Delving into the hyper-stylized world of feuding high school gangs, Crows Zero actually takes place before the events of the manga (hence the title), setting up the origins and rivalries of the iconic characters. Other than the avid fanbase that already exists for the manga, Crows Zero gets some extra box office pull with the casting of heartthrobs Oguri Shun (Kisaragi) and Yamada Takayuki (Train Man) as the lead delinquents. Oguri, who also featured in Miike's Sukiyaki Western Django, continues to impress as one of Japanese cinema's most talented young stars, while Yamada Takayuki leaves behind the sensitive romantic lead image he's cultivated from numerous tearjerkers for a hard-hitting bout in the ring. Rounding out the film's problem teenager cast are Yabe Kyousuke (Dead or Alive, Kids Return), Kuroki Meisa (Under the Same Moon), and Izaki Yusuke and Izaki Hisato from boy band Flame.