Movie “Erika 38” Screening 2026 Japan

• October 29, 2026
  Event date:
• October 29, 2026
  Event end:

What to expect in 2026

The Movie “Erika 38” Screening 2026 Japan is a special one-day film presentation in Nagoya featuring Yuichi Hibi’s 2019 Japanese drama Erika 38, followed by a talk event with the director himself. The event is scheduled for Thursday, October 29, 2026, at Nagoya City Atsuta Culture Small Theater in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. According to the official ticket information, the programme includes the screening of Erika 38 and previously unreleased footage filmed during production, followed by a talk with director Yuichi Hibi.

The event has a particular connection to Nagoya because Hibi directed and wrote the Nagoya-set films Nameless Day and The Beginning Day. The October 2026 programme is designed not simply as a conventional repeat screening, but as an opportunity to revisit Erika 38 alongside additional production material and hear directly from the filmmaker.

A further feature is Hibi’s planned introduction to his concept for a Nagoya trilogy. This connects Erika 38 with his broader body of work and his relationship with Nagoya as a filmmaking location. The official event description specifically notes that an introduction to the concept of the Nagoya trilogy is planned during the talk session.

Erika 38 was originally released in Japan in 2019. The film was directed and written by Yuichi Hibi, with Kiki Kirin credited as the planner and Kazuyoshi Okuyama as executive producer. The film stars Miyoko Asada as Satoko Watanabe, also known as Erika, with Takehiro Hira, Shunsuke Kubozuka, Hajime Yamazaki, Shizuyo Yamasaki, Chiyohiro Koyabu, Midori Kiuchi and Kiki Kirin among the principal cast.

The 2026 screening therefore offers audiences a chance to experience an earlier work by Hibi while also hearing about his filmmaking ideas and the wider Nagoya trilogy concept directly from the director.

Festival dates

The event takes place on Thursday, October 29, 2026.

Date: October 29, 2026

Day: Thursday

Location: Nagoya, Aichi, Japan

Venue: Nagoya City Atsuta Culture Small Theater

Event format: Film screening, unreleased production footage and director talk

The official Ticket Pia listing confirms October 29, 2026 as the performance date and lists Nagoya City Atsuta Culture Small Theater as the venue.

This is a single-day event rather than a multi-day film festival. Visitors planning to attend should therefore allow enough time around the scheduled screening and talk programme, particularly because the event combines the film presentation with a post-screening discussion.

The exact start and admission times should be checked on the ticket confirmation before travelling, as the currently accessible event information confirms the date and programme format but does not provide a reliable published start time in the available listing.

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Venues & festival locations

The event is held at Nagoya City Atsuta Culture Small Theater, a dedicated cultural venue in Atsuta Ward, Nagoya.

Venue: Nagoya City Atsuta Culture Small Theater

Address: 3-1-15 Jingu, Atsuta Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 456-0031, Japan

Building: North Building, 2nd Floor

Telephone: +81 52-682-0222

The venue is located alongside Atsuta Ward Office and Atsuta Library. The official venue information lists a 352-seat hall, including two wheelchair spaces, making it a relatively intimate setting for a film screening and director talk.

The theatre is particularly convenient for visitors arriving by rail. JR Atsuta Station is approximately one minute away on foot, while Atsuta-jingu-nishi Subway Station is around five minutes away. Meitetsu Jingu-mae Station is approximately eight minutes from the venue.

Because the programme is centered on a single screening and talk, there are no separate festival villages, outdoor stages or multiple screening complexes associated with this event.

Full programme

The main programme consists of three connected elements: the feature-film screening, the presentation of previously unreleased footage from the production of Erika 38, and a talk event with director Yuichi Hibi.

The film follows Satoko Watanabe, who calls herself Erika, as she becomes involved in a fraudulent investment scheme. The story examines her relationships, ambitions, manipulation of others and pursuit of money and status. The film was inspired by an actual investment-fraud case, while presenting its own fictionalized dramatic interpretation.

Following the film, audiences will be shown unreleased footage connected with the making of Erika 38. This is one of the elements that distinguishes the October 2026 presentation from an ordinary repertory screening.

The programme then moves into a talk with director Yuichi Hibi. The official description confirms that the director is scheduled to discuss the film and introduce his concept for a Nagoya trilogy.

The event can therefore be understood as a combination of retrospective cinema presentation, behind-the-scenes material and filmmaker discussion.

Featured films & premieres

The principal film is Erika 38, originally released in Japan in 2019. It has a running time of approximately 103 to 104 minutes depending on the reference source; the Japan Film Database lists 103 minutes, while other film databases list 104 minutes.

The film centers on Satoko Watanabe, a woman who adopts the name Erika and becomes involved in an investment-fraud operation. Her relationship with Hira’s character, Ikuyo Hirasawa, becomes an important part of the story as the narrative explores money, deception, personal ambition and emotional manipulation.

The October 2026 event does not represent a new film premiere. Instead, it is a special screening of an existing film accompanied by previously unreleased production footage and a director talk.

The event description specifically identifies the unreleased footage as material from the filming of Erika 38. This provides additional context for audiences familiar with the finished film and may offer a different perspective on the production process.

Directors, actors & guests

The featured guest is director Yuichi Hibi, who is scheduled to participate in the post-screening talk.

Hibi directed and wrote Erika 38 and has developed a strong connection with Nagoya through his later films Nameless Day and The Beginning Day. The latter was also written and directed by Hibi and is set in Nagoya, following the story of a former rock star and a young aspiring singer.

The original Erika 38 cast includes Miyoko Asada as Satoko Watanabe, Takehiro Hira as Ikuyo Hirasawa, Shunsuke Kubozuka as Hiroshi Hashimoto, Hajime Yamazaki as Ryosuke Tamaki, Shizuyo Yamasaki, Koyabu Chihiro, Na Hana, Miu Suzuki, Hinako Saeki, Juri Manase, Yuji Nakamura, Arthur Kuroda, Fujita Okamoto, Masao Komatsu, Koichi Furuya, Midori Kiuchi and Kiki Kirin.

The official 2026 event listing specifically names Hibi as the participating director. It does not announce a separate actor appearance or cast reunion, so visitors should not assume that the original cast will participate in the talk.

Screening schedule

The confirmed date is Thursday, October 29, 2026.

The published programme structure is:

Main screening: Erika 38

Additional footage: Previously unreleased footage from the production of Erika 38

Talk event: Yuichi Hibi, director of Erika 38

Special discussion: Introduction to Hibi’s concept for a Nagoya trilogy

The official event description states that the director talk takes place after the screening and unreleased footage presentation.

A precise start time is not included in the currently accessible Ticket Pia event information. Visitors should therefore rely on the admission information attached to their ticket rather than assuming a generic cinema screening time.

As the event has limited ticket availability, attendees should also plan to arrive before the stated admission time and allow sufficient time to find their seats.

Ticket types & accreditation

This event is sold as a ticketed public screening and director talk through Ticket Pia. The official listing identifies the sale as a general public ticket release and states that the number of tickets is limited.

General admission: Public tickets are available through the official Ticket Pia listing.

Event access: The ticket covers the scheduled event programme associated with the screening and director talk.

Accreditation: No separate film-industry accreditation category is announced in the accessible event information.

The current Ticket Pia page does not expose a reliable ticket price in the accessible event text. Because this is a one-off 2026 screening and talk rather than a recurring annual edition, there is no previous edition of this exact event from which a verified historical price can be supplied. A made-up USD figure would therefore be misleading.

The film itself had earlier commercial cinema distribution, but those historical cinema prices are not equivalent to the admission price for this special 2026 screening and should not be treated as the event ticket price. The official Ticket Pia listing should be used for the current price and ticket conditions.

Industry & professional access

There is no indication that the October 2026 event is structured as a film market, industry conference or professional accreditation programme.

The focus is instead on public exhibition and filmmaker discussion. The principal professional element is the opportunity to hear directly from Yuichi Hibi about Erika 38 and his wider Nagoya trilogy concept.

No separate press pass, buyer accreditation, filmmaker accreditation or industry badge is identified in the currently published event information.

Film professionals, students and researchers interested in Japanese cinema may nevertheless find the talk relevant because it connects one of Hibi’s earlier films with his broader filmmaking work in Nagoya.

Red carpet & special events

The principal special event is the director talk following the screening.

There is no confirmed red-carpet programme associated with the October 29 presentation. The official listing instead emphasizes the post-screening discussion with Hibi and the presentation of previously unreleased footage.

The planned introduction to the Nagoya trilogy concept is particularly relevant to audiences interested in Hibi’s relationship with the city. His filmography includes Erika 38, Nameless Day and The Beginning Day, with the latter two directly associated with Nagoya in their settings and stories.

The event therefore places greater emphasis on cinematic discussion and production background than on celebrity appearances or a conventional red-carpet format.

Festival rules

As this is a special cinema and talk presentation rather than a large outdoor festival, visitors should follow the theatre’s normal audience rules and any specific instructions printed on their tickets.

Ticket requirement: Attendees should bring the valid ticket or approved digital admission information required by the ticket provider.

Arrival: Arrive with enough time for admission and seating before the screening begins.

During the screening: Mobile phones and other devices should be silenced, and audience members should avoid activities that disturb other viewers.

Photography and recording: Photography, video recording and audio recording during the film and talk should only be carried out if expressly permitted by the organizers.

Venue instructions: Follow staff directions concerning seating, entry, exit and emergency procedures.

The theatre is a 352-seat venue, so seating capacity is limited compared with a large cinema complex. The Ticket Pia listing specifically warns that tickets are limited and encourages early purchase.

How to get there

Nagoya City Atsuta Culture Small Theater is in Atsuta Ward, an accessible part of southern central Nagoya.

The easiest option for most visitors is the train network. JR Atsuta Station is approximately one minute on foot from the venue. This makes the JR route particularly convenient for visitors arriving from other parts of Nagoya or connecting from regional rail services.

Another option is Nagoya Municipal Subway. Atsuta-jingu-nishi Station on the Meijo Line is approximately five minutes away from the theatre, using Exit 2 and walking east.

Visitors using the Meitetsu network can travel to Jingu-mae Station. The venue is approximately eight minutes from the station’s west exit.

Bus services also stop close to the facility. The official venue information lists the Atsuta Ward Office bus stop as being immediately adjacent to the venue, with several routes serving the area.

Public transport & parking

Public transportation is recommended for this event because the venue’s shared parking capacity is limited.

JR: Atsuta Station, approximately one minute walking.

Subway: Atsuta-jingu-nishi Station, Exit 2, approximately five minutes walking.

Meitetsu: Jingu-mae Station, West Exit, approximately eight minutes walking.

Bus: Atsuta Ward Office stop, immediately near the venue.

The venue’s official facility information lists shared parking spaces, with the exact configuration shown as 15 spaces above ground and 70 underground on the current facility page. The venue notes that this is shared facility parking rather than a dedicated theatre car park and recommends public transportation because spaces are limited.

The Nagoya City accessibility information also confirms dedicated accessible parking arrangements.

Because the event has limited seating and the parking area is shared with other facilities, visitors should not depend on finding a parking space immediately before the screening.

Accommodation areas

Visitors travelling to Nagoya from outside the city can choose accommodation in several convenient areas.

Atsuta: Staying around Atsuta is convenient for reaching the venue and provides a quieter base close to Atsuta Shrine and local attractions.

Kanayama: Kanayama is a practical transport hub with rail and subway connections, making it useful for visitors who want quick access to Atsuta and other parts of Nagoya.

Nagoya Station: The area around Nagoya Station offers a large concentration of hotels and convenient connections for visitors arriving by Shinkansen or regional trains.

Sakae: Sakae is one of Nagoya’s central entertainment and shopping districts and can be useful for visitors combining the screening with sightseeing and evening dining.

For a single-day film event, choosing accommodation close to a major railway or subway station can make the return journey easier, particularly if the talk finishes later than the screening itself.

Food & dining

The event takes place in Atsuta Ward, where visitors can combine the screening with food and sightseeing before or after the programme.

Nagoya is particularly associated with local dishes such as miso katsu, hitsumabushi, kishimen noodles, tebasaki chicken wings and miso-based dishes. Visitors staying around Kanayama, Nagoya Station or central Nagoya will find a broader selection of restaurants, cafés and casual dining options.

Atsuta is also known for Atsuta Shrine and its surrounding food culture, making it possible to turn the cinema visit into a wider Nagoya day trip.

Because the event is held in a dedicated cultural theatre rather than a large cinema complex, visitors should not assume that the venue itself provides a full cinema-style food court or extensive concession area. Eating before arriving is therefore a practical option.

Accessibility

Nagoya City Atsuta Culture Small Theater provides several accessibility features.

The official venue information lists two wheelchair spaces within the 352-seat hall. It also identifies wheelchair-accessible toilets, an elevator, a wheelchair-accessible elevator and priority parking arrangements.

The theatre also has a magnetic induction loop system covering all audience seating, providing an accessibility option for people who use compatible hearing devices.

Visitors requiring specific assistance should contact the venue before the event so that any seating or access requirements can be confirmed in advance.

Best screenings to attend

There is only one scheduled screening date for this event: Thursday, October 29, 2026.

This makes the event particularly straightforward for visitors because there is no need to compare multiple festival days or screening slots.

The principal attraction is the complete Erika 38 presentation followed by previously unreleased production footage and the director talk.

For viewers who have already seen Erika 38, the additional footage and director discussion provide material beyond the standard film presentation. For first-time viewers, the event offers the opportunity to experience the film and immediately hear from the filmmaker responsible for it.

The talk’s planned discussion of the Nagoya trilogy concept may be especially relevant to viewers familiar with Nameless Day and The Beginning Day, allowing the three films to be considered in relation to Hibi’s broader connection with Nagoya.

Previous year’s highlights

There was no previous edition of this specific October 29 screening and director-talk event, so there are no verified 2025 event highlights to report.

The main historical reference point is the original 2019 release of Erika 38. The film was released in Japan on June 7, 2019 and was directed and written by Yuichi Hibi.

The project was conceived by Kiki Kirin, who wanted to create a starring vehicle for Miyoko Asada and encouraged her to take on a very different kind of role. The official film website describes the production as Asada’s return to a leading film role after a long interval and identifies Kirin as the film’s planner.

The film’s cast brought together a large ensemble of established Japanese performers. In addition to Asada, the production featured Takehiro Hira, Shunsuke Kubozuka, Hajime Yamazaki, Shizuyo Yamasaki, Koyabu Chihiro, Midori Kiuchi and Kiki Kirin, alongside many supporting performers.

The film was also significant within Hibi’s career because it formed part of the body of work that connected him with Nagoya. His later film Nameless Day was set in Nagoya, while The Beginning Day was also written and directed by him and centered on characters and stories connected with the city.

The 2026 event builds on this history by bringing Erika 38 back to an audience in Nagoya and placing the film alongside new discussion of Hibi’s planned Nagoya trilogy concept.

Official tickets & accreditation

Tickets for the Movie “Erika 38” Screening 2026 Japan are being sold through Ticket Pia. The official listing confirms the October 29, 2026 date, Nagoya City Atsuta Culture Small Theater venue and Yuichi Hibi’s participation in the talk event. It also states that tickets are limited.

Official ticket source: https://t.pia.jp/pia/event/event.do?eventCd=2632591

The accessible official listing does not provide a reliable ticket price in its indexed event details, and no previous edition of this exact screening-and-talk event has been identified. For that reason, no unsupported USD ticket figure is given here.

The event is a public screening rather than an industry-accreditation programme. No separate professional accreditation or festival pass is currently advertised in the official event information.

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