{
  "id": 2055872,
  "title": "Pop stars Yoshinori Masakado and Noel Kawashima go vertical in ‘Chat Boy’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/pop-stars-yoshinori-masakado-and-noel-kawashima-go-vertical-in-chat",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-20T02:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Japan Times",
    "slug": "japan-times",
    "url": "https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2026/08/20/film/chat-boy-vertical-starto/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "Members of Ae! Group and Travis Japan star in a nearly two-hour drama designed for the vertical screen.",
  "key_points": [
    "Vertical format surprises audiences in Chat Boy movie screening.",
    "Yoshinori Masakado and Noel Kawashima star in AI-themed drama.",
    "Filmmaking process adapted to vertical screen constraints."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The vertical format of Chat Boy reflects a growing trend in Japan, where companies capitalize on the popularity of vertical video, and may influence the future evolution of the film format.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}