Contributor Michael Leader

A woman wearing a red headband and floral dress stands with her arms raised in an indoor setting with a traditional Japanese sliding door.
Review

One Cut of the Dead

by Michael Leader

This madcap meta-horror from Japan’s Shin’ichirô Ueda breathes new life into the zombie genre.

3
Anticipation
5
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Anime scene with two young boys, one in white clothes falling through the sky, the other reaching up towards him against a bright blue sky with fluffy white clouds.
Review

Mirai

by Michael Leader

Mamoru Hosoda returns with a charming time-bending tale about two siblings.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Two men seated in a sparse room, one man sitting in a chair, the other standing.
Festivals

The Mountain – first look review

by Michael Leader

Jeff Goldblum plays against type to unsettling effect in this zany road movie from writer/director Rick Alverson.
Anime scene with two young boys, one in white clothes falling through the sky, the other reaching up towards him against a bright blue sky with fluffy white clouds.
Festivals

Mirai – first look review

by Michael Leader

This delightful Japanese anime is one of the highlights of this year’s Directors’ Fortnight programme.
Animated character with red hair and blue eyes surrounded by blue flowers in a grassy field.
Interviews

How we launched Studio Ponoc by Yoshiaki Nishimura and Hiromasa Yonebayashi

by Michael Leader

The creative minds behind Japan’s newest animation house share their vision for the future.
Anime character with blonde spiky hair wearing a red scarf in a snowy outdoor scene.
Review

Big Fish & Begonia

by Michael Leader

This stunning animated fantasy from Chinese pair Liang Xuan and Zhang Chun rivals Studio Ghibli.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Colourful cartoon figures; woman in yellow, duck-like creature, abstract shapes and patterns.
Review

Lu Over the Wall

by Michael Leader

Masaaki Yuasa’s second film of 2017 proves he’s one to watch in the anime world.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Anime character with brown eyes and dark hair, wearing a floral kimono, smiling calmly.
Review

Fireworks

by Michael Leader

Despite some initial promise, this striking looking anime from director Akiyuki Shinbô quickly fizzles out.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Anime-style illustration featuring a young woman in a school uniform, standing with a plush toy. Two male characters, one on a scooter, in the background. Vibrant colours and a suspension bridge in the sky.
Review

Napping Princess

by Michael Leader

This entertaining animated adventure imagines a near-future powered by machines.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Animated illustration of a young Asian woman in a green polka dot kimono holding a fan in front of urban buildings.
Review

In This Corner of the World

by Michael Leader

This Japanese anime from Sunao Katabuchi doesn’t quite reach the dizzy heights of Studio Ghibli.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect

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