The official accounts for the upcoming live-action TV drama adaptation Wingman, based on Masakazu Katsura’s (Video Girl Ai, DNA², I”s) superhero manga from 1983, today released a 60-second new trailer featuring the theme song “chang[e]” performed by Japanese rock band BLUE ENCOUNT.The clip introduces the main cast members and also shows for the first time the transformation of the protagonist Kenta Hirono into Wingman.
Also, three voice cast members who voice three characters of Podreams, the other dimensional world to which the heroine Aoi belonged.Akio Otsuka (Batou in Ghost in The Shell) voices the role of Rimel, the emperor who has complete control over Podreams and is after Aoi’s Dreamnote, Haruka Tomatsu (Asuna in Sword Art Online) voicecs The Shiba, an assassin sent to Earth by Rimel, and Tomokazu Seki (Domon Kasshu in Mobile Fighter G Gundam) voices Doctor. Lark, who is imprisoned in Podreams at war.
Akio Otsuka
Rimel
Haruka Tomatsu
The Siva
Tomokazu Seki
Doctor Lark
Although his voice cast has not been revealed, Rimel’s right-hand man, Kitakura is also shown for the first time. As reported, Teacher Kitakura, who also appears in the trailer, is palyed by Mamoru Miyano.
Kitakura in Podreams
The live-action TV drama series Wingman is set to premiere on TV Tokyo’s “DramaTues!” midnight programming block on October 22, 2024. Renowned tokusatsu director Koichi Sakamoto serves as the director and action director of the series.As Katsura’s first serialized work, Wingman ran in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine from 1983 to 1985. The manga’s style, heavily influenced by the tokusatsu heroes of the 1980s, was adapted into TV anime and video games. The new live-action drama is made in commemoration of the manga’s 40th anniversary.The TV anime adaptation was produced by Toei Animation under the title Yume Senshi Wingman (“Dream Warrior Wingman”), which aired for 47 episodes from 1984 to 1985.Toei Animation’s official website describes the story:
Although Kenta Hirono appears in many ways to be the typical backward Tokyo junior high school student, he actually can transform himself into Wingman, the Ally of Justice. Yet his struggles for righteousness are often misunderstood; so, despite his good intentions, he often ends up disturbing his class and getting punished by his teacher.One day on his way home from school, Kenta has a dramatic encounter of the third kind. Aoi, a sexy girl who has fled from the multi-dimensional kingdom of Podreams, lands on his head. She is carrying the “Dream Book”, which can make dreams come true.Aoi, comes to live in Kenta’s house as his cousin; but Miku Ogawa, the girl in Kenta’s heart, at first misinterprets their relationship and gets jealous. Moreover, the evil king of Podreams sends a succession of killers to earth to snatch the “Dream Book”. Though this new situation makes Kenta somewhat dizzy, he manages to remain cheerful. Will the “Dream Book” help to bring good fortune to Kenta?This story is filled with both thrills and laughter.
Key visual
Source: press release, “Wingman” live-action drama official X (formerly Twitter)©Masakazu Katsura/SHUEISHA
