Live-Action Under Ninja Film Casts Shōtarō Mamiya, Mai Shiraishi
The highly anticipated live-action adaptation of Kengo Hanazawa’s popular manga, Under Ninja, has recently announced two new additions to its cast. Shōtarō Mamiya, known for his roles in Blue Giant and Tokyo Revengers, will play the character of Kato, an elite ninja in the NIN organization who entrusts the protagonist, Kurō Kumogakure, with a crucial ninja mission. Alongside Mamiya, Mai Shiraishi, recognized for her work in Saint Young Men and Asahinagu, will portray Suzuki, a talented kunoichi in NIN who leads a double life as an editor of novels during the day.
The film is set to premiere in theaters across Japan on January 24, 2025. Kento Yamazaki, celebrated for his roles in various live-action adaptations such as Alice in Borderland and Kingdom, will star as the protagonist, Kurō Kumogakure, while Minami Hamabe, known for her appearances in Godzilla Minus One and live-action Kakegurui, will take on the role of the heroine, Ayaka Noguchi.
Yūichi Fukuda, the acclaimed writer and director behind live-action hits like Gintama and Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku, will be helming the film. This collaboration marks Yamazaki’s third lead role in Fukuda’s projects, following Wotakoi and Saiki K., and Hamabe’s first major collaboration with either Yamazaki or Fukuda.
The underlying premise of the manga revolves around a high school loner who is unexpectedly thrust into the world of ninja espionage, tasked with international assassinations in a modern setting. Set in post-World War II Japan, the manga explores the intricacies of a government agency staffed with ninja to combat terrorism and violence in the Pacific region. Kurō, a seventeen-year-old high school student, finds himself at the forefront of defending Tokyo against potential foreign threats as part of this secretive organization.
Originally serialized in Kodansha’s Weekly Young Magazine in July 2018, Under Ninja has garnered a dedicated following for its unique blend of action, intrigue, and coming-of-age themes. The manga’s success led to the creation of a television anime adaptation, which premiered on October 5 featuring Taito Ban as Kurō Kumogakure and Tarusuke Shingaki as Katō.
With the live-action adaptation poised to bring Hanazawa’s gripping narrative to the big screen, fans are eagerly anticipating how the iconic characters and intense action sequences will be portrayed in a new medium. As the film’s release date draws closer, audiences can expect a thrilling cinematic experience that stays true to the essence of the original manga while bringing a fresh perspective to the story.
Overall, the casting of Shōtarō Mamiya and Mai Shiraishi in key roles adds depth and authenticity to the film’s portrayal of the NIN organization and its operatives. Their performances are sure to captivate audiences and enhance the dynamic storytelling that Under Ninja is known for. As fans await the film’s premiere, the anticipation continues to build for what promises to be an action-packed and visually stunning adaptation of Hanazawa’s acclaimed manga.
