"Kaiju Yarou!" Director Junichiro Yagi x Gunpi: "I didn't believe the offer because it was a prank" [Director's Interview Vol.467]

Junichiro Yagi, a manager at the talent agency Titan, made his first film when he was in his second year of junior high school, and produced a total of 13 works by the time The Graduate from high school. With such a passion for filmmaking, he joined Titan after The Graduate from university. Since then, while serving as a manager for Bakusho Mondai and others, he achieved the great feat of directing the feature film " Miriyuku " in 2020, which was nominated for Best Film at the 63rd Blue Ribbon Awards.

Director Yagi has created a film that changes the concept of local films, starring Gunpi, a comedian from the same agency who is also a member of the agency, and set in Seki City, Gifu Prefecture, where the director is from. How did Director Yagi and Gunpi create this film, Kaiju Yaro!? We spoke to the two of them.

Summary of "Kaiju Yarou!"

Seki City, Gifu Prefecture. One day, Yamada Ichiro (Gunpi), who works in the city hall's tourism department, is ordered by the mayor (Shimizu Michiko) to make a "local film." However, Yamada, who has doubts about the "mediocre local film" that can be found anywhere, comes up with the idea of making a "monster film," which has been his dream for a long time! To change himself, who always fails and is no good! To change his lackluster hometown! To destroy everything with a monster! However, that idea develops into a major incident that involves the city government...! Will Yamada be able to complete the "monster film" of his dream?

Index

• I didn't believe the offer because it was a prank.
• A meta-structure in which Director Yagi is the protagonist
• The atmosphere at the site was warm
• The city hall mascot is Yamada's alter ego
• I want Ota from Bakusho Mondai to make a movie!

I didn't believe the offer because it was a prank.

Q: Why did you choose filmmaking as your theme?

Yagi: I wouldn't be where I am now without movies. It's weird to say that while dressed as a cowboy (laughs). I wanted to go into this world after watching movies because I had dreams. I've always felt the fun and joy of making things, and depicting the behind-the-scenes of that is interesting as a film. I hope this film will lead to people thinking, "I want to try something."

Q: It seems that the role was written almost specifically for Gunpi, but when did you receive the offer?

Yagi: When I finished the first script and thought about casting, I really wanted Gunpi to do it. So I rewrote everything with Gunpi in mind. From there, I officially asked him to do it.

Q: How did you feel when you received the offer?

Gunpi: I didn't like it (laughs). I thought it was a prank and didn't believe it. But when I heard the story, it was interesting. He said, "It's interesting to make a monster movie even though it's a local movie," as if it was someone else's story. I never thought I would actually do it.

Yagi: Was the first time we talked at an izakaya?

Gunpi: It's a really small yakitori restaurant in Asagaya (laughs).

"Kaiju Yarou!" © Team "Kaiju Yarou!"

Q: At what point did you realize it wasn't a prank?

Gunpi: After that, Yagi-san came many times, so it seemed like it was real. The other performers were also decided, and a distinguished cast including Akaji Maro, Tooru Tezuka, and Yuuka Sugai had gathered. I made up my mind that I couldn't back out (laughs).

Q: Did you hear anything from Titan's President, Mitsuyo Ota?

Gunpi: Nothing in particular happened. I had been told for a long time to lose weight, and then they added, "If you're going to do a movie, lose weight." I thought, "They'd be saying that even if there wasn't a movie coming up (laughs)."

Q: Is this a Titan-wide project?

Yagi: Titan's subsidiary, Funny Pandora, is on the production committee. In that sense, it feels like Titan is fully backing the project.

Q: Did you talk to Ota of Bakusho Mondai, a comedy duo from Titan, about the movie?

Yagi: When I made my previous film, " Miriyuku " (20), Mr. Ota watched it and gave me a lot of advice. This time, I will do my best to clear that and make Mr. Ota happy! I told him. I haven't seen this film yet, but I would like to hear your thoughts on it again.

Gunpi: I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts, Ota-san. Although it might be a bit of an insult... (laughs).

A meta-structure in which Director Yagi is the protagonist