Movies like Lingering Spirits

A feature-film shortlist from the cached Film Atlas engine. The interactive map may include more titles or newer results. These are similarity matches, not a guarantee of age suitability.

1. 

   01

   Call Boy

   Strong story similarity

   2018 · 119 min · Drama

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   Ryo Morinaka is a university student and works part-time at a bar. He is bored with his daily life and exists in a state of torpor. One day, his friend Shinya Tajima brings the owner of a host bar over to the place where Ryo Morinaka works. Shizuka Mido is the owner of the host bar. Soon, Ryo Morinaka begins to work for Shizuka Mido at the members only host bar. He feels embarrassment initially, but he fulfills the desires of women and develops a sense of purpose.

   Why it connects

   • strong story and style similarity
   • strong genre and movie-style overlap
   • a closely matched era

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2. 

   02

   To Each His Own

   Strong story similarity

   2017 · 114 min · Drama

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   Takashi Aoyama has way too much work to do and pushes himself mentally too hard. He blacks out and collapses at a railroad station. When he is about to be hit by a train, he is saved by Yamamoto. After his encounter with Yamamoto, Takashi recovers his bright personality and gets better results at work. One day, Takashi sees Yamamoto boarding a bus to the cemetery with a serious expression.

   Why it connects

   • strong story and style similarity
   • strong genre and movie-style overlap
   • a closely matched era

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3. 

   03

   Night's Tightrope

   Strong story similarity

   2016 · 120 min · Drama · Thriller

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   Yuki is a 2nd year high school student. She volunteers at a paediatrics ward for her summer vacation, because she wants to witness the moment a person dies. She got that thought after feeling envious of a transfer student's story of seeing a friend's dead body. Yuki has friend named Atsuko. She was bullied in the past and has anxiety issues. She volunteers at a nursing home for her summer vacation, hoping that she will gain courage if she sees the moment a person dies.

   Why it connects

   • strong story and style similarity
   • substantial genre overlap
   • a closely matched era

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4. 

   04

   Villain

   Shared cast

   2010 · 139 min · Crime · Drama

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   Shimizu Yuichi is a shy and lonely day laborer looking for love. He aimlessly spends time corresponding with girls via telephone dating services and going on random encounters with girls looking for spending cash. His world is shattered one day when he is involved in the murder of one of his former encounters, the sweet-faced Ishibashi Yoshino who, after being jilted by playboy Masuo Keijo, berates and mocks the troubled loner.

   Why it connects

   • strong story and style similarity
   • substantial genre overlap
   • a principal cast member

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5. 

   05

   Journey to the Shore

   Strong story similarity

   2015 · 128 min · Drama · Fantasy · Romance

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   Mizuki's husband Yusuke has been missing for three years. He suddenly comes back home as a ghost and asks Mizuki to go on a trip with him. Their trip consists of visiting the people that helped Yusuke on his previous travel.

   Why it connects

   • strong story and style similarity
   • a closely matched era
   • shared production studio: AMUSE

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6. 

   06

   12 Suicidal Teens

   Strong story similarity

   2019 · 118 min · Drama · Mystery

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   A group of boys and girls, twelve in total, gather at an abandoned hospital to die for various different reasons. There, they find the body of a dead boy. The group of twelve attempt to find the person who killed the boy. During their search, the reasons why they want to die are revealed.

   Why it connects

   • strong story and style similarity
   • substantial genre overlap
   • shared production studio: Office Crescendo

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7. 

   07

   Does the Flower Bloom?

   Strong story similarity

   2018 · 88 min · Drama · Romance

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   While on a work trip, 37-year-old Sakurai meets 19-year-old art student Yoichi in a quiet, charming house—sparking an unexpected connection across generations.

   Why it connects

   • strong story and style similarity
   • substantial genre overlap
   • a closely matched era

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8. 

   08

   A Man

   Strong story similarity

   2022 · 121 min · Drama · Mystery · Thriller

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   Akira works as a lawyer. One day, he meets with his former client Rie, who asks Akira to perform a background check on her late husband Daisuke.

   Why it connects

   • strong story and style similarity
   • shared production studio: Kinoshita Group

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9. 

   09

   Our Little Sister

   Strong story similarity

   2015 · 127 min · Drama

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   After the death of their estranged father, 3 adult sisters invite their teenaged half-sister to live with them.

   Why it connects

   • strong story and style similarity
   • strong genre and movie-style overlap
   • a closely matched era

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10. 

    10

    Creepy

    Strong story similarity

    2016 · 130 min · Crime · Drama · Horror

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    After having narrowly escaped an attempt on his life at the hands of a psychopath, detective inspector Takakura quits active service in the police force and takes up a position as a university lecturer in criminal psychology. But his desire to get to the bottom of criminals’ motives remains, and he does not hesitate long when former colleague Nogami asks him to reopen an old case.

    Why it connects

    • strong story and style similarity
    • a closely matched era
    • shared production studio: Kinoshita Group

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