Sakurazaka Film University

The previous new initiative “Sakurazaka Movie University” was well received. With personalities, actors and movie people at the forefront of entertainment, this year we also offer a program which allows you to learn about the charms and fun of movies through live audio commentaries and discussions with special guests, allowing you to experience movies with a live feel.

This year, we welcome globally active action star Shinichi Chiba as Honorary Chairman, and, continuing his role from last year, Takashi Fujii, who is well-versed in movies, music and idols, and of course the world of comedy, as President.

*List of Course Names (The films and performers may be subject to change.)

Showing Respect to Honorary President Shinichi Chiba

©TOEI COMPANY,LTD.

TARNISHED LOYALTY IN HIROSHIMA

Director
Kinji Fukasaku
Year
1973
Cast
Bunta sugawara, Shinichi Chiba, Kinya Kitaoji

Notes

This is the sequel to the Toei Jitsuroki series which began with "Tarnished Loyalty"which wowed Japanese movie fans. Under the Korean War boom, the foundations were formed for the Yakuza in Japan. The Kure-no-Yamamori-Gumi became a successful organization with a stronger influence. In Hiroshima, immediately after WWII, there is a temporary truce in the turf struggle at Hiroshima Station between the gaming organization Okamura-gumi and vendors Otomo Union, but as the Okamura-gumi dominate the Hiroshima veodrome, they return to battle.

Recommendation of President Takashi Fujii !

©1979 SANRIO CO.,LTD.

Fantasy Doll Animation

The Nutcracker Fantasy

Director
Takeo Nakamura
Year
1979
Cast
Kaoru sugita, Taro Sigaki, Akira Nishimura

Notes

An animated doll fantasy based on the original by Hoffman and Tchaikovsky. When the little girls Clara receives the "Nutcracker" from Drossel Meyer, she gets caught up in a strange dream. What is love, and the gentle heart of honest people ? What does it mean to really fall in love? This masterpiece of puppetry animation was 5 years in the making.

Our Idorl Department

©1982 KADOKAWA PICTURES.

Learn about Kadokawa Pictures from actress Hiroko Yakushimaru

Sailor Suit and Machine Gun

Director
sinji somai
Year
1982
Cast
Hiroko Yakushimaru, Tsunehiko Watase, Rentaro Mikuni

Notes

Men in black suits were standing in line at the gate of the high school where Izumi Hoshi, just lost her father, goes to. "We are here to pick you up, Miss." Where they took her to the office of "Medaka-gumi", a failing Yakuza group. Izumi's father was blood-related to Medaka-gumi, and she ended up becoming the gangster boss. 17-year-old female gangster boss in sailor suit will cause a lot of bizarre, unpredictable panic situations.

Our Heroine Department

©2005「空中庭園」製作委員会

The charm of actress Kyoko Koizumi !

HANGING GARDEN

Director
Toshiaki Toyoda
Year
2005
Cast
Kyoko Koizumi, Itsuji Itao, Michiyo Okusu

Notes

"Don't hide anything, and have no taboos. Those are our family rules". With the universal themes of family regeneration and hope, and the overwhelming presence of actress Kyoko Koizumi, this film will "shake at your heart". Based on the novel of the same name by Mitsuyo Kakuta. This film has won a number of awards for Kyoko Koizumi including the Blue Ribbon Best Actress Award and the Nikkan Sports Best Actress Award.

Science Fiction Department

©2010 Universal Studios ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Watch SF comedy with popular personalities

PAUL

Director
Greg Mottola
Year
2010
Cast
Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Sigourney Weaver

Notes

Greame and Clive, two Brits fully enjoying themselves taking a pilgrimage to the UFO witnessing sites, all the sudden encountered an alien named "Paul" in Nevada. While they were bewildered by this cheerful real alien with a different image from what they had, they promised to return "Paul" to his home planet. As they were trying to escape from the hectic chase by a misterious organization on the way to the destination, a strong friendship had started to be developed among them. A sci-fi geeks' vacation trip had turned to an umprecended adventure in human history.

Physical Education Department

©Tip Top/SPOTTED PRODUCTIONS

Thoughts of unpopular personalities

THE VIRGIN WILDSIDE

Director
Tetsuaki Matsue
Year
2008
Cast
Kenzo Kaga, Yoshiro Umezawa, Kazunobu Mineda

Notes

Had you done even one thing differently, maybe you would have been a nerd who stayed in his room, too. This is a gold-standard youth documentary by documentary director Tetsuaki Matsue (latest film Flashback Memories 3D, now enjoying a successful showing), who scolds nerds who have made nothing of their lives. While perhaps meddling, he gives them makeovers to break out of their virgin shells.

Action Department

©2005 Twentieth Century Fox.All rights reserved.

Learning about couples with a devoted father personality

Mr.&Mrs.Smith

Director
Doug Liman
Year
2005
Cast
Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Adam Brody

Notes

The memorable first appearance together of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. The shock marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Smith after a fateful encounter. But while they are living a peaceful married life, they both happen to be professional assassins. Naturally, these peacefull days do not last long before the secret organizations which they belong to give them a fateful directive !

Animation Department

©臼井儀人／双葉社・シンエイ・テレビ朝日・ＡＤＫ 2002

Popular personalities gather! Let’s look at their parents !

Crayon Shin-chan : the Storm Called - The Battle Of the Warring States

Director
Keiichi Hara
Year
2002
Cast
Akiko Yajima, Miki Narahashi, Keiji Fujiwara

Notes

Shinnosuke, who is living peacefully in Kasukabe somehow time-slips into the warring Sengoku Period. After a strange turn of events, he ends up saving a historical samurai. While it changes history, there is no way to know how it will change, but Shinnosuke gets involved in the Sengoku Period with an arranged marriage and fighting in the war. Then somehow he is reunited with Hiroshi and the others who are being chased by a car (?), making major changes to history... What will happen to Shinnosuke and friends ? And how will history be changed ?

Korean Movie Department

©2011 CJ E&M Corporation, All Rights Reserved

Coming of age movie of laughter and tears which started a major trend !

Sunny

Director
Hyeong-Cheol Kang
Year
2011
Cast
Eun-kyung Shim,So-ra Kang,Hyorin Min

Notes

As soon as this film was released, it was advertised by word of mouth and spread beyond generations, and mega hit film attracted 7.4 million viewers. Hyeong-Cheol Kang, a hit maker who renewed the box office record with "Speedy Scandal" (08), directed and wrote a screenplay for this film. This film is filled with the big hit western music and fashions from good old 70s and 80s, and portrays each character's life blended with the gorgeous memories.

Adolescence Department

©2004「パッチギ！」製作委員会

Kendo Kobayashi talks! Male Aesthetics

Break Through !

Director
Kazuyuki Izutsu
Year
2005
Cast
Shun Shioya, Erika Sawajiri, Joe Odagiri

Notes

Kosuke, student of High School, visited Korean High School that they constantly had conflicts with for the soccer practice match. There, he saw Kyonja playing a flute and fell in love with her at once. Although he was confused with how to handle the difference of the nationalities, he wanted to get to know her at any cost and studied Korean language.... This is a story of the burst of youth that shows the mixture of the wistful love and strong friendship, as well as the intense fights and refreshing impressions.

Music Department

©2012 Warner Bros．Ent．All Rights Reserved

Singing! Dancing! Looking at rock musicals with personalities that love Western music

ROCK OF AGES

Director
Adam Shankman
Year
2012
Cast
Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Tom Cruise

Notes

Broadway musical "Rock of Ages", which has fascinated the audience and is still a very popular stage performance, has finally made its way to Hollywood ! Enjoy the most gorgeous and dreamlike musical on the screen !

Western music karaoke live !

Like a Record round! round! round!

Instructors:
Takashi Fujii, Laser Ramon RG, Oniyakko Tsubaki and more !