The Parades is the newest film from Michihito Fujii, one of the most talented directors in Japanese cinema, following his massive hit The Last 10 Years. With a top-tier cast and crew, Fujii masterfully tells a poignant story that explores the emotions of the departed toward the loved ones they left behind.

The story begins with Minako (Masami Nagasawa) waking up on a rubble-strewn beach. As she searches for her son, Ryo, she stumbles upon an assorted group, including a young man named Akira (Kentaro Sakaguchi), former yakuza Shori (Ryusei Yokohama), and ex-film producer Michael (Lily Franky). She soon realizes the shocking truth that she has died. Her new companions are also stuck between worlds, unable to move on due to unfinished business with the living. Despite struggling to fully accept this new reality, Minako joins in a monthly “Parade,” a gathering where the dead search for the people they hope to see again, while getting to know more about her fellow departed companions along the way.

Yojiro Noda（RADWIMPS), renowned for the music behind one of Japan’s most popular anime films, Your Name, composed both the theme song, “Gesture of the Waves,” and the entire soundtrack for The Parades. 

Masami Nagasawa, known for her compelling work in Our Little Sister and MOTHER, delivers an authentic and powerful performance in her lead role as Minako. She skillfully portrays a character who comes to terms with her own death, navigates despair, and shows kindness to her new companions and those still living.

Kentaro Sakaguchi, winner of the Best Artist at the 2023 Asia Artist Awards, plays Akira, the young literary enthusiast. Ryusei Yokohama (The Journalist) plays the role of the ex-yakuza, Shori. Shinobu Terajima and Tetsushi Tanaka, both from The Journalist, play Kaori, a pub owner, and Tanaka, a former banker, respectively. The movie producer Michael is brought to life by Lily Franky, while Nana, a high school girl who has lost all hope for living, is portrayed by Nana Mori (The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House).

Cast: Masami Nagasawa, Kentaro Sakaguchi, Ryusei Yokohama, Nana Mori, Yuina Kuroshima, Ayumu Nakajima, Takuya Wakabashi, Mai Fukagawa, Denden, Hiroshi Tachi, Yukiya Kitamura, Hana Kino, Daiken Okudaira, Tetsushi Tanaka, Shinobu Terajima, Lily Franky

Director and Screenplay: Michihito Fujii

Cinematography: Keisuke Imamura

Executive Producer: Kaata Sakamoto (Netflix)

Project Initiator: Mitsunobu Kawamura 

Producer: Naomi Sato, Takuya Michiue, Ryo Yukizane

Production Company: BABEL LABEL

Produced by: Netflix