Wikipedia

Pure Japanese

Pure Japanese[N 1] is a 2022 Japanese action film directed by Daishi Matsunaga [ja] and starring Dean Fujioka, Aju Makita and Tetsu Watanabe. It is also Fujioka's first created and produced film.

Pure Japanese
In front of a set modeled after the Edo period in Japan, a poster shows a dirty-looking man with a Japanese sword on his back on the right, a blood-spattered high school girl in a school uniform on the left, and six men behind them. The film's title is printed in red alphabet letters in the lower right corner, and the names of the lead actor and the actress playing the heroine are written at the top of the poster. Credits are printed below the title.
Theatrical release poster
Photograph by RK[1]
Directed byDaishi Matsunaga
Screenplay byTatsuo Kobayashi
Produced by
  • Dean Fujioka
  • Hitoshi Endo
  • Shinji Ogawa
  • Shunsuke Koga
  • Masayoshi Jonai
Starring
CinematographyTakahiro Imai
Edited byRyo Hayano
Music byHiroko Sebu
Production
company
Thefool Inc.
Distributed byAmuse Inc.
Release dates
  • January 28, 2022 (2022-01-28) (Japan)
  • July 17, 2022 (2022-07-17) (Amazon Prime Video)
Running time
88 minutes
CountryJapan
LanguageJapanese

The plot revolves around Daisuke Tateishi (played by Fujioka), an eccentric man with limited social skills and a devotion to Japanese culture who handles sound effects for ninja shows despite his exceptional physical abilities. One day, he rescues a high school girl named Ayumi (Makita), but she and her grandfather Ryuzo (Watanabe) are under threat of eviction from their home by the local yakuza. Following Ryuzo's death, Ayumi seeks Tateishi's help, and he releases the violent impulses he had kept sealed away due to past trauma.

Pure Japanese emerged from Fujioka's decision to create and produce original video works after completing his role in the 2018 drama The Count of Monte Cristo: Great Revenge. Having engaged in entertainment activities overseas, he began to contemplate the question of "What defines Japanese people?" as he observed Japan from an objective standpoint. In response to this question, he formulated a hypothesis using the concepts of nihongo-bito (Japanese: 日本語人)[N 2] and "Japanese language operating system (OS)", resulting in a script centered around themes of violence and religion. The shooting took place in September 2020 in the Nikko region of Tochigi Prefecture, as well as at the Nikko Edomura theme park. The film underwent multiple rounds of re-editing and script changes for the purpose of elevating it to a more multi-layered narrative.

Pure Japanese was released in Japan on January 28, 2022, followed by a screening in the Nippon Visions section of the 22nd Nippon Connection Japanese Film Festival in Germany from May 24 to 29, 2022. It became available for streaming worldwide on Amazon Prime Video on July 17, 2022. The film garnered mixed reviews. The Japan Times remarked that it was "likely to be misunderstood".[2]

Plot

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Daisuke Tateishi, a man employed at the Nikko Oedomura theme park,[N 3] has a secret daily routine of physical and spiritual training at a shinto shrine. He is an eccentric individual with limited social skills and a devotion to Japanese culture, causing people to keep their distance. Traumatized by a past accident on a film set where he was involved, Tateishi, despite his exceptional physical abilities, handles sound effects for ninja shows instead of performing action sequences.

A farewell party for Tateishi's colleague is held at a "snack bar". Ayumi, a high school girl who has lied about her age to be hired, works there. Also present in the snack bar are Jinnai, Saeki and other members of the local yakuza known as Nagayama-gumi. The yakuza are colluding with Kurosaki, a prefectural assembly member, in a plot to sell to a Chinese broker the land where Ayumi resides with her grandfather Ryuzo. The yakuza approach Ayumi, requesting her assistance in persuading Ryuzo.

Meanwhile, Saeki attempts to use a widely available tool called the "P(ure) J(apanese) kit" to measure the purity of Japanese people. However, his result turns out to be a mediocre 50%. He proceeds to force the nearby ninja actors to take the test as well, but Tateishi refuses. Later, Tateishi rescues Ayumi from getting entangled with Saeki, and one day she hands him a PJ kit. When he uses it at home, the number comes out as 100%.

Tateishi participates in the ninja show as a replacement for a former colleague. However, he fails miserably when Ayumi comes to watch the show. Due to his trauma, he has imposed limitations on violence, rendering him unable to perform.

As the harassment against Ayumi's home persists, Ryuzo gets injured and hospitalized. Tateishi reveals to Ayumi that Kurosaki is responsible. They storm into Kurosaki's office, but he feigns innocence. Overwhelmed by anger, Tateishi destroys the office, receiving affirmation from Ayumi for his violence for the first time.

However, the police arrive at the Oedomura park to question Tateishi regarding the destruction of Kurosaki's office. Additionally, rumors about his past reach his boss, resulting in his dismissal. Meanwhile, following Ryuzo's death, the yakuza make a forcible attempt to seize the land from Ayumi. Taking advantage of an opportunity, she escapes and seeks Tateishi's help. With heavy machinery being brought onto Ayumi's property and excavation starting forcibly, Tateishi storms in and releases the violent impulses he had suppressed until that moment.

Cast

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Cast list sourced from Cinema Today:[3]

  • Dean Fujioka[4] as Daisuke Tateishi, an action actor
  • Aju Makita[4] as Ayumi, a high school girl
  • Tetsu Watanabe[1] as Ryuzo, Ayumi's grandfather
  • Daichi Kaneko[1] as Ninomiya, a swordplay actor at the Nikko Oedomura theme park
  • Tsukasa Kuroiwa as a swordplay actor at the Nikko Oedomura theme park
  • Shinpei Okita as the head of the swordplay troupe at the Nikko Oedomura theme park
  • Hideto Washizu as a swordplay actor at the Nikko Oedomura theme park
  • Ryutaro Ninomiya as Saeki,[5] a member of the local yakuza Nagayama-gumi
  • Long Mizuma as a Chinese land broker
  • Kumi Kureshiro as a Chinese proprietress of a "snack bar"
  • Haruki Takano as a member of the local yakuza Nagayama-gumi
  • Bob Suzuki as a member of the local yakuza Nagayama-gumi
  • Takayuki Suzuki as a member of the local yakuza Nagayama-gumi
  • Yukio Sakaguchi[1] as Jinnai, an executive of the local yakuza Nagayama-gumi
  • Jun Murakami[1] as Chida, an acquaintance of the head of the swordplay troupe
  • Kyusaku Shimada[1] as Suzuki, executive director of the Nikko Oedomura theme park
  • Tetsuya Bessho[1] as Kurosaki, a prefectural assembly member

Production

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Development

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The inspiration for Pure Japanese came from Dean Fujioka's appearance in the 2018 drama The Count of Monte-Cristo: Great Revenge (Fuji Television). After the production of the drama ended, Fujioka found that he—a live individual—had been left behind in the bizarre energy vortex that had condensed during the filming process. After much thought about what he needed to do to move forward, he decided to create and produce original video works.[4] Although many of his previous projects did not materialize, Pure Japanese was the first project that combined entertainment and economic viability, while also carrying a clear meaning of "why he created this for the world".[6]

Having spent considerable time performing abroad at the beginning of his career, Fujioka only started working in Japan in 2011. As he had been observing Japan from an "objective" standpoint, the question "What defines Japanese people?" arose and led him to hypothesize that users of the "operating system (OS)" called the Japanese language are the nihongo-bito (日本語人), and that the Japanese language OS controls the thoughts and actions of the nihongo-bito.[7][4] Furthermore, he delved into the thought that "if that OS is simply driving the human race to deliver 'Language OS DNAs' to the future, the question is 'where is this demigod-like language OS taking Japanese tribe to?'"[8] Pure Japanese depicted this idea as a case study of Japanese language users with the theme of violence as one cultural feature.[6]

Religion also soon became a prominent theme in Fujioka's approach.[9] He invited director Daishi Matsunaga to read up on the relationship between religion and violence before commencing filming.[10] Matsunaga explained it further in an interview with Rooftop:

For those who believe in their religious teachings, believing and fighting is a just cause. ... You are right that there are no overwhelmingly evil [people], and they are living their lives to the best of their ability within their positions. Even if someone is not serious, it is not a big deal; everyone insists on a fair argument, so that is where collisions and violence arise. That is why Tateishi's violence was also caused by Ayumi['s request], "I want you to kill these people." The point is that it became a fair argument only when there was a just cause that I wanted you to protect me.[N 4][10]

Additionally, the part of the plot in which the main character is being crushed by absurdity and he gives his life away like a sacrificial offering was the one Fujioka had envisioned from the beginning.[6] Concurrently, he also desired more opportunities to showcase the stylistic beauty inherent in Japanese action film, and thus he made it one of his missions to shed light on the existence of action stars and stunt performers in the creation of this film.[11]

Matsunaga spent a lot of time discussing his ideas with Fujioka, and together with Ogawa and screenwriter Tatsuo Kobayashi, they stayed overnight for around five days to write the script. Throughout this process, Matsunaga added his personal touch.[12][10] According to an interview with Joshi Spa!, in creating the script, they placed great importance on a kind of "Japanese context" of how Japan turned into its present social structure. Thus, the notion of fusing several cultures—for example, by quoting Yukio Mishima, Yoshida Shōin, and Ludwig Wittgenstein—became more and more prevalent.[13]

Casting

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In July 2021, Fujioka and Aju Makita were announced as the principal cast members in the film.[4] In an interview with Oricon, Fujioka spoke about his own casting: "It is in the sense that I used 'Dean Fujioka as an actor' in the realization of this film project."[N 5][14] Also, about co-starring with Makita, he hoped for the relationship between Tateishi and Ayumi to be like Léon and Mathilda in the film Léon. In an interview with Fujiteleview!!, he answered that he was glad that she "infused this film with something like the echo of the soul [she had] at that time."[15]

In October 2021, it was revealed that professional wrestler Yukio Sakaguchi, along with Tetsuya Bessho, Tetsu Watanabe, Daichi Kaneko, Jun Murakami, Kyusaku Shimada and others, had joined the cast.[1] Regarding the use of Sakaguchi, Matsunaga thought that since Fujioka had built up his body for this film, it would be fitting for the actor playing the role of Jinnai to possess physical strength. In an interview with Rooftop, he said, "The visual impact a real [fighter] has, that 'this person's strength is true', is very convincing in images, so I felt that Sakaguchi-san could bring that out."[N 6][12] Fujioka also addressed the topic at the film's completion preview in January 2022, saying that Sakaguchi's appearance played a major role in the film's success.[16]

Filming

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A view of the Nikko Edomura theme park, where part of the filming took place.

The shooting of the film took place in September 2020 in the Nikko region of Tochigi Prefecture,[17][5] with some scenes filmed at the Nikko Edomura theme park.[18] According to Fujioka, it was the best place where the lost or no longer existing past life and culture of Japan are artificially purified and displayed; for instance, a museum exhibits stuffed extinct animals. The theme park also hosts actual ninja shows, which is another reason the location was chosen.[6][18]

In the four months leading up to the filming, Fujioka engaged in daily training sessions to increase his muscle mass in preparation for the role and the long action sequences it implied.[19] Even throughout the filming period, he also dedicated himself to strength training during breaks.[18]

About three months before the start of filming, Fujioka started rehearsing the action scenes because they differed significantly from the ninja shows in style. He created their basic flow at the action team's studio first. After going to Nikko, he practiced the choreography of the shows a few times with the actual ninja performers at the Nikko Edomura theme park.[20]

At first, Fujioka and action choreographer Eiji Morisaki developed the climactic action scenes. However, due to minor alterations in the filming location on the day of filming, slight modifications were made to the action sequences.[18] Fujioka had a strong desire for meticulous detail in the action scenes, but time constraints prevented the realization of an ideal schedule.[21]

Post-production

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During the post-production phase, Matsunaga and the engineers took the lead, while Fujioka, as the project's creator, oversaw the entire production.[8] Considering how it would look not only to the nihongo-bito but also to those who are unfamiliar with the language or have no particular interest in Japan, the film underwent multiple rounds of re-editing, script changes and story rearrangements.[11] Fujioka believed that as long as he could carry out his original intention, the expression could be changed if there was a better way to do it. While the script was of sufficient quality for filming the material, they persisted in elevating it to a more multi-layered narrative. This made the shooting script and the completed work totally different. They thought up Fujioka's English monologue after finishing editing.[22] The production of this film took more than three years from conception to completion.[9]

Release

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On March 26, 2021, the Film Classification and Rating Organization gave Pure Japanese a rating of "PG12" (parental guidance requested for young people under 12 years) for its Japanese release.[23] The teaser and main visuals for the film, created by photographer RK, were unveiled on August 19 and October 7, 2021, respectively.[24][1] After being distributed by Amuse Inc. and having its theatrical debut in Japan on January 28, 2022,[3] the film was screened from May 24 to 29, 2022, in Germany as part of the Nippon Visions section of the 22nd Nippon Connection Japanese Film Festival.[25][26] In addition, it became available for worldwide distribution on Amazon Prime Video on July 17, 2022.[27]

Music

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Pure Japanese: Original Soundtrack
Soundtrack album by
Hiroko Sebu
ReleasedMarch 23, 2022[28]
Length31:33
LabelPony Canyon (PCSP – 04089)[29]

The soundtrack, composed by Hiroko Sebu [ja], was released exclusively for digital distribution, containing all 16 tracks.[29][28]

Pure Japanese Original Soundtrack
No.TitleLength
1."Intro" (イントロ)1:09
2."Japanese Sword" (刀)0:44
3."Crested Ibis" (鴇)0:31
4."Queen"0:48
5."Shadow" (影)0:28
6."Japanese Sword, Part 2" (刀、弐)0:33
7."Mishima" (三島)2:03
8."River" (リバー)1:15
9."Laughing Man" (笑う男)3:08
10."Seppuku" (切腹)2:33
11."Hero" (ヒーロー)2:52
12."Sword Battle" (殺陣)2:36
13."Bloodshed" (血の雨)3:27
14."Killing Each Other" (殺し合い)3:33
15."Fireworks" (花火)2:17
16."Pure Japanese: The End Title" (ピュア・ジャパニーズ: The End Title)3:36
Total length:31:33

Home media

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The film was released on Blu-ray and DVD by Amuse Soft on November 16, 2022. Both formats include English subtitles and special features such as trailers and audio commentary. The Blu-ray, a deluxe edition, also offers some additional content, including the making of Pure Japanese, a video capturing the stage greeting to thank for the film's release and a photo book.[30][31]

Reception

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James Hadfield of The Japan Times awarded the film three out of five stars, remarking that "Pure Japanese is likely to be misunderstood – all the more so, given that it's played totally straight", and analyzing it as "closer to the self-reflexive cinema that Takashi Miike and Sion Sono used to do so well, giving audiences a bit of the old ultra-violence while forcing them to question what they're watching". He praised its unexpected philosophical decorations as a film with big ideas, but also felt perplexed because it ended on a frustratingly ambivalent mood.[2] Hideyuki Nakazawa, a reviewer from Cinema Today, also gave the film a three-star rating out of five. He felt that it "reeks of a dangerous cult" and took it as "a controversial work that reflects a Japanese man who seeks identity in the unscientific illusion of 'pure Japanese' and goes mad quietly, and a collapsing Japanese society".[32] Another Cinema Today's film critic, Hibiki Kurei, shared a similar sentiment, awarding three stars out of five. He pointed out that Fujioka's "eccentric sense as a creator", who has previously directed I am Ichihashi: Journal of a Murderer, is "apparent at a glance since the modern ninja he plays is completely crazy with a disturbing aura akin to the mysterious man in [the film] The Man from the Sea".[N 7] Kurei described how, therefore, "the absurdity in which [Tateishi] tries to justify his way of life while looking like a world-saving hero explodes".[32]

Don Anelli of Asian Movie Pulse thought the use of a traditional story setting by screenwriter Tatsuo Kobayashi "work[ed] incredibly well as a standalone effort", and praised the presence of a "series of fun brawls and confrontations that take place here which have a nice energy contained and come across nicely when Daisuke gains a fury and intensity to fight back". While he acknowledged some minor issues, such as the overly familiar development of Kobayashi's storyline and the film's low-budget qualities, he mentioned that it "has quite a lot of positive points to like about it which are only somewhat hindered by a minor set of flaws that may not even apply to most viewers".[33]

Notes

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  1. ^ The original Japanese title is in English.
  2. ^ Nihongo-bito is a word coined by Fujioka.
  3. ^ The film's Nikko Oedomura park (日光"大"江戸村) is fictional, although its name and characteristics are very similar to those of the Nikko Edomura park, where the film was partially shot.
  4. ^ Original: その宗教の教えを信じている人にとっては、信じて戦うという事は大義名分なんです。 ... 圧倒的な悪が居ないというのはその通りで、その人の立場のなかで一生懸命に生きているんです。不真面目な人がいたとしてもそれほどたいしたことではなく、正論をみんな言っていてそこには衝突が起き暴力というものが起こってしまう。だから、立石の暴力もアユミから「この人たちを殺して欲しい。」要は私を守って欲しいという大義名分があったことで初めて正論になるんです。
  5. ^ Original: 本作の企画を成立させるうえで、"役者としてのディーン・フジオカ"を使ってしまったという感覚です。
  6. ^ Original: 本当にこの人は強いんだという本物がもつ視覚からの説得力は映像においてとても大きいので、それが坂口さんなら出ると思ったんです。
  7. ^ The Man from the Sea is a 2018 Japanese-French-Indonesian co-production film starring Fujioka.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "ディーン・フジオカの目に狂気が宿る！ 「Pure Japanese」本予告＆本ビジュアル完成" [Madness in Dean Fujioka's eyes! Pure Japanese main trailer and main teaser visual revealed]. Eiga.com (in Japanese). October 7, 2021. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Hadfield, James (January 27, 2022). "Pure Japanese: Dean Fujioka's passion project is a fascinating muddle". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on February 12, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Pure Japanese (2021)". Cinema Today (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e "ディーン・フジオカ企画・プロデュース・主演「Pure Japanese」完成！ ヒロインは蒔田彩珠＆監督は松永大司" [Dean Fujioka has created, produced and starred in Pure Japanese, which is now completed! The heroine is Aju Makita, and the director is Daishi Matsunaga]. Eiga.com (in Japanese). July 30, 2021. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Cinemas Editorial Department (October 29, 2021). "ディーン・フジオカ×蒔田彩珠『Pure Japanese』異様な雰囲気漂う場面写真一挙解禁！" [Dean Fujioka and Aju Makita in Pure Japanese: Unveiling a collection of eerie scene photos at a stroke!]. Cinemas Plus (in Japanese). Fountain, Geek Pictures. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d Anais (February 8, 2022). "ディーン・フジオカ、初プロデュースで実感した日本映画の現在地 挑戦の数々を振り返る" [Dean Fujioka, in his first production, realized the current state of Japanese cinema. He reflects on the various challenges]. Real Sound (in Japanese). Blueprint. p. 1. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  7. ^ Shukan Taishu Editorial Department (February 10, 2022). "ディーン・フジオカ「僕は自分に満足できない」「キャリアは増えても反比例するように内面はどんどんシンプルになる」" [Dean Fujioka: "I'm never satisfied with myself." "As my career grows, my inner life becomes simpler and simpler in inverse proportion"]. Nikkan Taishu (in Japanese). Futabasha Publishers. p. 1. Archived from the original on February 17, 2023. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  8. ^ a b Kotzathanasis, Panos (August 4, 2022). "Interview with Dean Fujioka: We Should Make More Action Movies in Japan". Asian Movie Pulse. Archived from the original on February 17, 2023. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  9. ^ a b Hiratsuji, Tetsuya (January 13, 2022). "「日本人とは何か」ディーン・フジオカ、異色の忍者アクションで出した答え" ["What is a Japanese person?" Dean Fujioka's response through his unique ninja action]. Encount (in Japanese). Creative2. p. 2. Archived from the original on February 17, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  10. ^ a b c "松永大司(監督)- 『Pure Japanese』あれはどういう事なんだろうという議論に発展してくれるといいなと思います" [Daishi Matsunaga (Director) – Pure Japanese: I hope it will develop into discussions about what that all meant]. Rooftop (in Japanese). January 25, 2022. p. 2. Archived from the original on February 17, 2023. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  11. ^ a b An An Editorial Department (February 8, 2022). "ディーン・フジオカ、蒔田彩珠には「すごくいいタイミングで演じてもらえた」" [Dean Fujioka says, "Aju Makita played the role at a very nice time"]. An An News (in Japanese). Magazine House. Archived from the original on February 17, 2023. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  12. ^ a b "松永大司(監督)- 『Pure Japanese』あれはどういう事なんだろうという議論に発展してくれるといいなと思います" [Daishi Matsunaga (Director) – Pure Japanese: I hope it will develop into discussions about what that all meant]. Rooftop (in Japanese). January 25, 2022. p. 1. Archived from the original on February 17, 2023. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  13. ^ Kagaya, Ken (February 2, 2022). "ディーン・フジオカ、初プロデュース映画の切腹シーンは「ベンチプレス3桁上げてる感覚」" [Dean Fujioka says the seppuku scene in his first produced film "gave him the sensation of lifting triple-digit weights on a bench press"]. Joshi Spa! (in Japanese). Fusosha Publishing. p. 3. Archived from the original on February 17, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  14. ^ Okumura, Momoe (January 20, 2022). "ディーン・フジオカ、海外から日本へ拠点移した理由 震災やコロナ禍で気づいた故郷・福島への想い「世界は自分の中にある」" [Why Dean Fujioka moved his base from overseas to Japan. His feelings for his hometown, Fukushima, which he realized after the Great East Japan Earthquake and during the coronavirus pandemic: "The world is inside of me"]. Oricon News (in Japanese). p. 2. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  15. ^ Fujiteleview!! Editorial Department (January 28, 2022). "「日本人としてのアイデンティティを見直す」映画「Pure Japanese」ディーン・フジオカ×蒔田彩珠インタビュー" ["I reviewed my identity as a Japanese" – Interview with Dean Fujioka and Aju Makita on the film Pure Japanese]. Fujiteleview!! (in Japanese). Fuji Television Network. p. 1. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  16. ^ Web The Television Editorial Department (January 12, 2022). "ディーン・フジオカは「日本のトム・クルーズになったらいいんじゃないか」 初の企画＆プロデュース＆主演作で監督・共演者から絶賛され笑顔" [Dean Fujioka "could become Japan's Tom Cruise". He smiles after receiving rave reviews from the director and co-stars for his starring film, which he created and produced for the first time]. Web The Television (in Japanese). Kadokawa. p. 3. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  17. ^ "Film Information: Pure Japanese". Tokyo Extra Notes (in Japanese). Mediaport. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  18. ^ a b c d "ディーン・フジオカさん＆蒔田彩珠さんが挑むジャパニーズ・レオン！" [Dean Fujioka and Aju Makita take on Japanese Léon!]. Eiga Log Plus (in Japanese). Sobal. January 27, 2022. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  19. ^ Inoue, Ken (July 10, 2021). "神々しい進化を続ける、ディーン・フジオカの筋トレ理論" [The strength training theory of Dean Fujioka, who continues a divine evolution]. Goethe (in Japanese). Gentosha. Archived from the original on August 28, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  20. ^ Bodegon-Hikino, Kara (August 5, 2022). "Dean Fujioka shares stories working on PURE JAPANESE, music recommendations, and more". Bandwagon. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  21. ^ Anais (February 8, 2022). "ディーン・フジオカ、初プロデュースで実感した日本映画の現在地 挑戦の数々を振り返る" [Dean Fujioka, in his first production, realized the current state of Japanese cinema. He reflects on the various challenges]. Real Sound (in Japanese). Blueprint. p. 2. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  22. ^ Tominaga, Yuki (January 21, 2022). "『Pure Japanese』ディーン・フジオカ×松永大司監督インタビュー" [Pure Japanese: Interview with Dean Fujioka and director Daishi Matsunaga]. Movie Collection (in Japanese). Kitsch. Archived from the original on February 17, 2023. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  23. ^ "Pure Japanese". Eirin (in Japanese). March 26, 2021. Archived from the original on March 7, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  24. ^ Eiga Natalie Editorial Department (August 19, 2021). "全員殺しちゃって！ディーン・フジオカが孤独な少女救う、主演作のビジュアル公開" [Kill them all! The unveiling of the teaser visual for Dean Fujioka's starring film where he saves a lonely girl]. Eiga Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  25. ^ "【JVTAが英語字幕を制作した作品も上映！】世界最大級の日本映画祭「Nippon Connection」、見どころを紹介！" [Films with English subtitles produced by JVTA will also be screened! Introducing the highlights of Nippon Connection, the world's largest Japanese film festival!]. Japan Visualmedia Translation Academy (in Japanese). May 20, 2022. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  26. ^ Linnarz, Rouven (April 29, 2022). "The 22nd Edition of Nippon Connection announces its full line-up!". Asian Movie Pulse. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  27. ^ edoh+ (July 19, 2022). "Dean Fujioka stars in Amazon film Pure Japanese". Jrock News. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  28. ^ a b "Pure Japanese: Original Soundtrack". Mora (in Japanese). Sony Music Solutions. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  29. ^ a b "Pure Japanese: Original Soundtrack – Music Detail". Pony Canyon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  30. ^ "ディーン・フジオカ企画＆プロデュース/主演映画『Pure Japanese』Blu-ray＆DVD化決定" [Dean Fujioka's film Pure Japanese, which he both created and produced and in which he starred, is set to be released on Blu-ray and DVD]. The First Times (in Japanese). Sony Music Marketing United, Sony Music Solutions, The First Take. September 12, 2022. Archived from the original on December 12, 2022. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  31. ^ "Pure Japanese Blu-ray and DVD". Amuse Soft (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  32. ^ a b "Pure Japanese (2021) Short Review of the Film". Cinema Today (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 12, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  33. ^ Anelli, Don (June 6, 2022). "Film Review: Pure Japanese (2022) by Daishi Matsunaga". Asian Movie Pulse. Archived from the original on February 12, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
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