Movies by Manami Honjo
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The Blossoming of Etsuko Kamiya
In Kagoshima, in the final days of World War II, an offer of marriage comes to Etsuko Kamiya, who lives with her brother and his wife. The offer comes from Nagayo, but Etsuko is attracted to his friend, Akashi.
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Sumikko Gurashi: The Pop-up Book and the Secret Child
Sumikkogurashi debuted in 2012 as slightly negative characters who like to stay in the corner of a room. The characters include "Shirokuma", a polar bear who is sensitive to cold, "Penguin?" (with a question mark in its name), a penguin who is unsure if it is actually a penguin, "Tonkatsu", a piece of pork cutlet that was left uneaten, "Neko", a shy cat, and "Tokage", who hides his nature as one of the last dinosaurs. The franchise has inspired toys, books, stationery material, video games—and now a feature film.
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Osaka Hamlet
A film about family life in Osaka. Following the death of their father, three boys struggle to find their own identity with the help of their outgoing mother and weak-willed uncle.
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Be-Bop High School
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Freezing Point
The young daughter of Keizo Tsujiguchi, a respected physician who runs his own hospital, is found murdered. Keizo secretly blames his wife Natsue because he suspects her of having an affair with his colleague Murai, and having been too distracted to keep proper watch over the child. Being a proud man, he does not accuse her directly, but concocts, instead, a twisted revenge against her. Pretending it is to comfort his devastated wife, Keizo arranges for them to adopt a baby girl. What he hasn't told Natsue, is that the baby is the orphaned d...
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Sumikko Gurashi: The Patched-Up Toy Factory in the Woods
At an old factory on the edge of the forest, the Bear Factory Manager invites the Sumikkos to make toys. They make use of what they are good at, and complete their stuffed toys. The Sumikkos are motivated by the praise of the Bear Factory Manager. They have matching uniforms, delicious food, rooms to stay for the job, .and spend their days making one toy after another. Then, the toys that were shipped to Sumikko's town start moving around. There is something "mysterious" about this factory.
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Sumikko Gurashi: The Little Wizard in the Blue Moonlight
Set in the town where the Sumikkogurashi characters live, the film follows a mysterious tale that takes place on the night of the great blue full moon that occurs once every five years.