After a seven-year hiatus, the Kaiji live-action film series makes its high-stakes return with Kaiji: Life Revenge Game (カイジ 人生リベンジゲーム). The fourth installment in the franchise, starring Tatsuya Fujiwara, hits Japanese theaters on January 29, 2027, following 2020’s Kaiji: Final Game.
Tatsuya Fujiwara reprises his role as Kaiji Ito, the gambling addict often described as “Japan’s most notorious loser.” The film introduces Kazuya Hyodo — one of the most popular villains from the original manga — as Kaiji’s new rival. As the son of Teiai Group chairman Kazutaka Hyodo, Kazuya sets the stage for what is being called the biggest confrontation in the franchise’s history. The movie will also feature an updated version of the iconic steel beam crossing challenge, enhanced with modern filmmaking technology, along with several new games inspired by the original manga.
Director Toya Sato, who has helmed all three Kaiji Live-Action films returns alongside Yugo Kanno, who is in charge of the soundtrack. The film is based on Nobuyuki Fukumoto‘s long running manga series Kaiji, which began serialization in 1996 and celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Published by Kodansha, the manga has surpassed 30 million copies in circulation.
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Gambling Apocalypse: Kaiji (賭博黙示録カイジ) is written and illustrated by Nobuyuki Fukumoto. It was serialized in Kodansha’s seinen manga magazine Weekly Young Magazine from 1996 to 1999. The series was followed by five more installments: Tobaku Hakairoku Kaiji (2000–2004), Tobaku Datenroku Kaiji (2004–2008), Tobaku Datenroku Kaiji: Kazuya-hen (2009–2012), Tobaku Datenroku Kaiji: One Poker-hen (2013–2017), and the ongoing Tobaku Datenroku Kaiji: 24 Oku Dasshutsu-hen (since 2017), along with several spin-off titles.As of December 2023, the entire Kaiji series has been collected into 91 tankōbon volumes. In North America, Denpa licensed the first series for an English physical release in six-volume omnibus editions (starting in 2019), while Manga Planet licensed it for digital release in 2020.The first two manga series were adapted into two 26-episode anime seasons produced by Madhouse. The franchise has also been adapted into live-action films, including a loosely based Chinese movie titled Animal World.
Kaiji, who once fought a deadly battle against the Teiai Group has once again reverted to a dissolute, low-life existence. He spent his days struggling to make ends meet, earning just enough money to survive. But now, standing in his way is Kazuya Hyodo, the young son of his arch nemesis, the Teiai Group!
Synopsis
Source: Oricon, Official Website
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