[UPDATED] THE FIRST MISSION: ‘Karate Kill’ Star Hayate Returns To Save The World For His Directorial Debut
If you follow the martial arts film niche – especially out here in the West – then chances are you’ve been wondering just what the heck actor Hayate’s has been up to. I know I have. For years I’ve wondered just exactly when he and Kurando Mitsutake are getting back to do another Karate Kill, and indeed, Hayate’s been gradually racking up the credits with roles in Netflix’s Age Of Samurai series, Katsuki Motohito’s live action Laughing Under The Clouds adaptation, and in One Cut Of The Dead helmer Shin’ichirô Ueda’s Special Actors.
Now comes indie action adventure comedy The First Mission, at which Hayate himself now stakes his claim on both sides of the lens, motivated primarily with the goal of stirring a creative drive in his community of fellow artists and performers as a means of thriving under the weight of pandemic-induced lockdowns. That community no less included the efforts of pre-production and funding coordinator Junya Kobayashi, script and acting coordinator Kohei Nakayama (Ultraman Chronicle Z: Heroes’ Odyssey), and cinematographer Hajime Kanda (Laughing Under The Clouds, Demekin) among others.
On the screen side of things we have Hayate joined by none other than actress Moka Kodama of Kamen Rider franchise fame. In the film, the two play sibling descendants of an ancient clan that once protected the land of Funabashi. When an evil bioterrorism organization surfaces, it’s up to the siblings to heed their calling.
Others involved in the film include drama specialist Shinpei Tsueda, action actress Ayane, and actress and professional karateka Julia Nagano (Salvage Mice), along with Baby Assassins star Saori Izawa and celebrated influencer and wheelchair model, Ryoko Nakajima. I am told that Ikebukuro HUMAX cinemas will be handling local distribution starting May 6 with all proceeds going to charity, so if you’re in the neighborhood and in a giving mood and looking forward to a good time at the movies, by all means, go for it!
(A previous version of this article has been updated with info on release date and local Japan exhibitor, and cast details.)
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