live action manga
Watch The New Full Trailer For Sono Sion's TOKYO TRIBE
Japan cinema goers are a month and a half away from the release of director Sono Sion‘s new live-action manga adaptation Tokyo Tribe, and the full action-packed trailer has just arrived courtesy of Nikkatsu offering a better glimpse into what Sono‘s vision of author Santa Inoue’s universe looks like on screen. And if the new trailer is any indication, it looks like Sono is going the route of part fantasy gangster thriller spectacle, part hip-hop musical, with lead debut actor Young Dais and actor Shota Sometani kicking things off with a few rhymes of their own.
Action Ensues In The New Pilot Trailer For DRAGON BALL Z: THE LIGHT OF HOPE
Back to feed the fires of live-action manga/anime fanfare, followers of indie film group Robot Underdog got a little treat of their own with the latest promising trailer for Dragon Ball Z: The Light Of Hope. The new footage reveal marks a milestone for the team who began their efforts to develop a webseries based on author Akira Toriyama’s highly popular manga, which will center on the future timeline of Trunks, the titular half human Saiyan son of Bulma and Vegeta.
The series is still in production, and as far as independent productions go, not a day goes by that the team can use the support of fans, as well as ample financial backing to deliver their pilot and subsequent series much sooner. So, things are still developing, and you can check it all out at the official Facebook page for Robot Underdog to learn all you need. In the meantime, check out the trailer below!
Dragon Ball Z: The Light Of Hope stars Anton Bex with Jack Wald, Amy Johnston, Tyler Tackett, Ruthann Thompson and Tim Neff. The series is executive produced by Rita McMillin and directed by Donnie McMillin with action direction by Leo Kei Angelos and stunt/fight coordination by Tim Storms and Lohan Buson.
French Indie Short Project DRAGON BALL Z: THE FALL OF MEN Gets A Fiery New Teaser!
Fan fare over the success of manga author Akira Toriyama’s classic property, Dragon Ball Z is unyielding, and has inspired plenty of artists over the years to pursue their own vision in the universe in a way that would entertain fans. On this end, leave it to the likes of Normandy-based film school graduate and independent filmmaker Yohan Faure, and art director Vianney Griffon, who began showing for their efforts in a test teaser they accompanied with a push on Indiegogo last year to get things started, and unfortnately those efforts came short.
So what’s the big deal? Well, the big deal happens to be that somehow they’ve managed to get the engine running. And, not only is the upcoming short fan film in post production, but according to my source – the project’s featured stunt performer, stunt double and fight choreographer Anthony Pho, the shortfilm is also poised for a 3D presentation for its climactic final fight scene. And this is an indie project we’re talking, which is pretty rare. But with the awesome nature of the Dragon Ball universe, if you were a filmmaker and wanted to present a product that would succeed in turning heads with a small 3D ornamentation as a plus, then if the new official teaser below is any indication, you’re coming pretty damn close.
“The world is not like it is supposed to be, something happened in the course of time…”
With these words Trunks wakes up in the middle of a ruined city. He then remembers the loss of his friends, his preparation to fight Cell, even though he knows he might not be strong enough, he will still try to make a difference.
“The Fall of Men” is born from our desire to tell the DRAGON BALL Z story in a more realistic and dramatic way. Set in a different future than the canon, this untold story focuses on the son of VEGETA who tries to save the Earth against the infamous CELL.
Dragon Ball Z: The Fall Of Men has a Facebook that could use your attention between now and its release sometime next year. So, feel free to watch the trailer below and head over to the Facebook page and follow where this goes.
UPDATE – 7/12/14 – 7:00am EST: A previous version of this article stated the entire shortfilm was getting a 3D conversion. That detail has since been corrected.
Look At This Big Batch Of RUROUNI KENSHIN Sequel Promo Images!
August 1 can’t come fast enough for moviegoers in Japan ahead of the release of director Keishi Otomo‘s new sequels to the 2012 smash hit, Rurouni Kenshin.
Several posters, pictures and a few trailers have already gone viral for the upcoming release of Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno and the September 13 release of Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends. However, if that is not enough, the highly anticipated movies are being graced with a ton-and-a-half of promotional artwork, including six new character posters featuring Takeru Satoh reprising his role, along with Emi Takei, Yosuke Eguchi, Ryunosuke Kamiki, Yusuke Iseya and Tatsuya Fujiwara. The images come courtesy the official Facebook page for the sequels, and readers of Comic Book Movie.
Click each photo for larger viewing, and stay tuned for more info!
Mayu Kawamoto Is A One-Eyed Zombie-Killing Badass In The New Trailer For Z: THE MOVIE
Proving once again that its never too late or too early in the year for a zombie flick, acclaimed J-horror filmmaker Norio Tsuruta is ready to share his newest contribution to the genre with the new live-action zombie action adventure, Z: The Movie.
Written and directed by Tsuruta, the new film is based on Koji Aihara’s George A. Romero-inspired 2012 manga publication, centering on three characters caught in the middle of a zombie epidemic. And, what better way to tell such a story than getting a genuine martial artist and actress to observe the action? Yes, in case you’re wondering, that’s U.S.-born Kyokushin black belt and High Kick Angels co-star, actress Mayu Kawamoto leading the way as the eye-patch wearing, naginata polearm-wielding zombie slayer, Rinko Toda, who is one of only a handful of survivors forced to take refuge in a hospital as the apocalypse ensues.
Kawamoto is joined by actresses Noriko Kijima and Miharu Tanaka. The film will reportedly be part of a six-volume DVD set of other zombie-relared short stories following its domestic release on July 26. Check out the first teaser trailer below and stick around for more info!
Watch A New Five-Minute Featurette For The New RUROUNI KENSHIN Sequels!
Rurouni Kenshin fans in Japan and the Philippines are getting first dibs at director Keishi Otomo‘s theatrical two-part contribution to the live-action manga franchise in just a little over a month and a half from now, and if you haven’t seen the first film on a legitimate DVD or Blu-Ray, (and if this latest study on DVDs and Blu-Ray discs won’t be an issue for you three years from now) you’re in luck. Several editions of it are already available on said platforms from various international distributors (and I’m not including the bootleg DVDs floating around out there claiming to be “all-region” and legit. If it does get legitimate U.S. distribution, you’ll hear it from me. Pinky swear).
In the meantime, if you have seen the 2012 film, then the following video now being featured at the official YouTube channel for the upcoming sequels shouldn’t be a huge spoiler for you. It’s a small five-minute recap of the first film leading up to a quick promo at the end, and it’s entirely in Japanese with no subs, but the footage should suffice nonetheless; The video also comes off of earlier news that the forthcoming movies with Takeru Satoh reprising his role as the lead will be preceded by a one-shot publication of a prequel manga focused on the principle villain, Makoto Shishio and his love interest, Yumi Komagata (played in the upcoming films by actor Tatsuya Fujiwara and actress/model Maryjun Takahashi) and will illustrate how Shishio formed his assassin organization, the Jupponagata. That publication arrives on shelves next month.
In the meantime, check out the video below, and if you’re a regular reader of my site living in Japan or the Philippines, know that the two sequels to come, Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno, and Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends, will open on August 1/August 20, and September 13/September 24 respectively in their countries on said dates.
H/T: ANN
Swords, Strippers And Good-Old Street Violence In The New Trailer For GAKI ROCK
Taiko Kato’ono is another in the latest handful of actors to step into the spotlight for a live-action manga adaptation this summer, with the upcoming release of Gaki Rock. And just in time for June to roll in, the film has earned itself a new trailer which you can check out at the bottom.
Based on a 2003/2005 Daitosha publicaton from manga author Daihu Yamaguchi, Gaki Rock centers on Gen, who with the help of his three best friends, win over the heart of a beautiful woman newly headlining his father’s strip club. Trouble ensues when Gen finds himself getting caught up with the Yakuza after rescuing one of its own who fell into debt.
It’s a story of romance, fun, and good-old-fashioned street violence, and it’s all brought to life by director Yuji Nakamae from screenwriter Koki Yamamoto. The film releases theatrically in Japan on June 28.
H/T: ANN
Check Out A New 13-Minute Featurette + TONS Of Video For EDGE OF TOMORROW
Right about now, actor Tom Cruise and actress Emily Blunt are kicking off their three-city tour headling the gloval event premiering their newest live-action feature-length graphic novel sci-fi action adventure, Edge Of Tomorrow, from Warner Bros. The film has already gained positive reviews from MANY critics around the web who have attended advanced screenings before the film’s nationwide North American release on June 6. And this week, netizens now get to see a new 13-minute featurette discussing the film below, as well as TONS of other video material you can now catch below, with Cruise and Blunt joined by co-star Bill Paxton, director Doug Liman, and much more.
On the other hand, you may want to grab asnack first. Enjoy!
The New Teaser For TOKYO TRIBE Brings An Orchestra Of Chaos!
Why Don’t You Play In Hell director Sono Sion is back in the fray this week ahead of the upcoming release of his latest beat-em-up gangster flick, Tokyo Tribe, based on manga author Santa Inoue’s 1993 publication and subsequent serial anime. Following the first promotional still released several days ago, we now get to see some of the brutal live-action chaos set to dazzle audiences in the form of a glorious new teaser with hip hop artist Young Dais leading in his big screen debut, along with Ryuta Sato, Nana Seino, Ryohei Suzuki, Shoko Nakagawa and Riki Takeuchi.
Tokyo Tribe releases in Japan on August 30.
SYNOPSIS:
Set sometime in the future, five years have passed since the Shibuya riots. There are now several tribes that exists in Tokyo. Boys makeup tribes and they occupy areas under their influence. Kai Deguchi is a member of the tribe Musashino Saru led by Tera.
One day, a member of Musashino Saru is killed by rival tribe Bukuro Wu-RONZ led by Mera. Kai and Mera are former best friends, but not anymore. Meanwhile, Tera, the leader of Musashino Saru and a moderate who forbids using violence, is killed by Mera from Bukuro Wu-RONZ.
Musashino Saru is now divided by two sides: one advocates following their slain leader’s non-violence idealogy and the other side who wants to use violence to exact revenge. A riot soon ensues among the tribes.
Japan Sets Ablaze In The New Trailer For RUROUNI KENSHIN: KYOTO INFERNO!
While Japanese households will catch actor Takeru Satoh on his latest gig in Fuji TV’s new action comedy series, Bitter Blood, the action will continue this summer on the big screen with the actor reprising his role once more in the sequel chambara thriller, Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno as the unwitting samurai forced to pick up his sword and defend Japan against the “Jupponagata” (Ten Swords), led by a ruthless assassin, played by Tatsuya Fujiwara.
The New RUROUNI KENSHIN Sequel Poster Bids "Farewell" To A Legend
Check out the most recent trailer embedded at the bottom of the page, and stay tuned for more news.
The New Sequel Trailer For RUROUNI KENSHIN 2 And 3 Unsheathes And Slices Its Way Online!
I fully admit I haven’t had the opportunity to see the first Rurouni Kenshin film that became a film festival favorite back in 2012 before a sequel was greenlit. So hopefully I will get around to that as the hype continues to build for the new films that are well on their way this year. And not for nothing either, as the sequels are becoming more and more anticipated by fans of the original manga/anime properties, and of the chambara film genre with a teaser already online as of late last year, and a new full length trailer which finally arrived this week which you can check out below.
THE NEXT GENERATION -PATLABOR- Gets A First Full Trailer!
Following the development of the humanoid work machines called Labors, technology propelled forward at a high speed, eventually resulting in the use of Labors in all facets of society.
CROWS EXPLODE With A New Trailer And TV Spot!
Crows Explode takes place in the time frame between the saga of Crows Zero I & II and Crows. Shortly after Genji Takiya’s graduation, a new gang emerged with the aim to control Suzuran High.