Back in June, Rachel had posted a poll, Which Anime Should Be Made Into Live-action? Apparently, the studios had a similar thought in mind since there has been plenty of “Live-action” action recently. In fact there has been so much action that I will have to split this into three posts. Here is part 1 of some of the “Live -action” activity:
According to the trade Variety, Universal Pictures has acquired the rights to remake the 2005 Japanese film Shinobi. The original story was about the ill-fated love of the leaders of two powerful ninja clans in the Tokugawa (or Edo) Period. The plans for the remake are to set it in modern Hong Kong and have the feud between two rival multinational security forces. The remake will be scripted and directed by Max Makowski (One Last Dance) who will use elements from Asian gangster and ninja genres.
Shinobi was itself a live-action film…so the connection with anime is indirect. The film was based on the 1958 novel, The Kouga Ninja Scrolls by Futaro Yamada. The novel was also adapted into a manga in 2003/2004 and into an anime in 2005…both were called Basilisk. Rachel had reviewed the anime in early August.
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Another live-action project with a ninja setting will be based on Kamui Gaiden, the 1965-67 & 1982-87 side stories to the Legend of Kamui (1964-71) manga by Shirato Sanpei. Like Shinobi, Kamui is set in Japan’s Edo Period, but instead of a Romeo and Juliet romance, Kamui is a social commentary with themes of class struggle and anti-authoritarianism. There was one TV series (1969) and one movie (1985) based upon the manga.
This new adaptation will be directed by Korean-Japanese director YÅichi Sai (Choi Yang-il in Korean) whose best known work is the 2004 historical film Chi to Hone (Blood and Bones). The title role will be played by Ken’ichi Matsuyama (L in the recent Death Note movies). The film will be shot between November and February and will be released in 2009.
ANN story:
Legend of Kamui’s 2009 Live-Action Movie to Begin Filming
Japanese source:
Chosun
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There were announcements for live-action television series versions of a shÅjo manga and a shÅnen manga. First the shÅjo manga:
©www.s-manga.net by shueisha
The shÅjo manga magazine, Ribon, announced in their September issue that Konami Sonoda’s chibi fashion manga, Chocomimi, would be adapted into a live-action TV series. Described by ANN:
“The super-deformed gag manga follows two school friends (Choco Sakurai and Mimi Nekota) on their adventures with their friends and pets (Choco’s dog Chiffon and Mimi’s cat Huckleberry), as well as their changing fashion styles.”
The shÅnen announcement:
Manga-ka Masami Kurumada (Saint Seiya) announced on his blog that his FÅ«ma no KojirÅ manga would be adapted into a live-action TV series. Described by ANN:
“The story centers on KojirÅ, a seemingly ordinary high school student who is actually one of the last descendants of the FÅ«ma ninja clan. He protects his academy from rivals from another school who are the descendants of the Yasha clan.”
ANN Story:
ChocoMimi, Kurumada’s KojirÅ to Be Adapted as TV Dramas
Japanese Source:
Ultimatum
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In 1973, a manga by Go Nagai was published. It was called Cutie Honey, whose title character was one of the first “transforming magical girl” characters. Besides the manga, there were two TV anime adaptations (1973/74 and 1997/98), two OVAs (1994/95 and 2004), and one live-action movie (2004). David reviewed the live-action movie back in May. Now, there will be a live-action TV series called Cutie Honey the Live. It will premiere on TV Tokyo on October 2 at 1am. The director is Makoto Yokoyama (Masked Rider). Mikie Hara will portray Honey Kisaragi, the title character. ANN was the story source and Chunichi Shimbun and Sports Nippon are the Japanese Sources. Also, the series has its own website.
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Akira Miyashita’s fighting manga, Sakigake!! Otoko Juku, will be the basis for a live-action movie. Making his debut as screenwriter and director is actor Tak Sakaguchi (Versus, Shinobi). He will also be playing the lead, MomotarÅ, while the actor ShÅei plays his friend Genji. Previous adaptations of the 1985-91 manga were a TV series and movie (both 1988). According to the ANN Encyclopedia:
“Otokojuku, a private school for juvenile delinquents that were previously expelled from normal schools. At this school, Japanese chivalry is taught through the feudal and military fundamentals. Similar to an action film, the classes are overwhelmed by violence.”
ANN Story:
Versus Star Directs Sakigake!! Otoko Juku Live-Action
Japanese Source:
Sports HÅchi
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Another story from Variety mentions that New Regency Productions (the movie arm of Regency Enterprises) is looking to adapt Voltron: Defender of the Universe into a live-action film. Regency is close to a deal with the Mark Gordon Co. This project has been in development for almost three years…with the success of the Transformers movie, interest has increased.
The original Voltron was a re-worked version of two series from Toei Animation…Hyakujuu-ou Golion (Hundred Beast King GoLion/FiveLion) and KikÅ Kantai DairagÄ XV (Armored Fleet Dairugger XV). The stories were rewritten so that the two series would have a thin connection with each other. The Golion Voltron was also called Voltron of the Far Universe and the Dairugger XV Voltron was called Voltron of the Near Universe. Incidentally, there were plans for a possible third Voltron based on the Toei series KÅsoku Denjin Arubegasu (Lightspeed ElectroGod Albegas) and, according to at least one source, would have been the Voltron of the Middle Universe.
The live-action Voltron will be scripted by Justin Marks. He has re-imagined the plot as:
“…a post-apocalyptic tale set in New York City and Mexico. Five ragtag survivors of an alien attack band together and end up piloting the five lion-shaped robots that combine and form the massive sword-wielding Voltron that helps battle Earth’s invaders.”
Mr. Marks is a busy man working on other animation to live-action projects. He is adapting He-Man and the Masters of the Universe for Joel Silver at Warner Bros., as well as the Green Arrow pic Supermax, also at Warner Bros. (for David Goyer). He also has Street Fighter in the works at Hyde Park and Fox.
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The popular manga series, City Hunter (1985 – 1991) by Tsukasa Hojo, will again be adapted into a live-action format. Other adaptations include 4 TV anime series (1987 – 1991), an animated movie (1989), an OVA (1990), and 2 (arguably 3) live-action movies (all rather loose adaptations). The new live-action project will be a TV drama series and will be a co-production of Japan’s Kadokawa and South Korea’s SIDUS FHN. The role of Ryo Saeba will be played by Korean actor Jung Woo-sung.
So far there are no details about broadcast dates.
AnimeNation Story:
Live Action City Hunter in Development
Japanese Sources:
Innolife
Ultimatum
Don’t forget that the Live action DBZ film is set to begin filming in Montreal.
@Anne Packrat
Don’t worry…I’ll probably fit it in on part 2 or 3 depending on my work schedule. Part 2 should be posted in the next 3-4 days.
I had written all three parts last week and the DBZ news came out shortly afterwards.
Anne Packrat – You must be psychic, because I was going to post a blurb about that exact topic, lol!
Personally, I think there are other anime properties that would be better-suited to live action treatment. I’ve never liked DBZ.
Here are a few articles about the live action Dragonball Z:
WorstPreviews.com is reports that Dragonball Z is getting the live action treatment.
Interesting how they refer to it as a “graphic novel/popular television show” and not “manga/anime”. I
Additional sources:
TheMovieBlog.com
AICN Anime
Mochi – Cutie Honey the Live sounds interesting. I’m a little scared though!
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