The Jujutsu Kaisen stage play released a new trailer and images of its cast.
A live-action Jujutsu Kaisen movie hasn't been announced, but a new Japanese stage play gives an idea of what it might look like. Images of the cast in their professionally made, manga-accurate costumes were released through Japanese news site Comic Natalie following a preview presentation in Tokyo's Scramble Hall theater on April 13. The images showcase the main cast of the new play, which adapts the Vs. Mahito arc. The play will run in Tokyo from July 15 — 31, before beginning a run in Osaka from Aug. 4 — 14.
The play stars Ryuji Sato as the series' kind-hearted protagonist, Yuji Itadori. Sato is well known in Japan for starring a number of high profile anime-to-stage adaptations, including The Prince of Tennis and Naruto. He also guest starred in two episodes of 2011's Kamen Rider Fourze. Sato is joined by Kazuaki Yasue as Megumi Fushiguro and Erika Toyoharu as Nobara Kugisaki. The trio's beloved teacher, Satoru Gojo, is played by Ryosuke Miura. Masanari Wada portrays Kento Nanami, a former salaryman turned sorcerer who serves as Yuji's mentor throughout the arc. Rei Fujita portrays the series' reoccuring villain Suguru Geto, while Motohiro Ohta plays the role of Mahito, the arc's primary antagonist. Tact Igarashi plays Ryomen Sukuna, the powerful sorcerer whose soul is now imprisoned within Yuji's body.
Plays based on popular entertainment properties are common in Japan, where many of the most popular anime, manga and video games have been adapted into live stage shows. The plays are slowly making their way out of Japan as well: last November, a company called Japan 2.5D Stage Play World streamed performances of its official Naruto, Sailor Moon and My Hero Academia plays to audiences around the world.
It's no surprise that Jujutsu Kaisen is getting its own play, as the series is now one of the biggest properties in Japan today. Gege Akutami's original manga was the best-selling series in Japan for 2021, narrowly edging out Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba with a whopping 30 million copies sold in the last 12 months. The series' first movie, Jujutsu Kaisen 0, was released in Japan last Decemeber and internationally in March, and has already become one of the top ten highest-grossing anime films of all time. The anime series, which is produced by Attack on Titan studio MAPPA, confirmed that it will return with a second season in 2023.
Source: YouTube, Comic Natalie