I have seen tons of Japanese movies and have loved them all, so I just went with the ones that I own. — I had the hardest time choosing! Without further adieu, here are my Top 5 Fave Japanese Films!

5. Train Man: Densha Otoko.
I honestly think this is the most adorable movie ever! It’s about an otaku who finds love and wants to change to finally get the girl. He writes about it on a live chat room with others, with problems of their own, cheering him on. Tamayuki Yamada did the best performance ever, and I just fell in love with him. I watched this with my mom, and she loved it too. She isn’t a real big fan of foreign films, so I thought this was a big step. I cried, she cried. It was a big love fest. I loved how everyone over the internet was cheering him on, which got them to move on with their lives. The way the internet friends were connected was fantastic. I think it shows how everyone needs love!

4. Water Boys
This is one of those movies that everyone loves. It’s about a boy who finds a love for synchronized swimming and starts a team at his school even though he kind of sucks at swimming. This movie is so fantastically hilarious!!! I watched it during the summer when no one was home, and I laughed so loud and hard. Not only is it hilarious, but it’s a movie that shows you that you should do what you love even when no one wants you, too. Plus seeing Hiroshi Tamaki and Satoshi Tsumabuki in a speedo isn’t too bad if you ask me. Most of the movie is practically guys in their speedos, but you know, it can’t be helped. Let’s just say I would be one of the many girls to buy tickets to see them perform. ;)

3. Lovely Complex
Can you sense a theme going on? This is another hilarious movie. It’s about a tall girl and a short guy falling in love!!! Having read the manga, I loved how the characters were portrayed. Giving Risa a sister was a bomb movie because she was hilarious. The two’s interactions had me dying! The way they insert Umibozu was hilarious, and I laughed so hard that I kicked my roommate’s desk. Anyway, Koike Teppei and Emi Fujisawa were fantastic. Teppei was just as adorable, and Emi’s acting was phenomenal. She was amazing. I love how they added bloody noses and such. ‘Twas hilarious! Anyway, if you ended up buying/renting the DVD, be sure to watch the special features. They are about as great as the movie itself!

Bonus:

2. Koizora
First, here’s a little background. This movie was actually based on a girl’s real life experiences; she wrote a mobile phone novel which was read by over 12 million people in Japan. Everything in this movie is real, and it is terrible. I was crying almost the entire movie, but the last 10 to 20 minutes — I was bawling. It was a beautiful love story. Haruma Miura was amazing as Hiro, and Yui Aragaki was as equally amazing. Gosh, I can’t even tell you a lot about it because it would ruin it. To those reading this, you must watch it. I don’t even care. Do it!!! I cry at the trailer, by the way, my tears are now on this post. Have your tissues ready.

1. Crows Zeroand Crows Zero 2
Let’s just say them both. I like the whole franchise. Basically, it is a whole bunch of hot guys (Shun Oguri, Tamayuki Yamada, Sousuke Tamioka, Haruma Miura(2). . .) who are all after control of the same school. In the first one, it’s a battle between Oguri and Yamada to see who controls most of the school. In the second, the fight between Suzuran, the school of Crows, and Hoisen, their rival school, starts. They are amazing. This is more of a movie that guys like, but I really liked the premise of them. Suzuran is called the School of Crows because there is so many delinquents that go there. They say, “I would rather be a crow than a caged bird.” (I think that’s how it goes.) Anyway, I loved them. They aren’t just about good looking guys beating each other up. Believe me, after watching it as many times as I have, you start to notice the real meaning of the movies. I’ll let you find out yourselves.

Some honorable mentions I have, so feel free to look them up yourself: All about Lily Chou-Chou, Battle Royale, Great Teacher Onizuka, Last Quarter, and Death Note.

What are your favorite Japanese films?