News and reviews, contemplations and considerations of Asian films and filmmakers. With the occasional piece on manga, dance, music, or whatever else Asian that might be of interest. Written by Dr. Stan Glick, a columnist for Asian Cult Cinema magazine.
With Dada Chen at NYAFF 2013
Sunday, January 05, 2014
Sentai Filmworks licenses underworld comedy HOZUKI NO REITETSU
It's a hell of a dirty job, but some demon's got to do it in Sentai Filmworks' latest acquisition, Hozuki no Reitetsu. This 13 episode underworld comedy is directed by Hiro Kaburaki (Kimi ni Todoke, My Little Monster), with character design by Hirotaka Kato (Eyeshield 21, Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's), series composition by Midori Goto (Loups-Garous) and Animation Production by WIT Studio (Attack on Titan).
Synopsis: There are hard jobs and jobs that seem outright impossible, but in the end, the most difficult job in all creation probably belongs to Hozuki, Deputy Chief to the Great King Enma. Because the Great King spends all his time sitting in judgment on the recently deceased, it’s up Hozuki to keep the dark half of the afterlife running smoothly, which would be hellishly complicated even if Hell wasn’t constantly short on good help.
Fortunately, Hozuki’s not the typical bureaucratic hothead you’d expect to find heading a department of infernal affairs. Fiendishly clever and determined enough to dedicate multiple lifetimes to a task (though not necessarily his OWN lifetimes), he’ll get the job done even if it means breaking a few unbreakable rules and running rings around Hell’s normal operating procedures.
As for patience… well, Hell hasn’t frozen over quite yet, so the verdict’s still out on that, but he doesn’t suffer fools lightly, let alone damned fools. After all, that Highway to Hell isn’t going to get paved with just good intentions, so if someone has to suffer for all eternity, Hozuki’s damned sure that it’s not going to be himself in Hozuki no Reitetsu.
Hozuki no Reitetsu will be available soon through select digital outlets with a home video release to follow.