Shochiku expands "Tsukiji" into series

[Tokyograph News]

Shochiku's "Tsukiji Uogashi Sandaime" doesn't open in theaters until June 7, but the company has already decided to turn the film into a series. Shochiku is reportedly aiming to build it into a franchise as recognizable in Japan as the long-running "Otoko wa Tsurai yo" and "Tsuribaka Nisshi."

The film is based on Shogakukan's manga series of the same name about a businessman who leaves his job to work at the Tsukiji fish market. Takao Osawa and Lena Tanaka play the lead roles.

From the start, Shochiku sought to establish the movie as a series, and a sequel was finally approved after the completed film was previewed in March. Shingo Matsubara will continue to direct, with the second installment scheduled to start shooting this fall. Shochiku plans to release about one film a year, during early summer.

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