Filming is finally completed for the live-action movie adaptation of "Hibi Rock," the rock 'n' roll comic by Enokiya Katsumasa that has found immense popularity since it began serialization in Young Jump in 2010. Directed by Irie Yu of "SR: Saitama no Rapper" fame, the film's all-star cast is led by Nomura Shuhei and Nikaido Fumi. Upon completion of filming, it was revealed that a unique cast was brought together to appear as the band members in the movie.
Nomura Shuhei plays Hibinuma Takuro, a dull high schooler who's not very good at sports or studies and has no girlfriend. But when he's playing rock music, he can truly be himself. The sense of release is so extreme that he has even stripped nude during a performance... that's his style of "Hibi Rock." One day, a friend invites Takuro to start a band called Rock 'n' Roll Brothers, in which he becomes the guitarist and vocalist.
After graduation, the three friends don't want to give up on their dream, so they officially begin their band activities at the legendary livehouse Monster GOGO. Then, during one Rock 'n' Roll Brothers gig, a drunk young woman named Utagawa Saki (played by Nikaido Fumi) barges onto the stage, grabs Takuro's mic, and starts to sing "Ameagari no Yozora ni" by RC Succession at the top of her lungs. It turns out she is a top idol who has earned worldwide fame for her original style.
Nomura portrays Hibinuma Takuro, the protagonist, and Nikaido plays the top idol Utagawa Saki, the woman who changes his destiny.
The light-hearted bassist of The Rock 'n' Roll Brothers, Kusakabe Mamoru, is played by Maeno Tomoya, who also recently contributed his talents to "Seiten no Hekireki" and "Bannou Kanteishi Q - Mona Lisa no Hitomi." Shinjo, the flashy, attractive vocalist of rival band The Langoliers, is brilliantly played by Ochiai Motoki, also known for his role in "Yamikin Ushijima-kun Part 2."
The film also features Takenaka Naoto as Matsumoto Takeshi, the strict manager of the legendary livehouse Monster GOGO; Mariya Tomoko as Kazama Izumi, the cool-headed music producer; Ebisu Yoshikazu as Shocho, a member of the underground band Dog Rape; and Kita Yoko as Machida Machiko, a beautiful employee of Monster GOGO.
In addition, and befitting of a rock 'n' roll film, "Hibi Rock" features many musicians making their silver screen debut. The drummer of The Rock 'n' Roll Brothers, Yoda Akira, is played by Kuroneko Chelsea drummer Okamoto Keisuke. Inukai Yuichiro of Dog Rape is played by The SALOVERS vocalist Furutachi Yutaro. Plus, visual kei band Misaruka appears as the members of The Langoliers.
Filming for "Hibi Rock" began in April 2014, capturing various locations around Tokyo and neighboring towns before finishing on May 3. The filming of the climax battered nearly the entire cast with winds reaching speeds of 27 m/s and 69 tons of rain, continuing through the night for two full days before the epic scene was completed.
"Hibi Rock" comes to theaters around Japan in fall 2014.
Hibi Rock official website:
http://hibirock.jp/
Misaruka Official Website:
http://misaruka.jp
Misaruka Official facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/misarukaofficial
