Are you a fan of Japanese movies and TV shows? Do you have a subscription to Amazon Prime? If you answered yes to both questions, then you’re in luck! Amazon Prime has a vast collection of Japanese movies and TV shows that you can watch anytime, anywhere.
Here is my ultimate guide to Japanese movies and TV shows on Prime:
Movies
Amazon Prime offers a great selection of Japanese movies, ranging from classic samurai films to modern-day dramas. Here are some of my favorite films currently streaming on Prime. Certain films may not be available in certain regions but I am pretty sure most of these are:
See Here Love - "See Hear Love" is a Japanese film based on the Korean webtoon "Bojido Moshago Deudjido Moshaedo Saranghae" by Nasty Cat. It tells the story of Shinji , a manga artist who is gradually losing his vision at the height of his series' popularity, and Aida, a fan who was born deaf. The plot revolves around their love story and the challenges they face due to their disabilities
Samurai Marathon: "Samurai Marathon" is a historical action-adventure film set in Japan's feudal period. It is based on the 2014 novel "The Marathon Samurai: Five Tales of Japan’s First Marathon" by Akihiro Dobashi, which in turn was inspired by the origin story of the Ansei Toashi 30-km footrace held annually in Annaka City. The story takes place in 1855 after trading ships from the rest of the world have arrived in Japan. An American merchant captain presents various goods for sale, including pistols, which the samurai lords see as a threat to their ancient codes and practices. In response, the hanshu of the Annaka clan decides to put his warriors to the test by organizing a marathon race. Everyone under fifty must compete, and the winner will be granted a wish by the master. The film combines multiple elements of comedy, thriller, and action-filled period drama and delivers an enjoyable experience for viewers despite a slightly messy start!
Evangelion movie series : The movie "Evangelion: New Theatrical Edition" is a series of four movies that form an alternate retelling of the original TV series "Neon Genesis Evangelion” and is intended to be more accessible and understandable to non-fans of the original series while also satisfying fans of the original series. If you want to experience the full force of Evangelion than I highly recommend the film series which brings the story full circle.
Shoplifters (2018) - From the genius that is Korea Hirokazu, my favorite filmmaker btw, and Winner of the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, Shoplifters is a movie about a family of misfits who take in a young girl they find on the street. The film explores themes of family, loyalty, and the unseen residents of a crowded city like Tokyo. The main characters include Osamu, a day laborer, Nobuyo, who works a laundry shift and takes trinkets left in clothes, Aki, who does sex shows but longs for a deeper connection, and other members of their makeshift family. If you liked other Japanese family dramas by Kore-eda, such as "Nobody Knows", "Like Father Like Son” and “Still Walking”, “Shoplifters” will be right up your alley
First Love: The Japanese 2019 movie "First Love" is a crime thriller film directed by Takashi Miike. It tells the story of a boxer named Leo who meets a call girl named Monica and becomes unwittingly involved in a drug-smuggling scheme. Throughout the movie, Leo and Monica are pursued through the night by a corrupt cop, a yakuza, Leo's nemesis, and a female assassin sent by the Chinese Triads. The film is set over one night in Tokyo, and it combines elements of gangster movies, romantic comedy, and hallucination. It is filled with Takashi Miike's trademark violence and weirdness, making it an action-packed yakuza film.
13 Assassins (2010): The movie "13 Assassins" is a 2010 samurai film directed by Takashi Miike. It is a remake of Eiichi Kudo's 1963 Japanese period drama film "13 Assassins" and is set in 1844, toward the end of the Edo period in Japan. It tells the story of a group of thirteen assassins, comprising twelve samurai and a hunter, who secretly plot to assassinate Lord Matsudaira Naritsugu, the murderous leader of the Akashi clan, to prevent his appointment to the powerful Shogunate Council. If you don't want to get into modern Samurai films, then 13 Assassins is an excellent starting point! Also, Takashi Miike is a legend!
Mirai (2018) : "Mirai" is a 2018 Japanese animated adventure fantasy comedy film directed by Mamoru Hosoda, who's also directed films such as Wolf Children, The girl that leaped through time, Summer Wars, and the classic that is the first Digimon movie. he story of a young boy named Kun who struggles to adapt to the arrival of his baby sister Mirai. Through magical encounters with various family members, including his dog transformed into a human and his future teenage sister, Kun learns important life lessons about love, family, and growing up. The film explores themes of sibling relationships, self-discovery, and the challenges of childhood emotions. But above all, is a wonderful love letter to Family!
Baby Assassin: Based on the search results, the movie "Baby Assassins" is an action-comedy film directed by Yugo Sakamoto. The story follows two teenage assassins named Chisato and Mahilo, who are about to graduate from high school and live together as roommates. They work as assassins and are part of an assassins guild. Their handler suggests that they find jobs as a cover for their assassinations and encourages them to take more control over their personal lives, including managing their finances and potentially living separately. Baby Assassin is unique, fun and easy-to-watch film that not many people know about. The chemistry between the lead actresses is entertaining to watch and makes for a memorable movie.
TV Shows
Amazon Prime also has a great selection of Japanese TV shows, ranging from crime dramas to anime.
Vinland Saga Season 1 : "Vinland Saga" is an anime series based on the manga by Makoto Yukimura. It is a historical epic that takes place in the 11th century and follows the adventures of Thorfinn, a young boy who grows up under the tutelage of his father, Thors, a renowned warrior. The series chronicles Thorfinn's journey as he seeks revenge for his father's death and explores the Viking legends and culture. The first season consists of 24 action-packed episodes with incredible character development and moments. If you're looking for your next anime series to binge, Vinland Saga is definitely your go-to series as the second season has just concluded.
Banana Fish (2018): Banana Fish is an anime series that follows the story of Ash Lynx, a young gang leader who gets caught up in a war with a mafia boss named Dino. The plot revolves around Ash's investigation into the meaning behind the phrase "banana fish" and his journey to protect his mentally ill older brother, Griffin. Along the way, Ash befriends rival gang members and forms a close bond with Eiji Okumura, a young assistant from Japan. The series delves into gang warfare, street crime, and the dark underbelly of society. The show does an incredible job of showcasing the crossover between shojo and shonen.
Modern Love Japan Edition: "Modern Love Tokyo" is a Japanese adaptation of the popular Prime Video series "Modern Love." It is a seven-episode romantic comedy anthology series that explores various forms of love in a variety of expressive ways. The show is based on essays from The New York Times' Modern Love column and features stories that have been reimagined to make them more familiar to Japanese audiences. I highly recommend this for anyone who prefers East Asian romance media compared to Western romance storytelling and also if you're trying to learn Japanese! Also, one of the unique aspects of "Modern Love Tokyo" is that one of the episodes is animated, which is a first for the "Modern Love" franchise.
Documental : Documental" is a Japanese comedy show where ten comedians compete against each other to make each other laugh in a closed room. Each contestant brings a one million yen participation fee. As mentioned earlier, the show's objective is to make each other laugh, and the last person who can keep a straight face wins. Even though the jokes don't translate well into English, most of the comedy on display is quite physical and still comes off well! Japanese comedy and comedians are such a massive part of J-entertainment and the Japanese pop-culture landscape as a whole, so for anyone who wants to gain a further understanding of the world of Japanese culture, I highly recommend Documental. There are 4-5 seasons on Prime each with several episodes to binge and enjoy!
Obviously, there are more Japanese movies and TV shows on Prime, and keep in mind that, unlike other streaming platforms, some content is hidden behind a paywall, but most of my recommendations should be available for free in most region
With this ultimate guide, you’ll never run out of Japanese movies and TV shows to watch on Amazon Prime. I also wrote a similar article for Japanese Movies and TV shows on Netflix so make sure to check that one out too! Thanks for reading and don't forget to subscribe to the website for more recommendations!
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