Tales of the Bizarre: 2007 Spring Special (2007)
A darkly imaginative Japanese anthology TV film featuring five twisted tales of talent, memory, obsession, and the uncanny.
Tales of the Bizarre: 2007 Spring Special - Movie Information
- Original Title: 世にも奇妙な物語 ～2007春の特別編～
- Release Year: 2007
- Directed by: Yasushi Ueda, Genta Satou et al.
- Type: Movie
- Genres: TV Movie, Fantasy, Horror
- Runtime: 1h 55m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Alternative Titles: 世にも奇妙な物語'07 春の特別編 (JP)
- Production Companies: Fuji Television Network
- Production Countries: Japan
Tales of the Bizarre: 2007 Spring Special - Plot
***Sainou-dama A talentless young musician receives a spam email advertising "Talent Balls"--three lollipops which when eaten will awaken your hidden talents and turn you into a savant. However, what awakens within him turns out to be far from what he expects. ***Virtual Memory A women is understress at her job and goes to a store that offers her a machine that allows her to live other peoples memories. What happens when she starts selling hers? ***Funsadan Kyouiku A new teacher finds that her pay is based off her popularity with the students, so she starts to create problems for herself to solve. ***Gozen 2-ji no Chime A writer gets a call at his front gate every day at 2 am, but no one believes him. And then a murder happens and none of the cameras pick the criminal up. ***Kaisou Densha An old man revisiting memories on the subway.
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Tales of the Bizarre: 2007 Spring Special - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Yasushi Ueda
- Genta Satou
- Toshikazu Nagae
- Masato Hijikata
- Mamoru Hoshi
Main Cast
- Sho Sakurai
- Aya Hirayama
- Ai Kato
- Hiromi Nagasaku
- Yoichi Nukumizu
- Kippei Shiina
- Fumiyo Kohinata
- Tamori
Writers
- Toshiya Ohno
- Hayashi Mori
- Naoya Takayama
Tales of the Bizarre: 2007 Spring Special - FAQs
What is Tales of the Bizarre: 2007 Spring Special about?
It's a Japanese anthology TV film made up of five short stories, each with a darkly fantastical twist. Themes range from a musician who eats mysterious "Talent Balls" to a woman who sells her own memories, a popularity-obsessed teacher, a ghostly 2 AM caller, and an old man's subway reverie.
What are the five stories in this special?
The five segments are: Sainou-dama (talent-granting lollipops), Virtual Memory (a woman who trades in personal memories), Funsadan Kyouiku (a teacher gaming her own popularity), Gozen 2-ji no Chime (a mysterious 2 AM visitor linked to a murder), and Kaisou Densha (an old man's nostalgic subway journey).
Is Tales of the Bizarre a long-running Japanese franchise?
Yes, Tales of the Bizarre (Yo ni mo Kimyou na Monogatari) is one of Japan's most beloved anthology franchises, airing on Fuji Television since 1990. It releases seasonal specials — spring, summer, autumn, and winter — each featuring a fresh roster of stories and stars from Japanese entertainment.
Who are the main cast members in this special?
The special features a strong ensemble including Sho Sakurai (of Arashi fame), Ai Kato, Hiromi Nagasaku, Kippei Shiina, Fumiyo Kohinata, Yoichi Nukumizu, Aya Hirayama, and beloved TV personality Tamori — each headlining one of the five anthology segments.
Who directed the segments in this special?
The five segments were helmed by five different directors: Yasushi Ueda, Genta Satou, Toshikazu Nagae, Masato Hijikata, and Mamoru Hoshi. This multi-director approach is typical of the franchise, giving each story its own distinct visual style and tone.
What genre is Tales of the Bizarre: 2007 Spring Special?
It blends Fantasy and Horror in a TV Movie anthology format — a combination the franchise has perfected over decades. Each segment leans differently: some are eerie and unsettling, others lean into dark comedy or psychological suspense, making the overall experience varied and unpredictable.
What are some similar films or shows to watch?
If you enjoy dark Japanese anthology storytelling, Ring (1995) and Imprint (2006) are worth exploring. For supernatural anime anthologies, Demon Slayer's theatrical compilations offer a different but equally atmospheric experience. Fans of classic J-horror will also find Devilman - Volume 1: The Birth (1987) rewarding.
How long is Tales of the Bizarre: 2007 Spring Special?
The special runs for 115 minutes — just under two hours. That runtime is spread across five self-contained stories, so each segment gets roughly 20 minutes to build its premise, develop its characters, and deliver its signature twist ending.
More About Tales of the Bizarre: 2007 Spring Special
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