Top 10 Japanese Aviation Movies You Can't Miss

"Attention Please" tells the story of a girl named Misaki Yoko. From a young age, Yoko was a very stubborn and rebellious child, preferring to play with boys rather than girls. Raised under the guidance of three older neighborhood brothers, Yoko became tough and strong-willed. Together with her brothers, she formed a school band. One day, Tsukasa, one of her brothers in the band, had to go to Tokyo for work, and the band disbanded. On the day her brother left for the airport, Yoko saw beautiful flight attendants and dreamed of becoming one. Ignoring the objections of her family and friends, Yoko worked hard to become a flight attendant.

In just 60 minutes, "Attention Please" successfully portrays the challenges and hardships Yoko faces, while highlighting the image of a small but determined girl named Misaki Yoko, who possesses extraordinary resilience.

"The Aviation Office" focuses on the theme of aviation, set in the Japan Aviation Bureau. Directed by the renowned Nobuhiro Doi, the film portrays the complex relationship between Inaba Rika, an undercover reporter, and Sorai Daisuke, a newcomer at the Japan Aviation Bureau.

Inaba Rika is an experienced Japanese journalist with five years of work under her belt. With a passion for journalism, she is assigned to investigate undercover at the Japan Aviation Bureau. Here, she is partnered with Sorai Daisuke, who once dreamed of becoming a pilot but had to abandon that dream due to a childhood leg injury. The tension between the two characters adds an intriguing dynamic to this captivating film.

"Never give up on your dreams, even if life forces you to start over" is the meaningful and humanistic message conveyed by the film "Cheap Flight". Watching the entire film will inspire you to keep striving to reach your dreams and the glory of life.

Aizawa Miharu is the main character, initially working for a prestigious Japanese airline. However, after some unforeseen events, she is forced to take a job with the budget airline Cherry Airlines. Undeterred by fate, Aizawa Miharu and her colleagues begin to contribute and build a reputation for Cherry Airlines.

"Tokyo Control" is the first TV series produced by FuJi TV to use 3D technology. When the show premiered in 2010, 3D technology was still not widely popular worldwide, making "Tokyo Control" an experimental project. Beyond its content, the realistic and immersive 3D effects added a captivating element to the film.

The main storyline is set in the air traffic control tower of a Japanese airline. The audience gains a deeper understanding of the work done by those on the ground who assist flight crews in ensuring safe flights.

The key characters include two air traffic control managers, Suzuki Maki and Kouji Hara, and three controllers: Yuki Noboru, Saito Kimie, and Nakajima Haru, each with their own distinct personalities, creating a colorful character dynamic for the series.

"Tokyo Airport" and "Tokyo Control" share the same screenwriter, Uda Manabu. "Tokyo Airport" is considered a sequel, continuing the immense success of "Tokyo Control".

The story is set at Haneda International Airport in Japan. Here, a rookie air traffic controller, Shinoda Kaori, faces numerous challenges due to her inexperience and the high stress of the job. While "Tokyo Control" focuses on the relationships between air traffic controllers, "Tokyo Airport" delves deeper into the operations and tasks within the control tower. Actress Fukuda's exceptional performance provides a realistic view of the demanding life of ground-based air traffic control.

"Happy Flight", also known as "Chuyến bay hạnh phúc" in Vietnamese, premiered in 2003 in Japan. One of the film's most memorable moments is the iconic finger snap performed by the characters, which symbolizes encouragement, similar to the phrase "Go Chiaki!" in the movie "Stewardess Monogatari".

Focusing on the lives of airline crew members, the film explores the roles of pilots and flight attendants. Beyond showcasing their daily work, it delves into the personal journeys of Suzuki Kazuhiro, a co-pilot striving to become a captain, and Saito Etsuko, a flight attendant eager to join international flights.

"The Cabin Attendant" is a collaboration between FuJi TV and Japan Airlines. While the film uses the aviation industry as a backdrop, its core narrative leans heavily into the detective genre.

Okamura Miho, a talented and beautiful flight attendant, is on a flight to New York when she partners with another male attendant, Tomoko. They soon find themselves caught up in a mysterious murder case. The film blends suspense and intrigue, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. Though aviation is not the central theme, the movie offers beautiful shots and valuable insights into the Japanese aviation industry.

"Stewardess Monogatari", also known as "Go Chiaki!", is a classic Japanese drama about aviation. The film became an inspiration for young people to relentlessly pursue their dreams and ambitions, with the phrase "Go Chiaki!" becoming a popular saying of encouragement to overcome challenges.

The 22-episode series follows the journey of Matsumoto Chiaki, a young woman determined to become a flight attendant. As a child, Chiaki was slow and clumsy, earning the nickname "turtle" from her peers. Her family strongly opposed her dream of becoming a flight attendant, but Chiaki persevered, enrolling in the Japan Aviation Academy and applying to JAL - Japan Airlines. Along the way, she falls for Murasawa Hiroshi. Despite facing numerous obstacles and jealousy from Hiroshi's fiancée, Chiaki triumphs in love and her career, ultimately becoming the skilled flight attendant she had always dreamed of.

Premiering in 1983, this series has been inspiring young people to chase their passions and overcome obstacles to reach success for over 30 years.

"Miss Pilot" is a creation by two renowned Japanese directors, Kensaku Sawada and Takeshi Narita. This romantic drama with a touch of humor explores the aviation industry in Japan and became a massive success, with consistently high ratings on Fuji TV.

Unlike other aviation-themed films, "Miss Pilot" offers a vivid and realistic portrayal of the lives of an entire flight crew, even delving into areas of the airplane rarely seen on television.

The story follows Tezuka Haru, a young woman who stumbled into becoming a pilot, but whose passion for aviation is undeniable. After graduating from university, Haru struggled to find success in any job. One day, she comes across a recruitment ad for pilots by ANA (All Nippon Airways) and unexpectedly lands the position. Despite facing numerous challenges and grueling pilot training, Haru never gives up and ultimately fulfills her dream of soaring the skies.

Similar to the film "Miss Pilot", "Good Luck!" is also a collaboration between TBS and Japan Airlines. The plot follows the intricate relationships and conflicts within the flight crew, including pilots, flight attendants, and aircraft maintenance staff. The three main characters—charming Captain Hajime, crew leader Koda, and the strong-willed maintenance technician Ayumi—each bring unique traits that add to the film's appeal.

The story primarily focuses on the dream of Shinkai Hajime to become a pilot and his beautiful romance with Ayumi in the sky.

"Good Luck!" is one of the aviation-themed films that gained recognition at the 6th Nikkan Sports Television Drama Awards and the 36th Television Drama Academy Awards.