Source: The Associates press release Official Movie Site: GeGeGe (Japan)
Shochiku`s 2007 box office hit KITARO (Gegege no Kitaro) has been released on DVD in the UK by Manga Entertainment. The live action adaptation of the phenomenally popular manga series created in the late 1950s by Shigeru Mizuki, KITARO is a colourful, fun and highly inventive fantasy adventure about the Japanese folklore creatures known as yokai, or spirit monsters, and their interaction with the human world. Previously adapted several times as various animated TV series, movies and video games, this latest version brings vivid new life to Mizuki`s bizarre characters and creations. Written by Daisuke Habara (HULA GIRLS; THE PRINCE OF TENNIS) and directed by Katsuhide Motoki (DRUGSTORE GIRL), the film stars Eiji Wentz (CAPTAIN TOKIO; LOVE COM), Mao Inoue (KAIDAN), Lena Tanaka (DRUGSTORE GIRL) and Yo Oizumi (GAMERA 2, SPIRITED AWAY). When the apartment in which he lives with his father and teenage sister, Mika, becomes overrun with ghosts, young Kenta Miura summons the half-human, half-yokai Kitaro to scare off the evil spirits. Kitaro shows up to complete the task and later befriends the boy as well as unexpectedly becoming attracted to Mika. Meanwhile, Kitaro`s mischievous yokai friend Ratman has unwittingly fallen into the lair of the dangerous shape-shifting Fox spirits, where he discovers and steals a mystical ball of power called the Evil Stone. After Ratman sells the stone to a human antique dealer, it ends up being stolen by Kenta`s father, who, in turn, passes it on to his son. Soon, not only the Fox spirits but also the police and a host of wicked yokai are all scheming to gain possession of the powerful source of magic.
Now, Kitaro and a variety of his spirit friends, including the feisty Cat Girl and the elderly Sand Witch, must endeavour to protect Kenta while making sure the stone doesn`t fall into the wrong hands. Katsuhide Motoki`s film is a delightful vision that combines live-action with eye-popping CGI effects to portray what happens when the fantasy world of the yokai collides with the reality of modern day Japan. A hugely enjoyable romp for all the family, KITARO will appeal to fans of other recent Japanese fantasy movies such as Takashi Miike`s THE GREAT YOKAI WAR (Yokai Daisenso, 2005) and Akihiko Shiota`s DORORO (2007).
KITARO
Director: Katsuhide Motoki Stars: Eiji Wentz, Mao Inoue, Lena Tanaka, Yo Oizumi
Label: Manga Entertainment UK Release date: 28th September 2009 Certificate: PG Running time: 99 mins (approx) Price: £17.99 Region: 2 Format: PAL Japanese Audio Optional English subtitles Special Features • You Tube featurette • Theatrical Trailer
For more information on KITARO please see the previous coverage here on SciFi Japan: