■ “I want to make sure I don’t become a teacher who is just seeking revenge.” (Yuki Yagi, FANTASTICS)
FANTASTICS’s Yusei Yagi will be taking on the role of a teacher for the first time in the short drama “Saigo no Jugyou – Only Those Who Survived Will Graduate.” This is an original work produced by Nippon Television, and will be the first project to be distributed on the new short drama app “UniReel,” launched by COL JAPAN in November.
“The Last Lesson – Only Those Who Survived Will Graduate” is a story about a “death game” taking place within a school. The day before the graduation ceremony, Yagi, who plays the role of homeroom teacher Takeshi Maruyama, gathers the whole class in the music room and says, “From now on, you will all have to kill each other. Only those who survive can graduate. Well, that’s about it,” and the death game begins within the school.
Before filming began, Yagi spoke to him about his interpretation of the character, saying, “This is my first time playing a teacher, and it’s a unique role. But when I was given the plot, including Maruyama’s background, there were parts that I could relate to, or that I felt were not just about taking revenge, so I want to make sure that the character doesn’t become a “teacher who just seeks revenge.” As a film, I hope that it will be a work that is truly scary for those who watch it, and that it will have an impact on people’s lives, taking into account their current situations, etc.”
He added, “Although it is a death game, the work also delves deeply into the human drama behind it, so I want to keep in mind to live the role of Maruyama. I think a variety of emotions will emerge. There is hatred, but also the fact that he is spending a truly happy time with his fiance. I want to take great care in portraying that contrast.”
Regarding his enthusiasm for the filming, he said, “When the cameras aren’t rolling, the friendly atmosphere on set is one thing, but this time when I’m on set, I intend to always be Maruyama. I’m going to be hard on myself and push the students away, or rather, not get too involved. I think that will have a positive influence on the students, and I think we can get good footage if we can create a good worldview, so I want to keep that in mind,” revealing his intention to give his heart and soul to the role of a teacher gone insane.
The series is a vertical short drama that can be watched on smartphones. To those who are looking forward to the release, he sent a message saying, “I think it’s a very impactful work. I’m sure when the information about this work is released, there will be many people who wonder what it’s about, but it’s not just an impactful work, I think there are parts that touch upon the nature of society in the classroom and the structure of human relationships. It’s a work with a message, so if you listen carefully to each line, I think your perspective will change and it will leave a lasting impression. I hope you’ll look forward to the release.”
(C) “Japan Original Short Drama” Production Committee
Program Information
Short drama “The Last Lesson – Only those who survive will graduate”
Distributed on the new short drama app “UniReel”
All episodes will be released at once, with each episode scheduled to last a few minutes.
Planning and production: Nippon Television Network
Cast: Yusei Yagi
Screenplay: Tsutomu Suzuki (Nippon Television)
Director: Yoichi Matsunaga (RIS Enterprise)
Supervisor: Yuma Suzuki (Nippon Television)
Producers: Hiroki Hara (Nippon Television Network), Shinichiro Kubo (Nippon Television Network), Tsutomu Suzuki (Nippon Television Network)
Yoichi Matsunaga (RIS Enterprise) Toshiya Tsubouchi (RIS Enterprise)
Produced by: E Yoshida (Nippon Television Network, Inc.)
Production copyright: “Japan Original Short Drama” Production Committee
Production cooperation: RIS Enterprise
“UniReel” official LINE account
https://lin.ee/Uv8GIlk
FANTASTICS OFFICIAL SITE
https://m.tribe-m.jp/Artist/index/168
Yusei Yagi
