2004 Japanese animated film Howl's Moving Castle (ハウルの動く城) in Pittsburgh, from September 20.

The 2004 Hayao Miyazaki film Howl's Moving Castle (ハウルの動く城) will play in Pittsburgh-area theaters from September 20 through September 24, part of Ghibli Fest 2025. A synopsis, from the distributor:

Sophie, a quiet girl working in a hat shop, finds her life thrown into turmoil when she is literally swept off her feet by a handsome but mysterious wizard named Howl. The vain and vengeful Witch of the Waste, jealous of their friendship, puts a curse on Sophie and turns her into a 90-year-old woman. On a quest to break the spell, Sophie climbs aboard Howl’s magnificent moving castle and into a new life of wonder and adventure. But as the true power of Howl’s wizardry is revealed, Sophie finds herself fighting to protect them both from a dangerous war of sorcery that threatens their world.

It is scheduled to play locally at the Waterworks Cinema, Chartiers Valley Luxury 14, and the Cinemark theaters in McCandless, Monroeville, and Robinson. Tickets are available online: the shows on the 20th, 21st, and 24th are dubbed in English, while the shows on the 22nd and 23rd are in Japanese with English subtitles.

YeGa K-Food opens at Ineffable Cà Phê inside Enson Market in Point Breeze.

Jeonghee Choi of YeGa Kimchi has opened a Korean food stand, YeGa K-Food, at Ineffable Cà Phê inside Enson Market in Point Breeze. YeGa K-Food held its opening on Saturday, September 12, and is open from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.

Our special menu features:

Korean BBQ Chicken

Bibimbap

Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes)

Oxtail Radish Soup

Dumplings

Enjoy a joyful evening with delicious food and Korean K-pop music. We look forward to welcoming you!

Beyond this newly-opened food stand, Choi's YeGa Kimchi sells a variety of kimchi, banchan, triangle kimbap, and dosirak boxes at several retailers and farmer's markets around the city. Enson Market is an Asian grocery that opened in June.

2001 Japanese animated film Metropolis (メトロポリス) in Pittsburgh, September 27.

The 2001 Japanese animated film Metropolis (メトロポリス) will play in Pittsburgh on September 27, part of the Harris Theater's International Art House Classics series.

Welcome to Metropolis, where it’s man against machine in this spectacular, retro-futuristic animated film based on the classic manga created by Osamu Tezuka (Astro Boy), written by Japanese anime legend Katsuhiro Otomo (Akira) and directed by Rintaro (Galaxy Express 999). In the industrial, tri-level world of Metroplois, humans and robots are the cohabitants of a strictly segmented society. Detective Shunsaku Ban and his sidekick Kenichi search for Duke Red, a rebel scientist, to arrest him and seize his latest creation – a highly advanced female robot named Tima. But when they locate him, Shunsaku quickly realizes that the eccentric genius is protected by powerful forces that put him beyond their reach, leading to an adventure within the twisting labyrinth beneath Metropolis that puts the fate of the universe in peril.

Tickets are available online. The Harris Theater is located at 809 Liberty Ave. in downtown's Cultural District (map).

2025 Japanese movie 100 Meters (ひゃくえむ) in Pittsburgh, October 12 - 14.

The upcoming Japanese film 100 Meters (ひゃくえむ), to be released in Japan on September 19, will play in Pittsburgh October 12 through 14. A synopsis, from the distributor GKids:

100 METERS follows Togashi, a track star who is born to run. As a kid, he is naturally gifted and wins every 100-meter race without effort. But in sixth grade, he meets Komiya, a transfer student who is full of determination but lacks technique. In teaching him, Togashi gives Komiya a new purpose: to win no matter what. Years pass by, and Togashi and Komiya meet again as rivals on the track and reveal their true selves

It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the Cinemark theater in Monroeville, and tickets are available online. THe October 12 and 14 shows are in Japanese with English subtitles while the October 13 shows are dubbed in English.

2002 Japanese horror film Ju-on: The Grudge (呪怨) at Rangos Giant Cinema, October 17.

The 2002 Japanese horror film Ju-on: The Grudge (呪怨) will play at the Rangos Giant Cinema on October 17.

“Ju-on: The Grudge” brought worldwide attention to the Japanese horror film industry with its terrifying blend of unique storytelling and unforgettably frightening visuals. Rangos Giant Cinema’s immersive Dolby Atmos surround sound adds another layer to the nightmare, making this screening an experience that will be sure to haunt you. Join us on Fri., Oct. 17 at 9:30 p.m.

Tickets are available online; tickets for the cinema are separate from tickets fro the Kamin Science Center. The newly-renamed Kamin Science Center, formerly known as the Carnegie Science Center, is located at 1 Allegheny Ave. on the North Shore (map).

Fall Tree Care Work Sessions with Pittsburgh Sakura Project, Saturdays starting September 13.

The Pittsburgh Sakura Project is recruiting volunteers to assist with its Fall Tree Care Work Sessions scheduled to begin on Saturday, September 13.

Various types of care are required throughout the year to ensure that the cherry blossoms bloom beautifully in spring. We can use your help!

Regular maintenance by volunteers takes place throughout the year, and the fall sessions take place on three Saturdays in September---September 13, 20, and 27---and two Sundays in October---October 5 and 12.

*Watering as needed, reinstalling deer fences, weeding, mulching

. . .

Meet at our equipment shed, opposite the tennis courts.

Work will be canceled in the event of bad weather. If you are unsure whether work will be carried out or canceled, please text 412-600-2181.

Please bring appropriate clothing and non-slip shoes for the work

Registration is required and can be completed online. The trees are located near the boathouse, but volunteers are asked to meet near the tennis courts (map).

Moochi & You, a new dessert place featuring mochi donuts, corndogs, and boba, to hold Grand Opening on September 15.

Moochi & You, an Asian dessert place featuring mochi donuts, corndogs, and boba, is set to hold its Grand Opening on September 15. It is located at 601 Lincoln Ave. (map), in what was most recently Valkyrie Doughnuts, and started its soft open on August 15. From a Tribune-Review profile last month:

The shop, located in the heart of the neighborhood, will feature donuts as well as Korean corn hot dogs. Also on the menu will be classic boba, also known as bubble tea, a popular Asian drink that often consists of a milky sweet tea and tapioca pearl balls.

Moochi & You will offer a variety of flavors.

Moochi & You uses Ghirardelli chocolates and top the donuts with pistachios, Oreos and other goodies. The hot dogs are all beef and they have spicy options.

Also on the menu will be coffee and different tea flavors. All of the tea is brewed fresh. The fresh milk tea is made with organic whole milk.

Signage went up earlier this summer. The Moochi & You owner was one of the co-founders of China Star in the North Hills, which expanded to a second location in Squirrel Hill that eventually rebranded to become Sichuan Gourmet.

Chinese & English Storytime, September 20 at Cooper-Siegel Community Library in Sharpsburg.

The next installment of the Cooper-Siegel Community Library's Chinese & English Storytime will be held on September 20 at the Sharpsburg branch.

Explore the Chinese language with native speaker Ms. JJ through bilingual songs, books, and playful experiences! This monthly program on the 3rd Saturday of the month is designed for kids in preschool - 2nd grade with their caregivers.

This volunteer-led program is FREE - donations appreciated. All supplies provided.

Library parking is limited. If the library lot is full, we recommend parking at the 13th Street municipal lot. We're also conveniently located on the 91 and 1 bus routes.

The event runs from 10:30 to 11:30 in the Community Room. Registration is required. The library is located at 1212 Main St. in Sharpsburg (map).

1997 Satoshi Kon film Perfect Blue (パーフェクトブルー) in Pittsburgh in 4K restoration, from October 3.

A new 4K restoration of the 1997 Japanese animated film Perfect Blue (パーフェクトブルー) will play in Pittsburgh from October 3 through October 8.

“Who are...you?” Mima Kirigoe, a former pop idol, makes a bold transition into acting, taking on a role in a drama that includes a disturbing assault scene, and even releasing a provocative nude photo book. Her dramatic reinvention grabs public attention, but also provokes unease among her fans, her manager, and even herself as she struggles with the rapid shift from her days as a pop idol. As a stalker begins to shadow her, a screenwriter and a photographer are murdered one after another. "Did I kill them?" Mima begins to wonder if a split personality is gradually taking over, just like the character that she plays in the drama. Then "the other Mima" the pop idol who was supposed to have "graduated," appears in front of her…

It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the Cinemark theater in Robinson, and tickets are available online.

2000 Japanese film Battle Royale (バトル・ロワイアル) in Pittsburgh-area theaters, October 12, to mark 25th anniversary.

The 2000 Japanese film Battle Royale (バトル・ロワイアル) will play in Pittsburgh on October 12 to mark the movie's 25th anniversary.

Celebrate the 25th anniversary of visionary director Kinji Fukasaku’s Battle Royale with a new theatrical release in partnership with Iconic Events. This special screening is presented in 4K along with a new interview with the screenwriter — Kinji’s son Kenta — sharing an intimate look at the forces that shaped his father and how they inspired his final film. Battle Royale is an intense and brutal story about Japanese high school students who are sent off by their government with three days to kill each other — until only one remains. With its blend of social commentary and high-stakes action, Battle Royale continues to influence modern dystopian storytelling and has inspired countless television shows, video games, and films, including the acclaimed The Hunger Games franchise. (Interview in Japanese with English subtitles)

It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the Cinemark theater in Robinson, and tickets are available online.