Third Window Films will release The Maiku Hama Trilogy on Blu-ray this October, marking the 30th anniversary of Kaizo Hayashi’s acclaimed noir series. The set features new 4K remasters and is limited to 2,000 copies in a collector’s digipack with a booklet essay by Josh Slater-Williams.
The trilogy overview
Masatoshi Nagase stars as Yokohama private detective Maiku Hama in three films produced between 1994 and 1996, blending hard-boiled crime with psychological tension. The trilogy runs a total of 301 minutes.
- The Most Terrible Time in My Life (1994): Hama investigates a missing Taiwanese immigrant’s brother and collides with rival gangs.
- The Stairway to the Distant Past (1995): He faces off against the “Man in White,” who rules the Yokohama riverfront.
- The Trap (1996): Drug-fueled murders push the story into psychological horror.
Production and cast
Directed by Kaizo Hayashi and produced by Shunsuke Koga, the trilogy pairs Nagase’s breakout role with appearances by Joe Shishido and Shinya Tsukamoto.
Release specifications
The trilogy arrives Oct. 27, 2025, as a Region B Blu-ray set. Each film has been newly remastered in 4K for its 30th anniversary. All films are presented in Japanese with English subtitles. Packaging includes a limited-edition digipack (2,000 copies) and a booklet essay by Josh Slater-Williams.
Disc-by-disc features
Disc 1: The Most Terrible Time in My Life (1994)
- Audio commentary by Jasper Sharp
- New interview with Kaizo Hayashi
- New interview with Shunsuke Koga
- Trailer
Disc 2: The Stairway to the Distant Past (1995)
- Audio commentary by Edmund Yeo (selected)
- Video essay by Matthew Carter
- Trailer
Disc 3: The Trap (1996)
- Audio commentary by Samm Deighan
- Video essay by James Balmont
- Trailer
Final thoughts
This release gives Hayashi’s trilogy its definitive edition. With 4K remasters, scholarly commentaries, and new interviews, Third Window Films delivers a landmark set for fans of Japanese noir. The Maiku Hama Trilogy Blu-ray arrives Oct. 27, 2025, in a strictly limited 2,000-copy run.
