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Live-Action Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Film Slated for March 19, 2027

Entertainment news website Variety reported on Tuesday that Paramount Pictures is planning to release the live-action Sonic the Hedgehog 4 sequel film on March 19, 2027. Variety reported a day before the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 film's release that Paramount Pictures is producing a Sonic the Hedgehog 4 sequel film, which was initially announced for a spring 2027 release. The film earned US$60,102,146 ...

Discotek Licenses Urotsukidoji, Higurashi, DearS, More

Also: Cyborg 009 Vs. Devilman, Space Adventure Cobra - The Movie Manga Entertainment dub, Angel Heart, Osomatsu-kun, Flame of Recca, live-action 2014 Lupin III, live-action Tomorrow's Joe, NANA, NANA 2, HYD Final ― Discotek Media revealed 24 new upcoming releases during a livestream event on Monday. Discotek will release the Urotsukidoji: Legend of the Overfiend adult anime, uncut, with a brand new 2...
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Live-Action A Girl and Her Guard Dog Film's Trailer Reveals Theme Song by SixTONES

SixTONES idol group member Jesse, Riko Fukimoto star in film on March 14 ― The official website for the live-action film adaptation of Hatsuharu's A Girl & Her Guard Dog (Ojō to Banken-kun) manga began streaming a trailer on Tuesday. The video reveals and previews the theme song "Barrier" by SixTONES. The website also unveiled a new visual: The film opens in theaters on March 14. The film stars Riko ...
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Demon Slayer Swordsmith Village Arc Stage Play Unveils More Cast, Trailer, Key Visual

Kazuki Kato, Kenji Urai join cast of April show ― The official X (formerly Twitter) account for the stage play adaptations of Koyoharu Gotouge's Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba manga revealed new cast members, a trailer, and key visuals for the "Swordsmith Village Arc" stage play on Monday. Kazuki Kato plays Kokushibō. Kenji Urai plays Dōma. The show will run from April 11-20 at The Galaxy Theater in ...
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Alice-san Chi no Iroribata Manga Gets New Manga Chapter to Commemorate Live-Action Adaptation

Live-action series premiered on January 7 ― The February issue of Shueisha's Ultra Jump magazine published a special oneshot for Bunta Kinami's Alice-san Chi no Iroribata (Beside the Hearth at Alice-san's House) manga on Saturday to celebrate the live-action series adaptation. \#アリスさんちの囲炉裏端 特別読切/実写ドラマ放送を記念した読切がウルトラジャンプ2月号に掲載中✨✨原作最終話の“その後”を描く、ここだけのオリジナル番外編🍚ドラマと一緒にぜひお楽しみください!🔽既刊試し読みはこちらhttps://t.co/ZV8...
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Live-Action Trillion Game Film Casts Dance Performer Takahiro

Takahiro Ueno plays leader of thieves opposing Haru Tennōji ― The official X (formerly Twitter) account for the upcoming live-action film of Riichirou Inagaki and Ryoichi Ikegami's Trillion Game manga revealed on Monday that dance performer Takahiro Ueno (TAKAHIRO) will join the film's cast as the leader of a group of thieves who oppose Haru Tennōji. 【📣】⠀ダンスパフォーマー #TAKAHIRO の出演が決定✨⠀#目黒蓮 演じるハルと敵対する強盗の...
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Japanese Animation TV Ranking, December 30-January 5

Shangri-La Frontier 2nd season earns 2.1% rating ― The live-action film of Yumi Tamura's Don't Call It Mystery manga aired on Fuji TV on Saturday, January 4 at 9:00 p.m. and earned an 8.9% rating. The Super Mario Bros. Movie aired on Fuji TV on Tuesday, December 31 at 7:00 p.m. and earned a 4.1% rating. The live-action film adaptation of Akumi Agitogi's My Happy Marriage light novel series aired on ...
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Solo Leveling Webtoon Producer Redice Entertainment Enters Int'l Film Sales Business

Company will present Sister, Killing Time films at European Film Market in Berlin ― South Korea's Redice Entertainment, known for producing the webtoon Solo Leveling among many other webtoons, has entered the international film sales market and will present a lineup at the European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin. The company will showcase two new films, Sister and Killing Time, both currently in post-pr...
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Bloodhounds, Live-Action Adaptation of Webtoon, is Coming Back for Season 2 With K-Pop Star Rain

Season 2 features battle to dismantle illegal boxing league ― Netflix has confirmed the production of Bloodhounds Season 2, the series about boxers taking on the criminal underworld. Netflix announced on Thursday that Do-hwan Woo and Sang-yi Lee would reprise their roles as Geon-woo and Woo-jin, respectively. Season 2 will feature a new addition to the cast: singer-turned-actor Ji-hoon Jung (Rain), ...
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Live-Action A Side Character's Love Story Film Reveals Director, 2026 Delay

Hiroki Kazama to direct film delayed from 2024 ― The offiical X/Twitter account for Akane Tamura's A Side Character's Love Story (Mobuko no Koi) manga posted a picture of the 21st compiled book volume on Thursday, and the volume's wraparound jacket band reveals that the live-action film adaptation will premiere in 2026, a delay from the originally scheduled 2024 opening. The volume also reveals that ...
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Live-Action Adaptation of Webtoon Bunny and Her Oppas Will Premiere on April 14

Webtoon has amassed more than 170 million views on Kakao Webtoon, Tapas ― Korean TV station MBC announced on January 8 that the live-action adaptation of the webtoon Bunny and Her Oppas will premiere on April 14. Based on the Kakao webtoon of the same name, which has accumulated 170 million views, Bunny and Her Oppas stars Jeong-eui Roh as the titular character Bunny. Bunny, whose real name is Hee-j...
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Osamu Tezuka's Apollo's Song Manga Gets Live-Action Series on February 18

Modern take on dark fantasy stars timelesz's Shōri Satō, Akari Takaishi ― MBS announced on Thursday that it is producing a live-action series adaptation of Osamu Tezuka's Apollo's Song (Apollo no Uta) manga that will premiere on the "Dramaism" programming block on MBS and TBS on February 18. The live-action series will be a modern interpretation of the 1970 dark fantasy story. The series stars timele...
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Netflix Adds Captain Tsubasa: Junior Youth Arc Anime, 4th Live-Action Kingdom Film

All 39 episodes of 2nd season of Captain Tsubasa anime stream ― Netflix has added Captain Tsubasa: Junior Youth Arc, the second season of the 2018-2019 Captain Tsubasa anime, and Kingdom 4: Return of the Great General (Kingdom: Taishogun no Kikan), the fourth live-action Kingdom film, to its streaming service. Captain Tsubasa: Junior Youth Arc debuted in October 2023. Crunchyroll and Pluto TV are bot...
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Live-Action Cells at Work! Drops to #2 After 5 Weeks

Live-action Solitary Gourmet film opens at #3 ― The live-action film of Akane Shimizu's Cells at Work! (Hataraku Saibō) manga dropped from #1 to #2 in the Japanese box office in its fifth weekend. The film sold 243,000 tickets from Friday through Sunday earning 337,461,540 yen (about US$2.13 million). It has sold a total of 3.65 million tickets, and earned a cumulative total of 4,720,850,060 yen (abo...

Sailor Moon The Super Live Stage Show Gets N. American Tour in March

Tour begins in March in N. America, February in London ― A new offiical website opened on Wednesday for Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon The Super Live, a performance show based on Naoko Takeuchi's Sailor Moon manga, to announce that the show is getting a North American tour starting wikth a preview showing on March 12 in Pittsburgh, PA. There will also be 23 performances in London between February 3-Marc...
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Live-Action One Piece Season 2 Casts Rigo Sanchez, Yonda Thomas, James Hiroyuki Liao

Series casts Sanchez as Dragon, Thomas as Igaram, Liao as Ipponmatsu ― The official X/Twitter account for the second live-action season of Eiichiro Oda's One Piece manga revealed on Wednesday three more cast members: Rigo Sanchez as Dragon Yonda Thomas as Igaram James Hiroyuki Liao as Ipponmatsu The previously announced new cast for season 2 includes: Callum Kerr as Smoker Julia Rehwald as Tashigi Ch...
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Demon Slayer Swordsmith Village Arc Stage Play Reveals Cast, Key Visuals, Premiere Date

Show runs from April 11-20 in Tokyo, April 25-27 in Hyogo ― The official X (formerly Twitter) account for the stage play adaptations of Koyoharu Gotouge's Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba manga revealed new cast members and key visuals for the "Swordsmith Village Arc" stage play on Tuesday. The staff also announced the show will run from April 11-20 at The Galaxy Theater in Tokyo, and from April 25-27 ...
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Live-Action One Piece Season 2 Casts Sophia Anne Caruso, Mark Penwill, Anton David Jeftha

Series casts Caruso as Miss Goldenweek, Penwill as Chess, Jeftha as K.M. ― The official X/Twitter account for the second live-action season of Eiichiro Oda's One Piece manga revealed on Tuesday three more cast members: Sophia Anne Caruso as Miss Goldenweek Mark Penwill as Chess Anton David Jeftha as K.M. (known as Kuromarimo in the manga/anime) The previously announced new cast for season 2 includes:...
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Live-Action Baban Baban Ban Vampire Film Delayed Due to 'Circumstances'

February 14 opening delayed after incident involving lead Ryo Yoshizawa ― The official website for the live-action film of Hiromasa Okujima's Baban Baban Ban Vampire manga announced on Tuesday that the film's opening in Japan, which was scheduled on February 14, has been postponed due to "various circumstances." With the film's postponement, its preview screening scheduled on January 21 has also been...
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Live-Action Adaptation of The Witch Webtoon Will Premiere on February 15

Jin-young Park from GOT 7 will star as main character ― Korean TV station Channel A announced on January 13 that its new live-action series The Witch will premiere on February 15. The first teaser video has also been released, featuring Jin-young Park and Jeong-eui Roh as the leads in a story adapted from the webtoon by renowned artist Kang Full, who authored the original webtoons for Disney+ series...
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Netflix Unveils Trailer for Trauma Code: Heroes on Call Live-Action Series

Trailer shows how Ji-hoon Ju depicts genius surgeon, former combat medic Kang-hyuk Baek ― Netflix Asia released the official trailer on Monday for the Netflix series The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call on its official YouTube channel. The trailer highlights the main character Kang-hyuk Baek's personality as an arrogant surgeon, while also providing a glimpse into the conflicts among other characters set...
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Live-Action Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Film Drops to #3 at U.S. Box Office

Film earns estimated US$11 million in 4th weekend, with US$204.5 million estimated total U.S. gross ― The Box Office Mojo website reported that the live-action Sonic the Hedgehog 3 film dropped from #2 to #3 at the U.S. box office, after earning an estimated US$11 million in its fourth weekend. The film has earned an estimated cumulative total of US$204,515,196 in the United States. The film earned a...
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Live-Action Seal My Lips With a Kiss Show's Video Unveils Theme Songs, February 3 Debut

WEST. performs "shhhhhhh!!" opening, Amatsuki x Senra perform "Fura Fura" ending ― Drama DiVE's website for the live-action series of Fudono Fudou's Seal My Lips With a Kiss (Kiss de Fusaide, Barenaide.) manga debuted a new version of the promotional video for its first episode and a key visual on Friday. The video announces and previews the series' ending theme song "Fura Fura" by musicians Amatsuki...
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Japanese Animation TV Ranking, December 23-29

BLUE LOCK 2nd Season earns 2.9% rating, Dragon Ball Daima earns 2.4% rating ― The final episode of a marathon airing of the fourth season of the live-action series of Masayuki Kusumi and Jiro Taniguchi's Kodoku no Gourmet (Solitary Gourmet) manga aired on TV Tokyo on Tuesday, December 24 at 5:45 p.m., and earned a 4.2% rating. An episode of a marathon airing of the fifth season also aired on TV Toky...
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Live-Action Adaptation of Study Group Webtoon Premieres on January 23

High school action drama to stream on Amazon Prime Video ― Korean entertainment media Dispatch revealed on January 6 that Amazon Prime Video's original series Study Group will premiere on January 23. In Korea the series will stream on TVING. Adapted from the webtoon of the same name, Study Group follows Ga-min Yoon, a martial arts expert who hides his abilities to focus on getting good grades. Min-h...
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Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, Live-Action Medical Drama Based on Web Novel, Debuts on Netflix on January 24

Ji-hoon Ju stars as brilliant trauma surgeon in series ― According to reporting by Korean entertainment media IZE on December 20, Netflix's original series The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call — the platform's first original medical series — will premiere on January 24. The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call follows the story of the underfunded and unpopular severe trauma team at a university hospital, which co...
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When the Phone Rings Web Novel Author Reveals Personal Experience with Phishing

Author's experience inspired web novel that also has webtoon adaptation, live-action series adaptation on Netflix ― In an interview with South Korea's Yonhap News Agency published on January 6, the web novelist known as "Dried Seafood Lady" shared that her real-life experience of falling victim to a voice phishing scam inspired her story. "I was completely taken in by the phone call and felt myself ...
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Live-Action It Takes More than a Pretty Face to Fall in Love Film's Trailer Unveils ILLIT's Theme Song

K-pop group performs "Almond Chocolate" song for March 7 film ― The official website for the live-action film of Karin Anzai's It Takes More than a Pretty Face to Fall in Love (Kao Dake ja Suki ni Narimasen) manga began streaming the film's full trailer on Friday. The trailer announces and previews the film's theme song "Almond Chocolate," which the South Korean pop group ILLIT created specifically f...
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Live-Action Mieruko-chan Film Unveils More Cast in Interview Video

Rinka Kumada, Naenano, Coki-Yamashita join cast of early summer film ― Kadokawa revealed more of the cast for the upcoming live-action film of Tomoki Izumi's Mieruko-chan horror comedy manga in an interview video with the cast members on Thursday: Rinka Kumada (It Takes More than a Pretty Face to Fall in Love) plays Hana Yurikawa, Miko's close friend Naenano (Oshi no Ko) plays Yuria Niguredō, Miko's ...
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Live-Action Cells at Work! Film Stays at #1, 2024 Nintama Rantaro Anime Film Drops to #6

Live-action Oshi no Ko film drops to #10, Fushigi Dagashiya Zenitendō to #9 ― The live-action film of Akane Shimizu's Cells at Work! (Hataraku Saibō) manga stayed at #1 in the Japanese box office in its fourth weekend. The film sold 466,000 tickets from Friday through Sunday earning 640,962,320 yen (about US$4.05 million). It has sold a total of 3.07 million tickets, and earned a cumulative total of ...
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Live-Action Ya Boy Kongming! Film's Teaser Unveils &Team Boy Band as Themselves

Film opens on April 25 after "Kickoff Party" on February 22 ― The official website for the live-action film for Yuto Yotsuba and Ryō Ogawa's Ya Boy Kongming! (Paripi Kōmei) manga unveiled a new teaser trailer and visual for the film on Wednesday. The teaser highlights the story's "Music Battle Awards 2025" event, and also reveals that the boy band &Team (Honey Lemon Soda, Trillion Game) will appear i...
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Hiroshi Tanaka's Bad Boys Manga Gets New Live-Action Film

JO1 member Issei Mamehara stars in May 30 film ― Production company AOI Pro. announced on Tuesday that it is producing a new live-action film adaptation of Hiroshi Tanaka's Bad Boys manga that will open on May 30. Boy band JO1 member Issei Mamehara will play protagonist Tsukasa Kiriki in the film. Tatsuro Nishikawa (Mukō no Ie, Bishu: Sekai de Ichiban Yasashi Fuku) is directing the film and co-writin...
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1st Thus Spoke Rohan Kishibe Manga Story Gets Live-Action Film

May 23 film adapts "At a Confessional" story from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure spinoff manga ― "At a Confessional," the first-ever story in Hirohiko Araki's JoJo's Bizarre Adventure spinoff manga Thus Spoke Rohan Kishibe (Kishibe Rohan wa Ugokanai), will get a live-action film adaptation in theaters beginning on May 23. The staff revealed an early teaser trailer and two teaser visuals on Tuesday. Issei T...
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Live-Action Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Film Drops to #2 in U.S. Box Office; Film Franchise Reaches US$1 Billion Worldwide

Film earns about US$21,200,124 in 3rd week ― The Box Office Mojo website reported that the live-action Sonic the Hedgehog 3 film dropped to #2 in the U.S. box office, earning an estimated US$21,200,124 in its third week. Additionally, entertainment news website Deadline reported on Sunday that the film franchise's worlwide earnings has reached over US$1 billion. The first two Sonic the Hedgehog films...
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Live-Action Cells at Work! Film Stays at #1 on December 27-29 Weekend

2024 Nintama Rantaro anime film stays at #4, live-action Saint Young Men film stays at #6, live-action Oshi no Ko film drops to #8 ― The live-action film of Akane Shimizu's Cells at Work! (Hataraku Saibō) manga stayed at #1 in the Japanese box office in its third weekend. The film sold 427,000 tickets from Friday through Sunday earning 580,823,790 yen (about US$3.68 million). It has sold a total of 2...
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Netflix Streams 2022 & 2008 Live-Action Kurosagi - The Black Swindler Series in U.S.

Both series adapt Takeshi Natsuhara, Kuromaru's manga ― Netflix is streaming the 2022 live-action series of Takeshi Natsuhara and Kuromaru's Kurosagi - The Black Swindler manga in the United States. It is also streaming the manga's 2006 live-action television series adaptation starring Tomohisa Yamashita. The more recent live-action series premiered on TBS in October 2022. Kenta Tanaka, Yasuharu Ishi...
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Live-Action Under Ninja Film Premieres on January 8 in Los Angeles

Stars Kento Yamazaki, Minami Hamabe to appear in Q&A after ― The staff of the live-action film of Kengo Hanazawa's Under Ninja manga launched an English website for the film, and it has a waitlist for the film's world premiere in Los Angeles on January 8. The website states that "chosen guests will gain access to the red carpet grandstands and the exclusive screening" and will receive their confirmat...
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Live-Action Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Film Stays at #1 in U.S. Box Office in 2nd Weekend

Film earns US$38 million in 2nd week ― The Box Office Mojo website reported that the live-action Sonic the Hedgehog 3 film once again topped the U.S. box office in its second weekend, earning an estimated US$38 million. The film earned an estimated US$12.6 million on Friday, an estimated US$13.5 million on Saturday, and an estimated US$11.9 million on Sunday. In addition, The Lord of the Rings: The W...
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Japanese Animation TV Ranking, December 16-22

Magilumiere Co. Ltd. finale earns 2.7% rating ― The final episode of the live-action series of Mayu Hinase's Hōkago Karte (After School Doctor) manga aired on NTV on Saturday, December 21 at 9:00 p.m. and earned a 5.8% rating. Title Station Date Time Length Average Household Rating Sazae-san Fuji TV December 22 (Sun) 18:30 30 min. 7.8 Detective Conan NTV December 21 (Sat) 18:00 30 min. 6.3 Chibi Mar...
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Live-Action Oshi no Ko Series Ranks #1 for Amazon Prime Domestic Originals Within 1st 30 Days in Japan

Series debuted on November 28 with sequel film opening on December 20 ― The official website for the live-action series of Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari's Oshi no Ko manga revealed on Friday that the show has broken the record for the most domestic viewers for an Amazon Prime original in Japan within its first 30 days. The live-action Oshi no Ko series debuted its first six episodes on Amazon Prime ...
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The Exit 8 Infinite-Loop Horror Game Gets Live-Action Film in 2025

Toho adapts popular indie game with worldwide plans ― Toho posted an English-subtitled video on Friday to announce a 2025 live-action film adaptation of Kotake Create's infinite-loop horror game The Exit 8 (8-ban Deguchi) with worldwide plans. In the game, a player is trapped at a subway train station, in an underground passageway that goes in an endless loop. To escape to "Exit 8," the player must k...

Super Sentai Franchise Announces 50th Anniversary Series, No.1 Sentai Gozyuger

Heroes battling "no. 1 monsters," each other, rivals with past Red Sentai's powers in series debuting on February 16 ― The official X (formerly Twitter) account for the Super Sentai franchise announced on Wednesday the No.1 Sentai Gozyuger series, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of the franchise. The series will premiere on February 16. It will introduce the first ever Sentai Black member playe...
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Live-Action Cells at Work! Film Stays at #1, 2024 Nintama Rantaro Anime Film Opens at #4

Live-action Saint Young Men film opens at #6, live-action Oshi no Ko film opens at #7 ― The live-action film of Akane Shimizu's Cells at Work! (Hataraku Saibō) manga stayed at #1 in the Japanese box office in its second weekend. The film sold 386,000 tickets from Friday through Sunday earning 532,464,400 yen (about US$3.38 million). It has earned a cumulative total of 1,758,132,780 yen (about US$11.1...
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Hetalia ~A Tender World~ Musical Posts Cast, June Premiere, Key Visual

Show will run June 9-26 in Tokyo, July 3-6 in Osaka, July 18-19 in Fukuoka ― The official X (formerly Twitter) account for Hetalia ~A Tender World~, the fourth new stage musical adaptation of Hidekaz Himaruya's Hetalia - Axis Powers manga, announced on Tuesday the show will run from June 9 to June 26 in Tokyo at the Nippon Seinen-kan Hall, from July 3 to July 6 in Osaka at the Cool Japan Park Osaka W...
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2nd New Live-Action Salaryman Kintaro Film's Trailer Previews Generations' Theme Song

Akatsuki-hen film opens on January 10, Sakigake-hen on February 7 ― The staff for the new live-action films of Hiroshi Motomiya's manga classic Salaryman Kintaro debuted the full trailer for the second film, Salaryman Kintaro Sakigake-hen (Salaryman Kintaro: Vanguard), on Thursday. The trailer features the film's theme song "Cozy" by the group Generations. The trailer shows the title character Kintar...
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Motel California Webtoon Adaptation of Upcoming K-Drama Launches

Series is another example of media mix of K-drama, webtoon ― Kakao Entertainment announced on Friday that it launched the webtoon Home, Bitter Home: Motel California, which is set in the same world as new K-drama Motel California, scheduled to air soon. Based on the web novel Home, Bitter Home, already serialized on Kakao Page, the new webtoon was adapted and produced by Studio Yosin. Motel Californ...

Live-Action Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Film Opens at #1 in U.S. Box Office

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 earns US$62 million in opening weekend; The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim earns US$1.27 million in 2nd week ― The Box Office Mojo website reports that the live-action Sonic the Hedgehog 3 film topped the U.S. box office in its premiere weekend, earning an estimated US$62 million. The film screened in 3,761 theaters and earned an estimated US$25.75 million on its open...
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Live-Action Seal My Lips With a Kiss Series Casts Noel Kawashima

Role marks Kawashima's live-action series debut ― Drama DiVE's X (formerly Twitter) account announced on Friday Noel Kawashima (TASUKETSU -Fate of the Majority-) will join the cast of the live-action television series adaptation of Fudou Fudono's Seal My Lips With a Kiss (Kiss de Fusaide, Barenaide.) manga. Kawashima will play Satoru Mizoguchi in his live-action debut. The series stars WEST. idol gro...
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The Heart of Thomas Stage Play Returns in 2025

Show will run from March 14-23 in Tokyo at Westend Studio ― Moto Hagio's Heart of Thomas (Thomas no Shinzō) manga is getting a new stage play show in March. The show will run from March 14-23 in Tokyo at the Westend Studio. Studio Life is producing the show. Members of the studio's Licht, Eifer, and Seele teams will perform in alternating roles. The cast includes (some names are repeated for differen...
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World Trigger Manga Gets 5th Stage Play in April, May 2025

New stage play adapts "B-Rank Wars Final Match" arc ― The Jump Festa '25 event on Sunday announced that the stage play franchise based on Daisuke Ashihara's World Trigger manga is getting a fifth play that will adapt the "B-Rank Wars Final Match" arc. The play will run from April 12-20 at the Nippon Seinen-kan Hall in Tokyo, from April 24-27 at Cool Japan Park Osaka WW Hall, and from May 2-11 at Thea...

Thunderbolt Fantasy Puppet Show's 'Final Chapter Film' Reveals February 21 Opening in Video

4th season premiered on October 5 ― The staff for Thunderbolt Fantasy: Tōriken Yūki Saishūshō, the "final chapter" movie for the Thunderbolt Fantasy puppet show franchise, announced in a teaser promotional video on Saturday that the film will open in theaters in Japan on February 21. The fourth season for the show premiered on October 5. The new sequel project for the Thunderbolt Fantasy franchise is...
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Japanese Animation TV Ranking, December 9-15

Blue Miburo earns 4.0% rating, Dragon Ball Daima earns 2.6% rating ― This week's episode of the live-action series of Mayu Hinase's Hōkago Karte (After School Doctor) manga aired on NTV on Saturday, December 14 at 9:00 p.m. and earned a 5.5% rating. Title Station Date Time Length Average Household Rating Sazae-san Fuji TV December 15 (Sun) 18:30 30 min. 8.2 Detective Conan NTV December 14 (Sat) 18:0...
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Look Back, Ultraman: Rising, Transformers One Nominated for Annie Awards

Ultraman: Rising nominated for 4 awards including Best Feature ― The International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood, announced the nominees for its 52nd Annual Annie Awards on Friday. Look Back is nominated for "Best Feature - Independent," and Ultraman Rising is nominated for "Best Feature." Ultraman: Rising is also nominated for "Best FX - Feature" (Goncalo Cabaca, Vishal Patel, Zheng Yong Oh...
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Spy×Family Gets New Stage Musical in September-December 2025

New musical to run in 7 cities; will host auditions for child actors for Anya ― The Jump Festa '25 event on Saturday revealed more details for the new stage musical based on Tatsuya Endō's SPY×FAMILY manga that will run in 2025. The play will run at Westa Kawagoe in Saitama in September; at Nissay Theatre in Tokyo in October; at Umeda Arts Theater in Osaka and at Hakataza Theater in Fukuoka in Novemb...
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New Moriarty the Patriot Musical Slated for May, June 2025

Shōgo Suzuki, Ryō Hirano reprise roles as William James Moriarty, Sherlock Holmes ― The official website for the stage musicals of Ryōsuke Takeuchi and Hikaru Miyoshi's Moriarty the Patriot (Yūkoku no Moriarty) manga revealed on Saturday a new musical will run in Tokyo and Kyoto in May and June 2025. The new musical will be a reprise of the The British Empire's Scandal musical that was the second mus...
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Variety: Live-Action Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Film Gets Sequel

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 scheduled for spring 2027 ― Entertainment news website Variety reported on Thursday that Paramount Pictures is producing a sequel to the live-action Sonic the Hedgehog 3 film. Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is scheduled for a spring 2027 release. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 opens on Friday. Keanu Reeves joins the cast as Shadow the Hedgehog. Jim Carrey reprises his role as Dr. Robotnik for the th...
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Live-Action One Piece Season 2's Luffy Actor Iñaki Godoy Interviews Eiichiro Oda in English-Subbed Video

Iñaki Godoy interviews series creator in Japanese ― Netflix streamed a new video for the second live-action season of Eiichiro Oda's One Piece manga on Thursday. In the English-subtitled video, Iñaki Godoy, who stars as Luffy in the live-action series, interviews Oda in Japanese. The two discuss Oda's first time on set, Luffy, and the next season: The second season adds Joe Tracz (Percy Jackson and t...
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Live-Action Light Shop Adaptation Boosts Viewership of Original Webtoon by 1,870%

Author Kangfull's Moving webtoon also sees rise in viewership ― Hulu original series Light Shop is gaining traction, bringing renewed attention to its original webtoon. Kakao Entertainment announced on Wednesday that the viewership for the webtoon on Kakao Webtoon and Kakao Page surged 187 times from pre-release levels between December 3, the show's premiere date, and December 15. Revenue from the w...
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Live-Action Under Ninja Film Reveals More Cast

Soma Santoki, Reiya Masaki, Maru Nouchi, Kou Maehara, Hinami Mori join cast; Kenjirō Tsuda voices mysterious Under Ninja character ― The official website for the live-action film of Kengo Hanazawa's Under Ninja manga revealed new cast members on Thursday. The newly announced cast are: Soma Santoki as Azuma (left in image below) Reiya Masaki as Noheji (right in image below) Maru Nouchi as Satō (right ...
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'Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!' Manga Gets Stage Musical

Show runs April 11-20 in Tokyo, April 25-27 in Aichi ― Yū Toyota announced on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday that the Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?! (30-sai Dōtei da to Mahō Tsukai ni Nareru Rashii) manga is inspiring a stage musical next April. CheriMaho The Musical will run from April 11 to April 20 at Tokyo Dome City Hall in Tokyo, and from April 25 to April 27 ...
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The Blue Wolves of Mibu Manga Gets Stage Play Next April

Show to run April 11 - 20 in Tokyo, April 25 - 27 in Kyoto ― Tsuyoshi Yasuda's The Blue Wolves of Mibu (Ao no Miburo or Blue Miburo) manga is getting a stage play adaptation in April. The show will run from April 11 to April 20 at EX Theater Roppongi in Tokyo, and from April 25 to April 27 at the Kyoto Theater in Kyoto. The cast includes: Tsubokura as Nio Hayate Iijima as Okita Sōji Rita Aizawa as Sa...
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Live-Action Cells at Work! Film Opens at #1 With 845 Million Yen

Fushigi Dagashiya Zenitendō live-action film opens at #4 with 157 million yen ― The live-action film of Akane Shimizu's Cells at Work! (Hataraku Saibō) manga ranked at #1 in the Japanese box office in its opening weekend. The film sold a total of 612,000 tickets and earned a total of 844,768,310 yen (about US$5.49 million) in its first three days. The film opened in Japan last Friday. The film has 4D...
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Live-Action Alice-san Chi no Iroribata Series' Teaser Reveals Ending Song

Manato Funatsu performs "Aloe" ending song for January 7 series ― The official X (formerly Twitter) account for the live-action series adaptation of Bunta Kinami's Alice-san Chi no Iroribata (Beside the Hearth at Alice-san's House) manga revealed a teaser video on Wednesday. The video reveals and previews the ending theme song "Aloe" by Manato Funatsu. °。⋱#アリスさんちの囲炉裏端 ⋰ 。°/🎵エンディング主題歌 解禁 『アロエ』 / 舟津真翔\...
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Ya Boy Kongming! Manga Gets Live-Action Film

Osamu Mukai, Moka Kamishiraishi, Dean Fujioka, Mirai Moriyama return from live-action series for April 25 film ― Yuto Yotsuba and Ryō Ogawa's Ya Boy Kongming! (Paripi Kōmei) manga is getting a live-action film adaptation titled Paripi Kōmei THE MOVIE (Ya Boy Kongming! the Movie) on April 25. The staff also released a behind-the-scenes video. The film is set during "Music Battle Awards 2025," a music ...
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Live-Action Suicide Notes Laid on the Table Film's Trailer Reveals Theme Song

THE RAMPAGE performs theme song "Drown Out the Noise" ― The official website for the live-action film of Toutarou Minami's Suicide Notes Laid on the Table (Isho, Kōkai.) manga began streaming a trailer for the film on Tuesday. The trailer reveals and previews the film's theme song "Drown Out The Noise" by THE RAMPAGE. The main cast includes The Rampage from Exile Tribe boy band member Hokuto Yoshino ...
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Live-Action Himitsu - Top Secret Series' Teaser Reveals More Cast

Jun Kunimura, Tsutomu Takahashi join cast as Kiyotaka Kainuma, Yasufumi Okabe ― The official X (formerly Twitter) account for the live-action series of Reiko Shimizu's Himitsu - Top Secret manga unveiled the first teaser promotional video for the series on Monday. The teaser reveals more cast members for the series. ◤ ̄ ̄ ̄ ̄ ̄ ̄ ̄ ̄ ̄ ̄ ̄ ̄ ̄◥ 2025年1月20日スタート「秘密〜THE TOP SECRET〜」◣_____________◢やっとご覧いただけます!1月20日スター...
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Akiko Higashimura's Blank Canvas: My So-Called Artist's Journey Manga Gets Live-Action Film

Mei Nagano, Yō Ōizumi star in film on May 16 ― Warner Bros. Japan announced on Tuesday that Akiko Higashimura's semi-autobiographical manga Blank Canvas: My So-Called Artist's Journey (Kakukaku Shikajika) manga is getting a live-action film on May 16, 2025. The company streamed a trailer: Higashimura drew an illustration to commemorate the announcement: The film stars Mei Nagano as high school girl A...
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Demon Slayer Gets New 'Swordsmith Village Arc' Stage Play in April

5th stage play to run in Tokyo, Hyōgo with returning cast ― The official website for the stage play adaptations of Koyoharu Gotouge's Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba manga revealed on Monday that the manga's "Swordsmith Village Arc" will have a stage play adaptation that will run in Tokyo and Hyōgo in April 2025. Shōgo Sakamoto will return from the previous "Entertainment District Arc" stage play as T...
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Live-Action Wakako-zake Season 8's Trailer Unveils More Cast, Theme Song Artists

Kanji Tsuda, Wakako Shimazaki join cast; Gang Parade, Shione perform theme songs ― The staff for the eighth season of the live-action series based on Chie Shinkyū's Wakako-zake manga unveiled a new 30-second trailer and visual for the series on Monday. The trailer reveals more cast for the season. In addition, the idols of the Gang Parade group announced that they will perform the season's opening th...
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Live-Action One Piece Gets 11 Nominations for Children's & Family Emmys

Also: VES Awards honor Godzilla Minus One's Takashi Yamazaki, Shōgun's Hiroyuki Sanada ― The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences announced on Thursday that it has nominated the live-action adaptation of Eiichiro Oda's One Piece manga for 11 categories at the 2024 Children's & Family Emmys: Young Teen Series Children's Personality (Ian McShane) Music Direction and Composition for a Live A...
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Hunter x Hunter Manga Gets 3rd Stage Play in May-June 2025

New stage play to feature manga's "Greed Island Arc" ― The official X/Twitter account for the stage plays of Yoshihiro Togashi's Hunter X Hunter manga revealed on Thursday its third stage play adaptation titled Hunter x Hunter The Stage 3, which will run in May 2025 at the The Galaxy Theatre in Tokyo, and in June 2025 at the Sky Theater MBS in Osaka. The third stage play will feature the manga's "G....
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Live-Action Adaptation of Webtoon Love Revolution Premieres in Japan on January 11

Series to star Toa Shimasaki, Mizuki Yoshida, Ichiki Yamanaka ― The new live-action television series Renai Kakumei (Love Revolution), starring Toa Shimasaki from Lil Kansai, will premiere on January 11, 2025, during late-night programming on ABC TV in Japan. Based on the popular webtoon Love Revolution, which was previously adapted in Korea in 2020, the series follows high school student Rei Himeno...
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Live-Action Cells at Work! Film's New Clip Highlights Platelets

Film opens in Japan on Friday ― The staff for the live-action film of Akane Shimizu's Cells at Work! (Hataraku Saibō) manga revealed a new clip from the film on Thursday. The clip highlights the role of platelets (imagined, as in the manga and anime, as kindergarteners) in clotting to close a wound. The film will premiere in Japan on Friday. The film will have 4D (4DX and MX4D) and IMAX screenings in...
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Live-Action Baban Baban Ban Vampire Film's Trailer Reveals Theme Song

imase performs "Ii Yu da na 2025 imase x mabanua MIX" theme song for February 14 film ― The staff for the live-action film of Hiromasa Okujima's Baban Baban Ban Vampire manga revealed the theme song in its full trailer, as well as its main visual and its MoviTicke card design, on Thursday. The trailer previews the theme song "Ii Yu da na 2025 imase x mabanua MIX," which is imase's remix of a classic ...
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Gazing at the Star Next Door Manga Gets Live-Action Film

Riko Fukumoto, Yusei Yagi star in summer 2025 film ― Ammitsu's Gazing at the Star Next Door (Tonari no Stella) manga will get a live-action film adaptation in summer 2025. Filming will take place from January to February. The series stars Riko Fukumoto as Chiaki (left in image below) and Yusei Yagi as Subaru (right). Ammitsu drew an illustration to celebrate the announcement. Hana Matsumoto (Oshi no ...
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Live-Action My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999 Film Reveals Guild Members

NOA, Rui Tsukishima, Mogura Suzuki, Mahiru Coda, Mizuki Kayashima, Ōshirō Maeda join March 28 film's cast ― The X (formerly Twitter) account for the live-action film of Mashiro's My Love Story With Yamada-kun at Lv999 (Yamada-kun to Lv999 no Koi wo Suru) manga announced the cast for the guild members on Wednesday. The series stars (top row, left to right): NOA as Eita Sasaki Rui Tsukishima as Runa Sa...
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Live-Action Silent Service Sequel's Behind-The-Scenes Video Confirms September 26 Film Release

2 key visuals also posted ― The staff for the live-action project of Kaiji Kawaguchi's The Silent Service manga announced that the upcoming sequel is a film titled Chinmoku no kantai Hokkyoku-kai dai kaisen (The Silent Service: The Battle of the Arctic Ocean). The film from the returning main cast and staff will open in theaters on September 26. The staff also presented a behind-the-scenes promotiona...
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Live-Action Himitsu - Top Secret Series Reveals New Cast, January 20 Premiere

Mugi Kadowaki joins cast as Yukiko Miyoshi ― The official website for the live-action series of Reiko Shimizu's Himitsu - Top Secret manga revealed on Sunday that the series will premiere on Fuji TV, Kansai TV, and their affiliated channels on January 20. Mugi Kadowaki joins the cast as anatomist Yukiko Miyoshi. Yūto Nakajima (Pink and Gray, Our Meal for Tomorrow) plays the roles of both Ikkō Aoki an...
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Live-Action A Girl and Her Guard Dog Film Reveals New Cast Members

Kisuke Iida, Tetta Sugimoto, Nozomi Sasaki, more join March 14 film's cast ― The official X/Twitter account for the live-action film adaptation of Hatsuharu's A Girl & Her Guard Dog (Ojō to Banken-kun) manga revealed six new cast members on Monday. The newly announced cast are (from top left to bottom right in image above): Kisuke Iida as Junnosuke Tanuki Tetta Sugimoto as Taisuke Senagaki Nozomi Sas...
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Live-Action Oshi no Ko Series' Unused Concert Footage Streamed

B-Komachi idols perform "Our Sign Is B" in footage ― The official website for the live-action series of Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari's Oshi no Ko manga began streaming a video featuring unused concert footage for the live-action series last Friday. The video features the song "Our Sign Is B" ("Sign wa B"), performed by Nagisa Saitō, Nanoka Hara, and Ano as their respective characters in the B-Komac...
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Live-Action Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Film Streams Featurette on Dr. Robotnik

Jim Carrey plays double roles in film opening on December 20 ― Paramount Pictures began streaming a featurette about Dr. Robotnik for the live-action Sonic the Hedgehog 3 film on Saturday. The video features commentary from cast members, including Jim Carrey, who reprises his role as Dr. Robotnik and also plays the doctor's grandfather: The film is slated for release on December 20. Keanu Reeves is j...
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Light Shop, Live-Action Thriller Series Based on Webtoon, is Streaming Now on Hulu

Thriller about where living, dead meet stars Ji-hoon Ju, Bo-young Park ― Hulu began streaming the first four episodes of the new thriller series Light Shop on December 3. The live-action adaptation of the webtoon of the same name stars Ji-hoon Ju as Won-young, the owner of a shop where the living and the dead intersect, and Bo-young Park as Young-ji, an ICU nurse dedicated to patient recovery. The s...
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Seal My Lips With a Kiss Manga Gets Live-Action Series

Ryūsei Fujii, Ayaka Konno star in February 3 series ― Drama DiVE's X (formerly Twitter) account announced on Saturday that Fudono Fudou's Seal My Lips With a Kiss (Kiss de Fusaide, Barenaide.) manga will get a live-action television series adaptation starting on February 3. The series stars WEST. idol group member Ryūsei Fujii (live-action Kakegurui, Samurai Sensei) as Daisuke Shioya (left in the pho...
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2024 Saturn Awards Nominate Boy and the Heron, Spy×Family Code: White, Kaiju No. 8, More

Transformers One, Godzilla Minus One, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Monarch Legacy of Monsters also receive nominations ― The Saturn Awards — the awards that honor the best science fiction, horror, and fantasy movies and television programs of the year — announced the nominations for the 52nd annual awards on Thursday. The nominees for Best Animated Film include: The Boy and the Heron Despicable M...
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Live-Action My Tiny Senpai Series Reveals More of Its Cast

Tsubasa Takizawa, Kōsuke Suzuki, Mito Yukimi, Sōta Uemura, more join cast ― The official website for the live-action series of Saisou's My Tiny Senpai (Uchi no Kaisha no Chiisai Sempai no Hanashi or Story of a Small Senior in My Company) manga announced more cast members for the series on Friday. The new cast members include (clockwise from upper left in image above): Sōta Uemura as Yūsuke Yamagishi ...
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Live-Action Oshi no Ko Reveals 2 Cast Members, Trailer for Sequel Film

Kazunari Ninomiya plays Hikaru Kamiki, Sōya Kurokawa plays young version ― The official website for the live-action series of Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari's Oshi no Ko manga revealed on Thursday two new cast members and a trailer for the live-action sequel film Oshi no Ko -The Final Act-. Kazunari Ninomiya will play Hikaru Kamiki. Sōya Kurokawa will play the young version. The website posted an upd...
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Hashigo Sakurabi's DAKAICHI -I'm being harassed by the sexiest man of the year- Manga Gets Live-Action Adaptation in Thailand

Thai series adaptation slated for 2025 debut ― The official X/Twitter account of Hashigo Sakurabi's Dakaretai Otoko 1-i ni Odosarete Imasu. (DAKAICHI -I'm being harassed by the sexiest man of the year-) manga announced on Thursday that the series will be getting a live-action adaptation in Thailand, under the title Top Form, and is slated for release in 2025. WeTV and Tailai Entertainment are produci...
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New Live-Action Salaryman Kintaro Films Reveal 1st Film's Trailer, Main Visual

Salaryman Kintaro Akatsuki-hen opens in theaters on January 10 ― The staff for the live-action films for Hiroshi Motomiya's manga classic Salaryman Kintaro revealed the full trailer on Wednesday for the first film titled Salaryman Kintaro Akatsuki-hen (Salaryman Kintaro Dawn), along with a main visual for both films. The tagline on the visual reads, "This man smashes through even conventional wisdom ...
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Live-Action Saint Young Men Film Casts 3 Voice Actors

Ryūsei Nakao, Megumi Ogata, Ryōtarō Okiayu join cast ― The official website for Saint Oniisan The Movie ~Holy Men vs Akuma Gundan~ (Holy Men vs Demon Army), the first live-action film of Hikaru Nakamura's Saint Young Men (Saint Oniisan) manga, revealed three more cast members for the film on Tuesday. All three are voice actors who will voice characters in the film. 【贅沢すぎる豪華声優陣、聖☆おにいさんに降臨!】12月20日(金)公開...
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Live-Action Oshi no Ko Series' New Trailer Highlights Last 2 Episodes

Episodes 7, 8 debut on Thursday with preview of film's beginning ― The official website for the live-action series of Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari's Oshi no Ko manga revealed a trailer for the live-action series on Tuesday. The trailer highlights the series' seventh and eighth episodes, which will debut simultaneously on Amazon Prime Video on Thursday. A special video for the live-action film seque...
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Netflix Streams Live-Action JIN Series

Motoka Murakami's historical medical manga inspired series in 2009 ― Netflix is streaming both seasons of the live-action television series of Motoka Murakami's historical medical manga JIN. The series is streaming in various countries including the U.S., Canada, and Japan. The manga's protagonist Jin Minakata is a doctor from present-day Japan who finds himself sent back to Japan's Bakumatsu era, th...
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Osamu Tezuka's Wonder 3 Manga Inspires New Stage Play

Play runs in Tokyo in June, Hyogo in July ― Osamu Tezuka's Wonder Three manga is inspiring a new stage play that will run at the Theater Milano-Za in Tokyo next June and at the Hyogo Performing Arts Center next July. The cast includes (pictured above from left to right, starting with top row): Mizuki Inoue as Shinichi Hoshi Soichi Hirama as Kōichi Hoshi Songha as Commander Lamp Takato Nagata as Pukko...
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Live-Action Golden Kamuy Film Gets Sequel

Announced after finale of live-action series on Sunday ― The live-action Golden Kamuy -Hokkaido Irezumi Shūjin Sōdatsu-hen- (Golden Kamuy: The Battle for the Hokkaido Tattooed Prisoners Arc) series ended on Sunday with video announcing a sequel live-action fim. The first live-action Golden Kamuy film opened in Japan on January 19 and topped the Japanese box office in its first weekend. The film sold ...
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Japanese Animation TV Ranking, November 18-24

Blue Miburo earns 3.3%, Magilumiere Co. Ltd. earns 2.6%, Dragon Ball Daima earns 2.4% ― This week's episode of the live-action series of Mayu Hinase's Hōkago Karte (After School Doctor) manga aired on NTV on Saturday, November 23 at 9:00 p.m. and earned a 6.6% rating. Title Station Date Time Length Average Household Rating Sazae-san Fuji TV November 24 (Sun) 18:30 30 min. 8.5 Detective Conan NTV Nov...
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Live-Action Cells at Work! Film Reveals IMAX Visual, 4D Screenings

Film opens in Japan on December 13 ― The staff for the live-action film of Akane Shimizu's Cells at Work! (Hataraku Saibō) manga revealed a visual on Saturday for the IMAX screenings of the film, and also revealed the film will have 4D screenings (4DX and MX4D) in Japan. The film will premiere in Japan on December 13. The previously announced cast includes: Mei Nagano as Red Blood Cell Takeru Satō as...
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Live-Action Solitary Gourmet Show Gets 8th Consecutive New Year's Special

Special airs on December 31, before film opens on January 10 ― TV Tokyo announced on Thursday that the live-action series of Masayuki Kusumi and Jiro Taniguchi's Kodoku no Gourmet (Solitary Gourmet) manga will have its eighth consecutive New Year's special, tentatively titled Kodoku no Gourmet 2024 Ōmisoka Special (Solitary Gourmet 2024 New Year's Eve Special), on December 31 at 10:00 p.m. JST (8:00 ...

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