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On July 28, the Super Kabuki II One Piece Production Committee held a press conference in Tokyo’s Imperial Hotel. The theatrical adaptation has been widely talked about since it was initially announced. This long-awaited press conference provided information about the cast and plot of the new play.
It was announced that the main character, Monkey D. Luffy, would be played by Ennosuke Ichikawa, who is also directing the production. The inclusion of such a well-known theater actor is sure to attract even more attention to the play. The rest of the supporting cast are also all talented actors and actresses, so the performance is sure to meet its high expectations. The show will run from Oct. 7 to Nov. 25, 2015 in Shinbashi Enbujo.
One Piece is a manga series written by Eiichiro Oda, and serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine. It received a Guinness World Record this year after selling a total of 300 million copies worldwide. It is one of the most recognizable manga series in Japan.
The Super Kabuki II is a performance series created by kabuki actor Ennosuke Ichikawa. It is a continuation of his original Super Kabuki production series, which combined modern technology with traditional kabuki acting. The first performance in 2014 was a great success. The One Piece play will be the second in the series. By choosing to base the production on such a hugely popular manga series, the play will likely be more relatable and attract a wider audience than most kabuki performances.
Out of all of the different scenarios in the 78 One Piece volumes, it has been announced that the play will take place during the Summit War Saga. This part of the story increased the fan base of the already popular One Piece series when it was first released. The three-act play will start at Sabaody Archipelago and end with the Summit War. Approximately 30 characters will appear in the play.
Ennosuke Ichikawa will not only play the part of Luffy, but also Hancock and Shanks, some of Luffy’s closest friends in the series. Whitebeard will be played by Ukon Ichikawa. According to kabuki theater tradition, one actor often plays more than one character in a given production. This unique aspect is one thing that makes kabuki so interesting.
The rest of the cast lineup includes Minosuke Bandou as Roronoa Zoro, Mr. 2 Von Clay, and Squard; Shunen Ichikawa as Sanji and Inazuma; Koutarou Ichikawa as Hatchan and Sentomaru; Junen Ichikawa as Avalo Pizarro; Emisaburou Ichikawa as Elder Nyon; Enya Ichikawa as Jinbe; Emiya Ichikawa as Nico Robin and Boa Marigold; Emizou Ichikawa as Magellan; and Monnosuke Ichikawa as Tsuru.
Furthermore, in true Super Kabuki II style, some actors from outside the world of kabuki have been invited to perform. Fan-favorite Portgas D. Ace will be played by Seiji Fukushi; Brook and Akainu Sakazuki by Noritoshi Kashima; and Silvers Rayleigh, Emporio Ivankov, and Sengoku by Kazuyuki Asano.
Tickets for the October performances go on sale Aug. 20, while November tickets will be available on Sept. 20. Special advance tickets will be available at 7-Eleven convenience stores. Of all the current theatrical productions based on popular anime and manga series, this Super Kabuki II One Piece play has set itself apart. Seeing this exciting story depicted onstage in traditional kabuki theater style will be a truly unique experience.
Source: animeanime
