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State Theatre Launches New CineManga Film Series

BY BTL STAFF

ANN ARBOR – The Michigan Theater, in partnership with the University of Michigan Center for Japanese Studies, kicked off its new film series, CineManga, on Jan. 13. The 16-week series takes place each Wednesday night at the State Theatre through April 27, and brings beloved films drawn from the pages of Japanese manga to the screen. Select films will be introduced by UM professors or the manga aficionados from Vault of Midnight, giving viewers additional insight into the captivating world of Japanese comics.
"The UM Center for Japanese Studies is very excited to continue to work with the Michigan Theater to bring the best of Japanese cinema through this unique perspective of manga-to-film to the Ann Arbor area. The film series this year brings together a vast range of live action and anime films that highlight the diverse ways in which manga has informed filmmaking going back to the 1960s," stated Jonathan Zwicker, associate Professor of Japanese Literature and director of the Center for Japanese Studies at the University of Michigan.
Additional series support comes from Vault of Midnight comic shop, which will host a pop-up shop at the State Theatre, offering all the featured and related manga to encourage further immersion into the worlds being seen on the screen. Special discounts will be available on purchases made at the theater, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Michigan and State Theaters.
"We are beyond pumped that the Michigan Theater has put together this one-of-a-kind curatorial project that highlights the best our industry has to offer in manga, paired with some of the best films of the past 30 years. We could not be more proud to be a part of the CineManga Film Series," said Nick Yribar, co-owner / partner of The Vault of Midnight.
To add to the CineManga experience, the State Theatre concession stand will sell imported concession items from Japan, offering film-goers the opportunity to sample some of the favorite movie treats enjoyed by Japanese audiences. These include Matcha Green Tea Kit Kat bars, EveryBurger Bourbon-Baked Wheat Chocolate Cookies, Pocky biscuit sticks, Hi-Chew candy, and other unique treats. The State Theatre is located at 233 State St., Ann Arbor. Visit www.michtheater.org for more information.
The schedule for the rest of February includes the following films:
Feb. 10: "Black Jack" (1996)
Black Jack may not have a medical license, but that hasn't stopped him from becoming the world's most in-demand surgeon. Gifted with incredible surgical abilities, he operates for anyone who has enough cash. Behind this is another mission: to protect humanity from a race of superhuman beings who want to destroy all of mankind. Working through his extraordinary cases he investigates where these evil beings came from and how they can be stopped.
Presented in German and Japanese with English subtitles.
Feb. 17: "Bunny Drop" (2011)
Celebrated Japanese actor turned writer/director SABU delivers this live action drama, based on the manga of the same name by Yumi Unita. Daikichi (played by Japanese Academy Award-Winner Matsuyama Ken'ichi) is an unmarried office worker who ends up living with the 6-year-old illegitimate child of his dead grandfather. This girl then helps bring a new definition to family while her family comes together to determine her fate.
Presented in Japanese with English subtitles.
Feb. 24: "Boruto: Naruto the Movie" (2015) s
Masashi Kishimoto's manga series has spawned numerous anime films, of which this is claimed to be "the last." But is it? It is long since the end of the Shinobi War and Naruto Uzumaki is the Seventh Hokage of Konohagakure in this new era. His son, Boruto, is raised in the Hidden Leaf Village. Having heard stories of his father's heroic efforts before him, he goes on a quest to be trained and surpass the honor his father brought upon his line.
Presented in Japanese with English subtitles.

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