The live-action adaptation of hit soccer manga “Blue Lock” has revealed its ensemble cast ahead of its global sales launch at Berlin’s European Film Market through Goodfellas sports label Round 12.
Toho has set an Aug. 7 theatrical release in Japan across approximately 350 screens, strategically timed to coincide with the Soccer World Cup. The film stars Fumiya Takahashi (“Kamen Rider Zero-One”) as protagonist Yoichi Isagi, leading a cast that includes Kaito Sakurai, Kyohei Takahashi, Kota Nomura, Yu Aoki, Sho Nishigaki, Yuki Tachibana, Raizo Ishikawa, Joey Iwanaga (“Alice in Borderland”), Shunya Asano, Yuki Sakurai, and Yuki Kura (“Shogun”).
Japan Academy Film Prize winner Masataka Kubota plays Jinpachi Ego, the eccentric architect of the titular training program. Kubota’s credits include Takashi Miike’s “13 Assassins,” “Death Note,” “First Love” and the upcoming second season of “Shogun.”
Yusuke Taki directs from a screenplay by Tetsuo Kamata. Taki previously helmed Netflix original “In Love and Deep Water” (2023) and Disney+ limited series “Land of Tanabata” (2024).
The film follows 300 high school soccer players who enter a ruthless secret training facility created by the Japan Football Union to develop the world’s greatest striker. Only one will emerge victorious, while elimination means permanent exclusion from Japan’s National Team. The story centers on unknown player Isagi as he battles 299 competitors.
Written by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and illustrated by Yusuke Nomura, “Blue Lock” has sold over 50 million copies across 24 languages since its debut in Kodansha’s “Weekly Shonen Magazine.” International sales represent one quarter of total circulation, with North America and France as leading markets. The property spawned a 2022 anime series on Crunchyroll drawing audiences that are 35% North American, 25% European, and 25% Latin American. Theatrical anime feature “Blue Lock: Episode Nagi” grossed approximately $23.3 million worldwide.
Kodansha and Credeus produce the live-action version. The latter produced the “Kingdom” and “Golden Kamuy” franchises, plus Oscar-nominated film “Kokuho.” Former Japanese national team player Daisuke Matsui serves as soccer supervisor. The Japan Football Association and J.League are providing full cooperation.
Goodfellas handles worldwide sales excluding Japan, Taiwan, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, CIS and Syria.