Bayside Shakedown: A Trick for Longtime Fans in the New Theatrical Version

The strategy of having only two preview screenings

Oda Yuji (56) stars in the Fuji TV drama series “Odoru Daisousasen,” with the first part of the two-part movie “Muroi Shinji: The Undefeated”, set to be released on October 11, and the second part “Muroi Shinji: The One Who Lives On”, scheduled for November 15. Both works feature the popular character Muroi Shinji, played by Yanagiba Toshiro (63). This new installment in the “Odoru” series is the first since “Odoru Daisousasen THE FINAL: A New Hope”, in 2012.

The staff for both productions reunites the key figures who supported the “Odoru” series, including producer Kameyama Chihiro, screenwriter Kimizuka Ryouichi, and director Motohiro Katsuyuki. In addition to Yanagiba in the role of Muroi, familiar cast members such as Kakei Toshio (62) as Shinjou Kentarou and Maya Miki (60) as Okita Hitomi will also appear alongside new cast members like Fukumoto Riko (23), Saito Jun (17), and Matsushita Kouhei (37).

“There were only two preview screenings before the release, and no completion screening was held. While the content of the work has gradually become clear through theater trailers and short special programs on Fuji TV just before the release, limiting the previews to a minimum was likely a strategy to prevent spoilers and to boost attendance,” said an industry insider.

In advance of the release, Fuji TV rebroadcast the drama version during weekday afternoons and aired the movie version on Saturdays at 9 PM in the Saturday Premium time slot. The final episode of the drama aired at 2:48 PM, and due to the holiday broadcast on September 23, it recorded an average household rating of 4.2% (according to Video Research, Kanto region). This rating was significantly higher than other programs in the same time slot.