All-Round Appraiser Q: Lynn, Kirishima in Paris Louvre Showcases Extraordinary Deduction Skills

By / MOOK Scenic Spots Travel Life Network Editorial Team Compiled Report

Adapted from the ninth volume of the best-selling novel series "The All-Round Appraiser Q Cases," this popular film stars beloved idols Lynn and Takeru Satoh in their first-ever on-screen pairing. The latest work from the director of "Library Wars," [All-Round Appraiser Q: The Eyes of Mona Lisa], has been released in Taiwan. The movie features stunning street scenes of Paris, including iconic landmarks such as the Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre. It is also the first Japanese film to shoot interior scenes inside the Louvre, delivering breathtaking visuals that make audiences feel as if they are personally visiting this elegant and magnificent temple of art. The training camp scenes were shot in Karuizawa, another famous Japanese resort destination known for its picturesque scenery. Even within the thrilling and fast-paced plot, viewers can enjoy beautiful landscapes.

The female lead, Lynn, breaks away from her usual ditzy and clueless "dried fish girl" persona and transforms into an "All-Round Appraiser" with astonishing observational skills and a photographic memory. She takes the audience on a journey to the Louvre to uncover secrets Leonardo da Vinci hid in his paintings. This is the first time a Japanese film has been shot inside the Louvre in France. With only one night available—from closing time until early morning—the crew had to contend with air conditioning noise and restrictions on using high-intensity lighting equipment. Despite these challenges, everyone worked meticulously to complete every scene, with numerous Louvre staff members offering assistance. Shooting the actual masterpiece, the "Mona Lisa," was an indescribably moving experience. Lynn said, “It was my first time in Paris and my first time at the Louvre. I was struck by its overwhelming scale, thinking to myself, ‘Is this really the Louvre?’”

The "All-Round Appraiser Q Cases" series is a mystery novel with elements of suspense, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Shinzo Sato, known for handling large-scale productions, including "Gantz: The Movie" and "Library Wars." This adaptation is based on the ninth volume of the series, hailed as the best installment—The Eyes of Mona Lisa. Although other volumes were considered for filming, Director Sato felt that bringing "Mona Lisa" to the big screen would be both glamorous and captivating. He decisively chose this theme and reunited with key collaborators from "Library Wars": art director Iwao Saito and cinematographer Taro Kakehashi, to once again craft lavish sets.

Reflecting on the experience of shooting at the Louvre, Director Sato shared: “When we requested to use the Louvre as a filming location, the museum reviewed our script. We portrayed the 'Mona Lisa' as a somewhat eerie presence and included many playful elements, so I was constantly worried they might reject our request. To our surprise, we got the green light. The person in charge of location rentals at the Louvre was a movie enthusiast and offered us a lot of help. We were the first Japanese production team to conduct such large-scale filming at the Louvre, so I wanted to capture a Louvre that could only be seen in this film—not just as a tourist attraction. In other words, I didn’t want to use common angles. Together with Director of Photography Taro Kakehashi, we explored the three-dimensional structure and spaces of the Louvre to find unique perspectives fitting for our film. I believe we successfully captured a Louvre that stands shoulder to shoulder with any other cinematic depiction.”

The female lead Lynn shared: “I was truly thrilled to see the real 'Mona Lisa.' The actual painting has a darker tone and is placed in a very unique spot—it’s truly a one-of-a-kind artwork.” Due to the demands of the story, Lynn also had to memorize a lot of French lines. Her French instructor was extremely strict, constantly correcting her pronunciation, which led her to exclaim, “This is so hard!! Does Riko (her character’s name) really need to be this good?” Fortunately, the dedicated Lynn managed to master every line word by word. Even her French instructor complimented her, saying it didn’t seem like she had just crammed at the last minute.