This film's a journey through the nightlife of Shibuya, Tokyo. The story focus on 3 highschool girls who make good money by selling their services to men, all sorts of men with all sorts of desires. It's a terrific film. Fascinating, emotional and with great acting. However, even though Bounce primarily deals with the backside of a harsh japanese society, it also serves as perfect tourist propaganda. The way it's shot and with its cool powerful music, it makes you wanna go to Tokyo immediately. Anyhow, Bounce's a film that I highly recommend. 8/10.
18 Reviews
Sobering Yet Inspiring...
jmaruyama8 November 2003
Warning: Spoilers
Some Spoilers
At first glance, Masato Harada's "Bounce Ko Gals" (Ko Gals is Japanese slang for "Child Girls") appears as if to be a film condemning the youth of Japan as being selfishly "hedonistic" and "spoiled". We see junior high girls talking of getting abortions as if it were just like getting tooth extractions and where sex is used only a means to an end, such as acquiring "Versace" and "Gucci". Yet, amid this depressing and almost hopeless tone, we find that perhaps there is hope for today's youth. The characters of Jonko (Sato Hitomi), Raku (Sato Yasue) and Lisa (Okamoto Rikiko) clearly show that these kids still have dreams, goals, ambitions and that they still value the same things as their parents (friendship, loyalty, success and trust). These three characters , for all their flaws are still good people inside and during the course of the movie, we can't help but be impressed with their loyalty to each other. While sharing some of the same themes covered in Larry Clark's more disturbing "Kids" (1995) movie, "Bounce Ko Gals" is a bit more watchable. While all three young actresses are great in their roles, it is Okamoto Rikiko's "Lisa" character who is the standout. Much like Chloe Sevigny's character in "Kids" she makes the movie work, combining naïve innocence with a determined spirit that is so much beyond her years. "Bounce Ko Gals" dispels the outdated myths foreigners have of the submissive and polite "Japanese Girl" and instead portrays them as just as strong willed, independent and determined as their western counterparts, who stand up to men and aren't willing to be their "sex slaves". A surprisingly good movie. Along with the recent "Lost In Transition" (2003), "Bounce Ko Gals" shows foreign audiences a much more truer image of Japan, with all its strengths and flaws.
A great "youth" movie...
freakus10 June 1999
The video I rented made the film appear to be a goofy "pink" film but this film is much better than that. It's sort of a japanese cross between "Kids" and "Midnight Cowboy". The relationships between the girls and the way they deal with life is really fascinating. Also interesting is the whole examination of the dynamic between "Kogals" ("high"-gals as in High school) and Hentai ("perverts"). It's shot in "verite" style and at times almost has the look of a documentary.
24 hours in Shibuya
harry_tk_yung26 October 2004
Warning: Spoilers
Spoilers
I saw this movie six years ago in the cinema, and bought the VCD and watched it again recently. The title given to it locally, '24 hours in Shibuya', makes more sense to the general audience than the official English title. It describes exactly what the movie is about: the events that take place over 24 hours in Shibuya, the trendiest part of Tokyo (at least during the time the movie was made). It sounds almost absurd but this movie (which I'll refer to as 'Shibuya') resembles in a way one of my top ten best movies, Before Sunrise. Both take place within a day, starting at midday, run through the night and end some time in the next morning. Both end with a touching goodbye scene in a railway station, a night in which deep relationships have been formed. This is when they start to differ: with Sunrise, it's romance; with Shibuya, it's friendship.
Just to set the scene and topicality, the world of Japanese schoolgirls offering a wide range of sexual services is not as much a shock as it was in the last decade, when Shibuya was filmed. While this world of perversity serves as a backdrop to the story surrounding the three girls, unfolding in the 24 hours in Shibuya, the focus in viewing the film should be on the character of the girls and the development of their friendship. In other words, while set against the macro social phenomenon of the time and place, the story is very much on the micro world of the three main characters.
Raku is a happy-go-lucky girl who seems to have dropped out of the school system, as we are introduced to her right at the beginning of the movie, through what looks like hand-held shots following her movements. Walking (almost dancing) along corridors and stairways of a school just breaking for recess or lunch, she stands out among the uniformed schoolgirls, in her casual apparel. We see her hobnobbing with an acquaintance Jonko who, while is high school girl uniform, is sophisticated, streetwise and tough to the extent of being an 'arranger' of services provided by her school friends. Later, in her dealings (to help out a friend) with an operator of a prostitution outfit, she is actually 'educating' him on the psychology of their common clientele (the perverted population of Japanese male), explaining to him why school girls have cut into his business but at the same time reassuring him that they will not pose a permanent threat.
Lisa, the most 'normal' of the three, is going to New York tomorrow to pursue her education. In order to chalk up some extra money for the trip, this innocent girl gets her first exposure to the perverted world, trying things like selling her underwear to a fetish shop and modeling for an obscene video. In the latter adventure, she gets into trouble, ending up losing all her money but escaping narrowly with fellow victim Raku. Friendship flourish between the two as they dash around madly to lose the pursuers and later wander through Shibuya aimlessly while fully enjoying each other's company. Trying to help Lisa make some money to start out in New York tomorrow, Raku introduces her to Jonko, which starts off the second part of the friendship of the trio.
With Raku temporarily out of the picture, Lisa now follows Jonko to appointments with an assortment of weird clients, from the timid chap who actually falls victim to Jonko's stun-gun and got robbed by the girls, to the eighty-plus war criminal (uncaught) who just wants to talk to the girls about his 'glorious' days (with Lisa finally storming out in absolute detestation).
After some further adventure, the two regroup with Raku who is rap-dancing with a group of happy-go-luck rappers on the side walk. Going into the deep of the night, the girls roam around town in high spirit, until trouble seeks them out again. Although disaster is averted, it seems that Lisa's trip to New York is in doubt, as she now has no money. Young and fearless, the three are beyond worry, bathing in the glow of their newly found friendship, going into the breaking morning. Then, by another stroke of good fortune, Lisa somehow gets the money for the trip and is on her way after all.
This brings us to the train station goodbye scene that is in some way not unlike the one in Before Sunrise. The interesting thing here is that although Raku and Jonko had been acquaintances, they have each separately become a good friend to Lisa, who is now leaving. In parting, Lisa's last words are pleadings that the two of them stay together as great friends the way the trio had become a very touching parting scene.
I saw this movie six years ago in the cinema, and bought the VCD and watched it again recently. The title given to it locally, '24 hours in Shibuya', makes more sense to the general audience than the official English title. It describes exactly what the movie is about: the events that take place over 24 hours in Shibuya, the trendiest part of Tokyo (at least during the time the movie was made). It sounds almost absurd but this movie (which I'll refer to as 'Shibuya') resembles in a way one of my top ten best movies, Before Sunrise. Both take place within a day, starting at midday, run through the night and end some time in the next morning. Both end with a touching goodbye scene in a railway station, a night in which deep relationships have been formed. This is when they start to differ: with Sunrise, it's romance; with Shibuya, it's friendship.
Just to set the scene and topicality, the world of Japanese schoolgirls offering a wide range of sexual services is not as much a shock as it was in the last decade, when Shibuya was filmed. While this world of perversity serves as a backdrop to the story surrounding the three girls, unfolding in the 24 hours in Shibuya, the focus in viewing the film should be on the character of the girls and the development of their friendship. In other words, while set against the macro social phenomenon of the time and place, the story is very much on the micro world of the three main characters.
Raku is a happy-go-lucky girl who seems to have dropped out of the school system, as we are introduced to her right at the beginning of the movie, through what looks like hand-held shots following her movements. Walking (almost dancing) along corridors and stairways of a school just breaking for recess or lunch, she stands out among the uniformed schoolgirls, in her casual apparel. We see her hobnobbing with an acquaintance Jonko who, while is high school girl uniform, is sophisticated, streetwise and tough to the extent of being an 'arranger' of services provided by her school friends. Later, in her dealings (to help out a friend) with an operator of a prostitution outfit, she is actually 'educating' him on the psychology of their common clientele (the perverted population of Japanese male), explaining to him why school girls have cut into his business but at the same time reassuring him that they will not pose a permanent threat.
Lisa, the most 'normal' of the three, is going to New York tomorrow to pursue her education. In order to chalk up some extra money for the trip, this innocent girl gets her first exposure to the perverted world, trying things like selling her underwear to a fetish shop and modeling for an obscene video. In the latter adventure, she gets into trouble, ending up losing all her money but escaping narrowly with fellow victim Raku. Friendship flourish between the two as they dash around madly to lose the pursuers and later wander through Shibuya aimlessly while fully enjoying each other's company. Trying to help Lisa make some money to start out in New York tomorrow, Raku introduces her to Jonko, which starts off the second part of the friendship of the trio.
With Raku temporarily out of the picture, Lisa now follows Jonko to appointments with an assortment of weird clients, from the timid chap who actually falls victim to Jonko's stun-gun and got robbed by the girls, to the eighty-plus war criminal (uncaught) who just wants to talk to the girls about his 'glorious' days (with Lisa finally storming out in absolute detestation).
After some further adventure, the two regroup with Raku who is rap-dancing with a group of happy-go-luck rappers on the side walk. Going into the deep of the night, the girls roam around town in high spirit, until trouble seeks them out again. Although disaster is averted, it seems that Lisa's trip to New York is in doubt, as she now has no money. Young and fearless, the three are beyond worry, bathing in the glow of their newly found friendship, going into the breaking morning. Then, by another stroke of good fortune, Lisa somehow gets the money for the trip and is on her way after all.
This brings us to the train station goodbye scene that is in some way not unlike the one in Before Sunrise. The interesting thing here is that although Raku and Jonko had been acquaintances, they have each separately become a good friend to Lisa, who is now leaving. In parting, Lisa's last words are pleadings that the two of them stay together as great friends the way the trio had become a very touching parting scene.
A youth movie about compensated dating
mawelch12 April 2022
With the rise of OnlyFans in the West, this movie has renewed modern relevance. It's a film about generational conflict between teenagers and adults and the conflict between perverted middle-age men with money and materialistic teenage schoolgirls selling their body for designer clothes. The movie itself is longer than necessary and meandering at times. The movie covers an interesting topic and has a decent message but the story itself is simple and events in the movie become repetitive. You do get a decent aesthetic feel of Tokyo during the 90s. It's worth watching if it sounds interesting but not a must-watch movie.
A Japanese "Midnight Cowboy"
freakus25 June 1999
This movie was a lot of fun. It deals with a serious topic, high school girls working in the sex industry, but doesn't ever feel depressing. It sort of reminds me of "Midnight Cowboy" or "Kids" but never has a hopeless feel to it. I think it's because it always concentrates on the relationship between the three girls and they way they look out for each other. I enjoyed it immensely.
Sex and the city
crisbene12 November 2000
The journey of 3 japanese girls within a merciless city. This movie has been said to be shot in a documentary style, but do not be afraid : I don't really think so. Harada proves (once more) that he's one of the directors which makes Japan the most exciting, interesting country in the movie industry. "Bounce ko-gals" deals with an exciting trip of desperate cuties. It shows the dark side of japanese girlie way of life : they have to make (soft)porns and spend some time with old dudes to survive. But can they expect something else ? The only way out seems to move overseas. One of them will try to catch a flight. Funny, electric, desperate, light, dark. This one is a must-see.
Haunting
yojimbo99930 March 2003
a haunting, and sometimes depressing, look at the world of high school call girls in tokyo, japan. the movie follows the lives of 3 high schoolers as they go from john to john, all the while trying to remind themselves that they are doing this for a reason. a terrific movie, filled with unforgettable performances and characters.
Very good movie
pefo19213 July 1999
Baunsu Kogals or Bouncing Young Girls is a very good movie about 3 girls, their friendship and their life in the world of prostitution (Kogals, they call them). Sort of a Japanese version of "Kids", but more likely to be taken seriously. It follows the ennui that these girls and their peers/other youth feel in Japan. An important point scored in the film is when Jonko and Raku ask why does Lisa want to go to New York to study, she says she wants to be in NY because when you live in the US, there's is a feeling of a "can-do" attitude that pervades the culture, which would motivate her to be a better student in Japan and also get her independence.
One of the best films of the year - perhaps the best.
Parsifal-411 December 1998
Story about japanese high-school girls, who earn their extra pocket-money as call-girls. Movie is sad, funny, tragic, and very critical about the japanese society. Specially male-society. There is nothing too much or little in this perfect film.
Truly Excellent Drama
NIXFLIX-DOT-COM26 August 2003
BOUNCE GO-KALS is one of the best drama I've seen out of Japan. It's not a slow-moving Japanese film, but it's just slow enough, and just fast enough (although the movie is well over 2 hours) to keep you interested and at the same time, emotionally invested. A terrific film that exposes Japanese society for its hypocricy, while even delving into the past of the country. But in the end, it's a movie about hope and a future that, although it may look dark, has a silver lining.
For more excellent movies by the director, check out KAMIKAZE TAXI and CHOICE OF HERCULES, two very good dramas from a man with his pulse on what makes Japan so fascinating.
10 out of 10
(Go to http://www.nixflix.com for a more in-depth review of this movie and other foreign films)
For more excellent movies by the director, check out KAMIKAZE TAXI and CHOICE OF HERCULES, two very good dramas from a man with his pulse on what makes Japan so fascinating.
10 out of 10
(Go to http://www.nixflix.com for a more in-depth review of this movie and other foreign films)
Very good movie
pefo192128 June 1999
This movie about japanese teenage girls high-gals or Ko-gals (prostitutes) is a very good movie. It addresses many of the feelings of ennui youth have in Japanese society, like the feeling that they cannot be treated as individuals in Japanese society (part of the group-think) there. An important part of the movie shows when Lisa is asked, why does she want to go to New York to study? She states that her feeling is in the USA you "can-do" anything you want just as long as you keep trying and that you do your best. It's a feeling that these girls feel that they are trapped to being less than they can achieve in Japan. Overall, a 9 out of 10. Note: that the picture on the video box makes the movie look like a porno movie but it's nothing like that. It could be said that it's similar to Larry Clark's "Kids".
Best portrayal on screen of 1990's Tokyo. Great acting.
pb-2022 May 2002
This film is five years old now and it still stands up. The story puts us straight into the world of schoolgirl life in Japan in the middle 90's and it is a convincing portrayal. You don't need any previous knowledge of Yakuza, the problem of teenage prostitution or Japan's sex industry to enjoy this film because the story tells you what you need to know and does so without getting bogged down in exposition. In the hands of another director, this could surely have been a voyeuristic film but Harada is more interested in illustrating the motivations of all the characters and has brought out some great performances. Hitomi Sato, in particular, is outstanding as Junko
At times, this film feels very authentic- the girls talking 100 miles an hour at a coffee shop and the scouts working the streets of Shibuya - but many of the scenes are more stylized set-ups which helps the film take aim on a wider range of targets. So we see a war criminal, a political rebel turned mobster, violence in the shape of an ordinary man and glimpses of political corruption, With these, we understand a bit more of the world that these girls are growing into, the world which shaped them.
This film gives a view of Japan which is rarely given serious treatment and is definitely recommended to anyone hoping to get more understanding of the country. For film lovers, its a chance to enjoy some great acting and a talented director getting into his stride.
At times, this film feels very authentic- the girls talking 100 miles an hour at a coffee shop and the scouts working the streets of Shibuya - but many of the scenes are more stylized set-ups which helps the film take aim on a wider range of targets. So we see a war criminal, a political rebel turned mobster, violence in the shape of an ordinary man and glimpses of political corruption, With these, we understand a bit more of the world that these girls are growing into, the world which shaped them.
This film gives a view of Japan which is rarely given serious treatment and is definitely recommended to anyone hoping to get more understanding of the country. For film lovers, its a chance to enjoy some great acting and a talented director getting into his stride.
Very Touching
calvinc15 May 2001
This is a sweet and touching film about a lurid subject: Japanese schoolgirls providing favours for men in return for money to buy brand-name goods. A wonderful and often sad film about growing up and moving on. One of the best films I've ever seen.
A great movie ! (*Minor Spoilers*)
chrisdeutsch19 April 2000
Warning: Spoilers
Bounce koGals is a movie about Japanese high school prostitution. But that does not necessarily include sex for them. In fact the girls make more money on "dates" with elderly men, with whom they dine, sing karaoke and listen to. In return they are paid in money and designer clothes. This is the first movie I've seen about Japanese high school girls from their perspective.
The film starts with two storylines which meet in the middle: On the one hand our "typical" bunch of "high gals" and on the other our less typical lead ("Lisa") who's planning on going to New York the very next day (to study there). After Lisa's money gets stolen she turns to newly found friends who help her "earn" enough for her stay in the states, which is how she (and the viewer) get introduced to their way of making money.
The film reminded me a little of Larry Clark's "Kids" (what with all the crime and juvenile life from a different view), though "Kids" seemed to be a kiddy movie with children's problems, completely seperated from the grown up world. Whereas "Leaving" is a much more mature film, in which the "heroines" (there is actually nothing heroic about them, except of course for their true friendship) have to deal not only with themselves, but also with a number of yakuzas (Jap. mafia), old geezers and scavanging saleswomen.
What really struck me was the reality of the movie, in the language (I don't think the subtitles captured even a bit of the slang-jokes), in the superb acting, and in the story. There is no black-and-white-thinking. Bad guys turn out to be human and victims become aggressors. Nearly everybody is disgusted by what they're doing, like the shop owner who first makes our lead feel bad about selling her worn panties to lecherous men and then asks her if she'd be willing to sell her uniform as well.
The camera work was fantastic as well. There were quite a number of visual effects, but none of them overused, like in some movies, in which they become more of a running gag than an act of storytelling. For example the way shots of the past were flashed in (with slightly different coloration). That happened about once, and never again. The background music is used just as well.
The ending isn't too hard to predict but short, good, and very moving.
All in all this is one of the best 5 Japanese movies I have ever seen.
The film starts with two storylines which meet in the middle: On the one hand our "typical" bunch of "high gals" and on the other our less typical lead ("Lisa") who's planning on going to New York the very next day (to study there). After Lisa's money gets stolen she turns to newly found friends who help her "earn" enough for her stay in the states, which is how she (and the viewer) get introduced to their way of making money.
The film reminded me a little of Larry Clark's "Kids" (what with all the crime and juvenile life from a different view), though "Kids" seemed to be a kiddy movie with children's problems, completely seperated from the grown up world. Whereas "Leaving" is a much more mature film, in which the "heroines" (there is actually nothing heroic about them, except of course for their true friendship) have to deal not only with themselves, but also with a number of yakuzas (Jap. mafia), old geezers and scavanging saleswomen.
What really struck me was the reality of the movie, in the language (I don't think the subtitles captured even a bit of the slang-jokes), in the superb acting, and in the story. There is no black-and-white-thinking. Bad guys turn out to be human and victims become aggressors. Nearly everybody is disgusted by what they're doing, like the shop owner who first makes our lead feel bad about selling her worn panties to lecherous men and then asks her if she'd be willing to sell her uniform as well.
The camera work was fantastic as well. There were quite a number of visual effects, but none of them overused, like in some movies, in which they become more of a running gag than an act of storytelling. For example the way shots of the past were flashed in (with slightly different coloration). That happened about once, and never again. The background music is used just as well.
The ending isn't too hard to predict but short, good, and very moving.
All in all this is one of the best 5 Japanese movies I have ever seen.
Warm
kevin1421 June 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Pure friendship is very rare in cold Japan society just like flower exists in the desert. It is the unexpected friendship between the three girls that moved me. After finished watching the movie, I felt so warm. That is the charm of a good movie. Every one has one's reason why he or she likes or dislikes a movie. Do not let outward opinion affect your judgment or that will spoil appreciation of film. Watching movie is very personal. That is my experience. Feel the movie with your heart.
Back to BKG. I just wonder what happened to Japanese high school girl. Sell their bodies just for buying expensive clothes, cosmetics etc. It is common in Japan but is abnormal. Maybe it is the growing price. One day they will regret for that.
The movie is similar to Korean movie Take care of my cat in some degree. The final touching departing is not true end but means new start for them. I am envying Lisa made two such good friends in less than 24 hours before leaving for New York.
A movie you should not miss. 9/10
Back to BKG. I just wonder what happened to Japanese high school girl. Sell their bodies just for buying expensive clothes, cosmetics etc. It is common in Japan but is abnormal. Maybe it is the growing price. One day they will regret for that.
The movie is similar to Korean movie Take care of my cat in some degree. The final touching departing is not true end but means new start for them. I am envying Lisa made two such good friends in less than 24 hours before leaving for New York.
A movie you should not miss. 9/10
A great film
jaredrknight10 January 2013
This is one of those movies where you get lost in the story. I have seen many many Japanese films. From love stories to dramas, to action flicks. I have seen just more films than most people have, yet this film will always have a place in my heart.
I was six years old when this film was released yet when i watched it tonight in 2013 i couldn't help but be astounded by it.
The characters in this film are all portrayed beautifully all the actors did a wonderful job to make this film believable. I have done my research and seen that that the film portrays a partial truth to how compensated dating was done at this time in japan.
A common theme in Japanese films is to show you a wonderful story of youth, and to say that life goes on once the story is told
I don't want to sound old, but now that i'm 21 I have a full time job and my youth seems like a far away place in memory. This is one of those films that makes you remember the time when you were young and lived just for the moment.
The film spans only 24 hours or so of the characters in real time. Showing them work till the break of dawn is heart breaking for me.
I wish more films were released like this.
Back to my main point though; out of all the Japanese films i have seen, this is one i can truly suggest to anyone.
This film show's the struggle women had to go through in the 90's in Japanese culture. The process of women being more than just objects took place during this time. This makes the film magical. In America it has always been so where women have been treated as equals. But in japan it is different.
This film portrays the struggle of women in this time.
Coming from a man, this is a must watch.
I was six years old when this film was released yet when i watched it tonight in 2013 i couldn't help but be astounded by it.
The characters in this film are all portrayed beautifully all the actors did a wonderful job to make this film believable. I have done my research and seen that that the film portrays a partial truth to how compensated dating was done at this time in japan.
A common theme in Japanese films is to show you a wonderful story of youth, and to say that life goes on once the story is told
I don't want to sound old, but now that i'm 21 I have a full time job and my youth seems like a far away place in memory. This is one of those films that makes you remember the time when you were young and lived just for the moment.
The film spans only 24 hours or so of the characters in real time. Showing them work till the break of dawn is heart breaking for me.
I wish more films were released like this.
Back to my main point though; out of all the Japanese films i have seen, this is one i can truly suggest to anyone.
This film show's the struggle women had to go through in the 90's in Japanese culture. The process of women being more than just objects took place during this time. This makes the film magical. In America it has always been so where women have been treated as equals. But in japan it is different.
This film portrays the struggle of women in this time.
Coming from a man, this is a must watch.
-Excellent- film.
SheffBM15 July 1999
This is, by far, one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. Having been in a Japanese high school for a year, I could relate to some of the characters in this movie. It was perfectly executed -- the camera work, dialogue, etc. The music, as well, was excellent. This movie definitely needs to be on everyone's "must have" list.
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