A Guide to Japanese Queer Films

Written by Federica Giampaolo

As of 2016, Japan has six yearly queer film festivals, bringing LGBT+ stories across the nation: from Aomori to Kagawa. The country now offers a wide array of fascinating narratives on the queer and LGBT+ community, especially in cinema.

Cinema has always been a means of sharing the untold stories of minorities and understanding the ever-changing generations. As years go by, there are more and more prominent and infamous Japanese films about queer identities. From older cult films to the most recent and daring ones, Japanese cinema shows a myriad of impactful and interesting stories.

This diverse guide has the intent to introduce you to Japanese queer storytelling throughout the years.

10. Funeral Parade of Roses

1969, Toshio Matsumoto

Loosely inspired by Oedipus Rex, Funeral Parade of Roses tells the story of Eddie, a transgender woman trying to make her way into the hostess scene in Tokyo. Abused by her father during childhood, she struggles to relate with her family, especially her mother. But everything changes when she finds her with another man. The film alternates the plot with documentary-style moments where the actors are asked about their gender identity or sexual orientation.

Thanks to its storytelling and technical aspects, Toshio Matsumoto’s arthouse film is a cult of Asian queer cinema. As it depicts Tokyo’s underground gay scene during the 60s, Funeral Parade of Roses is an exceptional starting point for those who want to learn more and engage with Japanese queer storytelling.

Funeral Parade of Roses

9. 800 Two Lap Runners

1994, Hiroki Ryuki

Kenji and Ryuji are young kids trying to figure it out. This coming-of-age thrives in incomprehension and attraction, while girls and boys are both recklessly chasing after one another. The film also explores more complicated themes, such as grief and the complexities of interpersonal relationships. As the protagonists go after what they want, fast and ambitiously, 800 Two Lap Runners is an authentic story where sports play (pun intended) as the narrative background.

One of his most famous works, Hiroki Ryuki’s film handles queerness with a genuine touch. As if it was a 90s Challengers, the story explores a hypothetical love triangle between lap runners and, while doing so, revolves around teenagers’ first approaches to sexuality.

800 Two Lap Runners

8. Like Grains of Sand

1995, Ryosuke Hashiguchi

Ryosuke Hashiguchi’s filmography confronts many queer themes with different perspectives: from Hush!, about unconventional families to A Touch of Fever, confronting unrequited same-sex love. But Like Grains of Sand is his most distinguished story, as it holds the status of a cult coming-of-age queer film. It tells the story of Shuji, a young high schooler discovering his sexuality as he grows fond of one of his classmates. But the latter is, instead, interested in Shuji’s girl best friend. Meanwhile, the film explores themes such as societal expectations.

Hashiguchi’s film stands out for its portrayal of Kanazawa, a smaller reality with age-old customs, which is perfect for depicting a story of teenage rebellion. His cinema surely represents a must-watch as he’s a pioneer in exploring LGBT+ topics on the screen.

Like Grains of Sand

7. Love/Juice

2000, Kaze Shindo

Love/Juice tells the story of two twenty-something flatmates, lesbian Chinatsu and straight Kyoko. Chinatsu is in love with Kyoko, but, of course, she doesn’t stand a chance. Eventually, she learns the dangers of co-dependency and the blurred line between friendship and something more.

This indie film by Kaze Shindo stands out for the female perspective of one-sided love. In the background, the fashion and rocky club and queer scene of 90s Japan shines. Love/Juice revolves around the differences between platonic and physical love and, at the same time, gives insight into a hidden side of Japanese subcultures.

Love/Juice

6. Blue

2002, Hiroshi Ando

Blue tells the story of two high school girls whose friendship grows into something more. In her third year of high school, Kayako feels left out. One day she befriends Endō, cut off from the outside world. Their personality differences eventually get them closer, as they open each other’s eyes to unknown worlds

Based on the manga of the same name by Kiriko Nananan, this 2002 film is directed by Hiroshi Ando. The film became a cult of indie queer movies thanks to its photography. Focusing on a sapphic relationship, Blue explores the ambiguity and confusion of teenage love, especially for those growing up in dysfunctional environments.

Blue

5. Love My Life

2006, Koji Kawano

Ichiko is a college student trying to come to terms with her sexuality. Being young and curious, she experiments in an attempt to find herself. She feels confused since she’s torn by societal expectations, especially of her conventional parents. However, she’ll discover a shocking family secret which will help her accept herself.

This film by Koji Kawano, known for his provocative films, is an adaptation of a manga of the same name. Love My Life is a gripping story that explores heteronormativity, unconventional families, and the freedom of being oneself. Furthermore, Kawano successfully brings to life the comforting touch of the original work.

Love My Life

4. Kakera: A Piece of Our Life

2009, Momoko Ando

Haru is a college student who can’t get rid of her abusive boyfriend. One day she meets Riko, a girl who thinks love is labelless and beyond gender binarism. The pair gets it off easily, but have contrasting ideas about relationships. This experimental tale is a coming-of-age film for young adults, and it does not revolve much about sexuality, but more about understanding ourselves and our perception of love.

Kakera explores toxic relationships and our approach to our values. Momoko Ando’s first feature, the film represents her first step towards becoming a prominent female storyteller in independent Japanese cinema. Ando’s always been interested in unconventional stories, as her following film, 0.3 mm, focuses on gender and intersex identity.

Kakera: A Piece of Our Life

3. A Bride for Rip Van Winkle

2016, Shunji Iwai

Nanami is getting married to her fiancé but has no guests to invite. Everything changes when she hires fake actors to pretend to be friends and family for her wedding. She’ll leave everything behind and befriend one of the actresses for whom she’ll develop romantic feelings. In this new journey, dreams and reality are intertwined.

Based on the director’s novel, A Bride for Rip Van Winkle approaches heteronormativity from a different perspective. This 3-hour-long feature is a surreal adventure exploring unconventional approaches to love. Yet again, Shunji Iwai confirms himself to be one of the most interesting directors focused on understanding human connections.

A Bride for Rip Van Winkle

2. Egoist

2022, Daishi Matsunaga

Kosuke, a fashion magazine editor, is still closeted with his family. After his mother passed away when he was 14, he spent an isolated adolescence. One day, he meets his future new partner, Ryūta, a younger personal trainer, who takes care of his sick mother. While building the relationship, Kosuke begins to be more and more involved with Ryuta’s family.

In Egoist, nothing is as expected. More than a love story, it explores queerness in the Japanese family environment. Based on the book of the same name by Makoto Takayama, the film is directed by Daishi Matsunaga. The director already portrayed queerness, as he documented the life of drag and trans artist Pyuupiru. However, Egoist is not a documentary, but a feature which isn’t really centered on real-life queer experiences.

Egoist

1. I Am What I Am

2022, Shinya Tamada

Kasumi Sobata still lives with her parents and has no intent to marry. Instead, her sister is already expecting a child, which doubles family pressure. When her mother tries to arrange a partner for her, she navigates her feelings towards relationships.

I am what I am, directed by Shinya Tamada, is an original and unexpected tale exploring what it feels like being on the aroace spectrum. It sensitively explores Japanese society’s pressure on marriage from the perspective of someone who isn’t interested in it all. The film was co-written with Atsushi Asada, who is behind many famous queer stories, like the popular his. To express this unconventional point of view, the film shows an intriguing adaptation of Cinderella.

I Am What I Am

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