Nov 21 (Variety) - Japanese manga series “Tiger Mask” is being adapted into a live-action feature for the international market by Italy’s Fabula Pictures and Brandon Box and Japan’s Kodansha.
The popular manga, which follows a ruthless professional Japanese wrestler named Naoto Date who after making it big in the U.S. returns to his country and fights against evil forces, previously inspired an anime TV series made by Japan’s Toei Animation.
Written by late great manga master Ikki Kajiwara and illustrated by Naoki Tsuji, the original “Tiger Mask” manga was published in Japan between 1968 to 1971 by Kodansha Publishing House in Bokura Magazine (1968–1969) and the Weekly Shonen Magazine (1970–1971). “The Tiger Mask” manga is published in Italy by Panini Comics. Both the print comic series and the Toei Animation anime series gained great popularity in Italy, where the series first aired in 1984. ...continue reading