The Elric Brothers Are Hitting The Big Screen!
While there are more than a few contenders for the top spot, no one can deny that if the masses had to choose a “greatest anime of all time,” the majority would certainly lean towards Fullmetal Alchemist!
Edward and Alphonse Elric’s quest to find the Philosopher’s Stone and reclaim their bodies is beloved amongst otakus and casual fans alike. It spawned two highly acclaimed series, a couple of spin-off movies as well as legions of loyalists who can’t get enough of its characters, lore and philosophical themes.
And now, a live-action adaptation is on the way.
Naturally, given the infamy that live-action versions of anime and manga have garnered on a global scale, more than a few people are sceptical of what the end result will be by the time it makes it way to the silver screen. Though the Tokyo International Film Festival seems to be rather eager about the project, seeing how it will be kicking the event off this October.
According to an article on Crunchyroll –
The 30th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) announced today that the live-action film adaptation of Hiromu Arakawa’s Hagane no Renkinjutsushi/Fullmetal Alchemist manga, directed by Fumihiko Sori (Ping Pong, Vexille), will be screened as its opening film on October 25. It is the first time for a Japanese film in 10 years since Midnight Eagle directed by Izuru Narushima (Solomon’s Perjury) in 2007, and the first time for a live-action film adaptation based on a Japanese manga since the festival began in 1985.
The screening will be also the film’s world premiere. The organizers describe the film as “a fantasy/action spectacular that brings to live action the epic world of the hit comic series that has sold over 70 million copies around the world. Two brothers embark on a journey to regain all they have lost!”
Ticket for the screening will be sold by pre-order lottery on the festival’s official website, which will be accepted between September 27 and October 3.
During the event period, director Sori is scheduled to join a special talk show “Master Class,” which was previously hosted by Takeshi Kitano and John Woo. Sori says, “It is a great honor for us that Fullmetal Alchemist is chosen as the opening film for the Tokyo International Film Festival. As one of the latest Japanese films , I sincerely hope that it will widely appeal Japan’s content power and Japanese films’ quality and technology not only to the people in Japan, but also to foreign people.”
Can it defy all expectation and do the source material justice? Or will the law of equivalent exchange turn against the flick and reveal it as a cheap knock-off?
Check out the trailer below and decide for yourself!
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