It was revealed on February 13th that actor Shinya Niiro will star in the drama series "Shachikujin Yabu" (12 episodes, 30 minutes each), which will begin on April 4th. This is Niiro's first time starring in a drama series. This work is a renewal of "Wednesday Drama 23," which is currently broadcast on BS Shochiku Tokyu at 11pm on Wednesdays, and will be the first drama in the new Friday 10:30pm drama slot that will be established in April.
The story is based on Nachi Izumi's manga "Shachikujin Yabu" (PHP Institute). Unpaid overtime is the norm and salaries remain the same. Well Black Corporation is a black company that treats its employees as nothing more than cogs in the company's gear. Yabu Rinichirou (played by Niiro), who serves as the section chief of the second sales department, is a brilliant "shachikujin" who sees things in a very positive way, saying that "overtime is the company's way of treating people," "complaints are love calls from customers," and "low wages are a modest way of teasing myself." 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.
Niiro's role as Yabu Rinichirou is an excellent employee who is able to complete work tasks quickly and always has top sales results, but at the same time, he is a die-hard corporate slave who is willing to work unpaid overtime for the sake of the company, even if it means keeping his salary the same. His catchphrase is "Work until you're bones," and he is a salaryman who has mastered the corporate slave lifestyle.
Niiro is currently appearing in the NHK Asadora drama "Omusubi". He is also appearing in "Boogie Woogie" in the second half of 2023, making this his second Asadora. He is also a regular in the serial drama "Frame of Mind" (Fuji TV, Tuesdays at 9:00 pm). His bizarre performance as Zennari in the 2022 NHK Taiga drama "The 13 Lords of the Shogun" also became a hot topic. Regarding his first lead role in a serial drama in this work, Niiro said, "I didn't think it would be in this lifetime. I thought my role was to act freely in the supporting role. I am honored and humbled that they have offered me a leading role. I am really happy."
The comments from Niino and others are as follows:
◇Comment from Shinya Niiro
-- "Shachikujin Yabu" is your first lead role in a TV drama series, so please tell us again how you feel.
I never thought I'd get to star in a drama starring Shinya Niiro in this lifetime. I thought my role was to act freely in a supporting role. I'm humbled and grateful for the courageous plan to offer me a starring role. I'm really happy. This may be the last time we'll ever see a drama starring Shinya Niiro, so I definitely want you to watch it!
--Please tell us your thoughts after reading the script for this film.
Honestly, it's interesting! It's deep! I thought it was a typical company drama, but it also had comedy elements and an impossible worldview, but I feel that the theme that throws a stone at the trend of modern society will stay in my mind. I love my job, but these days, "work-life balance" is being called for. But I think Yabu-san is teaching me that "it's okay to love your work and live for it." Or, paradoxically, I think it's okay to take it as "work isn't everything." I felt the value of saying that you love what you love and making it your purpose in life without being swayed by the trend.
--Filming for the drama has begun in earnest, so please tell us about your enthusiasm as the lead actor.
No, I don't have any awareness or enthusiasm as the leader, and I think it would be presumptuous to say so, but I will do my best to convey the charm of Yabu Rinichirou in this work! I'm already a fan of Yabu-san myself. An attractive cast and reliable staff have gathered. I have a feeling that we can create a wonderful drama that we haven't seen recently, so we will all work together to complete this comprehensive art!
--Finally, please give a message to all the viewers who are looking forward to the drama's broadcast.
I think I spend my days searching for an interesting drama. I love dramas too, and this is a drama that makes me think, "Oh, this drama looks interesting!" I think it will be a work unlike any other you've ever seen before. I'm sure everyone will fall in love with Yabu, aka Yabu Rinichirou, who lives and works energetically in a world that is neither realistic nor unrealistic! I'll do my best to make that happen! Please look forward to it! And most importantly! This may be the first and last drama starring Niiro Shinya, so be sure to watch it!
◇ Comment from producer Madoka Yoshihiro (Shochiku Video Planning Department)
When I first encountered "Corporate Slave Yabu," I was shocked by Yabu Rinichirou's strange devotion to his company and his abnormal, stylish work style. Yabu is an eccentric man who calls himself a "corporate slave," a word that would normally sound humiliating, and even feels "pleasure" when he is called that. Laughter rang out on set every time a cut was made, and I'm sure it will definitely be an interesting film! On the other hand, it is also a surprisingly (?) deep story that considers "what does it mean to work?" The Reiwa era has a variety of ways of working. It may be anachronistic, but some people may be envious of Yabu's work attitude, devoting himself to his work and enjoying it so much that he gets "pleasure" from it.
◇Comment from the original author, Izumi Nachi
I was very surprised when I first heard about this drama adaptation.
Next, I was overcome with joy, but I remember it was so overwhelming that it somehow seemed unreal.
As the project progresses, I get to know the publisher, the people at Shochiku, the scriptwriter, and everyone else involved, and I realize once again how honored I am to have been given this opportunity, and my heart is filled with emotion. I look forward to the day when this work will be updated by everyone to reflect modern sensibilities and values and be delivered to viewers. And I would be happy to help out in any way I can until the end.
Well, that's enough serious talk...
I hope you enjoy the drama "Shachikujin Yabu," which will make you laugh and feel a little better!
