So, it looks like the Ryouichi Tanaka found himself starring in a second Go Nagai work.
Earlier today, the staff for the upcoming Mazinger Z: Infinity (Gekijōban Mazinger Z / Infinity) film unveiled a trio of new cast members. The movie will add the following roles:
- Misato: Kana Ueda
- Misato’s Daughter: Kaede Hondo
- Secret: Ryouichi Tanaka
Tanaka played the titular Devilman (Akira Fudō) in the original 1972 Devilman TV series. He was also cast in 1974 film Mazinger Z tai Ankoku Daishōgun as Tetsuya Tsurugi. His role in the new film will not be disclosed prior to the film’s premiere.
Mazinger Z: Infinity‘s global première was held on October 28, at the 12th Rome Film Fest. Series creator Go Nagai (Cutey Honey, Devilman) attended the screening as a guest. The feature is currently running in a wider release across Italy.
The film will open in Japan on January 13. Viz Media holds the domestic rights to the film and is planning a North American theatrical release.
Junji Shimizu (One Piece eps. 131 – 159, Futari wa Pretty Cure: Max Heart) was tapped to direct the new Mazinger Z movie at Toei Animation, with Hiroya Iijima (Afro Samurai, Gravitation: Lyrics of Love) providing character designs. Takahiro Ozawa is writing the movie’s script.
Other confirmed crew members include:
- Assistant Director: Yō Nakano
- Mechanical Designs: Takayuki Yanase
- Background Art: Makoto Ujiie (Green)
- Music: Toshiyuki Watanabe
Ichiro Mizuki will return to perform the film’s theme song. Mizuki has performed numerous theme songs throughout the franchise, including the original Mazinger Z TV series, Mazinger Z Vs. Devilman, and Great Mazinger.
The confirmed voice cast includes:
- Sayaka Yumi: Ai Kayano
- Koji Kabuto: Showtaro Morikubo
- Lisa: Sumire Uesaka
- Dr. Hell: Unshō Ishizuka
- Jun Hono: Ami Koshimizu
- Dr. Nossori: Bin Shimada
- Prime Minister Yumi: Junpei Morita
- Mucha: Kappei Yamaguchi
- Count Brocken: Keiji Fujiwara
- Dr. Sewashi: Kōzō Shioya
- Nuke: Masami Kikuchi
- Shiro Kabuto: Natsuki Hanae
- Tetsuya Tsurugi: Toshihiko Seki
- Boss: Wataru Takagi
- Baron Ashura (Male): Hiroyuki Miyasako
- Baron Ashura (Female): Romi Park
- Idol Mazin-Girls Member Pink: Yui P (Okazu Club)
- Idol Mazin-Girls Member Blue: Okarina (Okazu Club)
Azusa Tadokoro and Miku Itō will play the remaining two Idol Mazin-Girls members.
Toei describes the feature as:
Humanity was once in danger of its downfall at the hands of the Underground Empire, which was led by the evil scientist Dr. Hell. Koji Kabuto piloted the super robot Mazinger Z, and with help from his friends at the Photon Power Laboratory, he thwarted Dr. Hell’s evil ambitions and returned peace to the world.
It’s been ten years since then… No longer a pilot, Koji Kabuto has taken after his father and grandfather by starting down the path of the scientist. He encounters a gigantic structure buried deep beneath Mt. Fuji, along with a mysterious indication of life…
New encounters, new threats, and a new fate await mankind. The former hero Koji Kabuto has a decision to make about the future: whether to be a god or a demon…
This grand action film depicts the fierce battle fought by the people and Mazinger Z–once again entrusted with the future of mankind!
Source: Comic Natalie
