I haven't seen all of his work, but I think this is probably one of Mochizuki's best. In strange way, this film reminds me of trainspotting, and not just in the ample drugs, sex, and violence. We watch the downfall of a sickly and comically-inept family through the eyes of the emotionally numb Kinichi. Kinichi is simply brilliant. He wanders through this dangerous world in a heroin daze, making each life-or-death decision casually. Despite the many reprehensible actions we see him commit, he is still entirely likable. Yoko is also a fantastic character, although we're never quite sure why she came along for the ride. The comedy runs dark, drawing from the surreality of the otherwise grim situations. The yakuza boss in his hospital gown, high as a kite, firing his gun wildly on the hospital roof; the omnipresent cigarette in Kinichi's mouth; the negotiation of his survival from a kiddie pool in a garage. The cinematography is fantastic -- many very creative uses of light and dark, and the grit of Osaka's nether regions is beautifully captured. The mood is of wandering home, drunk, late at night, without any idea of what direction you should be going, or if there is even a home waiting for you.

Japanese cinema is celebrated for its refined minimalist dramas and avant-garde experimentation; it also introduced popular genres like jidaigeki (samurai epics), kaiju, and anime. Across both high art and mass entertainment, it often explores morality, impermanence, and the pressures of modern life.

Hidetoshi Nishijima and Tôko Miura in Drive My Car (2021)

The crime genre features criminal activities, investigations, law enforcement, crimes, and the pursuit of justice. Crime stories often revolve around the planning, execution, and consequences of criminal acts, as well as the efforts to solve and prevent such acts. They explore various aspects of criminal behavior, motives, and the moral dilemmas faced by both perpetrators and those seeking to uphold the law.

James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

Based on the novel Ukonshi Kujira by author Yamanouchi Yukio, Mochizuki Rokuro's third in his yakuza trilogy depicts a country girl falling in love with a street-level down and dirty thug whose lifestyle is outside of the conventions of class and the law.

The Biggest Movies and TV Coming in September

"The Gentlemen" and "Slow Horses" return this fall, while the "Reacher" spin-off series "Neagley" makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

2026 Fall TV and Streaming Watch Guide

&quot;The Gentlemen&quot; and &quot;Slow Horses&quot; return this fall, while the &quot;Reacher&quot; spin-off series &quot;Neagley&quot; makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

Get a closer look at these actors from their many TV and streaming series roles.

Streaming Stars, Then and Now

Annu Mari, Mariko Ogawa, and Jō Shishido in Branded to Kill (1967)

Shin gokudô kisha - Nigeuma densetsu (1996)

Koi gokudo

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