PROGRAMS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
WITHOUT NOTICE
“Kekkon Aite wa Shusen de (Choosing Spouse by Lottery),” premiers Wednesday, Jan. 2 at 7:35 p.m.
Due to the nation’s low birth rate and aging population, the Japanese government has decided to enact the “Marriage by Lottery Act.” Under this law, single people aged 25 to 39 have to go on government planned blind dates. Tatsuhiko, a 26-year-old single man, works as a systems engineer. Due to trauma from his middle school days, he does not trust people and he has a fear of germs. Meanwhile, Nana is a beautiful single woman and works at a radio broadcasting station. The two of them, who would have never met if the law didn’t exist, eventually take part in a marriage interview. What kind of relationship will these two move into amidst a society which has changes so suddenly? Fully subtitled in English.
“Dairenai (Don’t Forget Me),” premiers Thursday, Jan. 3 at 7:35; continues on Fridays at 7:35 p.m.
Nao Kitazawa, 34, leads a busy but fulfilling life as a doctor at a women’s clinic and as fiance to an elite psychiatrist, Yuichi Ihara. With their wedding day a month away, Nao is preparing to move into a new home when she meets Shiji Mamiya, a struggling writer who works part-time as a mover, and falls inexorably in love with him. The fateful encounter compels Nao to follow her heart and experience true love. Overwhelmed by Nao’s passion, Shinji soon falls for her as well, but their budding romance is threatened by the tragic discovery that Nao has early onset Alzheimer’s. As Nao’s symptoms worsen, Shinji spends the next ten years giving Nao mental health support even as she begins to lose the precious memories they both shared. Fully subtitled in English.
“Ishi-chan no Fukuoka Maiu!” premiers Sunday, Jan. 27 at 7:20.
One of Japan’s most renowned gourmet reporters, Ishi-chan, explores Fukuoka prefecture, where the best local cuisines forgather from “Tonkotsu Ramen” to “Motsunabe (offal hotpot),” from Japan’s freshest seafood to the finest brand meats. Could all Fukuoka gourmet foods satisfy a “real foodie” like Ishi-chan, and bring out his signature cry “maiu~” (meaning “so delicious,” but he says it backwards)? Get ready to be hungry! Fully subtitled in English.
NGN 3 MOVIE CHANNEL (Spectrum Digital Ch. 679/HD 1679)
Premiere titles air on Friday. “Movie of the Month” premieres on the first Saturday. Movies are shown at various times. Check your digital on-screen guide for movie schedules, using either the GUIDE or INFO buttons (up to one week ahead). Or call NGN, Mon.-Fri. from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 538-1966 for inquiries or to request an e-mail of NGN 3 programming information. All movies are in Japanese language with full English subtitles.
Movie of the Month
“Ramen Kuitee (Lost in Ramen),” 2018 drama, 1 hour and 42 minutes.
Starring Yurika Nakamura and Wakana Aoi.
High school student Marie tries to commit suicide due to gossip and rumors. Akashi shuts the doors of his ramen shop once his wife dies. Cooking expert Akahoshi has an accident in western China and is lost in the desert. All are feeling devastated until they connect and find magic through a bowl of warm ramen at “Seiran.” The ramen changes their life. It’s a touching and heartwarming story.
Movies in Alphabetical order
“Chushingura Dai-ichibu Ouka no Maki (Forty Seven Masterless Samurai Part 1),” 1959 samurai film, 1 hour and 39 minutes.
Directed by Sadatsugu Matsuda. Starring Chiezo Kataoka, Ryutaro Otomo, Chiyonosuke Azuma, Hashizo Okawa, Hibari Misora, and Utaemon Ichikawa.
A famous story of 47 loyal vassals of the Ako clan taking a revenge on their enemy. A must-see all star cast version.
“Chushingura Dai-nibu Kikka no Maki (Forty Seven Masterless Samurai Part 2),” 1959 samurai film, 1 hour and 23 minutes.
Directed by Sadatsugu Matsuda. Starring Chiezo Kataoka, Ryutaro Otomo, Chiyonosuke Azuma, Hashizo Okawa, Hibari Misora and Utaemon Ichikawa.
Conclusion of the famous 47 loyal vassals of the Ako clan.
“Edokko Hangan to Furisode Kozo (The Edo Official and Apprentice),” 1959 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 27 minutes.
Directed by Tadashi Sawashima. Starring Chiezo Kataoka and Hibari Misora.
Famous magistrate in disguise, Kinshiro confronts female thief Oen.
“Fukuzawa Yukichi (The Passage to Japan),” 1991 drama/history, 2 hours and 3 minutes.
Directed by Shinichiro Sawai. Starring Kyohei Shibata, Toru Nakamura and Yoko Minamino.
Portraying the extraordinary life of Yukichi Fukuzawa, founder of Keio University and a great visionary of his time.
“Genji Kuro Sassoki Hiken Ageha no Cho (Tales of Young Genji Kuro Part 3),” 1962 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 39 minutes.
Director Daisuke Ito. Starring Kinnosuke Nakamura, Tetsuro Tamba and Keiko Okawa.
Handsome swordsman Genji helps a vulnerable princess who is in search of a missing scroll that belongs to the Shogun.
“Kashi no Onna Ishimatsu (A Fishwife’s Tale),” 1961 drama, 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Directed by Eiichi Kudo. Starring Hibari Misora and Ken Takakura.
Misora Hibari plays Yoshiko, the popular daughter of a fish market owner. After discovering that she was adopted, she sets out to help her biological father who has fallen victim to an evil plot orchestrated by those who would take over his successful business.
“Kyoudai Jingi Kanto Inochi Shirazu (Code Between Brothers 5),” 1967 drama, 1 hour and 28 minutes.
Directed by Kosaku Yamashita. Starring Saburo Kitajima and Hideo Murata.
Saburo Kitajima, Japan’s one of the most famous Enka singers, returns on the sixth of the Kyodai Jingi series. During early 20th century, Ryuji from Asakusa, a wandering yakuza, joins the Narumi Family in Yokohama. However, when he confronts Shiotaro, the head of the rival family, Ryuji takes a liking to him. He ends up leaving his current family, and becomes close to Shiotaro, like brothers, swearing to become a full-fledged yakuza.
“Mito Komon Tenka no Fukushogun (Lord Mito Part 2),” 1959 samurai film, 1 hour and 34 minutes.
Directed by Sadagatsu Matsuda. Starring Ryunosuke Tsukigata, Kinnosuke Nakamura, Chiyonosuke Azuma, Kotaro Satomi, Hibari Misora and Hashizo Okawa.
Adventures of the famous Lord Mito continue. Upon hearing news of his son, Matsudaira Yoritsune, going mad, Lord Mito rushes to Yoritsune’s ruling county Takamatsu along with his loyal assistants Suke and Kaku. With the help of kind strangers, Lord Mito’s gang must evade the evil attacks of those who disrupt his journey.
