It has been revealed that Kyohei Takahashi of the popular group Naniwa Danshi will be starring in the film "Yamaguchi-kun wa Warukunai" (directed by Kentaro Moriya, scheduled for release on June 5, 2026). Takahashi plays a tough-looking blonde transfer student who speaks in a Kansai dialect. He commented, "I was conscious of the tough-looking, the contrast, the Kansai dialect, and the harshness that went into my performance, so I hope everyone will look forward to the film's release!"
The film is based on the manga of the same name by Yu Saiki, which is currently being serialized in the girls' manga magazine Bessatsu Friend (Kodansha). It is a youthful love story between Satsuki, who wants to live a normal high school life, and Yamaguchi, a transfer student with a tough look and a Kansai accent.
Takahashi will play Yamaguchi Asuka, also known as "Yamaguchi-kun," who has a tough-looking appearance but a kind and pure face. Takahashi, who is from Osaka, has a sharp Kansai dialect that is just as sharp as his tough-looking appearance, and Saiki, the original author, commented, "At first, I was worried about whether it would be okay to use my manga as the original, but when it was decided that Kyohei Takahashi, who is from Kansai, would play Yamaguchi-kun, my worries turned to excitement."
A special Teaser trailer has also been released. After an intense action scene in which Yamaguchi yells, "Don't call me so casually," and "Come on, you idiot!", the caption "This is all for illustrative purposes only" suddenly appears, and the video shows sweet lines such as, "If anything bothers you, just tell me, I'll protect you," as well as a cute side to the "gap boy" whose ears turn red when he's embarrassed.
◇Comment from Kyohei Takahashi
After hearing about this role, I read the original manga and found out that the character would be speaking in Kansai dialect, which I thought sounded really interesting, and I was drawn to the fact that the character is a blonde Yankee with a Kansai dialect, set in a girls' manga. To match the original, I was wearing earrings, but I don't have pierced ears, so this was the first time I'd worn the type that attaches with a magnet, and at first I had to endure the excruciating pain hahaha But I eventually got used to it!
For the role of Yamaguchi this time, I was conscious of playing a scary character, a gap, a Kansai dialect, and a sense of intensity, so I hope you'll look forward to the release!
◇Comment from Director Kentaro Moriya
First of all, let me tell you that nothing major happens in this movie. There's no time leap, and no meteorites approaching the Earth (laughs).
During his school days, when his whole world was still school and home, he would desperately try to get the contact information of the girl he liked, or spend all night debating whether to call her by her first name... For him, it was as big a deal as the end of the world. When you think about it, this movie is full of incidents. He has a girl he likes, friends who sympathize with his love troubles, and even a weirdo who stirs things up around him...
When I read the original novel, I had a strange feeling as if I had been given a share in the happiness of those days, even though I didn't have such a fun student life. I would be very happy if people who watch this movie feel the same way.
◇Comment from the original author, Yu Saiki
At first, I was a little worried about whether it would be okay to adapt my manga as the original work, but when I saw the director and producer speak sincerely and with such joy about "Yamaguchi-kun," my worries turned to excitement, and when it was decided that Kyohei Takahashi, who hails from Kansai, would play the role of Yamaguchi-kun, I was certain.
I saw the preview and it was honestly entertaining! The young actors gathered and each one worked seriously on the film, which gave it a natural "youthful feel," and I was still immersed in the afterglow even after watching it. I was happy to see that the film was packed with attention to detail, even down to the end credits!
Now I want as many people as possible to see "Yamaguchi-kun Isn't Bad," which was created by the wonderful staff and cast. Please come to the theater!
