Takumi Kitamura Leads The Seven’s First Feature Film ‘Baka’s Identity’

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As a cinephile, I’m thrilled to announce my perspective on an upcoming Japanese crime thriller titled “Baka’s Identity” (A Fool’s Identity), set for release in Japan on October 24th. This film marks the theatrical debut of the esteemed production company The Seven, and it brings together a stellar cast that includes Akira Morii, who produced the iconic series “Yu Yu Hakusho”, along with talented actors Takumi Kitamura and Go Ayano. Joining this dynamic trio is the rising star, Yuta Hayashi. Get ready for an exhilarating ride!

Under the guidance of director Koto Nagata, a disciple of renowned filmmaker Shunji Iwai, this pulse-pounding chase thriller delves into Japan’s criminal underbelly as seen through the eyes of three young men over a gripping three-day period. The screenplay is adapted from Jun Nishio’s award-winning 2019 novel, with Kosuke Mukai, a winner of the Japan Academy Award, penning the script.

The narrative revolves around Takuya and Mamoru (Hayashi), a pair of struggling, criminally involved individuals engaged in identity theft, who turn to their enigmatic underworld guide, Kajitani (Ayano), for assistance when they aim to break free from their illicit past.

Kitamura, the star of this movie, commented that it centers around men who persist in living despite having nothing left. He plays Takuya, a young offender who pretends to be a woman online to manipulate and sell the identities of lonely men on social media. Kitamura described the film as a passing of intense emotions across three generations.

Ayano described the movie as follows: “This is a tale that centers on individuals who’ve given up on hope, those whose hope has been stolen from them, and those who create their own hope. This is definitely a film you wouldn’t want to skip.

Director Nagata became intrigued by the project upon observing, up close, the severe poverty and criminal activities affecting Japanese youth. She referred to it as a deeply personal endeavor, one that unveils Japan’s social truths while providing authentic enjoyment for its audience.

2022 saw The Seven, a division under TBS Holdings’ worldwide content plan, introduce “Baka’s Identity” as a fresh direction. According to company president Tatsuo Sugai, this film deviates from the high-quality productions we’re accustomed to, but he is optimistic about its relevance to current issues.

This new project is a continuation of The Seven’s past triumph on Netflix’s “Yu Yu Hakusho,” which was awarded the prize for Best Visual or Special Effects at the 2024 Asian Academy Creative Awards.

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2025-04-18 01:47