Yeah, so, we've been paying pretty close attention to the details about Yukihiko Tsutsumi's 20th Century Boys. We see no reason to stop now.
Toho announced yesterday which actress landed the role of the heroine in the upcoming live action version of the manga 20th Century Boys. Kanna, the niece of the protagonist Kenji (Toshiaki Karasawa), will be played by 23-year-old actress Airi Taira.
Although Kanna's part in the first movie is minor, she plays a critical role in bridging the first two films and in the rest of the trilogy... the character is introduced as an infant in the first film and later takes on a pivotal role as a teenager in the second and third installments in the trilogy... The first installment opens on August 30, and the second is lined up for January 31, 2009. TG and Ryungani
You'll want to head over to Ryuganji and read Don Brown's take on this adaptation. For one, he's read the full manga so his insights on the production as a whole, though a touch disheartening, may be wholly accurate. Dang.
Trailers after the break...
Some of his points certainly bear merit, but his assessment of the director's ability suggests he hasn't see very much of his work. Tsutsumi's a bit a journeyman director, and has made his share of crap. The success of Trick - a brilliant comedy series with a distinctive, very un-TV-like visual style - does seem to have led to a lot of 'quirky' jobs, and deliberately campy material like Sword of Alexander/Taitei no Ken don't really show that he's capable of directing something like 20th Century Boys.
But I find it hard to believe anyone who saw Ikebukuro West Gate Park would accuse him of being unable to handle drama.
Frankly, given the absolute lack of style most big budget Japanese films have, I'm relieved to have him in charge; even if it ends up a bit gimmicky, that would still be better than soul crushingly bland.
I have been feeling very apprehensive about the recent announcements of so many good manga and anime series being turned into feature length movies.
When you read 20th Century boys you are left with the impression that it would be incredibly difficult to turn that story into a movie, but it really seems that they have a good grip on things. The trailers look like they are sticking with the same formula the manga had. But then again, just because the trailer looks good doesn't necessarily mean they will follow through with it.