The Tonde Saitama movie Japan premiere in Tokyo was held on the 28th and was attended by Nikaido Fumi, GACKT, Iseya Yusuke, Brother Tom, Shimazaki Haruka, Kato Ryo, Masuwaka Tsubasa, Nakao Akira, Kyomoto Masaki, and director Takeuchi Hideki.

This is a live-action movie adaptation of the manga of the same name by Mangaka Maya Mineo, who swept the world with works like Patalliro!. In this live-action version, it is set in the original story’s setting of faction being formed to fight for the freedom of Saitama which is bullied by Tokyo, and in addition to that, a new “Chiba” opposing force has been added.

Nikaido Fumi plays the part of Dannoura Momomi, the “son” of the governor of Tokyo and the student council president of Hakuhodo School; an elite who delivers a spectacular student life. On the movie which thoroughly disses “Saitama Prefecture” with lines like “Saitama citizens, eat the grass over there!” and “It’s Saitama huntingー!”, she commented that, “I would like you to enjoy the change from dissing to love”.

Nikaido’s Momomi has a mild infatuation for GACKT’s Asami Rei, the good looking 18 year old transfer student from America who was actually from Saitama. When receiving the offer for the role of a high school student, GACKT said that he “immediately declined. But I heard that he was a ‘special high school student’, I began to wonder what kind of high school student that was. And then I listened to what they had to say…”, speaking of the story behind him taking on this role. Looking back, he continued with the events of the first day of filming, saying “It was a kiss scene. What an organisation. But we started that day with an ornate and luxurious set, and all my co-stars’ makeup was amazing too. It made me feel that we’re off to a great start”.

Also, Nikaido had a unique description of what the site felt like with such individualistic actors gathered in one place, saying “There really was such a quicky cast gathered that it felt as if they were representatives of each of their own planets that came and gathered on earth and then all went home after that (smiles)”. However, when Nikaido remarked, “I thought I was the most decent one there”, GACKT asserted, “The whole time I thought I was the most decent one though”.

Because of this movie, GACKT finally got to mee Kyomoto for the first time, and he related, “I’ve been acquainted with Kyomoto-san’s makeup artist since a long way back, and I’ve always heard about Kyomoto-san from him. And this was the first time that I actually got to meet him. In 15 years?”. When they first met, it appears that Kyomoto said to GACKT “We finally get to meet〜 But, you know… We’re the same type, aren’t we!” and to that GACKT appeared to have blurted ‘Are we?’ without much thought, drawing laughter from the audience.

During the talk, GACKT also said “Kyomoto’s world is amazing!” “On the first day of filming, Kyomoto-san’s lines were so extremely long (smiles)”. Following that, the audience laughed as GACKT continued while mimicking his co-stars, saying “I think I said to Fumi-chan ‘There’s no way (Kyomoto) can remember such long lines!’. And Fumi-chan’s answer was so funny. (Innocently) saying ‘You’re right. Yes. Understood’ (smiles)”. Finally, Nikaido closed off the event with a final appeal. “This is a movie that is packed with the gallant figure of such a Kyomoto-san (smiles) I hope that we will be able to increase the number of hearts that love their local areas through this movie. Do watch it!”.

Source: eigaland.com

Translation: GACKT ITALIA Team

Translation  © GACKT ITALIA