yakuza apocalypse

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Miike Takashi To Helm Hit Manga BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL

Miike Takashi‘s Yakuza Apocalypse is heading to U.S. theaters this weekend, marking a delightful opportunity for moviegoers to introduce himself to his work. In the meantime, with the current production of his new intergalactic creature thriller, Terraformars, comes news forwarded by Crunchyroll of his latest addition to the roster of manga adaptations. For this, we look toward Samura Hiroaki’s 1993-2012 manga publication, Blade of the Immortal, from Dark Horse. Japanese pop band SMAP’s own Kimura Takuya (Howl’s Moving Castle, Space Battleship Yamado) is set to star in the title role with a story centered on a lone swordsman in feudal Japan whose only means of freedom from immortality and misery is through the spilled blood of one-thousand evil men. The role marks Kimura‘s roughly ten-year return to the period genre following Yamada Yoji’s 2006 film, Love And Honor. If you know Miike, whose credits include an adaption of Ichi The Killer, 13 […]

Watch The New And Absolutely Bats**t Red-Band Trailer For YAKUZA APOCALYPSE!

Lee B. Golden III

Freshly off into the start of TIFF between now and the next two weeks, director Miike Takashi‘s latest vampire horror craze, Yakuza Apocalypse is now gearing up for another share of exclusive festival screenings before hitting U.S. theaters next month. Ichihara Hayato and Lily Franky star at the head of this fantastic tale of a lowly Yakuza subservient who finds himself in bigger shoes to fill…and apparently even bigger wings. These two and more coupled with Indonesian import, action star Yayan Ruhian joining in on the fun as a hired assassin, Yakuza Apocalypse definitely promises something entertaining for fans who love Miike and expect no less than the usual ultraviolent and batshit insanity that ensues in a Miike film. SYNOPSIS: Kamiura (Lily Franky) is not your typical yakuza boss: he’s a kindly man who dotes on the locals in his ‘hood and extends life-saving loans to small businesses in order […]

Miike's YAKUZA APOCALYPSE Gets A North American Release!

Lee B. Golden III

Are you ready to watch Yakuzas, vampires and killers in frog costumes collide in epic fashion? Then you’re just in luck in the wake of Ichi The Killer and 13 Assassins helmer Miike Takashi‘s latest bit of action horror fanfare from the Cannes and Fantasia circuit, Yakuza Apocalypse. Variety reports the film, starring Ichihara Hayato and Yayan Ruhian, has a North American release date through Samuel Goldwyn Films set for October 9. The film earned mixed reviews whilst sustaining itself as a notable and spectacular for the director who, prior to production, stated his earlier hopes for a return to basics. The film, written by Yoshitaki Yamaguchi, centers on a loyal Yakuza underling who, after being bitten and turned into a vampire, sets out to avenge the death of his once-seemingly invincible boss at the hands of an assassin and his men. Mark the date on your calendars and stay […]

The Final Trailer For YAKUZA APOCALYPSE Is A Montage Of Violent Anarchy!

Lee B. Golden III

There’s no doubt that director Miike Takashi‘s latest action horror endeavor, Yakuza Apocalypse, revives the usual eccentricities his fanbase has gotten so used to in his career. The reviews off of its Cannes premiere come mixed for a film that encompasses what The Guardian‘s own Andrew Pulver concluded in his review as “A very acquired taste.”, and that isn’t exactly a secret for folks familiar with movies like manga adaptation, Ichi The Killer and Izo. Nonetheless, the latest trailer is circling the internet with one last push to get your attention; Suffice it to say this one is a frenetic orchestra of kicks to the face, stabbing, screaming, biting and bloodsucking, and crescendos galore with Indonesian action star import, Yayan Ruhian, and lead actor Ichihara Hayato front and center for the film’s June 20 release in Japan. And for an acquired taste, I think it’s safe to say the dinner […]

The New Trailer For Miike's YAKUZA APOCALYPSE Bites Back!

Lee B. Golden III

It’s only a matter of time before director Miike Takashi steps into the summer season with his latest vampire action thriller, Yakuza Apocalypse. It’s only his latest effort in keeping a promise to his long-celebrate signature style of film while we await further info on his future endeavors, and while the most recent teaser gained the film some publicity to start, we now have a minute-long trailer that lends a little more to the eye. It’s got yakuzas, vampires, some gore, badass tattoos, a better look at Yayan Ruhian in a film outside his normal Indonesian bearings…and a killer frog-suited..thing. Indeed, this looks hella fun. And random! SYNOPSIS: In the ruthless underground world of the yakuza, no one is more legendary than boss Kamiura. Rumored to be invincible, the truth is he is a vampire—a bloodsucking yakuza vampire boss! Among Kamiura’s gang is Kageyama, his most loyal underling. However, the […]