Cult Epics wants you to discover Nobuhiko Obayashi in 4K UHD
Cult Epics is proud to announce the North American debut of four celebrated films by Nobuhiko Obayashi, one of Japan’s most inventive directors, known internationally for his cult classic House (1978). These four 1980s Kadokawa films—cherished for their visually expressive style, pop-art boldness, and heartfelt portrayals of youth—are being released on Blu-ray and DVD, featuring extensive new bonus features and artwork tailored for the North American market.
About the Obayashi Films
Obayashi’s work from the 1980s captures the transcendent spirit of adolescence, blending imaginative visuals with poignant narratives that celebrate young love and the bittersweet nature of growing up. Bolstered by innovative strategies that popularized dreamy pop idols like Hiroko Yakushimaru and Tomoyo Harada, these films remain timeless testaments to the extraordinary nature of ordinary youth.
The Girl Who Leapt Thru Time
- Format: 4K UHD Blu-ray / Blu-ray / DVD
- Release Year: 1983
- Runtime: 104 minutes
- Language: Japanese with English subtitles
- Synopsis: Schoolgirl Kazuko begins to experience mysterious time leaps—both forwards and backwards—disorienting her as she yearns to remain in the present. This film is a genuine expression of the transcendence of love, capturing the ephemeral magic of a young girl’s journey through time.
- Cast: Tomoyo Harada, Ryoichi Takayanagi, Toshinori Omi
School in the Crosshairs
- Format: Blu-ray / DVD
- Release Year: 1981
- Runtime: 90 minutes
- Format Detail: 2K restoration
- Language: Japanese with English subtitles
- Synopsis: In this psychotronic fantasy, a young girl’s destiny to defend the planet unfolds amid an overload of extraterrestrial fascists and preternatural powers. Obayashi’s uniquely adroit filmmaking brings an electrifying mix of cosmic intrigue and youthful defiance to life.
- Cast: Hiroko Yakushimaru, Ryoichi Takayanagi, Toru Minegishi, Makoto Tezuka
Island Closest to Heaven
- Format: Blu-ray / DVD
- Release Year: 1984
- Runtime: 103 minutes
- Format Detail: HD restoration
- Language: Japanese with English subtitles
- Synopsis: Fulfilling her late father’s dream, bookish teen Mari embarks on a solo adventure to an archipelago reputed to be “the island closest to heaven.” This film weaves a dreamlike narrative of hope and self-discovery against a backdrop of idyllic paradise.
- Cast: Tomoyo Harada, Ryoichi Takayanagi, Toru Minegishi, Miyoko Akaza
His Motorbike, Her Island
- Format: Blu-ray / DVD
- Release Year: 1986
- Runtime: 96 minutes
- Format Detail: HD restoration
- Language: Japanese with English subtitles
- Synopsis: A nostalgia-filled reminiscence, His Motorbike, Her Island is a monochromatic dream that playfully worships the biker culture of yesteryear. The film delivers a sentimental and liberating take on young love, capturing the spirit of freedom and rebellion.
- Cast: Riki Takeuchi, Kiwako Harada, Noriko Watanabe
Final Thoughts
These four films by Nobuhiko Obayashi offer a window into the mesmerizing world of 1980s Japanese youth cinema. With brand-new restorations and exclusive bonus content, this release invites both longtime fans and newcomers to experience the magic, melancholy, and unbridled optimism of Obayashi’s seishun eiga. Prepare to be transported to an era where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and every moment is imbued with the bittersweet essence of growing up.
