Studio Ghibli President Lavishes Praise on New Wartime Fantasy Film

Japanese director Shinzo Katayama’s upcoming live-action film, Lust in the Rain, has captured the imaginations of prominent anime and manga creators across the country. Recently, Studio Ghibli president Toshio Suzuki joined the myriad of industry veterans that have commended Katayama for his ambitious new work.

Lust in the Rain is based on a short manga created by nationally renowned cartoonist and essayist Yoshiharu Tsuge. Comic Natalie provides a brief summary of the story: [The comic and film] depicts the strange life of Yoshio, an unsuccessful manga artist who lives in a poor neighborhood in Kitamichi [Japan]. One day, he is called in to help move with Inori, a self-proclaimed novelist, and there he meets Fukuko, who has recently been divorced, and is fascinated by her. Soon after, Imori and Fukuko move in with Yoshio and the three begin a strange life together…” After the release of the latest trailer, Comic Natalie published Toshio Suzuki’s comments about the upcoming film. “‘There is another world that is different from the one I live in now.’ If you are struck by such a feeling, you should watch this movie,” he stated. “The feeling is directly captured in the image. I realized that movies have entered a different era.”

Related

A Studio Ghibli Record-Setting Movie for Rotten Tomatoes Gets Theatrical Re-Release

This November, a storybook-style masterpiece from late Studio Ghibli director Isao Takahata returns to North American theaters after nearly a decade.

Studio Ghibli’s Toshio Suzuki & Horror Icon Junji Ito Recommend a New World War II Movie

Tsuge began publishing comics in 1955 and quickly became famous for the surreal quality of his artwork and stories. Many other artists, including horror manga icon Junji Ito, noted that this crucial element is conveyed effectively in Katayama’s adaptation. “The absurd world of Yoshiharu Tsuge, where dreams and reality intersect, was captured on film by the charming cast. The helplessness that runs through Tsuge’s manga was skillfully expressed and captivating,” he stated. A prominent figure in the surrealist and body horror scene, Ito is the visionary behind popular works such as Uzumaki, Tomie, Remina and many others.

For a live-action film to capture the attention of both Junji Ito and Toshio Suzuki is highly significant, as both creators are associated with some of the most iconic titles in modern anime history. The icon status of Ito’s Uzumaki manga recently earned it a four-episode anime series, which concluded last month. As president and the co-founder of Studio Ghibli, Suzuki has worked alongside legendary filmmakers Hayao Miyazaki (My Neighbor Totoro) and Isao Takahata (Grave of the Fireflies) for nearly four decades. From 1989 onward, Suzuki primarily served as the studio’s producer, overseeing hit films such as Kiki’s Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle. In April 2023, Suzuki officially took over the role of acting president and representative director from Koji Hoshino. Ghibli’s latest animated feature, The Boy and the Heron (2023), has shattered previous Ghibli box office records and won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature at the 2024 Academy Awards.

Related

“Deception and Friendship”: Tell-All ‘Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron’ Special Quietly Added to Max

Max releases a new film about the complicated relationship between Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki and former studio president Toshio Suzuki.

A joint production between Japan and Taiwan, Lust in the Rain will debut in both countries on different dates. In Japan, the film is scheduled to release on Nov. 29. According to IMDb, the film will begin its Taiwanese theatrical run on Dec. 27. It has not yet been announced if or when Lust in the Rain will see a worldwide release.

Source: Comic Natalie (Lust in the Rain synopsis and comment page), YouTube

_{Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.}