"Masked Ninja Akakage" to be made into a live-action film for the first time in 60 years

It has been announced that the new superhero period drama "Masked Ninja Akakage" (Sunday midnight 12:10-12:40 *Kanto local), produced in collaboration with TV Asahi and Toei, will start airing late at night on October 26th.

The original work is a ninja manga (originally titled "Red Shadow of Hida" when it first began serialization) that was serialized in "Weekly Shonen Sunday" (Shogakukan) from 1966 to 1967 by the late Mitsuteru Yokoyama, known for works such as "Tetsujin 28-go," "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," and "Sally the Witch." It is set in the Warring States period. Behind the ambitions of Oda Nobunaga, who aimed to unify the country, there was the existence of a "ninja army" that would never be recorded in history. A live-action version was made in 1967, and the bold adaptation of the original, featuring monsters and UFOs, captivated children of the Showa era.

Nearly 60 years after the original work was released, Takashi Miike, director of films such as the "Crows Zero" series (2007-2009) and "13 Assassins" (2010), will breathe new life into this Reiwa-era superhero period drama. The lead role will be played by Taiki Sato, leader of the dance and vocal group "FANTASTICS." Monsters will also appear, rendered through VFX, and the story will depict nonstop ninja action and the coming-of-age tale of young ninjas living in the darkness of the Warring States period.

To play the main character, the ninja Akakage, Sato has gained about 6 kg and is devoting himself to training and practicing sword fighting. "Because I'm a ninja, I'm conscious of looking cool no matter how you look at it, from standing poses that I've never experienced before to action scenes and sword fighting. I think ninjas are a culture that Japan can be proud of around the world, so I want people overseas to think, 'What is this? I've never seen anything like it! It's cool, it's beautiful!'" he said enthusiastically.

He also said, "The highlights are the differences between each character and their fighting style, the variety of enemies and monsters that appear in each episode, the interesting characters, and the various ninja techniques that emerge as the story progresses."

Director Miike commented on his feelings about taking on the helm, "It was the film I watched the most as a child. I'm from the generation that went to school singing the theme song, so I'm happy to be able to make 'Masked Ninja Akakage' at this age."

"I want to do my best with confidence so that people can enjoy the 'new Akakage.' Just like the old 'Akakage,' I want to make it a drama that young people living today will remember and talk about 20 or 30 years from now," he said, adding, "It's a production that the whole family can enjoy. There will be parts that will make you laugh and parts that will make you cry, so please look forward to it."