Free and Easy 15 (2004)

The fifteenth installment in Japan's beloved fishing comedy series, following the irrepressible Hama-chan on yet another ill-timed angling adventure.

Free and Easy 15 - Movie Information

  • Original Title: 釣りバカ日誌15 ハマちゃんに明日はない!?
  • Release Year: 2004
  • Directed by: Yuzo Asahara
  • Type: Movie
  • Runtime: 1h 46m
  • Original Language: Japanese
  • Spoken Languages: Japanese
  • Release Date (Theatrical): August 21, 2004 (Japan)
  • Alternative Titles: The Fishing Nut 15 (US), Tsuribaka nisshi 15: Hama-chan ni asu wa nai? (JP)
  • Production Companies: Shochiku
  • Production Countries: Japan

Free and Easy 15 - Plot

Hama-chan takes a vacation to go fishing in Akita despite warnings from Su-san as his company faces a restructuring process.

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Free and Easy 15 - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Yuzo Asahara

Main Cast

  • Toshiyuki Nishida
  • Miyoko Asada
  • Makiko Esumi
  • Takeshi Katō
  • Takehiko Ono
  • Shinobu Tsuruta
  • Baijaku Nakamura
  • Tamao Sato
  • Masaru Hamaguchi
  • Toru Masuoka

Free and Easy 15 - FAQs

What is Free and Easy 15 about?

Free and Easy 15 follows the lovable fishing fanatic Hama-chan, who sneaks off on a fishing trip to Akita even as his company is going through a tense restructuring. His boss Su-san warns him against it, but Hama-chan's passion for fishing wins out — with predictably comedic results.

Who are the main actors in Free and Easy 15?

The film stars Toshiyuki Nishida and Miyoko Asada in the central roles, joined by Makiko Esumi, Takeshi Katō, Takehiko Ono, Shinobu Tsuruta, Baijaku Nakamura, Tamao Sato, Masaru Hamaguchi, and Toru Masuoka rounding out the ensemble cast.

When was Free and Easy 15 released?

Free and Easy 15 opened in Japan on August 21, 2004. It is the fifteenth installment in the long-running Tsuribaka Nisshi (Free and Easy) film series, which began in 1988 and became one of Shochiku's most beloved comedy franchises.

Is Free and Easy 15 part of a series?

Yes, it's the fifteenth entry in the beloved Tsuribaka Nisshi series, based on the manga by Kenichi Kitami and Yūzō Yamagishi. The franchise follows the fishing-obsessed salaryman Hama-chan and his unlikely friendship with his company's president, Su-san, across dozens of films.

Who directed Free and Easy 15?

Free and Easy 15 was directed by Yuzo Asahara, who helmed several entries in the long-running Tsuribaka Nisshi series. The film was produced by Shochiku, the storied Japanese studio that backed the entire franchise throughout its theatrical run.

How long is Free and Easy 15?

Free and Easy 15 runs for 106 minutes, or about 1 hour and 46 minutes. That's a comfortable runtime for a lighthearted Japanese comedy — long enough to develop its warm humor and fishing-trip misadventures without overstaying its welcome.

What are similar movies to Free and Easy 15?

If you enjoy Free and Easy 15, you might also like Perfect Days (2023) for its quiet, character-driven warmth, or Laid-Back Camp the Movie (2022) for its relaxed, nature-loving spirit. Golden Kamuy (2024) and Look Back (2024) are also worth exploring for fans of Japanese cinema.

What language is Free and Easy 15 in?

Free and Easy 15 is entirely in Japanese, reflecting its origins as a quintessentially Japanese comedy series. The film was produced in Japan by Shochiku and is aimed squarely at domestic audiences familiar with the beloved Tsuribaka Nisshi franchise and its recurring characters.

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