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TV & Film

Japan on Screen: Stories, Cinema & Shows Not to Miss

Japan’s influence on global screen culture is undeniable—from art-house cinema and classic samurai epics to binge-worthy dramas and Studio Ghibli masterpieces. Japanese TV and film offer a rich, emotional, and often philosophical storytelling experience that continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

In our TV & Film section, we explore the evolving landscape of Japanese screen media. Find feature articles, reviews, retrospectives, and cultural commentary on iconic directors, must-watch series, anime adaptations, and the deeper themes that make Japanese storytelling so unique.

This is your front row seat to Japan’s cinematic universe—where folklore, futurism, and human drama meet in unforgettable ways.

My Neighbour Totoro Studio Ghibli’s beloved film, brought to life
on stage by the Royal Shakespeare Company
The family’s move to the countryside,
recreated live on stage
Soot sprites swarming live on stage,
just as you remember them from the film
Joe Hisaishi's iconic score,
performed by a live band and singer
Musicians play from treehouses
above the stage at every performance
Winner of six Olivier Awards
and five WhatsOnStage Awards
The beloved Totoro made real, with puppets
built by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop
Totoro and the Catbus, live Satsuki and Mei, live in London The soot sprites are real Hisaishi's score, live nightly Musicians in the treehouses Award-winning, final months Six Olivier Awards Book your seats From screen to stage Choose your date Book tickets Book tickets Book tickets See Totoro live

More From Our TV & Film Archive

  • scene from midnight diner tokyo stories showing the master chef serving comfort food in a small late night japanese izakaya in shinjuku tokyo.

    Midnight Diner: Food, Love and Melancholy

    By Santiago Campodonico

    12 May 2022

  • godzilla giant kaiju monster destroying city lights in classic japanese monster movie representing the godzilla showa era and kaiju film genre.

    The Evolution of Godzilla in the Shōwa Era (1954 – 1975)

    By Simon Martin

    8 May 2022

  • japanese officials signing the world war two surrender aboard a battleship marking the beginning of the american occupation that reshaped japanese cinema and society.

    American Occupation & the Rise of Japanese Cinema

    By Paul Converce

    31 March 2022

  • scene from drive my car showing yusuke and driver misaki standing beside the red car highlighting the quiet emotional tone of the award nominated japanese film based on haruki murakami story.

    Drive My Car – A Quiet, Subtle Triumph

    By Katie Hopkins

    23 February 2022

  • intense scene from battle royale 2000 showing a blood covered japanese schoolgirl character representing the brutal survival death game theme of the cult japanese thriller film.

    Killer Kids and the High Concept of Battle Royale

    By Jihyun Lee

    14 February 2022

  • collage of famous japanese anime scenes including akira ghost in the shell and princess mononoke showing how japanese animation influenced hollywood films.

    Top 10 Japanese Movies that Inspired Hollywood

    By Richard Young

    12 February 2022

  • close up of sadako eye from ringu 1998 japanese horror film showing eerie vengeful spirit imagery that defined j horror cinema.

    The Ring and Japanese Horror

    By Jihyun Lee

    23 November 2021

  • black and white scene from tokyo story directed by yasujiro ozu showing characters in a quiet moment reflecting the themes of family aging and postwar japanese society.

    Tokyo Story: Classic Post-War Japan Film Review

    By Santiago Campodonico

    8 November 2021

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My Neighbour Totoro Studio Ghibli’s beloved film, brought to life
on stage by the Royal Shakespeare Company
The family’s move to the countryside,
recreated live on stage
Soot sprites swarming live on stage,
just as you remember them from the film
Joe Hisaishi's iconic score,
performed by a live band and singer
Musicians play from treehouses
above the stage at every performance
Winner of six Olivier Awards
and five WhatsOnStage Awards
The beloved Totoro made real, with puppets
built by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop
Totoro and the Catbus, live Satsuki and Mei, live in London The soot sprites are real Hisaishi's score, live nightly Musicians in the treehouses Award-winning, final months Six Olivier Awards Book your seats From screen to stage Choose your date Book tickets Book tickets Book tickets See Totoro live
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Rebellious Bodies Butoh Festival 2026
16 Oct to 22 Nov 2026
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Final show 3 Jan 2027 My Neighbour Totoro Book tickets

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