I’ve watched a lot of lesbian films over the years, so I wanted to share some of my favorite sapphic Japanese movies and give my honest thoughts.
Japan doesn’t have nearly as many lesbian films as Western countries: there are tons of gay films, but when it comes to lesbian stories, the options are pretty limited. From that small pool, here are some picks I think are worth checking out.
ライド・オア・ダイ
漫画原作 郡上 by Ching Nakamura, this is a road movie about two women with nowhere to go.
Rei Nagasawa comes from a wealthy family and seems to have a perfect life. But she is hiding the fact that she is a lesbian, and it makes her feel trapped. One day, she reconnects with Nanae, the girl she had feelings for in high school. When they meet again after 10 years, Nanae is covered in bruises from domestic abuse.
To save her love, Rei kills Nanae’s husband. From there, the two go on the run together. Nanae feels fear and confusion toward Rei, while Rei is completely devoted to her. It is a love story that might seem extreme from the outside, but it also shows how deep love can go.
My rating: 8/10
Both actresses had great chemistry and felt very natural together. There was a strong lesbian vibe that made it really engaging to watch. The idea of loving someone so much that you would kill for them is shocking, but also kind of powerful. Their relationship felt dependent and a bit toxic, which made it even more emotional. The final scene felt so real that it almost did not feel like acting.
Netflixで視聴可能 これ.
Albino
The main character is born with albinism and grows up feeling isolated because of their appearance. Constant stares and subtle discrimination make them question what normal even means and where they belong.
They also begin to realize that they are queer, but they cannot tell anyone. Hiding both their identity and their feelings creates a deep sense of loneliness.
One day, they meet someone else who also struggles to find their place in society. Slowly, they begin to open up and start to feel like maybe it is okay to just be themselves.
My rating: 3/10
The concept is strong, but it does not fully land.
You might expect a story centered on LGBTQ+ themes, but that is not really the focus. Instead, it leans heavily into domestic violence and trauma. The story keeps adding more and more suffering, which makes it exhausting to watch.
Because of that, it feels like the film depends too much on heavy themes without fully developing the story or characters. I had a hard time connecting with the main character.
The cinematography and atmosphere are decent, but overall, it feels more like a mood piece than a complete film. It had potential but did not fully deliver.
で見ることができる。 ABEMA in Japan.
アイスクリーム・フィーバー
Natsumi is a recent art school graduate who could not adjust to working at a design company. She now works part-time at an ice cream shop and feels lost about her future.
She soon becomes interested in a regular customer named Saho, a writer, and cannot stop thinking about her. At the same time, her coworker Takako watches her as her own feelings slowly become more complicated.
Another storyline follows Yuu, whose niece suddenly shows up looking for her father. They begin living together, which slowly changes Yuu’s emotional state.
The film shows multiple characters dealing with loneliness as they try to connect with others.
My rating: 6/10
This is a very quiet and slow film. It focuses more on mood and atmosphere than on plot.
If you are looking for a clear story, it may feel lacking. But the way it expresses emotions through silence, eye contact, and small moments is very well done.
There is a lot left open for interpretation, so it will not work for everyone. It captures the uncertainty of relationships in a realistic way, but it can feel so slow that it becomes difficult to stay engaged.
Netflixで視聴可能 これ.
Farewell Song
Directed by Akihiko Shiota, this is a music road movie about youth, love, and finding your place.
An indie duo called HaruLeo decides to break up, but resolves to go on one last tour across Japan with their roadie, Shima. During the trip, their relationships become more entangled and complex.
Leo has feelings for Shima. Shima is drawn to Haru. Haru has feelings for Leo that go beyond friendship.
None of them can fully express what they feel, and the emotional tension builds as the tour continues.
My rating: 7/10
The yuri element is very subtle and not clearly defined.
Haru’s feelings toward Leo go beyond friendship, but they are never directly stated as romantic. That unspoken tension feels very real.
If you are expecting a clear lesbian romance, this may feel unsatisfying. But if you like quiet and emotional storytelling, it leaves a strong impression.
You can watch it on Amazon Prime これ.
スクールガール・コンプレックス
Based on the photo book スクールガール・コンプレックス, this film captures the fragile emotions of teenage girls.
The story takes place during preparations for a school festival. Manami, the serious head of the broadcasting club, struggles to choose a script. Then Chiyuki, a quiet and mysterious transfer student, joins the club.
Manami becomes drawn to her, and Chiyuki’s presence slowly changes the group dynamic. Feelings of friendship, attraction, and insecurity begin to blur.
My rating: 5/10
Visually, this film is very beautiful. The cinematography and use of light capture the delicate feeling of adolescence.
However, the story feels underdeveloped. It focuses heavily on mood and leaves a lot open to interpretation. Some viewers may feel like nothing really happens. The relationship between Manami and Chiyuki is interesting, but it does not go deep enough.
In the end, it feels more like a visually appealing piece than a fully satisfying story. It is great if you enjoy atmosphere-driven films, but it may feel lacking if you want a stronger narrative.
You can watch it on Amazon Prime これ.
