Japanese karate movies

List of the best Japanese karate movies according to visitors: Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy, The Art of Self-Defense, The Street Fighter, Girl's Blood, Dragonball Evolution, Alita: Battle Angel, The Man with the Iron Fists, Karate-Robo Zaborgar, Before We Vanish, My Teacher.

In the top there are new films of 2023, a plot description and trailers for films that have already been released.

Country
Markimdb: 7.5
Genremelodrama, drama
CountryJapan

An unexpected love triangle, a failed seduction trap, and an encounter that results from a misunderstanding are the three episodes, told in three movements to depict three female characters and trace the trajectories between their choices and regrets.

Markimdb: 6.6
Genrethriller, comedy, drama, sport
CountryUSA
Duration01:23

Casey is attacked at random on the street and enlists in a local dojo led by a charismatic and mysterious Sensei in an effort to learn how to defend himself. What he uncovers is a sinister world of fraternity, violence and hypermasculinity and a woman fighting for her place in it.

Markimdb: 6.9
Genreaction, thriller, drama, crime
CountryJapan

Terry is a tough mercenary and a master of martial arts. When an important business magnate dies, leaving billions to his daughter, the Mafia and Yakuza try to hire Terry to kidnap the daughter. When they refuse to meet his exorbitant price, then try to kill him to conceal their secret plans, he promptly offers his services to protect her. Much ultra-violent martial-arts fighting action, as expected, ensues. This also includes a subplot of a family's blood-feud with Terry over a disputed debt.

Markimdb: 5.3
Genreaction
CountryJapan

Four girls take part in illegal underground fighting event "Girl's Blood" held at an abandoned school building in Roppongi every night. The girls have their own stories and quirks from their private lives. Satsuki (Yuria Haga) suffers from a gender identity disorder, Chinatsu (Asami Tada) ran away from an abusive husband, Miko (Ayame Misaki) is a S&M queen and Mayu (Rina Koike) has a Lolita face.

Markimdb: 2.5
Genrefantastic, action, thriller, fantasy, adventure
CountryUSA, Mexico, Japan, Hong Kong, United Kingdom
Duration01:25

    The young warrior Son Goku sets out on a quest, racing against time and the vengeful King Piccolo, to collect a set of seven magical orbs that will grant their wielder unlimited power.

    Markimdb: 7.3
    Genrefantastic, action, adventure
    CountryUSA, Japan, Canada
    Duration02:28

    When Alita awakens with no memory of who she is in a future world she does not recognize, she is taken in by Ido, a compassionate doctor who realizes that somewhere in this abandoned cyborg shell is the heart and soul of a young woman with an extraordinary past.

    Markimdb: 5.4
    Genreaction
    CountryUSA, Hong Kong, Thailand
    Duration01:36

      In feudal China, a blacksmith who makes weapons for a small village is put in the position where he must defend himself and his fellow villagers.

      Markimdb: 6.3
      Genrefantastic, action
      CountryJapan
      Duration01:54

      An evil criminal organisation called Sigma kidnap prominment business leaders to harvest their DNA and only Karate-Robo Zaborgar can save them.

      Markimdb: 6.1
      Genrefantastic, melodrama, drama
      CountryJapan
      Duration01:00

      Narumi is on bad terms with her husband Shinji when one day, Shinji goes missing. He comes back a couple of days later, but seems like a totally different person, and is now gentle and tender. He goes for a walk every day. Meanwhile, Journalist Sakurai covers the story of a family that was brutally murdered, when an unexplained phenomenon takes place. Shinji Kase tells his wife that he came to Earth to invade.

      Markimdb: 6.2
      Genremelodrama, drama
      CountryJapan
      Duration01:36

      Hibiki Shimada, a normal 17-year-old high school student, still does not know how to fall in love—although surrounded by love "experts"—until one day she realizes that she's fallen in love with her hot and nice 26-year-old teacher, Itou. She then takes a path to make her teacher understand how she feels for him.

      Markimdb: 7.2
      Genreaction, fantasy, comedy, cartoon, anime
      CountryJapan
      Duration01:48

      After his capture for attempted assassination of the Raikage, leader of Kumogakure, as well as killing Jōnin from Kirigakure and Iwagakure, Naruto is imprisoned in Hōzukijou: A criminal containment facility known as the Blood Prison. Mui, the castle master, uses the ultimate imprisonment technique to steal power from the prisoners, which is when Naruto notices his life has been targeted. Thus begins the battle to uncover the truth behind the mysterious murders and prove Naruto's innocence.

      Markimdb: 6.4
      Genrefantastic, action
      CountryJapan
      Duration01:32

      Ajin is a live-action adaptation of a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Gamon Sakurai. Kei Nagai dies in a car accident, but realises he is a type of immortal known as Ajin (demi-human). Hunted by humans, Ajin is eventually found by the government and used as a subject in cruel experiments. He finds fellow demi-humans along the way as he escapes and goes on the run.

      Markimdb: 6.3
      Genreaction, fantasy, drama
      CountryUSA, United Kingdom, Japan, Hungary
      Duration01:59

      Based on the original 1941 movie from Japan, and from ancient Japan’s most enduring tale, the epic 3D fantasy-adventure 47 Ronin is born. Keanu Reeves leads the cast as Kai, an outcast who joins Oishi (Hiroyuki Sanada), the leader of the 47 outcast samurai. Together they seek vengeance upon the treacherous overlord who killed their master and banished their kind. To restore honor to their homeland, the warriors embark upon a quest that challenges them with a series of trials that would destroy ordinary warriors.

      Markimdb: 5.1
      Genreaction, drama
      CountryJapan, France

      A blind master swordsman attempts to lead a quiet life with his wife but he is provoked back into battle.

      Markimdb: 5.6
      Genrefantastic, action, fantasy, cartoon, anime
      CountryJapan, USA
      Duration02:03

      Gorilla Grodd's time displacement machine transports many of Batman's worst enemies to feudal Japan —along with the Dark Knight and a few of his allies. The villains take over the forms of the feudal lords that rule the divided land, with the Joker taking the lead among the warring factions. As his traditional high-tech weaponry is exhausted almost immediately, Batman must rely on his intellect and his allies —including Catwoman and the extended Bat-family— to restore order to the land, and return to present-day Gotham City.

      Markimdb: 6.9
      Genrefantasy, drama
      CountryJapan
      Duration00:35

      A postman learns that he doesn't have much time left to live due to a terminal illness. A devil then appears in front of him and offers to extend his life if he picks something in the world that will disappear. The man thinks about his relationships with ex-friends, ex-lovers, relatives and colleagues who will be sincerely sad when he dies.

      Markimdb: 6.4
      Genrecomedy, crime
      CountryJapan
      Duration01:11

      Ryuzo and his 7 former henchmen are all retired yakuza, but they now live as regular old men. One day, Ryuzo becomes the victim of a phishing fraud. He calls his 7 men together to reform their society.

      Markimdb: 7.3
      Genrecomedy, cartoon, anime
      CountryJapan

      High schooler Masahiro Setagawa is a fairly helpless delinquent, so much so that the neighborhood bullies use him to run their errands. His life changes when he meets high school teacher Kosuke Oshiba, a man whose fighting abilities have earned him a powerful reputation on the streets. Oshiba finds himself with a desire to protect Setagawa, and despite swearing that he's not interested in men, Setagawa finds himself getting more involved in Oshiba's affairs.

      Markimdb: 8.5
      Genrehorror, thriller, fantasy, drama, cartoon, detective, anime
      CountryJapan

      On a warm summer day, a boy heard the sound of bells ringing, as if in celebration, in the mountain near his home. Several years later in that same mountain, the mushishi Ginko stumbles upon a young girl in a mountain with branches and leaves growing out of her body. He later realises that she is the lord of that mountain but finds it strange that a human like her was chosen as the lord. He meets her older brother who has continued to search for her ever since she disappeared while accompanying him on a stormy day. The story is about Ginko’s peculiar journey amidst the occult to unravel the mystery behind the enigmatic girl called Kaya and the mountain that has become her home.

      Markimdb: 7.6
      Genrehorror, comedy, short
      CountryJapan
      Duration01:11

      Things go badly for a hack director and film crew shooting a low budget zombie movie in an abandoned Second World War Japanese facility, when they are attacked by real zombies.

      Markimdb: 6.2
      Genremelodrama
      CountryJapan
      Duration01:58

      A smart high school student falls in love with her English teacher after she receives one-on-one tutoring from him.

      Markimdb: 7
      Genredrama
      CountryJapan
      Duration02:20

      Sci-fi writer Sakutaro (Tsuyoshi Kusanagi) and bank employee Setsuko (Yuko Takeuchi) met at as high school freshmen during their summer vacation. Since that time, the couple has always been together and eventually married.One day, Setsuko complains of a stomach ache and is hospitalized. Sakutaro then learns that his wife has colon cancer. Sakutaro takes the advice from his doctor that laughter helps the immune system and proceeds to write a short story for his wife every day. At first, Setsuko was expected to live for only 1 more year, but she lived for 5 more years and Sakutaro eventually wrote 1,778 short stories for his wife.

      Markimdb: 6.7
      Genrehorror, fantastic, action, thriller, drama, adventure
      CountryJapan
      Duration01:32

      From the mind behind Evangelion comes a hit larger than life. When a massive, gilled monster emerges from the deep and tears through the city, the government scrambles to save its citizens. A rag-tag team of volunteers cuts through a web of red tape to uncover the monster's weakness and its mysterious ties to a foreign superpower. But time is not on their side - the greatest catastrophe to ever befall the world is about to evolve right before their very eyes.

      Markimdb: 7.3
      Genrefantastic, melodrama, adventure, cartoon, anime
      CountryJapan
      Duration01:39

      In an underground world where tunnels extend everywhere, even though they live in dark and confined spaces, people wear protective clothes and lead quiet and enjoyable lives. Patema, a princess in her underground village, loves to explore the tunnels. Her favorite place is a "danger zone" that her village prohibits people from entering. Even though she's scolded, Patema's curiosity can't be held back. No one ever explained what the supposed danger was. On her usual trip to the "danger zone," Patema faces unexpected events. When hidden secrets come to light, the story begins to unfold.

      Markimdb: 6.5
      Genrehorror, fantastic, action, drama
      CountryJapan
      Duration01:35

      Alien pods come to Earth and, naturally, start taking over Human Hosts. One such pod only manages to take over one human's, Shin Izumi, right arm. Together they grow and co-exist, all the while the other aliens are making meals of other humans; Shin feels he must put a stop to it all, but his alien, Migi, doesn't see why.

      Markimdb: 6.5
      Genrefantastic, drama
      CountryJapan, Germany, United Kingdom, Taiwan

      An old couple, their only son, the son's wife, a young man and his lover live peacefully in a village. Then, a terrifying earthquake strikes that causes a nearby nuclear station to explode. The residents must evacuate, but the family lives on a farm, with only half of the area designated as an evacuation area...

      Markimdb: 8.1
      Genrefantasy, melodrama, drama, cartoon, anime
      CountryJapan
      Duration01:57

      After her werewolf lover unexpectedly dies in an accident, a woman must find a way to raise the son and daughter that she had with him. However, their inheritance of their father's traits prove to be a challenge for her.

      Markimdb: 7.1
      Genrecomedy, cartoon, music, anime
      CountryJapan
      Duration01:50

      After the idol group Aqours has won the final Love Live! contest, its remaining members prepare to enroll at a new school only to run into some unexpected trouble while the former members go missing on the way to their graduation trip. Separated, the girls begin to realize the value of their friendships as they attempt to find a solution to their various crises.

      Markimdb: 6.9
      Genredrama, crime, detective
      CountryJapan
      Duration02:06

      Beautiful Noriko Miki works at a cosmetic company. One day, Noriko is murdered. People begin to suspect her co-worker Miki Shirono might have killed her. Television begins to cover her story. A TV show interviews Miki Shirono's colleagues, family, people from her hometown. Rumors turn into fear. Is she a wicked a woman?

      Markimdb: 6.5
      Genrethriller, drama, detective
      CountryJapan
      Duration01:58

      When Kanako, a model daughter and a brilliant student, disappears, her mother asks her ex-husband, a violent former policeman, to find her. As his investigation progresses, his idealized image of Kanako cracks: the girl hides a dark life that her father can not even imagine.

      Markimdb: 7.2
      Genredrama
      CountryJapan
      Duration01:30

      After being neglected by her mother, a little girl is taken in by her uncle and his transgender girlfriend, who create a loving home for her.

      Markimdb: 6.3
      Genrecomedy, melodrama, cartoon, anime
      CountryJapan
      Duration01:30

      Summary of the first season of the show, as seen from Rikka's perspective with new elements.

      Markimdb: 6.2
      Genrethriller, crime
      CountryJapan
      Duration02:04

      Ninagawa is a powerful man in Japanese politics and with top economic connections.His granddaughter is then murdered. The suspect is Kunihide Kiyomaru (Tatsuya Fujiwara). Kunihide Kiyomaru has a prior conviction for assaulting and killing a girl 8 years ago. The police could never apprehend the suspect in the prior killing.

      Markimdb: 7.9
      Genrefantasy, melodrama, cartoon, anime
      CountryJapan
      Duration00:45

      One hot summer day a little girl gets lost in an enchanted forest of the mountain god where spirits reside. A young boy appears before her, but she cannot touch him for fear of making him disappear. And so a wondrous adventure awaits...

      Markimdb: 6.5
      Genrethriller, comedy, drama, crime, detective
      CountryJapan
      Duration02:15

      Based primarily on the first game in the series, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, the film focuses on rookie defense attorney Phoenix Wright, as he strives to protect his clients in various murder trials, including the death of his mentor, Mia Fey, and the accusation of rival prosecutor, Miles Edgeworth. Phoenix's greatest ally is Mia's younger sister Maya, a spirit medium whose body is posessed by Mia to communicate with him.

      Markimdb: 7.9
      Genrefantasy, adventure, cartoon, anime
      CountryJapan

      In Tokyo's downtown district of Ikebukuro, amidst many strange rumors and warnings of anonymous gangs and dangerous occupants, one urban legend stands out above the rest—the existence of a headless "Black Rider" who is said to be seen driving a jet-black motorcycle through the city streets.Mikado Ryuugamine has always longed for the excitement of the city life, and an invitation from a childhood friend convinces him to move to Tokyo. Witnessing the Black Rider on his first day in the city, his wishes already seem to have been granted. But as supernatural events begin to occur, ordinary citizens like himself, along with Ikebukuro's most colorful inhabitants, are mixed up in the commotion breaking out in their city.

      Markimdb: 5.3
      Genredrama
      CountryJapan, France

      Centres on Jeanne, a journalist tracking a mysterious rare herb that appears only once every 997 years.

      Markimdb: 5.1
      Genrehorror, thriller, detective
      CountryJapan
      Duration01:30

      This Japan production spins-off the story of the first Paranormal Activity film by having the ghost from the first film follow a student back to her homeland after a visit to San Diego where she is tragically injured during a car accident. Back home in Japan, she is cared for by her brother, Koichi, who begins to suspect that something is amiss when his sister's wheelchair begins to move on its own. From there, the picture takes on the usual candid cam shocks of the series. Tokyo Night is notable for being an official part of the franchise (it was released in Japan two days before Paranormal Activity 2's release in the States), even though the U.S. has yet to see an official release.

      Markimdb: 5.7
      Genrecomedy, cartoon
      CountryJapan

      The anime follows Machi, a middle school student who serves as a shrine maiden at a Shinto shrine and takes care of a bear, who lives on mountain in Japan's northern Tohoku region. The bear, Natsu, has the ability to talk and is Machi's guardian. When Machi explains to Natsu that she will attend a school in the city, he gives Machi a set of trials that she must pass in order to be able to survive city life.

      Markimdb: 6.3
      Genrefantastic, action, melodrama, cartoon, anime
      CountryJapan

      "Hundred"—that is the only weapon that can oppose the mysterious life form "Savage" from visiting the earth. The protagonist, Kisaragi Hayato, aims to become a Martial Arts Master using this Hundred. He managed to get into the battleship university Little Garden. However— "I wanted to see you, Hayato!!!" "H-How do you know my name?" Around the roommate, Emil Crossford, who somehow knows him well (?), Hayato gets an uneasy feeling. What's more, just after the entrance ceremony, he gets asked for a duel by the campus' strongest martial arts master "Queen" Claire Harvey...!? The ultimate academy battle begins here!

      Markimdb: 7.4
      Genremelodrama, drama, cartoon, anime
      CountryJapan
      Duration01:31

      A group of Yokohama students fight to save their school's clubhouse from the wrecking ball during preparations for the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games. While working there, Umi and Shun gradually become attracted to each other but have to face a sudden trial. Even so, they keep going without fleeing the difficulties of reality.

      Markimdb: 6.8
      Genrecomedy, melodrama, cartoon, short, anime
      CountryJapan

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      Markimdb: 5.3
      Genreaction, fantasy, adventure
      CountryJapan
      Duration01:03

      Two alchemist brothers go on a quest for the Philosopher's Stone after an attempt to revive their dead mother goes horribly wrong.

      Markimdb: 7.3
      Genrefantastic, action, fantasy, adventure, cartoon, anime
      CountryJapan
      Duration01:45

      People everywhere were enjoying a new game called Ordinal Scale, an ARMMORPG developed exclusively for the Augma, a new wearable console designed for AR (augmented reality) gaming. But, the players had no idea that a nightmare from the virtual world was starting to spread into reality! As his fellow players find themselves in danger, the hero is called upon once again.

      Markimdb: 7.1
      Genreaction, cartoon, military, history, anime
      CountryJapan

      The story follows a group of samurai attempting to defend Japan from the first Mongol invasion in 1274.

      Genrethriller, crime, detective
      CountryJapan

      A kind man aspires to become a manga writer, but villains and evil deeds do not come easily to him, for he has little experience or natural inclination for them. Things take a surprise turn when he comes across a family who were described as idealized that are no more. He uses the real-life situation for his work.

      Markimdb: 7.1
      Genreaction, comedy
      CountryJapan
      Duration02:06

      In Japan, gonzo filmmakers hatch a three-pronged plan to save an actress's career, end a yakuza war and make a hit movie.

      Markimdb: 7.5
      Genrecomedy, adventure
      CountryJapan
      Duration01:56

      After failing his university entrance exam, Yuki Hirano sets his eyes on the role of a forestry trainee. Setting off for training he doubts his decision many times, but eventually after passing the training course, he is sent to Kamusari Village for a year of work experience - where he becomes assimilated with the beauty of nature and the warm-hearted people of the village.

      Markimdb: 7.2
      Genrefantastic, action, thriller, cartoon, detective, anime
      CountryJapan
      Duration01:00

      Freed of her responsibilities with the 501 Organization, Motoko Kusanagi must now learn how to take orders from Aramaki. Someone hacks the Logicomas, and Batou enlists the help of former army intelligence officer Ishikawa and former air artillery expert Borma. Kusanagi also seeks to enlist ace sniper Saito and undercover cop Paz into the new Public Security Section 9.

      Markimdb: 6.8
      Genrecomedy, melodrama, cartoon, anime
      CountryJapan

      Miou Aida and Haruki Serizawa might seem like polar opposites to those around them, but as the two third-years prepare to end their high school experience, they couldn't have been been closer. While Miou is a shy and reserved member of the school art club that prefers to stay out of the limelight, Haruki is the boisterous and confident ace of the movie club, already winning awards for his directing prowess. However, after a previous chance encounter during their school entrance ceremony, they quickly become friends despite their stark differences in personality. But although their closeness might be growing, they've never become anything more than just that, much to the bewilderment of their friends.As their time in high school draws to a close, Miou and Haruki, along with their friends in the art and movie clubs, have just one year left to face their hidden feelings and the daunting task of deciding their future careers. The two might always be only an arm's reach away, but as Haruki chases his dream of becoming a professional movie director and Miou struggles with choosing a path for herself, they'll learn just how hard it is to get past those last 10 centimeters.




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