Rurouni Kenshin (Wandering Kenshin, Samurai X) is among the most anticipated manga-turned-live-action adaptation this year, and everyone is on the lookout for its developments.

Just recently, a teaser poster has been released, featuring Sato Takeru (Kamen Rider, BECK) as Himura Kenshin, in monochromatic black and white. The red dash of color highlights the cross, with the words “Be careful of this friendly man.” The stark image of the photography provides a vintage feel, as the store was staged in the Meiji Restoration Era, and is considered a Taiga adaptation. Keep Reading

Tezuka Productions have recently announced their plans to adapt Kenji Miyazawa’s novel Gusjou Budori no Genki. This popular children’s novel was released in 1932 and was based on fictional animal characters with humanlike characters. Yoshiru Shimizu, the company’s general manager, says that the film greatly fits Osamu Tezuka’s ideals, which highlights the story’s theme of “How one their lives live is more important than their environment.” Osamu Tezuka is the genius behind the popular worldwide novel Astroboy. Keep Reading

Returning back to TV after more than two and a half decades, an all new Lupin III series is set to air and bring back those mischievous and exciting adventures to the small screen.

Dubbed as the “Lupin the Third, Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna,” this new series reveals the change of voice cast for the first time in 16 years. Sayo Yamamoto of the series Michiko to Hatchin, is said to direct the entire 13 episodes of the series, which makes her the sole female director of Lupin III adaptations. Keep Reading

The 2012 6th issue of Big Comic Original (Shogakukan) Magazine have stated that a live action of popular mangaka Rumiko Takahashi will be produced.

The story, Rumic Theater (Takahashi Rumiko Gekijou /高橋留美子劇場), will be shown on NHK-BS Premium channel this coming July. Rumic Theater is a collection of many short stories, all based on people in every walks of life. Details of the project are still to be announced. Keep Reading

Yukito Ayatsuji’s suspense thriller Another (アナザー) takes its place on movie screens as a live action production for the plot is in the works.

The Another novel, which was first published in October 2009, revolves around a particular class and a curse that looms around it. Students and teachers mysteriously die after a series of mishaps, ultimately leading to the source of the horrific incident, which was traced back many years ago. Keep Reading

Local and foreign comic artists come together and relive Japan’s heroic efforts in the face of the March 11 Earthquake and Tsunami disaster. It has already been one year, and people still look back to the fear and hop that rose during that dark time. With this concept, the Kyoto International Manga Museum dedicates an exhibit, entitled “March 11, As seen through the eyes of Comic Artists Around the World: Magnitude Zero.” Keep Reading