Gantz (2011 Film)

Gantz is a 2011 Japanese science fiction action film directed by Shinsuke Sato. It is the first installment in a two-part live-action adaptation of the manga series of the same name, written and illustrated by Hiroya Oku. The film stars Kazunari Ninomiya and Kenichi Matsuyama.

Plot

The story follows college student Kei Kurono (Kazunari Ninomiya), who encounters his former childhood friend Masaru Kato (Kenichi Matsuyama) while attempting to assist a man who has fallen onto a subway platform. Both men are struck and killed by an oncoming train. Instead of dying, they awaken in a mysterious apartment containing a large black sphere known as "Gantz." Along with other recently deceased individuals, they are forced to participate in a series of missions to hunt and exterminate aliens. Participants earn points for their success, with the goal of accumulating 100 points to either regain their freedom or resurrect another person from the group.

Production

The film was produced by NTV, Toho, and Nikkatsu, with distribution handled by Toho. Director Shinsuke Sato collaborated with screenwriter Yusuke Watanabe to adapt the source material. The original manga, which spanned 27 volumes, had achieved significant commercial success with over 10 million copies sold prior to the film's production.

Release

Gantz premiered in Japan on January 29, 2011. Prior to its domestic release, Toho announced that the film would have a limited theatrical release in the United States on January 20, 2011, featuring an English-dubbed version shown in approximately 300 theaters. The film was followed by a direct sequel, Gantz: Perfect Answer, released later in 2011.