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Toei Produces Mahjong Hōrōki 2020 Live-Action Film With Manga Tie-in
posted on by Rafael Antonio Pineda
Toei announced on October 4 that it is producing Mahjong Hōrōki 2020, a new live-action film based on Takehiro Irokawa's Mahjong Hōrōki novel. In addition, Toei revealed on Monday that the Mahjong Hōrōki 2020 manga (seen right) by Yōzō Shimizu, which has been running in Takeshobo's Kindai Mahjong magazine since June, is a tie-in to the film. The manga's final chapter will debut just before the film's April 5, 2019 opening in Japan.
The original serialized novel centers on mahjong player Bōyatetsu, and is set after the end of the Second World War. The new film and manga move the setting to 2020, with the Tokyo Olympics cancelled, and Bōyatetsu traveling through time to the year 2020. Takumi Saitō (seen below) plays Bōyatetsu in the new film.
Kazuya Shiraishi is directing the film, and Sakichi Sato is penning the script. Masayuki Katayama is credited for plot assistance. Katayama's No Mark Bakuhaitō mahjong manga is also inspiring a live-action film.
Irokawa's original novel has inspired multiple manga, game, and live-action film adaptations.
Sources: Press release, Eiga Natalie, Comic Natalie
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