Masahiko Tsugawa's third film as a director will be "Asahiyama Doubutsuen Monogatari," a documentary-style story about the Asahiyama Zoo.

Once on the verge of closure, the zoo was transformed into the most popular zoo in Japan. Its history has previously been captured in literature and on television, but this will be the first attempt at a movie. Tsugawa actually appeared in the two Fuji TV drama specials on the subject (in 2006 and 2007).

Filming is scheduled to last for two and a half months, starting on February 3. It will be shot at several zoos, including Asahiyama. The movie is scheduled for release in spring 2009.

Toshiyuki Nishida will play the lead role. The supporting cast includes Yasuhi Nakamura, Ittoku Kishibe, Hiroyuki Nagato (who happens to be Tsugawa's brother), Takashi Sasano, Akira Emoto, and Ai Maeda.