The 67th Blue Ribbon Awards were announced in Tokyo, in late January 2025 by the Association of Tokyo Film Journalists, recognizing outstanding achievements in Japanese cinema released during 2024.
The major winner was A Samurai in Time, which won Best Film and also earned its lead actor, Makiya Yamaguchi, recognition in the acting categories.
Another major highlight of the ceremony was A Girl Named Ann, which achieved significant recognition through Yu Irie’s Best Director win and Yuumi Kawai’s Best Actress award.
Major Winners
| Category | Winner | Film |
|---|---|---|
| Best Film | A Samurai in Time | A Samurai in Time |
| Best Director | Junichi Yasuda | A Samurai in Time |
| Best Actor | Makiya Yamaguchi | A Samurai in Time |
| Best Actress | Yuumi Kawai | A Girl Named Ann / Desert of Namibia |
| Best Supporting Actor | Taiga Nakano | 11 Rebels |
| Best Supporting Actress | Akiko Oshidari | Living in Two Worlds |
| Best Newcomer | Ryuta Shibuya | Night Flower |
| Best Screenplay | Michito Fujii | Faceless |
| Best Animation Film | Look Back | Look Back |
Obs: Yuumi Kawai was honored for her combined performances in A Girl Named Ann and Desert of Namibia, meaning she received a single award covering multiple roles.
A Samurai in Time Dominates the Awards
Japanese film critics widely described A Samurai in Time as one of the most remarkable “indie breakthrough” success stories in recent years. Genuine critical consensus built from word-of-mouth.
Critics also highlighted the supporting cast’s contribution to the film’s tone, especially how performances worked collectively rather than individually.
| Category | Winner | Film |
|---|---|---|
| Best Film | A Samurai in Time | A Samurai in Time |
| Best Director | Junichi Yasuda | A Samurai in Time |
| Best Actor | Makiya Yamaguchi | A Samurai in Time |
Newcomer Award of the Year Winner
Actors and actresses at the beginning of their careers or who had a breakthrough role during 2025. It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the person’s first film.
| Category | Winner | Film |
|---|---|---|
| Best Newcomer | Ryuta Shibuya | Night Flower |
Obs: Ryuta Shibuya is a Japanese singer-songwriter, widely known as the lead vocalist of the popular rock band SUPER BEAVER. He also has a solo career and has worked as a radio personality.
Films Reviewed here That Won Japan Academy Awards
Here you will find reviews of award-winning Japanese films and my impressions of Japanese culture as portrayed in these films.
A young woman shaped by hardship and abandonment struggles to survive on the margins of society, slowly uncovering fragile moments of hope and connection as she searches for a way to reclaim her identity.
A young woman in modern Japan drifts through unstable relationships and uncertain work, struggling to find identity and emotional stability. As her life grows increasingly unmoored, her search for connection becomes both intimate and self-destructive.
Faceless (Drama/Mistery/Thriller)
Bound by escape and identity, a fugitive on the run assumes multiple personas as a relentless investigation closes in, uncovering a hidden truth behind a crime that may not be what it seems.
Actors Featured here Who Won Awards
Here you will find other reviewed Japanese films that the winning actors of The 67th Blue Ribbon Awards participated in.
| Category | Winner | Film |
|---|---|---|
| Best Actor | Makiya Yamaguchi | A Samurai in Time |
| Best Actress | Yuumi Kawai | A Girl Named Ann / Desert of Namibia |
| Best Supporting Actor | Taiga Nakano | 11 Rebels |
| Best Supporting Actress | Akiko Oshidari | Living in Two Worlds |
| Best Newcomer | Ryuta Shibuya | Night Flower |
A significant point highlighted by the press was the implementation of gender-neutral acting categories, replacing the traditional separation between actor and actress awards.