TOHO has initiated the streaming of the initial 15 minutes of the anime adaptation of Akira Toriyama’s SAND LAND manga. This release also includes a heartfelt message from Toriyama himself, accompanied by an illustration of his beloved character, Swimmer’s Papa, and narrated by Tomokazu Sugita, who voices Swimmer’s Papa in the film.
Toriyama’s message conveys his gratitude to the dedicated fans who have already flocked to theaters to experience the Sand Land movie. While the audience turnout may not have reached its full potential, early reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. Some viewers even express their pleasant surprise at the movie’s profound emotional impact. Toriyama attributes the praise for SAND LAND’s mesmerizing mecha elements to the diligent efforts of the animation team.
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To those who have yet to witness this cinematic marvel, or those who may be hesitating to venture to the cinema, Toriyama offers a simple and heartfelt piece of advice: Don’t overanalyze it! He sincerely hopes that everyone seizes the opportunity to behold this remarkable film.
SAND LAND made its debut in Japanese theaters under TOHO’s banner on August 18. The film is available in various formats, including IMAX, 4DX, and MX4D screenings, alongside regular showings. The worldwide premiere occurred at this year’s Comic-Con International San Diego on July 22. North American audiences can anticipate its release in 2024. Notably, the film received a special jury mention in the Best Animated Feature Film category at the 27th annual Fantasia International Film Festival in July.
The film stars:
- Nobuo Tobita as General Zau
- Kazuhiro Yamaji as Rao
- Chō as Thief
- Mutsumi Tamura as Beelzebub
- Koji Yusa as Pike
- Satoshi Tsuruoka as General Are
- Akio Ōtsuka as Satan
- Chafurin as the King
- Tomokazu Sugita as Swimmer’s Papa
- Masafumi Kobatake as Guppy
- Hiroyuki Yoshino as Shark
Viz, the renowned publisher of English manga, presents a gripping tale set in a dystopian future. Earth lies in ruins after a devastating war, its desolate landscape under the tight control of a rapacious king who monopolizes the precious water supply.
Sheriff Rao embarks on a quest to find a legendary, long-lost lake, turning to an unlikely ally, the king of demons, who sends his son, Beelzebub, and the resourceful Thief as companions.
This unexpected trio embarks on an epic journey across the unforgiving desert, encountering formidable challenges such as dragons, ruthless bandits, and the ultimate adversary—the king’s formidable army. Prepare for an exhilarating blend of travel adventure and high-octane tank action in this thrilling narrative crafted by the renowned Akira Toriyama, the mastermind behind Dragon Ball Z.
The film adaptation of this captivating manga was skillfully directed by Toshihisa Yokoshima, known for works like “Tales of Crestoria: The Wake of Sin,” “Amanatsu,” “Cocolors,” and sequences in the beloved Dragon Quest games. Hiroshi Koujina, the seasoned director behind notable titles like “Ryoma! The Prince of Tennis,” “The Vampire Dies in No Time,” and “Grenadier,” provided invaluable direction guidance. Hayashi Mori, acclaimed for his work on “Cells at Work! Code Black” and “Drifting Home,” penned the screenplay,
ensuring a compelling narrative. Yoshikazu Iwanami took charge of the sound direction, while the esteemed Yūgo Kanno, known for his outstanding compositions in “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders,” “Psycho-Pass,” and “Ajin,” created a mesmerizing musical score.
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Moreover, “Sand Land” serves as the inspiration for an action-packed role-playing game, set to be unleashed on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Get ready to immerse yourself in the gripping world of “Sand Land” across multiple forms of media.
Sources | TOHO Movie’s YouTube channel, Dragon Ball series’ website, Comic Natalie
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