Japan On Film

Japan On Film

Anime, kaiju, J-horror, exploitation, and everything in between—Japan has been producing some of the most interesting and creative movies for decades. In JAPAN ON FILM, author and Japanese film lecturer Perry Constantine and his guests will introduce you to the wide, wonderful, and sometimes weird world of Japanese films. We not only review, but also use these movies to provide some education on Japanese society, history, and culture. A proud part of the Film Stories Podcast Network: www.filmstories.co.uk

Episodes

October 16, 2025 53 mins
We close out Season 13 with returning guest Ian Buckley! This time, we're discussing Takeshi Kitano's classic yakuza film, Sonatine. Thank you for listening! We'll be taking a hiatus, but will return shortly for Season 14! Hosted by Perry Constantine Guest-Starring Ian Buckley Listen to Ian on We Are Starfleet and Illumination Above All. Get NordVPN 2Y plan + 4 months extra here ➼ ⁠https://nordvpn.com/fspn⁠. It’s risk-free wit...
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This time around, we're taking a break from Japan-made films and instead looking at an American-made film about Japan. Fellow podcaster Kaz Wheeler makes his debut on the show to discuss Sydney Pollack's The Yakuza! Hosted by Perry Constantine Guest-Starring Kaz Wheeler Listen to Kaz on The Didn't Get All of It Japan Podcast and follow him on Bluesky and Instagram. Get NordVPN 2Y plan + 4 months extra here ➼ ⁠https://nordvpn.co...
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Author and magician Eoin Smith joins the show for a discussion on Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah, one of the Heisei-era Godzilla films involving just about everything they thought they could squeeze into a Godzilla film. Hosted by Perry Constantine Guest-Starring Eoin Smith Learn more about Eoin by visiting his Linktree. Get NordVPN 2Y plan + 4 months extra here ➼ ⁠https://nordvpn.com/fspn⁠. It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-...
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In this episode, Perry is joined by returning guest Michael Hale to discuss Perfect Blue: Yume Nara Samete. Contrary to what some may think, this isn't a live-action adaptation of the anime, nor even an adaptation of the novel it was based on. Instead, it's an adaptation of a novella from a spin-off anthology. And spoilers: it's nowhere near as good as the far-superior anime. Hosted by Perry Constantine Guest-Starring Michael Hal...
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Christopher Hood, an academic and author specializing in Japanese society and transportation, joins the show to discuss Happy Flight, a movie all about air travel in Japan. Hosted by Perry Constantine Guest-Starring Christopher Hood Visit Christopher's Linktree for his website, social media, and other links. Get NordVPN 2Y plan + 4 months extra here ➼ ⁠https://nordvpn.com/fspn⁠. It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guar...
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Christmas comes early as Matthew Trecek of the Deskwarmers podcast joins Perry for a discussion of Satoshi Kon's beloved anime, Tokyo Godfathers. Hosted by Perry Constantine Guest-Starring Matthew Trecek Listen to Matthew on the Deskwarmers podcast. Get NordVPN 2Y plan + 4 months extra here ➼ ⁠https://nordvpn.com/fspn⁠. It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee! ⁠JapanOnFilm.com⁠ ⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠ ⁠Threads⁠ ⁠Instagr...
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September 4, 2025 59 mins
Writer and Japanese film scholar Jennifer Upton returns again, and this time we're discussing Shinya Tsukamoto's Vital. Hosted by Perry Constantine Guest-Starring Jennifer Upton Visit Jennifer's website and check out her book, Japanese Cult Cinema: Films From the Second Golden Age. Get NordVPN 2Y plan + 4 months extra here ➼ ⁠https://nordvpn.com/fspn⁠. It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee! ⁠JapanOnFilm.com⁠ ...
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YouTuber and fellow Japan resident Amanda Hartsell joins Perry in this episode to discuss capitalism and Japanese society as depicted in Akira Kurosawa's High and Low. Hosted by Perry Constantine Guest-Starring Amanda Hartsell Visit Amanda's YouTube channel. Get NordVPN 2Y plan + 4 months extra here ➼ ⁠https://nordvpn.com/fspn⁠. It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee! ⁠JapanOnFilm.com⁠ ⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠ ⁠Threads⁠ ...
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Today, Perry is joined by author and filmmaker Liam Quane to talk about 2019's anime film, Weathering With You. Directed by Makoto Shinkai, this was his follow-up to the very popular Your Name. Hosted by Perry Constantine Guest-Starring Liam Quane. Learn about Liam's film and novel work by visiting Specificity Archives and follow him on ⁠Bluesky⁠. Get NordVPN 2Y plan + 4 months extra here ➼ ⁠https://nordvpn.com/fspn⁠. It’s risk...
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Season 13 kicks off with our 100th episode! And for this, we've got a special one. Filmmaker Warren Badenski joins Perry for a deep dive into Takashi Miike's infamously wild, wonderful, and very weird Gozu! Hosted by Perry Constantine Guest-Starring Warren Badenski Learn more about Warren's latest film, Dead Name. And follow him on Bluesky and Instagram. Get NordVPN 2Y plan + 4 months extra here ➼ https://nordvpn.com/fspn. It’...
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August 7, 2025 2 mins
Join author, teacher, and film fan Perry Constantine and his guests as they journey into the wide, wonderful, and sometimes very weird world of Japanese cinema! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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In a special interview episode, Perry speaks with KD Wilson, a Japan-based filmmaker. After creating a trailer for a fake Japanese horror thriller titled It Doesn't Exist, the response was so positive that Wilson decided to make the film a reality. Funding in just 11 hours on Kickstarter, production is going to begin soon. Listen to the story behind it. Hosted by Perry Constantine Guest-Starring KD Wilson Support It Doesn't Ex...
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March 5, 2025 64 mins
Returning guest and fellow podcaster Derick McDuff is back on the show for a discussion of one of Akira Kurosawa's most well-known and well-regarded films—1952's Ikiru. We chart Waranabe's growth over the movie, the type of environment he's in, and how little Japanese bureaucracy has changed. This is our final episode of the season. We're going to take a break, but we'll return shortly with Season 13! Hosted by Perry Constantine ...
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February 26, 2025 70 mins
It's another film by Hirokazu Kore-eda! This time, Perry is joined by podcaster Sam Stokes to discuss the director's latest film, Monster. With different perspectives, it's an enlightening film about the concept of bullying. Hosted by Perry Constantine Guest-Starring Sam Stokes Listen to Sam on the Den of Ten and Reel Talk podcasts, and follow him on Letterboxd. Get NordVPN 2Y plan + 4 months extra here ➼ https://nordvpn.com/fsp...
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Podcaster Ian Buckley returns for another anime film. This time, we spotlight Cowboy Bebop: The Movie, also known as Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' On Heaven's Door. We discuss the series, its legacy, and how this movie fits into that legacy. Hosted by Perry Constantine Guest-Starring Ian Buckley Listen to Ian on We Are Starfleet and Illumination Above All. Get NordVPN 2Y plan + 4 months extra here ➼ https://nordvpn.com/fspn. It’s risk-...
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Japanese film scholar Lindsay Nelson is back on the show to discuss Hirokazu Kore-eda's heartbreaking drama, Nobody Knows. Based on a true story about a family of children abandoned by their single mother, there's a lot to talk about in this. Hosted by Perry Constantine Guest-Starring Lindsay Nelson View Lindsay’s website and her film reviews. Get NordVPN 2Y plan + 4 months extra here ➼ https://nordvpn.com/fspn. It’s risk-free w...
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Comic creator Ryan Estrada makes his debut to discuss one of Studio Ghibli's strangest films, 1994's Pom Poko! We talk about the movie's interesting structure, the deeper themes, and, of course, the power of raccoon balls. Hosted by Perry Constantine Guest-Starring Ryan Estrada Visit ryanestrada,com to find out more about Ryan's comics. Get NordVPN 2Y plan + 4 months extra here ➼ https://nordvpn.com/fspn. It’s risk-free with Nor...
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January 28, 2025 58 mins
Author Jennifer Upton returns for a fun discussion about Ryuhei Kitamura's Versus! A genre-bending film that plays with archetypes and looks far better than its budget should allow for, it's a quick, entertaining watch. Hosted by Perry Constantine Guest-Starring Jennifer Upton Visit Jennifer’s website for information on her writing and read her book, Japanese Cult Cinema: Films from the Second Golden Age Selected Essays and Revi...
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Fellow podcaster Sam Inglis returns to discuss 1985's Typhoon Club. A great character study, though with some aspects that are difficult to watch. Hosted by Perry Constantine Guest-Starring Sam Inglis Follow Sam on Bluesky and Letterboxd, and listen to his podcast, Fearless Pretender: The Jennifer Jason Leigh Podcast. Get NordVPN 2Y plan + 4 months extra here ➼ https://nordvpn.com/fspn. It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-ba...
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This is the one many listeners have been waiting for. Podcaster Jason Kleeberg joins Perry to dive into the wildly successful Godzilla Minus One! Praised both at home and abroad for good reason, there's a lot to unpack here. Hosted by Perry Constantine Guest-Starring Jason Kleeberg Listen to Jason on the Force Five Podcast. Get NordVPN 2Y plan + 4 months extra here ➼ https://nordvpn.com/fspn. It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day m...
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