©Courtesy of Mushi Production
On the 17th local time, K2 Pictures (Headquarters: Tokyo; President: Muneyuki Kii) held a press conference in Cannes, France, where the 79th Cannes International Film Festival is currently underway, and announced that it will adapt “The Book of Human Insects” into a film as part of a project commemorating the 100th anniversary of Osamu Tezuka’s birth.
“The Book of Human Insects” is one of the most avant-garde and controversial works left behind by Osamu Tezuka, the “God of Manga,” and could even be described as prophetic. It is a satirical manga that likens human society to the world of insects, depicting the character of Tome Tomeko—a villainous woman who acts like a parasitic insect, approaching talented individuals one after another to steal their talents and works in order to grow.
This time, Tezuka’s “forbidden masterpiece” is being adapted into a film as a dark musical originating from Japan and aimed at a global audience. In February of this year, a public pitch was held at “Spotlight on Japan” during the EFM market at the Berlin International Film Festival, marking the project’s official launch on the world stage.
Ken Ninomiya, known for films such as “Chiwawa” and “Tonkatsu DJ Agetaro”, will serve as director.