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Dragon Emperor Manga Gets Crowdfunding Project for Live-Action Film
posted on by Crystalyn Hodgkins
Manga creator and scriptwriter Takeshi Ichihara (Double Hard, Running Chaser) has launched a crowdfunding campaign on the Nextwaves website for a live-action film adaptation of his and Naoki Konno's Ryūtei -Dragon Emperor- manga.
The manga centers on the actions of a mysterious "fixer" who sits at the top of the black-market underworld of Shibuya's Kabukichō district. Ichihara is himself a film director, and so he will be directing the adaptation. Ichihara will also write the script, produce, and have a role in the film. Konno will collaborate with Ichihara on the script.
The film will feature many famous manga creators as guest stars playing yakuza bosses and cabaret managers, including:
Shinji Hiramatsu (Doberman Keiji, Rikki Taifū)
Goro Yamada (Kikaider, Android of Justice, Kamen Rider)
Tohru Fujisawa (GTO, Kamen Teacher)
Kōji Maki (Metal K, Godsider)
Makoto Niwano (The Momotaroh, Jinnai Ryūjūjutsu Butōden Majima-kun Suttobasu!!)
Shinbo Nomura (Tsurupika Hagemaru, Todoroke! Ichiban)
Mitsuru Miura (The Kabocha Wine)
Yoshihiro Takaiwa (NBA Story, The Story of Yusaku Matsuda)
Yasuhiro Watanabe (Wild Leager, Government Crime Investigation Agent Zaizen Jotaro)
Ochazukenori (The Curse of Yamamura Sadako, Sangekikan)
Famed tokusatsu actors Hiroshi Watari (Uchū Keiji Shariban, Uchū Keiji Gavan, Kamen Teacher) and Kenji Ohba (Kamen Rider, Android Kikaiger, Space Sheriff Gavan) will also guest star in the film as the first and second generation Dragon Emperor, respectively.
The main cast includes: Yuito Ishihara, Mizuho Nagashima, Nozomi Matsuda, Chie Itoyama, and Rikuto Kumazawa.
The crowdfunding campaign is trying to raise 2.5 million yen (about US$20,910) by May 31. The official crowdfunding page is also streaming a trailer for the film.
Pledge tiers range from 1,000 yen (about US$8.40) to 50,000 yen (US$418). Pledge rewards include: a thank you e-mail from Ishihara, a Ryūtei digital main visual image, a post card, a clear file, a PDF download of the film's final script, a T-shirt, the film on DVD, and more. Those who support at the highest level of 50,000 yen will include the above awards as well as a thank you in the ending credits, two tickets to the premiere event and photographs with the main cast, and a signboard autographed by all the members of the cast.
If funded, the film will host an official screening at the Japan Expo 2015 event in Paris in July.
Source: animeanime.jp
