Gatchamania.net - Print: Infini-T Force Stage Play

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Posted by tatsunokofan on 10-03-2018 at 20:56:

Infini-T Force Stage Play

Hi all!

It's just been announced that Infini-T Force will be the subject of a theatrical stage play this August. The play will be performed at the IMA Hall in Tokyo's Nerima Ward from August 29th through September 2nd. The production is being planned and produced by a theatrical creative group named ILLUMINUS, and written and directed by ILLUMINUS's key writer/director Takehiro Yoshida. The press release says that the play will "incorporate the latest technology in 3D digital imagery, as well as dance, acrobatics, and illusions." The cast has not been selected yet, and no further details regarding the production are available at the moment, but we'll know more as we get closer to the August opening date.

For those who are unaware, stage versions, including musicals, of popular manga and anime series have been taking place in Japan for a while now. While generally fairly low budget affairs (Think Off-Broadway level, or even Off-Off-Broadway level), these productions have a very loyal group of supporters. Some of these have even been multi-part productions, telling a complete story through 3 or 4 different productions over the course of a year or so. That Infini-T Force has been chosen as the subject for one of these productions is a sign that the series has developed a decent fan following in Japan -- no one is going to invest the money into making a stage play of something no one cares about!

Sadly, unless you happen to be in Tokyo during the five days when the play will be performing, it'll be difficult to see it. There is a chance that a DVD of the production will be released, as this has occurred with some of the anime and manga related stage productions in the past, but very, very few of these have ever had a commercial release outside of Japan. That can't stop us from hoping to find a fansubbed version, though!

Anyway, I'll let you know when I hear more.

James

Posted by ChrisW on 10-03-2018 at 21:49:

I would definitely watch out of raw curiosity. Smile

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Posted by Katblu42 on 11-03-2018 at 06:58:

I would absolutely go and see this if I could!!

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Posted by Redbird on 11-03-2018 at 12:26:

I've seen some stage plays before online, they can be pretty good depending on the actors, but I found them really interesting and entertaining Smile

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Posted by Becky Rock on 11-04-2018 at 00:28:

I'm late hopping in here.

I'd love to see the stage play. I hope they do it justice.

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Posted by GrumpyGhostOwl on 11-04-2018 at 00:36:

When I first read this, I thought, "What the...?" Then I remembered Footrot Flats: The Musical which was about a talking dog, some sheep (who could forget that wonderful song and dance number, 'Rattle Yer Dags'?) and a few humans.

Then I thought, well, I guess an Infini-T Force stage play probably couldn't be much stranger than that.

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Posted by tatsunokofan on 03-06-2018 at 02:39:

Hi all!

The main cast for the Infini-T Force Stage Play has been announced. They include the following:

Gatchaman/Ken Washio: Yuki Izawa

Tekkaman/Joji Minami: Ryotaro Kosaka

Polymer/Takeshi Yoroi: Allen Kohatsu

Casshan/Tetsuya Azuma: Natsuki Osaki

Emi Kaido: Masana Oya

Damian Gray: Taiyo Ayukawa

Belle Lynn: Mio Hanana

Pegas: Hiroki Sato

They have 8 performances scheduled between August 29th and September 2nd, with ticket prices ranging between 7,500 yen and 8,800 yen.

More to come, as it's announced.

I wish I could attend...

James

Posted by KT1972 on 03-06-2018 at 10:46:

I wish too, James.

At best though I hope to be able to see it online at some point, and I wish these fine looking actors every success (or should that be breaking many legs?)

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Posted by tatsunokofan on 13-08-2018 at 00:02:

Hi all!

The Infini-T Force stage play has recently released images of the hero actors in their costumes. Figuring that you'd like to see them, here they are:

Ken

Joji

Takeshi

Tetsuya

These images were released on August 9th, the same day that they held a press conference to unveil the Hero Suits and the costumes to the media and to people who had donated to the very successful crowdfunding effort to pay for the construction of the Hero Suits. Here are some images from that event.

They also released a full cast list, revealing that the show will include both Z, portrayed by Goh Iris Watanabe, and Emi's friend Maria, portrayed by Miyabi Iino.

They are also introducing two new characters to the story. One is Sakisaka, the manager of the Capricorn cafe that the heroes frequent. He is someone who has lost his family due to Z's destruction of parallel worlds. He allows Joji to hide the Blue Earth spaceship in the basement of the Capricorn. He is portrayed by Tomoaki Nakatani.

The second new character is the Military Commander, who is in charges of Z's forces that are searching for the lost Case. I am guessing that he is the fellow in the cape whose back is to us in one of the event photos, and that the 5 fellows next to him in the shirts with "15" on them are his goon squad, who will likely be fodder for the heroes in some wire action scenes during the play. Anyway, the Commander is being portrayed by Toshiya Taniguchi.

They have also posted a sort video on YouTube showing the first meeting and table read for the play. If you want to see it, and hear the actors introduce themselves and speak a few of their lines, you can watch it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LXj7PZgT-M

Now, if only there was a way for people outside of the Tokyo area to see the play...

James

Posted by Katblu42 on 13-08-2018 at 06:28:

Wow! Awesome work on the costumes.

I really want to see the transformation sequences! Wink2

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Posted by KT1972 on 13-08-2018 at 07:55:

It does look awesome.

Maybe someone will eventually post a video on YouTube?

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Posted by Becky Rock on 13-08-2018 at 23:02:

Thanks so much for sharing James. They look great.

If this is a success, would they do another with the addition of Joe and Nambu?

Did they ever do one for Gatchaman?

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Posted by tatsunokofan on 14-08-2018 at 01:55:

Hi all!

If this initial stage production is a success, then yes, there is always the chance of further, new productions. Many of these stage versions of popular anime and manga are designed with that very thought in mind, with subsequent new plays featuring the same cast in new "chapters" of an ongoing story. There's no reason to think that Infini-T Force couldn't follow that route -- assuming it is successful. Whether a subsequent production would bring in Joe or Nambu is anyone's guess.

These types of full scale stage productions weren't in vogue back when Gatchaman was at the height of its popularity, so, no, they never did one for Gatchaman. The closest thing I'm aware of are the various costumed performer "Hero Show" appearances held at department stores, amusement parks, and festivals. These had people in Gatchaman costumes performing a short Gatchaman story for audiences mostly made up of children. After the performances, the actors would sign in-character autographs for the kids, with things like "To Makoto, Ken, the Eagle G-1" and "Jun, the Swan G-3." Here is a small photo from one of those Hero Shows, held on the Angel Stage in the now-defunct Futako-Tamagawa Gardens:

James

Posted by tatsunokofan on 20-08-2018 at 00:25:

Hi all!

With the premiere of the Infini-T Force stage production a mere 10 days away, they have released this official promotional "Key Visual," which gives us our first chance to see their version of Emi.

Pretty spiffy looking, if you ask me.

James

Posted by Becky Rock on 20-08-2018 at 23:34:

That looks great!

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Posted by tatsunokofan on 22-08-2018 at 05:04:

Hi all!

A pair of new images from the Infini-T Force stage production have been released, showing us Emi and Bell Lynn.

I'm sure there will be more soon!

James

Posted by tatsunokofan on 22-08-2018 at 16:53:

Hi all!

And soon would be just a few hours later, when they posted this picture of Z.

I guess the question now is "Who's next?"

James

Posted by Becky Rock on 22-08-2018 at 22:27:

They made the costumes as close to the anime as possible.

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Posted by KT1972 on 23-08-2018 at 07:38:

Anyone notice how similar Z's outfit is to Nambu's?

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Posted by tatsunokofan on 23-08-2018 at 18:20:

Hi all!

And we have an answer to the "Who's next?" question! The lucky winner is...Emi's friend Maria!! Here she is!

Those of you with Maria in the pool can collect your winnings!

More to come, I'm sure!

James