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The popular anime film The Birth of Kitaro: The Mystery of GeGeGe is getting a live-action stage play adaptation in early 2026. The official announcement came with an exciting key visual that shows the main cast members.
Stage Play Details and Performance Schedule
The stage production will tour three cities across Japan. Here’s when and where you can catch the show:
- Tokyo: Sunshine Theater (January 9-25, 2026)
- Osaka: Umeda Arts Theater Drama City (January 29 – February 1, 2026)
- Saga: Tosu Civic Culture Hall (February 7-8, 2026)
Main Cast Members
The stage play features talented actors bringing the beloved characters to life:
Hiroki Suzuki plays Kitaro’s father, while Ryota Murai takes on the role of Mizuki. These two actors will recreate the powerful dynamic between the main characters from the original film.
Creative Team Behind the Production
The stage adaptation brings together experienced professionals:
- Director: Norihito Nakayashiki (known for Kuroko’s Basketball and World Trigger stage plays)
- Scriptwriter: Nobuhiro Mouri (famous for the Musical Hakuoki series)
- Music Composer: Kenji Kawai
About The Birth of Kitaro Film
The original anime film premiered in Japan on November 17, 2023. It serves as a prequel to the 2018 GeGeGe no Kitaro anime series, exploring Kitaro’s mysterious origins.
The story takes place in 1956 Japan. Mizuki, who works at a blood bank, travels to Nagura Village on a secret mission. Meanwhile, Kitaro’s father arrives searching for his missing wife. Both characters get caught up in a dark mystery involving the powerful Ryuga family.
The film performed well at the box office, earning over 160 million yen (about $1.07 million) during its opening weekend. A recut version called “True Birth Version” was later released with an R15+ rating.
The GeGeGe no Kitaro Legacy
GeGeGe no Kitaro is a legendary manga series created by Shigeru Mizuki. The manga first began in 1959 under the title “Hakaba Kitaro.”
The franchise has grown into a multimedia phenomenon over the past six decades. It includes:
- Seven television anime series
- Multiple animated films
- Two live-action movies
- Various stage productions The stories follow Kitaro, a young boy who exists between the human and supernatural worlds. He works to maintain peace between humans and yokai (Japanese spirits and monsters).
2025: Celebrating Shigeru Mizuki’s Legacy
This stage play is part of the project celebrating the 100th anniversary of Shigeru Mizuki’s birth. The creator passed away in 2015 at age 93, but his works continue inspiring new generations.
Another GeGeGe no Kitaro stage play ran in summer 2025, featuring Yoshihiko Aramaki as Kitaro and voice actress Sumire Uesaka as Neko Musume. This separate production focused on Kitaro battling vampire armies.
What Makes This Stage Play Special
Stage adaptations offer fans a unique way to experience their favorite stories. The Birth of Kitaro stage play will bring the film’s atmospheric mystery and emotional story to live audiences.
The production team’s experience with anime adaptations promises a faithful recreation of the source material. Fans can expect impressive sets, costumes, and performances that capture the film’s dark tone.
Ticket Information
Ticket sales information will be announced through the official stage play website and social media channels. Given the popularity of both the film and the GeGeGe no Kitaro franchise, fans should watch for ticket release dates.
Final Thoughts
The Birth of Kitaro stage play represents an exciting opportunity for fans to experience this compelling story in a new format. With talented cast members and an experienced creative team, the 2026 production looks promising.
Whether you’re a longtime GeGeGe no Kitaro fan or new to the series, this stage adaptation offers something special. The combination of mystery, supernatural elements, and emotional storytelling should translate well to the stage.
Stay tuned for more updates about the Birth of Kitaro stage play as the January 2026 premiere approaches!
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