Mochizuki Mikiya’s manga “Wild 7” comes to the screen with Eita in lead role

by Chris MaGee

Stop the presses! They're turning a manga into a live-action film!

Okay, now that the sarcasm is out of the way let's move onto the news. Tokyograph is reporting that Eita (above right), star of such films as "The Foreign Duck, the Native Duck and God in a Coin Locker" and "Toad's Oil" will be starring in a live-action adaptation of Mochizuki Mikiya’s manga “Wild 7”.

"Wild 7" was originally published in Shonen Magazine between 1969 and 1979 and chronicled the adventures of seven counter-terrorist motorcyclists working for the Japan National Police Agency. This live-action film version of the manga will start shooting next month with Hasumi Eiichiro (Umizaru) in the director's chair and Eita as Hiba Dairoku, the young leader of the Wild 7.

This live-action "Wild 7" won;t be the first though. The manga formed the basis of a live-action TV series that aired on NTV between 1972 and 1973. Check out the opening below to tide you over until this new film hits theatres.