First-day-screening event of new movie "Itou-kun A to E"

The first-day-screening event of new movie "Itou-kun A to E" was held at TOHO Cinemas Shinjuku on 13 January which was attended by the director Hiroki Ryuichi and cast members Okada Masaki, Kimura Fumino, Sasaki Nozomi, Shida Mirai, Ikeda Elaiza, Kaho, Nakamura Tomoya and Tanaka Kei. As Okada happened to have a sore throat on that day, Kimura called upon everyone to be gentle and understanding towards him.

Completion screening event of new movie "Itou-kun A to E"

The completion screening event of new movie "Itou-kun A to E" was held at Starrise Tower on 21 November which was attended by the director Hiroki Ryuuichi and cast members Okada Masaki, Kimura Fumino, Sasaki Nozomi, Shida Mirai, Ikeda Elaiza, Kaho, Tanaka Kei and Nakamura Tomoya. The movie will be shown in cinemas from 12 January 2018.

Drama version of "Itou-kun A to E" to be shown this summer; supporting cast line-up for movie announced

The drama version of new movie "Itou-kun A to E" comprising of 8 episodes will be shown via TBS and MBS from 15 Aug and 20 Aug respectively in the Tuesdays 1.28am and Sundays 12.50am timeslot. In contrast with the movie version starring Okada Masaki and Kimura Fumino as double leads, the drama version will feature Kimura Fumino as its sole lead. The movie will be shown in cinemas in 2018.

The film is based on the same-titled romance novel by Yuzuki Asako which was published in 2013. Okada plays Itou Seijirou, a self-centred man who thinks very highly of his appearance and is insensitive to others' feelings. As a result, he always causes the women he meets to suffer due to his character flaws. On the other hand, Kimura plays Yazaki Rio who is a scriptwriter and keeps her true thoughts about other people hidden within. While trying to create a drama script about people's romance woes, she begins interviewing four women who she nicknames as A, B, C and D. Coincidentally, the four of them are all in love with Itou who is a student at the scenario writing school where Rio works as a lecturer. As Rio continues to observe what happens between the four women and Itou, she finds herself embroiled in this romance whirlpool and becomes the 5th women E. The drama version will describe events which happen before the movie version and will describe Itou-kun from the perspectives of the women A, B, C and D.

The actresses playing A to D were also announced to be: A - Shimabara Tomomi (Sasaki Nozomi), B - Noze Shuuko (Shida Mirai), C - Aida Satoko (Ikeda Elaiza) and D - Jinbo Miki (Kaho). Other members in the cast include Tanaka Kei who plays Tamura Shinya, a producer and used to be Rio's partner, Nakamura Tomoya who plays Kusumi Kentaro, a popular and young scriptwriter threatening Rio's career prospects and Yamada Yuki who plays Okita, an original character in the drama version.

Kimura described the story as a gathering of flawed people who have their own faults. With regard to her character Rio, she is a person who ends up getting hurt as well when she hurts others and doesn't chase after people but also doesn't reject those who come to her. Many women may find themselves agreeing and identifying with the behavioural traits of these sorry women which will serve as a good reflection of themselves. As for Sasaki, she described her character Tomomi as a pitiful woman who tries hard to be liked by Itou-kun but gets treated like trash while Shida said that Shuko is probably an even worse person compared to Itou-kun as she is reluctant to come out from her shell and change herself. As for Ikeda, she commented that Satoko knows what is love and hankers for it so much but just cannot find the right way to get it while Kaho said that her character Miki who boasts of high qualifications, contains a mix of traits from the other women and is so serious about everything that she even wants to offer her virginity to him even though he has other women in the sidelines.

Sources: Eiga.com / Nikkansports / Sanspo

Okada Masaki & Kimura Fumino to star in new movie "Itou-kun A to E"

Okada Masaki and Kimura Fumino will be joint leads in the new movie "Itou-kun A to E" which marks their first collaboration and will be directed by Hiroki Ryuuichi. The film is based on the same-titled romance novel by Yuzuki Asako which was published in 2013.

Okada plays Itou Seijirou, a self-centred man who thinks very highly of his appearance and is insensitive to others' feelings. As a result, he always causes the women he meets to suffer due to his character flaws. On the other hand, Kimura plays Yazaki Rio who is a scriptwriter and keeps her true thoughts about other people hidden within. While trying to create a drama script about people's romance woes, she begins interviewing four women who she nicknames as A, B, C and D. Coincidentally, the four of them are all in love with Itou who is a student at the scenario writing school where Rio works as a lecturer. As Rio continues to observe what happens between the four women and Itou, she finds herself embroiled in this romance whirlpool and becomes the 5th women E.

Okada commented that after reading the novel, he had no good feelings towards Ito and couldn't identify with his behaviour at all. In short, Itou is a lousy guy but he is prepared to give his all to play this character. Although he has never met Kimura before, he is excited about being able to work with her. As for Kimura, she accepted the role because the director wanted to see her wickedness in the proud Rio who may actually be the best person to understand why Itou behaves the way he is. She is looking forward to creating an unforgettable film with Okada even though this is their first collaboration.

The movie will be shown in early spring 2018. Filming will begin in July.

Sources: Nikkansports / Sanspo / Eiga.com