Source: 3Y Film
Official Site: http://3yfilm.co.jp/haniwatt (Japan)
Special Thanks to Avery Guerra
A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE
ANCIENT WARRIOR HANIWATT poster by Takuma Asai. Photo courtesy of 3Y Film. ©Kenji Taketomi/ Futabasha / NET WEB
3Y Film, makers of THE GREAT BUDDHA ARRIVAL (大仏廻国, Daibutsu Kokaiku, 2019) and
NEZURA 1964 (ネズラ1964, 2020) and
HOSHI 35 (星35), will next produce ANCIENT WARRIOR HANIWATT (古代戦士ハニワット, Kodai Senshi Haniwatto), a live action adaptation of the manga of the same name.
Created by Kenji Taketomi, Ancient Warrior Haniwatt began serialization in Futabasha's Manga Action in 2018. To date, 10 collected volumes have been released in Japan. Inspired by the Daimajin films and Kamen Rider TV franchise, Taketomi developed the story of a hero defending modern Japan from raging monstrous beings, with the twist that the title character and creature designs are based on ancient Japanese haniwa clay statues and figurines.
Ancient Warrior Haniwatt has developed a very deep connection with its readers. When Futabasha announced plans to end the manga in 2021, those fans strongly protested. This reaction led to original art exhibitions and fairs being held in bookstores, with the increased sales and attention causing the publisher to rethink their decision and allow the series to continue.
3Y Film has launched a multi-stage
fundraising campaign for the project on the popular Japanese crowdfunding site Makuake. Phase 1 was a tremendous success, surpassing 317% of the target goal.
The ANCIENT WARRIOR HANIWATT movie will be produced by Hiroto Yokokawa (director of THE GREAT BUDDHA ARRIVAL, NEZURA 1964, HOSHI 35) and directed by Daisuke Sato (HOWL FROM BEYOND THE FOG, HOSHI 35). The suit designs will be supervised by living legend Keizo Murase, whose credits include many of Toho classic monster and FX movies from the 1950s to the 1990s. He made his directorial debut with the recently released indie film
BRUSH OF THE GOD (神の筆, K
ami no Fude).
The announced cast includes Tatsuomi Hamada (ULTRAMAN GEED), Koharu Kuroe, Chika Hiraoka, Hiroshi Miyasaka (AKIRA KUROSAWA’S DREAMS, SHALL WE DANCE?, ULTRA GALAXY FIGHT: THE DESTINED CROSSROAD, HOSHI 35), Masanori Kikuzawa (THE GREAT BUDDHA ARRIVAL, HOSHI 35), and Madoka Watanabe (HOSHI 35).
Director Daisuke Sato and Suit Design Supervisor Keizo Murase. Photo courtesy of 3Y Film. ©3Y Film
Textless poster by Takuma Asai. Photo courtesy of 3Y Film. ©Kenji Taketomi/ Futabasha / NET WEB
Cover art for the first collection of the manga. ©Kenji Taketomi/ Futabasha
DETAILS
Produced by 3Y Film
Executive Producer: Komaei Okada
Producer: Hiroto Yokokawa
Director: Daisuke Sato
Suit Designers: Kenji Taketomi and Daisuke Sato
Sculptor: Daisuke Sato
Suit Design Supervisor: Keizo Murase
Suit Actor: Akira Ohashi
Original Story and Supervision: Kenji Taketomi
Planning Cooperation: Kazuma Yoneyama, Takashi Yasuda, Kagari Shimada, and Yamato Watanabe
Main Visual Concept Artist: Takuma Asai
3D Modeling: Karin Yamada
Logo Design: Studio AtoZ
Production Company: 3Y Film Co., Ltd
Planning and Production: Netweb Co., Ltd.
Original Work and Supervision: Futabasha Publishers Ltd.
Cast: Tatsuomi Hamada, Koharu Kuroe, Chika Hiraoka, Hiroshi Miyasaka, Masanori Kikuzawa, Madoka Watanabe
The cast includes Tatsuomi Hamada, Koharu Kuroe, Chika Hiraoka and Hiroshi Miyasaka. Photo courtesy of 3Y Film. ©3Y Film
About 3Y Film
3Y Film is part of the video production company 3Y Co., Ltd. Founded in 2015 by Hiroto Yokokawa, 3Y has been involved with the production, filming, photography, editing and CG effects for commercials, movies, stage productions and corporate videos. The company has recently branched out into their original productions such as the feature film THE GREAT BUDDHA ARRIVAL.
