YANA TOBOSO’S Bestselling MANGA Series "BLACK BUTLER" Adapted to Screen

The original comic series “Black Butler” that female Japanese artist Yana Toboso illustrated and wrote had been serialized in the monthly G-Fantasy, published by Square Enix.  The manga series had been adapted to a movie with the same title, “Black Butler,” directed by Kentaro Otani (“Nana” series) and Keiichi Sato (“Asura”) with a screenplay by Tsutomo  Kuroiwa, stars Mizushima in the titular role of the Black Butler who goes by the name Sebastian.

While the original manga is set in 19th century England, this new film is set more than 130 years later in 2020, in an Asian city where Western and Asian cultures freely intermingle. At the time when the movie is set, only males can take the reins of the Phantomhive family, a young woman named Shiori dons male clothes and took on the name Kiyoharu to lead the massive Phantom Corporation.

Sebastian is a demonic butler. Perfect at the preparation and serving of exquisite meals and in providing service and protection.  He has an extensive knowledge of all fields.  Sebastian is bound by a secret contract to serve his master, Kiyoharu (Goriki), and in return for supporting his master’s mission, Sebastian will receive Kiyoharu’s soul at the end of the bargain. 

Mizushima plays Sebastian to the hilt, as the perfect but arrogant butler with elegant movement and stylish manners.  As the movie gets into the darker side. Mummified dead bodies of various dignitaries from around the world are being discovered, a mysterious tarot card left beside each of them at the scene.  Kiyoharu, a young head of the Genpo noble family sees the world as it heads into chaos.  He also serves as a secret watchdog for the Queen, a service that his family has provided for generations.  The Queen orders Kiyoharu to solve the mummification incidents.  As he starts to investigate, he hires the services of his perfect butler, Sebastian, who is actually a demon. Kiyoharu has been hiding his true identity since his parents’ tragic death years earlier.

                “Black Butler” will open exclusive in SM Cinemas nationwide on July 23 and will be distributed by Silverline Inc.

HIRO MIZUSHIMA En Vogue and in Time for Action in “BLACK BUTLER”

 Following a string of adaptation to theatre, magazines and  video games, the widely  read manga series “Black Butler” written and illustrated by Yana Toboso has also been adapted to a movie starring Hiro Mizushima and Ayame Gouriki.   

The movie “Black Butler” revolves around a “flawless demon butler” character named Sebastian Michealis who personifies grace, knowledge, and physical perfection as he investigates dark and mysterious incidents.  Eventually, he was summoned by an orphaned aristocrat to exact revenge at the price of her soul. 

"Black Butler" story was originally set in the 19th century, in the ruling era of Queen Victoria but the film is set in the year 2020 to allow for a more reasonable mingling of Asian-European cultures.   In the movie, Shiori Genpo (Ayame Gouriki) runs the large corporation Funtom. Shiori is also a descendant of the prestigious noble family, Phantomhive of England. In order to hunt down the murderers of her parents, the orphaned aristocrat summons a demonic butler (Hiro Mizushima) to aid her. Sebastian's job is to protect Ciel until her revenge is fulfilled, then he will consume her spirit.

Directors Kentaro Otani and Keiichi Satou assures fans that even though the movie’s setting is unlike the original, they took very careful note not to disappoint fans of the original.  Hiroyasu Koizumi, who is in charge of the art concept says that the idea for the setting is that it is not limited to any nationality or age.  Mizushima, who plays the titular role shed more than an ample amount of weight for the role. A Japanese actor, producer, writer and creative director, Mizushima also took part in the movie’s post production process.      

“Black Butler” will open July 23 exclusive in SM cinemas nationwide from Axinite Digicinema.

Warner Releases "Rurouni Kenshin" Sequels in PH Aug 20 & Sept 24

Warner Bros. Pictures Philippines will roll-out a back-to-back release platform for the eagerly anticipated sequels of “Rurouni Kenshin.” This was announced today by Francis Soliven, General Manager of Warner Bros. (F.E.), Inc.

The first sequel, “Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno” will open here on Aug. 20, 2014, to be followed one month after by “Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends” on Sept. 24, 2014. (The teaser trailer for the two titles can now be viewed here.)



The release pattern will allow fans to experience the cathartic conclusion to the celebrated saga with little time in between and honors the filmmakers' wishes as to how the sequels should be viewed. The twin features will have the same opening window in Japan.

With the release of the original “Rorouni Kenshin” last year, Japanese cinema entered a new era. A commercial film combining unparalleled speed and overwhelming action in a moving human drama, it was an explosive blockbuster that was met with riotous enthusiasm by the fans.

This was the first motion picture inspired by Kenshin the Wanderer: The Romance of the Meiji Swordsman (Shueisha Jump Comics), the monumental manga comic by Nobuhiro Watsuki that has sold more than 5.8 million copies and been translated into more than 20 languages.

Directed by Keishi Ōtomo, the film told of fictional events that took place during the early Meiji period in Japan, focusing on a wanderer named Himura Kenshin (Takeru Satoh), formerly known as the assassin Hitokiri Battōsai. After participating in the Bakumatsu war, Kenshin wanders the countryside of Japan offering protection and aid to those in need as atonement for the murders he once committed as an assassin.
The filmmakers faced a serious challenge in meeting the high expectations of the manga fans, a challenge they succeeded beyond anyone’s expectations as the film arrived to a rapturous reception throughout Japan, quickly taking in more than 3 billion yen at the box office. Word-of-mouth spread quickly overseas, and “Rurouni Kenshin” was shown in 31 festivals and received distribution in 64 territories, including the Philippines.

The production team was aware from the start that the “Rurouni Kenshin” story would not be complete without a film version of the “Kyoto Arc,” the highest-rated and best-loved segment that serves as a climax to the manga series. Coincidentally, the resolution and determination with which the main character Kenshin survives through a turbulent age serve as a guidepost to the filmmakers.

And so, in answer to calls from around the world demanding “more Kenshin,” the filmmakers proudly present “Kyoto Inferno” and “The Legend Ends.”