Pop stars Yoshinori Masakado and Noel Kawashima go vertical in ‘Chat Boy’
Members of Ae! Group and Travis Japan star in a nearly two-hour drama designed for the vertical screen.
The lights dim in Tokyo's Imagica Media Studio, and the press prepares for a movie screening exploring artificial intelligence and humanity. "Chat Boy," a nearly two-hour smartphone drama, surprises audiences with its vertical format. Yoshinori Masakado, who plays Utsumi, comments on the experience, suggesting that a vertical-video movie theater could be a fun concept.
Co-star Noel Kawashima jokes about the cost reduction of the screen. The vertical format is popular in Japan, with companies like Gokko Inc. and platforms like Bump and Tatedora capitalizing on the trend. "Chat Boy" features Masakado and Kawashima, connected through their roles as actors. Utsumi, a manga editor, becomes addicted to AI chat tools until government regulations ban their use.
He then turns to a shady company offering AI-powered androids, including one that resembles his former classmate Fujino. The vertical format affects the filmmaking process, requiring actors, props, and backgrounds to be arranged differently. According to Masakado, the smaller frame space necessitates a more focused approach to shot construction.
"Chat Boy" also delves into the impact of AI on humanity and hints at the form's future evolution. The film can be viewed on the S Drama YouTube channel.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
