On Monday, the creators of the highly anticipated sequel film Tonde Saitama II (Fly Me to Saitama II) made an exciting announcement. They confirmed the return of four talented cast members to reprise their beloved roles in the upcoming movie. Ryō Katō (upper left in the image below), Tsubasa Masuwaka (upper right), Maju Ozawa (lower left), and Shoko Nakahara (lower right) will grace the screen once again as Nobuo Shimokawa, Okayo, Sazae, and Awabi respectively, ensuring a seamless continuation of the story.
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After being delayed from its initial planned release last year, the film is finally set to premiere this year. The production team had halted its progress following lead actor Gackt’s announcement of an indefinite hiatus in September 2021. This hiatus was prompted by the early onset of a neurological disease that was gradually becoming life-threatening and causing dysphonia (a voice disorder). In May 2022, Gackt shared the encouraging news of his steady physical recovery, leading to the resumption of film production in October 2022.
In the backdrop of the story, residents of Saitama Prefecture endure ruthless persecution at the hands of their counterparts in Tokyo. To shield themselves from this grim reality, the citizens of Saitama Prefecture keep it concealed from outsiders. Momomi Dannoura, a high school student and the son of Tokyo’s governor, assumes the role of student council president at the esteemed Hokuhodo Academy in Tokyo. One fateful day, Momomi encounters Rei Asami, an enigmatic transfer student who has recently returned from America. Instantly captivated by each other, Momomi grapples with the knowledge that Rei hails from Saitama Prefecture. The manga delves into their poignant tale, akin to a Saitama version of “Romeo and Juliet,” as the duo endeavors to elope and spark a revolution to liberate their beleaguered homeland.
Upon its release in February 2019, the initial film took Japan by storm, garnering tremendous success at the box office. In its opening weekend, the movie triumphantly secured the top spot, amassing a staggering 191,000 ticket sales, amounting to 259,038,800 yen (approximately US$2.33 million).
Maya initially released the manga as a single volume in Hakusensha’s Hana to Yume magazine back in 1982. In 2015, a newly compiled edition titled Kono Manga ga Sugoi! comics Tonde Saitama was published by Takarajimasha. The manga has achieved an impressive print circulation of over 660,000 copies. Additionally, Maya is the creative mind behind the comedy manga Patalliro!, which has served as inspiration for numerous anime endeavors.
Source | Press Release
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