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

The atmosphere at the site was warm

Q: Given the content of the film, the filming location seems like a fun place, but what was it actually like?

Gunpi: There was never any tension on the set. However, during the rooftop scene, the weather was uncertain as to whether it would rain or not, so we were really worried until the last minute, and when we decided to "OK! Let's shoot," the rain started pouring down (laughs). When I said, "Cancel! Let's do it again," the rain stopped instantly. Yagi-san was so overwhelmed by the rain that she was on the verge of tears.

Yamada in the movie is also troubled, saying "What should I do?", but Yagi, who was actually filming it, was also in the same situation, saying "What should I do?" (laughs).

Yagi: We really linked up. When Yamada said "Ready, set, go!", I said "Ready, set, go!" next to him, and then Gunpi, who Yamada played, said "Ready, set, go!". There were many times when we were like, "What are we doing?" (laughs).

"Kaiju Yarou!" © Team "Kaiju Yarou!"

Q: There is a tense scene where Akaji Maro and Gunpi confront each other.

Gunpi: Wow, he was scary. Mr. Maro was like the embodiment of the word scary (laughs). But actually he's a very kind and considerate person. He would always say things like, "Gunpi, are you not catching a cold?" and "Your breakfast was delicious." He's about 80 years old, but he's also quite tech-savvy, and he even asked me, "Can you send me a photo via AirDrop?" and he knew how to use it. He watched our skit and said, "That was funny! I laughed a lot."

And the manager is also scary. He has a shaved head and tattoos, and when you think, "Wow, he's scary!" he says, "Your skits are so funny! I just can't stop laughing," and just like Maro-san, he's incredibly kind.

Yagi: The staff who went to various locations said, "I've never been to a location that was this fun." Gunpi was at the center of it all, and we all had fun and messed around during breaks. Maybe the atmosphere on set was warm because Gunpi was like a mascot.

Q: The fun that happens on set is burned into the screen.

Yagi: That's great! There aren't many moments when adults get excited. But in that movie, everyone is having so much fun. I think that's great.

The city hall mascot is Yamada's alter ego