PROGRAMS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
“Ochoyan,”premieres on Monday, Feb. 1, at 7:15 p.m.
Chiyo Takei, born to a poor family in Osaka, is sent as a servant to a theatre tea-room at nine years old. In the Shöwa world of theatre comedy, she chooses acting as a profession, but war breaks out, forcing her to quit. Later, she returns in a radio drama, impressing many people and becoming a leading actor in western Japan.
“SHIKOKU88: Eat, Pray, PLAY!,” premieres on Tuesday, Feb. 2, at 8:35 p.m.
Blessed with a magnificent and varied natural setting of ocean, mountains and more, SHIKOKU draws visitors from around Japan and the globe to experience the living magic of the “henro” pilgrimage, a mystical journey unique to this island [see also this issue’s lead story on pp. 1-2 about local resident Jeffrey Hackler’s pilgrimage experience]. Our travelers showcase the special Buddhist pilgrim culture, its fascinating history with HAWAI‘I and delectable Shikoku cuisine.
“THE TETSUWAN DASH,” premieres on Sunday, Feb. 7 at 7:15 p.m.
The band TOKIO’s high-rated variety show on NTV, where members work on long-term projects like “Shinjuku DASH,” “DASH Island” and “DASH Coast.”
“Toki o Kakeru Band (The Band from the Future),” premieres on
Monday, Feb. 15, at 7:35 p.m.
Just as girl band Chahan fails an audition with its record label, Ryo, a mysterious music producer from the future, suddenly appears, claiming to be able to lead them to stardom. Yuki, Shiori and Toko band closer together to endure each test Ryo puts them through. Will this unconventional producer help the band make their big debut?
“Ao no SP (School Cop),” premieres on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at 7:35 p.m.
In a new system where cops are placed in middle schools, Det. Ryohei Shimada deploys his hard-line methods to contend with the school’s problems. But he uncovers serious drug usage and a secret shooting, and finds himself confronted by skeptical Ryoko, a teacher who opposes the school police system.
NGN 3 MOVIE CHANNEL (Spectrum Digital Ch. 679/HD 1679)
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 the Japanese language with full English subtitles.
Movie of the Month
“Yamanaka Shizuo-shi no Songenshi (The Dignified Death of Shizuo Yamanaka),” 2019 drama, 1 hour and 49 minutes.
Directed by Akio Murahashi. Starring Shizuo Yamanaka, Toshiyuki Imai, Sachi Imai, Shoko Sugimoto and Tsuneko Yamanaka.
Cancer patient Shizuo Yamanaka, told he has a month to live, returns to his hometown. The 62-year-old admits himself to the hospital where he meets Dr. Imamura. As the doctor watches over him, determined to fulfill Yamanaka’s wish to die peacefully, he suffers from depression from seeing so much death—but dreams of a dignified ending for his patients.
Movies in Alphabetical Order
“Arakure Daimyo (Prince of Red Banner),” 1960 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 32 minutes.
Directed by Kokichi Uchidate. Starring Utaemon Ichikawa and Kotaro Satomi.
A young prince lives against the will of his father Lord Tokugawa.
“Donten ni Warau (Laughing Under the Clouds),” 2018 action-samurai film, 1 hour and 34 minutes.
Directed by Katsuyuki Motohiro. Starring Sota Fukushi and Yuma Nakayama.
As the Edo (samurai) era ends, legend has it that the magical snake “Orochi” will revive (as it has every 300 years) and endanger the country. Along with the Meiji government’s army, three young brothers, guardians of Kumou shrine, stand up to stop the gigantic Orochi from coming back.
“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.
The famous magistrate in disguise Kinshiro confronts female thief Oen.
“Hengen Murasaki Zukin (a mysterious Purple Hood),” 1963 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 28 minutes.
Directed by Eiichi Kudo. Starring Ryutaro Otomo, Satomi Oka and Shingo Yamashiro.
A man in a mysterious purple hood saves Edo townspeople’s lives.
“Hokori Takaki Chosen (The Challenge),” 1962 drama, 1 hour and 29 minutes.
Directed by Kinji Fukasaku. Starring Koji Tsuruta and Tetsuro Tanba.
A spy thriller about an international weapons dealer and a newspaper reporter with a murky past.
“Iroha Wakashuu Furisodezakura (A Young Rabble),” 1959 samurai film, 1 hour and 11 minutes.
Directed by Yasushi Sasaki. Starring Hibari Misora and Kotaro Satomi.
When an altercation with a gangster forces Kikutaro to leave Edo, he is sent by his father to Hamamatsu to find a better life. However, trouble seems to follow him on the road, leading him to confront his rival, Gonkuro.
“Kaigun Yokosuka Keimusho (Yokosuka Navy Prison),” 1973 action film, 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Directed by Kosaku Yamashita. Starring Shintaro Katsu and Harue Akagi.
When a rebellious, roughneck, Navy enlistee goes on a rampage against his superiors, he is sent to the Yokosuka Naval Prison.
“Kazokuiro (Our Departures),” 2018 drama, 2 hours.
Directed by Yasuhiro Yoshida. Starring Kasumi Arimura and Jun Kunimura.
Widow Aki, her stepson Shunya, and her father-in-law Setsuo, meet at Setsuo’s Kagoshima home after her husband (Shunya’s dad, Setsuo’s son), dies. Losing their Tokyo home, Aki and Shunya convince Setsuo to let them move in. Because Shunya loves trains, Aki takes the test to become a train driver for the Hisatsu Orange Railway where Setsuo works. Will the three overcome their trials and tribulations, becoming a new family?
“Kougan no Misshi (The Great King of Mongolia),” 1959 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 29 minutes.
Directed by Tai Kato. Starring Hashizo Okawa and Yayoi Furusato.
An imperial agent puts down a riot in Mutu province.
“Mottomo Kiken na Yugi (The Most Dangerous Game),” 1978 action film, 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Directed by Toru Murakawa. Starring Yusaku Matsuda and Renji Ishibashi.
Assassin Shohei Narumi is hired to rescue an influential financial figure from a kidnapping. After a gun battle, he recovers the victim but the latter is killed. Alone, he challenges a conspiracy in the business world.
“Musume Juhachi Goiken Muyo (No Advice Taken),” 1958 drama, 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Directed by Kiyoshi Saeki. Starring Hibari Misora and Ken Takakura.
A comical love story between college students Hitomi, a strong-willed girl, and Shogo, a handsome, earnest and poverty-stricken man.
“Nihon no Fixer (The Fixer),” 1979 action film, 2 hours and 10 minutes.
Directed by Yasuo Koki. Starring Shin Saburi and Masakazu Tamura.
A fixer controls the political world from behind the scenes.
“Ninkyo Kiso Garasu (Chivalrous Nature),” 1965 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 29 minutes.
Directed by Eiichi Kudo. Starring Hashizo Okawa and Satomi Oka.
Wanderer Shinta finds himself falsely accused of a crime.
“Oshidori Dochu (Happily Tied to the Road),” 1959 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 28 minutes.
Directed by Yasushi Sasaki. Starring Hashizo Okawa and Kyoko Aoyama.
With no one to depend on, wandering gambler Hanjiro saves some sisters.
“Otoko no Shobu Kanto Arashi (Showdown of Men 3),” 1967 action film, 1 hour and 29 minutes.
Directed by Kosaku Yamashita. Starring Hideo Murata and Saburo Kitajima.
After being bailed out of trouble by a member of the Kaijima Clan, Ryuhei dedicates himself to saving the Kaijimas’ lucrative lumber business.
“Satomi Hakkenden Dai-gobu (Sorcerer’s Orb Part 5),” 1954 samurai film, 54 minutes.
Directed by Toshizaku Kono. Starring Kinnosuke Nakamura and Chiyonosuke Azuma
The fifth and final episode of the popular adventure series “Satomi Hakkenden.”
“Seki no Yatappe (Yakuza of Seki),” 1963 samurai-drama film, 1 hour and 29 minutes.
Directed by Kosaku Yamashita. Starring Kinnosuke Nakamura, Yukiyo Toake, Ryunosuke Tsukigata and Isao Kimura.
Young yakuza Yatappe wanders around the country in search of his long-lost little sister, Oito. He rescues a young girl, Osayo, whose father entrusts her to him with his dying wish. To honor his promise, Yatappe brings her to safety and keeps a watchful eye on her well-being.
“Shosuke Buyuden Aizu Bandaisan (Mighty Shosuke),” 1960 jidaigeki, 31 minutes.
Directed by Sadatsugu Matsuda. Starring Ryutaro Otomo and Hibari Misora.
A comedy about a free-spirited man Shosuke whose life is turned upside down when ordered to serve the clan lord.
“Tabineko Report (The Traveling Cat Chronicles),” 2018 drama, 1 hour and 58 minutes.
Directed by Koichiro Miki. Starring Sota Fukushi and Yuko Takeuchi.
Rescued by kind-hearted youth Satoru who loves cats, former stray cat Nana has been living happily as Satoru’s pet for five years. Due to certain circumstances, one day, Satoru finds he must give up Nana. The two go traveling together to find a new owner, visiting people that Satoru has found important to him, such as close friends, his first love, and others.
“Toseinin Retsuden (Gambler’s Legacy),” 1969 drama, 1 hour and 39 minutes.
Directed by Shigehiro Ozawa. Starring Ken Takakura and Koji Tsuruta.
A yakuza embarks on a journey to avenge his murdered boss. Senzo, the successor to the Mita Family, searches for the man bearing a dragon tattoo, said to be responsible for the death of his family’s former leader.
“Wakasama Zamurai Torimonocho Shinya no Shibijin (Case of a Young Lord 5),” 1957 jidaigeki, 58 minutes.
Directed by Kinnosuke Fukada. Starring Hashizo Okawa and Michiko Hoshi.
Young Lord solves the mystery of multiple murders, which involves a young couple and a woman.
“Yumechiyo Nikki (Yumechiyo),” 1985 drama, 2 hours and 9 minutes.
Directed by Kirio Urayama. Starring Sayuri Yoshinaga, Kinya Kitaoji and Yuko Natori.
Yumechiyo, a geisha-house madam with a terminal illness, yearns to do something constructive with her time left. Usually she is responsible for the girls under her care; however, she finds new purpose in aiding a man innocent of a false murder charge, finding love for the first time in his arms.
