The official accounts for the eagerly anticipated live-action adaptation of Hiromasa Okujima’s Baban Baban Ban Vampire comedy manga have unveiled a teaser trailer and visual today, introducing the three lead cast members.
Ryo Yoshizawa, known for his role as Sougo Okita in the Gintama live-action films, takes on the character of Ranmaru Mori, a 450-year-old vampire. Joining him is Rihito Itagaki, who portrays Rihito Tatsuno, the object of Ranmaru’s bloodlust. Nanoka Hara, recognized for her role as Suzume Iwato in Suzume, plays Aoi Shinozuka, Rihito’s first love.
The teaser trailer showcases the unique comedic elements of the film, while the visual art highlights the vibrant character designs integral to the original manga.
Directed by Shinji Hamasaki, the film is set to premiere in Japan on February 14, 2025. Hamasaki, who has a background as a commercial director since the mid-2000s, considers this project his second feature film after directing Ichido Shindemita (“I Died Once”) in 2020, which also starred Yoshizawa.
In a statement, Hamasaki expressed his creative journey in adapting the manga: “I honestly spent many days trying to figure out what the right answer would be for this live-action adaptation of the extremely silly manga. Then Okujima-sensei, the original author of the manga, told me that the film belongs to the director, so please feel free to have fun making it. I was convinced that this was my chance to make the best vampire comedy film in Japan. I am very grateful to Ryo Yoshizawa-san, the lead actor, and all the other people who appeared in the film!”
He continued, reflecting on the production challenges: “The midsummer sun was killing you even if you are not a vampire, and we spent many days shooting late at night. Together with the staff and cast, we did our best to tackle the question of what a vampire comedy is all about. We are about to create an extraordinary vampire movie, and we look forward to seeing you at the theater next year on February 14, Valentine’s Day.”
Hiromasa Okujima also celebrated the film’s progress by posting an illustration featuring Ryo Yoshizawa as Ranmaru Mori on his official X account.
A TV anime adaptation of the manga is also underway, scheduled to premiere in January 2025. The manga, categorized as “BL (Bloody Love-Comedy),” has been serialized in Akita Shoten’s Bessatsu Shonen Champion. The story follows Ranmaru Mori, a live-in part-timer at a traditional public bathhouse who is secretly a 450-year-old vampire. Ranmaru seeks the ultimate taste—“the blood of an 18-year-old virgin”—while trying to protect the virginity of the bathhouse’s 15-year-old heir, Rihito, who falls in love at first sight with a girl in his class. Ranmaru’s desperate efforts to prevent Rihito from losing his virginity form the crux of the plot.
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