Kuroshitsuji Live-Action Movie Set for January 2014
Anime News Network released an article today revealing a new trailer and info about the upcoming live-action movie for Kuroshitsuji (Black Butler). The film is scheduled to be released January 18, 2014 in Japan. (Who knows if it'll ever get released overseas).
You can read more of ANN's news here.
I've been following news on Kuroshitsuji's movie for the past few months. I have to say that I still don't know what to think about it yet. Granted, it's premature to judge a film before it's even been released, but based on the info I've read online, the Kuroshitsuji movie does sound like a "different" direction than what we Kuro fans have seen in the past.
For starters, the film takes place in the near future, an Asian setting, not in 19th century England. So far, the only returning character from Kuroshitsuji's canon is Sebastian, which I think is even more shocking of a change because Kuroshitsuji's original cast is so loved. The new characters for the film have allegedly been imagined by series' creator, Yana Toboso, just as she's provided new characters for Kuroshitsuji's non-manga adaptations, such as Alois and Claude from Kuroshitsuji II, and Eric and Alan in the second Kuroshitsuji musical. As far as whether or not the live-action movie's new characters will somehow fit into the manga canon, this I haven't yet heard. I did read somewhere that this movie is meant to take place in the future timeline of Kuroshitsuji's manga, not anime. I also haven't heard how large a role Toboso is playing in the movie's development, aside the new original characters.
The film's cast is making quite a splash in Japan, although I think the anime's voice perfomances will be tough to beat.
I am a little worried that longtime Kuroshitsuji fans will feel alienated by the absense of other iconic characters. Then again, I haven't heard any confirmation that some of the original characters won't take some type of role in the movie, though I'd imagine we would've already heard if characters like Ciel were making guest appearances. Who knows? Again, it's too soon to judge.
Personally, I will commend this film for trying something new. Granted, the last time Kuroshitsuji took a completely "different" path, it came in the form of Kuroshitsuji II, and that's one anime fans either love or hate. I'm always impressed with Miss Toboso's series for being brave enough to venture outside the box, opposed to just rehashing what's already been done to the nth degree--like some other anime/manga series pull, but those ventures are gambles, too, and that's why I'm approaching this movie with caution. I have every intention of seeing it when/if it ever sees the States' shores, though.
Ultimately, I'd be the happiest if Kuroshitsuji just had a complete anime remake that follows the manga more closely, like what Fullmetal Alchemist did in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. But who knows? Movies can be good signs for series. 2014's Kuroshitsuji film could be just the beginning of more Kuroshitsuji installments for the future.
You can read more of ANN's news here.
I've been following news on Kuroshitsuji's movie for the past few months. I have to say that I still don't know what to think about it yet. Granted, it's premature to judge a film before it's even been released, but based on the info I've read online, the Kuroshitsuji movie does sound like a "different" direction than what we Kuro fans have seen in the past.
For starters, the film takes place in the near future, an Asian setting, not in 19th century England. So far, the only returning character from Kuroshitsuji's canon is Sebastian, which I think is even more shocking of a change because Kuroshitsuji's original cast is so loved. The new characters for the film have allegedly been imagined by series' creator, Yana Toboso, just as she's provided new characters for Kuroshitsuji's non-manga adaptations, such as Alois and Claude from Kuroshitsuji II, and Eric and Alan in the second Kuroshitsuji musical. As far as whether or not the live-action movie's new characters will somehow fit into the manga canon, this I haven't yet heard. I did read somewhere that this movie is meant to take place in the future timeline of Kuroshitsuji's manga, not anime. I also haven't heard how large a role Toboso is playing in the movie's development, aside the new original characters.
The film's cast is making quite a splash in Japan, although I think the anime's voice perfomances will be tough to beat.
I am a little worried that longtime Kuroshitsuji fans will feel alienated by the absense of other iconic characters. Then again, I haven't heard any confirmation that some of the original characters won't take some type of role in the movie, though I'd imagine we would've already heard if characters like Ciel were making guest appearances. Who knows? Again, it's too soon to judge.
Personally, I will commend this film for trying something new. Granted, the last time Kuroshitsuji took a completely "different" path, it came in the form of Kuroshitsuji II, and that's one anime fans either love or hate. I'm always impressed with Miss Toboso's series for being brave enough to venture outside the box, opposed to just rehashing what's already been done to the nth degree--like some other anime/manga series pull, but those ventures are gambles, too, and that's why I'm approaching this movie with caution. I have every intention of seeing it when/if it ever sees the States' shores, though.
Ultimately, I'd be the happiest if Kuroshitsuji just had a complete anime remake that follows the manga more closely, like what Fullmetal Alchemist did in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. But who knows? Movies can be good signs for series. 2014's Kuroshitsuji film could be just the beginning of more Kuroshitsuji installments for the future.