D-BOYS starring in “Shakariki!” movie adaptation

“Shakariki!,” the first manga series by artist Masahito Soda, is being adapted as a live-action film, starring members of the acting group D-BOYS. Serialized in Shonen Champion from 1992 to 1995, the comic focused on high schoolers involved in the sport of bicycle racing.

D-BOYS leader Yuya Endo stars as Teru, who is trying to revive his school’s defunct bicycle club. Yuichi Nakamura (“Kamen Rider Den-O”) plays the talented Poppo, and Hiroki Suzuki (“Juken Sentai Gekiranger”) plays Yuta, a racer from a rival school. The three actors began practicing in December, and last week they underwent more intensive training that included cycling for 60km every day.

The rest of the cast includes Noriko Nakagoshi as Teru’s sister Sayuri, Miho Nakai as one of the team’s mothers, Akira Emoto as the school principal, Yoichi Nukumizu as vice principal, and Taizo Harada as the team’s coach.

This is the first feature-length film helmed by Shinsuke Ono, who has worked as an assistant director on movies such as Takeshi Kitano’s “Kids Return.” Shooting begins on Thursday and is expected to take until the end of April. Showgate will distribute the movie in September.

Source:
Sankei Sports