‘Bullet Train Explosion’ Reboots Classic Thriller as Netflix Japan Celebrates 10th Anniversary With Ambitious Action Film

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Netflix Japan is taking a daring step forward with their forthcoming production, “Explosive Bullet Train,” which is essentially a modern take on the 1975 original film titled “Bullet Train.

The movie set to debut on April 23 represents a notable achievement, as Netflix commemorates its decade-long presence in Japan’s market.

Based on Shinichi Takahashi’s statements, as the director of live-action content for Netflix Japan, the team was granted exceptional permission to film inside Japan’s famous bullet trains. He shared that they rented an entire bullet train and captured it moving seven times, going back and forth between Tokyo and Aomori. This revelation was made during the Netflix APAC showcase in Tokyo, which featured a fan event and the world premiere of the movie. Shinji Higuchi and star Tsuyoshi Kusanagi joined a lively Q&A session following the screening.

In stark contrast to the lack of assistance from the national railways during the making of the initial movie due to safety concerns, JR East Railways has shown an unprecedented degree of collaboration in this case. According to Takahashi, extensive discussions prior to production were crucial in securing this unique partnership.

In the making of this movie, we built two genuine-looking bullet trains from scratch at full size and crafted a smaller 1/6 scale model for scenes with explosions. The main aim was to give viewers an immersive experience of the train’s authenticity and realism, as stated by Takahashi.

Under the guidance of Shinji Higuchi, a renowned director in tokusatsu (Japanese practical special effects), who is famous for “Shin Godzilla”, the movie features Tsuyoshi Kusanagi in an exhilarating scenario: a hijacked high-speed train equipped with explosives that will explode if the velocity falls below 100 kph. Higuchi expressed his gratitude towards Netflix’s backing, mentioning, “In the past, I would have anticipated rejection during the planning phase… With Netflix this time, we were able to accomplish everything we have long desired for many years.

The movie is a component of Netflix Japan’s broader approach to fund unique local content with global appeal. Takahashi emphasized that Netflix isn’t just after popular intellectual properties based on sales data, but rather stories that are “one-of-a-kind” and “unusual,” which might be deemed “too specialized, odd, or regionally specific” by other production houses.

Netflix Japan’s movie lineup features “Demon City,” a manga adaptation that climbed into the global top 10 for four straight weeks, as well as the forthcoming film “10Dance” by Keishi Otomo, starring Ryoma Takeuchi and Keita Machida.

As a cinephile with roots in the Japanese film scene, it’s heartening to see productions like these validating a long-cherished conviction: that Japanese stories and creators possess the skill and potential to resonate globally. The international acclaim garnered by Ryohei Suzuki, star of “City Hunter,” is a testament to this global potential finally being realized.

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2025-04-22 01:46