Cardfight!! Vanguard: The Movie Explained

Cardfight!! Vanguard: The Movie
Native Name:
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Kanji:劇場版 カードファイト!! ヴァンガード
Revhep:Gekijōban Kādofaito!! Vangādo
Director:
  • Shin Itagaki
  • Takashi Motoki
Producer:
  • Akito Ōya
  • Hayato Nihei
  • Kōta Kuroda
  • Sadakazu Kikuchi
  • Shinnosuke Wada
  • Takuya Ōkōchi
Screenplay:
  • Mayori Sekijima
  • Yutaka Bangadō
Music:Mamoru Mori
Cinematography:Daisuke Okumura
Editing:Kiyoshi Hirose
Animator:Liden Films
Production Companies:
Distributor:Shochiku Co., Ltd.
Runtime:
  • 70 minutes (Neon Messiah)[1]
  • 50 minutes (Three Games)[2]
  • 120 minutes (total)
Country:Japan
Language:Japanese

is a 2014 Japanese animated/live-action science fantasy action film based on the Cardfight!! Vanguard series created by Bushiroad and Akira Itō. The film is divided into two segments: the animated portion, and, the live-action portion of the film. The film is co-produced by Liden Films and Ace Crew Entertainment, and was released in theaters in Japan on September 13, 2014.

Premise

Neon Messiah

The card game that gathered millions of players all over the world, and has become a part of everyday life. Through this game that has captivated the world, two card fighters, Aichi Sendou and Toshiki Kai, have met many friends and rivals, and grown. In the midst of his calm everyday life, from the bond he made with the unit "Blaster Blade", Aichi was entrusted with the wishes and prayers to save the Planet Cray from the brink of destruction, through a mysterious dream.

In that dream, Takuto Tatsunagi announced an invite-only tournament, and invited both Aichi and Kai to take part in "Messiah Scramble". The first prize is the card named "Messiah", the name of a savior that was heard in a dream. At the same time, there were many incidents of units disappearing from Vanguard cards throughout the world.

The destruction of Planet Cray, the disappearance of the units, and the person that stood before the invitees, Kouji Ibuki. And so, the curtain rises, on the harshest battle ever for the team of Aichi and Kai.

Three Games

A blackmail sent to the police containing a video showing the letters "VF" in flame. "VF" means to battle with the card game "Vanguard", in other words, to "fight". The criminal's demand is to call the strongest adult vanguard fighter, and to fight him against three games.

Cast

Neon Messiah

Three Games

Production

It was announced in August 2014 that Cardfight!! Vanguard anime series will receive a film adaptation, and will feature separate stories from both animated portion and live-action portion. The animated portion, titled Neon Messiah will be directed by, while the live-action portion is titled Three Games.[3] Neon Messiah will be directed by Shin Itagaki, written by Mayori Sekijima and produced by Liden Films, while the Three Games will be directed by Takashi Motoki, written by Yutaka Bangadō and produced by Ace Crew Entertainment. Mamoru Miyano will voice a character in Neon Messiah segment, while Daigo will portray a middle school teacher named Daigo in Three Games.[4] [5] [6]

Release

The film was released in Japanese theaters on September 13, 2014. It was released on DVD and Blu-Ray in Japan on May 2, 2015. An English sub was shown on July 4, 2015 at the Anime Expo in Los Angeles, California.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 劇場版カードファイト!! ヴァンガード ネオンメサイア. "Cardfight!! Vanguard the Movie: Neon Messiah". eiga.com. ja. September 13, 2014.
  2. Web site: 劇場版カードファイト!! ヴァンガード 3つのゲーム. "Cardfight!! Vanguard the Movie: Three Games". eiga.com. ja. September 13, 2014.
  3. Web site: Cardfight!! Vanguard's Live-Action/Anime Film's Trailer Streamed. Ressler. Karen. August 15, 2014. Anime News Network. August 15, 2014.
  4. Web site: 宮野真守『ヴァンガード』に初出演! 自身が演じる伊吹コウジを「闇を抱えている…」. August 26, 2014. Crack In!. ja. August 26, 2014.
  5. Web site: "Neon Messiah" STAFF & CAST. Vanguard Movie Official. ja. August 29, 2014.
  6. Web site: "Three Games" STAFF & CAST. Vanguard Movie Official. ja. August 29, 2014.
  7. Web site: Anime Expo to Premiere English Sailor Moon Crystal Dub, Cardfight!! Vanguard Film. Loo. Egan. June 12, 2015. Anime News Network. June 12, 2015.