7 Japanese movies you probably never heard of but are worth the watch

It's Philippines-Japan Friendship Month, so why not celebrate it by exploring the country through its films?

Japan has more to offer than anime shows and movies, and while it's no Hollywood, you'll be able to learn a lot about Japanese culture and values through its films.

Here are some movies you probably never heard of but are worth your time of day, easily accessible on Netflix and Amazon Prime.

P.S.: Mind the content rating and warnings before pressing play — not all of these are for the faint of heart.

1. The Forest of Love (2019)

What's it about?  A con man and a would-be filmmaking crew force themselves into the lives of two grief-scarred young women. But nothing is as it seems. It's based on the murders committed in Kyushu, Japan from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s by convicted serial killer Futoshi Matsunaga.

Why watch it? It's bloody and violent, but it's difficult to look away. Also, it has a 100 percent score in Rotten Tomatoes.

Where to stream it? Netflix.

2. 37 Seconds (2020)

What's it about? 23-year-old comic book artist Yuma, physically disabled due to profound cerebral palsy and emotionally stunted by her well-meaning but overly protective mother, forges her own unusual path to sexual awakening and independence while at the same time discovering love and forgiveness.

Why watch it? A unique coming of age story that touches on how disabilities are viewed in Japan. It also gives a glimpse on the manga and idol culture of the country.

Where to stream it? Netflix.

3. Little Miss Sumo (2018)

What's it about? Banned from competing professionally, female sumo wrestling champion Hiyori will have to retire at the age of 21. Fighting tradition, Hiyori embarks on a remarkable journey, confronting obstacles both inside and outside the ring in an attempt to help change Japan's national sport forever.

Why watch it? A female sumo wrestler trying to beat the odds and make a spot for herself in a male-dominated field? It's a yes.

Where to stream it? Netflix.

4. River's Edge (2018)

What's it about? High schooler Haruna befriends loner Yamada, then is drawn into the tangled relationship between him, a model and the girl who loves him unreasonably.

Why watch it? Disaffected teenagers who are just on this side of weird. Just what tragic world are they living in?

Where to stream it? Netflix.

5. Miracle in Kasama (2018)

What's it about? Struggling actress Yuka visits the town of Kasama every year to help her friend Hatsue, an elderly lady who has lost all her family, to harvest chestnuts. A mysterious young man appears bloody and wounded on the chestnut field, and the three start to form a special bond.

Why watch it? It has a slow start, but the rural setting has its charms. The plot and the emotions creep up on you and sets you up for a tear-jerking ending.

Where to stream it? Amazon Prime.

6. Dreaming Murakami (2018)

What's it about? When Mette Holm begins to translate Haruki Murakami's debut novel Hear the Wind Sing, a two-meter-tall frog shows up at an underground station in Tokyo. The Frog follows her, determined to engage the translator in its fight against the gigantic Worm, which is slowly waking from a deep sleep, ready to destroy the world with hatred.

Why watch it? It paints a surreal and fantastical portrait about Danish translator Mette Holm, who translates the work of famous Japanese author Haruki Murakami. Plus, the cinematography is gorgeous.

Where to stream it? Amazon Prime.

7. Call for Dreams (2019)

What's it about? In rainy Tokyo, Eko complicates her life by publishing a "Call for Dreams" ad in a newspaper. With her scooter she visits strangers in an alienating city, who leave descriptions of their strange dreams and fantasies on her analog answering machine and for a fee acts them out. As the dreams slowly seep into reality and a parallel police investigation of a murder in Tel Aviv unfolds, what is real and what is not is getting harder to distinguish.

Why watch it? An absolute treat for the senses, even if you're not sure what's going on sometimes. It's something that makes you think.

Where to stream it? Amazon Prime.

—JCB, GMA News