“Ooku” cast includes Horikita, Tamaki

Additional cast members have been revealed for the upcoming live-action film “Ooku,” which stars Kou Shibasaki (28) and Arashi’s Kazunari Ninomiya (26). Joining them are Maki Horikita (21), Hiroshi Tamaki (30), Sadao Abe (39), and Kanjani8’s Tadayoshi Okura (24).

Directed by Fuminori Kaneko, the film is an adaptation of the Fumi Yoshinaga manga of the same name. The story is a historical fiction set during the Edo period, in which a mysterious disease significantly reduces Japan’s male population, resulting in women becoming the dominant members of society.

In December, it was revealed that Shibasaki is playing the role of the female shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune, while Ninomiya is playing the part of Mizuno, a young man who joins the ranks of the “ooku” (the “inner chambers”). Horikita has been cast as O-nobu, the childhood friend of Mizuno who harbors feelings for him.

Tamaki, Abe, and Okura will play key members of the ooku. Tamaki’s character is Matsushima, a high-ranking member of the elite O-chuurou class. Abe is playing Sugishita, a low-ranking member who has served for many years but has given up on promotion. Okura, who is making his big screen debut in this film, has been cast as Mizuno’s rival, the expert swordsman Tsuruoka.

“Ooku” is scheduled for release on October 1.

Source:
Sankei Sports