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Arcana

Name: Arcana
Director: Yoshitaka Yamaguchi
Released: 2013
Duration: 89 min

Representation Score

4.7/10

Fair

2013

Not Rated

Director

Yoshitaka Yamaguchi

Runtime

89 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Arcana follows a conventional thriller format with a central duo investigating a series of bombings and supernatural events. The film includes a character with cognitive impairment and supernatural abilities but does not aim to challenge social hierarchies. Instead, it adheres to a standard narrative structure without significant engagement with complex multi-layered themes.

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Category Breakdown

Does Arcana have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or representations of non-straight identities. The main relationship is strictly professional.

How does Arcana portray gender?

Fair

The story features a gender-balanced duo where Maki has supernatural abilities, while the detective leads the investigation.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Arcana?

Fair

The film has a homogeneous cast typical of Japanese cinema, without intentional diversity in demographics.

How does Arcana represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film uses spiritual mediums rather than specific religious beliefs. It relies on traditional law enforcement structures.

Does Arcana include disability representation?

Fair

Maki’s memory loss represents a cognitive disability, which is central to the plot, but the nuance of this portrayal is unclear.

Present on Screen

The film includes a female character with supernatural abilities and cognitive impairment, providing some representation.
The central duo is gender-balanced.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks LGBTQ+ representation and diverse gender identity narratives.
The narrative relies on traditional institutions without challenging social or cultural norms.
The cast is homogeneous, without intentional racial or ethnic diversity.

Official Synopsis

Detective Murakami meets a girl who suffers from memory loss. The girl has special abilities including the ability to talk with the dead. Detective Murakami names her Maki. Detective Murakami and Maki work together to solves a massive murder case involving a mad bomber. Maki's identity is revealed during their investigation.

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