Director(s): Aaron McCann, Dominic Pearce
Cast: Masa Yamaguchi, Mayu Iwasaki, Toshi Okuzaki
Producer(s): Lauren Brunswick
This mockumentary unravels the tale of how ‘Ronin Suiri Tantai’ made it to Australian screens back in the late 90’s, retitled as Top Knot Detective, and what really happened behind the scenes of this outrageous show.
The original Japanese series was legendary in its home country as being a cultural train-wreck, led by its insane writer/director/star, Takashi Takamoto. The rivalry between Takashi and co-star, Haruto Koike, is just the tip of this conspiratorial iceberg, leading back to Japanese conglomerate Sutaffu, and its CEO, Moritaro (coincidentally, Haruto’s father). On-screen he battles robot ninjas & penis monsters off-screen jealousy threatens to demolish his legacy.
Narrated by Des Mangan (Hercules Returns), he introduces us to the sensation of today’s cult fan world at Oz Comicon, then takes us right back to the origins of Takashi Takamoto, his hunger for fame, desire to be admired, and the blurry lines between truth and fiction. Through interviews with cast and crew, the mystery of Takashi Takamoto unravels, and we get an insight into the eccentric shows that cult film fans hold so dear.
Official Selection – SITGES, Frightfest, Fantastic Fest, Rotterdam, Abertoir Horror Film Fest, Mayhem Film Fest
“A fun, endearing look at a fictional creation, and it’s enough to make you a fan of the show that never was.” Film School Rejects
“I want to believe Top Knot Detective existed, and if it doesn’t, I’m sure as hell glad McCann and Pearce created it, because it’s goddamned hysterical.” Screen Anarchy
“Brash, bold and utterly batshit, Top Knot Detective documents a bygone television sensation so crazy that you would be forgiven for not believing in the truth of any of it.” ScifiNow
