TOHO commenced streaming a fresh promotional video titled “Akira Toriyama World” for the anime adaptation of Akira Toriyama’s manga “SAND LAND” this Monday. Clocking in at nearly three minutes, the video succinctly outlines the narrative and character dynamics within the film.
Furthermore, it offers an extended preview of the movie’s theme song, “Utopia,” performed by the burgeoning artist imase.
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Scheduled for a Friday release in Japanese theaters, TOHO’s film presentation will encompass IMAX, 4DX, and MX4D screenings. Remarkably, these specialized screenings will kick off concurrently with the standard viewings. Notably, the movie already received its global premiere at this year’s Comic-Con International San Diego on July 22.
While North American audiences will have to wait until 2024 for the film’s release in their region, it’s worth highlighting that the movie garnered a special jury mention for the best animated feature film category at the 27th annual Fantasia International Film Festival this past July.
The film will star:
- Masafumi Kobatake as Guppy
- Kazuhiro Yamaji as Rao
- Chō as Thief
- Mutsumi Tamura as Beelzebub
- Nobuo Tobita as General Zau
- Akio Ōtsuka as Satan
- Satoshi Tsuruoka as General Are
- Tomokazu Sugita as Swimmer’s Papa
- Chafurin as the King
- Hiroyuki Yoshino as Shark
- Koji Yusa as Pike
Viz brings the manga to English readers, encapsulating the tale:
In the distant future, warfare devastates Earth, leaving a barren wasteland where water is under the grip of a covetous ruler. Seeking a forgotten lake, Sheriff Rao seeks aid from the demon king, enlisting the king’s son, Beelzebub, and the assistant, Thief.
This unlikely trio embarks on a desert journey, confronting dragons, bandits, and the ultimate adversary – the King’s army itself! Crafted by Akira Toriyama, the genius behind Dragon Ball Z, experience a blend of travel adventure and tank action like never before!
Guiding the film is Toshihisa Yokoshima (“Tales of Crestoria: The Wake of Sin,” “Amanatsu,” “Cocolors,” sequences in Dragon Quest games) in collaboration with Sunrise, Kamikaze Douga, and Anima. Overseeing the process is Hiroshi Koujina (Ryoma! The Prince of Tennis, The Vampire Dies in No Time, Grenadier) as the direction advisor. Hayashi Mori (Cells at Work! Code Black, Drifting Home) takes up the pen for the screenplay. The soundscape is shaped by Yoshikazu Iwanami, while Yūgo Kanno (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders, Psycho-Pass, Ajin) composes the music.
Sand Land, a concise series serialized by Toriyama in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine from May to August 2000, unfolds. A single compiled volume graced shelves in November 2000 courtesy of Shueisha.
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Moreover, the manga’s influence extends to an action role-playing game, playable on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Steam.
Sources | TOHO’s YouTube channel, Mainichi Shimbun’s Mantan Web
