Netflix Inc.

08/13/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/13/2024 17:15

Teaser for ‘The Queen of Villains’ Gives a Peek at the Rise of Japan’s Most Frightening Heel

Based on real pro wrestlers and events, The Queen of Villainsis set to unveil the untold story of Dump Matsumoto on September 19, and the teaser released today offers a glimpse into this semi-autobiographical coming-of-age drama. Set in the 1980s, the series follows a devoted daughter who competes with her peers and searches for her path in the world of women's professional wrestling, during a time when women strove to gain freedom through strength and challenged a male-dominated society.

Yuriyan Retriever, who plays Dump Matsumoto, spent two years training to achieve a wrestler's physique and embody her role. Joining her are Erika Karata(Chigusa Nagayo) and Ayame Goriki(Lioness Asuka), along with the following cast that were unveiled in the teaser:

  • The brothers who founded All Nippon Women's Pro Wrestling:Jun Murakami as Takashi Matsunaga,

  • Daisuke Kuroda as Kunimatsu Matsunaga, and Takumi Saitohas Toshikuni Matsunaga.

  • Takuma Otoo as Shiro Abe, the promoter and referee for the wrestling promotion.

  • Nobuko Sendoas Dump Matsumoto's mother, Satoko.

  • Additionally, 24,000+extras were assembled to recreate the enthusiasm of the wrestling venues and crowds of the 1980s.

During production, real-life wrestlers Dump Matsumoto and Chigusa Nagayo served as pro-wrestling supervisors and witnessed the actresses' hard work. Matsumoto remarks, "Yuriyan's powerful performance is incredible. Some parts will make you cry, and I hope viewers will watch The Queen of Villainsand feel inspired to believe that their dreams can come true if they never quit or give up." Nagayo adds, "Our story from the 1980s was authentically captured with this series, and I'm grateful for the strength and resilience of the women we were back then."

The Queen of Villainspremieres globally on September 19, only on Netflix.

About Netflix SeriesThe Queen of Villains

Cast: Yuriyan Retriever, Erika Karata, Ayame Goriki, Ebi-chan (of comedy duo Marie Marie), Kyoka Sumida, Elina Mizuno, Ryoka Neya, Eri Kamataki Urara Aryu, Momoko Hori, Sayaka Tobe, Hitomi Kamoshida, Haruka Imou, Nobuko Sendo, Takamitsu Nonaka, Marin Nishimoto, Tomu Miyazaki, Michie Shigeki Kiyono, Akapen Takigawa, Takuma Otoo, Daisuke Kuroda, Takumi Saitoh, Jun Murakami

Developer, Producer, Screenwriter: Osamu Suzuki Supervising Director: Kazuya Shiraishi Directior: Kazuya Shiraishi (Ep1-3), Katsuhito Mogi (Ep4-5) Pro Wrestler Supervisor: Chigusa Nagayo Writer: Junya Ikegami Music: Hideakira Kimura Producers: Haruhiko Hasegawa, Hidehisa Chiwata Line Producer: Kiyoshi Inoue Associate Producer: Yasunori Naruse Music Producer: Motoyoshi Tai Production Designer: Tsutomu Imamura Cinematographer: Atsuhiro Nabeshima Photography: Hajime Baba Lighting: Tsuyoshi Kage Sound Recordist: Tomoharu Urata Set Decoration: Tomoyoshi Kyogoku Casting: Yume Minamidani Wardrobe Design: Sayaka Takahashi Wardrobe Supervisor: Yukari Kato Hair & Makeup: Ryoko Ariji Script Supervisor: Tsuki Matsumoto (Ep1-3), Nanako Hori (Ep4-5) Editors: Hitomi Kato, Kazumi Wakimoto Sound Effects: Kenji Shibasaki Re-recording Mixer: Shuichi Tanaka Post-Production Supervisor: Kentaro Yamagawa VFX Producer: Motoyuki Kawase VFX Supervisor: Satoshi Asakura First Assistant Director: Keita Watanabe Production Manager: Takahiro Shinomiya Produced by: Netflix Production Company: KADOKAWA

Release Date: September 19, 2024 Episode: 5 episodes https://netflix.com/thequeenofvillains

#TheQueenofVillains

Logline: The Queen of Villains unveils the untold story of Dump Matsumoto, a professional wrestler who ignited a boom in women's wrestling in the 1980s with her cult-like following. Unlike the iconic "Crush Gals" duo, Chigusa Nagayo and Lioness Asuka, Matsumoto made her mark as the most famous heel. Dominating television screens, they became a cultural phenomenon, captivating Japan.