Tite Kubo's long-running manga "Bleach" has inspired an anime series, animated films, video games, musicals - and now, a live-action film adaptation. Scheduled for release in Japan in 2018, the film will be directed by Shinsuke Sato and will star SÅta Fukushi as protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki. Sato previously directed live adaptations of the mangas "Gantz" and "Lady Snowblood," while Fukushi has had roles in live-action adaptations of "Strobe Edge," "Kami-sama no Iu Toori" and others. Warner Bros., which purchased live-action film rights to "Bleach" in 2012, is has launched an official website for the film.
"Bleach" follows Ichigo Kurosaki, a teenager who receives the powers of a Soul Reaper and must defend the living and the dead from monstrous ghosts. An anime adaptation aired in North America on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim from 2006-2014.
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News of the live-action film comes as the manga itself is about to end. Monday's issue of "Weekly Shonen Jump," this year's 38th, will contain both the official film announcement and the final chapter of "Bleach." Fans had known for some time that "Bleach" was drawing to a close, and the August 8 issue of "Weekly Shonen Jump," this year's double 36th/37th issue, announced that the final chapter would appear in the August 22 38th issue. Kubo has serialized "Bleach" in "Weekly Shonen Jump" since 2001.
In North America, the final chapter of "Bleach" will be available in Viz Media's digital "Shonen Jump" magazine. Chapters in "Shonen Jump" are released digitally in English in the same week that they are published in Japan. Viz also holds television and home video rights to the "Bleach" anime adaptation.
[Via Anime News Network]