The Japanese Film Festival 2025 Anime Films
By: Nonnette C. Bennett | Photos courtesy of the Japan Film Festival
Movies have always been one of the most powerful ways to share culture with the world. Korea has shown this with the phenomenal rise of K-dramas. Japan, too, has long embraced cinema as a way to showcase its rich traditions, unique storytelling, and cutting-edge film technology.
And when it comes to anime, Japan continues to reign supreme. Anime’s influence has become a global phenomenon, inspiring cosplay, conventions, and entire communities where fans breathe life into their favorite characters from comics, video games, and films. This year’s Japanese Film Festival puts that magic center stage, featuring stories that blend fantasy, science, and timeless human values.
Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Freedom (2024)
Directed by Fukuda Mitsuo, this sci-fi epic takes audiences into the year C.E. 75, where humanity grapples with war, technology, and the fragile quest for peace. With Lacus leading the global peace organization COMPASS and Kira founding a new nation called Foundation, alliances form to counter the dangerous Blue Cosmos. But amid the clash of machines and men, the story asks deeper questions: What truly binds us together? Is it love, understanding, or the courage to face uncertainty?
Reminiscent of classics like Voltes V, the film captures the grandeur of robotic battles while reminding viewers of the enduring ideals of peace and connection—even in an age dominated by artificial intelligence.
Spirited Away (2001)
No Japanese film festival is complete without a masterpiece from Studio Ghibli. Hayao Miyazaki’s Academy Award–winning Spirited Away remains as enchanting as ever. The story follows 10-year-old Chihiro, who stumbles into a mystical world ruled by the witch Yubaba. When her parents are transformed into pigs for eating food without permission, Chihiro must summon courage, kindness, and resilience to reclaim her identity as part of her contract of work for Yubaba and return to human with her parents.
Beyond its fantasy, Spirited Away speaks to universal childhood fears of change, rebellion, and losing one’s sense of self. It is both a cautionary tale and a celebration of innocence and determination.
Cells at Work! (2024)
A clever mix of science and comedy, this film directed by Takeuchi Hideki turns the human body into a battlefield of epic proportions. Through the perspective of red and white blood cells, audiences get a thrilling, hilarious, and surprisingly educational view of how the body defends itself from disease. With action-packed scenes and heartfelt moments, the film shows the triumph of health when the body’s tiny heroes unite against threats like cancer cells.
It’s biology turned into entertainment—proving that learning can be just as exciting as a blockbuster.
Cinema with a Cultural Heart
Though wildly different in genre—sci-fi battles, mystical fantasy, and educational comedy—these films share a distinctly Japanese spirit. They embody values of kindness, collaboration, and resilience in the face of adversity, while also entertaining audiences of all ages.
The Japanese Film Festival 2025 invites everyone to experience this magic for free. Screenings run at SM City Baguio until October 5, then continue at SM Cebu from October 3–12 and the UP Film Institute from October 10–18.
Whether you’re a die-hard anime fan or simply curious about Japanese culture, this festival is a cinematic journey worth taking.
