The first teaser trailer has been released for the upcoming Gekijoban Nintama Rantaro Dokutake Ninjatai Saikyo no Gunshi anime film, which is scheduled to premiere in Japan in December 2024.
The new 30-second trailer showcases some of the main characters, as well as Doi’s disappearance, and a new white-clad ninja enemy.
The film is based on Kazuhisa Sakaguchi‘s 2013 novel of the same name, which focuses on Rantaro’s teacher, Hansuke Doi, becoming a teacher at Ninjutsu Academy.
Masaya Fujimori (Kemono Jihen, Revenger) is directing the new anime film, returning from his previous work on the franchise’s 2011 film Gekijo-ban Anime Nintama Rantaro Ninjutsu Gakuen Zenin Shutsudo! no Dan. Sakaguchi is penning the film’s scripts. Ajia-do Animation Works is credited with the animation production after working on the manga’s long-running TV anime series Nintama Rantaro.
The returning voice cast members from the anime series joining the film’s cast includes:
- • Minami Takayama as Rantaro
- • Mayumi Tanaka as Kirimaru
- • Teiyuu Ichiryuusai as Shinbei Fukutomi
- • Toshihiko Seki as Hansuke Doi
The original manga series Rakudai Ninja Rantaro was created by Soubee Amako and published by The Asahi Shimbun Company in 1986. It was serialized in the children’s magazine Asahi Shogakusei Shinbun until 2019, releasing a total of 65 tankobon volumes.
The manga inspired a TV anime series that has aired since April 10, 1993 for over 2,000 total episodes. The series is currently the longest running program on the NHK channel.
Besides a 2011 anime film, the series also inspired a 1996 anime film and several video games. In 2011, Takashi Miike directed a live-action film adaptation of the series called Ninja Kids!!!.
The general story follows a young ninja apprentice named Rantaro, who trains at an elite ninjutsu academy in historical Japan. He is joined by several elementary students that are collectively known as “Nintama” (which combines the Japanese words for “ninja” and “egg”).
Source: Nintama Rantaro Official Twitter
