"Specials" is a dance action film featuring Daisuke Sakuma and a star-studded cast, achieving major box office success.

The film "Specials," a completely original work by Eiji Uchida, who is known for "Midnight Swan" and "Night Flower," features Daisuke Sakuma (Snow Man) in his first solo lead role, alongside a luxurious and unique cast including Kippei Shiina, Yuta from NCT, Sho Aoyagi, and Hitoshi Ozawa. The film presents an unprecedented "shocking dance action entertainment" that has recorded No.1 in Japanese live-action films upon its debut and continues to be a major hit. The story unfolds with "lonely professional assassins" of varying ages and personalities forming a team to aim for participation in a dance competition where the eccentric boss of the underworld, Honjo-kai, is sure to attend, plotting an assassination. The film features classic songs from the Showa and Heisei eras, such as "Sentimental Journey" (Iyo Matsumoto), "Friday Chinatown" (Yasuha), and "EZ DO DANCE" (TRF), as well as new songs written specifically for the film. Before its release, dance videos on TikTok surpassed 40 million views, generating significant buzz. After its release, audiences of all ages, from student couples to families, flocked to theaters, praising the film for making them "laugh heartily, feel moved, and cry at the end." The cast, with varying dance experiences, showcased their unity in dance, resonating with viewers. The film also captivated international fans at the recently concluded Fantasporto festival, winning the Audience Award. Merchandise related to the film has been selling out, creating a "Specials Fever" on a global scale. On March 21, a stage greeting event was held to celebrate the film's release, featuring Daisuke Sakuma and Yuta, who participated in a live viewing broadcast to over 200 theaters nationwide. When they appeared at the enthusiastic venue, applause and cheers erupted. Daisuke addressed the audience, asking if they enjoyed the film and expressing gratitude for the continued excitement surrounding "Specials." Yuta shared his joy in learning from the film and mentioned that his mother was watching the live viewing. The two created a warm atmosphere, with Daisuke playfully calling out to Yuta's mother through the camera. The film has sparked discussions across various age groups, and a private outing to watch the film by Uchida, Sakuma, and Nakamoto became a hot topic on social media. Sakuma reflected on the experience, noting the film's unique blend of action and humor, and how he enjoyed witnessing the audience's reactions. The film's popularity has spread beyond Japan, winning the Audience Award at the Fantasporto festival. Sakuma expressed his happiness at the large number of viewers in Portugal, emphasizing that dance is a universal language. A particularly humorous scene featuring Renji Ishibashi's character making a finger heart for his beloved granddaughter became a highlight, with Sakuma noting the audience's laughter. Recently, Sakuma and Nakamoto conducted a remarkable 18-stage greetings in Korea over two days, with Sakuma expressing gratitude for Yuta's support. They reminisced about the excitement of the tour and how they learned Korean phrases together. Yuta shared his experience of walking through Kabukicho for the first time, marveling at the sights. Sakuma recounted a story about a friend who saw the film with a group of well-dressed men, highlighting the growing trend of male audiences attending together. The character played by Hitoshi Ozawa, a former martial artist named Murasame, has garnered significant fan affection, with Sakuma humorously suggesting that Murasame might be the film's main heroine. During the talk show, the love for Murasame was evident, and an upcoming event featuring Ozawa was met with excitement. In a flip talk segment, both actors praised the performances of veteran actors like Ozawa and Kippei Shiina, noting the impressive improvisation and energy they brought. Sakuma explained that Uchida values the live feel of performances, allowing actors to express themselves freely, while Yuta acknowledged the pressure that comes with such freedom. Uchida's approach led to multiple takes for a crucial scene, with Sakuma appreciating the director's guidance and pressure, which ultimately improved the scene. The two then discussed their special skills, with Yuta joking about his tendency to lose things and his early rising ability, while Sakuma humorously referred to himself as a "spiller". As the event neared its end, Yuta encouraged audiences to share their positive experiences of the film, emphasizing its appeal to all ages. Sakuma expressed pride in his first and last solo lead role, thanking fans for spreading the word about the film's enjoyment and inviting everyone to continue supporting "Specials" as it gains momentum worldwide.