Yasuzo Masumura: Passion and Excess Tom Mes dissects the twisted works of Yasuzo Masumura, director of The Blind Beast, Red Angel and Giants and Toys.

The Best of the Decade The makers of Midnight Eye bring you their best ten Japanese films from the first decade of the 21st century.

The Best of the Decade - Readers Poll The votes are in! And the winner is...

The Best (and Worst) of 2009 Our contributors give you their likes and dislikes of the past year in Japanese film.

The Best of 2009 - Readers Poll The votes are in! And the winner is...

Nobuhiko Obayashi, Vagabond of Time In Japan, he is the director of such perennial favorites as House and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. In the rest of the world, he is all but unknown. Join us in discovering the unique world of a stylish, fascinating, versatile filmmaker.

A History of Sex Education Films in Japan - Part 3: The Seiten Films Roland Domenig delivers the third chapter in his in-depth history of the Japanese sex education film.

Yubari Hangs Steadily On In its second year after rising from its ashes, the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival confirms its importance in discovering new talent.

The Best (and Worst) of 2008 The new year wouldn't be the new year without the traditional best and worst lists from our contributors.

The Best (and Worst) of 2008 - Readers Poll The votes are in! And the winner is...

Jun Ichikawa - An Appreciation Mark Schilling pays tribute to director Jun Ichikawa, director of Tony Takitani, Tokyo Marigold and many others, who died September 19, 2008.

Behind the Pink Curtain - The Complete History of Japanese Sex Cinema An in-depth look at Jasper Sharp's brand new book, which lifts the lid on Japan's erotic film industry.

Go! Go! Yubari A postcard from the resurrection of one of Asia's finest festivals, the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival.

Tomoyasu Murata and Company A profile of one of Japan's most original animators, with a complete filmography.

The Best (and Worst) of 2007 It's that time again. We put our heads together to bring you our favourite and and not-so-favourite Japanese films of the past year.

The Best (and Worst) of 2007 - Readers Poll The votes are in! And the winner is...

Takashi Miike at the 2007 Venice film festival Takashi Miike took his Sukiyaki Western Django into competition at the Venice Film Festival. The resulting odyssey features Eli Roth, Giuliano Gemma and Paul Verhoeven. But where's Tarantino?

Eiichi Kudo's Guerrilla Filmmaking Robin Gatto shines a much needed light on an obscure master of the chanbara film, Eiichi Kudo, director of The Great Killing.

A History of Sex Education Films in Japan - Part 2: The Post-War Years and the basukon eiga Roland Domenig continues his trek through the obscure history of the Japanese sex education film, in part 2 of this ongoing series.

Mikio Naruse - a Modern Classic Eija Niskanen provides the perfect introduction to the work of this great creator of modest but extremely resonant films.

The Best of 2006 - Readers Poll You, the readers have spoken. Your favourite Japanese film of 2006 is...

The Best (and Worst) of 2006 The makers of Midnight Eye get together to give your their traditional year-end lists.

Company Matsuo and the World of Japanese Adult Video An in-depth look at the world of the japanese porn industry, guided by one of its most prolific practicioners, Company Matsuo, the master of hamedori.

Midnight Eye Christmas DVD Special Some of the most finger-lickin' DVD box sets for your wish lists!

A History of Sex Education Films in Japan - Part 1: The Pre-War Years Special guest Roland Domenig illuminates another dark corner of Japanese film history, in the first of a four-part series.

Pia Film Festival 2006 Eija Niskanen reports from Tokyo's annual platform for new filmmakers and finds that this crucial festival remains as pioneering as ever.

Tiger! Tiger! Burning Bright R.I.P. Tetsuro Tamba, 1922 - 2006

Nippon Connection's Anti-Canon Special guest Abé Mark Nornes discusses the importance and significance of Frankfurt's delightful Nippon Connection festival, and what it says about our changing views on Japanese film.

Recent Film Policy and the Fate of Film Criticism in Japan The Japanese government's attempts to support film may have some adverse effects, as special guest Aaron Gerow observes.

Hollywood Japan File A hard look at the more obscure recesses of the rich history of foreign films about Japan, packing in low budget film noir, Ed Wood-penned monster movies and Bollywood musicals.

Six Degrees of Kiefer Sutherland: The World of Anime Voice Acting Anime authority Jonathan Clements kicks off our series of special guest features, with an odyssey through the wonderful world of anime voice acting.

The Best of 2005 - Readers' Poll results You, the Midnight Eye readers, have spoken. Your favourite Japanese films of 2005 are...

The Best (and Worst) of 2005 The Midnight Eye folks make their annual lists.

The Death of J-Horror? It has a rich past and an active present, but what about the future? A descent into the dark waters of Japanese horror history.

Light from the Rising Sun: Treasures of Japanese Silent Cinema Join us as we delve into the silent past of Japan's oldest film studio and uncover rare gems by the likes of Ozu, Shimizu, Naruse and Ito.

Remembering Kenji Misumi A salute to one of the genre's late masters, as remembered by those who worked with him.

The PIA Film Festival and Jishu Eiga A look at the impact and legacy of the PIA Film Festival and Japan's thriving 'jishu eiga' indie scene.

Underground Cinema and the Art Theatre Guild A deeper look at the close symbiotic relationship between New Wave bastion ATG and Tokyo's cinematic underground of the 1960s.

Iron Man: The Cinema of Shinya Tsukamoto Discover the brand new book by Midnight Eye's Tom Mes, in this exclusive spotlight.

The Rise and Fall of Rokuro Mochizuki Join us as we dive headlong into the sordid world of one of the major Japanese filmmakers of the past decade, who is only just starting to get his due in the West.

Kihachi Okamoto Midnight Eye salutes the multi-faceted talents of director Kihachi Okamoto - of Sword of Doom, Human Bullet and Red Lion fame - who passed away last February at the age of 81.

Tokyo Cinema Guide Jasper Sharp takes you on an odyssey along the Japanese capitol's cinematic shrines.

The Best of 2004 - Readers Poll results Midnight Eye readers' favourite Japanese films of 2004.

The Best (and Worst) of 2004 Our editors and contributors choose their annual likes and dislikes from a year's worth of Japanese films.

The Midnight Eye Guide to New Japanese Film It's here at last! The brand new book written by Midnight Eye's own Tom Mes and Jasper Sharp. An exclusive, close-up look at the definitive guide to today's Japanese film scene.

Japanese Anime and the Animated Cartoon Anime boom? Globalisation of Japanese pop culture? Anime has been around us for a long, long time. And not just in the vicinity of Tokyo.

Pioneers of Japanese Animation (part 2) Part 2 of Jasper Sharp's odyssey into the early days of Japanese animation.

Pioneers of Japanese Animation (part 1) When anime was in its infancy, a handful of men made an indelible mark on the genre.

Yusaku Matsuda: Lost Rebel In praise of the life and career of one Japan's best-loved movie stars, who remains a virtual unknown abroad: Yusaku Matsuda.

Art Theatre Guild and Japanese independent cinema An in-depth look at the history of the production house whose name is synonymous with the Japanese New Wave.

A Salute to Tomio Aoki A tribute to the recently deceased actor, whose career spanned the length of Japanese film history.

Hiroshi Shimizu - Silent Master of the Japanese Ethos One of the most overlooked giants of Japanese cinema gets his due with this in-depth look at some of his early classics.

Samurai Cinema 101 Brush up on your knowledge of samurai films with our introduction to Japanese cinema's most enduring genre.

The Best of 2003 - Readers' poll results Midnight Eye readers' favourite Japanese films of 2003.

The Best of 2003 We at Midnight Eye reveal our favourite and not so favourite Japanese films of the past year.

The World of Yasujiro Ozu Midnight Eye celebrates the centenary of "the most Japanese of directors".

Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival 2003 report A report from one of the world's most respected documentary film festivals, to discover the real cutting edge of Japanese cinema.

Out of This World set report On set with director Junji Sakamoto for a recreation of post-war Japan that stars Peter Mullan and Sho Aikawa.

PiFan 2003 Report The inside scoop on one of Asia's fastest-growing and most interesting film festivals: the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival.

Book spotlight: Agitator - The Cinema of Takashi Miike A special spotlight on the book Agitator - The Cinema of Takashi Miike, written by Midnight Eye's own Tom Mes.

Beyond Anime - A Brief Guide to Experimental Japanese Animation A huge world of stunning Japanese animation exists beyond what we know as anime. Some true gems uncovered.

The Best of 2002 - Readers' Poll Results Midnight Eye readers' favourite Japanese films of 2002.

In Memoriam: Kinji Fukasaku (1930 - 2003) Our humble tribute to one of Japanese cinema's true greats.

The Best of 2002 Midnight Eye's list of the best, and worst, in Japanese cinema of 2002.

Mike Hama set report On set with actor Masatoshi Nagase for the shooting of the Mike Hama TV series.

Forgotten Fragments - An Introduction to Japanese Silent Cinema Commentator Midori Sawato leads us on our second foray into the world of silent cinema.

Kiyoshi Kurosawa set report: Bright Future Exclusive pictures from the set of Kiyoshi Kurosawa's latest film, plus an interview with the director.

Shopping for Japanese Films How do you get to see all those Japanese films? Read Midnight Eye's Guide to Japanese Movie Shopping & Watching!

A Page of Madness An in-depth look at a silent classic that remains startling and fresh today.

The Best of 2001 - Readers' Poll Results Midnight Eye readers' favourite Japanese films of 2001.

The Best of 2001 Midnight Eye reveals its favourite Japanese films of 2001.

The concertfilms of Sogo Ishii The early 80s punk scene, as captured on camera by one Sogo Ishii (with a complete Ishii filmography).

The Film School of Tokyo A visit to the training ground of Japan's future filmmakers.

Focus: Kinji Fukasaku A career profile of Japan's most consistently successful director, with a complete filmography.

Focus: Tetsuji Takechi Though his legacy as the godfather of pinku remains, Tetsuji Takechi's career is shrouded in mystery.