New Live-Action Kaiji Film: Released in January 2027
Kaiji fans have a big news! The live-action film series based on Nobuyuki Fukumoto's legendary gambling manga is returning to theaters with a new film in January 2027. According to Anime News Network, director Tōya Satō will be in the director's chair, while lead actor Tatsuya Fujiwara (who played Kaiji Itō in previous films) will appear before audiences again.
Although the plot of the new film has not been officially announced yet, we know that the previous films in the series (the 2009 Kaiji and the 2011 Kaiji 2) adapted the 'Hope' and 'Desperation' stories from the manga. It is curious where the story will evolve this time. Fukumoto's manga was serialized in Weekly Young Magazine from 1996 to 1999, and then continued with Kaiji 2 and Kaiji 3. It is not yet known whether the new film will draw from this third series or an entirely original script.
The previous two films were particularly successful at the box office in Japan, and Fujiwara's performance received full marks from critics. Kaiji's efforts to survive using his intelligence even in despair, portrayed by Fujiwara's acting, had won the hearts of moviegoers. The return of this successful duo with the new film was a big surprise for long-time followers of the series.
Fukumoto's other popular series (Ten, Gin to Kin) are also known for their anime and live-action adaptations. However, Kaiji stands out as his most famous work. The series, which also made a name for itself with a television drama in 2010 (including a Chinese version in 2020) and an anime adaptation released in 2022, will now gain momentum with a new film.
Details such as when the new film's production will begin and which actors will join the cast have not yet been announced. However, the January 2027 release date signals that production will start soon. Kaiji fans are sharing their excitement on social media with the news after this long hiatus, and it also presents an important opportunity for Fukumoto's manga to reach a wider audience. We will continue to follow the developments.
