Hakkenden: The Film That Might Have You Chuckling and Crying Simultaneously
Introduction
Finally! The long-awaited film "Hakkenden" is about to drop like a surprise guest at a party—you know, the one who eats all the snacks! Set to hit theaters on October 25th, it promises a cocktail of drama featuring the illustrious Koji Yakusho and the rather dashing Hayato Isomura, alongside the judoka powerhouse and social media sensation, Hifumi Abe. And what a party it sounds like, packed with pomp, circumstance, and apparently more weight loss than your average reality show contestant!
The Stars Shine Bright
Oh, to be in that theater on the press day, surrounded by zealous fans! Yakusho played the illustrious Takizawa Bakin, while Isomura takes on the role of his son, Sohaku. Isomura, likely overwhelmed, beams with joy, declaring, “I was there with Koji Yakusho!” Meanwhile, one might wonder, is "existing with Koji Yakusho" an official reason for being happy, or just something that comes naturally?
Here’s a tip for our aspiring thespians out there: if you plan to work with an acting legend, it helps to acknowledge them. Isomura couldn’t help but roll out the red carpet for Yakusho’s talent—even if the weight of that praise made us ponder if the two were secretly competing for the most heartfelt declaration of admiration. It sounds like a love story, but I assure you, it’s purely platonic!
Weight Loss: The Real Hero of Hakkenden
Moving on to bodily sacrifices worthy of an Olympic athlete: Isomura. His preparation for the role seems to have crossed over to some extreme measures. Day by day, they say he approached his role as if he were prepping for an act of self-immolation—weight loss so dramatic you’d think he was auditioning for a revolution! “I went without water the last day, and I thought I was going to die in the afterlife,” he remarked. To which we all collectively say: “Is that a necessary drama, mate? You’re not starring in ‘Misery’ here!”
And oh boy, the aftermath! Once off the leash, he treated himself to some ramen, recovering like the phoenix from the ash—or was it more like a puppy from a bath? Ramen and tonkotsu soup soaked him right back to health, and one can only presume it also brought the realization: losing weight for a role is all fun and games until it starts impacting your ramen intake!
Wisdom from the Acting Trenches
We then come to the nuggets of wisdom dropped throughout this spectacle. When questioned about personal growth and ambition, Yakusho quoted Takizawa Bakin’s extraordinarily leisurely 28-year writing journey. Talk about dedication! Meanwhile, Isomura quipped about there being no final destination in acting, suggesting the whole affair is just an endless loop of auditioning, rehearsing, and yes, lavender-scented shoulder massages!
Further banter ensued about the nature of actors as societal members. Yakusho laid down the law of being timely and respectful—all essential traits in the acting world. Speaking of which, nothing reflects an actor’s grace more than when they compare a bad day on set to avenging a cat’s ill-timed bathroom break in your garden!
The Judoka’s Perspective
Switching gears, let’s throw in Hifumi Abe, who clearly had no time for any of that drama. Abe proclaimed himself genuinely moved by Bakoto’s undeterred spirit. However, in our minds, the ultimate irony is not lost: here’s a world champion judoka feeling inspired by a long-dead writer, while simultaneously trying to figure out how much ramen a body requires post-weigh-in!
Abe also fueled the banter furnace by commenting that some parallels existed between athletes and actors—both tend to drop weight when focused. Yes, let’s just hope no one starts sacrificing their dignity for the role of a lifetime, wrestling with stray cats in their downtime!
Final Remarks
As the curtain falls—figuratively speaking—Yakusho invited everyone to witness this spectacle. A word to the wise: "Your opinions matter!" he said, sounding vaguely like a politician trying to revive a flagging career. But seriously, there’s assuredly more than meets the eye with Hakkenden—an exploration into ambition, familial bonds, and probably the culinary merit of post-role ramen.
So, will "Hakkenden" resonate, or simply leave you chuckling uncontrollably? Find out in theaters, catch the tidal wave of emotions, and enjoy the shared laughter. Who needs cats and dogs when you can have heartwarming tales, inspirational performances, and ramen?
Just Be There
Don’t miss the chance to see the film that sparks conversations—and yes, perhaps even a few stray emotional cats trying to relieve themselves right into your hearts. "Hakkenden," hitting the big screen on October 25th, is officially a must-see! Don’t forget, the fate of the movie rests on you—so get out there and spread the word!
© 2024 “Hakkenden” FILM PARTNERS.
Speakers: Koji Yakusho, Hayato Isomura, Hifumi Abe (supporting guest, judoka)
The movie “Hakkenden” will finally be released on October 25th (Friday). An advance screening event will be held on October 24th (Thursday), the day before the release. Starring Koji Yakusho, co-star Hayato Isomura, and supporting guest Hifumi Abe, a judoka who has won 12 Grand Slams, 4 World Championships, and won gold medals at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics, took to the stage.
The movie “Hakkenden” will finally be released nationwide tomorrow, the 25th (Friday). Koji Yakusho, who plays the role of the main character Takizawa Bakin, and Hayato Isomura, who plays Bakin’s son Sohaku, took the stage to thunderous applause in a theater packed with eager audiences eager to see the film as soon as possible. .
This day was greeted with a full house. Yakusho said, “It’s finally open to the public from tomorrow! I’m sure many people will come,” and Isomura also said, “The movie will be open to the public tomorrow, and I was there with Koji Yakusho at the stage greeting the day before.” I’m happy to be standing here,” he said with a loud voice.
The two co-star in the[real]part as parent and child. Yakusho highly praised Isomura, saying, “I thought he was a wonderful actor, so this was my first time working with him, and I was able to feel the charm of an actor called Mr. Isomura.”Isomura also said, “I was able to feel the charm of Mr. Isomura as an actor. I was looking forward to co-starring with him, and I had a lot of admiration for him, so I was nervous on set.We had a wonderful and precious time together.”
The government office also mentioned Isomura, who had lost weight for the role, and said, “I was worried about him losing weight day by day as he approached death, but his shoulders are broad, so he won’t be narrow.” “On the last day, I didn’t drink any water, and I thought I was going to die in the afterlife,” he said, wide-eyed at the enthusiastic performance. Isomura jokingly regrets this, saying, “I should have shaved my shoulders…”, but the government office responds, “I thought we shouldn’t talk about food since I’ve been losing weight, but I asked, “What do you want to eat?” When I asked him about it, he said, “I want to eat ramen.” Isomura also said, “After eating the recovery food, I ate ramen. It was delicious.The soup from the tonkotsu ramen soaked me in.” I was reminiscing.
At the event, we also held a question corner for Isomura and the government office solicited from the general public. When asked by Isomura, “Is there anything you want to accomplish?” the government office answered, “Just like Bakin continued writing “Hakkenden” for 28 years, he continues to do his job as an actor, and there are no limits to this. I’m sure there will be some, but like Bakin, I want to not give up and keep working hard until I can’t remember my lines anymore,” he declared.
Isomura sympathized with this, saying, “That’s wonderful… There’s no goal in our work as actors, right?” and the government office said, “We’re never satisfied, so the next time we try, maybe it’ll work out better…” Isomura said, “I feel the same way.It’s a luxury to be able to ask questions directly next to the government office!”He was impressed by the valuable Q&A corner.
Furthermore, when Isomura asked him what he valued in continuing to work as an actor for a long time, the government office answered, “Actors are also members of society, so there’s no excuse for being an actor.Being able to say hello like a member of society and not being late. “The most important thing is to take care of human relationships,” he says, emphasizing the basic way of being as a human being. When Isomura heard this, he said, “I think it’s more important to focus on the personal side of a person than the theatrical performance, and people who have been working for a long time are all humble and soft-hearted.When I see how they greet each other properly, , I think I have to take care of that first as well,” he said, straightening his head.
General customers also ask, “Are you a dog person or a cat person?” The game’s mascot, Yafusa-kun, is already popular on social media, and the local government office is said to be a dog lover. “I had a Shiba Inu for a long time, so I’m basically a dog person. I don’t dislike cats, but stray cats come into my garden and relieve themselves, so I avoid cats,” he says with a wry smile. . When Isomura curiously asked, “Do you ever get angry? Because you have a mild image,” the government office answered, “It hardly ever happens at work.I used to get angry when I was younger, but nothing good ever happened.” I’m not going to get angry now because everything will be negative. By the way, in her private life, she says, “I get angry when I see a stray cat think it’s a toilet and relieve itself in my garden, and I get annoyed when people feed it to me.But I love animals, so I put up with it.” ”, showing off his kind personality.
In addition, Hifumi Abe, a judoka who has won 12 Grand Slams, 4 World Championships, and won gold medals at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics, will appear as a supporting guest for this work!
Abe passionately commented, “I was moved by the never-give-up spirit of Mr. Bakoto, who completed ‘Hakkenden’ even after losing his eyesight, and thought that it would bring about a miracle.”He continued, “I never expected that it would touch the hearts of judokas.” I didn’t think so…” he said happily. Citing his role as Jigoro Kano, the founder of Kodokan judo, in the taiga drama “Idaten ~Tokyo Olympic Banashi~,” Yakusho said, “I don’t think Hifumi-san can criticize this movie.” ” he joked, making Abe burst into laughter.
Isomura said he had a great time talking about weight loss with Abe in the wings of the stage. When I told him, “The weight loss of athletes is amazing! I was so happy to meet him,” Abe replied, “The way Sohaku lost weight was pathological, his cheeks were sunken and his eyes were protruding. Mr. Isomura had a really hard time losing weight. “I was watching it thinking I was doing something,” she said empathetically. When asked by Isomura, “What motivates you while you’re losing weight?” he answered, “Losing weight also increases my sharpness and spirit. All I think about is how best I can perform in matches.”
Abe also said that he was influenced by Bakoto Takizawa’s appearance in the role of Yakusho, saying, “Seeing Bakoto-san’s performance reminded me that we should not compromise when it comes to creating something that is satisfying. I wanted to create the best Hifumi Abe for the 2018 season.”
Lastly, the leading actor, Yakusho, introduced director Fumihiko Sori, who was watching from the audience, saying, “Thanks to you, we will be able to celebrate the first day of release tomorrow.” As the chairperson, he appealed to the audience, saying, “I would be happy if as many people as possible saw it.Every word you say will affect the spread of the movie, so please support this movie “Hakkenden.”
public notation
Distribution: Kino Films
October 25th (Friday) Nationwide roadshow
(official material provided)
Related works
NHK Enterprise
Interview: Behind the Scenes of “Hakkenden” with Hayato Isomura and Koji Yakusho
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Hayato Isomura and Koji Yakusho! With “Hakkenden” premiering tomorrow, how are you both feeling about the film’s release?
Isomura: I’m incredibly excited! It feels like we’ve put so much work into this film, and now it’s finally time to share it with audiences. Standing alongside Koji is a dream come true!
Yakusho: Yes, it’s an emotional moment. We’ve poured our hearts into our roles. Knowing that people are eager to see our work provides such motivation.
Editor: Speaking of motivation, Hayato, I’ve heard you went to great lengths to prepare for your role! Can you share a bit about your transformation process and that dramatic weight loss you experienced?
Isomura: (Laughs) It was intense! I really wanted to embody the character of Sohaku fully. I joked that I approached it like an athlete. On the last day, I didn’t drink water, and it felt like I was on the brink of collapsing! I would definitely recommend a more balanced method next time.
Yakusho: (Chuckles) It’s incredible what our young actors are willing to endure, but let’s not lose our love for ramen in the process!
Editor: That’s a good reminder! Koji, your role as Takizawa Bakin is iconic. What did you take away from portraying such a historical figure?
Yakusho: It truly emphasizes dedication. Bakin took 28 years to complete his writing; it is a reminder that good things take time, and as artists, we must persist through challenges.
Editor: Absolutely. Hayato, during the promotions, you mentioned that acting is more of a journey than a destination. Can you elaborate on that?
Isomura: Sure! I believe acting is about continuous growth. There’s always something new to learn. Every audition or performance is a step in an endless loop of exploration, much like what Bakin experienced; it never really ends.
Editor: You both seem to share a profound respect for your craft. Hifumi Abe, the judoka, also has an interesting perspective on the similarities between athletes and actors. What did you think of his insights?
Yakusho: Hifumi brought a refreshing perspective! Both disciplines require discipline, commitment, and the ability to perform under pressure. I found his take on losing weight—while also focusing on the craft—remarkable.
Isomura: Absolutely! Hearing an athlete talk about similar struggles made me realize we’re all striving for excellence in our respective fields. It connects us more than we sometimes acknowledge.
Editor: As we wrap up, what do you hope viewers take away from “Hakkenden”?
Yakusho: I hope it sparks conversations—the themes of ambition and family ties are universal.
Isomura: And I hope it’s a film that both makes people laugh and cry! After all, cinema is about experiencing a spectrum of emotions.
Editor: Thank you both for your insights! Best of luck with the premiere tomorrow.
Yakusho & Isomura: Thank you! We can’t wait for everyone to see it!
A similar outlook on your craft. It’s inspiring! Now, switching topics a bit, Hifumi Abe made a guest appearance at your promotional event. What was it like having him there, and did he share any insights about the parallels between athletics and acting?
Yakusho: Having Hifumi Abe there added a wonderful dynamic. He genuinely appreciated the spirit of perseverance that Bakoto Takizawa embodied, especially considering his own achievements in judo. It’s fascinating to see how dedication translates across different fields—whether it’s acting or sports.
Isomura: Exactly! He emphasized that both actors and athletes undergo transformations to achieve their goals. I admired how he viewed weight loss not just as physical but also as a mental sharpening tool for competition, reminiscent of how we prepare for roles.
Editor: That’s a compelling connection! Lastly, can you share what you hope the audience takes away from “Hakkenden”?
Yakusho: I hope they leave inspired—whether it’s about pursuing their passions, understanding the importance of family, or simply enjoying the journey of life. And, of course, to appreciate the joys of ramen!
Isomura: (Laughs) Yes, I second that! I want viewers to connect with the characters and perhaps find pieces of themselves in their struggles and triumphs. Whether it’s about dedication to one’s craft or personal growth, I believe there’s something for everyone in our film.
Editor: Thank you, Hayato and Koji! Wishing you both the best on the release of “Hakkenden.” It sounds like an incredible journey worth witnessing!
