It was revealed on February 28th that actor Kenta Suga, Takamatsu Aloha from the dance and vocal group Bullet Train, and Haruyo Yamaguchi from the idol group Hinatazaka46 will appear in the drama series "Shachikujin Yabu" (BS Shochiku Tokyu, Friday 10:30pm, 30 minute episodes, 12 episodes in total), which starts on April 4th and stars actor Niiro Shinya.
The story is based on Nachi Izumi's manga "Shachikujin Yabu" (PHP Institute). Unpaid overtime is the norm and salaries remain the same. Yabu Rinichirou (played by Niiro), who serves as the section chief of the second sales department at the Well Black Corporation, a black company that treats its employees as nothing more than cogs in the company, is an excellent "shachikujin" who sees overtime as hospitality from the company, complaints as love calls from customers, and low wages as a modest way to tease himself. This BL (business love) fantasy comedy paradoxically advocates work style reform, questioning how we should approach work and life through Yabu's way of working and living.
The three actors play young employees who join Wellblack Corporation and are assigned to Sales Division 2, the same department that Yabu works in, and witness Yabu's well-honed corporate slave training and determined way of life as a corporate slave.
Suga plays Yuichi Kuraray, a new graduate who joined the company hoping for a new life. Kuraray joined the company hoping for a bright future, thinking that he could use his individuality in the work, but he is baptized by Yabu as a corporate slave, learns the true nature of a black company, and struggles with the corporate slave training from Yabu.
Takamatsu plays Takayanagi Seisho, a colleague of Kurara's who joined the company full of expectations, thinking that working for a trading company would mean going on group dates and being popular with the ladies, but is shocked by the ruthless corporate slave training he receives from Yabu, who tolerates no compromise.
Yamaguchi plays Nanase Anri, a self-proclaimed fan of Yabu who sympathizes with Yabu's way of life. Nanase is an original character not found in the original work, and is one year older than Kurara and Takayanagi. She is the only female employee in the Sales Department, Division 2, who graduated from junior college.
In addition, a poster visual that pays homage to the first volume of the original comic has also been released. It faithfully reproduces the character of Yabu, who is a corporate slave. The poster is accompanied by the yellow DANGER tape and Yabu's famous catchphrase, creating an impactful visual that conveys 200% of the company spirit.
The comments from Mr. Suga and others are as follows:
◇Comment from Kenta Suga
When I heard about the role, I wondered what kind of harsh story it would be because of the impact of the title "Corporate Slave". But... lol. After reading the script carefully, I felt that it was a deep work, depicting corporate slaves in a comedic way, but also having a social aspect that questions the essence of "work".
I play the character Yuichi Kurama, and I think he is the character closest to the viewers. I hope you will watch him gradually grow as a corporate slave while making comments to the strong-willed characters, including Yabu-san!
◇Comment from Takamatsu Aloha
I will be playing the role of Takayanagi Seisho. My name is Takamatsu Aloha! Takayanagi is easily influenced by various things and can be indecisive, but he can suddenly switch on and sometimes show a cute side, which is a huge contrast. Personally, my favorite thing about him is his habit of ending his sentences with "_____ssu"!
I hope you will be able to see how Takayanagi, who only thinks about being popular, grows in this work! Please check it out!
◇Comment from Haruyo Yamaguchi
I was honestly happy when I heard that I would be appearing. This is my first time stepping out of the group and appearing in a drama, so I felt it was a chance to show a new side of myself. It was difficult to create the character in my own way, as I was playing an original character that did not appear in the original "Shachikujin Yabu". I felt that the respect Nanase shows for Yabu's love for her work is somewhat similar to the respect she shows for her senior in the group. Yabu, played by the main character Niiro, is so charming that it makes you want to see more of him! You want to know more about him! There are also comedy elements, and it seems unrealistic, so I feel like it will be a work that gathers a variety of opinions.
It's fun to think about the feelings of various characters, and it's also good to enjoy the comedy elements! I hope you will enjoy this drama in a way that suits you! This is my first drama appearance, but I will do my best, so please watch it.
*The "taka" in Takamatsu Aloha's name is pronounced as "ladder".
