J1 Radio / Ｊ１ラジオ

A star turn isn’t quite enough to make ‘City Hunter’ soar

Ryo Saeba isn’t exactly a hero for our times. A denizen of Tokyo’s seamy Kabukicho entertainment district, the private investigator is an expert marksman and pugilist, but also an incorrigible pervert. Anyone seeking his services can leave a message on a blackboard in nearby Shinjuku Station, though they should be warned that he only goes for the pretty customers — and he won’t be looking at their faces when he’s talking to them.

‘Evil Does Not Exist’ builds its dramatic tension to perfection

Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s “Evil Does Not Exist,” which won the Grand Jury Prize at last year’s Venice International Film Festival, had an unusual gestation, beginning as a short film to accompany the performances of musician Eiko Ishibashi, who scored Hamaguchi’s Oscar-winning “Drive My Car.” Along the way, Hamaguchi decided to turn it into a feature film with dialogue.

Serani Poji’s retro Shibuya-kei sounds find viral fame

Sometime in late 2023, users of short-form video platforms such as TikTok and YouTube Shorts sought out a mood booster. They found just the serotonin shot they needed courtesy turn-of-the-millennium music genre Shibuya-kei, in all its smiley wonder.

Two burned bodies found in Tochigi confirmed to be Tokyo couple

Police said Wednesday that two burned bodies found near a river in the town of Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture, last week have been confirmed to be those of a couple from Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward.