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**Bright and cheerful, playful and clever! The open-hearted charm of Sayuri Yoshinaga!**A lively youth romance delivered by the top duo Yoshinaga and Hamada!
This is a youth romance film where Sayuri Yoshinaga plays a resourceful junior college graduate who works as a helper. The film features outstanding performances by Mitsuo Hamada, Chieko Matsubara, Shun Sugiyama, Arihiro Fujimura, and Mari Yoshimura, including the debut performances of Tomoko Hamagawa.
Sayuri Yoshinaga portrays Sakurako, a clever junior college graduate who works as a helper, along with Hamada Mitsuo as a cheerful young man who makes a living voicing animals, and Chieko Matsubara as her pretentious friend Nukko. In addition to the three major youth stars Yoshinaga, Hamada, and Matsubara, the cast includes the debuting Tomoko Hamagawa, as well as a luxurious lineup of Sugiyama Shun, Arihiro Fujimura, and Mari Yoshimura. The director is Kenjiro Morinaga, a talented filmmaker known for many Yoshinaga films such as *Shiroi Fuji no Mine* and *Shiosai*.
To commemorate the 65th anniversary of Sayuri Yoshinaga’s screen debut, this timeless masterpiece is finally being released in a package for the first time!
- **[Sayuri Yoshinaga 65th Anniversary Film Actress Debut Project]**Sayuri Yoshinaga Blu-ray & DVD Series *"Youth and Pure Love"* Second Release!
In celebration of Sayuri Yoshinaga’s 65th anniversary on screen, a special project titled *"Sayuri Yoshinaga’s 'Nikkatsu Youth Era'"* will be held over two years starting April 2024, under the theme of her Nikkatsu debut. This commemorative project will feature a multifaceted approach including the release of official photo books, special screenings at classic cinemas, and the release of video products, focusing on her works from the 1960s when she rose from a national film star to a legendary actress.
The video products are titled *"Sayuri Yoshinaga Nikkatsu Debut 65th Anniversary Blu-ray & DVD Series 'Youth and Pure Love'"*, with many of her representative works being released sequentially, including their first Blu-ray and HD versions.
- **[Sayuri Yoshinaga 65th Anniversary Film Actress Debut Project]** will also include the simultaneous release of official photo books and special screenings, creating a multi-faceted celebration.
**Photo Book Release Commemorative Event**A highly successful event was held on May 24, 2024, at Shin Bungeiza to celebrate the publication of the *"Sayuri Yoshinaga Youth Era Photo Book"*. The event was fully booked, with many media outlets attending, and Yoshinaga herself appeared, sharing her memories of her first visit to Nikkatsu Studios. She recalled, "I thought I would study hard in high school, but I remember going to Nikkatsu Studios on my high school entrance day. Nikkatsu told me I would only appear in two films a year, but the next year I ended up in 16, so I couldn’t attend school much, which was unfortunate, but Nikkatsu became like my school." The event was a great success.
Regarding the Blu-ray box release, she said, "It feels like the golden age of Nikkatsu has been revived. I am proud that I have come this far, celebrating the 65th anniversary." She also strongly promoted the Blu-ray release.
The event was covered by four TV media outlets, six sports newspapers, and 26 web media, spreading information about the package.
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**Comments received for the *"Sayuri Yoshinaga 65th Anniversary Film Actress Debut Project"*:**"My first visit to Nikkatsu Studios was on my high school entrance day. I changed from my uniform to casual clothes, dressed up as best as I could, and took the bus to the studio. From that day on, Nikkatsu became like my second school."
"In my debut film, I kept trembling while handing Keichiro Akagi a coffee and kept messing up. I was cared for by Izumi Ashikawa, who was like a Marian figure, staying up all night to nurse me. Hamada Mitsuo, who skillfully caught my awkward straight balls with inside work, and many kind seniors and classmates supported me. There were both worries and fun times. It was truly fulfilling. Nikkatsu Studios is my youth."
"Whenever I had trouble, Director Kiruro Urayama would tell me, 'Always consult your teacher.' His words still resonate with me. I am still continuing as an actress. What I learned during my Nikkatsu days continues to live on. Now, my youth photo book has been completed. Please enjoy my precious youth."
**Sayuri Yoshinaga**
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**Story**In a junior college in Osaka, classmates Sakurako Minami (Sayuri Yoshinaga), Hisako Aoyagi (Tomoko Hamagawa), and Nukko Komai (Chieko Matsubara) are very close friends. When the resourceful Sakurako declares she will become a helper, even her two friends are surprised, especially Keita (Hamada Mitsuo), her brother who secretly harbors feelings for Hisako, strongly opposes. However, Sakurako is determined and attends a vocational training school for household services, eventually becoming a helper for Shusuke Namiwa (Arihiro Fujimura), a TV writer living in an upscale residential area. Sakurako, cheerful and free-spirited, is loved by Namiwa and enjoys her daily life.
Nukko suggests that Sakurako marry Keita, but although Keita is a sincere and cheerful young man, his low income makes her hesitant. One day, Namiwa’s wife Yukari (Mari Yoshimura) is scheduled to go to Tokyo for a film shoot, and Sakurako decides to accompany her as an assistant. Meanwhile, Nukko hears that Keita and Sakurako are growing closer, and although she tries to act tough, Sakurako’s heart is unsettled as she heads to Tokyo...
**Cast**Sayuri Yoshinaga, Mitsuo Hamada, Chieko Matsubara, Tomoko Hamagawa (newcomer), Shun Sugiyama, Mari Yoshimura
**Staff**Director: Kenjiro MorinagaPlanning: Seiō SakagamiOriginal work: Nobuo Kyōto (serialized in Weekly Asahi)Screenplay: Katsuji MikiCinematography: Kum Nobu FujiokaLighting: Yasuo IwakiSound: Hiraku MiyunagaArt: Iichiro NishiEditing: Osamu InoueAssistant Director: Atsushi FujiuraMusic: Naosumi Yamamoto
**Includes**- Original theatrical trailer- Photo gallery- Picture disc specifications
*Design, bonuses, and specifications are all subject to change without notice. The release may differ from the preview. Bonuses and specifications vary by work. Please understand.*
(C)1965 Nikkatsu Corporation