Teppachi! Blu-ray Box

Friendship, romance and our future: all moving forward one crawl at a time. A passionate youth drama filled with the sweat and tears of Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members, made with the full cooperation of the Ministry of Defense.

Chu Kokusho is a wild, unconventional young man with plenty of physical strength. He was the ace of his high-school rugby team, but after graduating he drifted through life without steady employment. When a man offers to introduce him to a job that is perfect for him, the work turns out to be in the Ground Self-Defense Force, protecting the country’s peace and safety. As this young man who joined out of desperation grows into a fully fledged service member worthy of wearing a protective steel helmet, or teppachi, his immature, desperate life transforms into a true teppachi life.

Fellow recruit Yoshinari Baba becomes Chu’s partner. Their training brings them into contact with a female instructor admired by the male service members and an outstanding instructor whose strong sense of justice is matched by his compassion. The story follows the recruits through training in its first part, then continues into life with their regular unit.

This completely original drama brings to life a project that had been in development for twenty years. Set in the Ground Self-Defense Force, it depicts young people’s growth and passionate determination. To bring realism to their lives, the production secured the Ministry of Defense’s full cooperation. Real service members appear as extras, and the vehicles and helicopters are equipment actually used by the Ground Self-Defense Force. That cooperation makes possible dynamic, powerful footage.

In high school, Chu Kokusho was a rugby player who attracted national attention and served as his team’s ace. But his selfish play led to an injury, and he graduated isolated from the others. Afterward he drifted from day to day without finding regular employment. A fight costs him his job, and unpaid rent then costs him his home. As Chu stands at a loss, a man appears and introduces him to what he calls the perfect job: work in the Ground Self-Defense Force. With nowhere else to turn, Chu more or less falls into becoming a recruit.

Enduring training harsher than he could ever have imagined, Chu meets companions with richly varied personalities, builds friendships and grows. These immature young people face the harsh realities of life, dreams and hopes, friendship and romance, sweat and tears. Despite meeting new obstacles every day, they continue to struggle forward.

The video extras offer a look behind the scenes through Urappachi!, a collection of birthday celebrations and a collection of filming wrap-ups.