Showa 100th Anniversary: 5 Major Japanese Film Studios x Shin-Bungeiza 'Masterpiece Discovery! Showa 100, Movies to See Now' Special Screenings Decided!
In celebration of the 100th year of the Showa era, five major studios (Toho, Shochiku, KADOKAWA, Toei, and Nikkatsu) join forces with Kinema Junpo for a special screening series at Shin-Bungeiza, featuring 10 curated classics and talk events with Director Yoji Yamada.
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Former rivals of the 'Big Five' unite across borders!
To mark the milestone of the Showa 100th anniversary, the five companies that built the golden age of Japanese cinema—Toho, Shochiku, KADOKAWA (formerly Daiei), Toei, and Nikkatsu—have teamed up to bring 10 must-see films to the screens of Shin-Bungeiza!
In the Showa movie era, cinema reigned supreme as the king of entertainment, with 'double-feature shows' delivering two new releases every week. The production sites were filled with passion and vitality. Behind the explosive box-office competition, the 'Five-Company Agreement'—created to protect each company's stars and brands—actually nurtured unique identities and gave birth to numerous masterpieces that utilized each studio's strengths.
From Toho's urban salaryman comedies and special effects hits like Godzilla, to Shochiku's family dramas featuring glamorous actresses; from Daiei's (now KADOKAWA) period dramas with charismatic stars and idol films reflecting the times, to Toei's tales of duty, humanity, and outlaws that enthralled men; and Nikkatsu's numerous youth and action films featuring young stars—Showa cinema is a 'treasure trove of genres' packed with stimulation and excitement.
This year, as we welcome the 100th anniversary of the Showa era, these five Japanese film companies have gathered to transcend boundaries. They are currently developing the joint project 'Masterpiece Discovery! Showa 100, Movies to See Now,' delivering 100 titles selected by Kinema Junpo!
A selection of top-tier entertainment tailored to your current mood is waiting for you.
Announcement of the '5 Film Studios x Kinema Junpo Joint Project: Masterpiece Discovery! Showa 100, Movies to See Now - Shin-Bungeiza Edition'!
As a tie-in event, starting May 1, 2026 (Friday), Shin-Bungeiza in Ikebukuro will host the special screening, featuring 10 carefully selected titles from the lineups boasted by the five companies.
Events such as a special talk show by Director Yoji Yamada will also be held concurrently!
On the opening day, May 1 (Friday), Director Yoji Yamada, who has captured vanishing Japanese landscapes on film and continued to depict family bonds, will take the stage. He will look back on the passionate thoughts from the movie production front lines during the turbulent Showa era.
Furthermore, on May 19 (Tuesday), elite staff who have used the latest 4K remastering technology to revive the heat and colors witnessed by Director Yamada and others in Showa studios for the Reiwa era will speak. Frontline staff will discuss the behind-the-scenes stories and charms of 'restoration,' now possible thanks to dramatic advances in digital technology and sound.
Please take this opportunity to reunite with stars who shine forever on the silver screen and experience Japanese film masterpieces, loved across generations, on the theater's large screen.
[Screening & Talk Event Details]
Theater: Shin-Bungeiza (Ikebukuro)
Title: 5 Film Studios x Kinema Junpo Joint Project: Masterpiece Discovery! Showa 100, Movies to See Now - Shin-Bungeiza Edition
Period: May 1 (Fri) – May 26 (Tue), 2026
[Screening Works]
Toho: 'Floating Clouds', 'Godzilla'
Shochiku: 'Tora-san's Dear Old Home', 'The Yellow Handkerchief of Happiness'
KADOKAWA: 'Gamera, the Giant Monster', 'Manhunt'
Toei: 'A Fugitive from the Past', 'The Bullet Train'
Nikkatsu: 'The Profound Desire of the Gods', 'Pale Flower (Monday's Yuka)'
[Talk Events]
- May 1 (Fri) after 'Tora-san's Dear Old Home' screening
'Looking Back at the Studios and Movie-making of Those Days with Director Yoji Yamada'
Speakers: Director Yoji Yamada / Tsutomu Abe (Former Assistant Director)
- May 19 (Tue) before 'Godzilla' screening
'Behind the Scenes of 4K Remastering by Studio Representatives'
Speakers: Representatives from Toho, Shochiku Media Center, Toei Labo Tech, IMAGICA Entertainment Media Services
[Other Collaborations]
- Daikanyama Tsutaya Books: Featuring all 100 titles selected by Kinema Junpo (April 25 – May 31).
- Rakuten Books: Campaign to win crystal clocks and postcard sets when purchasing selected titles.
To mark the milestone of the Showa 100th anniversary, the five companies that built the golden age of Japanese cinema—Toho, Shochiku, KADOKAWA (formerly Daiei), Toei, and Nikkatsu—have teamed up to bring 10 must-see films to the screens of Shin-Bungeiza!
In the Showa movie era, cinema reigned supreme as the king of entertainment, with 'double-feature shows' delivering two new releases every week. The production sites were filled with passion and vitality. Behind the explosive box-office competition, the 'Five-Company Agreement'—created to protect each company's stars and brands—actually nurtured unique identities and gave birth to numerous masterpieces that utilized each studio's strengths.
From Toho's urban salaryman comedies and special effects hits like Godzilla, to Shochiku's family dramas featuring glamorous actresses; from Daiei's (now KADOKAWA) period dramas with charismatic stars and idol films reflecting the times, to Toei's tales of duty, humanity, and outlaws that enthralled men; and Nikkatsu's numerous youth and action films featuring young stars—Showa cinema is a 'treasure trove of genres' packed with stimulation and excitement.
This year, as we welcome the 100th anniversary of the Showa era, these five Japanese film companies have gathered to transcend boundaries. They are currently developing the joint project 'Masterpiece Discovery! Showa 100, Movies to See Now,' delivering 100 titles selected by Kinema Junpo!
A selection of top-tier entertainment tailored to your current mood is waiting for you.
Announcement of the '5 Film Studios x Kinema Junpo Joint Project: Masterpiece Discovery! Showa 100, Movies to See Now - Shin-Bungeiza Edition'!
As a tie-in event, starting May 1, 2026 (Friday), Shin-Bungeiza in Ikebukuro will host the special screening, featuring 10 carefully selected titles from the lineups boasted by the five companies.
Events such as a special talk show by Director Yoji Yamada will also be held concurrently!
On the opening day, May 1 (Friday), Director Yoji Yamada, who has captured vanishing Japanese landscapes on film and continued to depict family bonds, will take the stage. He will look back on the passionate thoughts from the movie production front lines during the turbulent Showa era.
Furthermore, on May 19 (Tuesday), elite staff who have used the latest 4K remastering technology to revive the heat and colors witnessed by Director Yamada and others in Showa studios for the Reiwa era will speak. Frontline staff will discuss the behind-the-scenes stories and charms of 'restoration,' now possible thanks to dramatic advances in digital technology and sound.
Please take this opportunity to reunite with stars who shine forever on the silver screen and experience Japanese film masterpieces, loved across generations, on the theater's large screen.
[Screening & Talk Event Details]
Theater: Shin-Bungeiza (Ikebukuro)
Title: 5 Film Studios x Kinema Junpo Joint Project: Masterpiece Discovery! Showa 100, Movies to See Now - Shin-Bungeiza Edition
Period: May 1 (Fri) – May 26 (Tue), 2026
[Screening Works]
Toho: 'Floating Clouds', 'Godzilla'
Shochiku: 'Tora-san's Dear Old Home', 'The Yellow Handkerchief of Happiness'
KADOKAWA: 'Gamera, the Giant Monster', 'Manhunt'
Toei: 'A Fugitive from the Past', 'The Bullet Train'
Nikkatsu: 'The Profound Desire of the Gods', 'Pale Flower (Monday's Yuka)'
[Talk Events]
- May 1 (Fri) after 'Tora-san's Dear Old Home' screening
'Looking Back at the Studios and Movie-making of Those Days with Director Yoji Yamada'
Speakers: Director Yoji Yamada / Tsutomu Abe (Former Assistant Director)
- May 19 (Tue) before 'Godzilla' screening
'Behind the Scenes of 4K Remastering by Studio Representatives'
Speakers: Representatives from Toho, Shochiku Media Center, Toei Labo Tech, IMAGICA Entertainment Media Services
[Other Collaborations]
- Daikanyama Tsutaya Books: Featuring all 100 titles selected by Kinema Junpo (April 25 – May 31).
- Rakuten Books: Campaign to win crystal clocks and postcard sets when purchasing selected titles.