TIGER & BUNNY -THE BEGINNING-

Japanese Superhero Anime Heads to Cinemas in September Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: tigerandbunny.net (Japan)

The popular TV anime TIGER & BUNNY heads to the big screen with the feature film TIGER & BUNNY -THE BEGINNING- (??? ???????? -The Beginning-, Gekijoo-ban Taigaa Ando Banii -The Beginning). Distributed by Shochiku, the movie is set to hit Japanese theaters on September 22nd of this year. TIGER & BUNNY is set in Stern Bild, a metropolitan city where superheroes called NEXT help to maintain peace. Sporting sponsor logos on their suits, these heroes work to solve cases and save people’s lives in order to earn Hero Points, while also helping to improve the public image of their corporate sponsors. Their activities are documented and broadcast by the popular show “HERO TV,” in which each superhero strives to become the “King of Heroes” of the year. One such hero is Wild Tiger (real name Kotetsu T. Kaburagi), a veteran superhero who relies on his years of experience and instincts to fight crime. Though obligated to work for his boss’s best interest, Kotetsu follows his own code of honor and is even willing to cause destruction to public property for the sake of protecting the lives of his fellow citizens. Over time, he has grudgingly earned the nickname “Crusher for Justice.” Now, Kotetsu suddenly finds himself forced to team up with rookie hero Barnaby Brooks Jr., who he condescendingly refers to as "Bunny". Two TIGER & BUNNY films are currently in production. Up first will be THE BEGINNING, which is designed as a behind the story narrative mixed with the TV series to create what the producers describe as a "hybrid episode". The second (as yet unnamed) movie -- which will feature a brand-new story -- is currently scheduled for a release sometime in 2013. TIGER & BUNNY -THE BEGINNING- Kotetsu T. Kaburagi/Wild Tiger: Hiroaki Hirata Barnaby Brooks, Jr./Bunny: Masakazu Morita Keith Goodman/Sky High: Go Inoue Nathan Seymour/Fire Emblem: Kenjiro Tsuda Pao-Lin Huang/Dragon Kid: Mariya Ise Karina Lyle/Blue Rose: Minako Kotobuki Ivan Karelin/Origami Cyclone: Nobuhiko Okamoto Antonio Lopez/Rock Bison: Taiten Kusunoki Original Production: Sunrise Original Character Design: Masakazu Katsura Director: Yoshitomo Yonetani Screenplay: Masafumi Nishida Planning: Keiichi Satou Music: Yoshihiro Ike Animation Production: Sunrise Theatrical Distributor: Shochiku © 2012 Sunrise/ T&B Movie Partners

For more information on TIGER & BUNNY, please see the previous coverage here on SciFi Japan: