The live-action film adaptation of Hiroaki Samura's
Mugen no Junin (Blade of the Immortal) shonen/seinen manga has revealed the first look at Takuya Kimura as the main protagonist, Manji. Kimura is best known as a member of the recently-disbanded ido group, SMAP.
Additional cast includes Hana Sugisaki as Rin and Souta Fukushi as Kagehisa Anotsu.
WB Japan will release the film on April 29, 2017 during Golden Week.
Samura first launched the manga in Kodansha's Monthly Afternoon magazine in 1993 and concluded it in 2012 at 30 volumes. There are currently 5 million copies in print across 20+ countries. It previously won an Eisner Award in 2000. Dark Horse publishes the manga in North America and will release an omnibus in the near future. A 13-episode anime from Bee Train and Production I.G. aired in 2008 and retold a very condensed version of the first 6 volumes.
SYNOPSIS
To end his eternal suffering, he must slay one thousand enemies! Manji, a ronin warrior of feudal Japan, has been cursed with immortality. To rid himself of this curse and end his life of misery, he must slay one thousand evil men! His quest begins when a young girl seeks his help in taking revenge on her parents' killers . . . and his quest won't end until the blood of a thousand has spilled!