Netflix announces first-ever Japanese live-action adaptation of ‘City Hunter’
By Bryan Ke
December 15, 2022
Netflix has officially announced the first-ever Japanese live-action adaptation of Tsukasa Hojo’s popular 1980s manga “City Hunter.”
In a tweet on Thursday, the streaming giant officially confirmed the live-action adaptation with Japanese director Yuichi Sato at the helm and actor Ryohei Suzuki as the film’s main protagonist.
Ryo Saeba, played by Suzuki, 39, has to team up with Kaori, the sister of his murdered partner Makimura, to discover the truth behind Makimura’s death, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“City Hunter” will reportedly take place in modern-day Tokyo, specifically in the city’s Shinjuku ward.
“I am thrilled to be playing Ryo Saeba and feel a great deal of responsibility to portray this beloved, legendary character created by Tsukasa Hojo,” Suzuki was quoted as saying. “I cannot wait for both existing fans as well as newcomers around the world to fall in love with Ryo Saeba and his fun, action-packed adventures around modern-day Tokyo.”
In a statement, Hojo thanked Suzuki for his “unwavering passion” for “City Hunter,” adding that the project was in the works for around a decade before Netflix greenlighted the film.
“Thanks to the dedicated cast and crew, I’m looking forward to the title being brought to screen, with a fresh and realistic perspective that isn’t strictly bound to the original manga,” the manga artist said.
Netflix’s “City Hunter” will make history as the first-ever Japanese live-action adaptation of the manga.
The series, which was a staple of Japanese pop culture in the 1980s, has sold over 50 million copies and was adapted into an anime between April 1987 and March 1988.
Over the years, “City Hunter” has notably received various film adaptations, such as the 1993 one from Hong Kong which stars Jackie Chan, as well as the 2018 action-comedy adaptation set in France. In 2011, South Korean heartthrob Lee Min-ho starred in a K-drama adaptation of the manga.
On the production side, “City Hunter” is reportedly set to be penned by “Yu Yu Hakusho” live-action series screenwriter Tatsuhiro Mishima.
“City Hunter” is expected to be available for streaming in 2024.
Featured Image via Retro Crush
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