Zipang (film) explained

Zipang
Native Name:
Kanji:ZIPANG ジパング
Revhep:Jipangu
Director:Kaizo Hayashi
Producer:Koji Tsutsumi
Starring:Masahiro Takashima
Narumi Yasuda
Shiro Sano
Kenya Sawada
Mikio Narita
Mikijirō Hira
Music:Yōko Kumagai, Hidehiko Urayama
Cinematography:Masaki Tamura
Editing:Osamu Inoue
Studio:TBS, EXE
Distributor:Toho
Runtime:119 minutes
Country:Japan
Language:Japanese

, also known as The Legend of Zipang[1] is a 1990 Japanese tokusatsu fantasy film directed by Kaizo Hayashi.[2] The film stars Masahiro Takashima as Jigoku Gokuraku Maru.

Cast

Release

Theatrical

Zipang was released in Japan on January 27, 1990 where it was distributed by Toho.[3] The film was released at the Stockholm International Film Festival in November 1990 in Sweden.

Home media

Video TBS released the film on VHS in 1990 and Art Port released the film on DVD in 2001.

Remarks

In scenes that transcend time and space, a time-consuming expression method is adopted in which photographs are copied and modified, and effects such as zooming and rotation are added to take each photograph one-by-one.[4]

Reception

The Austin Chronicle said "if, however, you're looking to switch off your brain and simply have a good time, then don't miss out on this kinetic roller coaster of a movie... it's a real hoot."[1]

Other media

The video game Jigoku Gokuraku Maru (地獄極楽丸) for the Famicom is a tie-in for this movie. It was retitled for its Western release, and the plot was changed to remove the connection to the movie.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: O'Bryan . Joey . The Legend of Zipang . The Austin Chronicle . 27 April 2021.
  2. Book: Shiraishi. Masahiko. Heisei gojira taizen : 1984-1995. 白石雅彦. 2003. Futabasha. Shogo Tomiyama, 富山省吾. 4-575-29505-1. Tōkyō. 167377489.
  3. Web site: 『ZIPANG』. 2021-04-28. シネマ係長の秘密基地. ja.
  4. Book: Nihon tokusatsu gensō eiga zenshū.. 5 June 1997. Keibunsha. Keibunsha, 勁文社.. 978-4-7669-2706-1. Shohan. Tōkyō. 39959591.
  5. Web site: Greenwood . Garrett . Kabuki Quantum Fighter . Hardcore Gaming 101 . 17 April 2022.