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Shun Oguri, Masaki Okada to Film Uchū Kyōdai Manga
posted on by Egan Loo
The Kodansha book We Are Uchū Kyōdai Vol. 02 announced on Wednesday that actors Shun Oguri (Gokusen, Hana Yori Dango [2005], Fullmetal Alchemist: The Movie - Conqueror of Shamballa) and Masaki Okada (Hana Zakari no Kimi-tachi e, Boku no Hatsukoi o Kimi ni Sasagu, Mahō Tsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto) will star in a live-action film adaptation of Chūya Koyama's Uchū Kyōdai manga.
The story follows two brothers, Mutta (Oguri) and Hibito (Okada), who made a vow as kids to travel to space. The younger brother Hibito did become an astronaut, but not Mutta. However, Mutta's life changes one fateful day.
Koyama launched the manga in Kodansha's Morning magazine in 2007, and the 13th volume of the manga shipped on Wednesday in standard and limited editions. The manga ranked #2 for two years in a row for the Manga Taisho award, and it won a General Category award in the 56th Shogakukan Manga Awards in January. (Since the manga series is longer than eight volumes as of last year, it is no longer eligible to compete for the Manga Taisho award.)
Source: Comic Natalie
Update: More background information added.
Update 2: The official website of the film opened a preview page which reveals the film's Spring 2012 opening date.
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