Ex-bikers vs corporate gentrification? Japan's weirdest underdog story is unhinged.
"A wave of recession hits the Kirigaoka Central Shopping Street in a certain town. One by one, the shops succumb to Angel A's pressure. Finally, the second generation of shopkeepers in the Kirigaoka Central Shopping Arcade, all of whom are strong ex-biker gang members, stand up! In order to protect the local shopping arcade, their ‘community development’ campaign has begun."
Acting
Riki Takeuchi's barely-contained intensity in comedy form.
Practical Effects
Genuine 90s shopping arcade location shooting.
Writing
Somehow makes gentrification genuinely funny.
Director
Kosuke Suzuki
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Shotōgai (shopping arcades) were Japan's economic backbone; this film captures their 90s decline with bizarre affection.
Riki Takeuchi was simultaneously starring in deadly serious yakuza films—this was his 'I'm actually funny' flex that nobody asked for.
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