The Men Who Became Legends

Yasu (played by Matoba Koji) enjoys fishing at his leisure and works as a private detective. His childhood friend and partner, Kenju (played by Osawa Mikio), runs a bar where people pushed to the brink of life come for help. Their next client is Daisuke, a junior from their middle school days. Despite marrying into a wealthy family, Daisuke is treated like a slave. His wife, now the mistress of a yakuza, orders him to find the "Bodhisattva statue," an inherited treasure that was sold off. As Yasu and Kenju begin their search, they uncover that the statue hides a "nuclear secret" capable of shaking the nation. A chaotic black comedy where yakuza, politicians, loan sharks, and a Korean spy organization clash with their own agendas!

Directed by Shoichi Shibuya, The Men Who Became Legends leans on a strong ensemble — Koji Matoba, Mikio Osawa, Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about screen titles of 2012.