Blockbuster Anime Revival Unleashes Star-Studded Spectacle

The upcoming anime film City Hunter: Angel Dust will not only feature the main character Ryo Saeba, but also surprise guest appearances from various popular anime franchises and Japanese celebrities. This move by Sunrise is an effort to draw in viewers and celebrate the 35-year anniversary of the original City Hunter anime. Following the surprise cameo of the Kisugi sisters in 2019's City Hunter: Shinjuku Private Eyes, Angel Dust is taking this strategy even further by including even more familiar characters and voices.

Ryo Saeba Will Share Screens with Lupin III & Tama the Cat

In addition to the return of the Cat's Eye leads, Anime News Network has confirmed that Lupin III and his partner Daisuke Jigen will make a cameo appearance in Angel Dust. Another character in a different scene will be seen using a tablet displaying Tama from the Tama and Friends franchise. But it's not just anime characters making guest appearances in the film. Comedian Ryota Yamasato from the Nankai Candies duo and Sekai from the band "FANTASTICS from EXILE TRIBE" will both be taking on character roles, adding to the star-studded cast.

City Hunter, which follows the action-packed adventures of Ryo Saeba and Kaori Makimura, was first published in 1985 and has since been adapted into a TV series, multiple OVAs, and films. Shinjuku Private Eyes proved to be a successful revival for Sunrise after a 29-year hiatus, so it's no surprise that a sequel to the latest movie was quickly approved. The first movie paid homage to the original anime by retaining its aesthetic and even its music, while benefiting from the enhanced production values of a feature film.

The limited information available suggests that the upcoming movie will explore Ryo Saeba's background in more depth compared to previous adaptations. The drug Angel Dust plays a significant role in the protagonist's past and his transformation into a skilled gunslinger. The inclusion of the character Shin Kaibara, a personal nemesis to Ryo, is not a minor detail in the film. Titled "City Hunter: Angel Dust," the movie is set to premiere in Japanese theaters on September 8, 2023, with screenings in the US, UK, and Ireland scheduled for 2024. The original anime series can currently be streamed on Crunchyroll.