The first step" will finally be adapted to the stage! Kohei Kiyasu, who played Ippo in the anime version, is in charge of the script! Wataru Takagi, who played Aoki, will become Chairman Kamogawa!

Today, in the September 18, 2019 issue of Kodansha's Weekly Shonen Magazine, it was announced that the stage adaptation of George Morikawa's boxing manga "The First Step", which has been serialized since 1989, "Real Fighting 'The First Step' The Glorious Stage! (The Glorious Stage!)," a stage adaptation of the boxing manga "The First Step" by George Morikawa, which has been serialized since 1989.

Hajime no Ippo" is a boxing manga by George Morikawa that has been serialized in Kodansha's "Weekly Shonen Magazine" since 1989, and this year marks the 30th anniversary of the series.

The notable cast includes the fresh and attractive Kyouji Goto, who has experience in shoot boxing and is making his full-fledged debut as the main character, Makunouchi Ippo. Ichiro Miyata, Kazuho's eternal rival, is played by Ryo Takizawa, an actor, voice actor, and artist active in a wide range of genres. Ryo Matsuda, who has appeared on numerous stage productions and has a reputation for his robust acting, plays the role of Takeshi Sendo, nicknamed "Rocky of Naniwa. The role of Genji Kamogawa, the boxing master and president of the gym to which Kazuho belongs, is played by Wataru Takagi, a voice actor and actor who voiced Masaru Aoki in the anime version.

The production will be written and directed by Kohei Kiyasu, who played the role of Ippo Makunouchi in the anime version of "Hajime no Ippo.

The following are comments from Kohei Kiyasu, Kyouji Goto, Ryo Takizawa, Ryo Matsuda, and Wataru Takagi, which were made in conjunction with this announcement.

Cast and staff comments】 ※Titles omitted
Written and directed by Kohei Kiyasu
For example, I was asked to play a match with Ricardo Martinez in one year's time, and the other party nominated me. What if you were directed to talk like that? Can you imagine how terrified I was when I received the offer?
How would you cut that great long story? Would I be able to get actors with both the bodies to be convincing and the intelligence to understand the emotions? My fears are myriad, as they should be, and if someone else were to do it, I would certainly tell them not to do it. With love, the fans are demanding. I also think that this is a work that has a surprisingly small portion that can be expressed on stage. Because you can't really hit them. But.
I thought, "If I'm going to do it, I'm the only one who can do it. I am honored that they entrusted me with this project.
I am honored that they entrusted me with this project. I am happy to be able to suffer together with him not only as a scriptwriter but also as a director.
I will put everything I know into the production and fight as one team.
We will challenge the great legend that continues to advance even now. It is a challenge that will take us beyond the "line.
Please come to the theater and see the result.

Kyouji Goto as Ippo Makunouchi
I have watched the anime many times since I was a child, so I cried with happiness when I was chosen to play the role.
I started learning martial arts because of "Hajime no Ippo".
It was my dream to be in the show even before it was made into a stage production, and I am very grateful to have been chosen to play the main role in "Hajime no Ippo.
As I prepare for the performance, I would like to prepare for the role with a heightened awareness so that I can reproduce the realistic fighting movements and the emotional state of the characters, based on my physical training so as not to disappoint the fans of the original work and boxing fans. I look forward to future rehearsals and stage productions.

Ichiro Miyata as Ichiro Takizawa
I am truly honored to play the role of the main character's rival in such a great work that everyone has heard of at least once. I am anxious about jumping into something that is unknown to me, boxing, but I am even more excited than that.
I will devote myself to the character of Ichiro Miyata, learn more about his life, live it, and do my best to create a stage version of "The First Step" that will be loved by many people. Thank you for your warm support.
I won't lose to him.

Ryo Matsuda as Takeshi Sendoh
My name is Ryo Matsuda and I will be playing the role of Takeshi Sendoh.
I am honored to be given such a big role, but I also feel a strong sense of responsibility. What is strength? I will make every effort to stand on the board with the West, my birthplace, on my back.
I hope to take a big "first step" with these performers and staff by the time the New Year arrives in 2020.

Genji Kamogawa: Wataru Takagi
In the anime version of "Hajime no Ippo," Kiyasu played Makunouchi Ippo and I played Aoki Masaru. It is really wonderful that Kiyasu-kun is going to write and direct the play!　And I am the Kamogawa chairman. What?　Me?　But if they are expecting something from me, I will give it my all. I am excited by my interest in the stage adaptation of "The First Steps," the challenge of playing the major role of Chairman Kamogawa, and the unknowns of what the stage will be like with the young power of all the co-stars. First of all, let's start with the rehearsals...I hope you are all looking forward to it.

[Performance information
Real Fighting "The First Step" The Glorious Stage!
Performance Period/Theatre: January 31 (Fri.) - February 9 (Sun.), 2020 at Shinagawa Prince Hotel, Stellar Ball

＜Staff: George Morikawa "The First Step" The Glorious Stage!
Original story: "Hajime no Ippo" by George Morikawa (serialized in Kodansha's "Weekly Shonen Magazine")
Writer/Director : Kohei Kiyasu
Music : Shunsuke Wada
Choreography: HIDALI
Fight coordination: Masanori Tomita

＜CAST＞
Kyouji Goto as Ippo Makunouchi
Ryo Takizawa as Ichiro Miyata
Ryo Matsuda as Takeshi Sendoh
Takagawa Kodai as Mamoru Takamura
Kanya MATSUMOTO as Eiji Date
Yuuki OKAMOTO as Satoru MASHIBA
Kouhei SHIOTA as Masaru AOKI
Playing the role of Tatsuya KIMURA Keiji TAKAHASHI
Playing the role of Ryuichi HASHIMOTO
Playing the role of Takuma SAEKI Daichi YAMAGUCHI
Kohji SAIKAWA as Volg Zangief
Masahiko UMEZAWA as Yushin KANZAKA
Kumi MASHIBA as Kumi Maki
KUSHITA Emi as MAKUNOUCHI Hiroko
Wataru Takagi as Genji Kamogawa
Ensemble Masaki Kubo as Abraham Hanna Takeuchi Takeshi

＜Ticket Price
8,000 yen (All seats reserved, tax included)

<General on-sale date
December 22, 2019 (Sun.) 10:00 -

<Supervisor>.
Kodansha ("Weekly Shonen Magazine" Editorial Department)

<Inquiries regarding tickets
Sunrise Promotion Tokyo TEL: 0570-00-3337 (weekdays 12:00-18:00)

<Inquiries about the show
NELKE PLANNING TEL: 03-3715-5624 (weekdays 11:00-18:00)

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