Trailer and Cast Announced for 2027 Kaiji Film
A new live-action adaptation of Nobuyuki Fukumoto's legendary gambling manga Kaiji is coming. The film's cast was officially announced alongside the recently released trailer and promotional visuals. The film will be released in Japan on January 29 and is set in the year 2027.
The lead role is played by Kazuya Kamenashi (a member of KAT-TUN and an actor known for the film Second to Last, Second Chance). The cast also includes Mahiro Takasugi (known for the series Alice in Borderland), Sara Minami, and veteran actor Susumu Terajima (Kill Bill, Outrage series). While there has been no official announcement regarding the director's chair, it is stated that the production team largely consists of experienced names from previous Kaiji films.
The Kaiji series is a manga that Nobuyuki Fukumoto began in Weekly Young Magazine in 1996, focusing on a young man in debt who enters deadly gambling games to save his life. The manga has been adapted to the screen with two anime series (2007-2008 and 2011), an anime film (2016), and three live-action films between 2009 and 2011. The first film in 2009, in particular, was a huge success at the Japanese box office and created a cult following worldwide.
It is currently unclear whether the new film is a sequel to previous adaptations or an independent reboot. However, the scenes in the trailer suggest that classic Kaiji elements like "Rock-Paper-Scissors" and "Bridge of Death" will be reinterpreted. The psychological tension and strategy-filled nature of Fukumoto's manga have always been at the forefront of the live-action adaptations. It is believed that with this new film, the series will present an updated version, moving into a 2027 dystopia with modern technology.
For fans, this news marks a significant return after a long hiatus following 2011's Kaiji 2: The Ultimate Gambler and the 2020 anime film Kaiji: Final Game. A wave of excitement has emerged on social media following the release of the trailer. New trailers, posters, and perhaps a premiere date are expected in the coming months. Those who love the Kaiji universe should mark January 29 on their calendars.
