Japan Delays New Bear Attack Movie After Real-Life Incidents Mirror Its Story
Japanese pop culture news edited by Patrick Macias
The upcoming Japanese survival thriller HIGUMA!! has postponed its November 21 release date.
The film follows a group of young men on a shady part-time job who encounter a massive brown bear deep in the mountains.
The decision to delay comes amid a rise in real-life bear attacks across Japan.
Bear Attacks On the Rise in Japan
With bear sightings and attacks increasing across Japan, the Production Committee of the new movie HIGUMA!! announced that the film’s planned release would be delayed out of sensitivity to ongoing events. “We would like to express our deepest sympathies to those affected by recent bear attacks, and to everyone living under bear alert,” the committee said. “After careful discussions with all parties, we decided to reschedule the release so that audiences can enjoy the film in a calm and secure environment.” Tickets that have already been purchased for the original opening date of November 21st will remain valid, and the new release date will be revealed once conditions stabilize.
A Story Of Fear, Survival, And Desperation
Directed by Mitsuki Kagami (Echoes in the Fog), HIGUMA!! begins when a risky yamibaito, or illegal dark part-time job, goes wrong, leaving the group stranded deep in the forest where they come face to face with an enormous brown bear. The story blends gritty realism with primal horror, showing how greed, fear, and nature violently intersect in modern Japan. Starring Wan Marui (Egoist) and Takashi Ukaji (Crows Zero), the story combines gritty realism with primal horror, exploring how greed, fear, and nature collide in modern Japan.
According to the production committee, HIGUMA!! is a reality-driven thriller that intertwines two modern anxieties in Japan: the rise of underground labor and the growing number of bear encounters near populated areas. While the film includes scenes of attack and predation, the creators stress that these are not meant for shock value. Instead, the story reflects what they describe as the essence of the monster-on-the-loose thriller: to simulate reality through fear and hold a mirror to human life.
A Measured Response
The filmmakers expressed their respect for those affected by real-world events and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring audiences can experience the film safely. “We will continue preparing an environment where viewers can immerse themselves in the story with peace of mind,” they stated. The teaser trailer, released earlier this fall, has already drawn attention for its grounded tone and stark realism.