Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on October 2010

Based on the 1975 novel by Yasutaka Tsutsui (who also wrote The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and Paprika), this story is so popular that it has served as the basis for no fewer than four TV series. The new film version recruits the super sexy Sei Ashina (Silk, King Game) to play the title role of Nanase, a woman with supernatural abilities. Living in Hokkaido with mind-reading cohorts Henry (Dante Carver, of Softbank commercial fame) and 7-year-old Norio (Yuki Imai), she gets involved in fighting crime and becomes the enemy of a powerful crime syndicate. The narrative opens as Nanase returns from Macau, where she supports the household by gambling—since she has ESP, she can’t lose. Along with a friend Yuri (Ai Maeda), she is spotted by the evil syndicate and barely avoids assassination. And that’s all before the time-traveling Fujiko (Eriko Sato) shows up. Though a bit campy and absurd, this thriller builds the tension well, offers up trippy visuals, and is slickly shot. The sharp atmosphere makes Nanase Futatabi a competent entry in the genre. (119 min)