Fushigi Dagashiya Zenitendō Movie in December

We have some fantastic updates on Fushigi Dagashiya Zenitendō! The children’s book series titled “Reiko and Jyajya’s Hatena’s World” by Reiko Hiroshima and illustrator Jyajya is expected to be released in December as a movie, and people are already eager for the release. Now let’s get deeper into the details of this probable exciting adaptation and anything you should know about the live-action movie.

TOHO’s Big Announcement: A Live-Action Film in December

On Thursday, TOHO announced that they are working on a live-action adaptation of a Fushigi Dagashiya Zenitendō light novel series that has a large readership. This simply brilliant children’s book, which has been beloved by children and parents since it was first published in 2013, is to become a movie. The film is set to be released on the 13th of December, which is one of the best timings, especially during the holiday season, as a treat for the fans of this particular series.

Yuki Amani Takes on the Role of Beniko

Perhaps one of the biggest selling points of the movie is that the starring role will be played by Yuki Amami. Amami, known for her roles in “Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea,” “Kaiji, which has been adapted in films such as “The Ultimate Gambler,” and “Mary and the Witch’s Flower,” will come alive and portray the interesting character of Beniko. Beniko is the enigmatic owner of the Zenitendo shop, which is a store for magical candies and snacks that can alter the lives of people, if only they are used appropriately.

The Magic and Mystery of Zenitendo

The focus of the story for Fushigi Dagashiya Zenitendō is the named store Zenitendo. This is not just any candy store; no, this is a place that only the lucky ones can get to discover. Upon entering the store, customers come across sweets that look like the products will be perfect to solve the customer’s issues. But there’s a flip side to it—as if the usage of the candy is not correct, it calls for disastrous results. From this premise comes another positive note of the show, as it is thrilling and can be a tiny bit scary teaching the audience the lesson.

Hideo Nakata Directs, Reiko Yoshida Writes

A live-action film is to be directed by Hideo Nakata, an individual whom the lovers of Japanese movies should be able to identify. As one expects from horror films, the feature will be dark and mysterious, as inferred from Nakata’s input given that he has worked on horror movies including “Ring” and “Dark Water.” The script is written by Reiko Yoshida, who contributed screenplay adaptations for critically acclaimed movies like K-On!, Violet Evergarden, Liz and the Blue Bird, and others, meaning that the audience will receive an exciting adaptation of the novels’ universe, which will contain the spirit of the originals.

A Long-Standing and Beloved Series

The Fushigi Dagashiya Zenitendō series was published in May 2013 and has contributed to the Japanese children’s books ever since. The series has received great popularity, at the moment having more than 1.4 million copies in circulation. An example of its usage is shown below: That it remains as popular as it is today does not only say something about its effect on readers but also about its ability to appeal to diverse ages.

Past Adaptations: From Stage to Screen

It’s not the first time Fushigi Dagashiya Zenitendō gets adapted into other media than manga and anime. In August 2023, the large-scale stage play theaters again stage live performances to truly establish Zenitendo as popular culture in the world. 

Also, it was part of the film series “Revival,” where the series was in the Toei Manga Matsuri Omnibus; this film was released in August 2020; however, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was brought forward. However, all these problems have not stopped the Fushigi Dagashiya Zenitendō franchise from adapting to the growing market, and the production of anime has shown the potential of the franchise at a global level.

The Anime’s Journey: From TV to a New Series

The series, based on the Fushigi Dagashiya Zenitendō, initially aired in September 2020 and similarly received good reception from the audiences due to the show’s concept of mystery and fantasy. This anime went on, and even from April 2022 there started a new arc. In April of 2023, the series hit a new achievement of the 85th total episode, which was aired on the NHK educational channel and reached even more families with the fantastic stories of Beniko and her magical shop. 

Well, it is not here where the story of lap marks ends. In April 2024, a new anime series began, thus expanding the series’ narrative and feeding fans with new fictions and characters of Fushigi Dagashiya Zenitendō. The continuation of the series’ appearances in different kinds of media proves its popularity and people’s desire to read more about its universe.

Final Thoughts: A Must-Watch for Fans

In the light of the history and memorable characters, as well as the union of magic and mystery in the show, the live-action adaptation of Fushigi Dagashiya Zenitendō is expected to win the viewers and fans of the series together with the new audience. In this interactive entertainment program, audience members will be transported into Zenitendo on December 13. This movie is definitely for the fans of the novels, animé, and for those who believe it is impossible to find such an interesting and twisted story at present.

Thanks for coming; we are glad to have had you. Please use the comment section below to air your opinions. I know that we would very much like to hear your enthusiasm toward the up-and-coming film.