Golden Kamuy

2024film-002(1/30/2024) Having read only the early parts of the original manga series, I watched this adaptation already familiar with the storyline. It became the first movie I saw in theater in 2024. I've come across comments suggesting that Anna Yamada, who portrayed Asirpa, looks too mature, compared to the original manga, and while I understand the sentiment, I actually liked her portrayal. Anna Yamada's performance was charming, and Hiroshi Tamaki's acting was disturbingly (in a good way) spot-on. Fantastic! I earnestly hope for more careful and successful live-action adaptations of manga-based works like this movie.

I watched the movie with prior knowledge of the story as I had once read the beginning of the original work. This film marks the first one I watched in a theater in 2024. I saw comments in some reviews mentioning that Anna Yamada, who portrayed Asiripa, seemed too mature. Although I can understand that perspective, I actually quite liked Yamada's portrayal of Asiripa; her performance was adorable. Hiroshi Tamaki's acting was also perfectly unsettling, in a good way. Overall, it was fantastic. I sincerely hope that more adaptations of manga originals can be meticulously and successfully brought to life in movies, just like this one.

I watched this adaptation familiar with the storyline of the anime version, which was one of my favorites. Storywise, they did a good job condensing the first few episodes from the first season of the anime into this movie. Actionwise, it was pretty solid and good. I still thought Kento Yamazaki was miscast as our main protagonist, Sugimoto. But Anna Yamada, as Asirpa, was fantastic! I loved her performance here. Like seeing an anime character brought to life. They capture the spectacular natural landscape of Hokkaido really well. From clusters of trees in open fields to winter wonderland landscapes that were full of snow, mountainous craggy cliffs, and majestic blue skies, it was beautiful. The portrayal of the Ainu tribe was also very spot-on. At first, I was afraid they couldn't recapture the funny and unhinged comedy from the anime because, personally, I thought the comedy was pretty hard to reimagine in live action format, but I was wrong. It's still funny even in the live action version. The story in the movie was only the beginning of the prologue to something much bigger. I can't wait for more because the sequel is coming and it's in series format. The craziest part is yet to come!

I have not read the manga or seen the anime series so this was my first experience. The pace of the movie was good and does not feel slow. It has the difficult task of introducing so many characters but by the end you end up understanding pretty much everyone's motivation for finding the gold. The acting was matured and spot-on and does not feel very cartoonish. I would have liked the action to be a bit more innovative, but for now it will do. Anna Yamada does a good job in portraying her character, who is still a bit naive to the outside world. Kento Yamazaki plays the ruffian protagonist to perfection, but also does a great job in where he has to some emotional depth. Yuma Yamoto's portrayal of the slightly crazy Shiraishi is great, and I would love to see some more depth in his character development in the later parts. But I think Hiroshi Tamaki steals the show as the deranged officer Tokushiro Tsurumi. You can see the menace in his eyes and expressions.

Hope everyone stuck around after the credits for the cut scene. The scenery, costumes, and acting was on point. It kept the humor I loved from the anime. Anime fans would be delighted. No fan service so far lol but still a solid live adaptation. The actress was a bit older than I imagined but I can understand why they chosed a older actress for the main female. I look forward to the next installment and hope Golden Kamuy fans support this so we can see it to the end. Awesome job! Up there as one of my favorite live adaptations. The screenplay writer did a excellent job bringing it alive. GOLDEN KAMUY.