Takashi Miike`s THE MOLE SONG Press Notes

Source: Pony Canyon, Inc. Official Site: mogura-movie.com (Japan) Scheduled for release in Japan in February 2014, THE MOLE SONG -UNDERCOVER AGENT REIJI- (???? ????? REIJI, Mogura no Uta Sennuu Sosakan REIJI) will have its world premiere in November at the International Rome Film Festival. Based on the hit manga series, the film is a collaboration between actor Toma Ikuta, director Takashi Miike, and screenwriter Kankuro Kudo. ? Introduction

A very unpredictable undercover cop comedy -- where something crazy happens every five minutes! A star-studded cast goes wild on the screen!! You’ve never seen them like this before! Featuring... Shinichi Tsutsumi, Riisa Naka, Takayuki Yamada, Takashi Okamura, Yusuke Kamiji! And...! Mitsuru Fukikoshi, Kenichi Endou, Sarutoki Minagawa, Ren Ohsugi, Koichi Iwaki!! ? What is The Mole Song...? The Mole Song is a comic series by the talented Noboru Takahashi, which was featured in Weekly Young Sunday Comics Magazine (Shogakukan) along with his other hit mangas, Dr. Kotoh and Kurosagi. When Young Sunday was discontinued, the series moved to Big Comic Spirits Weekly. The story is ongoing with the plot continuing to intensify and its passionate fan base continuing to grow. The blockbuster comic book series is now in its 35th volume and has sold over 4 million copies. Its film adaptation is one of the most highly anticipated of the many Shogakukan titles published today. ? Story Rookie Reiji Kikukawa graduated with the lowest score in police academy history. Since becoming a neighborhood policeman, he is busy writing letters of apology on a daily basis. One day, Reiji is called in to see the Chief of Police, Sakami, who summarily fires him. Outwardly, he is dismissed for dishonorable conduct, but he is secretly ordered to infiltrate a crime syndicate and arrest the big boss as an undercover cop -- “The Mole.”

Their target is Shuho Todoroki, head of Sukiya-kai, the largest yakuza clan in the Kanto Area. Reiji manages to become the new favorite of Masaya Hiura a.k.a. “Crazy Papillon,” the leader of the Akogi group, a clan under Sukiya-kai. Reiji prepares to vow his allegiance to Akogi by partaking in the ritual sake cup exchange with its big boss, Ako. But internal power struggles within Sukiya-kai and conflicts with arch-rival Hachinosu-kai, who aims to take over Japan, embroils Reiji in one crazy situation after another. Will Reiji ever be able to arrest Shuho Todoroki and complete his mission as the “Mole?” ? Starring Toma Ikuta as Reiji Kikukawa Joy, anger, pathos, humor! You’ve never seen Toma Ikuta like this before! No young actor is as “beautiful” as Toma Ikuta, who recently played Hikaru Genji in THE TALE OF GENJI, A THOUSAND YEAR ENIGMA (Genji Monogatari ~ Sennen no Nazo, 2011). He has shown great versatility in films such as THE FALLEN ANGEL (????, Ningen Shikkaku, 2010), HANAMIZUKI (?????, 2010), WE WERE THERE: PART 1 (????? ??, Bokura ga Ita Zenpen, 2012), WE WERE THERE: PART 2 (????????, Bokura ga Ita Kohen, 2012) and the new BRAIN MAN (??, No Otoko, 2013), but in THE MOLE SONG we see yet another face of Ikuta -- an idiotic, perverted, virgin undercover cop named Reiji Kikukawa! Reiji is fired from the force, but his unconditional sense of justice makes him the perfect candidate to infiltrate a crime syndicate as a “mole.” What happens when a gorgeous actor at the top of him game takes on a controversial role in a crazy film? See Toma Ikuta like you’ve never seen him before! ? Directed by Takashi Miike × Screenplay by Kankuro Kudo The collaborative work of two Japanese film prodigies brings this ambitious film adaptation to life! Director: Takashi Miike

Highly prolific, prodigious director who continues to push the envelope. He has directed over 50 feature films including CROWS ZERO (??-??????, Kurozu Zero, 2007), YATTERMAN (??????, Yataaman), 13 ASSASSINS (??????, Jusan-nin no Shikaku, 2010), LESSON OF THE EVIL (????, Aku no Kyoten, 2012) and his latest, SHIELD OF STRAW (???, Wara no Tate, 2013). Screenplay: Kankuro Kudo Acclaimed screenwriter of hit films including PING PONG ( ????, 2002), KISARAZU CAT`S EYE: WORLD SERIES (????????? ????????, Kizaradzukyattsuai Waarudoshiriizu, 2006) and MAIKO HAAAAN!! (??Haaaan!!!, 2007). His newest venture is an NHK drama series entitled AMACHAN ()?????, 2013). Credits World Premiere: November 15, 2013 (International Rome Film Festival) Japanese Theatrical Release Date: February 15, 2014 Running Time: 130 minutes Cast Reiji Kikukawa: Toma Ikuta Junna Wakagi: Riisa Naka Shun Tsukihara: Takayuki Yamada Kenta Kurokawa: Yusuke Kamiji Itsei Nekozawa: Takashi Okamura Masaya Hiura: Shinichi Tsutsumi Toshio Sakami: Mitsuru Fukikoshi Doppo Fukuzumi: Sarutoki Minagawa Shuho Todoroki: Koichi Iwaki Masayoshi Ako: Ren Osugi Staff Director: Takashi Miike Original Story: Noboru Takahashi Screenplay: Kankuro Kudo Producer: Juichi Uehara Music: Koji Endo Film Production: Fuji Television Network, OLM, Inc. International Sales: Pony Canyon Inc. Distributor: Toho © 2014 "Mogura no Uta" Production Committee