It was revealed on October 3rd that actor Sojiro Yoshimura will be starring in the film "Zombie 1/2: Right Side of the Living Dead," due for release in spring 2026. This is an unprecedented zombie film, starring a "half-zombie" who is the only rational being in a world after the end of the zombie pandemic. Yoshimura, who will be starring in his first film, said, "I'm excited to be playing a zombie in a zombie film for the first time! This is also my first time starring in a comedy film, so I'm very honored."
"Zombie 1/2" is the second installment of "M CINEMA," a project run by the video production company Media Mix Japan, which gives young employees in their 20s and 30s the opportunity to produce theatrical film projects. The first installment of the project was "V. MARIA," starring Hina Kikuchi, which was released in April of this year.
The second installment was directed by Erika Ota, a self-proclaimed "zombie maniac" who has watched many zombie movies.
Ryuma Shingu (Yoshimura), the last remaining "half-zombie" working as an office worker, lives a normal life, wanting to "live without causing any trouble," but one day he bites a university student intern named Hazame-kun, and a zombie pandemic breaks out. He is meant to fight to put an end to the chaos, but his inherently introverted nature gets in the way and he can't get started... This is the story.
The lead actor, Yoshimura, revealed, "I don't think there are many zombie films in which a zombie plays the lead role. Of course, the zombies have to talk, so the setting is quite unusual, with the zombies being half-zombies. When I first read the script, I was impressed by the full-on comedy worldview, with the half-zombie protagonist coexisting, and it was a very unique idea, so I had high hopes for the film."
He continued, "The main character, a half-zombie, is unable to become a complete zombie, and is living his life listlessly like young people in modern society. Although he seems full of flaws, he is actually a very fascinating character, and as the story progresses, we see his growth and unexpected sides to him. I intend to try various different expressions in order to bring out as much of his charm as possible. Through this role, I will do my best to convey the freedom and silly fun of comedy in my own way."
