Yu Irie

2.1. Childhood and Education

Irie attended Saitama Prefectural Kumagaya High School. Following his high school education, he pursued his passion for filmmaking at Nihon University College of Art, where he enrolled in the Film Department's Director's Course. During his studies, he began creating short films, two of which, Obsession and SEVEN DRIVES, were selected for screening at the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival in 2003 and 2004, respectively. He graduated from Nihon University College of Art in 2003. Another early work, 部屋の片隅で、愛をつねる_{Heya no katasumi de, ai wo tsuneru}^Japanese (Pinching Love in the Corner of a Room), released in 2004, received the Grand Prize at the 2nd Ueda Castle Town Film Festival. He also directed the short film 行路I_{Koro I}^Japanese in 2005.

3.1. Early Works and Breakthrough

Irie's early directorial ventures included short films that garnered recognition at film festivals. His films Obsession (2002) and SEVEN DRIVES (2003) were showcased at the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival. In 2007, he directed two softcore erotic V-Cinema productions, くりいむレモン 魔人形_{Kuriimu Remon Ma Dōru}^Japanese (Cream Lemon 7) and 水着スパイ ～SPY GIRLS～_{Mizugi Supai - SPY GIRLS}^Japanese (Swimsuit Spy - SPY GIRLS). The latter, an erotic comedy, notably featured AV Idol Mihiro.

His significant breakthrough came with his 2009 feature film, 8000 Miles (original title: SR サイタマノラッパー_{SR: Saitama no Rapper}^Japanese). This film achieved widespread critical acclaim, winning the Grand Prize in the Off Theatre Competition at the 2009 Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival. It was also invited to the 38th Montreal Nouveau International Film Festival and set a record for late-night show attendance at Ikebukuro Cinema Rosa. The film's success extended to radio, where it was ranked #1 in TBS Radio's "Rhymester Utamaru's Cinema Ranking 2009." Irie's direction for 8000 Miles also earned him the prestigious Directors Guild of Japan New Directors Award in 2009. The film tells the story of four friends from suburban Fukaya (a clever pun on Irie's hometown) who harbor dreams of becoming rap stars, and featured a predominantly amateur cast, including actress Mihiro. Following its success, SR Saitama no Rapper and its sequel, SR Saitama no Rapper 2: Girl Rappers, were invited for screening at the 9th New York Asian Film Festival in 2010. His 2011 film, The Rock'n Roll Never Stops, was also invited to the 10th New York Asian Film Festival/Japan Cuts Film Festival and the 15th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival in Korea, as well as the 31st Hawaii International Film Festival. In 2018, Irie served as a judge for the Off Theatre section of the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival.

3.2. Directing Style and Themes

Yu Irie's filmmaking style is characterized by his ability to capture authentic human experiences, often set against the backdrop of contemporary Japanese society. A recurring theme in his work, especially evident in the SR Saitama no Rapper series, is the exploration of dreams and aspirations within mundane or suburban environments. He delves into the lives of ordinary individuals, portraying their struggles, friendships, and pursuit of identity with a grounded and often realistic approach. His narrative often highlights the "unique perspective" of professionals in their respective fields, suggesting a focus on detailed, character-driven storytelling that aims for authenticity and depth. His films frequently feature compelling ensemble casts, allowing for a multifaceted exploration of human relationships and societal dynamics.

4.1. Feature Films

• JAPONICA VIRUS ジャポニカ・ウイルス_{Japonica Virus}^Japanese (2006)
• 8000 Miles (SR サイタマノラッパー_{SR: Saitama no Rapper}^Japanese) (2009)
• 8000 Miles 2: Girl Rappers (SR サイタマノラッパー2 女子ラッパー☆傷だらけのライム_{SR: Saitama no Rapper 2 Joshi Rapper Kizu Darake no Rhyme}^Japanese) (2010)
• 劇場版 神聖かまってちゃん ロックンロールは鳴り止まないっ_{Gekijō-ban Shinsei Kamattechan Rock 'n' Roll wa Naruyamanai!}^Japanese (The Rock'n Roll Never Stops) (2011)
• 同期_Doki^Japanese (Fellow Employee) (2011) - Special screening of a WOWOW Drama W production
• タマフルTHE MOVIE ～暗黒街の黒い霧～_{Tamafuru THE MOVIE ~Ankoku-gai no Kuroi Kiri~}^Japanese (DVD) (2012)
• Roadside Fugitive (SR サイタマノラッパー ロードサイドの逃亡者_{SR: Saitama no Rapper Roadside no Tōbō-sha}^Japanese) (2012)
• Hibi Rock (日々ロック_{Hibi Rokku}^Japanese) (2014)
• Joker Game (ジョーカー・ゲーム_{Jōkā Gēmu}^Japanese) (2015)
• 太陽_Taiyō^Japanese (The Sun) (2016)
• Confession of Murder (22年目の告白 -私が殺人犯です-_{22-nenme no Kokuhaku -Watashi ga Satsujin-han desu-}^Japanese) (2017)
• Vigilante (ビジランテ_Bijirante^Japanese) (2017)
• Gangoose (ギャングース_Gyanguusu^Japanese) (2018)
• AI Amok (AI崩壊_{AI Hōkai}^Japanese) (2020)
• Ninja Girl (シュシュシュの娘_{Shushushu no Ko}^Japanese) (2021)
• The Cursed Sanctuary X (聖地X_{Seichi X}^Japanese) (2021)
• Nemesis: The Movie (映画ネメシス 黄金螺旋の謎_{Eiga Nemesis Ōgon Rasen no Nazo}^Japanese) (2023)
• A Girl Named Ann (あんのこと_{An no Koto}^Japanese) (2024)
• Muromachi Outsiders (室町無頼_{Muromachi Burai}^Japanese) (scheduled for 2025)

4.2. Short Films

• 涅槃の腕_{Nehan no Ude}^Japanese (Nirvana's Arm) (2000)
• Obsession (2002)
• SEVEN DRIVES (2003)
• 部屋の片隅で、愛をつねる_{Heya no katasumi de, ai wo tsuneru}^Japanese (Pinching Love in the Corner of a Room) (2004)
• 行路I_{Koro I}^Japanese (Path I) (2005)
• AZM48 the movie ビギンズナイト_{AZM48 the movie Biginzu Naito}^Japanese (AZM48 the movie Begins Night) (2011)
• 週末Not yet ショートフィルム_{Shūmatsu Not yet Shōto Firumu}^Japanese (Weekend Not yet Short Film) (for Not yet) (2011)
• KAZUKO'S CASE (starring Tomoko Tabata) (2011)
• パパは冒険家 The Wedding is in three days_{Papa wa Bōkenka The Wedding is in three days}^Japanese (starring Yuki Kashiwagi) (2013)
• 狂人日記_{Kyōjin Nikki}^Japanese (Insane Diary) (starring Shingo Mizusawa) (2014)
• The 5 Second Later Man (starring Dai Watanabe) (YouTube Nestle Channel) (2014)

4.3. V-Cinema

• Swimsuit Spy - SPY GIRLS (水着スパイ SPY GIRLS_{Mizugi Supai SPY GIRLS}^Japanese) (2007)
• Cream Lemon: Ma Dōru (くりいむレモン 魔人形【マ･ドール】_{Kuriimu Remon Ma Dōru}^Japanese) (2007)

4.4. Television Dramas

• 同期_Doki^Japanese (Fellow Employee) (WOWOW Drama W) (starring Ryuhei Matsuda, Naoto Takenaka) (aired February 20, 2011)
• ブルータスの心臓_{Burūtāsu no Shinzō}^Japanese (Brutus' Heart) (Fuji TV) (starring Tatsuya Fujiwara, Ai Kato) (aired April 17, 2011)
• Clover (クローバー_Kurōbā^Japanese) (TV Tokyo Drama 24) (starring Kento Kaku, Kasumi Arimura) (aired April-June 2012)
• ネオ・ウルトラQ_{Neo Urutora Kyū}^Japanese (Neo Ultra Q) (WOWOW) (aired January 12, 2013 onwards)
• Minna! Esper Dayo! (みんな!エスパーだよ!_{Minna! Esupā Dayo!}^Japanese) (TV Tokyo Drama 24) (aired April-June 2013)
• 天魔さんがゆく_{Tenma-san ga Yuku}^Japanese (Tenma Goes) (TBS Drama NEO) (starring Tsuyoshi Domoto, Haruna Kawaguchi) (aired July-September 2013)
• Futagashira (ふたがしら_Futagashira^Japanese) (WOWOW Renzoku Drama W) (starring Kenichi Matsuyama, Taichi Saotome) (aired June-July 2015)
• Futagashira 2 (ふたがしら2_{Futagashira 2}^Japanese) (WOWOW Renzoku Drama W) (aired September-October 2016)
• SR Saitama no Rapper: Mike no Hosomichi (SRサイタマノラッパー マイクの細道_{SR Saitama no Rapper Maiku no Hosomichi}^Japanese) (TV Tokyo) (aired January-April 2017)
• Nemesis (ネメシス_Nemeshisu^Japanese) (Nippon TV Nichiyo Drama) (starring Sho Sakurai, Suzu Hirose, Yōsuke Eguchi) (aired April-June 2021)
• 鵜頭川村事件_{Uzukawamura Jiken}^Japanese (Uzukawamura Incident) (WOWOW Renzoku Drama W) (starring Ryuhei Matsuda) (aired August-September 2022)

4.5. Web Dramas

• 飛鳥クリニックは今日も雨_{Asuka Kurinikku wa Kyō mo Ame}^Japanese (Asuka Clinic Rains Today Too) (Lemino) (Filmed 2024, planned for January 2025 distribution)

4.6. Music Videos

• Not yet - 週末Not yet 入江悠監督ver_{Shūmatsu Not yet Irie Yū Kantoku ver}^Japanese (Weekend Not yet Yu Irie Director ver) (2011)
• Suneohair - 期待はずれの空模様_{Kitai Hazure no Soramoyō}^Japanese (Unexpected Sky) (2011)
• TEAM SHACHI - ザ・スターダストボウリング_{Za Sutādasuto Bōringu}^Japanese (The Stardust Bowling) (2012)
• Yuki Kashiwagi - Birthday wedding (2013)
• P.O.P - Watch me (2014)
• AI - 僕らを待つ場所_{Bokura wo Matsu Basho}^Japanese (A Place Waiting for Us) (2020)

5.1. Mail Magazine

Yu Irie hosts the mail magazine titled 僕らのモテるための映画聖典_{Bokura no Moteru Tame no Eiga Seiden}^Japanese (Our Film Scripture for Becoming Popular). The magazine operates under the central theme of "Be popular with movies!" and also features associated podcast activities. It includes contributions from various professionals in the entertainment industry, such as film directors, screenwriters, actors, and rappers, and is noted for its "unique perspective from professionals in their field." Annually, the mail magazine organizes a talk event that hosts the "Japan Mote Academy Awards," a unique film award that honors films and actors' performances from the perspective of their "popularity."

5.2. Books

• SR サイタマノラッパー_{SR Saitama no Rapper}^Japanese (2010) published by Ohta Publishing
• SR サイタマノラッパー -日常は終わった。それでも物語は続く-_{SR Saitama no Rapper -Nichijō wa Owatta. Soredemo Monogatari wa Tsuzuku-}^Japanese (SR Saitama no Rapper -Daily Life is Over. Still the Story Continues-) (2012) published by Kadokawa Media House
• SRサイタマノラッパー_{SR Saitama no Rapper}^Japanese (2012) published by Kadokawa Bunko
• Hibi Rock (日々ロック_{Hibi Rokku}^Japanese) (2014), based on the original work by Katsuya Enokiya, published by Shueisha