Directing

Wataru Hiranami

Born December 13, 1978 · Nagano Prefecture, Japan (age 47)

Wataru HIRANAMI, born in Nagano Prefecture in 1978, learned his craft from Kazuyoshi KUMAKIRI starting in 2003. After graduation, he became heavily involved in Japan's independent filmmaking scene.

Known For

Poca PonPoca Pon · 2026
Poca Pon
2026
MovieDramaMystery
Inspired by a bizarre murder case, this is the story of a family and the voice "POCA PON" — a voice that sometimes heals people, and sometimes destroys them.
The CurseThe Curse · 2026
The Curse
4.02026
MovieThrillerMystery
After seeing her friend’s disturbing social media posts, Riko tries to intervene to help her but fails to prevent her from dying a mysterious, violent death. Convinced there is more to the story than a suicide, Riko dives into a world of memes, influencers, and posting for attention. As the pile of bodies grows, and Riko faces her own possible curse, she and her friends travel to Taiwan to find the source of this demonic social media killer.
Teasing Master Takagi-sanTeasing Master Takagi-san · 2024
Teasing 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.
Sato and SatoSato and Sato · 2025
Sato and Sato
6.82025
MovieDramaRomance
It’s easy to promise ‘for better or worse’ in a wedding vow, but how many marriages can truly weather every storm? Sachi decides to study for the bar exam with her boyfriend Tamotsu as an act of solidarity. However, Sachi ends up becoming a lawyer, while Tamotsu, who fails the exam repeatedly, is relegated to stay-at-home dad.
A Girl on the ShoreA Girl on the Shore · 2021
A Girl on the Shore
7.02021
MovieDramaRomance
Keisuke Isobe and Koume Satou live a rather dull life. But when Koume's crush breaks her heart, their situation becomes quite unordinary. She starts a "no-strings-attached" relationship with Keisuke, whom she had previously rejected, both finding solace in the other in order to fill the emotional voids in their lives.
Love NonethelessLove Nonetheless · 2022
Love Nonetheless
5.42022
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.
I Fell in Love with a Z-Grade Director in BrooklynI Fell in Love with a Z-Grade Director in Brooklyn · 2025
I Fell in Love with a Z-Grade Director in Brooklyn
2025
MovieComedyRomance
A jaded Japanese movie star stranded in NYC without money or phone meets a passionate indie filmmaker and his crew, leading to an unexpected creative journey that could reignite her love for cinema.
Desert of NamibiaDesert of Namibia · 2024
Desert of Namibia
7.12024
MovieDrama
A young, temperamental Tokyo beautician struggles to navigate her relationships with lovers, friends, and family.

Filmography

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I’m Glad to Be AliveI’m Glad to Be Alive · 2022
I’m Glad to Be Alive
7.02022
MovieActionDrama
Professional boxer Sota Kusunoki has gained popularity for his fighting style, where he goes headlong into his opponents. However, years of fighting have taken their toll on his body, and he is forced to retire by a doctor's stoppage. He takes the opportunity of his retirement to marry his girlfriend, Sachiko, and start a new life, but he is completely useless in society and is made acutely aware of the harsh reality of his situation. One day, a mysterious man who claims to be a fan of Sota's receives an offer to fight in an underground martial arts tournament, where he will fight for a large sum of money and where his desires are thriving... The prospect of fighting once again revives his almost forgotten excitement, and his adrenaline surges as if to fill the emptiness in him. Will the madness and honesty of a man obsessed with fighting have a happy ending or a bad one?

Assistant Director