By Jessica Sattell

When you think of Japanese cinema, what kind of films spring to mind? Dramatic samurai stories and cutting-edge animation are embedded in the American popular consciousness, but recent releases show that movie-making in Japan can still be a bold, genre-busting experience. If a sci-fi action thriller or a dark romantic comedy sounds like something to get your inner movie buff glued to the screen, these films are for you.
It used to be a real challenge to find great Japanese flicks. These days, however, you don’t have to trek to a niche import video store to find great new films from Japan. Thanks to film distributors such as Viz Pictures, FUNimation and Shochiku Films, a wide variety of entertaining and award-winning movies from Japan are now widely available and winning vast numbers of English-speaking fans. The Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF), which runs from late May through mid June, is featuring several films from Japan in its 2010 lineup.
We picked the best of the best in the recent Japanese films that have been released in the US. There’s something for everyone in these eight films, from heartwarming hula dancers to stone cold scientific thrills and everything in between.

Maiko Haaaan!!!	20th Century Boys I & II	Shinobi: Heart under Blade
Ichi	Hula Girls	Happily Ever After