2022 Japanese animated film Suzume (すずめの戸締まり) returns to Pittsburgh, October 27.

The 2022 Japanese animated film Suzume (すずめの戸締まり), which played in Pittsburgh in April and May, will return October 27 through (at least) November 1.

On the other side of the door, was time in its entirety— “Suzume” is a coming-of-age story for the 17-year-old protagonist, Suzume, set in various disaster-stricken locations across Japan, where she must close the doors causing devastation. Suzume’s journey begins in a quiet town in Kyushu (located in southwestern Japan) when she encounters a young man who tells her, “I’m looking for a door.” What Suzume finds is a single weathered door standing upright in the midst of ruins as though it was shielded from whatever catastrophe struck. Seemingly drawn by its power, Suzume reaches for the knob… Doors begin to open one after another all across Japan, unleashing destruction upon any who are near. Suzume must close these portals to prevent further disaster.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and tickets are available online. Please note, some screenings are dubbed in English while others are in Japanese with English subtitles.

2003 Japanese animated film Tokyo Godfathers (東京ゴッドファーザーズ) in Pittsburgh, December 11 - 13 as part of "Satoshi Kon Fest."

The 2003 Japanese animated film Tokyo Godfathers (東京ゴッドファーザーズ) in Pittsburgh December 11 - 13 as part of AX Cinema Nights' "Satoshi Kon Fest."

Anime Expo Cinema Nights invites you to celebrate TOKYO GODFATHERS, the acclaimed holiday classic from master director Satoshi Kon (Paprika, Perfect Blue), as it returns to theaters to celebrate its 20th anniversary with a 4K restoration under the supervision of the original art director and producers. On Christmas Eve, three homeless companions stumble upon a baby girl in a garbage heap. They name her Kiyoko, and vow to care for her as they track down her family. Haunted by memories of their own broken pasts and pursued by a cast of shadowy characters from Tokyo's nightlife, Hana, Gin and Miyuki overcome their differences and learn to trust one another as a new, makeshift family. With the New Year fast approaching, the mystery behind baby Kiyoko deepens, and these unlikely heroes discover the surprising -- and sometimes miraculous -- connections that have brought them all together. Co-written by Keiko Nobumoto (Cowboy Bebop) and featuring a whimsical score by Keiichi Suzuki, TOKYO GODFATHERS is a masterpiece by turns heartfelt, hilarious and highly original, a tale of hope and redemption in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark Robinson, and tickets are available online. Please note, the December 11 and 13 screenings are in Japanese with English subtitles while the December 12 shows are dubbed in English.

Susuwatari - a Shakuhachi Recital, October 28 at Pitt.

The University of Pittsburgh will host Devon Osamu Tipp and "Susuwatari - a Shakuhachi Recital" on October 28.

Please join Devon Osamu Tipp for a recital of contemporary and traditional shakuhachi music. Featured on the program are new multimedia compositions by Pitt alumni Cullyn Murphy, and Devon Osamu Tipp, and current grad students Luis Miguel Delgado Grande and Jay Rauch. Rauch's work features an experimental film that mixes elements of Japanese aesthetics, noise, and improvisation.

It starts at 5:00 pm in the Frick Fine Arts Auditorium in Oakland (map) and the suggested donation is $10.

"Stories from Pittsburgh’s Chinatown," free at Heinz History Center, October 29.

The Heinz History Center will present "Stories from Pittsburgh's Chinatown" on October 29.

Join the History Center for a rich celebration of stories from Pittsburgh’s Chinatown.

Featuring two short film screenings and a panel discussion, this event will vividly explore family and communal narratives from this long-overlooked neighborhood. Panelists (including community members, artists, and experts) will share their memories and research reflections on the history and legacy of Pittsburgh’s Chinatown.

Attendees will learn how Chinese Americans established businesses, started families, and created community despite the racism and discrimination that they faced. Participants will also garner insights into the decades-long partnerships and advocacy within the Chinese American community that has resulted in broader recognition of this history.

It runs from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and is free with advance registration. More information about the presenters and the films is available on the Heinz History Center's hompeage. The Heinz History Center is located at 1212 Smallman St. at the western edge of the Strip District (map).

Japanese punk band Otoboke Beaver in Pittsburgh, March 14.

The Japanese punk band Otoboke Beaver will perform at Spirit Hall on March 14. 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).

2017 Japanese zombie film One Cut of the Dead (カメラを止めるな!) at Row House Hollywood, October 28.

The 2017 Japanese zombie film One Cut of the Dead (カメラを止めるな!) will play at the Row House Hollywood in Dormont on October 28, part of the theater's Zombiefest.

Things go badly for a hack director and film crew shooting a low-budget zombie movie in an abandoned Japanese World War II facility, when they are attacked by real zombies. Or, that’s what it says on the tin, but this is the story of how it really happened.

Tickets for the 4:30 show are available online. The Row House Hollywood is located at 1449 Potomac Ave. (map).

2023 Japanese + Wim Wenders film Perfect Days at Three Rivers Film Festival 2023, November 11 and 12.

The 2023 Japanese film Perfect Days, directed by Wim Wenders, will play in Pittsburgh on November 11 and 12 as part of the Three Rivers Film Fest 2023.

Who knew Japan has the most elegant public restrooms in the world? Wim Wender’s Perfect Days is a poetic reflection on finding the simple beauty that surrounds us in our everyday world. Kôji Yakusho delivers an award-winning performance as Hirayama, a quite-contented man who spends his days working as a cleaner of public toilets in Tokyo. His thoroughly structured daily routine reveals his passion for music and books and his love of the trees he photographs. As we are immersed in his daily life, a series of unexpected encounters gradually expose more of his past.

It plays at the Waterworks Cinema on the 11th at 7:30 pm and at the Harris Theater in Downtown's Cultural District on the 12th at 4:00 pm. Tickets are available online.

Studio Ghibli Week, November 17 - 23 at Row House Lawrenceville.

The Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville will present its annual Studio Ghibli Week from November 17 through 23, featuring 2008's Ponyo (崖の上のポニョ), 1997's Princess Mononoke (もののけ姫), 2005's Howl's Moving Castle (ハウルの動く城), 1986's Castle in the Sky (天空の城ラピュタ), and 2023's Spirited Away: Live on Stage. Tickets are available online.

Little Viet Kitchen soft opening in Wexford.

Little Viet Kitchen is in the middle of a soft open in Wexford. It is the first Vietnamese place to open in the North Hills, located in the Pine Creek Shopping Center in McCandless (map). The menu includes customizable banh mi, rice bowls, vermicilli bowls, and pho, in addition to bubble tea and an assortment of Vietnamese coffee.

English Mandarin Language Social Hour, October 25 at Pitt.

Credit:  LRB: 安平影像 (风光), via @tongbingxue

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center and the English Language Institute will present an English Mandarin Language Social Hour on October 25.

A language and cultural exchange between Pitt language learners and international speakers. Lunch provided.

The event runs from 12:00 to 1:00 pm in the Global Hub on the first floor of Posvar Hall (map), and is open to members of the Pitt community. Registration is required.