JQ Magazine: Nippon in New York: ‘Kokuho,’ ‘Angel’s Egg’ 4K, FLOW Plays ‘Naruto’
By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02). Justin has written about Japanese arts and entertainment for JETAA since 2005. For more of his articles, click here.
The events of the month ahead promise to be as rich and full as autumn itself—brisk and colorful, with a dash of unpredictability.
This month’s highlights include:
©2025 “KOKUHO” Film Partners
November 21-27
Angelika Film Center & Cafe, 18 West Houston Street
$17, 19
One-Week Limited Engagement Academy-Qualifying Run (Best International Feature Film, Japan)! Nagasaki, 1964. After the death of his father, the leader of a yakuza gang, 14-year-old Kikuo is taken under the wing of a famous Kabuki actor. Alongside Shunsuke, the actor’s only son, Kikuo decides to dedicate himself to this traditional form of theatre. Across decades, the two young men grow and evolve together – from acting school to the grandest stages – amid scandals and glory, brotherhood and betrayals, as each pushes to become the greatest living Kabuki master. Directed by Sang-il Lee (Hula Girls). Written by Satoko Okudera (Wolf Children) and Shûichi Yoshida (original novel). Starring Ryo Yoshizawa (Kingdom), Ryusei Yokohama (Your Eyes Tell) and Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai).
Peter Murdock
Now through November 30
Mercer Labs, 21 Dey Street
From $55
Since its debut more than a quarter century ago, One Piece has grown into a franchise that currently spans 15 feature films, multiple video games, a trading card game, and a continually expanding catalog of licensed merchandise and location-based entertainment. This all-new exhibition spans 11 rooms at Mercer Labs and is based on the Land of Wano Arc from the One Piece anime series. “We’re thrilled to partner with Mercer Labs to create ONE PIECE x MERCER LABS and bring this cutting-edge immersive One Piece experience to fans in New York City,” said Lisa Yamatoya, Senior Director and Head of Marketing at Toei Animation Inc. “For over 25 years, One Piece has delighted audiences worldwide through the imaginative storytelling and colorful characters created by Eiichiro Oda. This exhibition offers fans and newcomers alike a rare opportunity to step inside the world of One Piece and experience it in an entirely new way.” Join the Straw Hat Crew and step aboard the Thousand Sunny and meet the future King of the Pirates!
© Toho Co., Ltd.
Saturday, November 1, 4:00 p.m.
Godzilla in Context: 70 Years of Monster History
Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street
$15-$20
The original Godzilla film was first released on Nov 3, 1954, and this date is now remembered each year as “Godzilla Day,” paying tribute to the birth of Japan’s most famous monster. In honor of this year’s Godzilla Day, Japan Society will host author Steve Ryfle (70 Years of Godzilla) for a special anniversary talk.
© 2025 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.
November 5, 9
Rocky IV: Rocky vs Drago – The Ultimate Director’s Cut
Various theaters
Various prices
The most triumphant sports-drama franchise in history returns with a new look in Fathom Entertainment’s exclusive presentation of Rocky IV: Rocky vs. Drago! Director, writer and star Sylvester Stallone masterfully reshapes Rocky IV in this ultimate director’s cut, including new footage. With more intense fight scenes, world heavyweight champion Rocky Balboa (Stallone) defends his title once again, this time against Drago (Dolph Lundgren), a six-foot-four, 261-pound fighter who has the backing of the Soviet Union. This Fathom’s Big Screen Classics release includes exclusive insights from Leonard Maltin.
© Yasuomi Umetsu, Shaft/Aniplex
November 11, 13
Various theaters
Various prices
Fathom Entertainment presents special sub (Nov. 11th) and dub (Nov. 13th) screenings of this new anime hit! The year is 2099. Humanity has advanced, overcoming all injuries and illnesses with the development of the Medical Android Technology "Somadea." However, along with the development of Somadea, crimes misusing said technology have rapidly increased. Somadea grants physical abilities far superior to those of normal flesh and blood, and by illegally modifying it, Somadea can be misused for criminal purposes. To deal with these Somadea crimes, the government established the Bounty Hunter System. Civilians registered as bounty hunters are permitted to kill illegal Somadea users designated as wanted criminals by the police. In return, they are rewarded with large amounts of bounty money. In this unforgiving world, Ubu Kamigori makes a living hunting down criminals as a bounty hunter. But one day, when she returns home from a job, she finds the man with whom she has a sordid history waiting there – Mr. Elegance. And so, her destiny begins to unravel. A tale woven by mechanical girls and the smell of gunpowder smoke, this suspenseful action begins!
GKIDS
November 12 (Dolby early access), 15 (Metrograph), November 19-20 (citywide)
Various theaters
Various prices
New 4K restoration personally supervised by director Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell)! Made in collaboration with storied illustrator Yoshitaka Amano (Final Fantasy, Vampire Hunter D), Oshii’s lyrical animated allegory, rich in Biblical allusions and parsimonious in spoken dialogue, follows a young girl traveling through the ruins of a post-apocalyptic cityscape, placing all of her hopes for the future in her most treasured possession: an egg that she fervently believes will eventually hatch an angel, soon to draw unwanted attention from the boy who becomes her lone companion. A work of bewildering beauties and insoluble mysteries, Angel’s Egg makes its American 40th anniversary theatrical debut across the country Nov. 12 in Dolby Cinema, which combines the highest standard of cinematic picture and sound with Dolby Vision + Atmos. Rediscover an enduring anime classic on the big screen in this breathtaking premium format!
Kosuke Yoshino
Friday, November 14, 8:00 p.m.
An Evening of Traditional Japanese Arts
Carnegie Hall, 881 Seventh Avenue
From $75.50
Part of Carnegie Hall’s monthlong Spotlight on Japan, which celebrates the music and culture of Japan with events that span multiple art forms and musical genres. Discover the heritage and evolution of Noh and Kabuki theater, taiko drumming, the three-stringed shamisen, and more led by today’s foremost actors, musicians, and representatives of art forms that have been handed down and passionately studied for centuries. Performers include Hirotada Kamei, Noh Musician; Denzaemon Tanaka, Kabuki Musician; Denjiro Tanaka, Kabuki Musician; Yoshimasa Kanze, Noh Actor; Takanobu Sakaguchi, Noh Actor; Saburota Kanze, Noh Actor; Hayato Nakamura, Kabuki Actor; Hiromitsu Agatsuma, Shamisen; Kouki Agatsuma, Shamisen; Masaru Tsuji, Wadaiko; Suguha Otani, Japanese Dance; Yumi Kurosawa, Koto; Takuya Iwata, Shakuhachi; Yuichi Otsuki, Noh Actor; Manabu Takeichi, Noh Musician; Wakichi Kineya, Nagauta Singer; Chotatsuro Imafuji, Nagauta Shamisen; Kineya Gotaro, Nagauta Musician; Kineya Katsueiji, Nagauta Musician; Kineya Katsukuniharu, Nagauta Musician; Imafuji Tatsujuro, Nagauta Musician; Kan Fukuhara, Shinobue.
© Photo by HARU
November 15-16
Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street
$36, $48
Saturday, November 15 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, November 16 at 2:30 pm—Followed by an Artist Q&A
Acclaimed for converting great authors’ novels into disarmingly charming-yet-satirical performances told almost entirely through movement, Tokyo-based CHAiroiPLIN (a pun on Charlie Chaplin’s name) takes on Yukio Mishima’s little-known short story for its North American debut. In The Seven Bridges, following a fanciful superstition that crossing seven bridges without conversing with anyone on a full moon night will make their wishes come true, four women set out on a journey under the watchful gaze of the Moon. Obliterating the line between dance and theater, CHAiroiPLIN, founded and led by young choreographer Takuro Suzuki, infuses eye-popping color, catchy music, arresting movement and slapstick humor into Mishima’s compact reflection on ritual and desire. Which woman will cross the seventh bridge – and, for what kind of wish? Performed in Japanese with English supertitles.
GKIDS
November 15-19
Various theaters
Various prices
Fathom Entertainment proudly presents the final film in this year’s Studio Ghibli Fest! After losing his mother during the war, young Mahito moves to his family’s estate in the countryside. There, a series of mysterious events lead him to a secluded and ancient tower, home to a mischievous gray heron. When Mahito’s new stepmother disappears, he follows the gray heron into the tower, and enters a fantastic world shared by the living and the dead. As he embarks on an epic journey with the heron as his guide, Mahito must uncover the secrets of this world, and the truth about himself. This Academy Award-winning film from the legendary Hayao Miyazaki (presented in sub and dub versions) features the voices of Christian Bale, Dave Bautista, Gemma Chan, Willem Dafoe, Karen Fukuhara, Mark Hamill, Robert Pattinson and Florence Pugh.
Courtesy of Palladiumtimessquare.com
Monday, November 17, 8:00 p.m.
FLOW WORLD TOUR 2025 - NARUTO THE ROCK
Palladium Times Square, 1515 Broadway
From $75.60
Since their major debut in 2003 with the single “Blaster,” FLOW has released many hit songs into the world with the strength of their melodies woven by the twin vocals and their wide range of genre and musicality. They have a strong reputation for the work they have done with anime, including the opening theme “GO!!!” for “NARUTO,” “COLORS,” for “Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion,” and “Kaze no Uta,” for “Tales of Zestiria: The Cross.” From 2024, the band held their largest world tour in the history of the band, “ANIME SHIBARI,” traveling to North America, Europe, the Middle East, South America, and Asia over the course of about a year, starting with a performance in Australia. In May 2025, the ending theme “Alright!!” was released for the TV anime “From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman.” In June, they hosted the anime song rock festival “FLOW THE FESTIVAL 2025” over the course of two days, after holding the first one the year before, and have continued to perform energetically even more than 20 years since their debut.
©2025 “KOKUHO” Film Partners
November 21-27
Angelika Film Center & Cafe, 18 West Houston Street
$17, 19
One-Week Limited Engagement Academy-Qualifying Run (Best International Feature Film, Japan)! Nagasaki, 1964. After the death of his father, the leader of a yakuza gang, 14-year-old Kikuo is taken under the wing of a famous Kabuki actor. Alongside Shunsuke, the actor’s only son, Kikuo decides to dedicate himself to this traditional form of theatre. Across decades, the two young men grow and evolve together – from acting school to the grandest stages – amid scandals and glory, brotherhood and betrayals, as each pushes to become the greatest living Kabuki master. Directed by Sang-il Lee (Hula Girls). Written by Satoko Okudera (Wolf Children) and Shûichi Yoshida (original novel). Starring Ryo Yoshizawa (Kingdom), Ryusei Yokohama (Your Eyes Tell) and Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai).
Courtesy of Sonyhall.com
Saturday, November 22, 8:00 p.m.
Sony Hall, 235 West 46th Street
From $37
Since gaining prominence in the early 2000’s, ukulele marvel Jake Shimabukuro has mesmerized audiences with his innovative and dynamic style, taking the instrument to dizzying new heights. Over a dozen solo albums, Shimabukuro has shown a knack for moving effortlessly between genres, sometimes in the same song. After being taught the instrument by his mother at age four, Jake became a local phenom, performing on his own and in a local group Pure Heart. Early in his solo career he became a YouTube sensation when his cover of George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” went viral. Now, Shimabukuro joins forces with Mick Fleetwood to release his latest album Blues Experience, a powerful fusion of their distinct musical styles blending Jake’s innovative approach to the ukulele with Mick’s legendary rhythm. Fans can look forward to an album that pushes boundaries while honoring the timeless quality of the music they both cherish. This solo performance will feature new cuts from this bold and forward-looking album deeply rooted in tradition.
© Toho Co., Ltd.
Tuesday, November 25, 7:00 p.m.
Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window
Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street
$12, $16
Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window is a beloved classic of Japanese literature and the bestselling book of all time in Japan. An autobiographical memoir written by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and renowned Japanese television personality, the book was published in 1981 in Japan and has since gone on to be translated into Chinese, English, French, Indonesian, Italian, Korean, Mongolian, Thai, Vietnamese and more. Now, the long-awaited sequel published by Kodansha is coming to America! This special screening of the hit 2023 anime film for The Little Girl at the Window features a panel discussion and book signing with Yuki Tejima, translator; Alexandra McCullough-Garcia, editor; and Nathan Shockey, Associate Professor of Japanese at Bard College.
Courtesy of Websterhall.com
Friday, November 28, 8:00 p.m.
Lamp: Future Behind Me: The Americas World Tour
Webster Hall, 125 East 11th Street
$120 (preferred balcony), $216.16 (VIP soundcheck + meet & greet experience)
Lamp is a Tokyo-based Japanese indie pop band formed in 2000 composed of guitarist Taiyo Someya, and vocalists and multi instrumentalists Yusuke Nagai and Kaori Sakakibara. A shared interest in 1960s American and British music inspired the trio to co-write songs together. After writing enough songs for a demo tape, they played their first show in 2001 in a small bar in Japan. In 2002 they signed a record deal with now-defunct label Motel Bleu, and released their debut album Soyokaze Apartment Room 201 a year later. Despite Lamp recording and releasing multiple albums throughout the decade, their popularity in their early years was restricted to Asia only, with the band exclusively performing music in Japan, China, South Korea, and Taiwan. In 2021, however, their song "Yume Utsutsu" ("Half Asleep") was used in multiple TikTok videos which went viral. Subsequently, their music received widespread popularity in the West.
For more JQ articles, click here.