Toei Movie’s official YouTube channel has started streaming a new trailer for the R15+ version of The Birth of Kitaro: The Mystery of GeGeGe (known as Kitaro Tanjou: GeGeGe no Nazo in Japan). With the subtitle Shinsei-ban (“genuine edition”), the new version is set to release in Japan on October 4, 2024. As its title “Kitaro no Chichitachi: Kizuna-hen” (“Kitaro’s Fathers: The Bond Act”) suggests, the clip focuses on the film’s two protagonists — Kitaro’s father (Medama Oyaji) and Mizuki, inspired by the original GeGeGe no Kitaro manga author, Shigeru Mizuki.
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the original GeGeGe no Kitaro manga author Shigeru Mizuki’s birth, the original version of The Birth of Kitaro: The Mystery of GeGeGe was released in Japan on November 17, 2023, under the rating of “PG12” (Viewing by children under 12 years of age requires the advice and guidance of a parent or guardian). The 104-minute all-new film earned 2.79 billion yen (19.15 million USD) on 1.95 million admissions from its domestic run.Toei Animation’s official website describes the synopsis:
In Showa 31 (1956), Nagura Village was secretly controlled by the Ryuga family, who dominated Japan’s political and financial circles. Mizuki, who worked at the Imperial Blood Bank, entered the village under the pretense of mourning the death of the head of the family, carrying ambitions and a secret mission. At the same time, Kitaro’s father entered the village searching for his wife. Within the Ryuga family, a vicious struggle over succession had begun.
During this time, one of the family members was mysteriously murdered at the village shrine. This marked the beginning of a terrifying chain of supernatural events.
Its R15+ version, Shinsei-ban will be screened with 327 shots retaken and sound re-dubbed to express “the horror story as originally envisioned by the production team.” No new scenes added, no change in screening time.Japan’s Film Classification and Rating Organization defines the “R15+” rating as: “Films in this category contain materials that are highly stimulating in its depiction of theme or subject matter and is not suitable for children under 15 years of age in terms of comprehension and judgment. Therefore, this rating is intended for audiences 15 years of age and older, with no one under 15 years of age allowed to see the film.”
R15+version poster visual
Source: Toei Movie official YouTube channel©”The Birth of Kitaro: The Mystery of GeGeGe” Production Committee
