1989 Japanese Top_10_Movies

(01) Kuroi ame (Black Rain)
        Director: Shôhei Imamura
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B000XE565C, USA_code: B002FG9NAU,
                                  FR_code: B0017L3I3W　

(02) Dotsuitarunen (Knockout)
        Director: Junji Sakamoto
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B000065BH4 (out of stock, second hand item very expensive)

(03) Sen no Rikyu: Honkakubô ibun (Sen no Rikyu: Honkakubo's Student Writings)
        Director: Kei Kumai
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00F4PH0CW

(04) Untamagiru
        Director: Go Takamine
        DVD Availability : None

(05) Majo no takkyûbin (Kiki's Delivery Service)
        Director: Hayao Miyazaki
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00K72WGD0, USA_code: B002ZTQVLG,
                                  UK_code: B000CBEWZG, and more

(06) Pekin no suika (Beijing Watermelon)
        Director: Nobuhiko Ôbayashi
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00005NS3V

(07) Rikyu
        Director: Hiroshi Teshigahara
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00716V90Q

(08) Sono otoko, kyôbô ni tsuki (Warning, This Man Is Wild/Violent Cop)
        Director: Takeshi Kitano
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B000UMP1FC, USA_code: B01K15AVNY,
                                 UK_code: B00005RZT1, and more　

(09) Shaso (Company-Sponsored Funeral)
        Director: Toshio Masuda
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B01CCPZW8A

(10) A-un
        Director: Yasuo Furuhata
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00DNOUFDM
 
(*) Japanese DVDs are not subtitled (unless noted otherwise), French DVDs are French-subtitled.
(*) The region code of Japanese, UK's or French DVD is "2".
(*) The format of UK's or French DVD is "PAL".　
　

1988 Japanese Top_10_Movies

(01) Tonari no Totoro (My Neighbor Totoro)
        Director: Hayao Miyazaki
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00K72Q1VI, USA_code: B002ZTQV8Y,
                                 UK_code: B000CBEWYM, and more

(02) Tomorrow - ashita (Tomorrow)
        Director: Kazuo Kuroki
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B0002CHRRA　

(03) Ijin-tachi to no natsu (The Discarnates)
        Director: Nobuhiko Ôbayashi
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B005ZNISHE

(04) Rock yo shizukani nagareyo (Flow Quietly, Rock Songs)
        Director: Shun'ichi Nagasaki
        DVD Availability : None　

(05) Kyôshû (Remembrance)
        Director: Takehiro Nakajima
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B000KQGN14 (out of stock)　

(06) Hotaru no haka (Grave of the Fireflies)
        Director: Isao Takahata
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00S60SVF2, USA_code: B006LLY8LY,
                                 UK_code: B008LU8O8Q, and more

(07) Sakura-tai chiru (The End of Sakura Party)
        Director: Kaneto Shindô
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00005NS2H (out of stock, second hand item very expensive)

(08) Kimura-ke no hitobito (The Yen Family)
        Director: Yôjirô Takita
        DVD Availability : None

(09) Revolver
        Director: Toshiya Fujita
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B0026OBVEM

(10) Kaitô Ruby (Ruby, a Thief)
        Director: Makoto Wada
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B000084TJ8 (out of stock, second hand item very expensive)

　
(*) Japanese DVDs are not subtitled (unless noted otherwise), French DVDs are French-subtitled.
(*) The region code of Japanese, UK's or French DVD is "2".
(*) The format of UK's or French DVD is "PAL".　
　

1987 Japanese Top_10_Movies

(01) Marusa no onna (A Taxing Woman)
        Director: Jûzô Itami
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B000A1EERY (out of stock)

(02) Yuki yukite, shingun (The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On)
        Director: Kazuo Hara
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B000RYWLJ2

(03) 1000-nen kizami no hidokei_makino-mura monogatari (Magino Village: A Tale)
        Director: Shinsuke Ogawa
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B01IT0C62W

(04) Eien-no 1/2 (Forever a Half)
        Director: Kichitarô Negishi
        DVD Availability : None

(05) Eiga joyû (Film Actress)
        Director: Kon Ichikawa
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00ZR9QAEY

(06) Otoko wa tsurai yo: Shiretoko bojô (Tora-san 38)
        Director: Yôji Yamada
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00JXVIOSW (English-subtitled)

(07) Zegen
        Director: Shôhei Imamura
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B01GE42P3K

(08) BU.SU    
        Director: Jun Ichikawa
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B005JR8BRI

(09) Hikaru onna (Luminous Woman)
        Director: Shinji Sômai
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B000063L21 (out of stock, second hand item very expensive)　
(10) Chôchin (Paper Lantern)
        Director: Shun'ichi Kajima
        DVD Availability : None　
 
(*) Japanese DVDs are not subtitled (unless noted otherwise), French DVDs are French-subtitled.
(*) The region code of Japanese, UK's or French DVD is "2".
(*) The format of UK's or French DVD is "PAL".
　

1986 Japanese Top_10_Movies

(01) Umi to dokuyaku (The Sea and Poison)
        Director: Kei Kumai
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B01GZQTYHM (out of stock)

(02) Komikkuzasshi nanka iranai (No More Comics)
        Director: Yôjirô Takita
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B0026OBVEW

(03) Uhohho tankentai (Whooh! Exploration Unit)   
        Director: Kichitarô Negishi
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B000060NFG

(04) Ningen no yakusoku (A Promise）
        Director: Yoshishige Yoshida
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00EURKOH8

(05) Kataku no hito (House on Fire)
        Director: Kinji Fukasaku
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B01CCPZPGE　

(06) Yari no gonza (Gonza the Spearman)
        Director: Masahiro Shinoda
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B005ZL2XR2, UK_code: B000296GBQ (out of stock)

(07) Koisuru onna-tachi (Young Girls in Love)
        Director: Kazuki Ohmori
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00DMUFF9G

(08) Tenkû no shiro Rapyuta (Castle in the Sky)   
        Director: Hayao Miyazaki
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00K72NG0M, USA_code: B002ZTQVHK,
                                UK_code: B000CBEWYW, and more

(09) Kinema no tenchi (Final Take: The Golden Age of Movies)
        Director: Yôji Yamada
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B009IX4LV4

(10) Jazz Daimyo (Dixieland Daimyo)
        Director: Kihachi Okamoto
        DVD Availability : japan_code: B00MGFQRGS　

(*) Japanese DVDs are not subtitled (unless noted otherwise), French DVDs are French-subtitled.
(*) The region code of Japanese, UK's or French DVD is "2".
(*) The format of UK's or French DVD is "PAL".　
　

Overview 1981 to 1985

Overview 1981 to 1985

The yearly number of attendance was in a range of 150 to 170 millions. From mid-1970s to today, the number have increased or decreased in a narrow range.

It had become more evident that the major movie companies except for Nikkatsu might shift its business from production to distribution.
As for the titles listed in the Top_10_Movies, majority of them were ones produced by independent production companies. Furthermore, many of the titles by the major companies were co-productions.
The "Top_10_Movies " titles which the major companies produced alone were rare (in 1981, three by Toho, Nikkatsu and Shochiku; in 1982, zero; in 1983, two each by Toho and Shochiku; in 1984, only one by Toho: and in 1985, two by Toei).
I think that, around mid-1980s, it had become no longer meaningful to indicate "Production Company". Thus, from the next "Top_10_Movies" list in 1986, the item "Production Company" would be omitted.

1985 Japanese Top_10_Movies

(01) Sorekara (And Then)
        Director: Yoshimitsu Morita
        Production Co.: Toei
        DVD Availability : japan_code: B00UMP0E7C

(02) Ran
        Director: Akira Kurosawa
        Production Co.: Herald Ace, and more (distributed by Toho)
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B003NX4GR4, USA_code:B00K5EJHGO,
                                 UK_code: B01BF274CI, and more

(03) Himatsuri (Fire Festival)
        Director: Mitsuo Yanagimachi
        Production Co.: Cine Saison, and more
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00005MFY9 (out of stock, second hand item very expensive)

(04) Taifû kurabu (Typhoon Club)
        Director: Shinji Sômai
        Production Co.: Directors' Company (distributed by Toho and ATG)
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00005L96G

(05) Sabishinbô (Lonelyheart) 
        Director: Nobuhiko Ôbayashi
        Production Co.: Toho, and more
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00R4LP3KK

(06) Koibumi (Love Letter)
        Director: Tatsumi Kumashiro
        Production Co.: Shôchiku-fuji, and more
        DVD Availability : None

(07) Ikiteru-uchiga-hana-nanoyo-shindara soremadeyo-to-sengen
    (The Manifesto of "Only the Living Can Be Happy, Death Ends All" Party）
        Director: Azuma Morisaki
        Production Co.: Kinoshita Eiga (distributed by ATG)
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B005K8S4QY

(08) Biruma no tategoto (The Burmese Harp)
        Director: Kon Ichikawa
        Production Co.: Fuji Television, Hakuhodo, and more (distributed by Toho)
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00005QYIF

(09) Sôshun monogatari (Early Spring Story)
        Director: Shin'ichirô Sawai
        Production Co.: Kadokawa Haruki Office (distributed by Toho)
        DVD Availability : japan_code: B017WC6FMU

(10) Hana ichimonme (Gray Sunset)
        Director: Shun'ya Itô
        Production Co.: Toei
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B004UU3DX2
　

(*) Japanese DVDs are not subtitled (unless noted otherwise), French DVDs are French-subtitled.
(*) The region code of Japanese, UK's or French DVD is "2".
(*) The format of UK's or French DVD is "PAL".　

The numbers of ranked titles of each Production Co, is as follow:
Nikkatsu : 0;
Shôchiku : 1 (6); 
Toho : 1 (5);
Toei : 2 (1 and 10); and
other 6 (2 to 4 and 7 to 9).

1984 Japanese Top_10_Movies

(01) Osôshiki (The Funeral)
        Director: Jûzô Itami
        Production Co.: NCP, Itami Productions
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B0009VEBSC

(02) W no higeki (W's Tragedy)
        Director: Shin'ichirô Sawai
        Production Co.: Kadokawa haruki Office (distributed by Toho)
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B017WC6DAE

(03) Setouchi shonen yakyu dan (MacArthur's Children)
        Director: Masahiro Shinoda
        Production Co.: Herald Ace, and more
        DVD Availability : Japan (out of stock)

(04) Mâjan hourouki
        Director: Makoto Wada
        Production Co.: Kadokawa Haruki Office, Toei
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B017WC6DB8

(05) Saraba hakobune (Farewell to the Ark)
        Director: Shûji Terayama
        Production Co.: Jinriki Hikoki Sha, ATG, and more
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B01FWOYUNG

(06) Ohan
        Director: Kon Ichikawa
        Production Co.: Toho
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00ZR9Q7O2

(07) Kaze no tani no Naushika (Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind)
        Director: Hayao Miyazaki
        Production Co.: Tokuma Shoten, Hakuhodo (distributed by Toei)
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00K72FKBU, USA_code: B0001XAPZ6,
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　UK_code: B000ANVNH6, and more

(08) Kayako no tameni (For Kayako)
        Director: Kôhei Oguri
        Production Co.: Gekidan Himawari
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B0008JF66G (BOX set, out of stock)

(09) Haishi (The Deserted City)
        Director: Nobuhiko Ôbayashi
        Production Co.: PSC, ATG, and more
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B01LCNEPWC

(10) Chi-n-pi-ra
        Director: Tôru Kawashima
        Production Co.: Fuji Television, and more (distributed by Toho)
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00IACPQWW
　

(*) Japanese DVDs are not subtitled (unless noted otherwise), French DVDs are French-subtitled.
(*) The region code of Japanese, UK's or French DVD is "2".
(*) The format of UK's or French DVD is "PAL".　

The numbers of ranked titles of each Production Co, is as follow:
Nikkatsu : 0;
Shôchiku : 0; 
Toho : 1 (6);
Toei : 1 (4); and
other 8 (1 to 3, 5 and 7 to 10).

1983 Japanese Top_10_Movies

(01) Kazoku gêmu (The Family Game)
        Director: Yoshimitsu Morita
        Production Co.: ATG,NCP, and more
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B01FWOYUH2, USA_code: B000GFLKG2 (out of stock)

(02) Sasameyuki (Fine Snow/The Makioka Sisters)
        Director: Kon Ichikawa
        Production Co.: Toho
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00R4LP4KY, USA_code: B004S801ZO

(03) Senjô no merî Kurisumasu (Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence)
        Director: Nagisa Ôshima
        Production Co.: Ôshima Nagisa Productions, TV Asahi, and more
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B005FOPLR8, USA_code: B003UM8T3A,
                                 UK_code: B01JAJ5LRI, and more

(04) Tôkyô saiban (Tokyo Trial)
        Director: Masaki Kobayashi
        Production Co.: Kodansha
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B0002B58KY

(05) Narayamabushi-kô (The Ballad of Narayama)
        Director: Shôhei Imamura
        Production Co.: Toei, Imamura Productions
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B005FCX7AI, FR_code: B0017KZ5CU (out of stock)

(06) Ryûji
        Director: Tôru Kawashima
        Production Co.: Production Ryuji
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B0002L4CO2

(07) Gyoei no mure (The Catch)
        Director: Shinji Sômai
        Production Co.: Shôchiku
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B005JR6P7Q

(08) Amagi-goe (Amagi Pass)
        Director: haruhiko Mimura
        Production Co.: Shôchiku, Kiri Productions
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B009YDAE9G

(09) Jukkai no mosquito (Mosquito on the Tenth Floor)
        Director: Yôichi Sai
        Production Co.: NCP
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B0026OBVDS

(10) Furusato (Hometown)
        Director: Seijirô Kôyama
        Production Co.: Kobushi Productions
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00FAV9UW8

(*) Japanese DVDs are not subtitled (unless noted otherwise), French DVDs are French-subtitled.
(*) The region code of Japanese, UK's or French DVD is "2".
(*) The format of UK's or French DVD is "PAL".　

The numbers of ranked titles of each Production Co, is as follow:
Nikkatsu : 0;
Shôchiku : 2 (7 and 8); 
Toho : 1 (2);
Toei : 1 (5); and
other 6 (1, 3, 4, 6, 9 and 10).

1982 Japanese Top_10_Movies

(01) Kamata kôshinkyoku (Fall Guy)
        Director: Kinji Fukasaku
        Production Co.: Shôchiku, Kadokawa Haruki Office
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B005ZN3626

(02) Saraba itoshiki daichi (Farewell to the Land)
        Director: Kihachi Okamoto
        Production Co.: Atrier Dankan, Production Gunro
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00XVC2DPE

(03) Tenkôsei (I Are You, You Am Me)
        Director: Nobuhiko Ôbayashi
        Production Co.: ATG, Nippon TV
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00005HXBN

(04) Giwaku (Suspicion)
        Director: Yoshitarô Nomura
        Production Co.: Fuji Eiga, Kiri Productions (distributed by Shôchiku)
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B009YDAG80

(05) Nippon-koku Furuyashiki-mura (A Japanese Village)
        Director: Shinsuke Ogawa
        Production Co.: Ogawa Productions
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B01H1295QY

(06) Tattoo Ari (Tattoo)
        Director: Banmei Takahashi
        Production Co.: Takahashi Productions, ATG, and more
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B0001E3CFU (out of stock, second hand item very expensive)

(07) Mizu no nai puuru (A Pool Without Water)
        Director: Kôji Wakamatsu
        Production Co.: Wakamatsu Productions
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00005S7AM (out of stock, second hand item very expensive),
                                  FR_code: B005IQXTPY (out of stock)

(08) Tôno monogatari (The Legend of Sayo)
        Director: Tetsutarô Nomura
        Production Co.: Tetsu Productions, Iwate Broadcast, and more
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00BEINF2C (out of stock)

(09) Yûkai hôdô (To Trap a Kidnapper)
        Director: Toshiya Itô
        Production Co.: Toei, Nippon TV
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B0142XDGE2

(10) Kaiidan: Ikiteiru Koheiji (The Living Koheiji)
        Director: Nobuo Nakagawa
        Production Co.: ATG, Isoda Office
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B01FWOYUE0

(*) Japanese DVDs are not subtitled (unless noted otherwise), French DVDs are French-subtitled.
(*) The region code of Japanese, UK's or French DVD is "2".
(*) The format of UK's or French DVD is "PAL".　

The numbers of ranked titles of each Production Co, is as follow:
Nikkatsu : 0;
Shôchiku : 2 (1 and 4); 
Toho : 0;
Toei : 1 (9); and
other 7 (2, 3, 5 to 8, and 10).

1981 Japanese Top_10_Movies

(01) Doro no kawa (Muddy River)
        Director: Kôhei Oguri
        Production Co.: Kimura Productions
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B0008JF66G (BOX set, out of stock)

(02) Enrai (Distant Thunder)
        Director: Kichitarô Negishi
        Production Co.: N.C.P, ATG
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B01FWOYU8Q

(03) Kagerô-za (Heat Shimmer Theater)
        Director: Seijun Suzuki
        Production Co.: Cinema Plaset
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B000JFY0PW (out of stock)

(04) Eki (Station)
        Director: Yasuo Furuhata
        Production Co.: Toho
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00DNO3ZTS

(05) A! Onnatachi: waika (Ah! Women: A Bawdy Song)
        Director: Tatsumi Kumashiro
        Production Co.: Nikkatsu
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B01BTEYNO4 (Blu-ray)

(06) Kôfuku (Happiness)
        Director: Kon Ichikawa
        Production Co.: "For Life" Records, Toho
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B002VJ0UZS (out of stock, second hand item very expensive)

(07) Gaki teikoku (Empire of Kids)
        Director: Kazuyuki Izutsu
        Production Co.: Play Guide Journal, ATG
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00U9R3P5Q

(08) Hokusai manga (Edo Porn)
        Director: Kaneto Shindô
        Production Co.: Shôchiku
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B005JQI5X4

(09) Eijanaika
        Director: Shôhei Imamura
        Production Co.: Imamura Productions, Shôchiku
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B005QIW65S, FR_code: B001BPX4U6 (BOX set)

(10) Chikagoro naze ka Charusuton (At This Late Date, the Charleston)
        Director: Kihachi Okamoto
        Production Co.: Kihachi Productions, ATG
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B0009S8G0O (out of stock)

(*) Japanese DVDs are not subtitled (unless noted otherwise), French DVDs are French-subtitled.
(*) The region code of Japanese, UK's or French DVD is "2".
(*) The format of UK's or French DVD is "PAL".　

The numbers of ranked titles of each Production Co, is as follow:
Nikkatsu : 1 (5);
Shôchiku : 2 (8 and 9); 
Toho : 2 (4 and 6);
Toei : 0; and
other 5 (1 to 3, 7 and 10).

Overview 1976 to 1980

(1) Shrinking Markets
In this period, the attendance further reduced from approx. 171 millions to 164 millions (approx. 15% of the peak).
In response to the shrinkage, the major companies (except for Nikkatsu) reduced the number of productions per year, reduced the number of staff, and increased the number of co-production with other companies which might share the risk.

The yearly total number of Japanese movies produced in this period were in the range of approx. 320 to 350.
The majority of them were porno movies. The number of non-porno movies reduced from approx. 170 to 140, which was the result of the decrease of the major companies' productions.
Especially, the number of Toho productions fell to less than 10 in 1979 even including co-productions (in 1980, only 4). 

(2) Newcomers
As described above, the major companies obviously tended to avoid risk (i.e., to shift its main business from production to distribution). Thus, it was necessary that newcomers daring to take a risk might enter the movie production business, in order to put a brake on the decline of Japanese movie industry.

Several newcomers tried and some of them made success and continued movie production business.
The successful newcomers in this period included publishing companies, and movie distribution companies having distributed foreign movies so far.
The publishing companies, in many cases, produced movies based on a novel, and advertised, on a large scale, the movie as well as the novel and its novelist (the most successful example of this business model was "Kadokawa Haruki Office" ("Inugami Clan" in 1976)).

The entry of the foreign movie distributors into the Japanese movie production business was encouraged by the rise of popularity of foreign movies from around 1970.
In addition, the foreign movie distributors had the advantage that they already had established its own distribution network that has been always a major obstacle for newcomers.

1980 Japanese Top_10_Movies

(01) Tsigoineruwaizen (Zigeunerweisen)
        Director: Seijun Suzuki
        Production Co.: Cinema Plaset
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B000JFY0PM (out of stock),
                                 USA_code: B000E1MY72 (out of stock)

(02) Kagemusha
        Director: Akira Kurosawa
        Production Co.: Kurosawa Productions, Toho
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00R4LP5BM, USA_code: B00005JLEJ,
                                 UK_code: B00AHHVQL8, and more

(03) Hipokuratesu-tachi (Disciples of Hippocrates)
        Director: Kazuki Ohmori
        Production Co.: Cinema Hauto, ATG
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00U9R3OP2

(04) Kamisamaga kureta akanbô (Heaven Sent)
        Director: Yôichi Maeda
        Production Co.: Shôchiku
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B005ZN04V2

(05) Haruka naru yama no yobigoe (A Distant Cry from Spring)
        Director: Yôji Yamada
        Production Co.: Shôchiku
        DVD Availability : japan_code: B009IX4CAE

(06) Chichi yo haha yo! (The Young Rebels)   
        Director: Keisuke Kinoshita
        Production Co.: Shôchiku
        DVD Availability : None

(07) Shiki Natsuko (Four Seasons: Natsuko)   
        Director: Yôichi Higashi
        Production Co.: Togen-sha, Toei
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00MFJRS40

(08) Kaichô-on (The Sound of Seawater)
        Director: Hôjin Hashiura
        Production Co.: Cinema Hauto, ATG
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B01FWOYUCC

(09) Kuruizaki sanda rodo (Crazy Thunder Road)
        Director: Sôgo Ishii
        Production Co.: Dynamite Productions, Kyoei-sha
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B01KLQ8JPU

(10) Taiyo no ko_teda no fua (Child of the Sun)
        Director: Kirirô Urayama
        Production Co.: "Taiyo no ko" Productions
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B000BD88B4 (out of stock, second hand item very expensive)

(*) Japanese DVDs are not subtitled (unless noted otherwise), French DVDs are French-subtitled.
(*) The region code of Japanese, UK's or French DVD is "2".
(*) The format of UK's or French DVD is "PAL".　

The numbers of ranked titles of each Production Co, is as follow:
Nikkatsu : 0;
Shôchiku : 3 (4 to 6); 
Toho : 1 (2);
Toei : 1 (7); and
other 4 (1, 3, 8 to 10).

1979 Japanese Top_10_Movies

(01) Fukushû suru wa ware ni ari (Vengeance Is Mine)
        Director: Shôhei Imamura
        Production Co.: Imamura Productions, Shôchiku
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B006DUCHTI, USA_code: B000NOK0GW,
                                  UK_code: B0007Z0VWU, and more

(02) Taiyô wo nusunda otoko (The Man Who Stole the Sun)
        Director: Kazuhiko Hasegawa
        Production Co.: Kitty Films
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B0002L4CNI

(03) Keiko
        Director: Claude Gagnon
        Production Co.: Toshimura-Gagnon Productions
        DVD Availability : japan_code: B00186Y9MK (out of stock, second hand items very expensive)

(04) Akai kami no onna (The Woman with Red Hair)
        Director: Tatumi Kumashiro
        Production Co.: Nikkatsu
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B007KXJ1QE, USA_code: B00092ZMGG (out of stock),
                                 FR_code: B00SK6003I

(05) Shodo satsujin: Musuko yo (Impulse Murder)
        Director: Keisuke Kinoshita
        Production Co.: Shôchiku, Tokyo Broadcasting System
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00836JAMW

(06) Gassan
        Director: Tetsutarô Murano
        Production Co.: Tetsu Productions, Haiyu-za, and more
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00BTC15G6 (out of stock)

(07) Jukyusai no chizu (The Nineteen Year-Old's Map)
        Director: Mitsuo Yanagimachi
        Production Co.: Gunrô
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00XVC2DKE

(08) Mo hozue wa tsukanai (No More Easy Life)
        Director: Yôichi Higashi
        Production Co.: Angle, ATG
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B0001E3CFK
                                (out of stock, second hand items very expensive)

(09) Ah! Nomugi toge (Nomugi Pass)
        Director: Satsuo Yamamoto
        Production Co.: Shin-nihon Eiga (distributed by Toho)
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00HWT9X0K

(10) Sono go no jingi naki tatakai (After the Battles without Honor and Humanity)
        Director: Eiichi Kudô
        Production Co.: Toei
        DVD Availability : japan_code: B00BPGODYM

(*) Japanese DVDs are not subtitled (unless noted otherwise), French DVDs are French-subtitled.
(*) The region code of Japanese, UK's or French DVD is "2".
(*) The format of UK's or French DVD is "PAL".　

The numbers of ranked titles of each Production Co, is as follow:
Nikkatsu : 1 (4);
Shôchiku : 2 (1 and 5); 
Toho : 0;
Toei : 1 (10); and
other 6 (2, 3 and 6 to 9). 

1978 Japanese Top_10_Movies

(01) Sâdo (Third)
        Director: Yôichi Higashi
        Production Co.: Gento-sha, ATG
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B0012P6C22 (out of stock, second hand item very expensive)

(02) Sonezaki shinju (Double Suicide of Sonezaki)
        Director: Yasuzô Masumura
        Production Co.: Koudou-sha, Kimura Productions, ATG
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00186Y9MA (out of stock, second hand item very expensive)

(03) Ai no bôrei (Empire of Passion)
        Director: Nagisa Ôshima
        Production Co.: Argos Films, Ôshima Productions
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B005FOPLRI, USA_code: B001PYD0M0,
                                 UK_code: B0009JYDCS, and more

(04) Jiken (The Incident)
        Director: Yoshitarô Nomura
        Production Co.: Shôchiku
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B006DU64Z6

(05) Kaerazaru hibi (Days That Will Never Return)
        Director: Toshiya Fujita
        Production Co.: Nikkatsu
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B009NPB106 (out of stock)

(06) Kichiku (The Demon/L'Été du démon)
        Director: Yoshitarô Nomura
        Production Co.: Shôchiku
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B009YDAEXM, USA_code: B0002KPHUG (out of stock),
                                 FR_code:B006M09440

(07) Dainamaito don don (Dynamite Bang Bang)
        Director: Kihachi Okamoto
        Production Co.: Daiei Eiga (distributed by Toei)
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00MGFTDQO

(08) Huyu no hana (Winter's Flower)
        Director: Kihachi Okamoto
        Production Co.: Toei
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B005FCX7A8

(09) Hitozuma shudan boko chishi jiken (Rape and Death of a Housewife)
        Director: Noboru Tanaka
        Production Co.: Nikkatsu
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00DYQUJC6 (out of stock)

(10) Hakatakko junjô (Pure Hakata Natives)
        Director: Chûsei Sone
        Production Co.: L.I.L,and more (distributed by Shôchiku)
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00BYFH7KQ

(*) Japanese DVDs are not subtitled (unless noted otherwise), French DVDs are French-subtitled.
(*) The region code of Japanese, UK's or French DVD is "2".
(*) The format of UK's or French DVD is "PAL".　

The numbers of ranked titles of each Production Co, is as follow:
Nikkatsu : 2 (5 and 9);
Shôchiku : 2 (4 and 6); 
Toho : 0;
Daiei : 1 (7);
Toei : 1 (8); and
other 4 (1 to 3 and 10).

1977 Japanese Top_10_Movies

(01) Shiawase no kiiroi hankachi (The Yellow Handkerchief of Happiness)
        Director: Yôji Yamada
        Production Co.: Shôchiku
        DVD Availability : japan_code: B009IX4IPS

(02) Chikuzan hitori tabi (The Life of Chikuzan)
        Director: Kaneto Shindô
        Production Co.: Kindai Eiga Kyokai, Jean Jean Company
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00005MIFX (out of stock)

(03) Hanare goze Orin (Ballad of Orin)
        Director: Masahiro Shinoda
        Production Co.: Hyogen-sha (distributed by Toho)
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00ZR9Q81Y

(04) Hakkodasan (Mount Hakkoda)
        Director: Shirô Moritani
        Production Co.: Hashimoto Production, Toho, Shinano Kikaku
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00PZ02828

(05) Seishun no mon: Jiritsu hen (The Gate of Youth Part 2)
        Director: Kirirô Urayama
        Production Co.: Toho
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B0002Z7QCS

(06) Akuma no temari-uta (The Devil's Ballad)
        Director: Kon Ichikawa
        Production Co.: Toho
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00R4LP6CA

(07) Nemunoki no uta ga kikoeru (To Hear the Song of Silk-tree)
        Director: Mariko Miyagi
        Production Co.: Nemunoki Ltd.
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00E6EI65M

(08) Bokusâ (The Boxer)
        Director: Shûji Terayama
        Production Co.: Toei
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B0119IZCMM

(09) Totsuzen arashi no youni (LT Suddenly, Like a Storm)
        Director: Shigeyuki Yamane
        Production Co.: Shôchiku, Burning Productions
        DVD Availability : None

(10) Toi ippon no michi (The Far Road)
        Director: Sachiko Hidari
        Production Co.: Hidari Productions, Japanese National Railways Labor Union
        DVD Availability : None

(*) Japanese DVDs are not subtitled (unless noted otherwise), French DVDs are French-subtitled.
(*) The region code of Japanese, UK's or French DVD is "2".
(*) The format of UK's or French DVD is "PAL".　

The numbers of ranked titles of each Production Co, is as follow:
Nikkatsu : 0;
Shôchiku : 2 (1 and 9); 
Toho : 3 (4 to 6);
Toei : 1 (8); and
other 4 (2, 3, 7 and 10).

1976 Japanese Top_10_Movies

(01) Seishun no satsujinsha (The Youth Killer)
        Director: Kazuhiko Hasegawa
        Production Co.: Imamura Productions, Soei-sha, ATG
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B01FWOYUU4

(02) Otoko wa tsurai yo: Torajiro yuuyake koyake (Tora-san 17)
        Director: Yôji Yamada
        Production Co.: Shôchiku
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00JW0A8HE (English-subtitled)

(03) Daichi no komoriuta (Lullaby of the Earth)
        Director: Yasuzô Masumura
        Production Co.: Koudou-sha, Kimura Productions (distributed by Shôchiku)
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00WJGIDHU

(04) Fumô chitai (Wasted Land)
        Director: Satsuo Yamamoto
        Production Co.: Geien-sha (Toho)
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00R4LOY1E

(05) Inugami-ke no ichizoku (The Inugami Clan)
        Director: Kon Ichikawa
        Production Co.: Kadokawa Haruki Office (Distributed by Toho)
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B017WC63UO

(06) Ani imôto (Brother and Sister)
        Director: Tadashi Imai
        Production Co.: Toho
        DVD Availability : None

(07) Â!! Hana no ôendan (Ah, Honorable Cheering Squad)
        Director: Chûsei Sone
        Production Co.: Nikkatsu
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B005WQWS8Y

(08) Yakuza no hakaba: Kuchinashi no hana 
      (Yakuza Graveyard/Yakuza Burial: Jasmine Flower)
        Director: Kinji Fukasaku
        Production Co.: Toei
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00Q9NRZ5U, USA_code: B000F8O4CC, and more

(09) Saraba natsuno hikariyo (Good bye, Sunshine of Summer)
        Director: Shigeyuki Yamane
        Production Co.: Shôchiku, Burning Productions
        DVD Availability : None

(10) Edogawa Ranpo ryôki-kan: Yaneura no sanposha 
     (The Stroller in the Attic/Watcher in the Attic)
        Director: Noboru Tanaka
        Production Co.: Nikkatsu
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B000BV7UKG (out of stock), USA_code: B001D5C1OY,
                                 UK_code: B0001FYRJO (out of stock), and more

(*) Japanese DVDs are not subtitled (unless noted otherwise), French DVDs are French-subtitled.
(*) The region code of Japanese, UK's or French DVD is "2".
(*) The format of UK's or French DVD is "PAL".　

The numbers of ranked titles of each Production Co, is as follow:
Nikkatsu : 2 (7 and 10);
Shôchiku : 2 (2 and 9); 
Toho : 2 (4 and 6);
Toei : 1 (8); and
other 3 (1, 3 and 5).

Overview 1971 to 1975

Collapse in 1971

In 1971, Daiei went bankrupt.

In 1971, Nikkatsu began to produce and distribute soft core porn movies. From this time on, most of the productions of Nikkatsu were porn movies. Nikkatsu's porn movie is called a "roman-porn" movie.
"Roman porn" movies were produced under severe conditions (i.e., they were produced with extremely low budget in a rather short period, and most of the players (especially actresses) had limited experiences of acting), which naturally affected its quality. Thus, many of them were merely poor-looking program pictures containing nudity and sexual content. However, some directors selected unique material and succeeded to describe vivid characters and unusual human emotion in spite of such severe conditions. Thus, in the Top_10_Movies lists of 1970s, "roman-porno" movies are found occasionally.

In 1971, Toho hived off its production section and re-organized it into subsidiary production companies. It was the first step of Toho's transformation into a movie distribution/exhibition company. Through 1970s and 1980s, the number of productions by the subsidiary production companies would gradually decrease.

In this period, the number of productions distributed by the major companies had reduced to less than 200. Among them, approx. 40 to 70 were "roman-porno" movies by Nikkatsu.
In addition, the number of pink movies (i.e., soft core porn movies produced by production companies other than Nikkatsu) was approx. 140 to 180.
That is, the total number of porn movies was larger than that of non-porn movies in this period.

1975 Japanese Top_10_Movies

　
(01) Aru eiga-kantoku no shogai (Kenji Mizoguchi: The Life of a Film Director)
        Director: Kaneto Shindô
        Production Co.: Kindai Eiga Kyokai
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00005MIFW (out of stock)

(02) Matsuri no junbi (Preparation for the Festival )
        Director: Kazuo Kuroki
        Production Co.: Soei-sha, ATG
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B0012P6C1S (out of stock, second hand item very expensive)

(03) Kinkanshoku (Annular Eclipse)
        Director: Satsuo Yamamoto
        Production Co.: Daiei-eiga
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B0093T4DZ2

(04) Kaseki (The Fossil)
        Director: Masaki Kobayashi
        Production Co.: Haiyu-za Film Production Company, Shiki-no-kai (distributed by Toho)
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B01H79IJVS

(05) Otoko wa tsurai yo: Torajiro aiaigasa (Tora-san 15)
        Director: Yôji Yamada
        Production Co.: Shôchiku
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00JW0A6US (English-subtitled)

(06) Den-en ni shisu (Pastoral: To Die in the Country)
        Director: Shûji Terayama
        Production Co.: Jinriki-Hikoki-Sha, ATG
        DVD Availability : japan_code: B01FWOYUV8

(07) Shinkansen daibakuha (The Bullet Train)
        Director: Jun'ya Satô
        Production Co.: Toei
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B005FCX79O, USA_code:  B00008G5VQ (out of stock)

(08) Jingi no hakaba (Death of Honor/Graveyard of Honor)
        Director: Kinji Fukasaku
        Production Co.: Toei
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B005FCX74E,
                                 USA_code: B0002KPHV0 (out of stock, please check amazon.com),
                                 FR_code: B004R9PPJG (out of stock)

(09) Harakara (The Village)
        Director: Yôji Yamada
        Production Co.: Shôchiku
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B009IX45EW

(10) Jitsuroku Abe Sada (A Woman Called Abe Sada)
        Director: Noboru Tanaka
        Production Co.: Nikkatsu
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B005MNAZXW, USA_code: B000055ZD7,
                                 UK_code: B00004UEZ7, and more

(*) Japanese DVDs are not subtitled (unless noted otherwise), French DVDs are French-subtitled.
(*) The region code of Japanese, UK's or French DVD is "2".
(*) The format of UK's or French DVD is "PAL".　

The numbers of ranked titles of each Production Co, is as follow:
Nikkatsu : 1 (10);
Shôchiku : 2 (5 and 9); 
Toho : 0;
Daiei : 1 (3);
Toei : 2 (7 and 8); and
other 4 (1, 2, 4 and 6).

1974 Japanese Top_10_Movies

(01) Sandakan hachi-ban shokan - bokyo (Brothel No. 8)
        Director: Kei Kumai
        Production Co.: Haiyu-za Film Production Company, Toho
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00R4LP4GS

(02) Suna no utsuwa (The Castle of Sand)
        Director: Yoshitarô Nomura
        Production Co.: Hashimoto Productions, Shôchiku
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B009YDADLU, USA_code: B000FS9NZ0

(03) Karei naru ichizoku (The Family)
        Director: Satsuo Yamamoto
        Production Co.: Geien-sha, Toho
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00R4LP0OE

(04) Seishun no satetsu (Bitterness of Youth)
        Director: Tatumi Kumashiro
        Production Co.: Tokyo-eiga (Toho), Watanabe Kikaku
        DVD Availability : None

(05) Ryoma ansatsu (The Assassination of Ryoma)
        Director: Kazuo Kuroki
        Production Co.: Eiga Dôjinsha, ATG
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B0012P6C1I

(06) Waga michi (My Way)
        Director: Kaneto Shindô
        Production Co.: Kindai-eiga Kyokai, and more
        DVD Availability : japan_code: B00005MIFV

(07) Jingi naki tatakai: Chôjô sakusen (The Yakuza Papers, Vol. 4: Police Tactics)
        Director: Kinji Fukasaku
        Production Co.: Toei
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B005FCX6ZE, USA_code: B01FEE1XD4,
                                  UK_code: B01FCLUVK0

(08) Ranru no hata (The Tattered Banner) 
        Director: Kôzaburô Yoshimura
        Production Co.: Production Committee
        DVD Availability : None

(09) Aka chôchin (Red Chôchin)
        Director: Toshiya Fujita
        Production Co.: Nikkatsu
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B005WQWS7U

(10) Imôto (Younger Sister)
        Director: Toshiya Fujita
        Production Co.: Nikkatsu
        DVD Availability : Japan_code:  B00856TMP0

(*) Japanese DVDs are not subtitled (unless noted otherwise), French DVDs are French-subtitled.
(*) The region code of Japanese, UK's or French DVD is "2".
(*) The format of UK's or French DVD is "PAL".　

The numbers of ranked titles of each Production Co, is as follow:
Nikkatsu : 2 (9 and 10);
Shôchiku : 1 (2); 
Toho : 3 (1, 3 and 4);
Toei : 1 (7); and
other 3 (5, 6 and 8).

1973 Japanese Top_10_Movies

(01) Tsugaru jongara-bushi (Tsugaru Folksong/Jongara)
        Director: Kôichi Saitô
        Production Co.: Saitô Productions, ATG
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B001656KCU

(02) Jingi naki tatakai (The Yakuza Papers, Vol. 1/Battles Without Honor and Humanity)
        Director: Kinji Fukasaku
        Production Co.: Toei
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B005FCX6YU,
                                 USA_code: B01FEE1X4S (plesse check amazon.com),
                                 UK_code: B01FCLUVKK, and more

(03) Seigen-ki (Tale of Illusion in Blue)
        Director: Tôichirô Narushima
        Production Co.: Seigen-ki Productions, Towa
        DVD Availability : None

(04) Matatabi (The Wanderers)
        Director: Kon Ichikawa
        Production Co.: Kon Productions, ATG
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00E98A89W (out of stock)

(05) Kôkotsu no hito (Senile Person)
        Director: Shirô Toyoda
        Production Co.: Geien-sha (Toho)
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B000ANW0X2

(06) Yojôhan fusuma no urabari 
     (A Man and a Woman Behind the Fusuma Screen/World of Geisha)
        Director: Tatumi Kumashiro
        Production Co.: Nikkatsu
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B000K2VEWG (out of stock),
                                 USA_code: B0000AINJ1 (out of stock)

(07) Kaigenrei (Coup d'Etat)
        Director: Yoshishige Yoshida
        Production Co.: Gendai Eiga-sha, ATG
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00EURKODC, FR_code: B001OE2BM6

(08) Jingi naki tatakai: Dairi sensô (The Yakuza Papers, Vol. 3: Proxy War)
        Director: Kinji Fukasaku
        Production Co.: Toei
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B005FCX6Z4, USA_code: B01FIAXJYA,
                                 UK_code: B01FCLUVPU, and more

(09) Otoko wa tsurai yo: Torajiro wasurenagusa (Tora-san 11)
        Director: Yôji Yamada
        Production Co.: Shôchiku
        DVD Availability : japan_code: B00JW0A84C (English-subtitled)

(10) Senso to ningen III: Kanketsuhen (Man and War, Part III)
        Director: Satsuo Yamamoto
        Production Co.: Nikkatsu
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B0009RQX82 (BOX set)

(*) Japanese DVDs are not subtitled (unless noted otherwise), French DVDs are French-subtitled.
(*) The region code of Japanese, UK's or French DVD is "2".
(*) The format of UK's or French DVD is "PAL".　

The numbers of ranked titles of each Production Co, is as follow:
Nikkatsu : 2 (6 and 10);
Shôchiku : 1 (9); 
Toho : 1 (5);
Toei : 2 (2 and 8); and
other 4 (1, 3, 4 and 7).

1972 Japanese Top_10_Movies

(01) Sinobu-gawa (The Long Darkness)
        Director: Kei Kumai
        Production Co.: Haiyûza, Toho
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B0002TT0R8

(02) Gunki hatameku motoni (Under the Flag of the Rising Sun)
        Director: Kinji Fukasaku
        Production Co.: Shinsei-eiga, Toho
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B01419QIUG (out of stock),
                                 USA_code: B00097DXSU (out of stock)

(03) Furusato (Hometown)
        Director: Yôji Yamada
        Production Co.: Shôchiku
        DVD Availability : japan_code: B009IX4LK0

(04) Tabi no omosa (The Weight of Traveling/Journey Into Solitude)
        Director: Kôichi Saitô
        Production Co.: Shôchiku
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B005ZLQMPG

(05) Yakusoku (The Rendezvous)
        Director: Kôichi Saitô
        Production Co.: Saitô Productions, Shôchiku
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00E6EI6NE

(06) Otoko wa tsurai yo: Shibamata bojo (Tora-san 9)
        Director: Yôji Yamada
        Production Co.: Shôchiku
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00JW0A8QK (English-subtitled)

(07) Kaigun tokubetsu nensho-hei (Navy's Special Youth Soldiers)
        Director: Tadashi Imai
        Production Co.: Toho
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00T9N5J7I

(08) Ichijo Sayuri: Nureta yokujo (Sayuri Ichijo: Following Desire)
        Director: Tatumi Kumashiro
        Production Co.: Nikkatsu
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B000K2VEWQ, USA_code: B003154606,
                                  FR_code: B00SK5ZYRQ

(09) Samâ sorujâ (Summer Soldiers)
        Director: Hiroshi Teshigahara
        Production Co.: Teshigahara Productions
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B000060NCW
                                 (BOX set, out of stock, second hand item very expensive)

(10) Shiroi yubi no tawamure (Delicate Skillful Fingers)
        Director: Tôru Murakawa
        Production Co.: Nikkatsu
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00GSGAE0Q (out of stock)

(*) Japanese DVDs are not subtitled (unless noted otherwise), French DVDs are French-subtitled.
(*) The region code of Japanese, UK's or French DVD is "2".
(*) The format of UK's or French DVD is "PAL".　

The numbers of ranked titles of each Production Co, is as follow:
Nikkatsu : 2 (8 and 10);
Shôchiku : 4 (3 to 6); 
Toho : 3 (1, 2 and 7);
Toei : 0; and
other 1 (9).　

1971 Japanese Top_10_Movies

(01) Gishiki (The Ceremony)
        Director: Nagisa Ôshima
        Production Co.: Sozosha, ATG
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B0058LI7TW (out of stock), FR_code: B00REWLAD8

(02) Chinmoku (Silence)
        Director: Masahiro Shinoda
        Production Co.: Hyogensha, Mako International (distributed by Toho)
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B0007PIOIS (out of stock, second hand item very expensive),
                                 UK_code: B000SSNA7Y

(03) En toiu onna (A Woman Named En)
        Director: Tadashi Imai
        Production Co.: Horupu Eiga
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00BAPG9TK

(04) Senso to ningen II: Ai to kanashimino sanga (Men and War, Part Two)
        Director: Satsuo Yamamoto
        Production Co.: Nikkatsu
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00W0Y9RRQ (BOX set)

(05) Inochi bô ni furô (At the Risk of My Life)
        Director: Masaki Kobayashi
        Production Co.: Toho, Haiyu-za
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B01EFPC9M2

(06) Shinken shôbu (Miyamoto Musashi VI/Death Match)
        Director: Tomu Uchida
        Production Co.: Toho
        DVD Availability : Please check Amazon.it (Italian-subtitled)

(07) Yasashii Nippon jin (Those Quiet Japanese)
        Director: Yôichi Higashi
        Production Co.: Higashi Productions
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00EYTA55S

(08) Otoko wa tsurai yo: Torajiro koiuta (Tora-san 8)
        Director: Yôji Yamada
        Production Co.: Shôchiku
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00JW0A8G0 (English-subtitled)

(09) Sho o suteyo machi e deyou (Throw Away Your Books, Rally in the Streets)
        Director: Shûji Terayama
        Production Co.: Jinriki Hikoki Sha, ATG
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B01FWOYUX6

(10) Hachigatsu no nureta suna (Wet Sand in August)
        Director: Toshiya Fujita
        Production Co.: Nikkatsu
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B0057D2594

(*) Japanese DVDs are not subtitled (unless noted otherwise), French DVDs are French-subtitled.
(*) The region code of Japanese, UK's or French DVD is "2".
(*) The format of UK's or French DVD is "PAL".　

The numbers of ranked titles of each Production Co, is as follow:
Nikkatsu : 2 (4 and 10);
Shôchiku : 1 (8); 
Toho : 2 (5 and 6);
Daiei : 0;
Toei : 0; and
other 5 (1 to 3, 7 and 9).

Overview 1966 to 1970

Towards Collapse

(1) TV
In 1965, 90 percent of households in Japan already had a television set (black-and-white). In 1970, 1/4 of households had a color television set.
The number of the movies produced and/or distributed by the major companies in 1966 was nearly a half of that in 1960, which would further decrease.
The number of attendance in 1970 was less than 1/4 of that in 1958 (the peak year).

(2) Violence and Sexuality for Sale
The number of productions containing violent and/or sexual content increased. This tendency was common to all major companies (especially Toei, Nikkatsu and Daiei).
The number of pink movies (soft core porn movies produced by small independent production companies) began to increase rapidly from around 1964. In 1970, the number of pink movies was nearly equal to that of movies produced by the major companies.

(3) Last Phase of Nikkatsu and Daiei
At the end of 1960s, Nikkatsu and Daiei had fallen into serious financial conditions. They could no longer provide necessary number of productions, by itself, for their exhibitors (theaters). Thus, Nikkatsu and Daiei merged their distribution networks, and, through the merged network, distributed programs consisting of a Nikkatsu production and a Daiei production.
However, it was a desperate attempt.

(4) ATG
In the Top_10_Movies lists in this period, the name "ATG" are found many times.
ATG (Art Theater Guild) was established in 1961 with the support of Toho. For the first several years, ATG mainly engaged in distribution of foreign masterpieces which had not been released in Japan yet. Around 1967, ATG began to distribute Japanese movie, too, and, further, to provide the funds of the Japanese movies in part.
ATG helped many independent production companies and directors, who had ambitious (and thus risky) projects which might be (or had already been) rejected by the major companies.
Through 1970s and 1980s, ATG would yield rich harvests.

1970 Top_10_Movies

( 1) Kazoku (Where Spring Comes Late)
        Director: Yôji Yamada
        Production Co.: Shôchiku
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B009IX4R5O

( 2) Senso to ningen (Men and War)
        Director: Satsuo Yamamoto
        Production Co.: Nikkatsu
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B000BR2LPO

( 3) Dodesukaden (Dodes'ka-den)
        Director: Akira Kurosawa
        Production Co.: Shiki-no-kai, Toho
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00R4LP5GM, USA_code: B001O549G6,
                               UK_code: B00ABAYWIK, and more

( 4) Erosu purasu gyakusatsu (Eros plus Massacre)
        Director: Yoshishige Toshida
        Production Co.: Gendai Eigasha
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00E6EI6P2, UK_code: B011C9AYOY (BOX set)

( 5) Chi no mure (Apart from Life)
        Director: Kei Kumai
        Production Co.: Erufu Productions, ATG
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00VFBYBT4

( 6) Mujô (This Transient Life)
        Director: Akio Jissôji
        Production Co.: Jissôji Productions, ATG
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B014653GKA

( 7) Kage no kuruma (The Shadow Within)
        Director: Yoshitaro Nomura
        Production Co.: Shôchiku
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B009YDAEA0

( 8) Otoko wa tsurai yo: Boukyou hen (Tora-san's Runaway)
        Director: Yôji Yamada
        Production Co.: Shôchiku
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00JVMKZVC

( 9) Hashi no nai kawa_dai 2-bu (River Without a Bridge: 2)
        Director: Tadashi Imai
        Production Co.: Horupu Eiga
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00AYS0H60

(10) Hadaka no jûkyû-sai (Live Today, Die Tomorrow!)
        Director: Kaneto Shindô
        Production Co.: Kindai Eiga Kyokai (distributed by Toho)
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00005MIFU (out of stock)

(*) Japanese DVDs not subtitled.
(*) The region code of Japanese, UK's or French DVD is "2".
(*) The format of UK's or French DVD is "PAL".　

The numbers of ranked titles of each Production Co, is as follow:
Nikkatsu : 1 (2);
Shôchiku : 3 (1, 7 and 8); 
Toho : 1 (3);
Daiei : 0;
Toei : 0; and
others 5 (4 to 6, 9 and 10).

1969 Top_10_Movies

( 1) Shinjû: Ten no Amijima (Double Suicide)
        Director: Masahiro Shinoda
        Production Co.: Hyôgen-sha, ATG
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00ZR9Q7Y2, USA_code: B0000560QE,
                                  FR_code: B006M094LS

( 2) Watashi ga suteta onna (The Girl I Abandoned)
        Director: Kirio Urayama
        Production Co.: Nikkatsu
        DVD Availability : None

( 3) Shônen (Boy)
        Director: Nagisa Oshima
        Production Co.: Sozosha, ATG
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B005094RJ6, FR_code: B00REWLA1A

( 4) Kagerô (Heat Wave Island) 
        Director: Kaneto Shindô, Shôchiku
        Production Co.: Kindai Eiga Kyokai
        DVD Availability : None

( 5) Hashi no nai kawa (River Without a Bridge)
        Director: Tadashi Imai
        Production Co.: Horupu Eiga
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00AYS0GUC

( 6) Otoko wa tsurai yo (It's Tough Being a Man)
        Director: Yôji Yamada
        Production Co.: Shôchiku
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00JVI7ROO

( 7) Vietnam
        Director: Satsuo Yamamoto
        Production Co.: "Vietnam" Production Committee
        DVD Availability : None

( 8) Shinjuku dorobô nikki (Diary of a Shinjuku Burglar)
        Director: Nagisa Oshima
        Production Co.: Sozosha
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B005094RJG

( 9) Zoku otoko wa tsurai yo (Tora-San's Cherished Mother)
        Director: Yôji Yamada
        Production Co.: Shôchiku
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00JVIP7L4

(10) Fûrin kazan (Wind-Fire-Forest-Mountain)
        Director: Hiroshi Inagaki
        Production Co.: Mifune Productions, Toho
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00R4LP698

(*) Japanese DVDs not subtitled.
(*) The region code of Japanese, UK's or French DVD is "2".
(*) The format of UK's or French DVD is "PAL".　

The numbers of ranked titles of each Production Co, is as follow:
Nikkatsu : 1 (2);
Shôchiku : 3 (4, 6 and 9); 
Toho : 1 (10);
Daiei : 0;
Toei : 0; and
others 5 (1, 3, 5, 7 and 8).

1968 Top_10_Movies

( 1) Kamigami no fukaki yokubô (Profound Desires of the Gods)
        Director: Shohei Imamura
        Production Co.: Imamura Productions, Nikkatsu
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B0026OBVFG, UK_code: B005QVVV88   

( 2) Nikudan (The Human Bullet)
        Director: Kihachi Okamoto
        Production Co.: ATG, and more
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B0009S8G0E (out of stock, second hand item very expensive)

( 3) Kôshikei (Death by Hanging)
        Director: Nagisa Oshima
        Production Co.: Sozosha, ATG
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B004QTPQ1O (out of stock), USA_code: B0184DLHZQ,
                                 FR_code: B00REWLAGU   

( 4) Kurobe no Taiyo (The Sands of Kurobe)
        Director: Kei Kumai
        Production Co.: Mifune Productions, Ishihara Productions (distributed by Nikkatsu)
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00AZH6462   

( 5) Kubi (A Head)
        Director: Shirô Moritani
        Production Co.: Toho
        DVD Availability : None   

( 6) Hatsukoi: Jigoku-hen (Nanami: The Inferno of First Love)
        Director: Susumu Hani
        Production Co.: Hani Productions, ATG
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B000B63FWI (out of stock, second hand item very expensive)

( 7) Nihon no seishun (Hymn to a Tired Man)
        Director: Masaki Kobayashi
        Production Co.: Toho (Tokyo Eiga)
        DVD Availability : None   

( 8) Moetsukita chizu (Charred Map)
        Director: Hiroshi Teshigahara
        Production Co.: Katsu Productions, Daiei
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B0083ANMKY (out of stock, second hand item very expensive)

( 9) Jinsei-gekijô: Hishakaku to Kiratsune (Theater of Life: Hishakaku and Kiratsune)
        Director: Tomu Uchida
        Production Co.: Toei
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B005FCX6UO   

(10) Fukeba tobuyona otokodaga (Though He Is a Mere Nobody)
        Director: Yôji Yamada
        Production Co.: Shôchiku
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B009IX4A0Q

(*) Japanese DVDs not subtitled.
(*) The region code of Japanese, UK's or French DVD is "2".
(*) The format of UK's or French DVD is "PAL".　

The numbers of ranked titles of each Production Co, is as follow:
Nikkatsu : 1 (1);
Shôchiku : 1 (10); 
Toho : 2 (5 and 7);
Daiei : 1 (8);
Toei : 1 (9); and
others 4 (2 to 4 and 6).

1967 Top_10_Movies

( 1) Jôi-uchi: Hairyô tsuma shimatsu (Samurai Rebellion)
        Director: Masaki Kobayashi
        Production Co.: Mifune Productions, Toho
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00R4LP3IM, USA_code: B000AQKUD6

( 2) Ningen jôhatsu (A Man Vanishes)
        Director: Shohei Imamura
        Production Co.: Imamura Productions, ATG, and more
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B000XE565M, USA_code: B00A7Z6TC6

( 3) Nihon no ichiban nagai hi (Japan's Longest Day)
        Director: Kihachi Okamoto
        Production Co.: Toho
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00T9N5J6E, USA_code: B000GDIBQG (out of stock)

( 4) Midaregumo (Scattered Clouds)
        Director:Mikio Naruse
        Production Co.: Toho
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B0000XB5NS (BOX set)

( 5) Hanaoka Seishû no tsuma (The Wife of Seishu Hanaoka)
        Director: Yasuzo Masumura
        Production Co.: Daiei
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00FXSJN3O

( 6) Chieko-sho (Portrait of Chieko)
        Director: Noboru Nakamura
        Production Co.: Shôchiku
        DVD Availability : None

( 7) Ai no kawaki (Longing for Love/Thirst for Love)
        Director: Koreyoshi Kurahara
        Production Co.: Nikkatsu
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B009VCJUU4, USA_code: B005152CAA (BOX set)

( 8) Akane gumo (Clouds at Sunset)
        Director: Masahiro Shinoda
        Production Co.: Shôchiku
        DVD Availability : None

( 9) Natsukashiki fue ya taiko (Lovely Flute and a Drum)
        Director: Keisuke Kinoshita
        Production Co.: Toho
        DVD Availability : None

(10) Ninja bugei-chô (Band of Ninja)
        Director: Nagisa Oshima
        Production Co.: Sozosha, ATG
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B004QTPQ0A   

(*) Japanese DVDs not subtitled.
(*) The region code of Japanese, UK's or French DVD is "2".

The numbers of ranked titles of each Production Co, is as follow:
Nikkatsu : 1 (7);
Shôchiku : 2 (6 and 8); 
Toho : 4 (1, 3, 4 and 9);
Daiei : 1 (5);
Toei : 0; and
others 2 (2 and 10).

1966 Top_10_Movies

( 1) Shiroi Kyotô (The Great White Tower)
        Director: Satsuo Yamamoto
        Production Co.: Daiei
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B0093T4DZW

( 2) Erogotoshi-tachi yori: Jinruigaku nyûmon (The Pornographers)
        Director: Shohei Imamura
        Production Co.: Imamura Production, Nikkatsu
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: (out of stock, second hand item too expensive),
                                 USA_code: B00009MEA0

( 3) Kinokawa (Kinokawa River)
        Director: Noboru Nakamura
        Production Co.: Shôchiku
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B000EQIQME

( 4) Umi no koto (Lake of Tears)
        Director: Tomotaka Tasaka
        Production Co.: Toei
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B018LXPALG

( 5) Tanin no kao (The face of Another)
        Director: Hiroshi Teshigahara
        Production Co.: Teshigahara Productions, Toho (Tokyô Eiga)
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: (out of stock, second hand item too expensive),
                                 USA_code: B000PKG6O4 (BOX set, out of stock),
                                 UK_code: B0006ZLD5K (out of stock)
( 6) Andesu no hanayome (Bride of the Andes)
        Director: Susumu Hani
        Production Co.: Hani Productions, Toho (Tokyô Eiga)
        DVD Availability : None

( 7) Honnô (Lost Sex) 
        Director: Kaneto Shindô
        Production Co.: Kindai Eiga Kyokai, Shôchiku
        DVD Availability : None

( 8) Kokoro no sanmyaku (Mountains of Heart)
        Director:Kôzaburô Yoshimura
        Production Co.: Kindai Eiga Kyokai and more (distributed by Toho)
        DVD Availability : None

( 9) Hakuchû no tôrima (Violence at Noon)
        Director: Nagisa Oshima
        Production Co.: Sozosha, Shôchiku
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B009IX4QCS, USA_code: B00393SFQG (BOX set),
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　UK_code: B0019BC37W

(10) Onna no naka ni iru tanin (The Stranger Within a Woman)
        Director:Mikio Naruse
        Production Co.: Toho
        DVD Availability : Japan_code: B00L47V9HG

(*) Japanese DVDs not subtitled.
(*) The region code of Japanese DVD is "2".
(*) The format of UK's or French DVD is "PAL".　

The numbers of ranked titles of each Production Co, is as follow:
Nikkatsu : 1 (2);
Shôchiku : 3 (1, 7 and 9); 
Toho : 4 (5 to 7 and 10);
Daiei : 1 (1); and
Toei : 1 (4).