Teppei Koike stars in "Black Gaisha"

[Tokyograph News]

One of the many films recently unveiled by Asmik Ace is "Black Gaisha ni Tsutometerundaga, Mou Ore wa Genkai Kamoshirenai," the next effort from director Yuichi Sato ("Kisaragi"). Like the 2005 hit "Densha Otoko," the movie is based on a popular thread from internet forum 2channel that was later published as a book.

Teppei Koike stars as a 26-year-old NEET who has been living with his mother ever since dropping out of high school. After his mother dies, he sets out to get a job as a computer programmer, but with no real education or work experience, he winds up working for a "black gaisha," a term referring to a company that severely overworks its employees. Pushed to his limits, the naive young man is forced to grow as a person, with support and criticism from his fellow 2channel posters.

Koike's supporting cast includes model Maiko, Kei Tanaka, comedian Hiroshi Shinagawa, and Seiichi Tanabe. Filming starts on April 19, aiming for a theatrical release this coming winter.

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