It has been announced that Uoto's manga "Orb: On the Movements of the Earth (Chi: Chikyu no Undo ni Tsuite), " which was selected as the Manga Grand Prize winner of the 26th Osamu Tezuka Cultural Prize and was also made into a TV anime, will be adapted into a stage play. The play will be performed in October at the New National Theatre's Middle Theatre (Shibuya Ward, Tokyo) as "Stage Play ' Orb: On the Movements of the Earth (Chi: Chikyu no Undo ni Tsuite)."
The musical will be directed by Abshalom Pollack, known for "The Cat That Lived a Million Times," and written by Keishi Nagatsuka. The music will be by Kaitaro Abe, and the choreography will be by Ella Rothschild. Actors Masataka Kubota, Touko Miura, Yusuke Onuki, Mitsuru Fukikoshi, Naruga, and Mirai Moriyama will appear.
Original author Uoto commented, "I am truly honored. I am simply looking forward to seeing how the ``pieces'' will be transformed into ``boards''!"
Nagatsuka said, "Uoto's lines are wonderful. Each character has a different charm to them than when you read the manga. Of course, all the characters will stand out in their own unique way, but I focused on the perspective of Novak, the inquisitor. He lives completely differently from the passion and desire for truth that everyone around him pursues; he lives thoroughly in the secular world, in the present. But he becomes passionately involved in the heliocentric theory, which overturns the common sense of this world. I would like to use this as a starting point to get the blood flowing as a play."
Pollack said, "When I came across 'Chi' and the idea of adapting it for the stage through HoriPro, I was instantly captivated. I have been familiar with manga and graphic novels from all over the world, but 'Chi' is truly a masterpiece. On this journey to adapt it for the stage, I am thrilled to be teaming up again with my valued creative colleagues Mirai, Songha, Yusuke, and Umitaro, as well as working with new passionate and talented people. It is a great pleasure and honor to breathe life into this story on stage, reaching a new audience while providing an even more immersive experience for longtime fans. I hope to express the charm of 'Chi' in a fresh and dynamic way with the stage version, and share its brilliance with a diverse audience."
The work is a manga serialized in "Weekly Big Comic Spirits" (Shogakukan) from 2020 to 2022. Set in 15th century Europe, it depicts people risking their lives to study the heretical theory of heliocentrism. A TV anime was broadcast on NHK General TV from October 2024 to March 2025.
Comments from the performers are as follows:
◇Comment from Masataka Kubota
"Our lives are hopelessly trapped in this era. But still, I want to have hope for this world." I still can't forget the feeling I got when the truthful words of the original work echoed in my brain. The joy of being able to embody "Chi." on stage, and the beauty of the staff and cast. I was given an undeniable sense of justice. I want to give it my all and take on the challenge.
◇Comment from Touko Miura
After reading the original work, I was moved by the struggle between the freedom to learn and the freedom to doubt. I am prepared to devote all my heart and time to embodying the world of the work through acting, dancing, singing, and various other forms of expression. With the utmost respect for this work, "Chi.", which is loved by so many people, I would like to hone my own expression while learning from the staff and co-stars.
◇Comment from Yusuke Onuki
I am really happy to be able to take part in "Chi.", a manga I love! I have worked with director Abshalom and Moriyama Mirai since the premiere of "The Cat That Lived a Million Times." I am very excited to be creating this world premiere work with such a wonderful cast! How will they give shape to this complex work with multiple main characters? I am also looking forward to seeing the script and music by Nagatsuka Keishi and Kaitaro, whom I respect. I hope you will enjoy this world that you have surely never seen before!
◇Comment from Mitsuru Fukikoshi
Generally, the stage can be roughly divided into three types. For example, 1. Stages where 10 cm is 10 cm. 2. Stages where 10 cm is 2 cm. 3. Stages where 10 cm is 1 meter. 4. Stages where 10 cm is expressed as 50 grams. 5. Stages where 10 cm is a red high heel getting wet in the rain. Hmm? Ah, five. Sorry, I lied. In other words, there are an infinite number of types. However, there is no point in discovering a lot of things you don't like. Rather than making do with the usual familiar things, I look for a favorite that I have not yet discovered among the infinite. I hope that my work with Abshalom will be like that. I'm looking forward to it.
◇Comment from Mr. Seikawa
Abshalom is an amazing person. He's a great actor and a great director. When I was working on "The Cat That Lived a Million Times," I learned from him how to control the body as an actor, and the depth and joy of doing so. And to have my senior cat, Mirai Moriyama, with me, it feels like a reward. The original artwork is bursting with energy, and the story is fast-paced. I'm sure that with this team, we can explore new territory in theatrical adaptations that no one has yet ventured into.
◇Comment from Mirai Moriyama
I am happy to be able to adapt "Chi.", a book I have loved for a long time, into a stage play with creators and cast members whom I trust wholeheartedly. The human world has always been a chaotic place, but I hope that this work will, if not bring about a Copernican revolution, at least change the way you view the Earth on which you live every day.
