A Gambler's Odyssey 2020 (2019)
A roguish postwar gambler tumbles through time into a troubled near-future Tokyo in this irreverent Japanese sci-fi comedy.
A Gambler's Odyssey 2020 - Movie Information
- Original Title: 麻雀放浪記2020
- Release Year: 2019
- Directed by: Kazuya Shiraishi
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Sci-Fi, Comedy
- Runtime: 1h 57m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): April 5, 2019 (Japan)
- Alternative Titles: Mahjong Horoki 2020 (JP)
- Production Companies: Asmik Ace, Cine Bazar, Toei Company
- Production Countries: Japan
A Gambler's Odyssey 2020 - Plot
Boyatetsu travels to the year 2020 in Tokyo from the year 1945. Tokyo is now plagued by a decreasing population and an increase in unemployment.
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A Gambler's Odyssey 2020 - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Kazuya Shiraishi
Main Cast
- Takumi Saitoh
- Momo
- Becky
- Koji Matoba
- Taiiku Okazaki
- Masami Horiuchi
- Masao Komatsu
- Naoto Takenaka
- Pierre Taki
Writers
- Ryohei Watanabe
- Kazuya Shiraishi
- Sakichi Sato
Producers
- Morio Amagi
A Gambler's Odyssey 2020 - FAQs
What is A Gambler's Odyssey 2020 about?
A Gambler's Odyssey 2020 follows Boyatetsu, a roguish gambler who leaps from postwar 1945 Tokyo into the year 2020, only to find a city burdened by a shrinking population and widespread unemployment. The film blends time-travel absurdity with sharp social commentary through a comedic lens.
Is A Gambler's Odyssey 2020 based on a book?
Yes. The film is based on the classic Japanese novel Mahjong Horoki by Yasuhiro Tetsu, originally published in 1969. The story of the wandering gambler Boyatetsu has been adapted multiple times across Japanese film and television, making it a beloved fixture of popular culture in Japan.
Who directed A Gambler's Odyssey 2020?
A Gambler's Odyssey 2020 was directed by Kazuya Shiraishi, a Japanese filmmaker known for his bold genre work. Shiraishi also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Ryohei Watanabe and Sakichi Sato, bringing a distinctive creative vision to this irreverent time-travel comedy.
Who are the main actors in A Gambler's Odyssey 2020?
The film stars Takumi Saitoh as the protagonist Boyatetsu, with Momo as Doketo, Becky as Yuki Yashiro, Koji Matoba as Dosaken, Taiiku Okazaki as Doku, Masami Horiuchi as Tattoku, Masao Komatsu as Demetoku, Naoto Takenaka as Kusomaru, and Pierre Taki in a supporting role.
What does the 2020 setting satirize in the film?
By dropping a 1945 gambler into near-future Tokyo, the film uses the outsider perspective to lampoon contemporary Japanese anxieties, particularly demographic decline and economic stagnation. The comedic clash between postwar hustle and modern malaise gives the satire much of its bite and energy.
When was A Gambler's Odyssey 2020 released?
A Gambler's Odyssey 2020 was released in Japan on April 5, 2019. Despite its futuristic title referencing the year 2020, the film arrived in cinemas a full year before that date, framing its setting as a satirical near-future rather than a distant science fiction landscape.
How long is A Gambler's Odyssey 2020?
A Gambler's Odyssey 2020 has a runtime of 1 hour and 57 minutes (117 minutes). The film was produced in Japan by Asmik Ace, Cine Bazar, and Toei Company, and features an original score composed by Kensuke Ushio.
What are some movies similar to A Gambler's Odyssey 2020?
Fans of A Gambler's Odyssey 2020 may enjoy Back to the Future (1985) for its time-travel comedy, or Year One (2009) for its fish-out-of-water humor. My Teacher, My Love (2018) offers a similarly playful Japanese tone, while House II: The Second Story (1987) shares its genre-blending spirit.
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