Kataoka Reiko

Growing up in a small, rural town, Reiji Kurose (Towa Araki) has never once believed he would ever have a chance to escape his small, dismal life. Living with his hard-working mother, his shut-in brother, and his unstable grandmother, Reiji’s life has been anything but cheery; which would explain why his outlook on life is far more grim than that of his childhood friend, Sakuko Akiyama (Miyu Honda).

Sharing her dreams of one someday moving to glamorous, chaotic Tokyo, Sakuko tries to help Reiji see past the gloomy nothingness of his small town. Unfortunately, even her best efforts can’t seem to draw her friend out of his growing depression. For Reiji, only the performances of his favorite idol group, Acrylic, and the group’s most beautiful member, Nagi Aoe (Hinako Kitano), can chase away the ever-present dreariness of his life. Needless to say, when he discovers Nagi working at a convenience store in his hometown, Reiji’s life takes an unexpected turn.

Unwittingly dragged into a series of scandals, Reiji’s once gloomy life takes an even darker turn as he’s pulled deeper into an intricate web of lies, obsession, and betrayal. With his world becoming ever-darker, will Reiji find a way to escape the dismal abyss that threatens to swallow him whole?

Adapted from the manga of the same name by Ryou Minenami, “Boy’s Abyss” is a 2022 Japanese psychological thriller drama directed by Hiroaki Yuasa.

Boy's Abyss

🌞 Light or Darkness 🌚

Yumi (Kiryuu Mai) is a young design student. Naoya (Kisetsu Fujiwara), meanwhile, is a male student who takes part in the university’s drama club – and harbors hopes of one day launching his own theater company. One day, Yumi discovers that she is pregnant. She isn’t sure if Naoya – or another man – is the father. But when she tells Naoya about this, he says that he will live with her and raise the child as his own.

The duo begins to live together. But as time goes by, and Yumi begins to feel morning sickness, the reality of the situation starts to become overwhelming. Naoya begins to worry that his dreams are slipping away from him. And Yumi starts to wonder if Naoya really will become a loving father and husband in the future. They begin to bicker about trivial matters – but these small arguments appear to be disguising deeper, more troubling emotions. Can this young couple stay together as the pressure mounts? Or will life take its toll on their relationship?

“Grown Ups” is a 2022 Japanese movie that was directed by Kato Takuya.

Grown Ups

Adults Aren't Kiddin' Around 

Suguri Toko (Kaho) seems to be living a perfect and happy life. She is married to a man who seemingly cherishes her. She spends her days looking after her young daughter – and taking care of the family house. However, deep inside, she feels frustrated about the fact that her life is seemingly stuck in a rut – with no prospects of change on the horizon.

Life throws her a curveball, however, when she attends a friend’s wedding. Here, she is unexpectedly reunited with Kurata Akihiko (Tsumabuki Satoshi), a former love she has not seen in a decade. The chance meeting sparks something within Suguri Toko. He thinks she hasn’t changed at all. And suddenly, she feels the clock has turned back 10 years. Passions she thought were long dead are reunited, and the duo embarks on an affair. But will this racy romance lead them to pleasure...or catastrophe?

“Shape of Red” is a 2020 Japanese movie that was based on a novel by Rio Shimamoto and directed by Yukiko Mishima.

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