Directing
Rikiya Imaizumi
Born February 1, 1981 · Koriyama, Fukushima, Japan (age 45)
Rikiya Imaizumi (今泉 力哉, Imaizumi Rikiya, born February 1, 1981 in Kōriyama, Fukushima) is a Japanese film director.
Known For
Call Me Chihiro · 2023Call Me Chihiro
★ 7.22023
MovieDrama
An unapologetic former sex worker starts working at a bento stand in a small seaside town, bringing comfort to the lonely souls who come her way.
Love Nonetheless · 2022Love Nonetheless
★ 5.32022
MovieDramaRomance
Koji runs a second-hand bookstore. He likes female drummer Ichihana, but, suddenly, female high school student Misaki appears in front of him and keeps confesses her feelings for him.
Sad Tea · 2013Sad Tea
★ 6.82013
MovieRomanceComedy
The romantic ensemble piece revolves around a filmmaker who wants to stop cheating on his girlfriends, a fan who continues to pine for an idol, and a former idol who goes to meet him, while also contemplating the true meaning of 'proper love.'
Teasing Master Takagi-san · 2024Teasing Master Takagi-san
★ 7.22024
MovieComedyRomance
Takagi, now grown up, revisits her middle school as a trainer. She encounters Nishikata, her former classmate she used to tease, now a PE teacher there. Their playful dynamic resumes, leading to more interactions between the two.
Undercurrent · 2023Undercurrent
★ 8.12023
MovieDrama
Kanae's husband disappeared without a trace while on a union trip. Though usually headstrong and independent, the woman becomes plagued with worry over what happened to him, and is unable to move on with her life. Thus, Kanae decides to hire a private investigator, and keeps running the public bathhouse to the best of her abilities. As he tries to figure out the truth about her husband, Kanae must deal with the stress from a work-intensive job, meddlesome neighbors, and recurring nightmares in which she is drowning.
His · 2020His
★ 7.12020
MovieDramaRomance
Shun and Nagisa first meet and fall in love during their first year of high school. While Shun is graduating from university, Nagisa tells him that he doesn't see a future for them. Despite Shun's strong feelings, they go their separate ways. Years later, Shun is now a store owner, living alone in a rural area. Out of the blue, Nagisa arrives with his six-year-old daughter, Sora. Spending time together, Shun realizes he still harbors feelings for Nagisa. Can Nagisa reconcile with his feelings for Shun, which have been there all along?
Little Nights, Little Love · 2019Little Nights, Little Love
★ 6.72019
MovieRomanceDrama
Sato is an employee conducting a survey in front of Sendai Station. Saki takes the survey and the two ultimately become a couple. 10 years later, Sato proposes to Saki on the occasion of their 10th anniversary.
By the Window · 2022By the Window
★ 7.82022
MovieDrama
Inagaki Goro plays a freelance writer married to his editor wife (Nakamura Yuri), who he discovers is having an affair with the popular novelist she is responsible for at work. Although troubled, he can’t bring himself to confront his wife. He later meets a high school novelist at a literary award ceremony, and–drawn to the award-winning book–he inquires about the model it’s based on, thinking he’d like to meet that person…
Movies
Call Me Chihiro · 2023Call Me Chihiro
★ 7.22023
MovieDrama
An unapologetic former sex worker starts working at a bento stand in a small seaside town, bringing comfort to the lonely souls who come her way.
Love Nonetheless · 2022Love Nonetheless
★ 5.32022
MovieDramaRomance
Koji runs a second-hand bookstore. He likes female drummer Ichihana, but, suddenly, female high school student Misaki appears in front of him and keeps confesses her feelings for him.
Sad Tea · 2013Sad Tea
★ 6.82013
MovieRomanceComedy
The romantic ensemble piece revolves around a filmmaker who wants to stop cheating on his girlfriends, a fan who continues to pine for an idol, and a former idol who goes to meet him, while also contemplating the true meaning of 'proper love.'
Teasing Master Takagi-san · 2024Teasing Master Takagi-san
★ 7.22024
MovieComedyRomance
Takagi, now grown up, revisits her middle school as a trainer. She encounters Nishikata, her former classmate she used to tease, now a PE teacher there. Their playful dynamic resumes, leading to more interactions between the two.
Undercurrent · 2023Undercurrent
★ 8.12023
MovieDrama
Kanae's husband disappeared without a trace while on a union trip. Though usually headstrong and independent, the woman becomes plagued with worry over what happened to him, and is unable to move on with her life. Thus, Kanae decides to hire a private investigator, and keeps running the public bathhouse to the best of her abilities. As he tries to figure out the truth about her husband, Kanae must deal with the stress from a work-intensive job, meddlesome neighbors, and recurring nightmares in which she is drowning.
His · 2020His
★ 7.12020
MovieDramaRomance
Shun and Nagisa first meet and fall in love during their first year of high school. While Shun is graduating from university, Nagisa tells him that he doesn't see a future for them. Despite Shun's strong feelings, they go their separate ways. Years later, Shun is now a store owner, living alone in a rural area. Out of the blue, Nagisa arrives with his six-year-old daughter, Sora. Spending time together, Shun realizes he still harbors feelings for Nagisa. Can Nagisa reconcile with his feelings for Shun, which have been there all along?
Little Nights, Little Love · 2019Little Nights, Little Love
★ 6.72019
MovieRomanceDrama
Sato is an employee conducting a survey in front of Sendai Station. Saki takes the survey and the two ultimately become a couple. 10 years later, Sato proposes to Saki on the occasion of their 10th anniversary.
By the Window · 2022By the Window
★ 7.82022
MovieDrama
Inagaki Goro plays a freelance writer married to his editor wife (Nakamura Yuri), who he discovers is having an affair with the popular novelist she is responsible for at work. Although troubled, he can’t bring himself to confront his wife. He later meets a high school novelist at a literary award ceremony, and–drawn to the award-winning book–he inquires about the model it’s based on, thinking he’d like to meet that person…
Over the Town · 2019Over the Town
★ 7.32019
MovieComedyRomance
Arakawa Ao lives happily on his own and hardly ever leaves Shimokitazawa, where he works at a vintage clothing shop, goes to occasional concerts and hangs out at his favorite bar. Then, he gets an unusual request to appear in an independent film.
Sister Game · 2014Sister Game
★ 5.32014
MovieComedy
Sister Game is a brother-sister romantic comedy that follows the daily life of Gorō Hōzuki, a high school boy with an older sister named Haru who is unrelated by blood. Gorō is mortified when the self-centered and lustful Haru plays pranks on him.
Our Blue Moment · 2018Our Blue Moment
★ 7.42018
MovieRomanceDrama
Bakery employee Ichii Fumi holds a peculiar outlook on marriage: "I doubt anyone would love me forever, and I'm doubtful I can love someone forever." One day, Fumi meets the focus of her very first crush, Yuasa Tamotsu. Over time, the distance between Fumi, who broke up with her boyfriend for being unable to reach a decision about marriage, and Tamotsu, who still pines for the wife he divorced, begins to grow closer.
What Is Love? · 2019What Is Love?
★ 6.92019
MovieRomanceDrama
Teruko is a 28-year-old office worker. 5 months ago, she fell in love with Mamoru at first sight. Since that time, she has not cared about her work or her friends. She then loses her job and her friends look at her coldly. Yet, Teruko is happy as long as she is with Mamoru. Meanwhile, Mamoru thinks Teruko is an easy woman for him to not love. Teruko's unrequited love grows deeper.
Skeleton Flowers · 2021Skeleton Flowers
★ 6.22021
MovieDramaRomance
High school student, Yo, lived with her father, Nao, after her mother, Sachiyo, left the family when she was very young. However, their life together came to an end and they started a new life as a family of four with her father's second marriage partner, Miko, and her stepdaughter, four-year-old Hinata. She confides in Riku, who belongs to the same art club as Yo, about her confusion about this new life. Yo, who has been developing curiosity for her biological mother, Sachiyo, promises to go with Riku to Sachiyo's art exhibition.
Mellow · 2020Mellow
★ 5.72020
MovieRomance
Seiichi is the owner of a flower shop. He enjoys his peaceful single life. Kiho runs the ramen restaurant left to her by her father, but she's thinking of closing it.
Straying · 2022Straying
★ 6.32022
MovieRomanceDrama
A couple who are about to divorce argue over who should take custody over their pet cat. The cat flees and disappears due to the human commotions, causing connections and revelations to be revealed.
Virgin · 2012Virgin
2012
Movie
Omnibus by three young directors in the spotlight of Japan’s independent film industry, dealing with the theme of “lost virginity.” Yoshida Koki, whose film {Household X} was an official selection for the Berlin International Film Festival’s Forum, depicts a woman in her thirties losing her virginity. Kazuyo (Masaki Sawa) is a 35-year-old pharmacist living quietly on her own. One day, her interest is piqued by the pseudo-sexual harassment approach of Ryo (Yanagi Shuntaro), a high school youth, and her body gets a taste of sexual desire.
Their Distance · 2016Their Distance
★ 6.82016
MovieRomance
Reon is a young Korean man. He avoids contact with other people and works as an apprentice shoemaker. One after, he sees a woman Sona passed out and sleeping on a bench in the park. Reon doesn't know why, but he can't get her out of his mind. Meanwhile, Kokaze works in the same shoe shop with Reon and has feelings for him.
In Those Days · 2021In Those Days
★ 5.32021
MovieDrama
Having failed to get into graduate school, with no girlfriend, no money, and no prospects of success with his band, Tsurugi's life has reached rock bottom. One day, after watching the video of Aya Matsuura's song “Momoiro Kataomoi”, he becomes obsessed with the idol singers of “Hello! Project”, and plunges into the idol geek lifestyle. However, as time passes, he and his buddies all find other things just as important as the idols and begin to move on.
I Still Want to See Dreams · 2024I Still Want to See Dreams
2024
MovieTV MovieDrama
This Hulu original tells the story of Maeda Yumeko, a university student who chases her dreams as she aspires to become a manga artist. One day, she wins an award from a major publisher’s manga magazine. As a result, she teams up with hitmaker editor Mutsuki(?) to aim for her debut one-shot publication. However, Yumeko soon encounters the hardships of creation, fails to demonstrate her true potential and is rejected. Unable to regain her self confidence, she decides to take on the next major competition, the “Manga Future Grand Prize.” She tackles the romance genre for the first time, but struggles daily to draw what she truly wants. However, one night the manga she is working on materializes in her dream, and within it, she meets a man named Kanato who doesn’t act the way she wants him to.
Same Old, Same Old · 2016Same Old, Same Old
★ 8.02016
MovieComedyMystery
Focusing on the lives (and a few deaths) of three filmmakers, Rikiya Imaizumi (Their Distance, Sad Tea) tackles weighty themes in this new ensemble drama set in Tokyo and Fukushima. Director Kajiwara, struggling to earn a living from film, gets an offer to do a music video. But it doesn’t go well and he finds himself in an unexpected situation. Actress Aoba witnesses her filmmaker boyfriend's suicide and decides to hide his body. Gardener Taro plans to close the family business he inherits from his father, but receives a phone call one night from the self-declared girlfriend of his estranged twin, Jiro.
nico · 2012nico
★ 8.02012
Movie
Independent film by director Rikiya Imaizumi, featured on MOOSIC LAB 2012.
Owatteru · 2011Owatteru
★ 8.02011
MovieDramaRomance
最低 · 2009最低
2009
Movie
Special Person · 2025Special Person
2025
Movie
"Shall we do it today...?" "Either way." "Well, I guess we won't do it today then." While drying her hair with a hairdryer, Tomoko Kawabata (Mizuki Yamashita) playfully blows air on Kazuki Fujiwara (Sojiro Yoshimura) as he brushes his teeth. The two frolic around like a close couple, but they are not lovers; their relationship is more ambiguous, like that of friends who also have sex. [Episode 7 of the miniseries "The Borderline Between Friends with Benefits and Lovers"]
TV Shows
Time Limit Investigator · 2006Time Limit Investigator
★ 6.72006
SeriesComedyCrime
Shūichirō Kiriyama works at the Limitation Task Force, the place where the cases which have reached the statute of limitations are destroyed.
Getting bored of his job, he decides to find a hobby, because it seems important to him to have a hobby.
So he decides to puzzle out the unsolved cases on his free time, helped by his coworker Mikazuki, who seems to have a crush on him.
1122: For a Happy Marriage · 20241122: For a Happy Marriage
★ 5.82024
SeriesDrama
Ichiko and Otoya are happily married, despite not having sex for the last two years. The secret to their happiness is Otoya's affair with Mitsuki, which Ichiko approves. Everything is going well until Otoya rejects Ichiko's advances on the night of their seventh anniversary. In shock, Ichiko seeks advice from her friend who suggests she exercise her right to have a boyfriend of her own.
Teasing Master Takagi-san · 2024Teasing Master Takagi-san
★ 7.52024
SeriesComedy
Takagi loves playing good-natured pranks on her classmate Nishikata. But try as he might, he can never prank her back — she's just too clever!
Chloe et Emma · 2026Chloe et Emma
★ 8.02026
SeriesDramaMystery
Having lost love, her job, and her home, Emma had hit rock bottom when she stumbled upon the estate of Chloe, a mysterious heiress. Unexpected happenings lead the two of them to become housemates, and together, they open a fortune-telling shop where troubled souls come searching for answers. The pair soon realize that each client's problem comes with hidden secrets and mysteries.
Sailor Zombie · 2014Sailor Zombie
★ 8.02014
SeriesDrama
Sailor Zombie was a TV-Tokyo Drama which featured members of AKB48 in its main casts, some of their guests are also from AKB48. It's title theme song Sailor Zombie was sung by the sub-unit Milk Planet who are also in the Drama as narrators.
A Day-Off of Kasumi Arimura · 2020A Day-Off of Kasumi Arimura
★ 7.82020
SeriesDrama
Kasumi Arimura suddenly gets a break from filming and returns to her hometown for the first time in a long while. Her mother, Yumiko, comes to the train station to pick her up and they head for the family home.
Sounds of Winter · 2026Sounds of Winter
★ 8.02026
SeriesDrama
After past breakups and unfulfilled romances leave novelist Ayana reluctant to truly fall in love, she tries to face her current relationship sincerely.
Oh My Jump!: Shonen Jump Saves the World · 2018Oh My Jump!: Shonen Jump Saves the World
2018
SeriesDramaComedy
A timid salesman is introduced to a secret club where cosplaying Weekly Shonen Jump superfans awaken their inner-heroes to overcome life’s challenges.
Hana Sugisaki's Filming Break · 2023Hana Sugisaki's Filming Break
★ 7.52023
SeriesDrama
Depicts how Hana Sugisaki spends her days off during breaks in shooting dramas and movies.
EA's Rock · 2012EA's Rock
2012
SeriesComedySci-Fi & Fantasy
The super sentai group Kankaku Senshi Gokan Five have protected the earth but with the start of a more peaceful period, the members have drifted apart. Gokan Red and Gokan Blue run a bar with an airsoft shooting range, which takes up most of their time. But Red still feels its their responsibility to be prepared and he tries to find a replacement for Gokan Peach, who died in battle 10 years ago. He has high hopes for Momoka, a 17-year old school girl, who just wanted a part-time job a the bar and isn't yet sure about joining the Gokan Five.
The Borderline Between Friends with Benefits and Lovers · 2025The Borderline Between Friends with Benefits and Lovers
2025
SeriesDrama
The subject of "Are we friends with benefits (FWB) or are we in a real relationship?" is tackled in this series of seven episodes.
His - I Didn't Think I Would Fall in Love · 2019His - I Didn't Think I Would Fall in Love
★ 5.52019
SeriesDrama
Nagisa is 17 years old and attends second grade in high school. He is apart from his parents and lives alone in the seaside town of Fujisawa in Kanagawa. He is passionate about surfing and works at a bathhouse in a hostel on the island Enoshima linked to Fujisawa. Shun is the same age as Nagisa and visits Fujisawa for spring break. They meet and develop a relationship more than friendship. However, the surfing equipment store owner's daughter, Chika, has been secretly in love with Nagisa.
Gozen 3-ji no muhou chitai · 2013Gozen 3-ji no muhou chitai
2013
SeriesDrama