Masaki Aiba discusses film 4-Out at premiere

At a completion screening for the film ‘4-Out: Play Ball Once More’, lead actor Masaki Aiba and the cast shared insights into the production. Based on the non-fiction novel by Jo Hirayama, the film tells the true story of the founding of the Tokyo Blue Thunders, the first baseball team for people with physical disabilities in Tokyo.

The story follows Yuichi Yagami, a man who loses his professional baseball career and finds new purpose as a manager for a disability sports center team. Aiba expressed his awe at the high level of skill displayed by the actual athletes involved in the production, noting the intensity of the pitching and the remarkable effort required by the players.

Cast members including Yuina Kuroshima and Toshio Matsumoto also discussed their roles and the challenges of portraying characters with disabilities, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and the emotional depth of the project.