Netflix Reveals All Four Main Cast Members of "Yu Yu Hakusho"

 

Meet the spirit detective and his three pals who are going to debut in Netflix's live-action adaptation of one of the most popular manga and anime series of the 1990's!

As revealed by the streaming service through the past few days, the main cast of the upcoming "Yu Yu Hakusho" series for 2023 has been revealed - with Takumi Kitamura leading the charge playing Yusuke Urameshi himself. 

Next up is Jun Shishon as Kurama, with Hongo Kanata as Hiei and finally Shuhei Uesugi as Yusuke's rival and best pal Kazuma Kuwabara.

Yu Yu Hakusho is slated to be released on December 2023 on Netflix.

Takeru Satoh returns in the first teaser trailer for Rurouni Kenshin Final Chapter films

Fans of Rurouni Kenshin - or better known as Samurai X to western audiences - will see the finale and the origins of the legendary slasher turned wanderer later this year, as Warner Bros. Japan has officially released the first teaser trailer to "Rurouni Kenshin Saishūshō The Final" and "Rurouni Kenshin Saishūshō The Beginning " - marking the adaptations of the "Jinchu"arc that deals with Kenshin (Takeru Satoh) and his friends encountering the mysterious Enishi (Mackenyu), and the origins of the cross-shaped scar and Kenshin's time as "Battousai" during the war.

Courtesy of Warner Bros. Japan and Anime News Network, here is the trailer.


Both films, once again directed by Keishi Otomo, are based on the popular manga and anime series by Nobuhiro Watsuki, and are sequels themselves to the 2012 "Rurouni Kenshin" film as well as its "Kyoto Arc" sequels that were both released in 2014. The new "Final Chapters" films are set for release on July 3 and August 7 respectively.

First review of Rurouni Kenshin Live Action now online

Following its release in theaters in Japan last weekend, the live-action film adaptation of Nobuhiro Watsuki's epic Samurai manga/ anime series Rurouni Kenshin has finally gotten reviews online. Kotaku has one of the first reviews up, and reviewer Richard Elsenbels highlights his review by calling the movie a "nearly perfect film adaptation". It has yet to be scheduled for an international release, but outpouring support and demand from the fanbase around the world have pushed for it to come sooner than later. Until such time an announcement is made, we can only hope and pray than Kenshin comes to a theater near you outside Japan.

Rurouni Kenshin Live Action Trailer w/ English Subs
Rurouni Kenshin was released by Warner Bros, is currently playing in Japanese theaters.

Rurouni Kenshin Live Action Movie poster debuts online

With a new trailer debuting this week to hype the release of the live action Rurouni Kenshin movie in August, it seems the very first official poster has also made its way online!

There he is, Takeru Satoh (Kamen Rider Den-O) as Himura Kenshin... formerly known as Hitokiri Battousai! If you haven't seen the trailer yet, check it out here to compliment the release of this fashionably awesome new poster!

Rurouni Kenshin debuts in Japanese theaters on August 25!

Rurouni Kenshin 2nd Trailer arrives online

Via JEFusion, the second trailer for the live action adaptation of Nobuhiko Watsuki's Rurouni Kenshin. Starring Takeru Satoh of Kamen Rider Den-O fame as Kenshin Himura, the movie will focus on the first story arc with Kenshin's introduction and eventually squaring off against Jine, the Oniwabanshu, and Saito Hajime. Emi Takei plays Kamiya Kaoru, Munetaka Aoki will play Sagara Sanosuke, Yuu Aoi is Megumi Takani, and Taketo Tanaka will be Myojin Yahiko. Musician and actor Koji Kikkawa of Kamen Rider W fame (he played Kamen Rider Skull) will play the deadly Jine Udo, while Yosuke Eguchi will take on the role of Saito Hajime. If you haven't already, check out the second trailer below!



Rurouni Kenshin second trailer

Intended to be the first of a series of films that will also be distributed internationally, Ruroni Kenshin will be the live action realization that fans of the manga and anime series will absolutely want to see in theaters. For more information and details on the story, read up the source post at JEFusion!

Rurouni Kenshin slashes its way to theaters in Japan on August 25th!

Japan's Life-Sized RX-78-2 Gundam returns in April 19!

Mobile Suit Gundam has endured for many years since its introduction to Japan and the world with the original series in April of 1979. Since then the universe that began with Universal Century has expanded immensely, and several other spin-off titles have been created, garnering countless fans across the globe who admire the military science fiction drama and action the series possesses.

A couple of years ago, a life-sized model of the original Gundam, the RX-78-2 found in Mobile Suit Gundam and piloted by Newtype Amuro Ray, was first erected in Odaiba, Japan in July 2009. It moved to Shizuoka the following year, and some disassembled parts were donated to a charity drive following the great earthquake in Japan in 2011. Now, the large model of the original Gundam is set to return, with a grand opening on April 19 this year. Since it's already up, some time lapse videos have been released by one darwinfish105.

Here's one of the time lapse videos, showing the Gundam being constructed from scratch! For the other  clip plus more info on the life sized Gundam, check the source post at Anime News Network!

Rurouni Kenshin Live-Action Official Pics Released!

Following up on a first-look scan released a few days ago and via a post at Anime News Network, the staff and makers of next year's upcoming live action adaptation of "Rurouni Kenshin". Also known as "Samurai X" in the US and based on the manga and anime series of the same name created by Nobuhiro Watsuki, the movie will premiere on August, and will star Takeru Satoh of Kamen Rider Den-O fame as the legendary slasher Kenshin Himura himself, with Emi Takei playing his love interest Kamiya Kaoru, who is pictured below.

More pics can be seen via the source post at ANN, so be sure to check that out as well!

The live-action movie adaptation of Rurouni Kenshin is slated for release in Japan on August 25, 2012!

Rurouni Kenshin/ Samurai X Live Action Film Confirmed!

Recently reported by Sankaku Complex and Anime News Network, it appears that Nobuhiro Watsuki's epic Manga/ Anime series Rurouni Kenshin (aka Samurai X in the US) is FINALLY getting the live action movie treatment in Japan! To be directed by Otomo Keishi, the film will also be produced and distributed by Warner Bros. Japan, and for an epic series like this, proper detail and attention like this should be rightfully given!

Kamen Rider-Den-O Opening

Cast in the titular role is Takeru Satoh, a familiar face to those who hop the Japanese live-action/ toksatsu series scene, as he's better known as Nogami Ryotaro from Kamen Rider Den-O! Above is the intro to the series, and below is a clip of him in character as Ryotaro. Take a look at it and see why I think he's a great casting choice for the role of Kenshin Himura!

Takeru Satoh as Nogami Ryotarou in Kamen Rider Den-O

He'll act like "Oro" Kenshin perfectly alright! In the article posted by ANN, the 22 year old Satoh even expresses his amusement over getting the role, being a fan of the series since elementary school and stating that it the manga "his generation grew up with". He's currently undergoing intensive sword training this month, and production for the film is slated to start this July, with a release date sometime in 2012. Can't wait for more news on this, and word is that this may even spawn into a film franchise! For more info, visit the source posts at Sankaku Complex or Anime News Network!

Rurouni Kenshin/ Samurai X is making a comeback with a new Anime!

As reported in Anime News Network, The June issue of Japan's Shueisha Jump Square magazine announced that a new anime project based on Nobuhiro Watsuki's Rurouni Kenshin has been given the go signal for development!

Rurouni Kenshin/ Samurai X Intro 1

First developed as a manga that ran from 1994-1999 and then making the jump to TV as an anime series that debuted in January 1996, Rurouni Kenshin, or Samurai X as it is known in the west, is a popular series that focuses on a wandering swordsman named Kenshin Himura, who gives up his life as an assassin to live a peaceful life and protect the innocent at the same time. Over the course of the series, Kenshin befriends and makes up a new surrogate family, while contending with numerous problems and adversaries that stem from his past life, forcing him to act and take a stand in order to ensure peace is maintained.

Well over a decade has passed since the series ended its run, but fans continue to revel on the numerous publications and media the series has spawned, including a new PSP game released a month ago that celebrates the TV series 15th anniversary. With the new project announced, here's looking forward to a new OVA and/ or anime series that'll capture the spirit once more, and bring us more action with Kenshin, Sano, and the gang! For more info, visit Anime News Network!

Space Battleship Yamato: The Movie Trailer!

Another classic Japanese anime/ manga story has been reborn as a live action mmovie!

The legendary intergalactic adventure by famed anime and manga creator Leiji Mastumoto comes to life this December 1 2010. In a futuristic story that details the Earth in the brink of destruction, the crew of an immense and powerful space battleship must travel to an alien planet to obtain a device that will save their dying planet. This is the story of the Space Battleship Yamato... Let the adventure begin anew!

Space Battleship Yamato Trailer

Watch Out For The High School Of The Dead!

I'm a fan of the zombie genre, and it's been picking so much steam over the last few years that I couldn't be more excited of the things to expect in the coming months ahead. With Robert Kirkman's seminal graphic novel series "The Walking Dead" getting the TV Series treatment and Capcom's Dead Rising 2 shuffling closer and closer, zombies are still the ever the "in thing" as far as monsters and survival horror stories are concerned. However, there's new blood that I recently learned about from a friend that I want to explore, and it involves the anime series adaptation of a long running and currently published manga that deals with Japanese High School students banding together to fight the zombie apocalypse that threatens their very lives. Guess what the title of this is:




Yes. With a title like that, I'm game and it'll work for me!

The premise sounds awfully like your typical zombie story, laced with love, action, and social commentary. This time, however, it's done in wonderful Japanese animation, as a anime series, I'm all eyes and ears as I enjoy that genre very much as well. Written by Daisuke Sato, HSOTD follows a 17 year old kid named Takashi Komuro, who notices the initial signs of the outbreak and does what he can to avoid it and survive. However, he has to band together with several other people from his high school, including his childhood friend and love interest Rei Miyamoto, in order to increase their chances for survival. Throw in their 26 year old school nurse, and you got one heck of a survival horror team that shades of the game Left 4 Dead and even comedic zombie flick Shaun Of The Dead! Hey, anything can happen when it comes to anime, and you'd best check out the opening of this one!

High School Of The Dead Anime Opening
Now, for the PV!

High School Of The Dead Anime PV
Animated by Madhouse (Trigun), High School Of The Dead premiered in Japan last July 5 and is scheduled for 12 episodes.

Bringing on the Iron Fist... CLAMP style.

While browsing around, I caught this article from Kotaku.com giving out more details of Jin Kazama's new, spiffy costume - designed by famous manga group CLAMP as their contribution to the upcoming console version of Tekken 6. Incidentally, I happen to be a Tekken player and a HUGE fan of the Jin Character, so what's my take on this new look? Read on and hear my thoughts about it, folks.



The first thing I noticed when I saw the costume for the first time in sketches a few weeks back that it was, in true CLAMP fashion, ALL WHITE. Many of their animes seem to revolve around using this color with their costume designs, with notable examples being found in Card Captor Sakura and X. It's not ususual also since CLAMP is composed entirely of female manga artists who have a charm in designing eloquent and stylish looking costumes that remain popular among fashion designers to this day. Seeing how Jin IS one of the popular characters with handsome looks to match his emo attitude, it's kind of flattering that he gets an outfit exclusively from one of the most popular Manga/ Anime groups in Japan (I can hear the female fans screaming and nodding in acceptance already).


Game-wise, one will notice that Jin's new outfit is similar to one of the costumes of Lars Alexandersson, with the exception that Lars is predominently composed of red/ black. It's kind of fitting when you look at it, especially since Lars IS Jin's uncle, Kazuya Mishima's step-brother, and Heihachi Mishima's illegitimate son. One has to wonder if CLAMP intentionally made it as a contrast to Lars, or just designed it since Jin needed some Mishima fighting armor duds while he was trooping around the globe as part of his campaign for world domination. We won't know til Tekken 6 officially comes out on consoles this October, so here's hoping there'll be more costumes aside from Yoshimitsu and Jin in store for the game with awesome looking designs in mind.;) - Timster