When Love and the Open Road Collide

Read Time:5 Minute, 40 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
His Motorbike, Her Island (Kare no ootobai, kanojo no shima)
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Genre: Drama, Romance
Year Released: 1986, Cult Epics Blu-ray 2025
Runtime: 1h 30m
Director(s): Nobuhiko Obayashi
Writer(s): Yoshio Kataoka, Ikuo Sekimoto
Cast: Riki Takeuchi, Kiwako Harada, Noriko Watanabe, Ryôichi Takayanagi, Takahiro Tamura, Tomokazu Miura, Toshie Negishi, Tôru Minegishi
Where to Watch: available now, order here: www.cultepics.com, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: HIS MOTORBIKE, HER ISLAND is a film that explores the story like a half-remembered dream — one that lingers not because of its plot, but because of how it makes you feel. Directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi, best known internationally for the wild genre-bending of HOUSE (1977), this 1986 romance trades chaos for something gentler, more reflective. It’s a story of fleeting youth, personal freedom, and the delicate push-and-pull between two people drawn together by the hum of an engine and the lure of the open road.

The film follows Koh (Riki Takeuchi), a biker recovering from a broken heart after a breakup. He heads out on his Kawasaki, riding through the countryside in search of something undefined. Along the way, he meets Miyo (Kiwako Harada), a free-spirited girl filled with passion. Their romance begins with shared adrenaline but quickly deepens into something more complicated. Miyo’s thrill-seeking nature exhilarates Koh, yet also unsettles him — an emotional conflict that drives the film’s quieter tensions.

What’s striking is Obayashi’s choice to shoot primarily in black and white, slipping into color at moments that feel almost instinctual rather than logical. The technique isn’t just a flourish; it creates an ebb and flow between nostalgia and immediacy, between memory and the present. The effect is hypnotic, as if the film exists in a space between reality and recollection.

Obayashi uses this aesthetic restraint to focus on mood rather than momentum. The narrative meanders — not aimlessly, but with the rhythm of a long summer afternoon where events blur together. Riding sequences are shot with a reverence, allowing the rumble of the bike and the wind in the actors’ hair to tell their own story. The island setting, captured with a mix of intimacy and openness, becomes more than a backdrop; a physical embodiment of Miyo’s untamed spirit.

The chemistry between Takeuchi and Harada is understated, and that works in the film’s favor. Koh’s guarded stance contrasts with Miyo’s openness, creating a dynamic where gestures carry the weight of entire conversations. There’s a push-and-pull in their relationship that never fully resolves, reinforcing the idea that some romances are meant to be experienced, not defined.

The film isn’t interested in delivering constant drama; instead, it invites viewers to immerse themselves in its world. That’s part of its charm, but it also means it won’t be for everyone. Those seeking a tightly structured romance may find themselves adrift, while those open to an atmospheric, character-driven experience will likely be swept up.

The new Blu-ray release from Cult Epics makes revisiting — or discovering — the film a rewarding experience. Presented in a high-definition transfer, the release preserves the interplay between its monochrome and color segments, allowing the visual design to breathe in a way that older home video versions couldn’t match. Samm Deighan’s audio commentary offers thoughtful insight into the film’s place in Obayashi’s career, while visual essays by Esther Rosenfield (“Becoming the Wind: His Motorbike, Her Island and the Biker Movie”) and Alex Pratt (“Her Island: Onomichi Pt. 1”) add cultural and thematic context. An archival interview with Obayashi provides a window into his creative intentions, and the inclusion of reversible sleeve art, slipcase design by Sam Smith, and a reproduction of the original Japanese 24-page booklet rounds out the package.

These extras aren’t just padding; they deepen the appreciation for what Obayashi achieved here. The visual essays, in particular, make a strong case for the film in both Japanese cinema and the director’s artistic evolution. For fans of his work, this release feels like an essential piece of the puzzle. For newcomers, it’s an inviting entry point that showcases his ability to balance visual experimentation with emotional sincerity.

HIS MOTORBIKE, HER ISLAND is less about the mechanics of storytelling and more about capturing a feeling — the rush of youth, the unpredictability of love, and the bittersweet awareness that nothing lasts forever. Its visual palette, punctuated by bursts of color, mirrors the way certain memories stand out more than others. Some viewers may find that frustrating, but for those attuned, it’s a ride worth taking.

With Cult Epics’ new release giving it the care it deserves, the film feels as vital as ever. It’s a reminder that Obayashi wasn’t just the creator of eccentric cult favorites; he was a filmmaker capable of tenderness, crafting works that linger quietly in the heart long after the credits roll.

Bonus Materials:
High-definition Transfer
Audio Commentary by Samm Deighan
Becoming the Wind: His Motorbike, Her Island and the Biker Movie – Visual essay by Esther Rosenfield
Her Island: Onomichi Pt. 1 – Visual essay by Alex Pratt
Director Nobuhiko Obayashi Archival Interview
Theatrical Trailers
New, improved English subtitles
New Slipcase design by Sam Smith
Reversible sleeve with Japanese original poster art
First pressing includes a reproduction of a 24-page Japanese booklet

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[photo courtesy of CULT EPICS, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

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