xManga Adaptation Opens in Japan on September 1st Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd., NTV (Nippon Television Network) Official Movie Site: akko-chan-movie.com (Japan)
SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from an upcoming Japanese movie.
The compact can transform you into "anything you want to be". Just say the secret magic words...
Akko-chan (??????????, Himitsu no Akko-chan) is a manga by Fujio Akatsuka that created a great sensation in Japan. Originally serialized in Sueisha`s Ribon magazine from 1962-1965, Akko-chan was adapted by Toei as three THE SECRET OF AKKOCHAN anime television series and two animated feature films between 1969 and 1999. On September 1st, it will appear on the silver screen as a brand-new original story, AKKO-CHAN: THE MOVIE (?? ??????????, Eiga Himitsu no Akko-chan). Haruka Ayase (CYBORG SHE, ICHI) stars as Akko in this first live-action adaptation of the comic. Chanting the famous magic words "Tekumakumayakon," she transforms into many different professions such as a figure skater, flight attendant, motorbike racer, office worker, nurse, etc., displaying a myriad of pop and cute fashion on the silver screen. And Masaki Okada (CONFESSIONS, VILLAIN) plays her very first love. Story: Atsuko Kagami -- known as "Akko-chan" -- is a 10-year-old girl in elementary school. One day, a spirit of mirrors appears before her and gives her a magical compact. Akko uses it to become a 22-year-old, and has a blast wearing the makeup that she adores and fashionable outfits galore. And if that weren`t enough to make her wish she were really grown up, she even meets the man of her dreams! Her crush is Naoto Hayase, an elite manager at a famous cosmetics company. But his company faces a corporate buyout and is about to be taken over. As he strives to turn his company around by developing an innovative new product, Akko comes up with totally unexpected ideas to take on the crisis. Will she be able to save the man she loves??And what will happen to their relationship? CREDITS Running Time: 120 minutes Screen Size: 2.35:1 Japanese Theatrical Release: September 1st, 2012 Cast Atsuko Kagami: Haruka Ayase (CYBORG SHE, ICHI, OPPAI VOLLEYBALL, THE INCITE MILL ?7 DAY DEATH GAME?) Naoto Hayase: Masaki Okada (CONFESSIONS, VILLAIN, SPACE BROTHERS) Cosmetics Co. Employee: Shosuke Tanihara (GODZILLA VS MEGAGUIRUS, SKY HIGH, MEMORIES OF MATSUKO) Cosmetics Co. Employee: Kazue Fukiishi (ONE MISSED CALL, ALWAYS- SUNSET ON THIRD STREET- 2, THE LAST MESSAGE- UMIZARU, 13 ASSASSINS) Security Guard: Muga Tsukaji (HANDSOME SUIT) Ex-President of Cosmetics Co.: Ren Osugi (TWILIGHT SAMURAI, ZEBRAMAN) Atsuko Kagami (10 years old): Riko Yoshida Tsuruko Oba: Masako Motai (ALWAYS- SUNSET ON THIRD STREET series) Kito: Takeshi Kaga (DEATH NOTE, MONKEY MAGIC, K-20: LEGEND OF THE MASK, KAIBUTSU-KUN: THE MOVIE) Spirit of Mirrors: Teruyuki Kagawa (20TH CENTURY BOYS trilogy, TOKYO SONATA, KAIJI) Atsuko`s Mother: Keiko Horiuchi (SPACE BROTHERS) Prime Minister`s Wife: Shungiku Uchida (VISITOR Q, NIGHTMARE DETECTIVE 2) Co-Worker: Mika Hijii (HAPPY FLIGHT, ALIEN VS NINJA) Teacher: Hayato Kakizawa (KAIJI 2) Staff Director: Yasuhiro Kawamura (NODAME CANTABILE: THE FINAL SCORE PART II) Original Comic: Fujio Akatsuka (Fujio Productions) Screenplay: Masatoshi Yamaguchi, Mika Omori, Masahiro Fukuma Cinematography: Satoru Karasawa Art Direction: Namiko Iwaki Visual Effects: Yoichi Hosono Music: Koji Endo Planning and Production: Nippon Television Network Theatrical Distribution: Shochiku International Sales: NTV © 2012 “Akko-Chan: The Movie” Film Partners. © Fujio Akatsuka
