Japanese movies and dramas are entertaining to watch. If we talk about Japanese movies, they produce movies in all genres, especially fantasy movies. Fantasy movies are indeed a great way to escape reality, even if it is for just a few hours. They can take you to a new world and give you a surreal experience. Japanese have mastered the art of making a mind-blowing fantasy movie. Japanese fantasy movies are always beyond expectations. From astounding plots to surprising character development to mystical characters, they have it all. Here is the list of the top 10 Japanese fantasy movies that will take you to a new world.
1. The 100th Love With You
The 100th Love With You is a Japanese fantasy movie directed by Sho Tsukikawa, released in 2017. The story revolves around a boy named Riku Hasegawa, played by Kentaro Sakaguchi, who is a university student and is referred to as “perfect”. Then there is the female lead named Aoi Hinata, played by Miwa, who studies at the same university. They are good friends and are part of the college band. Unfortunately, Aoi met with an accident on the day they had to perform but she woke up a week before the incident. That’s when Riku revealed his power to turn time backward and the secret of being perfect. As the story progresses, they fall for each other. This is an excellent romantic comedy and fantasy movie to watch.
2. Color Me True
Color Me True is a Japanese fantasy film directed by Hideki Takeuchi, released in 2018. The plot of the movie revolves around a guy named Kenji, played by Kentaro Sakaguchi, who is a young aspiring director who one day wants to become a successful movie director. He is in love with a movie character named Princess Miyuki, played by Haruka Ayase, a character from a 60’s retro movie. One day, when he was watching her movie, miraculously Miyuki came to the colorful world out of the black and white world. As the story progresses, many secrets are revealed, making the movie a worthy watch.
3. As Long As We Both Shall Live
As Long As We Both Shall Live is a Japanese romantic and fantasy movie released in 2023. The story revolves around a girl named Saimori Miyo, played by Imada Mio, who had a harsh upbringing. She was treated poorly by her stepmother and was no less than a servant in her own house. When she grew up, she was married off to a military captain named Kudo Kiyoka, played by Meguro Ren, who was rumored to be a ruthless man. He had psychic powers with which he could control other people's minds. After marriage, she realizes Kudo is a nice man.
4. The Miracles Of The Namiya General Store
The Miracles of the Namiya General Store is a Japanese fantasy movie released in 2017. The story revolves around a general store owner who is an older man. One day, three delinquents took shelter in the store. They then noticed letters were thrown inside the mailbox late at night. When he opened the letter, he realized the letter was written to the elderly store owner to get some advice for his problem. But the strange thing was, the letter was written 35 years back in 1980.
5. Nagasaki: Memories Of My Son
Nagasaki: Memories of My Son is a Japanese fantasy movie directed by Yoji Yamada, released in 2015. The plot revolves around a mother named Nobuko Fukuhara, played by Sayuri Yoshinaga, who had lost her husband and eldest son in World War II and lost her youngest son in the bombing of Nagasaki. She now lives a lonely life and works only to keep herself occupied. She is then visited by her late youngest son, and they spend quality time together.
6. Café Funiculi Funicula
Café Funiculi Funicula is a Japanese fantasy movie directed by Ayuko Tsukahara, released in 2018. This movie is an adaptation of the novel ‘Before The Coffee Gets Cold.’ The plot revolves around a café that has a mysterious power. If you sit in a particular seat in the café, you can travel to the past or future and any specific time you choose. There are also some rules for this time travel. One can only travel to a particular time until the coffee gets cold.
7. You Shine In The Moonlit Night
You Shine in The Moonlit Night is a Japanese romantic fantasy movie directed by Tsukikawa Sho, released in 2019. This movie tells the story of a girl named Mamizu Watarase, played by Nagano Mei, who has a rare disease called Liminesences disease, where the patient shines under moonlight. She is going to die soon and is not allowed to leave her house. She is then visited by her classmate Okada Takuya, played by Kitamura Takumi. He helps her to escape from the hospital and fulfill her last wishes.
8. Destiny: Kamakura Monogatari
Destiny: Kamakura Monogatari is a fantasy movie directed by Yamazaki Takasi, released in 2017. The film is a story about a man named Isshiki Masakazu, played by Sakai Masato, who is a skilled detective and mystery writer receding in Kamakura with his wife named Isshiki Akiko, played by Takahata Mitsuki. Both have the power to talk to demons, gods, spirits, and aliens of Kamakura.
9. Girl In The Sunny Place
Girl in The Sunny Place is a Japanese romantic fantasy movie directed by Takahiro Miki and released in 2013. The story revolves around a guy named Kosuke Okuda, played by Jun Matsumoto, who started to work as a salesman at a railway advertising company. There, he meets his high school classmate Mao Watarai, played by Jui Ueno, who worked in the same company. They both fell in love and finally got married. But after their marriage, Mao suddenly disappears, and the strange thing is that everyone else also starts forgetting her from their memories.
10. ReLIFE
ReLIFE is a Japanese fantasy movie directed by Furusawa Takeshi, released in 2017. The story revolves around a man named Kaizaki Arata, played by Taishi Nakagawa, who is 27 years old and is failing in every job that he is offered. He then meets a mysterious man named Yoake Ryo, played by Yudai Chiba. He offered to participate in an experiment makeing him ten years younger. Kaizaki engages in the experiment, goes back to his school days, and makes new friends, and falls in love.
