Free and Easy 20: Final (2009)
The warm and witty conclusion to Japan's cherished fishing comedy franchise, bringing two decades of laughs to a heartfelt close.
Free and Easy 20: Final - Movie Information
- Original Title: 釣りバカ日誌20 ファイナル
- Release Year: 2009
- Directed by: Yuzo Asahara
- Type: Movie
- Runtime: 1h 57m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 26, 2009 (Japan)
- Alternative Titles: The Fishing Nut 20 (US), Tsuribaka nisshi 20 (JP)
- Production Countries: Japan
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Free and Easy 20: Final - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Yuzo Asahara
Main Cast
- Toshiyuki Nishida
- Takashi Tsukamoto
- Rentaro Mikuni
- Keiko Matsuzaka
- Kazue Fukiishi
- Ichirôta Miyakawa
- Miyoko Asada
- Kei Tani
- Shinobu Tsuruta
- Takeshi Katō
Writers
- Yuzo Asahara
- Yoji Yamada
Free and Easy 20: Final - FAQs
Who are the main actors in Free and Easy 20: Final?
The film stars Toshiyuki Nishida and Rentaro Mikuni in the central roles that defined the series, alongside Keiko Matsuzaka, Kazue Fukiishi, Takashi Tsukamoto, Ichirôta Miyakawa, Miyoko Asada, Kei Tani, Shinobu Tsuruta, and Takeshi Katō rounding out the ensemble cast.
Is Free and Easy 20: Final the last film in the series?
Yes, Free and Easy 20: Final is the twentieth and concluding entry in the beloved Tsuribaka Nisshi (Fishing Nut Diary) franchise. The series ran from 1988 to 2009, making this heartfelt finale a significant moment for fans who followed the fishing-obsessed salaryman Hamasaki across two decades.
When was Free and Easy 20: Final released?
Free and Easy 20: Final opened in Japanese cinemas on December 26, 2009, arriving as a warm holiday release for longtime fans of the franchise. It marked the end of a series that had been a fixture of Japanese popular cinema since the late 1980s.
What is the Free and Easy film series about?
The Free and Easy series follows Densuke Hamasaki, a cheerful, fishing-obsessed salaryman whose passion for angling keeps landing him in comedic situations — often involving his unsuspecting company president. The franchise is a warm, lighthearted celebration of everyday Japanese life, workplace humor, and the simple joy of casting a line.
Who directed Free and Easy 20: Final?
Yuzo Asahara directed Free and Easy 20: Final. He also co-wrote the screenplay alongside the legendary Yoji Yamada, the acclaimed filmmaker behind the Tora-san series, whose influence on Japanese comedy cinema is deeply felt throughout the Free and Easy franchise.
Is Free and Easy 20: Final based on a manga?
Yes, the Free and Easy series is adapted from the long-running manga Tsuribaka Nisshi by Kenichi Kitami and Yūki Yamaguchi, which began serialization in 1979 in Big Comic Original. The manga's gentle humor and affectionate portrayal of a fishing fanatic translated naturally into the beloved film series.
How long is Free and Easy 20: Final?
Free and Easy 20: Final runs for 117 minutes — just under two hours — giving the story plenty of room to deliver a satisfying, affectionate farewell to the characters and the world fans had grown to love over the course of twenty films and more than two decades.
What are some movies similar to Free and Easy 20: Final?
If you enjoy the warm, feel-good spirit of Free and Easy 20: Final, you might also love Fisherman's Friends (2019), Penguin Bloom (2021), Hachiko (2023), and The Claus Family (2020). For Japanese cinema in a similar vein, Kids Return (1996) and Linda Linda Linda (2005) offer that same heartfelt, character-driven charm.
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