Japanese cinema has always been a treasure trove of storytelling magnificence, with a unique blend of cultural aesthetics, deep philosophical inquiries, and captivating narratives. As we navigate through the 2020s, the Japanese film industry continues to produce works that resonate globally. Here’s a list of the 10 best Japanese movies of the 2020s so far, ranked:

1.Drive My Car (2021) – Directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, this drama is an adaptation of a Haruki Murakami short story. It tells a profound tale of grief, art, and human connection, marking its grandeur by winning multiple awards and an Oscar nomination.

2.True Mothers (2020) – A heartfelt exploration of motherhood directed by Naomi Kawase where two women’s lives are intertwined by an adoption pact made years earlier.

3.Under the Open Sky (2021) – This film by Miwa Nishikawa follows a former yakuza member struggling to reintegrate into society after serving time in prison.

4.Wife of a Spy (2020) – Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s historical drama is set during World War II and centres on a woman who begins to suspect that her husband is engaged in espionage against Japan.

5.On-Gaku: Our Sound (2019/2020 release) – Kenji Iwaisawa’s directorial debut is an animated epic that follows three high school delinquents who unexpectedly form a band.

6.The Real Thing (2020) – Koji Fukada directs this slow-burning romantic saga about an ordinary businessman whose life changes after saving a woman from the train tracks.

7.A Balance (2021) – Yujiro Harumoto’s gripping narrative examines the life of a documentary filmmaker who discovers that her father’s student might be involved in a scandal at school.

8.Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy (2021) – Another gem by Ryusuke Hamaguchi is a triptych anthology film depicting serendipitous encounters that lead to unexpected outcomes.

9.Midnight Swan (2020) – Directed by Eiji Uchida, this emotionally layered film features a transgender woman who becomes the unexpected caretaker of a young girl.

10.Mother (2020) – Tatsushi Omori’s unsettling drama portrays the toxic relationship between an irresponsible mother and her impressionable young son thrust into adulthood too soon.

Although we are merely partway into this decade, these films have already made their mark not only within Japan’s borders but also on international shorelines, demonstrating the power and diverse storytelling prowess of Japanese cinema.