The Hybrid: Nue no ko

A young college graduate name Chiaki brings her friend Mai to visit her hometown called Nuegabuchi, a hot spring village. The village has many legends of a mysterious monster called nue. In the middle of the night, Chiaki would hear eerie cries of a monster, bringing up grim memories from her childhood. During her visit, it is revealed that Sawatsukumori, the man who killed Chiaki's father twelve years ago, was just released on parole and is now missing. In another scene, we see a magazine editor named Kyogoku taking orders from a mysterious woman to capture the nue. Kyogoku eventually arrives at Nuegabuchi and comes head to head with the nue.

Directed by Yoshio Kuratani, Toru Hano, The Hybrid: Nue no ko leans on a strong ensemble — Honoka Ishibashi — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about action titles of 2015.