GASP is a popular alternative band. Conflict arises when the lead singer To-Y is offered a pop idol contract that stipulates he leave the rest of the band behind.
Two weeks before a concert at Yaon Hibiya auditorium (1987.8.26), while playing at the club Shinjuku Loft, lead vocalist To-Y (pron: to-o-i) of the band GASP is jumped by a rival, Aikawa Yoji. GASP is a upcoming band known for its violence, struggling to be noticed against the popularity of hotshot Aikawa, who’s #1 on the charts and beloved by his fans. The Yaon Hibiya concert represents GASP’s mainstream debut to break out of the small-time club scene, which is threatened by the schemes of Aikawa’s manager, Ms. Kato of Koyama Productions. Kato wants To-Y to leave that “bunch of hoodlums,” and sing independently for a major label.
Adding to the confusion is an unexplained character who manifests feline traits, named Niya. Niya presents herself as “To-Y’s aijin” (“Niya, To-Y no aijin da yo!”) to the consternation of Koishikawa Hiderou, who has interest in To-Y. Koishikawa, also known as “Sonoko-chan,” is typed as a “okama” by Niya. A running motif is GASP, it’s fans, and associates regarded as unusual by the mainstream public, as exemplified by their musical taste, dress, and Classic Coke-drinking, which only contributes to more difficulty in their struggle to be accepted.
To-Y is the handsome singer of GASP, an indie band with a bad reputation. But mere days before their first big gig, To-Y is approached by an agent who wants him to be the next big thing…a ridiculously popular teen idol. Offers like that don’t come everyday, and the music industry is harsh to those who try to rebel against it. But can he sell out and abandon his band mates when they’re on the brink of fame? Exactly. And after that, it becomes a matter pitting artistic integrity and rebellion against commercial easy-listening with full industry backing…
