Viz Media Licenses Mazinger Z: Infinity and Announces 2018 North American Release

Viz Media announces its licensing of upcoming Mazinger Z film for a 2018 North American release.

Japanese-American manga, anime and entertainment company, Viz Media, announced at its Anime NYC panel that it obtained the license to the upcoming Mazinger Z: Infinity film. The film is part of the legendary super robot mecha franchise made by prolific manga artist, Go Nagai.

New poster for Mazinger Z: Infinity

Viz Media will be releasing the film in North America in 2018, but now current confirmation when, where, or how it will distribute the films.

Cinema Today’s official YouTube channel released a new trailer for Mazinger Z: Infinity earlier this month with a preview of the movie’s ending theme: “The Last Letter” by Kouji Kikkawa, who also played Kamen Rider Skull from Kamen Rider W.

The film’s plot is described below:

Humanity was once in danger of its downfall at the hands of the Underground Empire, which was led by the evil scientist Dr. Hell. Koji Kabuto piloted the super robot Mazinger Z, and with help from his friends at the Photon Power Laboratory, he thwarted Dr. Hell’s evil ambitions and returned peace to the world.
It’s been ten years since then… No longer a pilot, Koji Kabuto has taken after his father and grandfather by starting down the path of the scientist. He encounters a gigantic structure buried deep beneath Mt. Fuji, along with a mysterious indication of life…
New encounters, new threats, and a new fate await mankind. The former hero Koji Kabuto has a decision to make about the future: whether to be a god or a devil…
This grand action film depicts the fierce battle fought by the people and Mazinger Z–once again entrusted with the future of mankind!

Singer Ichiro Mizuki (Voicelugger Gold from Voicelugger, Saburo Hazuki from Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters, Custom Visor (Voice) from Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters) will be singing a new rendition of the original Mazinger Z anime’s opening theme (also sung by him) for the film.

The film had a world premiere in Italy during October, before its upcoming Japanese premiere on January 13th, 2018. Mazinger Z: Infinity, the 45th-anniversary project of the Mazinger franchise, is being produced and distributed by Toei Animation.

Previously, it was announced that Showtaro Morikubo (Remorseful Knight Arslevan from Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger Returns: Hundred Years After) will play the main protagonist Kōji Kabuto, with Ai Kayano (Menma from Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day) as the heroine Sayaka Yumi. Furthermore, Junji Shimizu (One Piece: Episode of Chopper – The Miracle Winter Cherry Blossom, Precure All Stars New Stage: Mirai no Tomodachi) will helm the film off of Takahiro Ozawa (Tokyo Toybox, Steves)’s script, Takayuki Yanase (Ghost in the Shell Arise, Mobile Suit Gundam 00) will serve as the film’s mechanical designer, Hiroya Iijima (Afro Samurai, Chronos Ruler) will serve as the film’s character designer, Makoto Ujiie (Gundam franchise, Eureka Seven: AO) will serve as the film’s background artist, and Yō Nakano (Zoids Genesis, Even Hassan from Gundress(film)) will be the assistant director.

Joining the voice cast as well is Wataru Takagi as Boss, Wataru is known for his roles in Kamen Rider Den-O as the Armadillo Imagin, and in Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger as Gaburio. Kappei Yamaguchi as Mucha, Kappei is best known for being both Ticket and the ToQger equipment voice in Ressha Sentai ToQger. Masami Kikuchi as Nuke, Masami is known for being Dorobozu in Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger. Junpei Morita as Prime Minister Yumi, Junpei is known for being Creator King Ryuuwon in GoGo Sentai Boukenger. Bin Shimada as Dr. Nossori, Bin is known for being the role of Kamen Rider 2 & Kamen Rider V3 in Kamen Rider (Skyrider). Kozo Shioya as Dr. Sewashi, Kozo is known for being the role of Alien Standel Abolbas in Ultraman Tiga. Unsho Ishizuka as the main antagonist Dr. Hell, Unsho is known best as Larry in Doubutsu Sentai Zyuohger. Rounding out the cast is Sumire Uesaka as Lisa, Natsuki Hanae as Shiro Kabuto, Toshihiko Seki as Tetsuya Tsurugi, Ami Koshimizu as Jun Honoo, Keiji Fujiwara as Count Brocken, Hiroyuki Miyasako and Romi Park as Baron Ashura, and Azusa Tadokoro, Miku Itō, Yui P, and Okarina as the Mazin-Girls.

Hiroya Ishimaru and Minori Matsushima, the voice of Koji Kabuto and Sayaka Yumi in the original anime, will voice as-yet unannounced roles.

Source: Anime News Network, Viz Media’s Official Twitter Account