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Resident Evil Stage Play Casts Former AKB48 Idol Asuka Kuramochi

The official website for the stage play of CAPCOM's Biohazard (Resident Evil) video game series revealed on Thursday that the production has cast singer and former AKB48 member Asuka Kuramochi (pictured right) in the role of the play's heroine Mary Grey.

Kuramochi's character is described as a a beautiful student at Philosophy University with an IQ of 230.

The role will be Kuramochi's first stage role after graduating from AKB48 in August, and her first role as the heroine. Kuramochi stated that she was nervous but happy to receive a role right after graduating from AKB48, and was curious to see how the world of Resident Evil would be depicted on stage.

The stage play's plot will revolve around a bioterrorism incident that occurs at a university in western Australia. Chris and Piers from BSAA's anti-bioterrorism unit head to the scene to investigate, and they cooperate with former S.T.A.R.S. member Rebecca, who is teaching at the university. On the scene, they meet a mysterious young man named Tyler Howard.

Kuramochi will join the play's previously announced cast:

Hiroshi Yazaki as as Tyler Howard, a former policeman with a strong sense of justice.

Wataru Kuriyama as Piers Nivans, a member of the Alpha Team of the BSAA's North American branch

Seijiro Nakamura as Chris Redfield, the leader of the Alpha Team of the BSAA's North American branch

Rin Asuka as Rebecca Chambers, a professor at Philosophy University

Raychell as Sophie Home, a member of the BSAA's Oceania branch

Saaya as Olivia Price, a student at Philosophy University

Shimon Okura (left) and Makoto Uenobori (right), who are double cast as Matthew Russell, a secretary to the University's president

Haruki Kiyama as Barrington Myer, a Philosophy city police detective

Atsushi Kimura as Lucas Butler, a student at Philosophy University and Olivia's boyfriend

Yūji Kishi as Lyon Howard, a molecular biology professor at Philosophy University and Tyler's father

Yoshiaki Umegaki as Posh Brown, a security guard at Philosophy University

Shinichi Chiba (Sonny Chiba) as Ezra Senate, the president of Philosophy University who has a strong sense of duty and loves the school

Jun Yoriko is directing the play and writing its script. Avex Live Creative and Ace Crew Entertainment are in charge of the play's planning, and CAPCOM is in charge of editorial supervision. The play plans to use videos and darkness to provide a more personal experience for the audience.

Biohazard the Stage will run at Tokyo's EX Theater Roppongi from October 22 to November 1. All tickets cost 8,900 yen (about US$74), and tickets will go on sale on October 4 at 10:00 a.m.

The Resident Evil game series has shipped 65 million copies worldwide, and has also inspired a series of Hollywood live-action films as well as several manga series. The latest game, Resident Evil Revelations 2, received a physical copy in North America for the PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and PC on March 17 and in Europe on March 20. The PlayStation Vita version shipped in North America on August 18.

Source: Anime! Anime!