I have a student who is taken with the production trend in Japanese movies of the last few years consisting of movies in which a group of characters cluster around a particular event or location in multiple plotlines that only tangentially (if ever) intersect. Her two favorite movies of this kind are SURVIVE STYLE 5 + and MATSUGANE POTSHOT AFFAIR.

Do any of you have any suggestions for us to explore more movies like these? Thanks so much in advance for your always-informed input on matters such as these.

I haven't seen the films you mentioned but I believe the following films may fit the bill:
9 SOULS
DOLLS
HANGING GARDEN
PARTY 7
THE TASTE OF TEA

It's been a while since I've watched it, but I think STEREO FUTURE fits the bill. Yes, it's Chinese, but it's a good movie and I think it fits the criteria (loosely at least), CRAZY STONE. Have him/her check out FUNKY FOREST, that'll give him/her something to chew on.

I mentioned "Boogiepop Phantom" (2000), a 12-part anime series in your other thread, but it would apply here as well, given that it does have separate narrative arcs involving different sets of characters, some of which intersect, some of which don't. It's fascinating because the series jumps back and forth in time, sometimes showing us the same event from a different perspective.

Hello Kevin (and everyone else),

This is an observation for your student. The "production trend" he or she has noticed may in fact be one of distribution rather than of production. Let me elaborate below but before I do that, I'd like to take note that the ensemble episodic story is standard form in Japanese literature. From _Tale of Genji_ to the works of Natsume Soseki down to the most recent bestseller, the fugue-like characteristic of Japanese plots is a common structural trait that many readers of have noticed over the years--just see any translator's preface for example.

A fan of Japanese cinema may have had reason to think otherwise based upon what was exported in previous decades. Prior to extensive English subtitling, a viewer in the West would get lots of genre pieces and Modernist art house fare. But because more stuff is subtitled nowadays, we're getting a glimpse of "new" things which are, in fact, old hat. Once upon a time, when someone mentioned Japanese cuisine, most people would think of Benihanna and teppanyaki. When sushi was finally imported here, it was something that was new and cutting edge. However, if one had taken a trip to a small Japanese fishing village before the debut, one would realise that what was promoted as trendy up-market fare was actually basic staple food served alongside beer--sort of like tapas.

Has your student ever seen, say, a Tora-san movie? Anyway, that's my two cents. Just something else to consider that will hopefully spark some reflection.

Speaking of Boogiepop, BOOGIEPOP AND OTHERS (2000) definitely qualifies.

How about WOW-CHOTEN HOTEL, which was discussed here recently. It's not an excellent movie or anything -- it seems like something light that would be put together for extended families to watch during the holidays -- but it's pretty fun.

Daiteiden no yoru ni / Until the Lights Come Back (Minamoto, 2005)

Another pleasant, diversion featuring many story lines -- with a wonderful cast (including Ozu and Naruse veteran Chikage Awashima).

I seem to recall TAMPOPO having something of this.

I didn't like it that much but FUNKY FOREST definitely fits the bill.