Liverleaf Blu Ray Review (SRS Cinema)

Liverleaf (aKa Misumisô, 三角草的春天, and ミスミソウ) is a 2018 horror revenge thriller directed by Eisuke Naitô (A Suffocatingly Lonely Death, Toxic Daughter, Forgiven Children, Yatterman, Evil Hospital, Dorome: Boys, and Puzzle). It was written by Miako Tadano (Happy of the End, San-Nen Migomoru, and The World of Kanako). It’s based on the Manga “Misu Misou” from Rensuke Oshikiri (Hi Score Girl, House of Sayuri, and Pupipo!). It was executive produced by Shigeto Arai (We Are Little Zombies, The Blood of Wolves, Love at Least, and The Man from the Sea). It only played at a few film festivals in the United States which including Chicago International Film Festival, New York Asian Film Festival, and Asian Film Festival of Dallas. Haruka Nozaki (played by: Anna Yamada from Shoutai, Golden Kamuy, Sumika Sumire, and Shinantorôpu) transfers to a new school but she is bullied there which includes their vicious leader Taeko Oguro (played by: Rinka Otani from Honey and Poison, 36,000 Seconds in a Day, Howling Village, Kojinsa Arimasu, and Suicide Forest Village). The only person on her side is her classmate Mitsuru Aiba (played by: Hiroya Shimizu from The Outsider, Tokyo Revengers, Ai the Video Girl, and Sadako). Then one day, a fire breaks out at her home, killing her parents and her severely injuring her younger sister Shoko. Haruka has an emotional breakdown right away. She begins to take revenge on those who are responsible for this tragic event and she won’t stop until they are all dead!!!! This is a hidden gem from Japan that still hasn’t gotten the respect that it truly deserves. Liverleaf was basically unreleased in America until now besides a few film festivals in 2018. It’s based on the Manga “Misu Misou” and it was directed by veteran Eisuke Naitô. Liverleaf has a stylish winter atmosphere, it feels cold and the snow almost never stops during it’s nasty chaos. It follows a student Haruka Nozaki that doesn’t really fit in with the popular crowd so a group of bullies that includes Taeko Oguro, Risakou Kato, Hidetoshi Kuga, and Tsutomu Ikegawa. Rumi Sayama is also terrorized by the mean spirited teenagers so she gets desperate and she helps them to make things much worse for the other outcast. Mitsuru Aiba is a photographer and he mainly just keeps to himself but he forms a bond with the solo Nozaki so they become closer as all of the kids plot to make Nozaki’s life a living hell. Lead actress Anna Yamada really shines as the girl that doesn’t belong. She just wants to go to school and enjoy her life but she struggles to keep positive with all of the hate around her. She’s already at her breaking point before her the family tragedy takes place and she just loses her grip on reality. Hiroya Shimizu is the mysterious member of her school that doesn’t go with the others. He stays in his own lane while everything happens. He clearly sees it all because he takes photos and he is always in the background. No one really notices him for the most part so it works to his advantage. Rinka Otani is great as the cold blooded Taeko Oguro. She runs the school with her cruel actions and demand for embarrassment. She has her own family issues but she hides it very well and she takes it on her peers. She loves the power the she has over her group and she knows she is wrong for her fatal influence. Rena Ôtsuka (Sadako: Pendant of Mourning) is a nice surprise as the resourceful Rumi Sayama. She consistently punished and she knows she’s getting close to ended up like her former friend Haruka Nozaki so she does whatever it takes to survive. If you can’t beat them, join them is the desperate method she goes for here. She brags about being the mastermind behind the fire, it was only meant to scare but it ended up much worse and she can never take that back. The rest of the supporting cast includes Kenshin Endô (Fukushû No Mibôjin), Masato Endô, Arisa Sakura, Reiko Kataoka (Battle Royale), Ayaka Konno (Kamen Rider Zi-O), Aki Morita (The Ghost Photo Club), Seina Nakata (Bakudan), Kazuki Ôtomo (Drop), Masahiro Toda (Cure), and Minori Terada (Kamen Rider W). Liverleaf is similar to revenge features like I Spit on Your Grave, The Last House on the Left, Kill Bill, Ms .45, Death Wish, Revenge, Oldboy, Leon, Sympathy for Lady Vengeance, and many more but in a high school setting. It’s not afraid to show all of it’s graphic violence on the screen. It’s non stop brutality and gruesome moments are fully displayed as this girl gets her bloody vengeance. The impressive over the top gore is handled by special fx artist Tomo Hyakutake (Resident Evil franchise, Ju-on franchise, Confessions, Sadako vs. Kayako, Lumberjack the Monster, Yakuza Weapon, The Great Yokai War, Tokyo Ghoul: ‘S’, and Deadball). Liverleaf is full of unlikable characters that the audience wants them to be slaughtered. The script makes it easy to hate them as they continue to do bad things. Plus it has a few twists and shockers thrown into the mix. Haruka Nozaki plans all of her attacks wisely and she gets these real life monsters at their most vulnerable. Her own sister begs her to stop all of this killing and it makes the situation between the siblings even more interesting as it goes on. Liverleaf might be the best thing that SRS Cinema has ever distributed and it’s Wlld that most of the general public doesn’t even know this exists. It’s definitely one of the most underrated productions to come outta Japan and I really hope this home video release helps it get some attention after all these years, STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!!!! Let’s discuss this high definition presentation and special features from SRS Cinema! This 1080p (2.39:1) unrated transfer is from a newer restoration of the obscure Asian gem. Liverleaf was only released on DVD overseas 2 previous times before this official North American home video release. This independent production looks way bigger and better than you expect considering it’s very small budget. It’s chilly winter atmosphere and countless violence really shines when it comes to it’s sharp visuals. It has an Japanese: Dolby Digital 2.0 track on the disc. It has plenty of suspense, thrills, and tension so the audio helps it all build up to it’s crazy finale. All of the dialogue is crystal clear, the revenge is elevated, and the music has a big boost to it. It has English SDH subtitles. It has the almost 16 minute “From Manga to Movie: The Differences”. It’s a video essay that pays respect for the Manga and it’s film adaptation. It breaks down the changes and what they added to it. It was praised for remaining as faithful as possible for it’s original story. It has the little over 9 minute “Elijah Thomas Thoughts on Liverleaf”. The fan goes over it’s concept, source material, differences, and his overall thoughts on it. He shows his appreciation for it’s cinematography and it’s special fx. It has the almost 13 minute “Liverleaf’s Obsession”. Elijah Thomas returns here and he goes over some of the classic Asian cinema especially ones that had to deal with the revenge sub-genre. It has “Talent Files” which includes information on the director, writer, and some of the main cast. It has the almost 7 minute “Rensuke Oshikiri Biography”. It’s a video essay that goes over the history and work of the author responsible for Liverleaf. It goes over some early work and inspirations. It has the “Trailer” for Liverleaf. It has a variety of SRS Cinema related “Trailers”. It has reverse artwork featuring the original poster. It’s available everywhere right now, CHECK IT OUT!!!!