Oscar-nominated 2023 Japanese + Wim Wenders film Perfect Days remains in Pittsburgh through March 21.

The 2023 Japanese film Perfect Days, directed by Wim Wenders, which returned to Pittsburgh from February 22, will continue here through at least March 21. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, the movie first played in Pittsburgh in November.

Hirayama seems utterly content with his simple life as a cleaner of toilets in Tokyo. Outside of his very structured everyday routine he enjoys his passion for music and for books. And he loves trees and takes photos of them. A series of unexpected encounters gradually reveal more of his past. A deeply moving and poetic reflection on finding beauty in the everyday world around us.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Manor Theater in Squirrel Hill tickets are available online.

2024 movie Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training (鬼滅の刃 柱稽古編) stays in Pittsburgh through March 20.

The 2024 movie Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training (鬼滅の刃 柱稽古編), which opened in Pittsburgh on February 22, will stay here through at least March 20.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training- will feature “A Connected Bond: Daybreak and First Light” (Episode 11) from the Swordsmith Village Arc, featuring the conclusion of the fierce battle between Tanjiro and Upper Four demon Hantengu, as well as Nezuko's triumph over the sun. Seamlessly followed by Episode 1 of the highly anticipated Hashira Training Arc, featuring the start of training conducted by the Hashira in preparation for the forthcoming final battle against Muzan Kibutsuji, an episode never before seen by audiences.

It plays at the Waterworks Cinema and the AMC Loews Waterfront. Tickets are available online; please note, some shows are in Japanese with English subtitles while others are dubbed in English.

Japanese animated films Rascal Does Not Dream double feature in Pittsburgh, March 24 and 25.

Two 2023 Japanese animated films, Rascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out (青春ブタ野郎はおでかけシスターの夢を見ない) and Rascal Does Not Dream of a Knapsack Kid (青春ブタ野郎はランドセルガールの夢を見ない) will play in Pittsburgh on March 24 and 25 as a double feature. The films adapt volumes eight and nine, respectively, of the manga series. Wikipedia provides a general overview of the manga series:

High school student Sakuta Azusagawa's life takes a turn for the unexpected when he meets teenage actress Mai Sakurajima, dressed as a bunny girl, wandering through a library and not being noticed by anyone else there. Mai is intrigued that Sakuta is the only one who can see her, as other people are unable to see her, even when she is dressing normally or attempting to stay away from celebrity life. Calling this phenomenon "Adolescence Syndrome", Sakuta decides to solve this mystery, while continuing to get closer to Mai and meeting other girls who suffer from "Adolescence Syndrome" as well.

It is scheduled to play locally at many local theaters including: the AMC Loews Waterfront; the Cinemark theaters in McCandless, Monaca, and Robinson; the Pittsburgh Mills Cinema; and the Phoenix Theaters Chartiers Valley Luxur 14 + PTX, and tickets are available online. The March 24 shows are in Japanese with English subtitles while the March 25 ones are dubbed in English.

1997 Japanese animated film The End of Evangelion (新世紀エヴァンゲリオン劇場版 Air/まごころを、君に) in Pittsburgh, March 17 and 20.

The 1997 Japanese animated film The End of Evangelion (新世紀エヴァンゲリオン劇場版 Air/まごころを、君に) will play in Pittsburgh on March 17 and 20.

This final movie version was created as an alternative ending to the NEON GENESIS EVANGELION TV series, remaking the final two episodes from the series. SEELE plans an attack on NERV after failing to create a man-made Third Impact. After reaffirming both her own and her mother’s existence in a state of despair, Asuka returns and begins the counterattack. However, new enemies descend from the heavens. Meanwhile, Shinji witnesses the horrifying wreckage of Asuka’s EVA-02 while piloting EVA-01. Mass production models surround EVA-01 and perform a solemn ceremony. What does it mean to complete a human heart?

It is scheduled to play (so far) at the Cinemark theaters in Monroeville and Robinson, and tickets are available online.

Conversation with video game director Hidetaka "Swery" Suehiro at Pitt, March 25.

The University of Pittsburgh will host Hidetaka "Swery" Suehiro on March 25. 

ゲーム🎮はお好きですか？ For video game lovers, there will be an event at the end of the month with game designer Hidetaka “SWERY” Suehiro. Among his most acclaimed titles are the Deadly Premonition series of games, The Missing: J.J. Macfield and the Island of Memories, and The Good Life.

Please join us on Monday, March 25 at 7PM in CL 232, where SWERY will be in conversation with Teaching Assistant Professor Justing Bortnick (English), discussing SWERY’s development process for The Missing, working in video games, his design philosophy, and what students who aspire to become game designers themselves should consider.

The talk will be in 232 Cathedral of Learning from 7:00 pm.

Oscar-nominated 2023 Japanese + Wim Wenders film Perfect Days remains in Pittsburgh through March 14.

The 2023 Japanese film Perfect Days, directed by Wim Wenders, which returned to Pittsburgh from February 22, will continue here through at least March 14. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, the movie first played in Pittsburgh in November.

Hirayama seems utterly content with his simple life as a cleaner of toilets in Tokyo. Outside of his very structured everyday routine he enjoys his passion for music and for books. And he loves trees and takes photos of them. A series of unexpected encounters gradually reveal more of his past. A deeply moving and poetic reflection on finding beauty in the everyday world around us.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Manor Theater in Squirrel Hill tickets are available online.

2024 movie Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training (鬼滅の刃 柱稽古編) stays in Pittsburgh through March 13.

The 2024 movie Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training (鬼滅の刃 柱稽古編), which opened in Pittsburgh on February 22, will stay here through at least March 13.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training- will feature “A Connected Bond: Daybreak and First Light” (Episode 11) from the Swordsmith Village Arc, featuring the conclusion of the fierce battle between Tanjiro and Upper Four demon Hantengu, as well as Nezuko's triumph over the sun. Seamlessly followed by Episode 1 of the highly anticipated Hashira Training Arc, featuring the start of training conducted by the Hashira in preparation for the forthcoming final battle against Muzan Kibutsuji, an episode never before seen by audiences.

It plays at the Waterworks Cinema and the AMC Loews Waterfront. Tickets are available online; please note, some shows are in Japanese with English subtitles while others are dubbed in English.

University of Pittsburgh Japanese Student Association Matsuri, March 24.

The University of Pittsburgh Japanese Student Association will host its spring Matsuri on March 24, from 4:00 to 9:00 pm in the William Pitt Union's Lower Lounge (map).

🧺🌸 PITT JSA MATSURI 🌸🧺

Join us for Pitt JSA’s annual spring festival! From delicious food 🍙 to awesome vendors like Origami PGH and amazing live performances 🎤 including guest performer Mei Semones 💕You won’t want to miss out!

Matsuri will take place on March 24th from 4-9PM in WPU lower lounge, so bring your friends and join us for an unforgettable experience — hope to see you there!! 🌸

In the meantime keep an eye out for our Matsuri countdown 👀🙌🏼

Japanese punk band Otoboke Beaver with Korean punk band Drinking Boys & Girls Choir (드링킹소년소녀합창단) in Pittsburgh, March 14.

The Japanese punk band Otoboke Beaver will perform at Spirit Hall on March 14 with Drinking Boys & Girls Choir (드링킹소년소녀합창단) . Tickets are now available online; PennsylvAsia will be doing a ticket giveaway on social media as the concert gets closer. Spirit Hall is located at 242 51st St. in Lawrenceville (map).

2024 movie Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training (鬼滅の刃 柱稽古編) stays in Pittsburgh through March 7.

The 2024 movie Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training (鬼滅の刃 柱稽古編), which opened in Pittsburgh on February 22, will stay here through at least March 7..

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training- will feature “A Connected Bond: Daybreak and First Light” (Episode 11) from the Swordsmith Village Arc, featuring the conclusion of the fierce battle between Tanjiro and Upper Four demon Hantengu, as well as Nezuko's triumph over the sun. Seamlessly followed by Episode 1 of the highly anticipated Hashira Training Arc, featuring the start of training conducted by the Hashira in preparation for the forthcoming final battle against Muzan Kibutsuji, an episode never before seen by audiences.

It plays at many local theaters, including the AMC Loews Waterfront, AMC Classic South Hills Village, Waterworks Cinema, and the Cinemark theaters in Monroeville, North Hills, and Robinson. Tickets are available online; please note, some shows are in Japanese with English subtitles while others are dubbed in English.

Oscar-nominated 2023 Japanese + Wim Wenders film Perfect Days remains in Pittsburgh through March 6.

The 2023 Japanese film Perfect Days, directed by Wim Wenders, which returned to Pittsburgh from February 22, will continue here through at least March 6. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, the movie first played in Pittsburgh in November.

Hirayama seems utterly content with his simple life as a cleaner of toilets in Tokyo. Outside of his very structured everyday routine he enjoys his passion for music and for books. And he loves trees and takes photos of them. A series of unexpected encounters gradually reveal more of his past. A deeply moving and poetic reflection on finding beauty in the everyday world around us.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online.

Miyazaki film The Boy and the Heron (君たちはどう生きるか) remains in one Pittsburgh-area theater through (at least) March 7.

The 2023 Hayao Miyazaki film The Boy and the Heron (君たちはどう生きるか), which opened across Pittsburgh-area theaters on December 7, will continue in a local theater through (at least) March 7. A synopsis of the movie, from the distributor:

Hayao Miyazaki's first feature film in 10 years, The Boy and the Heron is a hand-drawn, original story written and directed by the Academy Award®-winning director. Produced by Studio Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki, the film features a musical score from Miyazaki's long-time collaborator Joe Hisaishi. The theme song for the film "Spinning Globe" was penned and performed by global J-pop superstar Kenshi Yonezu.

. . .

A young boy named Mahito
yearning for his mother
ventures into a world shared by the living and the dead.
There, death comes to an end,
and life finds a new beginning.


A semi-autobiographical fantasy
about life, death, and creation,
 in tribute to friendship,
from the mind of Hayao Miyazaki.

It continues to play locally at the Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center in Sewickley (map), and tickets are available online.

Japanese through songs: Embracing diversity by promoting autonomy, March 8 at Pitt.

The Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures will host Dr. Amy Snyder Ohta and her talk "Japanese through songs: Embracing diversity by promoting autonomy" on March 8. It starts at 4:00 pm in 4127 Sennott Square (map).

"Early Modern Kabuki: Lineage, Talent, and Print Media," February 26 at Pitt.

The Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures at the University of Pittsburgh will host Katherine Saltzman-Li and her talk "Early Modern Kabuki: Lineage, Talent, and Print Media" on February 26. It starts at 4:00 pm in 501 Cathedral of Learning.

Oscar-nominated 2023 Japanese + Wim Wenders film Perfect Days returns to Pittsburgh, from February 22.

The 2023 Japanese film Perfect Days, directed by Wim Wenders, will return to Pittsburgh from February 22. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, the movie first played in Pittsburgh in November.

Hirayama seems utterly content with his simple life as a cleaner of toilets in Tokyo. Outside of his very structured everyday routine he enjoys his passion for music and for books. And he loves trees and takes photos of them. A series of unexpected encounters gradually reveal more of his past. A deeply moving and poetic reflection on finding beauty in the everyday world around us.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online.

1997 Japanese animated film The End of Evangelion (新世紀エヴァンゲリオン劇場版 Air/まごころを、君に) in Pittsburgh, March 17 and 20.

The 1997 Japanese animated film The End of Evangelion (新世紀エヴァンゲリオン劇場版 Air/まごころを、君に) will play in Pittsburgh on March 17 and 20.

This final movie version was created as an alternative ending to the NEON GENESIS EVANGELION TV series, remaking the final two episodes from the series. SEELE plans an attack on NERV after failing to create a man-made Third Impact. After reaffirming both her own and her mother’s existence in a state of despair, Asuka returns and begins the counterattack. However, new enemies descend from the heavens. Meanwhile, Shinji witnesses the horrifying wreckage of Asuka’s EVA-02 while piloting EVA-01. Mass production models surround EVA-01 and perform a solemn ceremony. What does it mean to complete a human heart?

It is scheduled to play (so far) at the Cinemark theaters in Monroeville and Robinson, and tickets are available online.

Susuwatari II: a shakuhachi recital, February 24 at Pitt.

devon osamu tipp will present "Susuwatari II: a shakuhachi recital" on February 24 at the Frick Fine Arts buildilng in Oakland.

Please join me for an evening of contemporary music for shakuhachi written by composers Juhani Nuorvala, Jason Belcher, Samantha Kochis, Ramteen Sazegari, Ritwik Banerji and myself!
also making a guest appearance on this show is Christopher J Staley!
asking for suggested donations of 10 dollars
hope you can join us!

The performance will start at 5:00 pm in the Frick Fine Arts Auditorium on the University of Pittsburgh campus (map). The event is free for students and has a suggested $10 for all others.

"Far-East and “Far-Europe” – Japanese and Portuguese semiperipheries through the eyes of Wenceslau de Moraes," February 21 at Pitt.

The Department of East Asian Languages & Literatures will present Dr. Olivia Holloway and her talk "'Far-East and “Far-Europe'” – Japanese and Portuguese semiperipheries through the eyes of Wenceslau de Moraes" on February 21.

Japanese-Brazilian relations, though thoroughly researched, do not always consider the possible influence of Portuguese diplomacy on policies facilitating Japanese immigration to Brazil. This presentation will focus on Wenceslau José de Souza Moraes, a pioneer of Lusophone diplomacy in Japan. Moraes’s writings reveal a fascination with the concept of self-sacrifice and an emphasis on commonalities between Portugal and Japan. His exemplars of self-sacrifice, especially by women, will be explored on moral and practical levels to elucidate the author’s reverent, albeit complicated, perspective toward women.

It starts at 11:00 am in 501 Cathedral of Learning (map) and is free and open to the public.

1998 film After Life (ワンダフルライフ) at Maridon Museum in Butler, February 23.

THe 1998 film After Life (ワンダフルライフ) will play at the Maridon Museum in Butler on February 23, the first installment in this spring's Japanese Film Series at the museum.

A mid-20th Century social service structure serves as a way station between life and death. Every Monday, deceased individuals check in and social workers prompt them to select a single memory to carry into the afterlife. They have only a few days to choose their happiest memory, which is then designed, staged, and filmed by the workers. This allows souls to relive this moment for eternity, forgetting the rest of their lives and residing within their happiest memory.

The film will be presented by Dr. William Covey, Director of the Slippery Rock University Film & Media Studies program. The movies in the series are free and open to the public, but registration is required and can be made by calling 724.282.0123. The Maridon Museum is located at 322 North Mckean St. in Butler (map).

More films added to March's Pittsburgh Japanese Film Festival lineup.

The Pittsburgh Japanese Film Festival, running March 15 through 28 at the Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville, added two new films to its lineup: 2022's Lonely Castle in the Mirror (かがみの孤城) and 1979's Future Boy Conan (未来少年コナン).

The full roster of 18 feature-length films, with links to tickets, is available on the festival website. The Row House is a single-screen theater located at 4115 Butler St. in Lawrenceville (map).