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| Golden Hair, Broken Rules – Iwata Takanori Stars in School Uprising Flick “Kinpatsu” (Cinemacafe) |
Iwata Takanori's about to get a proper schooling—on how messy adulthood really is. In his first crack at playing a teacher, the multi-talented star fronts Kinpatsu (that’s “blonde hair” in case you were wondering), a sharp-witted school drama that’s less about textbooks and more about the tangled mess of growing up—especially when you’re already supposed to be grown.
Landing in cinemas November 2025, Kinpatsu is the latest from director Yuichiro Sakashita (yep, the brain behind Kessen wa Nichiyoubi), and it’s already causing a stir. Not just because a bunch of middle schoolers go full blonde in protest, but because it tackles Japan’s rigid school rules, the pressure-cooker reality for teachers, and the way social media chaos now sets the national agenda quicker than any PTA meeting.
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Iwata plays Ichikawa, a public junior high teacher who’s kind, popular, but stuck in eternal “you’re doing your best, mate” mode. Surrounded by older, crustier staff and stuck in an adult life that never really took off, he gets blindsided when half his class rocks up to school with bleached heads. It’s a bold protest against school rules—and the first spark in a much bigger blaze.
At first, Ichikawa brushes it off like a harmless prank. But when ringleader Itaroku corners him with the question, “Why can’t we dye our hair?” all he can say is “Because... school rules?” Big yikes.
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The stunt goes viral faster than a dodgy TikTok challenge. The Education Ministry gets involved. The Prime Minister’s office is breathing down his neck. Meanwhile, his girlfriend Akasaka is so fed up with his moaning she tells him straight: “You’re the childish one.” That convo doesn’t end well, and neither does their relationship.
Things are falling apart, but when Itaroku comes up with a wild plan to change the system from inside, Ichikawa has a choice to make. Keep pretending he’s a functioning adult—or team up with his students and cause a bit of good trouble.
The "Young Middle-Aged Man" Problem
Iwata himself says this role might just be his most pathetic character yet—and he means that as a compliment. “It’s full of those little cringe moments from daily life we all ignore until someone points them out,” he says. “It’s for the uncles, the soon-to-be uncles, and anyone who’s ever thought, ‘God, am I really this uncool now?’”
Director Yuichiro Sakashita, inspired by real overseas protests against school uniforms, swapped skirts for bleached hair and made it all very, very Japanese. But at its heart, Kinpatsu is about the guy who’s not in the headlines—the bloke trying to keep it together while everything around him changes.
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| Director Yuichiro Sakashita |
Not Just a Pretty Face
While Iwata might be known for his smooth moves and charm, this film lets him unravel onscreen—stammering, getting schooled by teenagers, and pretending he’s got it all under control. Spoiler: he absolutely doesn’t.
The teaser visual’s already out, featuring a thoroughly overwhelmed Ichikawa looking like he just realised he's officially that adult—confused, out of touch, and wondering where it all went wrong.
But don’t expect a downer. With biting humour, sharp takes on modern society, and a dash of heartfelt chaos, Kinpatsu promises to be a ride. Come November, it’s not just the students making a statement—teachers might just be the new rebels.