The upcoming anime film adaptation of Keigo Higashino’s novel “The Camphorwood Custodian” has unveiled its first full trailer, key visual, additional cast members, and more staff details. This exciting announcement was made recently, generating buzz among fans eager to see the story come to life on the big screen.
© 東野圭吾／アニメ「クスノキの番人」製作委員会
© 東野圭吾／アニメ「クスノキの番人」製作委員会
The film’s cast includes a talented lineup of voice actors who will bring the characters to life. Asuka Saito will voice Yumi Saji, a college student who seeks answers about her father’s mysterious visits to the camphorwood tree. Ryobi Miyase will portray Soki Oba, the heir to a renowned Japanese confectionery business who finds himself attending the shrine against his will. Takao Osawa will voice Toshiaki Saji, a frequent visitor to the camphorwood tree who harbors secrets from his family.
The musical score for the film will be composed by Yuugo Kanno, known for his work on “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders,” “Ajin,” and “Psycho-Pass.” The production team also includes several notable members:
* Art Setting: Yasumitsu Suetake
* Color Key Artist: Satoshi Hashimoto
* Costume Design: Tsuyoshi Takahashi
* CG Director: Noriki Tsukamoto
* Compositing Director of Photography: Teppei Sato
* Editing: Shigery Nishiyama
* Supervising Sound Editor: Masatoshi Katsumata
* Re-Recording Mixer: Takahiro Fujishima
©東野圭吾／アニメ「クスノキの番人」製作委員会
The film is set to hit Japanese theaters on January 30. Fumiya Takahashi will play the role of Reito Naoi, and Yuki Amami will voice Chifune Yanagisawa.
Taku Kishimoto, known for his work on “Haikyu!!,” “91 Days,” and “Sakamoto Days,” is writing the script for the film. The character designs are being handled by Tsubasa Yamaguchi, the creator of the “Blue Period” manga, alongside Akiko Itagaki, who previously worked on “Lonely Castle in the Mirror.” Hiroshi Takiguchi is serving as the art director.
The film is being directed by Tomohiko Ito, who previously worked on “Sword Art Online” and “ERASED,” at A-1 Pictures and Psyde Kick Studios. The distribution will be managed by Aniplex.
The original novel by Keigo Higashino tells the story of Reito, a young man who, after being wrongfully fired and committing a crime, is given a chance at redemption by his late mother’s half-sister, Chifune Yanagisawa. Reito must become the custodian of the camphorwood tree at Tsukigo Shrine, where he encounters various individuals, each with their own reasons for visiting the temple grounds.
The novel was first published in hardcover by Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha in 2020 and later released in paperback in 2023. It has since sold over 1 million copies.
Higashino’s previous works, such as “The Miracles of the Namiya General Store,” have also been adapted into various formats, including stage plays and live-action films. The author’s 1998 novel “Himitsu” inspired a live-action film in 1999 and a drama in 2010, with the English translation “Naoko: A Novel” published in 2004.
News Source: Animenewsnetwork.com
