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The live-action drama Akagi: Yami ni Oritatta Tensai, the third original serial drama by BS Sky Perfect!, will begin broadcasting on Friday, July 17 at 9:00 p.m (JST). Being that it’s a live-action adaptation of an original, hugely popular manga by Nobuyuki Fukumoto, well known from Kaiji and other series, it has become a headline-grabber before its broadcast has even begun.
The main cast playing the unique characters in the series has been confirmed. Kanata Hongo is playing main character Shigeru Akagi and Masahiko Tsugawa is playing his rival, Iwao Washizu.
More than 10 million copies of Akagi are in print, and it is called a monumental modern mahjong manga. It has been in serialization for 17 years. The drama will depict the life and death game of Washizu Mahjong against Japan’s king of darkness, Iwao Washizu. It will be a representative episode of the continuing serialization, from the eighth tankobon volume to the most current volume.
Instead of wagering huge amounts of money, Washizu Mahjong is played with the aberrant, special rule of betting your own blood. Playing in this mad game to the death is main character Shigeru Akagi, who shakes up the underbelly of society as a legendary fighter who possesses “skills that exceed that of an ordinary person,” and Iwao Washizu, Japan’s king of darkness who has a huge fortune and strong influence.
Kanata Hongo, who was chosen for the role of Akagi, a 13-year-old genius who defeats professional players, currently stars in the NHK Saturday drama Chanpon Tabetaka. He will also star in the upcoming Strayer’s Chronicle and this summer’s blockbuster movie, Attack on Titan. He is a young actor rapidly growing in talent due to his experience in a variety of roles. Keep a close eye on how he will play the unconventionally cool Akagi.
Playing his rival, the King of Darkness Iwao Washizu, is Masahiko Tsugawa, a famous actor who debuted in the 1956 movie Crazed Fruit and has since acted in countless movies, dramas, and historical plays. Having both a dignified and threatening presence, Tsugawa is perfect for this character who controls Japan behind the scenes.
A key visual has been released that shows Akagi and Washizu in both their live-action form and illustrated form from the original manga side by side. Both magnificently portray the characters just as they appear.
In addition to this, Yoji Tanaka will be playing Yakuza member Takeshi Ogi who sends Akagi off to play Washizu Mahjong. Along with the other members of the cast including Satoshi Jinbo playing Yasuoka, a vice detective who is also connected to a crime syndicate, a unique lineup of actors have been assembled to capture the original work.
Akagi Official Site
First Broadcast: Friday, July 17, 2015 at 9:00 p.m.
Broadcast Date & Time: Every Friday at 9:00 p.m. (10 episodes total, 60 minutes per episode)
Directors/Producers: Hitoshi Iwamoto, Mitsuru Kubota
Scriptwriter: Mitsuru Tanabe
Original Work: Akagi: Yami no Oritatta Tensai by Nobuyuki Fukumoto (published in Takeshobo’s Modern Mahjong Comics)
Theme Song: “Don’t Be Afraid” by Shonan no Kaze (Toy’s Factory)
Source: animeanime
Source article written by Toru Soma
