The popular manga series “Seikimatsu Blue” of Wani Books in Japan will have a live-action film adaptation starring MNL48’s Abby, Hallohallo Entertainment (HHE) announced today, May 30, 2019.
The film adaptation will be directed by Japanese director, Tetsuya Hashi, whose works include “Tadouryoku the Movie” and MNL48’s second music video “Talulot Ng Sakura”.
The production of the movie will take place in Japan this June, and is expected to be completed in September. The film is expected to enter a yet-to-be-annlunced independent film festival in the Philippines this December.
MNL48 Abby is ecstatic to land her first leading role in a Japanese film. She has been preparing hard for her character and will be flying soon to Japan to start filming.
“Bukod po sa singing and dancing, forte ko po talaga ang acting kaya sobrang natutuwa po ako. Sobrang laking blessing siya, kaya mas china-challenge ko po ‘yung sarili ko kasi we’re representing the group, kailangan namin gawin talaga ang best namin.”
Although she already had previous acting experience, Abby admitted that “Seikimatsu Blue” will be more challenging since she had to speak fluent Japanese.
“Kasi sobrang hirap po talaga ‘yung accent ng Japanese, nakakahiya naman kapag hindi mo nagawa ng maayos, lalo na ako ‘yung lead character, so everyday po talaga ako nag-aaral ng Japanese, and naga-act in front of camera.”
Aside from Abby, fellow members Brei and Coleen were also cast as Abby’s sisters.
Coleen relates that she felt nervous when she found out that she will be part of the cast. “Kinabahan po talaga ako, kailangan daw po kasi magaling sa Japanese. Naisip ko rin po na baka mahirapan ako makipag-interact sa kanila sa shoot kasi may language barrier and dapat po talaga magawa namin ng maayos ‘yung roles namin.”
Brei also did not expect to be chosen. “Sobrang hindi ko po ine-expect siguro po nakita nila ‘yung pronunciation ko okay kasi mahilig ako sa mga Japanese songs.” She describes the audition experience as “fun.”
Team L Captain Kay also made it to the cast after going through a casting audition and screening early this year with the other members for the lead roles. This brings the total number of confirmed MNL48 members participating in this movie to four.
Based from the original creation of the manga artist, Hirota Shintaro, Seikimatsu Blue is the story of a girl named Kousaka and her encounter with a strange-shaped monster called “Daiou”.
In connection to the film’s planned completion in September, MNL48 will gather along with other Japanese idol groups in one stage on September 14, 2019 at Shinjuku Alta Key Studio in Japan. The list of performers includes MNL48, Fairytails, Himekoi Eden, Wi-Fi-5, 1-Girls, GracoRex NEO, Reverse Tokyo, Sokubakukanojyo, Tsubasa Hazuki, and Chie Yamanaka. Additional idols for the live event will be announced soon.
For more details and update about the upcoming film, you may visit Seikimatsu Blue’s official website at http://seikimatsu.blue/ or follow the MNL48 official social media pages and website or download the MNL48 Fan Club app to get the latest MNL48 updates.