Over 4 million copies have been printed of the popular manga Mogura no Uta. Now, a live-action film adaptation of the manga is underway. Takashi Miike, who has worked on numerous film adaptations, is directing, and Kankuro Kudo, who is active in the worlds of both drama and theater, is in charge of the screenplay. The film is planned to release in 2014. The lead role is being performed by Johnny & Associates’ Toma Ikuta.
A wonderful group of stars will perform supporting roles in the film including Shinichi Tsutsumi, Riisa Naka, Takayuki Yamada, Takashi Okamura, and Yusuke Kamiji. Visuals of these stars wearing the same bold outfits that appeared in the manga have also been unveiled for the first time. The producer commented, “Not losing to the original work’s unique characters, I offered roles to actors and actresses who possess charm and presence.”
With the exception of Ikuta, the rest of the cast has experience working with Miike. Not only are the actors talented, but their physical abilities and endurance as actors are superb. Although it is a comedic work, relentless action scenes have been performed everyday. Additional cast includes veteran stars Mitsuru Fukikoshi, Kenichi Endo, Ren Osugi, and Kouichi Iwaki. Footage already completed features an array of content including sword fights, car stunts, gun action, wire action, and more.
A highlight of the film is sure to be the faithfully reproduced makeup and outfits from the manga. Visuals of the makeup and outfits were released to the public together with illustrations of the original work. As much as they can, each role is being recreated as closely as possible by using costumes and fake tattoos. The visuals of the characters’ real-life portrayals are not to be missed.
In 2005, Takahashi’s manga Mogura no Uta began serialization in Weekly Young Sunday and recently also began in Weekly Big Comic Spirits. It follow the story of an undercover officer. Officer Reiji Kikukawa is summoned by the police chief and fired. While it seems to be due to disciplinary reasons, it is actually carried out in order for Reiji to infiltrate a crime syndicate as a mole. He aims to take down Todoroki Shuho, the boss of the largest Sakiya crime syndicate located in Kanto. Will Reiji fulfill his task without incident? To find out exactly what happens, fans will have to wait until February 2014!
Mogura no Uta Film Official Site:
http://mogura-movie.com/ (Japanese)
Source:
http://animeanime.jp/article/2013/05/02/13893.html (Japanese)