Main Cast: Tadanobu Asano, Sie Kohinata, Ittoku Kishibe, Susumu Terashima, Kimie Shingyoji
Release Year: 1998
Country: JP
Run Time: 108 minutes
Plot
Drawing equally from Quentin Tarantino, Hong Kong action spectaculars, Japanese anime, and the over-the-top fashion sensibility of Tokyo's Shibuya district, Katsuhito Ishii spins this dizzying propulsive flick about lovers on the run and the weirdest band of gangsters on the planet. Toshiko Momojiri (Shie Koinata) dreams of a life away from the grinding tedium of working in a run-down hotel and away from her perverted, pawing uncle who manages the place. While driving to the post office, she literally runs into Kuro Samehada (played by Japanese indie film icon Tadanobu Asano), a thief who stole a pile of loot from his former gang and is currently fleeing them dressed only in his underpants. He jumps in the driver's seat, and soon love is born. The gang is lead by a dandy of a boss (Kishibe Ittoku) who obsessively collects energy-drink ads while his son Mitsuru (Shingo Tsurumi) -- heir apparent of the gang -- sports a snow-white jumpsuit and platinum locks; they are single-minded in their lust for Kuro's pilfered loot. Meanwhile, Toshiko's uncle puts a bounty on his niece and a hit out on his new competitor for her attention. Ultra-violence, bizarre sex, and killer costumes ensue. This film was screened at the 1998 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
Shark Skin Man and Peach Hip Girl(鮫肌男と桃尻女,Samehada Otoko to Momojiri Onna?) is a 1999 Japanese film directed by Katsuhito Ishii and starring Tadanobu Asano. It is based on a manga of the same name by Minetaro Mochizuki which was originally serialized in Mister Magazine circa 1993 under the title "Daisharin" (Big Wheel). The current title was adopted when the comic was published as its own book.
Kuroo Sameheda (Tadanobu Asano) a yakuza soldier is on the run for his life after stealing from his Boss Sawada (Susumu Terashima). During a chase through the forest Sawadas car is struck by an SUV. Enter Toshiko Momojiri (Sie Kohinata) who is also on the run. She's running from her twisted whack job uncle Michio Sonezaki(Yohachi Shimida), who manages the hotel that she works at, and whose intentions for his niece are inappropriate to say the least. During the crash Toshiko is knocked unconscious and Sameheda is able to make good his escape with Toshiko in tow. The couple is then chased across Japan by gun crazy, deadpan gang members dressed in over the top, high end, fashion clothes. They are also being followed by Yamada, an amateur hit man, who was hired by Yohachi to bring Toshiko back.
