MEMORIES: Cinema and Performing Arts
The big screen made a strong appearance at Japan Expo this year. With major industry figures in attendance, captivating meet-and-greets, and exclusive screenings, the world of cinema offered a true immersion into Japanese pop culture.
Thirty years after Love Letter, Shunji Iwai was at Japan Expo to celebrate the retrospective dedicated to him by the Maison de la Culture du Japon in Paris!
His filmography found new life, embraced by a new generation of viewers.
The audience enjoyed the festival’s first nighttime screening with Kyrie’s Song in the presence of the director himself.
They also participated in a fascinating conference about his work, followed by autograph sessions with fans at the Sumiré area.
In a special appearance on the Nezumi stage, visitors had the privilege of meeting director Koji Fukada, who came to present his latest film, Love on Trial.
Alongside Emmanuel Pettini, director of the show Ami Ami Idol: Hello! France on Nolife, he offered a heartfelt exchange, revealing the often little-known behind-the-scenes life of idols.
Kessho!
Hiroshi Watari and Makoto Sumikawa, the legendary metal heroes Spielvan and Diana from Jikû Senshi Spielvan, brought the Kuri stage back to the golden era of Club Dorothée.
Former members of the Japan Action Club (JAC), these stunt actor legends shared their expertise through spectacular demonstrations: combat techniques, filming secrets, and cinematic illusions (because who can really guess who's behind the armor?).
The duo also participated in an engaging conference on the tokusatsu universe, followed by a roundtable with the creators of the comic Shin Zero — a heartfelt tribute to Japanese superheroes by Mathieu Bablet and Guillaume Singelin.
Halloween came early this year at Japan Expo!
A horror-themed program accompanied the guest of honor: the master of horror manga, Junji Ito.
In a different, wildly offbeat style of horror, visitors discovered the independent series Jubaku Shôjo BAGIRA-Chan! — a unique blend of live-action, special effects, 2D and 3D animation.
The mysterious director YP presented the first two episodes of this genre-defying creation, alongside producer Koichi Kawase and... BAGIRA-chan herself (or rather her actress, who never left her character)!
T !
Ti-Ti-Ti Ti-Ti Ti-Tiiiii~
They are... TT BROTHERS !
The performing arts took center stage at Japan Expo with the arrival of the comedy duo Chocolate Planet, who played the hilarious TT Brothers to a T: two uncontrollable fans obsessed with the letter T!
With their absurd T-poses and catchy chants, they delighted the audience in a performance as funny as it was unforgettable.
This year, the troupe Youth Theatre Japan plunged Japan Expo into a blood-soaked spectacle inspired by Junji Ito’s manga.
Their original creation, Purple Spiral – Shiunka, brought to life a true danse macabre, blending elegance with chills.
Were you possessed by their haunting staging?