“Ushijima the Loan Shark” / 「闇金ウシジマくん」, Original Japanese Movie Poster 2012, Double-Sided B1 Size (73 × 103 cm)

This is an original Japanese B1 double-sided theatrical poster printed for the Japanese release of Ushijima the Loan Shark / 「闇金ウシジマくん」, the 2012 crime drama based on Shohei Manabe’s acclaimed manga series.

A dark and uncompromising portrait of Japan’s underground lending world, Ushijima the Loan Shark follows Kaoru Ushijima, the ruthless head of Cowcow Finance, as he pursues debtors trapped in cycles of desperation, poverty, fraud, and moral collapse. This large-format Japanese poster is especially striking, with a stark close-up design and a bold magenta lower section that captures the film’s hard-edged, confrontational tone.

Film background
Released in 2012, Ushijima the Loan Shark was the first theatrical feature adaptation of the hit manga Yamikin Ushijima-kun / 「闇金ウシジマくん」 by Shohei Manabe. The film centres on Kaoru Ushijima, the cold and calculating boss of an illegal loan shark company, whose dealings expose the darker side of contemporary urban society.

The film was directed by Masatoshi Yamaguchi and stars Takayuki Yamada as Kaoru Ushijima, alongside Yuko Oshima, Kento Hayashi, Hiromi Sakimoto, Kyosuke Yabe, Asuka Kurosawa, and Hirofumi Arai.

Following the success of the television drama, the film was praised for its gritty realism, bleak social commentary, and Takayuki Yamada’s definitive performance as the enigmatic antihero. It became a successful theatrical launch for the franchise, leading to multiple sequels and securing the series’ place as a cult favourite in modern Japanese popular culture.

Poster design
The poster uses an arresting, minimalist composition dominated by a massive close-up portrait of Kaoru Ushijima. His cold, unreadable gaze, rimless glasses, silver hoop earrings, and sharp beard create an immediately confrontational image, reflecting the character’s calculating and intimidating presence.

The lower section shifts dramatically into a vivid magenta-pink field, featuring the stylized 「闇金ウシジマくん」 title logo, manga character illustrations, and bold promotional typography. The contrast between the pale, clinical close-up and the aggressive lower design gives the poster a strong contemporary graphic impact.

The principal vertical tagline reads:

「逃げられると思ってんの？」
“You think you can run away?”

The large white promotional text across the lower section declares:

「史上最悪の問題作 禁断のついに映画化！！」
“The most notorious controversial work in history — finally adapted into a forbidden film!”

Additional text highlights the popularity of the original manga:

「累計500万部の大人気コミック」
“The hugely popular comic with over 5 million copies in circulation.”

The bottom yellow banner reads:

「伝説の闇金が地の果てまで追ってくる──！」
“The legendary loan shark will chase you to the ends of the earth!”

The title logo is especially distinctive, with 「闇金」 set inside a gold seal and 「ウシジマくん」 rendered in thick black lettering with gold outline and dripping graphic details. The release date “8.25（土）Roadshow” appears prominently at the lower right.

Release note
This poster was printed for the film’s original Japanese theatrical release campaign.

It is a double-sided B1 theatrical poster, printed on poster stock intended for cinema display, including light-box presentation.

It is an original period Japanese cinema poster, not a later reproduction or commercial reprint.

Condition
Excellent condition. A very strong example, with clean imagery, sharp typography, vivid colour, and excellent overall display impact.

Please review the photographs carefully, as they show the exact poster for sale, including both sides.

This is an original 2012 Japanese theatrical poster.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

Certificate of Authenticity included.