Source: Showgate Inc., Pony Canyon Official Site: funohan.jp (Japan)
A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE
Distributor Showgate Inc. has provided information, a trailer and high-res photos from their upcoming release, IMPOSSIBILITY DEFENSE (???, Funohan). The live-action film is based on the blockbuster manga Funohan by Arata Miyatsuki and Yuya Kanzaki, and is directed by Koji Shiraishi (SADAKO VS KAYAKO). IMPOSSIBILITY DEFENSE opens in Japanese cinemas on February 1. The movie is being offered to foreign distributors by sales agent Pony Canyon.
INTRODUCTION
What is a “FUNOHAN”? A premeditated criminal act leaving no physical proof -- such as a murder in which the victim appears to be “cursed” or “brainwashed.” In such cases, the act goes unpunished, even if the victim actually dies. The protagonist, Tadashi Usobuki: He manipulates his target with glowing, red eyes that exert a mysterious, mind-controlling power. His “perfect crimes” are impossible to prove.
Usobuki is an enigmatic, sensual mental manipulator whose birth and past are shrouded in mystery. Clad in a black suit and stylish burgundy shirt, a sensual smile plays across his lips as he peers into the depths of his victims’ souls. Usobuki is an outlaw that viewers can align with, as his victims are either menaces to society or those who have lost their humanity. His cathartic signature phrase is, “People are so foolish...” The heroine, Tomoko Tada: The most beautiful detective on the force, but she’s no push-over. She abhors liars and injustice, and is committed to fighting evil and restoring justice. A compassionate detective known for “getting things done”, Tada has a harsh tongue, but also a soft spot for her subordinates and ex-cons who have mended their ways. She is the only person immune to Usobuki‘s control. The exciting, up-and-coming actor Tori Matsuzaka plays Tadashi Usobuki, a man who explores the true meaning of justice. Matsuzaka continues to impress with extraordinary and multi-faceted performances in varied roles such as a superhero in SHINKENGER (??????????, Samurai Sentai Shinkenjaa, 2009), the handsome playboy in LOVE FOR BEGINNERS (??????????, Kyo, Koi wo Hajimemasu, 2012), the soldier who stages a coup d’etat in THE EMPEROR IN AUGUST (??????????, Nihon no Ichiban Nagai Hi, 2015), a compassionate gay man in PIECE OF CAKE (??? ?? ???, Pisu Obu Keiku, 2015), a ruthless terrorist in MOZU (???MOZU, Gekijoo-ban MOZU, 2015), a millennial teacher in the TV drama WE`RE MILLENNIALS GOT A PROBLEM? (?????????, Yutoridesuga Nanika, 2016), a legendary ninja in SANADA 10 BRAVES (?????, Sanada Juyushi, 2016) and an aspiring musician who lives his dream through the musical talent of his younger brother in KISEKI: SOBITO OF THAT DAY (??? ???????, Kiseki Anohino Sobito, 2017). While his career resume is formidable, this will be his first time playing a dangerous and attractive “dark hero” that transcends good and evil! The breathtaking Erika Sawajiri takes on the action genre in her first role as Tomoko Tada. Although her character is a male in the original work, once Tori Matsuzaka was selected for the male lead, a female detective role was created to enhance his mysterious allure. When Tada is confronted by Usobuki’s glowing red eyes, we discover that she is the only one who is impervious to his manipulative powers, so it was important to find a female heroine with equally penetrating eyes. When the producers approached Sawajiri, known for her passionate performances and magnetic eyes, she readily agreed saying, “I’ve always wanted to do an action film.” A new heroine was born.
STORY Tadashi Usobuki is a mysterious killer clad in a black suit. His crimes are impossible to prove. How does he do it? And why? Tomoko Tada is a tough but caring female detective who is committed to justice. She is determined to pursue Usobuki and uncover the truth! A string of unnatural deaths occur in the city. A man in a black suit is always seen at the scene of the crime. His name is Tadashi Usobuki, a mysterious figure who SNS cites as “the phone booth killer.” His clients leave memos in phone booths, requesting him to kill someone. They must cite the reason and leave contact details. The victim always dies, but by illness, suicide, or accident... all “perfect crimes” for which no physical evidence remains. The police are confounded and ready to give up -- all except one female detective named Tomoko Tada. After repeated confrontations with Usobuki, it becomes clear that she is the only person he cannot manipulate. The battle between a beautiful detective and a mysterious assassin, between hope and despair, light and dark, good and evil, begins now!
CREDITS Japanese Release Date: February 1, 2018 (Nationwide Roadshow) Running Time: 106 Minutes Cast Tadashi Usobuki: Tori Matsuzaka Tomoko Tada: Erika Sawajiri Asao Momose: Mackenyu Arata Takeru Kawabata: Shotaro Mamiya Yoshiki Akai: Tet Wada Ryohei Wakamatsu: Tetsuya Sugaya Natsumi Maekawa: Sae Okazaki Yu Kimura: Erina Mano Takeshi Haneda: Shugo Oshinari Isao Kijima: Kensei Mikami Momoka Haneda: Kyoka Minakami Toshio Sakurai: Hiroki Konno Saeko Nishi: Akane Hotta Risa Yumehara: Sei Ashina Mifuyu Yome: Akiko Yada Ko Kawazumura: Ken Yasuda Hiroshi Torimori: Nenji Kobayashi Crew Directed by: Koji Shiraishi Based on: Funohan Story by Arata Miyatsuki, Artwork by Yuya Kanzaki (serialized in Shueisha’s Grand Jump Magazine) Screenplay by: Junpei Yamaoka, Koji Shiraishi Production Company: Kansai Telecasting Corporation Produced by: Fine Entertainment Co. Ltd. Distributed by: Showgate World Sales: Pony Canyon © Arata Miyatsuki/Yuya Kanzaki/Shueisha 2018 “Funohan” Production Committee
About Showgate Inc./Hakuhodo DY music & pictures Inc.
Established in 1990, Showgate Inc. (aka Hakuhodo DY music & pictures Inc.) develops, produces and distributes a wide range of film and animation titles. They also handle worldwide sales of Japanese features and animation.
About Pony Canyon Inc.
Pony Canyon has been at the forefront of Japan`s video entertainment industry. Pony Canyon also develops digital software, utilizing the latest interactive and multimedia technology. Pony Canyon is a part of the Fuji Media Holdings Inc. which is Japan`s largest and influential media conglomerate.