Good Morning, Sleeping Lion 2022

Remi Watanuki Miho Watanabe is an unpopular Japanese idol who aspires to become an actress. Yet a childhood wound—being abandoned by her father, Tsukasa—has left her unable to cry, using laughter instead as a defense that limits her acting range. Unbeknownst to her, Tsukasa was a mercenary who died in an unnamed war. Her manager, Kazuma Kujo Seiji Takaiwa, fought alongside Tsukasa and, in his final moments, asked Kujo to give Remi his bracelet as a keepsake and to help her chase her dream. Kujo uses a hard-nosed tactic, blackmailing a film producer into inviting Remi to an audition for a role in a renowned director’s upcoming film. Despite her condition, Remi advances through the early rounds of the audition, showing glimpses of the talent she longs to unleash.

One day, Remi is harassed by thugs, and Kujo arrives to defend her, disguised by a Kamen Rider mask. A young man named Ryosuke Gaku Sano helps her escape. Kujo’s ally, Charlie Kazutoshi Yokoyama, later informs him that they belong to Grim Reapers, a circle of adrenaline junkies who seek thrills mainly through violence. The day before the final audition, Remi lashes out at Kujo amid frustration outside the event hall where she performs live. Ryosuke reappears, claiming he merely wanted to watch her show, and convinces Remi to slip away with him. It’s soon revealed that Ryosuke is the Grim Reapers’ leader, nicknamed “Heart,” and he brings Remi to their hidden lair to present her to his brother “Spade” Naoto, a devoted fan banned from her performances for stalking. Remi is restrained at the hideout, her fate hanging on what comes next.

On the morning of the final audition, Kujo learns Ryosuke’s true identity from Charlie and storms into the war-torn office of a rival yakuza faction to locate the hideout. Cornered by the yakuza’s strongest fighter, Kujo taps into a dormant, formidable fighting power to defeat the attackers and force their leader to reveal the hideout’s location. He storms the hideout, incapacitates Spade, and, realizing they won’t reach the audition in time, rigs a remote setup to carry out the scene from afar. Remi continues with the audition while Kujo holds off the Grim Reapers, including Heart and the other two leaders, Diamond Takayuki Tsubaki and Club Masahiro Inoue. During the acting portion, Spade regains consciousness and tries to stab Kujo, a threat Kujo accepts to force Remi to break through her conditioning. Kujo defeats Spade, and Remi finally manages to cry again, the image of a sleeping lion on the bracelet becoming a symbol of her awakening. Remi finishes the audition just as Kujo conquers Heart, who confronts him again to avenge his brother. The battle leaves Kujo gravely injured, but his plan succeeds in helping Remi unlock her tearful ability.

In the epilogue, Remi does not land the film’s main role, but the director takes a liking to her and gives her a prominent supporting part instead. Kujo survives his injuries and, having quit his job as Remi’s manager, watches her on a television at the pub alongside Charlie, a quiet moment that hints at a new chapter for both of them.