It has recently been revealed that the TV drama series "Ossan no pantsu ga nandatte iijanaika!" (commonly known as "Oppan"), starring Taizo Harada of the comedy trio "Neptune" and broadcast on Tokai TV and Fuji TV in January 2024, is being made into a movie that is scheduled to be released on July 4th.
The drama is based on the popular manga (LINE Manga) of the same name by the duo "Nerima Gym." Harada plays Makoto Okita, a 51-year-old born in the Showa era who has old-fashioned values that even his family dislikes, and this heartwarming comedy follows him as he meets a gay youth and begins to change his common sense.
The first week saw 890,000 views on TVer, making it the most popular drama ever produced by Tokai TV (as of January 2024). It attracted attention, especially from Gen Z, as a role-playing drama that gradually updates the Showa era "old men" who are stuck in old common sense and prejudices by encountering new "common sense" such as LGBTQ+, Oshikatsu, 2D LOVE, men's bras, etc. In addition to winning the Excellence Award in the TV Drama category at the 2024 Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association Awards, the original manga boasts a total of over 84 million views in Japan (as of March 2025), and won first place in the poll "What is the best original work on LINE Manga? The best 11 decided by everyone."
The film will feature Harada as the main character Makoto, Nakajima Sota from "FANTASTICS" as Daichi, a gay university student who has helped him improve his friendship with Makoto, Jo Kairi as Sho, a high school student who loves makeup and cute things, Ohara Azusa as Moe, a university student who loves BL, Azuma Keisuke as Yen, who becomes Daichi's partner, Matsushita Yuki as Daichi's mother Mihoko, and Tomita Yasuko as his wife Mika, who is a supporter of a boy's group. Directed by Ninomiya Takashi, who has been involved since the TV version, an original story will unfold depicting new questions and challenges faced by the Okitas, who have been enjoying their love, under the watchful eye of the Okitas' pet dog Carlos.
Comments from the performers are as follows:
◇Comment from Taizo Harada, who plays Makoto Okita
When I first heard about the movie adaptation of "Oppan", I was surprised and said "Ehh!??" At the same time as being surprised, I was also immersed in joy, wondering "How will they depict the story after the drama? What kind of movie will it be?" When the drama was aired, the reaction from those around me was huge, and at first, Makoto before the update was a nasty guy, so there was an atmosphere of "He's no good, that guy" (laughs), but I felt that he was gradually accepted by the public. As soon as I started filming the movie, I felt like I was back to a year ago, and I'm very happy now. I'm very grateful that the drama and the movie were made, as a reward for me. The theme of this movie is Makoto, who thought he had finished updating, facing his past. The highlight is seeing his family and friends grow further while each having their own worries.
◇Comment from Sota Nakajima (FANTASTICS), who plays Daichi Igarashi
My love for "Oppan" grew stronger through the filming of the drama, so when I heard about the movie adaptation, I was happy to be able to gather with the same members again and did a fist pump. After the drama aired, many people told me that they watched the drama, and I realized that it had reached many people. I think that "Oppan" will continue to be my axis and become a very important and big thing in my life from now on. The role of Igarashi Daichi is a really wonderful character who can move someone's heart with words, and I myself get power from him. In the drama, Daichi supported Makoto's update, but in the movie, Makoto and the Okita family help Daichi grow. It's a warm work, so please watch it.
◇Comment from Kairi Jyo, who plays Sho Okita
I was so happy to be able to work with the Okita family and the same staff again, and I had been looking forward to the start of filming even before it began. When filming began, everyone warmly welcomed me with "Welcome back!" and I felt a sense of security, as if I had really come home. In the drama, the story depicted the growth of Sho, who had been a recluse, as he took a step outside the house, but in this movie, I think you will be able to see a new side of Sho who has grown even more. I would also be happy if this movie gives everyone a chance to think again about how important it is to cherish the things you love. Please look forward to seeing what happens to the Okita family after the update!
◇Comment from Azusa Ohara, who plays Moe Okita
I never thought it would be made into a movie, so I was incredibly happy when I heard about it. I thought it would be great to be able to film with the same team as the drama again. It's a warm and enjoyable set, and I really love the team! In the drama, Moe was observing her family and wanted to stick to what she loved and to have her father understand her better, but in the movie she is trying to solidify her inner core. So, a little differently from the drama, I was conscious of playing the role of someone who is working on her favorite manga while worrying, "Am I okay the way I am?"
◇Comment from Keisuke Higashi, who plays Madoka Sunagawa
It's been a year since the drama was broadcast, and I'm happy that it's been decided to be made into a movie so soon, and that I can be involved in this work again. First of all, I want to express my gratitude to all the viewers. The warm atmosphere of "Oppan" had already been created on set, and I had a relationship with Daichi in particular where we were able to communicate without saying anything, so I was always looking forward to the next shoot, wondering when it would be. I didn't think, "I'll try to act like this En this time because it's a movie," but rather I acted with the connection from the drama in mind. Whether you've enjoyed the drama or not, I think you'll enjoy the movie even more if you review and prepare for it!
◇Comment from Yuki Matsushita, who plays Mihoko Igarashi
The drama was a very heartwarming work, so I'm very grateful to be able to work on it with peace of mind. At the end of the drama, my son Daichi got married and started a new life, which I was very happy about as a mother, but during the filming of the movie, I realized how lonely it was (laughs). The theme of Mihoko in this film is "I feel lonely because I love him, and I can accept the loneliness because I love him," and my feelings as a mother watching Daichi leave the nest are mixed with various emotions. I hope everyone will watch this wonderful work that affirms the feeling of "love."
◇Comment from Yasuko Tomita, who plays Mika Okita
I was very surprised when I heard about the movie adaptation. I'm a little excited to think that I'll be able to meet the Okita family on the big screen. A year has passed since the drama, and everyone has worked in various places, absorbed various things, so I thought that when we met again, we might be different from a year ago, but I'm very moved that we are in exactly the same state as we were a year ago, as if we had gone back in time. The Okita family is the Okita family. As for the role of Mika, I deliberately tried not to think about how to play it differently from the drama. If I did, the quality of my acting would change, so I'm acting without any relation between the movie and the drama. Please look forward to it.
◇Comment from the original author, Nerima Gym
Storyboard: When I read the script, there were some lines that made me think "I wish I had thought of that!", which was frustrating. But it showed how much the production team valued the character of "Oppan", so I was happy. The drama alone was a reward enough, but there's also the unexpected bonus of a movie, so all that's left is to hope for a box office revenue of 100 trillion yen.
Illustration: It's already been a year since the "Oppan" drama, and I never dreamed that the work I created with my editor a few years ago would be presented to us in this form as a new piece. Makoto-san... he's come back bigger than ever... (´；ω；`)
I am truly happy to hear that the current situation is due to people who watched the drama wanting to share "Oppan" with many people again in the form of a movie.
I would like to thank Director Ninomiya and all the staff, and Harada and the other actors, for accepting the opportunity.
Following the drama, new characters and stories not found in the original work will further expand the world of "Oppan."
I would be happy if the movie "Oppan" becomes a memorable memory for everyone.
