Being the bad guy is part of Takashi Omura’s job. Explaining that to his son is harder.
My Dad Is a Heel Wrestler! follows a once-popular wrestler who now performs as Cockroach Mask, a villain audiences love to boo. Takashi and his wife, Shiori, have kept his profession from their young son, Shota. When Shota discovers the truth, he struggles to reconcile the father he loves with the wrestler everyone seems to hate.
Directed by Kyohei Fujimura, the 2018 Japanese film blends comedy with a heartwarming family story. It adapts the picture book series written by Masahiro Itabashi and illustrated by Hisanori Yoshida.
Hiroshi Tanahashi Steps Into the Villain’s Role
Hiroshi Tanahashi plays Takashi, whose age and injuries have pushed him away from his days as a wrestling star. Behind Cockroach Mask is a veteran hoping to regain respect.
Tanahashi gives a strong performance in the role, making the wrestler who draws boos someone viewers can root for. His desire to be cheered again takes on greater significance once his son discovers his profession.
Kokoro Terada Gives the Story Its Heart
Tanahashi may draw wrestling fans to the movie, but Kokoro Terada is its standout as Shota.
For wrestling fans, a heel is a familiar part of the show. For Shota, that distinction is harder to grasp. Terada captures the confusion of a boy trying to understand why the father he admires would play someone audiences hate.
His performance gives the story an emotional connection that doesn’t require any wrestling knowledge.
Familiar Faces for NJPW Fans
Fans of New Japan Pro-Wrestling have another reason to watch. Kazuchika Okada, Ryusuke Taguchi, Togi Makabe, Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima, Manabu Nakanishi, and Hirooki Goto are among the wrestlers who appear alongside Tanahashi.
Those appearances add to the enjoyment for viewers who recognize them. Tanahashi and Terada remain the main reason to watch, anchoring a warm, funny film about a father whose toughest audience is his own son.
