The Substitute King: “Densetsu No Head Sho”

 Lighthearted, fun and wacky comedy drama about a meek and much-bullied boy named Tatsuhito Yamada who suddenly finds himself in charge of the town’s wildest delinquent gangs with no skills and no IDEA how to do it!
Sho Ijuin(Fumiya Takahashi) is a tough and street-smart delinquent running a gang called the Grand Cross. His trademark is fighting opponents “one on one” and he has never lost a challenge.

Infamous for their legendary exploits, they are challenged over and over again by other gangs for not only turf but pride and recognition within the gang network. t’s a constant battle, but Ijuin and his first in command Daimon (Araki Sugou) are just able to keep on top of things and keep the lower gangs in check. 

In the meantime, the weak Tatsuhito Yamada (also played by Takahashi) is being bullied by a bunch of wannabe punks who beat him and take his money. Because of this constant harassment,  Tatsuhito has withdrawn from school, and even contemplates offing himself.

But there is one shining light in his life, the love of Gangur0-themed Idol Girl Group Machikado SUKEBANS, and in particular, their compelling leader Aya Fujitani (Nagisa Sekimizu). He has dedicated his life to them, and his room is covered from top to bottom in honor of Ayane and her group.

One day on the way homeone day, Tatsuhito runs out into the street and just narrowly avoids getting hit by an oncoming motorcycle! The driver skillfully swerves aside and misses him- but not without sacrificing his OWN safety: the motorcycle crashes and the driver is thrown to the asphalt! Tastuhito doesn’t know this, but the man he inadvertently caused to crack up is the leader of Grand Cross himself, and he is now in a WORLD of trouble!

Tatsuhito’s first response is to call the police, but the injured man instead tells him to just call the hospital instead. After he has been attended to, Ijuin silently contemplates things while resting in bed. Daimon is furious and would like to take it out on the frightened Tatsuhito, but Ijuin realizes there is a bigger problem. With Ijuin injured and out of commission, the rival gangs will ALL use the opportunity to battle for the top spot. An All-out war between the gangs might erupt!

This cannot happen, and Ijuin, who had noticed some time earlier the striking resemblance to he and this cowering boy, decides that until as such a time he can reclaim his mantle as Grand Cross leader….TATSUHITO MUST DRESS UP AS HIM AND CARRY OUT HIS DAILY DUTIES FOR HIM!

Daimon groans that it cannot be done, and Tatsuhito himself is almost beside himself with fear. But Ijuin insists that it’s the only way. And so, donning the trademark clothing of the true Ijuin and styling his hair after him, he shakily steps out as the leader of Grand Cross. With coaching from Daimon on what to do, they’ll have to carefully carry out this masquerade, knowing full well that if Tatsuhito should fail, it’s curtains for everyone!

“The Prince and The Pauper” theme of dual switched identities is a oft-used trope, but always fun, and Densetsu no Head Sho is no different- you can practically predict just about everything that will happen here, but it’s entertaining to turn off your brain and enjoy!

As a bonus aside, we’ve even got a few actresses here whom I’m happy to see again, like actress Hiroe Igeta (last seen by me in the 2022 drama “Mental Tsuyome Bijo Shirakawa-san”) as Sho’s unhinged ganguro girlfriend Naoko Ayanokoji…

Yuki Moe in a VERY small role as Kanako, a hostess at a bar....

…and Naoko Iijima as Beniko Ijuin- not is she the owner of said bar, she's also Sho’s ex-yankee Grandmother!! LOL, what perfect casting!

Ahhh, Naoko Iijima! Do you know, she was the very FIRST idol I ever had a calendar of, waaaaay back in 1996, and she was just the bee’s knees! Had her PROUDLY displayed on my wall, and it's great to see her still up and at 'em!!

Posted by zdorama @ zdoramaagain.blogspot.com