Viz licenses live-action Detroit Metal City film

7:00 PM on 07.27.2010   |   Bob Muir

It blows my mind that the man in the header image up there, Kenichi Matsuyama, is the same man who played the creepy, low-key character "L" in the Death Note live-action films. But here he is, playing the lead role in another live-action adaptation of a manga. And now US residents can see him again, as Viz has licensed the Detroit Metal City film for release later this year.

For those unfamiliar with the premise, Matsuyama plays Soichi Negishi, an innocent young man who ends up becoming the lead singer for a death metal band. On stage, he transforms into his alter-ego Johannes Krauser II and becomes one of the most evil singers the world has ever known. He must balance his unwanted band's rising stardom while taking on challenges like a duel with the legendary king of death metal Jack ill Dark (played by KISS frontman Gene Simmons!) and trying to hide his secret identity from his girlfriend who despises death metal.

It's certainly an over-the-top film, and it seems to capture the energy of the prior anime adaptation pretty well. As someone who loves band films like This Is Spinal Tap, I'm interested in seeing it. Hopefully Viz can get some sort of limited theatrical release, because I'd love to go see this with friends. Check out the trailer after the break!

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