Legendary action auteur Koichi Sakamoto is breaking away a bit from dazzling superhero fanservice with his latest film, Tatsujin Warriors. The cast is led by actress and Asai-ryu Muchi Ken (Whip/Fist Karate) proponent, Hoshimi Asai who last hit our radar with 2023’s Murakumo: Ghost Agency.
Asai stars from a script by Ultraman veteran Juinichiro Ashiki (Ninja VS Shark), which sees our protagonist in the role of Hikaru, an ex-con fresh out of a five-year prison for manslaughter. Upon returning to her once peaceful hometown, now besieged by a violent gang of hooligans, she forms a band of martial arts heroes to take her town back and restore order.
Asai brings her Whip/Fist fighting trade to the table as well, bolstering the film’s martial arts authenticity even more with a cast also lists the following: Respective Systema and Aikido academics Takahide Kitagawa and Ryuji Shirakawa, Nindo expert Seiryukutsu Narashino, four-time Taido world champion Tetsuji Nakano, Bujutsu master Hiroki Amemiya, Capoeira warrior Geheiro Sasamori, Goju-ryu Karate expert Hayate Masao of Karate Kill fame, Asai’s fellow BEAT PARADOX cohort and actress ANGELLA, and martial arts YouTubers Ken Kurenai, CHANEDO, and Fullcon.
Rounding out the cast are more Sakamoto familiars including Tokusatsu screen legend Seiji Takaiwa, upcoming Shogun’s Ninja star Kanon Miyahara, and Wingman star Ryoma Hashido. Asai also produced the film along with Aki Tsukada, with Sakamoto and fight choreographer Ryohei Sakai shepherding the action.
Tatsujin Warriors hails from Theatre Academy Co. , Ltd. and BEAT PARADOX, fully financing its goals via crowdsourcing platform Motion-Gallery last April. Thus, we now have a poster to share as Albatross Film readies a premiere date on May 23 at Kino Cinema in Shinjuku and other locations.
Check out the poster, and follow the movie on Instagram.
