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Kazuo Umezu's My Name is Shingo Manga Inspires Stage Musical
posted on by Karen Ressler
The science fiction manga Watashi wa Shingo (My Name Is Shingo) by Kazuo Umezu (Drifting Classroom, Makoto-chan) is inspiring a stage musical adaptation that will run from December 2016 to January 2017 in five locations in Japan (Kanagawa, Shizuoka, Toyama, Kyoto, and Tokyo).
Watashi wa Shingo ran in Shogakukan's Weekly Big Comic Spirits in the 1980s. The manga tells a story of a boy and girl who earnestly love each other, but have been separated by adults, and an industrial robot that has gained sentience. The manga explores metaphysical themes like "what is a god?" and "what is consciousness?"
Mitsuki Takahata (live-action Sexy Voice and Robo, Ao Haru Ride, pictured above left) will play the girl, Marin, and Mugi Kadowaki (live-action Omukae desu., Wolf Girl & Black Prince, pictured above right) will play the boy, Satoru.
Philippe Decouflé is directing and handling choreography and Ken'ichi Tani is writing the script. Shūgo Tokumaru and Umitarō Abe are composing the music. Akira Shirai is credited with production cooperation.
Umezu is best known as a horror manga creator. Viz Media published Umezu's Drifting Classroom, Cat Eyed Boy, and Orochi: Blood — as well as Even A Monkey Can Draw Manga and selected Ikki manga — in North America. IDW Publishing printed Reptilia, and Dark Horse Comics handled his Scary Books series. NTT Solmare published part of Cat Eyed Girl digitally via the the Nokia Ovi store.
Umezu's Makoto-chan manga inspired an anime film in 1980 and his Cat Eyed Boy manga inspired a live-action film in 2006.
Umezu made his directorial debut with the autobiographical film Mother in 2014. A 2009 documentary film also focused on Umezu's life.
Source: Comic Natalie
