ZAZOUS

ZAZOUS (有限会社ザズウ) is a Japanese talent management and production company headquartered in Setagaya, Tokyo. It was founded by Emiko Matsuno, who had previously handled production work for "Zazous Theatre," a theatrical production unit led by Katsuhide Suzuki. Matsuno named her independent management office after that unit, adopting the trade name Yugen-gaisha Zazous. In its early years the company took on many activities beyond talent management, but a conversation with affiliated actor Yutaka Matsushige — who told Matsuno he had no work and was considering closing the business — prompted a restructuring that focused the company squarely on management. After that shift, the number of affiliated actors and actresses grew markedly. ZAZOUS later expanded into production as well as management. Matsuno has also served as an executive officer of DAYTORA ENTERTAINMENT, a production company based in Zushi, Kanagawa Prefecture, since November 2006, working as a producer. Because most of the company's actors and actresses come from stage and theatre backgrounds, and because theatres are concentrated in areas convenient to the Shinjuku and Shibuya districts, ZAZOUS is headquartered near Shimokitazawa Station on the Odakyu Line and Keio Inokashira Line. The agency's roster has included well-known Japanese screen actors such as Yutaka Matsushige, Kyusaku Shimada, Yohji Tanaka, Yoshiyuki Morishita, Masako Chiba, Sou Yamanaka, Hidekazu Mashima, Yasuhi Nakamura, Takashi Yamanaka, Long Mizuma, Sakichi Sato, Satoru Jitsunashi, Takeshi Ohnishi, Ryota Matsushima, Fumiaki Hori, and Tetsuya Chiba. It also represents director Sang-il Lee and writer Yoriko Kodama, and has a business tie-up with Taiwan-based actor Figaro Tseng (曾少宗). Former affiliate Yasuhi Nakamura died while still with the agency. Beyond representation, ZAZOUS has planned, produced, and made a number of film and television works, including the 2003 titles Ultraman Sosha Keiji, Gyouretsu no Dekiru Keiji, and Kamaoka Keiji / Coming Out Cop KAMAOKA; the 2004 film Snatches; the 2005 film Scrap Heaven; the 2008 work Minna, Hajime wa Kodomo Datta "Tagatame"; and the 2009 titles Donju and Dry Club. Until the 1990s the company used the name "Office Zazous," but today it almost always uses "ZAZOUS." It is entirely unrelated to the men's apparel brand REATS TAILOR ZAZOUS.

ZAZOUS was established as an independent management office by Emiko Matsuno, who had previously been responsible for production work at "Zazous Theatre," a theatrical production unit led by Katsuhide Suzuki. Matsuno named her new company after that unit, adopting the trade name Yugen-gaisha Zazous. In its early period the company engaged in many activities besides talent management. A turning point came when affiliated actor Yutaka Matsushige confided in Matsuno that he had no work and was considering closing the business; this prompted the company to reform its operations and concentrate on management in earnest. From then on, the number of affiliated actors and actresses increased significantly. Subsequently, ZAZOUS broadened its scope from management alone to full-scale production. Since November 2006, Matsuno has concurrently served as an executive officer of DAYTORA ENTERTAINMENT, a production company headquartered in Zushi, Kanagawa Prefecture, expanding her work as a producer. Because most of the company's actors and actresses come from stage and theatre backgrounds, and because theatres are numerous in areas with good access to the Shinjuku and Shibuya districts, the company is headquartered near Shimokitazawa Station on the Odakyu Line and Keio Inokashira Line. In terms of branding, the company used the name "Office Zazous" until the 1990s, but today it almost always uses "ZAZOUS." The company is entirely unrelated to the men's apparel brand REATS TAILOR ZAZOUS. Over the years ZAZOUS has represented a roster of actors, actresses, directors, and writers, and has planned, produced, and made a range of film and television works, including the 2003 titles Ultraman Sosha Keiji, Gyouretsu no Dekiru Keiji, and Kamaoka Keiji / Coming Out Cop KAMAOKA; the 2004 film Snatches; the 2005 film Scrap Heaven; the 2008 work Minna, Hajime wa Kodomo Datta "Tagatame"; and the 2009 titles Donju and Dry Club.

• Emiko Matsuno founds Yugen-gaisha Zazous as an independent management office, naming it after the theatrical unit Zazous Theatre.

• After actor Yutaka Matsushige confides he has no work and is considering closing the business, the company reforms its operations and focuses on management, leading to a marked increase in affiliated actors and actresses.

• 2003: The company plans, produces, or makes Ultraman Sosha Keiji, Gyouretsu no Dekiru Keiji, and Kamaoka Keiji / Coming Out Cop KAMAOKA.

• 2004: The company is involved in the film Snatches.

• 2005: The company is involved in the film Scrap Heaven.

• November 2006: Emiko Matsuno concurrently becomes an executive officer of DAYTORA ENTERTAINMENT, a production company based in Zushi, Kanagawa Prefecture.

• 2008: The company is involved in Minna, Hajime wa Kodomo Datta "Tagatame".

• 2009: The company is involved in Donju and Dry Club.

A boutique talent management and production company rooted in Japan's theatre community, representing stage-trained actors and producing film and television works.

• 2003

  Ultraman Sosha Keiji

• 2003

  Gyouretsu no Dekiru Keiji

• 2003

  Kamaoka Keiji / Coming Out Cop KAMAOKA

• 2004

  Snatches

• 2005

  Scrap Heaven

• 2008

  Minna, Hajime wa Kodomo Datta "Tagatame"

• 2009

  Donju

• 2009

  Dry Club

1. 1有限会社ザズウ / ZAZOUS official websitezazous.co.jp
2. 2ザズウ - Wikipedia (Japanese)ja.wikipedia.org
3. 3ZAZOUS - Wikidatawikidata.org