“Shonben Rider” / 「ションベン・ライダー」, Original Release Japanese Movie Poster 1983, Shinji Sōmai / Tatsuya Fuji / Michiko Kawai / Masatoshi Nagase / Shinobu Sakagami, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) D260

This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster for Shonben Rider / 「ションベン・ライダー」, the chaotic 1983 youth action-comedy directed by Shinji Sōmai and internationally known as P.P. Rider.

This specific poster is especially desirable because it perfectly captures the film’s anarchic energy: neon colour blocks, comic-book typography, wild character poses, yakuza parody, youth rebellion, and early-1980s Japanese pop design all compressed into one explosive theatrical image.

Film background
Directed by Shinji Sōmai, Shonben Rider follows three middle-school students — Bruce, Jojo, and Jisho — as they set out to rescue their kidnapped classmate and become entangled with the adult world of yakuza, police, and urban chaos. The film stars Tatsuya Fuji, Michiko Kawai, Masatoshi Nagase, Shinobu Sakagami, and Yoshikazu Suzuki. Contemporary film references also note the film as an early breakthrough / debut work for Michiko Kawai and Masatoshi Nagase.

The film is now regarded as one of Sōmai’s key early works: energetic, unruly, formally adventurous, and full of the long takes, sudden tonal shifts, and emotional unpredictability that define his cinema. It sits at the intersection of youth film, action comedy, yakuza satire, and Japanese New Wave aftershock.

Poster design
This Japanese B2 poster is a superb example of early-1980s Japanese pop-art film advertising. The design rejects conventional film-poster restraint in favour of a loud, kinetic collage of halftone portraits, neon shards, comic sound effects, handwritten English nicknames, and oversized title typography.

At the top, the phrase “Good-by Mr. GONBEI” slashes across the image in electric script, while the background explodes into red, pink, yellow, green, and blue geometric forms. The large halftone face of Tatsuya Fuji looms above the cast, identifying him as the adult yakuza presence around whom the children’s adventure spirals.

The young cast are shown in exaggerated, almost manga-like poses: Michiko Kawai as Bruce launches a dramatic high kick at centre-left; Masatoshi Nagase as Jojo leans into the composition with manic energy; Shinobu Sakagami as Jisho points a handgun directly outward; and Yoshikazu Suzuki as Debu flies across the right side in a comic burst of movement.

Each character’s nickname — JOJO, BRUCE, JISHO, DEBU — is written in colourful hand-drawn English lettering, reinforcing the youth-magazine, comic-book character of the design. Pop accents such as “HA!” and “BA-N!” give the poster a deliberately loud, punkish graphic rhythm.

At the bottom, the title 「ションベン・ライダー」 appears in heavy black katakana with sharp red accents, resembling a punk-rock logo. The lower credits identify Shinji Sōmai as director, with the Toho mark visible at lower left and production credits running along the bottom edge.

Condition
Excellent condition. Please review the photograph carefully, as it shows the exact poster for sale.

The poster presents beautifully, with bright neon colour, sharp black title typography, strong character imagery, and excellent overall display impact. Only light signs of age, storage, or handling are visible, consistent with careful preservation of an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster from the early 1980s.

This is an original 1983 Japanese theatrical B2 poster.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

It is over 40 years old.

Certificate of Authenticity included.