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More Live-Action Gintama Film Cast Members Return for Sequel
posted on by Rafael Antonio Pineda
The official website for the upcoming sequel film Gintama 2 (Kari) (Gintama 2 (Working Title)) revealed more returning cast from the first film on Monday. Masami Nagasawa (bottom row left in picture below) returns as Tae Shimura, while Masaki Okada (bottom row center) returns as Kotarō Katsura. The character Elizabeth (bottom row right) also returns, but the site did not specify if Takayuki Yamada is returning for the role.
Previously announced returning cast members include Shun Oguri, Masaki Suda, and Kanna Hashimoto (left to right in top row in picture above) as Gintoki Sakata, Shinpachi Shimura, and Kagura, respectively.
Jirō Satō (seen in picture below) is also returning, but in a different role. Sato previously played the character Takechi Henpeita in the first film.
The film opens in Japan on August 17.
The first film opened in Japan last July, and it earned 980 million yen (US$8.9 million) in its first four days. The film also inspired a live-action net show that debuted on Docomo's dTV streaming service one day after the film's opening. The film had its Canadian premiere at the Fantasia International Film Festival last July, and Azoland Pictures screened the film in the United States and Canada starting on January 19.
Well Go USA released the first film on DVD, Blu-ray Disc and DVD combo pack, and Digital HD on March 6.
Hideaki Sorachi began the manga in 2004, and it has more than 55 million copies in print in Japan as of February. Viz Media published the first 23 volumes in English. Shueisha published the manga's 72nd volume on March 2, and will publish the 73rd volume on June 4. The manga reached the "climax" of its final arc in February.
Sources: Live-Action Gintama Official Website, Comic Natalie
