilising his image to fuel the anti-vaccine sentiment, an action that drives Shinji further down the isolation path. Among them is Fukushima Minami (Sawajiri Erika), a newspaper reporter who lost her fiancé in a medical incident.
Kono Basho
Gaby Padilla and Nakano Arisa
Release date: Feb 28
Two estranged half-sisters, Ella (Gaby Padilla) and Reina (Nakano Arisa), reunite after the Great East Japan earthquake that hit Iwate Prefecture 10 years ago. At their father’s funeral, the sisters try to mend their differences and face emotional wounds despite repeated conflicts and misunderstandings.
Dramas
The Boy Next World: My Destiny
Nagumo Shoma, Hamaya Takuto, Tano Yuka, Arakawa Chika, Karaki Shunsuke, Fujizono Rei, Iwanagi Hiroaki, and Yokoyama Megumi
Release date: Feb 1 (FOD/FujiTV)
A Japanese remake of the Thai BL drama, The Boy Next World, stars Nagumo Shoma and Hamaya Takuto as Kogami Sara and Yotsuba Fu respectively. A college student with no romantic experience, Yotsuba is shocked by Kogami’s confession that they are actually lovers in a parallel world. Moreover, Kogami also admits that he is someone who came from a “parallel world”.
Yukari’s Charm is Unfair / Yukari-kun wa Gap ga Zurui
#ONO Takao Hayato and Watanabe Miho
Release date: Feb 5 (TOKYO MX/SBS)
A romantic comedy adaptation of Ando Mami’s manga between Mori Meiko (Watanabe Miho), a part-time worker at a broadcasting school, and an earnest yet mysterious student whose real name is Hayama Yukari (Takao Hayato). However, unbeknown to Meiko, the soothing “Yukari-kun” is actually a detective at the Second Investigation Division who is four years older than her!
Salvation, Swallowed by The Nest / Sukui, Su Kuware
NOA, Sakaguchi Tamami, #ICEx Akune Haruse, Tsubukura Yoshiyuki, Tanaka Kotaro, Aoshima Kokoro, Uehara Amane, Suzuki Hideharu, and Yui Ryoko
Release date: Feb 12 (MBS)
Rooki idol Minase Ama (Sakaguchi Tamami) spends her days enduring harassment from those around her until she meets actor Hosho Chiaki (NOA) by chance. He then offers her a stand-in role in a drama, which she accepts. Initially, Chiaki’s interest in Ama stems from a bet with his friend, Kairi (Akune Haruse), but things begin to change when he witnessed Ama’s growing relationship with her on-screen love interest, Rintaro (Hachimura Rintaro). As the trajectory of Ama’s career continues to flourish, jealousy sparks within Chiaki and his affection slowly shifts into possessiveness and obsession.
Suikoden
Oda Yuji, Sorimachi Takashi, Mitsushima Shinnosuke, Haru, Kimura Tatsunari, Shirasu Jin, Hamada Tatsuomi, Kato Seishiro, Ito Kentaro, #MILK Yamanaka Jyutaro, Emoto Tokio, Ikuta Takuma, Hayashi Yuto, Ichikawa Tomohiro, and more
Release date: Feb 15 (WOWOW)
Based on the historical fiction novel by Kitakaza Kenzo, the story follows a low-ranking government official, Soukou (Oda Yuji), and his determination to save the nation amidst widespread corruption and the emperor’s unjust ruling. Supported by his loyal ally, Ro Chishin (Kaneko Norihito), they find like-minded individuals to form a rebellion team, rise up against the regime and aid those who have been trampled by the men in power.
Nagatan to Ao to S2
Kadowaki Mugi, #ACEes Sakuma Ryuto, Kumada Rinka, Shiraishi Shunya, Ono Takehiko, Iida Kisuke, Tokoshima Yoshiko, Nakamura Aoi, Toda Keiko, Kobayashi Toranosuke, Tsunematsu Yuri, and Mano Riku
Release date: Feb 20 (WOWOW)
Kadowaki Mugi and Sakuma Ryuto return to their roles as married couple Ichika and Amane as they welcome a new member into the family. The sequel also introduces new key characters—the second son of the Yamaguchi family, Sakae (Kobayashi Toranosuke), and Amane’s older brother—as the couple’s bond is tested by new challenges and financial difficulties.
The Clock Mansion Murders / Tokeikan no Satsujin
Oku Tomoya, Aoki Munetaka, Yamanaka Takashi, Konno Hiroki, Kouri Yuka, Okabe Takashi, Yoshida Ryoka, Watanabe Yuya, Abe Rin, and Fujimoto Kodai
Release date: Feb 27 (HULU)
Oku Tomoya and Aoki Munetaka are back for another round of mystery based on Ayatsuji Yukito’s novel of the same name. Set in 1989, three years after the first incident at the Decagon House Murders from the first LA series, Konan and Shimada team up to investigate the disappearance of a psychic and a string of murders at the “Clock Mansion” in Kamakura.
SP
Okome no Onna SP
#M!LK Sano Hayato and #M!LK Shiozaki Daichi
Release date: Feb 12 (TELASA)
Following the original drama, which started airing in January, Sano Hayato returns as Tokyo University graduate and career finance ministry employee Sasano Koichi during his off days. At the recommendation of Tawara Yuka (Nagahama Neru), Sasano signs up for a pilates class at the men-only Pilates Taro. There, he encounters the highly energetic instructor, Yoshimura Taro (Shiozaki Daichi), only to discover something strange about Taro’s belongings.
Tokusatsu
Chou Uchuu Keiji Gavan Infinity
Nagata Kouhei, Matsunaga Arihiro, Arisaka Kohana, Yasuda Hiroto, Akabane Ryuga, Iriyama Anna, Sumi Kokona, Tanida Lana, and Hiraoka Yuta
Release date: Feb 15 (TV Asahi)
Following the conclusion of the Super Sentai series, the first installment in TOEI’s Project R.E.D franchise is a drama that takes heavy inspiration from the original Space Sheriff Gavan series, which ran from 1982 to 1983. Although it is not considered a reboot, TOEI claims that fans can expect similar “innovative qualities” and “space-based sci-fi elements” presented with a more modern visual approach.