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The theatrical anime adaptation of The Empire of Corpses, co-authored by science fiction author Keikaku Ito and fellow author Toh EnJoe, was announced during the Noitamina Project Conference 2015, which was held on Nov. 27 at Mediage in Odaiba, Tokyo. Noitamina is a comprehensive night programming block featuring anime that was launched by Fuji TV in 2005 and has contributed many masterpieces to the world. From 2015, they are also planning to put efforts into broadcasting feature-length anime, starting with Psycho-Pass: The Movie.
The Empire of Corpses was made as part of Project Itoh, a project aiming to make anime adaptations of the works of the prematurely deceased Keikaku Ito. Project Itoh has previously announced the anime adaptations of two novels: Genocidal Organ and Harmony. The director was revealed and it was also announced that the next in line would be The Empire of Corpses, a work that was completed by Ito’s friend Toh EnJoe after his death. With this, all of Ito’s novels are on their way to becoming theatrical anime.
The director is Ryotaro Makihara, who has contributed to the original pictures of many anime. He made his debut as the movie director of Hal. Wit Studio, which is known for Attack on Titan and Hozuki no Reitetsu, is in charge of production. In addition, redjuice, who drew the visuals for Genocidal Organ and Harmony, is participating as character designer for the whole of Project Itoh, including The Empire of Corpses scheduled to release in 2015.
Keikaku Ito passed away at a young age, and having only written the 30-page preface for the The Empire of Corpses, it was completed by his close friend Toh EnJoe after he received the consent of Ito’s bereaved family. EnJoe won the 146th Akutagawa prize with Dokeshi no Cho (Harlequin’s Butterfly), establishing a good reputation with his works. This exceptional author wrote The Empire of Corpses to honor his friend.
The Empire of Corpses is a highly regarded piece that received a special award at the 31st Nihon SF Taisho Award and an award in the Japanese Long Form category at the 44th Seiun Award. It was also confirmed that a new edition featuring a special cover by redjuice would be published. It is scheduled to hit the bookstores in the near future. Project Itoh is aiming high and it is likely to raise expectations even further.
Comment from director Ryotaro Makihara:
“I’m one of those fans who have been looking forward to movie adaptations of Keikaku Ito’s works. I also looked forward to the release of The Empire of Corpses after I heard EnJoe would be finishing it.
“What makes The Empire of Corpses great is the mixture of an Ito-like problem setting and EnJoe’s cool and occasionally playful writing, and I could also feel their connection while reading the book. Now, a story coming from the souls of these two authors is starting to take a form around my table, the papers for the movie are piling in mountains. I’m giving it a soul and making it move. I feel a mysterious link between animation and this novel, a need to adapt it from literature to motion picture, so I’m working my hardest every day to make it real.”
Comment from original character planner redjuice:
“ Genocidal Organ was drawn with the realism of words and bullets. Harmony depicts a story of fleeting life that takes place in the near future, which could be called the extension of modern society, while The Empire of Corpses is an adventure-action piece set in the 19th century, allowing the readers to enjoy various gimmicks.
“I was given the important task to face the completely different worlds of these three works at the same time. I’m working with my pen every day to make pictures that will reach the hearts of more people and motivate them”
Comment from chief producer Koji Yamamoto:
“Why are people born and where are they headed? Where did the author want to go by leaving a story behind? I want to see that undyingly curious soul reflected in motion picture. I want the story he left to shake the hearts of people.”
Source: animeanime
