Synopsis
Ryoro Kurojima (Sadao Abe) is the director of a Tokyo apology center. His job is to teach others how to apologize. Ryoro Kurojima solves problems by using his apology techniques on anything from simple arbitration to a national crisis.
The Apology King
Cast
Sadawo Abe Mao Inoue Masaki Okada Katsumi Takahashi Yutaka Takenouchi Machiko Ono Yasuko Matsuyuki Yoshiyoshi Arakawa Gaku Hamada Tokio Emoto Toru Nomaguchi Ryo Iwamatsu Haruna Kawaguchi Rokkaku Seiji Hideo Nakano Mari Hamada Satoru Matsuo Nobuyuki Suzuki Kazushige Komatsu Hideyuki Kasahara Minami Sei Matobu Akira Shirai Kyūsaku Shimada Yasuhi Nakamura Suzu Hirose Matsu Takehiko Ono Masane Tsukayama Show All…
Director
Producers
Writer
Casting
Editor
Cinematography
Assistant Director
Executive Producers
Lighting
Production Design
Art Direction
Set Decoration
Visual Effects
Composer
Sound
Costume Design
Makeup
Hairstyling
Studios
Cine Bazar Nippon Television Network Corporation TOHO Yomiuri Television VAP dentsu Yomiuri Shimbun Company Otona Keikaku Sapporo Television Broadcasting Company Miyagi Television Broadcasting Shizuoka Daiichi Television Hiroshima Telecasting Fukuoka Broadcasting System Chukyo TV Broadcasting Company
Country
Language
Alternative Titles
謝罪大王, 사죄의 왕, 道歉大师
Genre
Releases by Date
Theatrical
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Japan
18 Oct 2013
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Taiwan
Releases by Country
Japan
28 Sep 2013
- Theatrical
Taiwan
18 Oct 2013
- Theatrical
Popular reviews
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Has got to be the most Japanese concept for a movie ever, a company specialized in apologizing. It's the perfect amount of self-aware about Japanese conventions, and comes together wonderfully well despite the fact you think it's just going to be vignettes. ワキ毛ボーボー自由の女神！！
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The ultimate must-see film for Japanese and foreigners living in Japan.
The 'dogeza' is a traditional form of apology in Japan and this film takes it to the extreme. I feel like it gives so much insight into an aspect of the culture that mystifies outsiders. I've had the dogeza performed to me on one occasion and I can only say how embarrassing it is for both parties involved.
The characters and story are tied together so well and it was satisfying how it concludes. Don't pass this up. It is just too clever.
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First of all, the Erika Sawajiri incident is iconic 😎🤣🤣
「別に」❤️
This is the first time I've seen Abe in a comedy film in years, and I completely didn't recognise him despite recognising him / being aware he's in his element in such roles.
For some reason, I see him being serious most of the time. I enjoy his range!!
I really liked the ridiculousness in this. The mask was a largely unspoken humour piece that I thought was great 😂
Also, is that actor typecast for douchebag roles or does he love it?! 🤭 Although get yo' money, girl. We're saying NO to perverts!!! They've had their centuries to thrive, it's our turn
Despite being a lot of ridiculousness,…
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A film about the unique Japanese culture surrounding apologies. Our protaganist finds himself helping a variety of clients apologise and get themselves out of sticky situations.
With a well written story that links chapters back at forth at a level not overwhelming for a casual viewer the Apology King successfully provides a comedic story and a unique take on an aspect of Japanese culture that can often seem confusing or absurd to foreigners.
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Sometimes fun, and an interesting way to look at japanese culture.
Sometimes it just goes off the rails, for too long.The cases are interesting and makes the movie kind of episodic, and it would probably be better if it kept with that formula.
We get no time to get to know the characters, and that's too bad. Especially when it comes to Noriko.The biggest complaint I have though is how the movie tries to be funny about certain things that is definitely not.
Like how a great apology when you have commited sexual harassment is to shame and scare the poor girl until she retracts what she said and is afraid to even be alone. That is not funny. -
Japanese people have long got a pretty unique way that differentiates them from foreigners when it comes to apologizing, especially when you want to do it formally. It's personally one of the things that make me extremely fascinated with Japan and its culture.
And now there's a film about it.
"The Apology King" is a pure comedy by heart, but audience members like myself will definitely find it very interesting due to its concept and how Japanese it actually felt. By the latter I mean this is the type of film that only Japan can make unless there's another country out there I don't know about that also got a unique way of apologizing and saying sorry. But perhaps it's just a little too long, especially the third act that at times feels over-exaggerated.
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How low can you go?
Well, as far as dogeza is concerned, the lower the better.
Underneath all the silly fun and games, and some of it, especially towards the end is rather silly and loses steam, this is a rather caustic film, full of satire, the Katsumi Takahashi segment had me in stitches, about the culture of apology and whether it really serves anything at this point in time. For most of its run, it keeps the laughs going and it is a heartwarming tale about patching things up but the irony is there.
In the end, whatever words you use, it's the sincerity that touches the person and not the gesture.
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Apologizing in Japan can become a complicated series of rituals that involve a lot of cultural burden. You apologize not only for yourself, but for your family, for your company, and for your country. Because Japanese society doesn't think in terms of individuals, but more as units that have to operate under similar cultural rules. This film takes this rather enigmatic cultural topic and plays with it. It's a very specific brand of dry observational japanese humor, so it might not appeal to everyone. The script was written by the guy that wrote Zebraman, Ping Pong, among other lovely highly peculiar japanese flicks. So, if you liked those, you are in good hands here. Sadao Abe's comedy style eventually grows on you.
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It started out funny enough, but then it grew sort of tiring. The sexual harassment case didn't help at all. Still, I loved Noriko's character throughout the entire film.
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Incredible concept, very funny at times, but kind of falls apart in the second half.