I hope every one of you guys are having a great end of the year holiday! whether you are celebrating Christmas or Hanukkah or any other holiday, I wish you the best. Happy holidays, and here’s a toast to another year of good dramas!

If you could take one–and only one–memory with you into the after life, what would it be? That’s the question director Hirokazo Kore-eda asks in his 1999 film After Life.

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Horror movies—usually, I can’t say that I take too fondly of them because I frankly don’t like getting scared. Recently, however, there has been one horror film called Kairo that has fascinated me with its unusual concept.

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When I think of a band that reaches out to a diverse audience I think of Tokyo Jihen (東京事変). The 5-person band explores an interesting plethora of genres including Rock, Jazz, Swing, and Lounge, and other unique genres I frankly can’t identify; but what strikes me most about the band is the singer.

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I’ve been checking out a new Japanese drama called Ashita no Kita Yoshio (あしたの、喜多善男) recently with absolute fanfare on my part!

Here’s a quick rundown on what Ashita no Kita Yoshio is all about:
Kita Yoshio is a middle-aged man prepared to commit suicide on the same day as the death anniversary of his best, and only, friend which is 11 days from the day the story begins. As such, Kita plans to live out the rest of his days alone, trying to enjoy his remaining life. But he suddenly meets the young Yashiro Heita, who helps him realize the most extraordinary 11 days of his life.

CAST

• Kohinata Fumiyo as Kita Yoshio
• Matsuda Ryuhei as Yashiro Heita
• Konishi Manami as Washizu Mizuho
• Kuriyama Chiaki as Hasegawa Rika
• Yoshitaka Yuriko as Yoimachi Shinobu

Here’s the theme song to Ashita no Kita Yoshio. It’s called “Mayonaka no Boon Boon”.