■ “I was like, ‘I got a movie offer!’ and I pumped my fist in excitement.” (Naniwa Danshi’s Kazuya Ohashi)
Naniwa Danshi’s Ohashi Kazuya has been announced to make his first film appearance since his debut in the film “The Mysterious Candy Shop Zeni-Tendo.”
The “Mysterious Candy Shop Zenitendo” series is a children’s novel written by Hiroshima Reiko and illustrated by jyajya (published by Kaiseisha). Set in the mysterious candy shop “Zenitendo,” which only the lucky candy shop owners of all ages and genders can find, the story follows the adventures of people who buy “mysterious candy” that makes their wishes come true.
When the novel began publication in 2013, it quickly gained popularity among children and is still being published, with a new chapter of the series starting in April 2024. It was adapted into an animated film and a TV anime in 2020, and in 2022 it won first place in the third “Elementary School Students’ Choice! Children’s Book General Election.”
And with such momentum that it has been adapted into a stage play in 2023, a game for the Nintendo Switch, and even a collaboration with Seibuen Amusement Park that has been ongoing since 2022, various media mixes have been making waves. The momentum has also spread to the world, with translations and publications starting from Asian countries, and now it is loved all over the world, with a total circulation of over 8.5 million copies worldwide.
This hugely popular novel has been made into a live-action movie and will be released on December 13th.
Only the luckiest customers can visit “Zeni-tendo,” which sells “mysterious sweets” that can grant any wish. The owner of this shop is Beniko, a mysterious woman of unknown age with pure white hair tied up in a hairpin made of colorful glass beads, bright red lipstick and a magenta kimono with an old coin pattern. She sells sweets to troubled customers in exchange for one coin drawn from a lucky draw machine. The role of the sweets shop owner Beniko is played by Amami Yuki, who has appeared in numerous dramas, films and stage plays and continues to be active at the forefront of Japan’s entertainment industry.
The director will be Hideo Nakata, a genius of Japanese cinema who has led the hit series “Ring” (1998) and “Stolen Identity” (2018, 2020, 2024). The screenwriter will be Reiko Yoshida, who has worked across a wide range of genres, including “A Silent Voice” (2016) and “Sumikko Gurashi the Movie: Magical Girl of the Blue Moonlight” (2021). Expectations are high for the chemistry that will emerge from this collaboration between the two.
The other day, it was announced that Amami, who plays the lead role of Beniko, would be taking on the role with over three hours of special makeup. Social media was full of praise, with comments such as, “I wondered how it would turn out with the plump Beniko being played by the extremely stylish Amami Yuki, but she’s the perfect fit! She’s perfect for the role!”, “I was surprised to see Amami Yuki playing Beniko. What’s more, she’s faithful to Beniko’s voice and is perfect for the role… It looks like it’s going to be a surprise movie that both children and adults can enjoy,” and “I watched it with my kids, so I’m so happy! That world view is so captivating.” Expectations for the film are building up even more.
■Ohashi Kazuya changes to short, black hair for his role!
And now, as a new cast member who will be “invited to a mysterious world,” Naniwa Danshi member Kazuya Ohashi will be making his first film appearance since his debut. He will be taking on his first role as a teacher.
Kazuya Ohashi is the leader of Naniwa Danshi, a national group that made its debut in 2021 and is currently attracting the most attention from the public. While working as an actor in the EX drama “My Cuteness is Almost Expired!?” (2022) and the NTV drama “I Fell in Love with the Girl Who Gave Me a Kerasuer” (2022), Ohashi has continued to work in a variety of fields, including variety shows, information programs, radio, and commercials. For the first time since the formation of Naniwa Danshi, Ohashi has stepped into the film industry.
Ohashi takes on the role of a new teacher, Todoroki Kotaro, who returns to his hometown for the first time in 15 years to teach the fifth grade at his alma mater, Wakaba Minami Elementary School. Although he is an introvert and lacks confidence, he acts strong-willed so that his students don’t realize it. In taking on his first teacher role, Ohashi, who hasn’t changed his hairstyle much since he turned 20, worked hard to create the role with short, black hair, and plays the life-sized teacher Kotaro with a fresh attitude.
Character visuals overflowing with a mysterious worldview have also been released. The visuals have been created with a mysterious worldview, set against the backdrop of Zenitendo, surrounded by many mysterious sweets. The visuals are exciting and will make you want to look closely, including the lucky cat and lottery machine, symbols of Zenitendo, as well as the “Mermaid Gummy Cookies” episode, which is the first episode to appear in the original work. Kotaro, who lacks confidence in the play, is also visually given a dignified presence, as if inspired by the mysterious sweets in the background.
Additionally, stills including the scene where Ohashi’s Kotaro and Amami’s Beniko confront each other have been released for the first time. It’s a fresh scene befitting a new teacher, as Ohashi’s Kotaro steps into the classroom of Wakaba Minami Elementary School’s 5th grade class 1 for the first time and stands at the podium. In addition to scenes of him nervously joining the group of students after school and talking happily in the classroom, there is also a scene of Kotaro sitting face to face with Beniko at “Zeni-Tendo”, a strange candy store that is rumored to be true among the students…!?
Why did Kotaro end up at Zenitendo? What is the relationship between Kotaro and Beniko? This work is still shrouded in mystery. We look forward to the release of more information in the future.
■ Comment from Kazuya Ohashi
When I heard about this, I pumped my fist in excitement, thinking, “I’ve got an offer for a movie!” I was so happy.
The character I play, Todoroki Kotaro, doesn’t have much confidence, but he wants to help his students, and I also don’t have much confidence, but I want to make my fans happy, so there was a connection between us.
This was my first time working with Amami Yuki and I was very nervous at first, but she was always friendly and would talk to me, and when we got it right on the first take while filming the same scene, we high-fived each other and did a funny dance (laughs).
But when it came to acting, I was drawn in by the incredible power of it all.
I think this movie will resonate with people of all ages, from children to adults, and will touch people’s hearts with its human feelings, romance, and other touching the heart, so I look forward to hearing what you all thought of it! Check it out!!Comment from Yuki Amami
They were very polite and I got the impression that they were very reliable people.
Even though she is an idol who is supported by so many people, she is very humble and always says “Thank you!” to all the staff, which I think is very refreshing and cleansing to the soul.
But sometimes, when I was playing, he would join in, which I was grateful for.Comment from Producer Reiko Imayan
I thought that Kazuya Ohashi’s sunny brightness and the delicate sensitivity he exudes would make him perfect for the role, so I offered him the role.
During breaks in filming, her natural honesty instantly closed the gap on set and made everyone smile, and once the actual shoot began, she was sincerely and proactively asking Amami and the other cast members, as well as director Nakata, about the acting, and her demeanor both on and off was charming.
It was also impressive how, before the performance, he loudly shouted “Please!” and before we knew it, he had united everyone.
His honest attitude matches the character perfectly, and he lights up the film as Kotaro, a role that only Ohashi can play.
I can’t reveal any details yet, but as a character who holds the key to the story, I’m sure he will also bring warmth to the hearts of those who watch the movie.
Movie Information
“The Mysterious Candy Shop Zenitendou”
Released on Friday, December 13th
Starring: Amami Yuki
Original work: “The Mysterious Candy Shop Zenitendo” series, written by Reiko Hiroshima, illustrated by jyajya (published by Kaiseisha)
Director: Hideo Nakata
Screenplay: Reiko Yoshida
Distributor: Toho
(C) 2024 “The Mysterious Candy Shop Zenitendo” Film Production Committee
The movie “The Mysterious Candy Shop Zenitendo” production site
http://zenitendo-movie.jp/
NANIWA DANIYA OFFICIAL SITE
https://starto.jp/s/p/artist/56
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