One-Percenter (1%er)

Takuma Toshiro.

You're an actor.

An action film actor, right?

He's just wrapped his debut film BIRTH .

He's the star and action director.

I'm honored to be interviewing Takuma Toshiro.

Thank you.

I hear you're trained in "Assassination-jutsu,"

and also something called "Zero Range Combat."

That's right, and they're disciplines I intend to master.

I pursue things to the extreme. It's pointless otherwise.

I think the best word to describe him is "Samurai."

One day I heard some actor wanted to meet me.

He came in wearing a black hoodie.

"You're an actor! What can I teach you?"

Well, that's what I thought.

I first saw him at one of our MMA tournaments.

He'd entered as a fighter.

I thought, "What's an actor doing here?"

But he kicked ass with moves I'd never seen.

I had to admit he was something else.

Wouldn't you have to be a war veteran to master "Assassination-jutsu"?

I do have battlefield experience, actually.

Film sets are a war zone.

He was so edgy.

He's in a category all of his own.

That dude's crazy.

He's insane.

For an actor, he's too hardcore.

I've heard you could kill anyone with ease if you wanted to.

Of course, I can kill people,

but I can keep them alive, too.

But everything is in service of my films.

I'm an action film actor.

My understanding of action films was that they shoot several takes,

then they edit the footage to make it look action-packed.

I don't think of him as an "Action Film Actor" at all.

But I heard Toshiro shoots his scenes in one take.

It must be tough for his co-stars.

They need the same skill level.

He took my Zero Range techniques and developed a discipline he calls "Wave."

He stretches his body beyond the limits of average men.

He's incredibly quick and agile.

In my opinion, in every action film made so far,

everyone just follows the choreography. They're dancing.

Dancing?

In normal acting, there's an element of realism, right?

But when it comes to action films, you can't find realism anywhere.

It's hard to define "real."

In the world of MMA, we fight for real.

But we're not trying to murder the other guy.

We fight within the rules.

He's not a "Martial Artist," either.

For example, take the line "Good morning."

Anybody can deliver that with reality.

But in an action film, everyone suddenly goes:

"Punch. Punch." It's so stiff.

Why is there no realism in action?

No matter how much I thought about it, it just didn't feel right.

That's why I started to learn the real deal.

I've trained him alongside guys from JSDF, and my military buddies.

He does things the military guys can't, without any fuss.

He is something special.

If you asked me if he was "The Real Deal,"

I'd have to say yes.

You don't get what I'm saying?

Tatsuya. Koji. Come here.

I'll show you.

If he stopped obsessing over movies, and action and whatever...

If he ever wanted to join us, and work on our side of the fence,

our doors would be wide open.

That's how highly I value him.

I'd beat him, if it was in the ring.

If the rules were clear.

But if we were on the street,

fighting for real,

we'd have to keep going until one of us died.

Okay. Come at me for real.

I told you to come for real.

You guys are pathetic.

When I say for real, I mean for real.

Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is:

I want to train my co-stars in "Realism Action,"

and make a "100% Pure Action Film."

I guarantee I'll make it!

When it's ready, come interview me again.

Scene 78,

Take 15!

Ready...

Action!

Heave ho!

Switch!

Take this!

Take this!

Sorry.

This won't work in one take.

I'll do some close-ups.

Cut!

Amazing!

Way to go, Junpei.

Let's get you some water.

Dumb it down for him.

Aren't you a pro?

Toshiro's keeping quiet today.

It's his first film in ages. He can't screw up.

If Mr. Shin didn't get him this gig for old time's sake,

we wouldn't be here either.

You're so right.

I'm an action film actor.

It's been so long, I nearly forgot.

Actor?

You're just a stuntman.

Idiot.

Hey. That cuts deep.

Tatsuya, this looks bad...

- No way. - Where's Mr. Shin?

We have to find him!

What did you just say?

I didn't say a thing.

Know what?

I've heard the rumors.

You think everyone else's action work is pathetic.

You say it's just dancing.

So you think I'm pathetic too?

I learned how to direct in Hong Kong. They call me "Sir Tony."

And you still think I'm pathetic?

No, I don't.

You think wire action is just people whizzing around?

It's all a joke to you?

Never crossed my mind.

Listen up.

Why do people watch action films? It's not for the realism.

All they want is fantasy.

If it's flashy and cool, they're happy!

There's a word for what you do.

"Niche."

What's this film?

"Mainstream."

Are we clear?

Toshiro?

Hey!

You listening?

What's bugging you so much?

Aren't you playing the middle boss in this film?

It's not a bad role at all.

Right?

I must admit.

BIRTH was a hit.

The DVDs sold well. You went to all the festivals.

But when was that?

10 years ago.

The world's changed since then.

I know.

Of course, I know you well.

You're Mr. Stoic.

You're always training and building your repertoire.

What's that thing you do?

It's called something... murder?

"Assassination-jutsu."

Everyone respects how you developed that "Wave" discipline of yours.

But you know.

That makes no difference here.

Who cares if it feels like a dance?

Just hurry up and get the scene done.

Isn’t that what makes you a professional?

- Yeah. - Mr. Takuma, you're on!

Hey!

Old dude, wait up!

Yeah, you.

Old dude in the fuzzy clothes.

Aren't you the guy from BIRTH ?

I am.

I knew it.

I saw it so long ago, I don't remember much of it.

But I know you pursue realism. That's lit.

And I know that thing you do. Goes like this.

- That "Tornado" thing. - It's "Wave."

- "Wave"? - "Wave."

Your "Wave" thing. That's lit, too.

But guess what.

I'm a martial artist, too. So, when we're rolling...

Tell me.

What's the difference between "Martial Arts" and "Action"?

Scene 85, Take 1.

Ready...

Action!

Cut, cut, cut!

That's not how we rehearsed it.

Let's go once more.

Once more.

Sorry.

Take a break.

Sure. Good idea.

Let's take a break!

- That's it. Goodbye. - Goodbye.

Wait!

I'm Akira.

I joined Toshiro's team just a few months ago.

But before I knew it,

I was his only apprentice.