In 1978, a young photographer named Yuichi, driven by the Sex Pistols he heard on the radio, moved to Tokyo. He was captivated by the live performance of the band "TOKAGE," led by vocalist Momo, and instinctively began capturing the moment with his camera. This movement of young people, who created punk rock with their own hands for the first time in Japan, came to be known as "Tokyo Rockers" and would go on to have a significant impact on the rock scene.

 

Based on the autobiographical essay by photographer Yuichi Jibiki, "Street Kingdom: Make Your Own Sound." is a coming-of-age music film that reunites director Tomorowo Taguchi and screenwriter Kankuro Kudo, who previously collaborated on "Iden & Titty." Kazunobu Mineta stars as Yuichi, and Ryuya Wakaba plays Momo, in a double lead role. Alongside a cast including Riho Yoshioka, Taiga Nakano, Shotaro Mamiya, Namo Omori, Shido Nakamura, and Sena Nakajima, they portray artists who strove to deliver their own music through their own means.

 

"Tokyo Rockers" is a collective term for bands active around the "S-KEN Studio" in Roppongi in 1978, including LIZARD, FRICTION, The Mirrors, Mr. Kite, and S-KEN. The name originates from the title of live performances held every Sunday that summer. In March 1979, the aforementioned five bands held a live recording session at Shinjuku Loft, and the album "Tokyo ROCKERS" was released by CBS Sony. After holding concerts across the country, the bands each went their separate ways.

 

The "LOGO TEE" from MLE features the main visual of "Street Kingdom: Make Your Own Sound." on the front, recreating the exterior of Shinjuku Loft on Kotaki-bashi Street at the time. The back is printed with the logos of bands appearing in the film, such as TOKAGE, Friction, and Kaizokyu. The "LIZARD (Momoyo) TEE" highlights Momoyo, the frontman of LIZARD, the band that inspired TOKAGE in the film.

 

LIZARD, after their previous band "Kurenai Tokage," led the Japanese punk movement as a central figure of "Tokyo Rockers." In 1980, they released the single "SA・KA・NA" under the name MOMOYO&LIZARD! from "Junk Connection," an independent label founded by Yuichi Jibiki and Chiho Kojima, publisher of the fanzine "Change 2000."

 

The film "Street Kingdom: Make Your Own Sound." will be released on Friday, March 27, 2026. The two T-shirt designs will be available on Friday, March 27, 2026, at MEDICOM TOY's directly managed stores, ZOZO, participating theaters, and record shops including Disk Union, Tower Records, and HMV.