Sukeban Deka: Kôdo nêmu = Asamiya Saki (2006)

Director:

Kenta Fukasaku

Writers:

Shoichi Maruyama (writer)
Shinji Wada (manga "Sukeban Deka")

Release Date:

30 September 2006 (Japan)

Genre:

Action

Plot:

Recruited by a clandestine police organization, "K" must stop a plot by student radicals to create anarchy in Japan...

Plot Keywords:

Yo Yo | School | Katana Sword | Bully | Bank Robbery

Cast

Aya Matsuura	...	Saki Asamiya
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Rika Ishikawa	...	Reika Akiyama
Shunsuke Kubozuka	...	Jiro Kimura
Erika Miyoshi	...	Kotomi Kanda
Mark Musashi	...	Wu
Hiroyuki Nagato	...	Kurayami Shirei
Takashi Nishina
Yui Okada	...	Taie Kono
Yuki Saitô	...	Saki's Mother
Tak Sakaguchi	...	Romeo's thug
Riki Takeuchi	...	Kazutoshi Kira

Also Known As:

Yo-Yo Girl Cop (International: English title)
Yo-Yo Girl Cop: Codename - Saki Asamiya (International: English title) (literal title)

Runtime:

Japan:98 min

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Japan:PG-12

Company:

Fukasaku-gumi

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Saki chases a bomb-carrying classmate into a shopping mall. It's bright sunshine outside when they enter the mall, but on several occasions inside, skylights are visible showing that it is night outside. As the DVD featurette reveals, the mall interior sequences were filmed late at night.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in Sukepan deka: Bâjin nêmu = Moromie Saki (2006) (V)

Soundtrack:

Thanks

Anti-bullying Deka

The first Subekan Deka in over ten years updates the special effects and boosts the star power to make for a pleasantly watchable entertainment that excels in its social conscience.

Former Deka entries, whether drawn or dramatized, have taken the usual hero vs. super- villain route, making them seem tired even before they've left the gate. In addition, they suffered from the basic limitations of the special effects at that time; the manga-inspired concept of razor yo-yos and killer cranes seemed less than convincing in a martial arts film. As the series progressed, the plots became almost as silly as the James Bond films of the period.

In Kodo Nemo - Asamiya Saki, director Kenta Fukasaku (Battle Royale 2) modernizes he action sequences and frames the story to reflect contemporary social realities - in particular, the prevalence of bullying in the Japanese school system. It comes to focus when an underground internet site counts down, and a teenage undercover agent - code-named Saki Asamiya - tries to uncover the mystery before it's too late.

As Idol Aya Matsuura is a good pick for the lead role, beautiful but tough in the tradition of the series (and a much better singer than any of the girls who preceded her). Matsuura is dynamic though (like former deka girls) lacking in a certain humor. The standout villain, played by Morning Musume alumnus Rika Ishikawa, is sexy in her faux-leather action outfit - a complete surprise. The normally demure Ishikawa is clearly having fun in her over-the-top role, and you wish she could appear more often.

The film could have used more hard-edged humor - something that Fukasaku might learn from the work of his latefather, the late Kinji Fukusaku. Also, the film's plot makes a high ratio of characters irritatingly geeky and impossibly suicidal. But these flaws are tolerable in the anticipation of a possible sequel, either on film or serial. Certainly there's enough talent in Upfront Management to cast several film projects. Aibon would be amusing in some suitably smoky role, Miki perfect as a villain, and Eri could be on hand for comic relief.