Netflix just unveiled an electrifying clip from “Demon City,” a live-action take on Masamichi Kawabe’s gripping manga Oni-Goroshi. Released this Saturday, the video showcases Shūhei Sakata, our lone wolf protagonist, as he deftly dispatches foes in a nerve-shredding scene. It’s an appetizer for what’s surely set to be a cinematic feast.
Unraveling a Tale of Revenge and Redemption
Mark your calendars for February 27, when “Demon City” lands on Netflix globally. The heart of this revenge saga revolves around Shūhei Sakata, an innocent man wrongfully imprisoned for a crime of passion. Accused of killing his wife and child, Sakata survives a failed suicide attempt and finds himself confined to a prison hospital, trapped in a body that’s unable to seek the truth or vengeance. After 15 years, fate gives him a second chance; he regains his strength and steps into a world ripe for payback.
Toma Ikuta stars as the beleaguered Sakata, while Matsuya Onoe, Masahiro Higashide, Masanobu Takashima, and Miō Tanaka round out the Kimen-gumi—a shadowy syndicate pulling the strings in Shinjō’s underbelly. Onoe embodies Ryū Sunohara, the mastermind mayor who introduced Japan’s first casino resort. Higashide steps into the shoes of Kanta Fuse, a twisted CEO with a sinister secret: raising Sakata’s daughter as his own. Takashima portrays the dogged detective Kōtarō Shinozuka, while Tanaka takes on Homare Takemoto, a double-dealing cleaner with a penchant for drug distribution.
A Star-Studded Ensemble Cast
This cinematic adventure also features Ami Tōma as Sakata’s daughter Ryō and Tarō Suruga as Akira Fujita, Sakata’s loyal confidant. Mai Kiryū plays Aoi, Sakata’s lost love, while Naoto Takenaka embodies Haruo Kawano, the feared yakuza don. Takuma Otō dons the badge as Yoshihito Takigawa, a morally ambiguous cop moonlighting as an informant handler.
Helming both direction and script is Seiji Tanaka, ensuring the film stays true to its manga roots. Production tasks fall to Amuse and Digital Frontier, with legendary composer Tomoyasu Hotei injecting his trademark style into the score. This builds upon the legacy established by his previous work on iconic projects like Kill Bill and the Lupin III live-action film.
Manga Origins and Creative Lineage
Kawabe’s manga first hooked readers in Nihon Bungeisha’s Manga Goraku magazine back in July 2020, capturing imaginations until its conclusion in November. For those eager to delve into the illustrated world, the penultimate volume hit the shelves on September 28, with the final installment set to arrive post-movie premiere, on February 28. This synchronicity cements the manga and film as true companion pieces.
“Demon City” promises to be an enthralling exploration of justice, revenge, and redemption, both on page and screen. With its intricate storytelling and dynamic characters, this adaptation is poised to leave a mark not just on longtime manga fans but newcomers to Sakata’s world too. So tune in, buckle up, and get ready for a ride that’s as exhilarating as it is darkly resonant.
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