live action manga

Fukushi Sota To Battle Afterlife Forces In Sato Shinsuke's Live-Action BLEACH Movie

Well, isn’t this just grand. I’ll have you know that I just recently started getting in on two animes this month. Both are getting live-action adaptations soon with Museum and Nobunaga Concerto star Oguri Shun’s latest debut in Gintama being one of them, and you can read more about that here. The other is author Tite Kubo’s popular Weekly Shonen Jump publication, Bleach, which tells of a Kurosaki Ichigo, a high school student who finds himself caught in the middle of a battle between worlds when he meets, and accidentally acquires the powers and abilities of a Soul Reaper, a warrior who defends wandering souls from Hollows – evil forces looking to consume them. The manga itself is coming to an end next week with its 74th and final issue. In the meantime, the word now is that Shinskue Sato, director of such films as The Princess Blade, Gantz and […]

Oguri Shun Leads Fukuda Yuichi's Live-Action Manga, GINTAMA, For 2017

Lee B. Golden III

Nobunaga Concerto co-star, actor Oguri Shun first came into my purview with Kitamura Ryuhei’s stellar 2003 manga adaptation, Azumi, and its sequel from Kaneko Shusuke a few years later. He’s since gone onto star in other terrific work like Miike Takashi’s ’07 and ’09 adaptations of the Crows Zero manga before reuniting with Kitamura for the title role in Lupin III and Otomo Keishi’s latest cooky murder suspense thriller, Museum, which opens in November. Moreover, Oguri has gone on to co-write the Suzuki Ryohei-anchored gonzo action adventure manga adaptation Hentai Kamen: Forbidden Super Hero, with writer/director Fukuda Yuichi who also helmed this year’s sequel. Alas, a befitting partnership like this now begs the attention of the manga/anime niche for another in the works, and this time it’s for Sorachi Hideaki’s 2003 best-selling Shonen Jump samurai sci-fi serial, Gintama, which is now poised for a 2017 release from Warner Bros. Japan […]

Funimation Films Announces The U.S. Theatrical Release Of The RUROUNI KENSHIN Trilogy

Lee B. Golden III

In the past several years, I’ve written all I could about the Rurouni Kenshin film series from director Otomo Keishi. I’ve seen nary a clip nor pirated any of the films even as the film sustained releases in Japan and other parts of Asia and even Europe, and to be honest, it’s been torture. For this and all else, I have but few words to add to the news of Funimation Films’s pick-up of this acclaimed live-action adaptation of the manga coming in August… It’s. About. F*cking. Time!!! FLOWER MOUND, Texas, June 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Funimation Films is proud to announce its acquisition of the “Rurouni Kenshin” live action, samurai film trilogy. The trilogy, distributed by GAGA Corporation, includes “Rurouni Kenshin: Origins” (released as “Rurouni Kenshin” internationally), “Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno” and “Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends.” Funimation has secured the exclusive North American rights to theatrical, home entertainment, […]

Watch The Gruesome New Trailer For Hashimoto Hajime's ZEBRA

Lee B. Golden III

Director Hashimoto Hajime’s latest, Zebra, looks about as violent and eccentric as one would enjoy in a Japanese gangster thriller, all courtesy of manga author Obata Fumio’s 2010 publication which explains some of the peculiar costuming. Actor Ryusei Ryo leads the cast with a script by Takahashi Izumi that centers on an extortionist who mistakenly targets an unassuming member of the Yakuza…big mistake. The new teaser trailer has arrived and offers good and plenty to give interest to. Suga Kenta, Hinami Kyoko, Takahashi Maryjun, and a sinister-looking, grey-haired Kato Masaya round out the cast among others for the film’s May 21 release in Japan.

VIZ Media To Adapt Its Catalog To Live-Action With UTA

Lee B. Golden III

Just a small confession guys: I missed out on a TON of anime in the past decade or so, and this year I’ve actually been taking an initiative in catching up on as many as I can which is why it’s been so quiet on the blog. One of those happens to be Death Note as of sometime this week, which happens to be one of the properties now up for possible live action development in a new deal being announced this week between UTA and North American anime staple and manga staple, Viz Media. Keep this in mind as you read the announcement below with mention of even Toriyama Akira’s Dragonball Z, which could definitely use better treatment than that atrocity of yesteryear from Fox. Other titles include One Punch Man which recently streamed on Funimation, and Naruto, but check out the announcent below! SAN FRANCISCO, March 23, 2016 […]

ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM: GRADUATION Takes Aim With A New Teaser!

Lee B. Golden III

Following Hasumi Eiichiro’s Assassination Classroom, the sequel to said publication is now going viral with a trailer for Assassination Classroom: Graduation. The story continues the epic saga of a single classroom assigned with learning how to kill its seemingly-impervious Octopus-like alien teacher, “Koro-sensei”, ahead of graduation before it destroys Earth, despite them having grown fond of him. Other new plot developments will follow, including the truth of Koro-sensei’s identity and more – all based on Matsui Yusei’s popular manga with a script by Kanazawa Tatsuya. Ryosuke Yamada leads the cast of new and returning characters alongside voice actor Ninomiya Kazunari reprising the central CG hybrid role of the unkillable alien teacher for the film’s March 5 release next year. Watch the teaser below!

One Hitoshi's BAKUMAN Comes To Life In The Latest Trailer!

Lee B. Golden III

Never has the battle for a great manga been more epic! Such is the case for director One Hitoshi’s latest directorial endeavor adapting the upcoming live-action feature, Bakuman, based on the 2008 Weekly Shonen Jump publication and the animared series that followed. The script from manga authors Ohba Tsugumi and Obata Takeshi reunite Rurouni Kenshin cast members Satoh Takeru and Kamiki Ryunosuke in a story of a young university student who falls in love with an aspiring voice actress, and, with the help of a fellow classmate, finds new meaning in his late uncle’s aspirations in manga artistry and sets out to create their first manga. I’m not familiar with the original material, but I’m glad this looks like more than just a mushy love story and it looks like it will be a lot of fun to watch when it arrives this October for Japan audiences. Komatsu Nana also […]

Catch The New Teaser For Live-Action Manga Feature, S: THE LAST POLICEMAN – RECOVERY OF OUR FUTURE

Lee B. Golden III

It was last year that Tokyo Boy helmer Hirano Shunichi put in time as director for the live-action TBS series, S: The Last Policeman. The series, based on the 2009 centered largely on two respective members of Japan’s National Police Safetyrescue and its enforcement squad within, Special Assault Team who put their differing personas aside to work together on numerous counterterrorism missions. This August, the following the 2014 serial run, Hirano now takes the helm at expanding the property with the live-action installation, S: The Last Policeman – Recovery Of Our Future with actors Mukai Osamu and Ayano Go reprising their roles. Series scribe Furuya Kazunao returns to adapt the script based on the work of manga authors Komori Yoichi and Todo Yutaka with Aragaki Yui, Omori Nao and Hirayama Hiroyuki rounding out the current cast.

The Revolution Begins In The New Trailer For ATTACK ON TITAN: PART 1

Lee B. Golden III

It’s been a great week of fandom for netizens in the wake of trailers for the world of sci-fi and fantasy. The same can certainly be said for the world of live-action anime adventures in lieu of director Higuchi Shinji‘s newest spectacle, Attack On Titan which presented its teaser a month ago to the delight of many as it is the first of a twofer with the second airing this September Even more so, fans in Japan and those who can access Japanese streaming video service, dTV will surely enjoy the forthcoming live action series which will bridge both films using a mixture of cast members from the movies and exclusively for the series. It’s no mistake to suggest that the excitement will only increase with the amount of popularity the Attack On Titan franchise has earned since its launch several years ago in ink and on television. It’s a […]

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Sono Sion’s TOKYO TRIBE Hits The U.S. This Fall!

Lee B. Golden III

Long celebrated as a film festival favorite since its release last year, director Sono Sion‘s latest induction, Tokyo Tribe has grown into a phenomemal hit with movielovers and festivalgoers with reviews that have been nothing short of electric. With this, the film has earned a place among fans who follow manga lore as one of the best examples of adapting a live-action work of any graphic novel, which has been more than rewarding for those behind this latest gem. The film recently garnered a release in the U.K. a few weeks ago and now it’s finally heading to North America thanks to the folks at XLrator media who have made a killing with this and a few other titles as of late. Without a doubt, Sono has grown a fanbase in the states, and now following last year’s limited release of his previous film, Why Don’t You Play In Hell?, […]

THE NEXT GENERATION: PATLABOR Movie Shows Tokyo Under Siege In A New Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

The wait be over soon enough in Japan when director Oshii Mamoru‘s feature-length installment of the year-long project, The Next Generation: Patlabor arrives this summer. The film is a darker-toned progression of the more light-hearted intricate seven-part series that kicked off last April resuming a new era of the classic story based on the award-winning 1988 manga/anime property from Headgear, with actress Mano Erina as the new face of the cinematic venture with Fukushi Seiji, Oota Rina, Chiba Shigeru and Kakei Toshio also starring. A new trailer has now gone viral following its teaser at the top of the year, which now pits the heroes, the surviving economic remnants of Section 2 Division 2 of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, against a terrorist who takes the city of Tokyo hostage along with its citizens. The series has gained quite a momentum since last year so the new film should offer an […]

Mankind To Battle Mutant Cockaroaches On Mars In Miike Takashi’s Live-Action TERRA FORMARS Movie

Lee B. Golden III

Japanese film auteur Miike Takashi (Crows, Yatterman, Ichi The Killer) is still on par to release his latest self-described return to form with the upcoming action horror, Yakuza Apocalypse. Obviously based on the most recent teaser, such a film will delve into the usual gonzo array of gory imagery and wackiness to accomdate the creative vision planned here, but that’s Miike for you, and to suggest there’s a limit to his style would be the equivalent of expecting gravity to work in outer space, which reminds me… Terra Formars (テラフォーマーズ) is a 2011 Japanese sci-fi manga written by Yū Sasuga and illustrated by Kenichi Tachibana. The story follows that in an attempt to colonize Mars, 21st century humanity first sought to terra form the planet by sending modified algae to change the planets atmosphere. Cockroaches were cleverly used as the method to transport the algae across the planet. Five hundred […]

ASTRO BOY Is Gearing Up For A Live-Action Return To The Big Screen

Lee B. Golden III

Late animator and author Tezuka Osamu’s Astro Boy has seen many a take on the title character spanning several movies, shows and books sixty years since its creation Kodansha publication. A 2009 CGI animated film came from Summit Entertainment and didn’t exactly bode well for American audiences, although now the effort is being revamped for a live-action franchise. Based on the classic story, the film centers on a robotic boy, built in the image of his creators deceased son, who is abandoned and taken under by a new scientist who enhances him with special abilities to use to fight crime. THR brings the word that Australian production house, Animal Logic, known largey for its VFX work on projects like X-Men: Days Of Future Past, 300, The Matrix, The LEGO Moive and the upcoming Avengers: Age Of Ultron, is teaming up with Tezuka Productions to create a four-film franchise suited for […]

THE NEXT GENERATION: PATLABOR Gets A Trailer For It's Feature Film This Summer!

Lee B. Golden III

Director Oshii Mamoru‘s recent serial live-action foray with The Next Generation: Patlabor had its series finale on New Years Day in Japan, capping off a seven-part 12-episode series that introduced a brand new set of characters continuing the original story. On May 1, 2015, it all comes to a head with the feature film now set to arrive this summer, and on that note, the latest poster has already gone viral, and the first official trailer is online which you can check out below! H/T: Sci-Fi Japan

AKIRA Creator Announces His Own Push For Live-Action Treatment

Lee B. Golden III

Contrary to how some may feel, Hollywood adaptations of Japanese properties have long been the ire of many hardcore fans heavily active in manga and anime lore. Such has largely been the case for filmmaker, author and writer Otomo Katsuhiro whose 1982 cyberpunk action manga epic from Kodansha, Akira, has received its recent accolades more so in the world of independent film than anything, on top of its thirty-year popularity. Accordingly, you would think that twelve years would be more than enough for Warner Bros. to see the development and production of its own take on the popular manga/anime, now with uncredited Edge Of Tomorrow scribe Dante Harper providing a script for Non-Stop helmer Jaume Collet-Serra to direct. Well, that last update was over the summer, and it’s likely that fans are just passing the time to see what comes without too much anticipation at that. However, if you’re waiting […]

New ATTACK ON TITAN Character Pics Show A Geared-Up Cast Of Giant Hunters!

Lee B. Golden III

Making the rounds within Japanese media are new promotional images for director Higuchi Shinji‘s latest live-action fantasy epic, Attack On Titan, which is currently due for a two-part release beginning next summer courtesy of Toho Company. The film is based on the 2009 manga of the same name by author Isayama Hajime, which centers on a group of warriors led by Eren Jaeger, forged in his upbringing as part of mankind’s best hope against flesh eating giants. It’s been several months since word was last heard about the project following its official announcement back in December 2013, and while some opinions remain in purist upheaval over live-action adaptations of anything comic book or anime, there are reasons to be hopeful, especially if you are familiar with Higuchi‘s work. With that in mind, hopefully the new photos will add even more excitement and interest as we now get a full glimpse […]

Live-Action Manga Adapatation, BLACK BUTLER Gets A UK Release!

Lee B. Golden III

Cinematic live-action transitions of anything based on the lore of comic books or mangas are always held to a level of scruitiny these days. Fortunately some of these endeavors fare better than expected, with specific regard to manga novelist Yana Toboso’s serial 2006 graphic novel, Black Butler, one of the most popular mangas to date. The film evidently garnered its own spectacular new feature film at the behest of Warner Bros. Japan last year with directors Kentaro Otani (Go, Masao!) and Keiichi Sato (TIGER&BUNNY) at the helm for its release on January 18, 2014. The film also followed with releases in Hong Kong, the Philippines and Malaysia, and while not a direct adaptation manga itself with some minor changes applied within writer Tsutomu Kuroiwa’s screenplay, for all intents and purposes, the film was a critical success. So this week, Warner Bros. UK is carrying on the fanfare with a new trailer […]

ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM Begins Filming For 2015

Lee B. Golden III

It’s probably one of the wackiest premises I’ve ever heard: An alien octopus creature who nearly destroys the moon forming a crescent shape, moonlights as a beloved junior high school teacher on Earth whose syllabus includes training his misfit students to become uniquely skilled killers while the government offers top dollar to the student who can kill it before it destroys Earth in one year. Then again, I never read the manga, so this is new to me, although clearly there is a demand for a live-action feature adaptation this time around. And now, the creativity to sell this story accordingly falls on Toho Co. Ltd. who will be packaging it next year in the form of the comedic action sci-fi adventure, Assassination Classroom. Filming began on Sunday with boyband singer Yamada Ryosuke making his big screen debut as Nagisa Shiota, the strongest assassin in the class, along with actor […]

RUROUNI KENSHIN: THE LEGEND ENDS Gets A New Poster!

Lee B. Golden III

It’s official. Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno is a commercial hit among fans and moviegoers having topped the box office over the past weekend, earning $8.1 million dollars for the first three days, including $2.25 million dollars in ticket sales on August 1, as per Japan’s monthly cinema tradition, Movie Service Day for discounted tickets. Ticket sales also topped that of the first film by 48%, even beating out Gareth Edwards’ colossal epic, Godzilla, in addition to its critical success, lending further credence to director Keishi Otomo in his efforts to bring one of the most memorable manga and anime characters to life. As such, the tradition continues with the forthcoming September 13 release of the epic third installment Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends, with lead actor Satoh Takeru reprising his role. In light of this, we now have the first official poster which you can check out below: Satoh and select […]

Edward Zwick Will Direct Live Action Manga, SOUL REVIVER

Lee B. Golden III

And just when you thought Hollywood was through with reworking live-action Japanese properties for the big screen, here comes another! Deadline is reporting that the December 2011 publication of the Hero’s Magazine manga, Soul Reviver is officially on track for a Hollywood English-language adaptation. The manga, authored by Akishige, Manabu and scribed by Fujisawa Tohru, centers on Ryusuke Jin, a former detective partnered with Clara Sekimachi, a dead high school girl, as both travel between realms of the living and the dead to rescue select souls whose missions in the living world were not complete. Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick, the producer and director of the 2005 war epic, The Last Samurai, will act respectively, and provide the screenplay for the new film, which Herskovitz will produce for his banner, The Bedford Falls Company, in partnership with Fields Corporation and All Nippon Entertainment Works. Previous efforts to transition the fantasy […]