Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Japanese cinema as we take you on a journey through the mesmerizing cinematography and storytelling versatility that these films have to offer. The year 2022 marked a significant milestone for Japanese movies, with an unstoppable momentum towards success.
The accolades poured in, with ‘Drive My Car’ making history by becoming the very first Japanese film to secure an Oscar nomination for Best Picture, an achievement that solidified the country’s influence on the global film stage. From heartwarming tales like ‘Small, Slow, and Steady’ being hailed as the Best Movie of 2022 to the enchanting melodies of the ‘Suzume no Tojimari’ soundtrack resonating across the world, Japanese films proved to be both a domestic and international triumph.
This handpicked list showcases some of the finest films from 2022, spanning diverse genres such as action, mystery, comedy, and even delving into the fascinating realm of Japan’s dystopian society. Several movies on this list are also masterful adaptations of novels, ensuring a rich and immersive experience for all viewers.
If you’re a true cinephile or simply seeking unforgettable entertainment, don’t miss the chance to savor these 15 must-watch Japanese movies from 2022. Grab your popcorn, sit back, and indulge yourself in the mesmerizing wonders of Japanese cinema. Enjoy a cinematic experience like no other!
Best Japanese Movies 2022 List –
Table of Contents
Small, slow and steady
Genre – Drama , Action
Director- Shô Miyake
IMDb- 7/10
The title itself revels a lot of meaning. Based on Kriko Ogasawara’s autobiography book ”Makenaida” .The protagonist played by Yukino kishii brings out the real life keiko to screen. Keiko is the 1st impaired professional female boxer in Japan. The story shows the struggle of the protagonist on her dream of becoming a professional boxer only pushed through her limit by pandemic, with decline health of her trainer ‘slow and steadily’. The movie depicts the determination and struggle of the boxing player in a film. Being awarded as the Best movie of the 2022, its does justice to it.
Hell dog
Genre – Action , crime , drama
Director – Masato Harada
IMDb- 6.7 /10
Available on Netflix , this revenge driven movie . An Ex- police (Shogo Kanetaka) traumatized by murder of loved one joins a gang motive to destroy it. He goes undercover to seek revenge and is instructed to pick a fight with gang member Hideki Murooka, who is the son of death – row convict who has a physical condition. Based on novel “Hell Dogs” by Akio Fukamachi.
A Man
Genre – Drama , Mystery , Romance
Director- Kei Ishikawa
IMDb – 7/10
Looking for a detective plot, here it is . When a former client comes with a request to find her dead husband a truth comes forwards. ‘A Man’ is from Keiichiro Hirano’s novel with the same title. Movie opens up about the increasing number of people rebooting life reasons varying from debt to mental disorder like dementia. The character represent the act in society where people tend to vanish and switch there identity only to be never found. The movie brings in mystery through its plot uncovering a common societal truth of Japan.
Wedding High
Genre – Comedy , Romance
Director- Akiko Ohku
IMDb- 6.6/10
Maho Nakogoshi is a wedding planner, who can never say ‘No’ to her client. She is in charge of the big day of groom (Akihito) and bride(Haruka).The wedding is planned well but the unexpected circumstances of the day turns the event around. The story is filled with laughter and joy to keep the mood up.
Drifting home
Genre – Fantasy
Director-Hiroyasu Ishida
IMDb- 6.3/ 10
A studio Ghibli film has to always be in list , Drifting away is a movie exploring children feeling one summer vacation, we follow the story of Natsume and Kosuke ,getting caught in a strange adventure with friend and a entire housing complex. The movie through its plot discussed a deeper issue of family in different setting and friendship bonds. This anime is available on Netflix to enjoy.
Plan 75
Genre – Fantasy , drama
Director- Chie Hayakawa
IMDb- 6.7/10
Set in a dystopian world , This movie focuses on elderly life in Japan. In this movie the Japanese government launches a program PLAN 75 ,which encourages elderly to terminate there own lives to revive the country social and economics. Three elderly citizen life intersects in the mist of events. The story takes a new turns on the existing perspective on elderly and their view on life as they age.
Sadako dx
Genre – Horror
Director- Hisashi Kimura
IMDb- 3.9/10
After watching a mysterious video people die. Ayaka Ichijo’s sister Futaba happens to watch the video and gets cursed. Futaba is then met with Sadoka who follows her to school transforming herself as people Futaba knows. Ayaka is an extremely smart student and goes on a journey to unravel the truth. This movie follows a plot where the victim dies after 24hr of viewing the video. Will Ayaka know the mystery surrounding the ghost or meet with the same fate?. The mysterious video is played on the screen sending shock wave to audience just to reach the end credits This movie was the final instalment in the Ring franchise and a sequel to 1998’s Spiral Sadako Dx. This mystery is available on Google play. It is considered as one of the best Japanese horror movies of all the time.
Ox headed village
Genre – Horror , mystery
Director- Takashi Shimizu
IMDb- 4.8 / 10
From the Shimizu’s Haunted Village Trilogy , this brings explores a girl who resembles one of the girls in the “spirit video”. She dives deep to investigate the town in the video. From the director of The Grudge. Available on Google Play.
Kisaragi station
Genre – Horror
Director- Jiro Nagae
IMDb- 5.5/10
Related to the Japanese urban legend alive since 2004. This movie depicts a friction journey of a folklore student Haruna Tsunematsu who decides to write a thesis on the “kisaragi Station” which has been a hot topic for its haunted events. Yyri Tsunematsu acting in the film is something to watch out for. For the junkies of urban legend this movie is worth the watch. Available on Google play.
The last 10 years
Genre – melodrama
Director – Michihito Fuji
IMDb- 6.8/10
When Matsuri , age 20 knows she only has 10 years to live due to incurable disease. She decided not to cry about it instead focus on living and not fall in love. By destiny she meet with Kazuto. This movie surely makes one cry. Life Or Love? Or Life and love? Michihito Fuji distinctive cinematography is a character of its own through out to the melo dramatic movie.
Suzume
Genre – Drama , disaster
Director- Makoto Shinkai
IMDb- 7.8/ 10
This 2022 anime was a global hit with its amazing soulful soundtrack. Directed by Makoto Shinkai was one of the most expected anime by audience did not miss its mark. The story follows a 17yrs who is living with her aunt, suddenly finds herself in mist of disaster after opening the door. The protagonist is meet with unreal character in form of unreal creatures who seem to be the misunderstood character only for the end to realize the actual motive. The story has fresh take on the places and feeling one holds. The movie captures the Japanese myths and joins it with encapsulating mystery of modern Japan. Will be available on Crunchyroll.
Bubble
Genre – Romantic ,Fantasy
Director- Tetsurō Araki
IMDb- 6.3/10
Available on Netflix, ‘Bubble’ is a post – apocalyptic film based in fantasy. This movie explores the beauty of deisolation . The film defies gravity due and separates Tokyo from rest of the world through a bubble . The plot of the anime hold a lot to explore .
Love life
Genre – Drama
Director – Kôji Fukada
IMDb- 7.1 / 10
The change of feeling in a happy life. How will their life proceed ?Taeko and her husband live a normal life. Having a family , a son and job they are content with life, until they are not. Suddenly, the boy father is back from dead and the equation break. The guilt and pain of Taeko overtakes the stage.
One-piece film: Red
Genre – Action
Director- Goro Taniguchii
IMDb- 6.6/ 10
This is the fifteenth featured film of the One piece film series, based on the manga having fandom of its own. The story is set on “Island of music”. For 1st time the Uta , the most beloved singer will revel herself. The excitement makes waves and fills the stadium only to unravel in the beginning of the story that she is “Shank’s Daughter”
Jujutsu Kaisen 0
Genre – Fantasy , Action
Director- Sunghoo Park
IMDb – 7.8 / 10
Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is a prequel to the Jujutsu Kaisen manga series both created by Gege Akutami. Yuta a high school student is bullied and one day , the bullies are mysterious killed by cursed spirit hanging upon him. The cured spirit is Rika, a childhood friend. Yuta then meets other student Maki, Toge, Panda – all having distinct abilities. Further, Gojo finds the truth of Rika curse and relation to Yuta.
