It was back in 2016 when I decided to fill a void I never knew needed filling dating back to boyhood. Invariably, my anime fix was hardcore going forward, with one of the most memorable being Gintama, which ended its series run with an animated feature from director Chizuru Miyawaki a few years ago.
Name the upcoming Filipino action thriller that Well Go USA just acquired last month for North American distribution.
Well Go USA has unveiled the full trailer for their latest limited theatrical release, Gintama. Azoland Pictures is hosting its U.S. and Canadian rollout which commences this Friday based on Sorachi Hideaki’s highly successful gag manga and its equally fantastic animated series which is currently running.
Azoland Pictures is bringing Fukuda Yuichi’s live-action manga adaptation, Gintama, to the big screen in the U.S. and Canada beginning this Friday. It’s a film that I’ve especially waited for and have cheered on if only for the fact that the animated series, currently on its final arc from TV Tokyo, is my most favorite of all the shows I myself have seen, even as some who’ve seen cuts of the film since its rollout starting last summer in Japan have fallen short of some expectations despite becoming a regional box office hit.
Oguri Shun, best known for roles in other adaptations like Miike Takashi’s first and second Crows Zero films leads the narrative based on Sorachi Hideaki’s long running gag manga set in an alternative universe where aliens have conquered Japan. The story, previously summed up in an animated feature edit in 2010, takes its cues from the Benizakura Arc in which a missing biomechanical sword puts our heroes face to face with a mysterious killer known as Nizo, played by Parasyte Part 1 & 2 co-star, actor Arai Hirofumi, and with none other than Fukuda Yuichi at the helm following previous adaptations like 2013 spectacle, HK: Forbidden Super Hero, and its 2016 sequel.
Gintama sequel news remains pending after last year’s announcement. Until then, Oguri is joined by Suda Masaki and Hashimoto Kanna for the film’s select releases in U.S. and Canada with listings currently available at the official Azoland Pictures website.
Check out the short trailer below.
The film had its rollout throughout Asia and I reckon the reactions have had their mix. Best believe I’ll be looking forward to seeing this one myself this Winter with dates moving forward from January 19 at select theaters. And the anime, of course, without question. In the meantime, head over to the official Azoland Pictures website and find your city and accomodating showtimes, and stay tuned for an official trailer should one arise.
なんと… #映画銀魂
Trigger
The past few years have grown on me as I’ve tried to consume as much programmimg as possible with my return to anime, especially in the wake of so many live action adaptation. Shows like Keijo, Death Parade, Samurai Champloo, Ajin, Hunter X Hunter, RWBY and Kurumanda Masami’s 1986 classic, Saint Seiya: Sanctuary, have all been okay to pass the time with, but I’ve grown into several favorites along the way.
Kill La Kill, hailed from the director of Gurren Lagann, comes first among the bunch as one of the more memorable ones for me. Aside from its seemingly trashy narrative are deeper messages with respect to clothing and the act of militarial assimilation, all that stemming from the story of a vengeful school girl-turned-reluctant savior of the world when she becomes imbued with powers on behalf of a school girl outfit manufactured from an alien thread. It’s a show that drew my interest so much so, thanks in part to the show’s jocose approach to sex and sexuality in addition to some truly amazing action and the signature sounds of vocalist Kobayashi Mika, that I even inspired Ard Vijn over at ScreenAnarchy to post about what a live-action film version cast would look like. And I believe, still, that a film like this is possible and deserves to happen. I will take that to my grave no matter what.
Equally, live-action is somethinh I could apply to a lot of animes. It recurs in my mind even further thanks to Kitoh Mohiro, whose 2003 manga, Bokurano, spawned an anime series in 2007, telling of fifteen children who find themselves lured into a plodding and emotional death spiral when a “game creator” contractually persuades them to pilot a giant, psychically powered mecha to defend earth against other sizeable threats. Both the drama and sci-fi spectacle are paced at a slowburn which would normally draw me away from any series or film unless it really intrigued me. A friend of mine named Kimmy recommended it though and I’ve been purely drawn in with each episode as we observe the intrapersonal drama between our ill-gotten heroes and their backstories leading up to their respective moments of truth, and their courage to confront not only death, but other resounding mysteries behind why their fates are locked into such a deadly fight for their planet. I’m about halfway into the show and I personally can’t wait to see how it all plays out.
TV Tokyo
There are other shows I kind of struggle with like JoJo’s Bizzare Adventure which had me starting with its Diamond Is Unbreakable arc intially. Earlier this year I tried viewing it from the very beginning and despite the catchy opening titles, interesting stories and application of various superhuman abilities, the over-the-top optics kind of exhausted me some which is why I haven’t returned to it in quite a bit. I also managed to catch One Punch Man as soon as it hit Netflix and currently sits me with the masses as one of the most fun and thrilling action animes I’ve ever seen next to The Seven Deadly Sins and Attack On Titan, both which have new goodies coming in 2018.
Last and far from least is Gintama and I’ve written a world of articles about this show since I started bingeing on it last August and ultimately finishing more tham 300+ episodes earlier this year. Inspired by manga creator Sorachi Hideaki, the series has several identities to itself, but I think it’s safe to say this show benefits from its unconventional mixture blending slaptick, fourth-wall breaking comedy with solid action and genuine thrills, often wrapped in a genuine and grounded message and touching, poignant drama that anyone can adhere to no matter how unorthodox Sorachi’s method is. It’s certainly an unabashed series that makes no apologies – unless it’s making an apology in which case you can expect that apologies to do a full one-eighty any day of the week and in which case you’re just going to have to shut up and laugh it off anyway.
Gintama, I can wholly say, is my absolute, most favorite anime thusfar and I don’t see myself getting disinterested any time soon, especially following the events of the Rakuyo Desicive Battle Arc. The live action film from director Fukuda Yuichi which focuses on the Benizakura Arc also has my interest and it’s coming soon to the U.S. following its run at Fantasia Festival in Montreal and previous Japan release over the summer.
I could go on and on (I’m keen on Naruto and One Piece but frankly we’re talking several hundreds of episodes there and I’m a little weary), but I think I’ll leave the floor to you with the aforementioned title of this piece. Sure, it’s probably a deep question but I seldom get to write op-editorials what with all the trade news I follow and I felt like blurting out some thoughts on the matter.
So…have at it! Tell us your favorite anime in the comments below!
With a Japan release on July 14 in tow, Fukuda Yuichi’s latest live-action manga/anime treatment, Gintama, will be having its world premiere at Fantasia Festival in Montreal a day earlier. The film stars actor Oguri Shun who has become a personal favorite of mine in the last fifteen years or more since seeing him opposite Ueto Aya in Kitamura Ryuhei’s Azumi and in Miike Takashi’s Crows Zero and subsequent sequel.
Yes, I’m a fan, and not for nothing either with regards to Gintama; I first learned of this movie late last summer which eventually led me to start bingewatching all of well over 300 episodes (4 seasons) of the hit series and ultimately falling in love with the show overall. I still probably couldn’t give you every nook and cranny of what happens, but for the major arcs that occur in between, I would say there is plenty to build off of if sequels were to arise from this and especially considering the revelations that occur in the most recent anime series.
Surely enough, the new movie explores just the early beginnings of that legacy, as indicated in the newest trailer below. And if festival programmer Ariel Esteban Cayer has anything to say for it, anime fans will have plenty to endulge in when the film premieres.
In the last days of Edo, Japan as we know it was invaded by aliens. Samurai were forced to abandon their swords, but Gintoki “White Demon” Sakata (Shun Oguri, seen this year in MUSEUM) knew better than to give up swordsmanship entirely. Our hero still carries around a wooden sword, and alongside his loyal friends Shinpachi (Masaki Suda, of BATTLE OF SUPREME HIGH) and Kagura (Kanna Hashimoto of ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM: GRADUATION), has known many adventures and fought many battles. Tasked with retrieving a mysterious sword rumoured to absorb the soul of its victims, our beloved crew is now faced with a murder mystery… and a full-blown conspiracy to overthrow the government!
Fantasia favourite Yuichi Fukuda (I’LL GIVE IT MY ALL…TOMORROW; HK: FORBIDDEN SUPERHERO) is back, with his biggest manga adaptation yet: GINTAMA, in all its comedic, swashbuckling, fourth-wall-breaking glory! Fear not, our beloved comedy auteur has lost nothing of his unique comedic touch here. Quite the contrary – Hideaki Sorachi’s long-running, best-selling series provides the perfect material for Fukuda, who runs completely wild with its many sight gags, extravagant costumes, and crazy ideas! In fact, GINTAMA is refreshingly playful and self-aware, foregrounding its own silliness, like the book, and unafraid to take itself less than seriously, to wink, nudge and reference other influential series along the way (look out for Easter eggs)! A must for diehard fans of the book, and shonen more generally – this is a crash-course in live-action done absolutely right, and a blast from start to finish, whichever way you slice it!
It’s also worth noting that Well Go USA will be hosting the film’s presentation as well…which is really, and quite possibly, some of the best news anyone may hear considering how well-known they are for handling Asian releases to the U.S. and Canada; Well Go USA is also presenting recent acquisitions, Jung Byung-Gil’s highly-anticipated actioner, The Villainess and Bin Bunluerit’s martial arts period epic, Broken Sword Hero, making for a definitive package this year for Western audiences.
Frankly, I thought Funimation would have been doling this one out but I’m pretty pleased. At least Well Go USA’s handling gives Gintama a fighting chance for a limited theatrical release with multiple time slots should it be granted so. It’s what I would like anyway and I’m pretty certain I’m not alone there.
Among our larger cast are actors Okada Masaki as Kotaro Katsura and Domoto Tsuyoshi as Takasugi Shinsuke, both who get some screentime in the latest trailer below which comes with a few brief seconds of behind the scenes footage. Peep it below along with two new TV spots!
From beetle hunting to the search for the world’s deadliest sword… Who said life as a yorozuya is easy?
The end is almost nigh for the wait until Fukuda Yuichi’s release of the new movie, Gintama, inspired by the pages of Sorachi Hideaki’s popular manga and subsequent anime series. The film is readying for a world premiere at Fantasia Fest next month followed by another screening in Bucheon later this year while Japan audiences gear up for a July 14 release with a live-action take on the Benizakura Arc.
For this, we turn to the continuation of the tale now in the form of a three-part web drama that will stream on July 15 on Japan’s dTV platform with Gintama: The Mitsuba Arc, which delves heartily into the back story of the bittersweet rivalry between the two elite members of Edo’s samurai police unit, The Shinsengumi. Actors Yagira Yuga, Yoshizawa Ryo and Nakamura Kankuro are back along with, and supermodel and actress Kitano Kie in the respective roles of Hijikata Toshiro, Okita Sogo, Kondo Isao and Mitsuba, Sogo’s beloved sister.
Of course, there’s also Oguri back in the obligatory role of odd-jobber and titular 4th wall-breaking hero Sakata Gintoki. Check it all out in the trailer below!
Being the galaxy’s dumbest samurai and an odd jobs peddler isn’t always either fun or easy. It does certainly help, however, if you have a legendary bearing and that of the principal role played by actor Oguri Shun has surely seen his share of battles per the mythology created in the longstanding popular manga and anime, Gintama.
Adapting an anime is never easy. I suppose perfection is in the eye of the beholder and the same will undoubtedly be said of those awaiting to see the release of Fukuda Yuichi’s latest, Gintama as it’s one of the most celebrated anime shows and mangas to date with at least one more season in the works.
Oguri Shun reunites with Fukuda and stars in the title role next to actor Suda Masaki and actress Hashimoto Kanna inspired by Sorachi Hideaki’s manga centered on a trio of odd jobbers struggling to make a living in an alternate version of feudal Japan – one wherein aliens live among humans and technology is ahead of its time. Knowledge of the show and its characters per the film’s casting hint on the film’s story focus via the Benizakura Arc, one in which friends are mysteriously murdered at the hands of a lone blind swordsman corrupted by a biomechanical blade.
That story will also see the emergence of an enemy from our protagonist’s past, played by Domoto Tsuyoshi, laying groundwork for a layer of intrigue that one could only hope would be as equally invoked in sequels if this one is to the liking of viewers. That being said as big an elephant in the room as it is, the CG here is a hard sell, to say the least even though there’s a LOT fleshed out this time around than in previous teasers. It’s worth a look, in my opinion.
The Amanto, aliens from outer space, have invaded Earth and taken over feudal Japan. As a result, a prohibition on swords has been established, and the samurai of Japan are treated with disregard as a consequence.
However one man, Gintoki Sakata, still possesses the heart of the samurai, although from his love of sweets and work as a yorozuya, one might not expect it. Accompanying him in his jack-of-all-trades line of work are Shinpachi Shimura, a boy with glasses and a strong heart, Kagura with her umbrella and seemingly bottomless stomach, as well as Sadaharu, their oversized pet dog. Of course, these odd jobs are not always simple, as they frequently have run-ins with the police, ragtag rebels, and assassins, oftentimes leading to humorous but unfortunate consequences.
Who said life as an errand boy was easy?
Also starring are actor Okada Masaki and actresses Nagasawa Masami, Hayami Akari and Nanao, with actors Yasuda Ken, Yagira Yuga, Yoshizawa Ryo, Nakamura Kankuro, Sato Jiro, Muro Tsuyoshi and Arai Hirofumi…and if you look closely, a big fluffy CG dog named Sadaharu.
Gintama opens in Japan on July 14. Watch the official trailer now.
The Amanto, aliens from outer space, have invaded Earth and taken over feudal Japan. As a result, a prohibition on swords has been established, and the samurai of Japan are treated with disregard as a consequence.
Battle on Rakuyou (also known as Rakuyou Decisive Battle Arc)
We only get to see but a hectic glimpse of him in the teaser, but now we have a full-on display of Parasyte Part 1 and 2 co-star, actor Arai Hirofumi in full costume as Okada Nizo in Fukuda Yuichi’s upcoming live-action adaptation, Gintama. He is otherwise known as Nizo “The Butcher”, the cold-blooded razor-sharp assassin whose skills with a sword are amplified with his consumption by the Benizakura, a mechanical demon sword of legend as told in Sorachi Hideaki’s popular manga and subsequent anime series and animated movie installments.
Nizo’s emergence, in accordance with his affiliation with the post-Jouishishi War extremist group, the Kiheitai, is also accompanied by sexy gunslinger Kijima Matako played by actress Nanao and actor Sato Jiro in the role of the perverted, self-proclaimed “feminist”, Takechi Henpeita. Actor and musician and actor Domoto Tsuyoshi rounds out the villain end of things as Kiheitai leader, Shinsuke Takasugi, whose history with our main protagonist is amply explored with great depth in the animated series and manga, so much so that the release of this film may have you pining for sequels to help flesh it all out.
Said principle, of course, is Oguri Shun in the role of Sakata Gintoki, a derelict and lazy samurai who finds purpose in an Odd Jobs firm amid post-Alien invasion Edo, working with oddball friends, straight-laced Shimura Shinpachi played by Suda Masaki, and bubbly alien warrior outcast, Kagura, played by Kashimoto Hanna. Others cast are actress Nagasawa Masami as Shinpachi’s sister, Tae, Muro Tsuyoshi as bumbling mechanic and engineer Gengai Hiraga and Osada Masaki as Kotaro Katsura, the eccentric rebel Joui leader and owner of a “pet” named Elizabeth.
Also starring among others listed are Yagira Yuga as Hijikata Toshiro, the vice commander of Edo’s police force, the Shinsengumi, next to Yoshizawa Ryo as Sogo Okita, and Shinsengimi commander ever in-pursuit of Tae’s affections, played by Nakamura Kankuro. Obviously some characters may be missing from this ensemble which is unfortunate and maybe that will change. I also reckon more character visuals are on their way as well while I wouldn’t mind an official trailer by now ahead of its July 14 release. My only gripe is I don’t live in Japan. Hm.
View the character posters below and stay tuned!
GINTAMA 2017
The prospects of manga author Sorachi Hideaki’s longstanding manga success, Gintama, sure feel pretty exciting these days. A new anime series is on the horizon following a hiatus back in March and since then, we’ve also had a live-action feature adaptation of the film now headed for a July release.
For this, we now get our first teaser for the film directed by none other than Hentai Kamen helmer Fukuda Yuichi. More details are pending while previous news hints at the likely story details surrounding the Benizakura Arc where certain characters go “missing” in the wake of a mysterious killer running loose in Edo with a stolen mystical demon sword consuming him.
Oguri Shun (Museum) leads the cast as wayward Samurai-turned-Odd Jobs entrepreneur Sakata Gintoki along with Suda Masaki as Shimura Shinpachi and Kashimoto Hanna as Kagura – all of whom are visible in the teaser; Tonewise, you get none of the light-hearted comedic antics normally seen in the anime…nope, this one goes straight for a micro-tease of action and peril in a mere 30-second glimpse you can now view below.