Source: Well Go USA, Azoland Pictures, Gaga Communications, Warner Bros. Pictures Japan Official Site: warnerbros.co.jp/gintama-film (Japan), azolandpictures.com/gintama (US)

Distributor Well Go USA Entertainment has partnered with Azoland Pictures to bring the live-action movie GINTAMA (??, 2017) to North American theaters on January 19, 2018. The Blu-ray, DVD and digital HD release will follow on March 6. Based on the best-selling manga by Hideaki Sorachi, GINTAMA is packed with the sword-swinging sci-fi action and offbeat humor that have made the manga a classic. Star Shun Oguri (TERRAFORMARS, MUSEUM) and writer/director Yuichi Fukuda (HK / FORBIDDEN SUPER HERO) present a journey to a visually-stunning universe where fantastical action lurks just around every corner.

STORY

GINTAMA takes place in an alternate Edo-period Japan, where an Alien race has taken control. Samurai were forced to put down their swords, and are treated with disregard. Gintoki Sakata, a former samurai once feared as the "White Demon", works nonchalantly as a handyman with his friends Shinpachi and Kagura. One day, Gintoki receives a request from a master swordsmith to find the cursed sword Benizakura that can absorb the spirits of people and evolve into a monster. As Gintoki follows the trail, he finds out that the sword was stolen by the famous killer Nizo, who received a mandate from Gintoki`s old comrade Shinsuke Takasugi, as part of a plan to overthrow the government. Gintoki and his friends must now face Takasugi and his clan to retrieve the cursed sword and bring back peace in Edo...

ABOUT THE MANGA

The original Gintama manga has been serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine from 2004, selling more than 51 million copies in Japan. It has been made into anime TV series and movies. Its unique setting, story, and attractive characters have garnered many enthusiastic fans around the world.

CREDITS

Japanese Theatrical Release: July 14, 2017 US Theatrical Release: January 19, 2018 Running Time: 130 Minutes Cast Gintoki Sakata: Shun Oguri Shinpachi Shimura: Masaki Suda Kagura: Kanna Hashimoto Kotaro Katsura: Masaki Okada Tae Shimura: Masami Nagasawa Gengai Hiraga: Murotsuyoshi Isao Kondo: Kankuro Nakamura Toshiro Hijikata: Yuya Yagira Sogo Okita: Ryo Yoshizawa Testuya Murata: Ken Yasuda Tetsuko Murata: Akari Hayami Nizo Okada: Hirofumi Arai Henpeita Takechi: Jiro Sato Matako Kijima: Nanao Shinsuke Takasugi: Tsuyoshi Domoto Staff Director: Yuichi Fukuda Screenplay: Yuichi Fukuda Producers: Shinzo Matsuhashi, Susumu Hieda Cinematography: Tetsuya Kudo Production Design: Noriyoshi Ikeya Costume Design: Kazuhiro Sawataishi Distributor (Japan): Warner Bros. Pictures Japan © Hideaki Sorachi/Shueisha © 2017 "Gintama" Film Partners

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About Well Go USA Entertainment

Well Go USA Entertainment is a theatrical and home entertainment distribution label that specializes in bringing top content, including the best in Action, Genre and Independent films from the US and around the world, to North America, Latin America, Asia, and Europe. As a leader in independent film distribution, Well Go’s titles can be seen across a variety of platforms, including theatrical, digital, subscription and cable VOD, packaged media and broadcast television. Well Go USA Entertainment’s corporate headquarters is in Plano, Texas, with offices in Taiwan and China.

About Azoland Pictures LLC.

Azoland Pictures LLC. is a Los Angeles-based film distribution company established in 2015. The company theatrically distributes Japanese feature films and Anime films. Besides theatrical distribution, the company also plans and organizes film festivals and Japanese related events.