Making A Japanese Harry Potter Film/TV Series

There is a secret hidden at the summit of a Japanese volcano... and it isn't a myth. It’s canon.Did you know that within the official Harry Potter canon, there is a premier Wizarding School located in Japan? Situated at the summit of the volcanic island of Minami Iwo Jima, the school of Mahoutokoro stands as a fascinating bridge between ancient tradition and magical education.In this episode of the podcast, we go beyond the books to imagine a full-scale Harry Potter spin-off series set in Japan. We’re joined by a powerhouse duo from the Japanese film industry to discuss the creative and logistical "what-ifs": Would the series be a period piece or a modern-day thriller? Who would lead the cast? And how would Japanese folklore reshape the Wizarding World as we know it? Tokyo-based film producer Kanako Fujita is the founder of Felis Pictures Ltd. A graduate of King’s College London with a degree in Film Studies, Kanako has built a reputation for specializing in Asian–European co-productions that explore the moral and emotional complexities of modern society. Her first feature as a producer, Dead Fishes (2022), earned critical acclaim, screening at the San Francisco Independent Film Festival and winning Best Cinematography at the Japan Film Festival Los Angeles. A frequent participant in prestigious global forums like the Rotterdam Lab and the Busan Producer Hub, Kanako is currently developing several high-profile projects, including Push Button Syndrome (winner of the Asian Discovery Award at BIFAN) and The Funeral March, which recently received the One Cool Award at the Busan International Film Festival.Born in Yamagata and a graduate of the Tohoku University of Art & Design, Taro Kawasaki represents the next generation of Japanese directorial talent. He sharpened his skills working as an assistant director under celebrated filmmakers such as Yuji Nakae, Shinobu Yaguchi, and Natsuki Seta. Taro’s thesis film, DOUGHNUT HOLE (2021), was featured at the Kyoto International Student Film & Video Festival, signaling his arrival as a storyteller to watch. His debut feature, FARAWAY FAMILY (2023), which he co-directed, screened at the 19th Osaka Asian Film Festival before seeing its nationwide theatrical release in Japan in 2025.