252: Signal of Life (2008)
A high-stakes Japanese disaster film pitting elite rescuers against a catastrophic typhoon and the desperate survivors trapped beneath a flooded Tokyo.
252: Signal of Life - Movie Information
- Original Title: 252 生存者あり
- Release Year: 2008
- Directed by: Nobuo Mizuta
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama
- Runtime: 2h 8m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 6, 2008 (Japan)
- Alternative Titles: 252: Seizonsha ari (JP), 252: Sign Of Life (UK), Kód 252: Katastrofa v Japonsku (CZ), 生存訊號 252 (HK)
- Production Companies: AX-ON, VAP, Nippon Television Network Corporation
- Production Countries: Japan
252: Signal of Life - Plot
At some point in the distant future, a massive, catastrophic earthquake strikes Tokyo, causing the temperature of the Pacific Ocean to rise meteorically and the largest typhoon in recorded Japanese history to sweep toward the city and inundate it with water. The Tokyo Fire Department and its team of crack rescuers swing into action, and shortly after they do, a distress call arises from an underground subway station - with repeated indications of the rescue code, 252 252, and the exclamation "We Have Survivors." It soon becomes apparent that the local rescue squad must attempt to save the survivors, doing so at the expense of their own lives and safety. Written by Nathan Southern
252: Signal of Life - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the disaster unfold in full force:
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252: Signal of Life - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Nobuo Mizuta
Main Cast
- Hideaki Ito
- Seiyo Uchino
- Takayuki Yamada
- Yuichi Kimura
- Yeon Min-ji
- Ayane Omori
- Yuu Kashii
- Taro Yamamoto
- Tetta Sugimoto
- Sachiko Sakurai
Writers
- Nobuo Mizuta
- Hiroshi Saito
- Tetsuya Oishi
Producers
- Takahiro Sato
- Atsuyuki Shimoda
- Tetsuya Sakashita
252: Signal of Life - FAQs
What is 252: Signal of Life about?
252: Signal of Life follows Tokyo's elite fire and rescue teams responding to a catastrophic double disaster — a massive earthquake followed by the largest typhoon in Japanese history. When a distress signal (code 252) emerges from a flooded underground subway station, rescuers risk their lives to reach the trapped survivors.
What does the rescue code 252 mean in the film?
In the film, '252' is the emergency rescue code used by Japan's fire and disaster response teams to signal that survivors have been located and are awaiting rescue. The repeated broadcast of '252 252' and the cry 'We Have Survivors' drives the entire rescue mission at the heart of the story.
Who directed 252: Signal of Life?
252: Signal of Life was directed by Nobuo Mizuta, who also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Hiroshi Saito and Tetsuya Oishi. Mizuta is known for his work in Japanese television and film, and this large-scale disaster production represents one of his most ambitious theatrical projects.
Who are the main actors in 252: Signal of Life?
The film stars Hideaki Ito as Yūji Shinohara and Seiyo Uchino as Shizuma Shinohara, with Takayuki Yamada, Yuichi Kimura, Yeon Min-ji, Ayane Omori, Yuu Kashii, Taro Yamamoto, Tetta Sugimoto, and Sachiko Sakurai rounding out the principal ensemble cast.
When was 252: Signal of Life released?
252: Signal of Life had its theatrical release in Japan on December 6, 2008. The film was produced by AX-ON, VAP, and Nippon Television Network Corporation and was distributed as a major Japanese blockbuster during the holiday season.
Where can you watch 252: Signal of Life?
Streaming availability for 252: Signal of Life varies by region. You can check current viewing options — including subscription, rental, and purchase platforms available in your country — on JustWatch, which aggregates up-to-date streaming information for this title.
How long is 252: Signal of Life?
252: Signal of Life has a runtime of 2 hours and 8 minutes (128 minutes). The film uses its extended running time to build tension across multiple storylines, balancing large-scale disaster spectacle with the personal stakes of the rescuers and the survivors trapped underground.
What are similar movies to 252: Signal of Life?
Fans of 252: Signal of Life may enjoy other disaster and rescue films such as Backdraft (1991), The Towering Inferno (1974), and Tokyo Sonata (2008). These films share themes of survival under extreme conditions, emergency response, and the human cost of catastrophic events.
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