Netflix will soon begin streaming more Japanese TV shows internationally, an initiative which will include the latest TV adaptation of Japan Sinks.
As reported by Japanese entertainment site Eiga Natalie, Netflix has entered into a partnership with the Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS, not to be confused with the American cable channel with the same initials,) to localize and stream several of their titles internationally. One of those shows will be the new live-action TV series Japan Sinks: People of Hope, which will be the latest adaptation of Sakyo Komatsu's 1973 disaster/sci-fi novel of the same name. The new series will star Shun Oguri, a popular Japanese actor who audiences in the west may recognize from his supporting role in 2021's Godzilla Vs. Kong. Shojo manga and anime fans may also recognize the actor from his portrayal of Rui Hanizawa in the Japanese live-action adaptation of Yoko Kamio's Boys Over Flowers, while gamers will know him from his starring role in Sega's Yakuza 6. The new series is scheduled to premiere in Japan on Oct. 10, with Netflix streaming the series internationally shortly afterwards.
RELATED: What Is Netflix's Squid Game About - and Why Is It Terrifying Everyone?
Japan Sinks has been adapted to film, TV, and manga numerous times. The novel was originally adapted into a manga series by Golgo 13 creator Takao Saito, and was also made into a 2006 live-action movie, which was directed by Gainax co-founder and Neon Genesis Evangelion and Macross Plus storyboard artist Shinji Higuchi. Netflix co-produced the previous most recent adaptation of the novel, Japan Sinks 2020. That series an anime from Science SARU, the animation studio that produced the critically acclaimed The Night is Short, Walk on Girl and the upcoming The Heike Story, as well as two of the shorts featured within the Star Wars Visions anthology series. Japan Sinks 2020 was directed by Masaki Yuasa, the director of acclaimed anime series such as The Tatami Galaxy, Kaiba, Devilman Crybaby and Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!
As major American studios such as Disney, Paramount and Warner Bros. have started to keep their productions on their own competing streaming services, Netflix has begun to look abroad for new content for its streaming service. In recent years, Netflix has invested heavily in a number of original anime productions, which includes hits such as BEASTARS and the upcoming highly anticipated new season of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure. The company has also recently seen massive success with Squid Game, a South Korean drama about a sadistic gambling game that has quickly become one of Netflix's most streamed titles of all time.
Source: Eiga Natalie, via Anime News Network