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Netflix Japan is making a bold statement with its upcoming release “Bullet Train Explosion,” a reboot of the 1975 classic “Bullet Train.”
The film, which premieres April 23, marks a significant milestone as Netflix celebrates its 10th anniversary in the Japanese market.
According to Shinichi Takahashi, director of live action content for Netflix Japan, the production achieved unprecedented access to Japan’s iconic bullet trains. “We were able to rent an entire bullet train and film it in motion seven times, travelling back and forth from Tokyo to Aomori,” Takahashi revealed during the Netflix APAC showcase in Tokyo, which also included a fan event and the world premiere of the film with Shinji Higuchi and star Tsuyoshi Kusanagi participating in a rollicking post-screening Q&A.
This extraordinary level of cooperation from JR East Railways stands in contrast to the original film’s production, which received no support from what was then the national railway due to security reasons. Takahashi said that extensive pre-production discussions were key to securing this historic collaboration.
The film’s production scale included the construction of two full-sized bullet train cars using authentic materials and the creation of a 1/6 scale model train for explosive sequences. “Our primary focus was on ensuring the audience could feel the authenticity and realism of the bullet train,” Takahashi explained.
Directed by tokusatsu (Japanese practical special effects) veteran Shinji Higuchi, known for “Shin Godzilla,” the film stars Tsuyoshi Kusanagi in a thrilling premise: a hijacked bullet train rigged with bombs that will detonate if the speed drops below 100 kph. Higuchi expressed gratitude for Netflix’s support, stating, “In the past, I would have known that it would be rejected at the planning stage… With Netflix this time, we were able to do everything we have always wanted to do for many years.”
The film represents part of Netflix Japan’s broader strategy to invest in distinctive local content that can reach global audiences. Takahashi noted that the platform isn’t simply pursuing established IPs based on sales figures, but rather seeking “unique and distinctive stories” that might be considered “too specific, quirky, or local” by other studios.
Netflix Japan’s film slate includes the recently released manga adaptation “Demon City,” which ranked in the global top 10 for four consecutive weeks, and the upcoming “10Dance,” directed by Keishi Otomo and starring Ryoma Takeuchi and Keita Machida.
For Takahashi, who joined Netflix after a career in the Japanese film industry, these productions fulfill a long-held belief that “Japanese titles and Japanese creators had the talent to really go overseas.” He cited the experience of “City Hunter” star Ryohei Suzuki, who found international recognition for his role as evidence of this global potential being realized.
