If you don’t know who Takeshi Kaneshiro is (shame on you), this post should prove quite enlightening. Known mostly for his roles in Chungking Express, House of Flying Daggers, Fallen Angels, as well as a host of other films, Kaneshiro is one of Japan’s finest actors and this post is going to show you just why… More »

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Forget Sherlock Holmes, there’s a new detective in town. The popular manga Konchu Tantei Yoshida Yoshimi (Insect Detective Yoshimi Yoshida) is getting the silver screen treatment this April. More »

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Move over Kurosawa, there’s more Japanese cinema goodness to be had this month. Today kicks off Rekuru’s (and Ningin’s) Japanese Cinema Royale Special , an all week look at the many films, actors and actresses, and more from the land of the rising sun. Below, for your viewing pleasure, I’ve listed this week’s schedule of posts you can look forward to. So kick back, get comfortable, and prepare yourself because this week is going to kick some serious butt. I’m just saying. More »

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Saturday night, I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing a local New York City music group called FiRESiGN. Comprised of lead vocalist Aya and bassist Masaki Yamada, the two have a long-standing background in music, with Masaki originally being the lead singer in the heavy metal band Ezo (formally known as Flatback). Coincidentally, Ezo has been named as an influence for such artists as Steve McDonald of Redd Kross and Michael Steele of the The Bangles. With that said, here’s the interview. Enjoy. More »

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Wait, wasn’t it just Sunday? Well, it’s Sunday once more so it’s time for another installment of The Weekly Bento. This past week saw the nearing conclusion of Rekuru’s Akira Kurosawa Tribute Month, so if you haven’t been checking out the plethora of posts on the famed director’s work, do so now. In addition, there were plenty of other posts this past week such as the next installment in Jacob’s popular Japanese travel guide series, news of a new Inuyasha compilation album soon to be released, two Playstation 2 game reviews in celebration of the PS2’s 10 year anniversary, and even an interesting look at the growing trend of people sleeping in the streets of Japan. All fascinating stuff, check it out. More »

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Anime You Should See Before You Die returns today with an Akira Kurosawa inspired anime recommendation. Released in 2004, Gonzo’s Samurai 7 is a loose retelling of Kurosawa’s classic Seven Samurai, complete with swords, lords, and…mecha? Yes, this isn’t your dad’s 1954 Seven Samurai. Taking a more steampunk direction, Samurai 7 features everything from flying castles/airships, to steam-powered doodads, to the afore mentioned giant mecha. But the big question of course is, is the series any good? More »

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In celebration of its 10 year anniversary, my ode to the Playstation 2 (yes it’s been 10 years, feel old don’t you?) continues. Today, we look at a classic, must-play title for the system - God of War. If you haven’t played it yet, it’s time my friend. And with it now available on the Playstation 3 via the God of War Collection, you have no excuses. More »

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“Freedom is something you have to fight for.” - Professor Yagihara

This is a line from Akira Kurosawa’s 1946 film No Regrets for Our Youth which, coincidentally, sums up the entire theme of the film. Set in Kyoto after the Manchurian Incident, No Regrets tells the story of three classmates attending Kyoto University and their life-long struggle for freedom amidst militaristic, fascist opposition. While the film has long gone unnoticed (most likely due to it not being available on DVD until just recently), No Regrets is a powerful and fantastic film that’s definitely worth a watch. More »

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Call me old fashioned if you want but ever since I recently purchased a Playstation 2, I’ve been seriously rocking out on it. While you wild and crazy kids, with your new-fangled next generation graphics, have been Modern Warfaring it up, I’ve been battling cyborgs to save a futuristic Tokyo and most recently, exploring the dilapidated environs of Silent Hill. Throw in the fact that I spent a quarter of what I would have buying Modern Warfare 2, and you’re looking at a very happy starving artist.

That’s why, with the 10 year anniversary of the PS2 upon us, I’ve decided to look back at the little black box with year-long coverage and an entire month special in October. But perhaps I’m getting a little ahead of myself. For now, you can look forward to new Plusle and Minun reviews, all devoted to the many games for the Playstation 2. So whether you’ve played your PS2 to death or you’ve never touched a dual shock controller (gasp!), hopfully this ongoing coverage will encourage you to pick up a controller and play these aging gems. More »

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Greetings Rekuruers and welcome to another edition of The Weekly Bento. This week saw the continuation of Rekuru’s Akira Kurosawa Tribute Month as well as the finish of New Year’s Resolution Week. As always, below I’ve compiled a list of this past week’s happenings for your viewing pleasure. Your welcome. See you next week! More »

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