Source: VIZ Pictures Official Site: go-to-dmc (Japan), DMCtheMovie.com (US) Special Thanks to Rieko Fuji

VIZ Pictures, an affiliate of VIZ Media, LLC that focuses on Japanese live-action film distribution, has provided the following press notes for DETROIT METAL CITY, the live-action heavy metal comedy based on the popular manga of the same name. DETROIT METAL CITY is now available on Region 1 DVD with Japanese audio and English subtitles. MSRP is $24.92 U.S. / $35.99 CAN.

DETROIT METAL CITY

Directed by Toshio Lee Based on the manga by Kiminori Wakasugi Starring: Kenichi Matsuyama, Rosa Kato, Ryuji Akiyama, Yoshihiko Hosoda Genre: Comedy / Drama / Music 2008 / Japan / 104 min. / Color / Not Rated (strong language and violence) © 2008 Toho /Horipro /Hakusensha /SME /Dentsu /d-rights /Parco /SDP /Tokyo FM /Yahoo! Japan /Nippan /Tsutaya Group

INTRODUCTION

Based on the #1 hit death metal comedy manga series by Kiminori Wakasugi. Starring Kenichi Matsuyama, an actor adored by fans for his role as “L” in the smash hit DEATH NOTE films (distributed by VIZ Pictures). Known as a ‘chameleon actor’, Matsuyama rightfully deserves the nickname with his role in this film requiring him to play a character with two identities on both ends of the spectrum: the limp little nerd Negishi and the charismatic death metal singer Krauser II, the leader of the band Detroit Metal City (DMC).

In addition to starring one of Japan’s hottest actors today, this film also has a hard-core musician line-up. For example, Gene Simmons of KISS plays the role of the king of death metal, Jack ill Dark. In the music battle scene with DMC, Marty Friedman (former guitarist for the metal band Megadeth) on guitar and Jeremy Colson on drums joins Gene Simmons. It is not an exaggeration to say that this film has the most heated live music scenes ever in the Japanese film history. Expect a lot more than a comedy or drama. DETROIT METAL CITY is also a great music film.

STORY

This isn’t the music I wanted to play!! Not this kind of band at all! Soichi Negishi is a sweet and shy young man who dreams of becoming a trendy singer songwriter. But for some reason, he is forced into joining the devil worshiping death metal band “Detroit Metal City” (DMC). In full stage make-up and costume, he transforms into Johannes Krauser II (Sir Krauser) the vulgar-mouthed lead vocalist of the band. But he must keep this a secret from his crush Yuri Aikawa who strongly despises death metal. What would she think if she found out? But against Negishi’s will, DMC rises to stardom. Now the legendary king of death metal Jack ill Dark himself is challenging DMC to a duel. What is the fate of the innocent Negishi as he climbs to the top of the death metal world…

CAST

Kenichi Matsuyama as Soichi Negishi/Johannes Krauser II: Born in 1985, Matsuyama made his debut in BRIGHT FUTURE, directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa in 2002. He consecutively appeared in NANA, LiINDA LINDA LINDA and won numerous awards for his role as “L” in the DEATH NOTE films.

Ryuji Akiyama as Terumichi Nishida/Camus: Born in 1978, Akiyama performs as both an actor and a comedian. He is part of the Japanese comedic trio named Robert.

Yoshihiko Hosoda as Masayuki Wada/Jagi: Born in 1988, Hosoda began his career with Fuji TV’s Division 1 skits. Over the years, he has appeared in numerous TV dramas. Hosoda most recently appeared in TOKYO DOGS.

Rosa Kato as Yuri Aikawa: Born in 1985, Kato launched her career as a TV commercial model. She slowly transitioned to TV dramas in 2005. Of Italian descent, she regularly appears on NHK’s Italian language show.

Yasuko Matsuyuki as Death Records President: Born in 1972, she started her career as a model for a popular fashion magazine and made her acting debut in a TV drama series in 1991. In 2007, she was nominated for the Japanese Academy Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for the film HULA GIRLS (distributed by VIZ Pictures).

Gene Simmons as Jack ill Dark: Born in 1945, Simmons played in several rock bands before finally forming Wicked Lester in the 1970s. From Wicked Lester emerged the now legendary rock band KISS. Gene Simmons makes a cameo appearance in DETROIT METAL CITY as a nod to the original manga’s title reference to the KISS song “Detroit Rock City.”

CREDITS

Starring Kenichi Matsuyama Rosa Kato Ryuji Akiyama Yoshihiko Hosoda Koji Okura Yoshinori Okada Kazuma Suzuki Issei Takahashi Minami Yosuke Ochi Nobuhiko Otani Yoshiko Miyazaki Yasuko Matsuyuki Gene Simmons Staff Directed by Toshio Lee Screenplay Mika Omori Based on the Comics by Kiminori Wakasugi Music Takayuki Hattori Executive Producers Yoshishige Shimatani Yoshitaka Hori Hideo Nagai Naoki Kitagawa Yuji Shimamoto Toru Itabashi Koichi Yamazaki Yoshiro Hosono Hiroyuki Ishii Hiroaki Kitano Takahisa Miyaji Toshiyasu Omiya

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For more information on DETROIT METAL CITY please see the previous coverage here on SciFi Japan:

• Japanese Movies at American Film Market 2008
• VIZ Media Unleashes the Shockingly Funny Manga Detroit Metal City
• New York Premiere of Toho Comedy DETROIT METAL CITY on August 20
• Toho`s DETROIT METAL CITY Gets North American Release
• San Francisco Premiere of DETROIT METAL CITY
• VIZ Pictures Releases Heavy Metal Comedy DETROIT METAL CITY on DVD