Meet the cast of Yudai Yamaguchi's "Elite Yankee Saburo"

by Chris MaGee

As we reported back at the beginning of July "Battlefield Baseball" and "Meatball Machine" director Yudai Yamaguchi is currently shooting a feature film version of the TV Tokyo comedy series "Elite Yankee Saburo", the story of Ōkochi Saburo a nerdy teen and younger brother to two legendary delinquents, so when Ōkochi enrolls at their old school the students and staff brand him a dangerous “elite yankee”.

In a press conference that took place recently at the offices of Toei Studios in Tokyo Yamaguchi and the film's stars greeted the press in full costume; and while most of the cast from the series will be making the transition to the big screen, including Hideo Ishiguro as Ōkochi, there are a couple of newcomers in the ranks. As we reported here Haruna, Ōkochi's girlfriend has been recast and will now be played by Hikaru Yamamoto; and if you look very carefully in the back row next to Yudai Yamaguchi you'll see Riki Takeuchi who will be playing a supporting role in the film.

Thanks to Bunkatsushin.com for the pic.