On August 29th, it was revealed that actor Kento Yamazaki will star in the live-action film "Under Ninja," based on the manga by Hanazawa Kengo. The film depicts a new image of a ninja hiding in modern society, with Yamazaki playing the mysterious ninja Kumogakure Kuro, who is a member of the low-ranking ninja organization NIN and is entrusted with an important "ninja mission." It was also announced that actor Hamabe Minami will play the heroine of the film, Noguchi Ayaka, a high school girl who gets caught up in the battle between ninjas. This is the first time that Yamazaki and Hamabe have acted together. The screenplay and direction will be handled by Fukuda Yuichi, known for "Gintama" and "Wotakoi Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku." The film is scheduled for release on January 24th, 2025.
The original work is a manga by Hanazawa, who is known for "I Am a Hero" and other works, and has been serialized in "Young Magazine" (Kodansha) since July 2018. Set in a world where ninjas, who are said to have disappeared after the war, are still active in the present day, the story follows a low-ranking ninja, Kuro Kumogakure, who lives a life almost like a NEET, as he throws himself into an important "ninja mission". The 12-episode TV anime was broadcast from October to December 2023, which also became a hot topic.
Yamazaki, who is teaming up with director Fukuda for the third time following "The Disastrous Life of Saiki K." and "Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku," commented, "I originally read the original manga and loved it, so I'm very happy to be able to play Kuro. I'm also very happy to be working with director Fukuda again, who I love. The director created an atmosphere that allowed me to do what I wanted, but at times also asked me to create laughs myself, so it was a set where I could experience a unique sense of tension and fun."
Yamazaki said he will also be trying his hand at some "ninja action" and said, "When I read the original work, I got the impression that it was hard to understand what Kuro was thinking, so I was very conscious of things like the tone of his voice and facial expressions. There are a lot of footwork and slightly superhuman ninja action scenes, so please look forward to it. This was my first time acting with Hamabe, and I thought it was wonderful to see her giving it her all to meet the director's expectations! Filming was a lot of fun, and I feel a sense of accomplishment in knowing that we've created a really interesting work, so I can't wait to see it on the big screen!"
Hamabe, who plays the flamboyant high school girl Noguchi, will be playing a blonde role for the first time in about nine years. This is Hamabe's first time to fully participate in a Fukuda team, and she said, "It really trained me. I felt like I didn't know whether I was gaining something or losing something... (laughs), but I just did my best so as not to leave it half-done! Director Fukuda gave me ideas from the script that I would not have been able to come up with on my own, so it was really a learning experience and fun."
Regarding Yamazaki, with whom she is co-starring for the first time, she commented, "He is a really gentle and kind person who accepts and laughs no matter what I do. I think it has turned out to be a ninja action comedy movie filled with the charm of wonderful characters. Noguchi is a little different from the original in some ways, but I did my best to play the character, hoping that I could create one that everyone would love, so I hope you enjoy it."
Director Fukuda commented, "I'm really happy to be working with Kento-kun on another movie! To tell the truth, I've always wanted to do an action hero movie with Kento-kun. We've done no-action movies like 'The Disastrous Life of Saiki K' and 'Wotakoi: Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku' (laughs). Filming with Kento-kun again after such a long time has been fun every day. And Kento-kun's Kumogakure Kuro is ridiculously cool! This is the first time I've worked with Hamabe Minami-chan since 'Super Salaryman Saenai-san'. She was still in her teens and very fresh back then, but when I met Minami-chan again after such a long time, she was like a different person. She's bright and dignified. I asked her to do a lot of outrageous acting during filming. She told me she wouldn't be able to marry me (laughs)."
"I thought the setting of the original book was so interesting, so I read it. Also, I'm a big fan of Hanawa-sensei's works such as 'I Am a Hero' and 'Boys on the Run', so I was really happy when I heard about the role! Hanawa-sensei also came to visit the set three times, and each time he showed me photos of the cast members, which was really exciting (laughs). Anyway, the movie is a wonderful production, with the two of them shining brightly. I hope lots of people will see it in the theaters!"
Original author Hanazawa commented, "I am Hanazawa Kengo, a manga artist ranked about 2700th in the surname ranking. It has finally been announced! First of all, I am relieved. He is probably one of the busiest people in the Japanese film industry, so I never imagined he would accept this role, but when I actually went to visit the set, there stood Kento Yamazaki, or rather Yamazaki Kuro, or rather Kumogakure Kuro, who is ranked about 650th in the surname ranking....I am overwhelmed with emotion. I wanted to keep the gift I received from Hamabe Minami, who is ranked about 2650th in the surname ranking, as a family heirloom, but it looked so delicious that I ate it! Director Fukuda, who is ranked 40th on the family name ranking, is surprised at how broad-minded and generous the character is, and I expect this to be an incredibly epic piece of work. The cast members who have yet to be announced are all incredible, and as the original author, I am beyond honored that so many people have come together for the work "Under Ninja." I would love to see the battle beneath the Ferris wheel depicted in the sequel, so please make sure to go see it at the cinema!"
Fuji TV producer Wakamatsu Hiroki said, "It's been a long time since I first came across Hanazawa's original work, but I fell in love with it from the very beginning, right from the setup. The modern ninja setting was something I'd never seen before, and I was fascinated by the indescribable realism that made me think that they might actually exist, and the offbeat knowledge of the characters. It would be presumptuous to say that I share that fascination with them, but as a producer, it was the happiest moment for me to be able to hit it off with Director Fukuda, with whom I've worked on a previous project, and Kento Yamazaki. We were also miraculously able to get the support of national actress Hamabe Minami, who we really wanted to invite to Fukuda's team, and I think it's become an incredible film. The film is full of the charms of Yamazaki and Hamabe that we've never seen before, and Director Fukuda has brilliantly combined the grand scale of the original work with a comfortable relaxed feel, making it a piece of entertainment that will be enjoyed worldwide. I hope everyone will enjoy it on the big screen."