The Birth of Kitaro: The Mystery of GeGeGe Film Gets Stage Play Adaptation in 2026

A stage play adaptation of The Birth of Kitaro: The Mystery of GeGeGe (known as Kitaro Tanjou: GeGeGe no Nazo in Japan) anime film is set to perform in Japan in early 2026. The play's official website and X (formerly Twitter) opened with a teaser visual featuring the two lead cast members — Hiroki Suzuki as Kitaro's father and Ryota Murai as Mizuki. Teaser visual RELATED: The Birth of Kitaro: The Mystery of GeGeGe Anime Film Surpasses Three Billion Yen in Total Gross To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the original GeGeGe no Kitaro manga author Shigeru Mizuki's birth, the original version of The Birth of Kitaro film released in Japan on November 17, 2023, under the rating of "PG12" (Viewing by children under 12 years of age requires the advice and guidance of a parent or guardian). Then, the film's R15+ (No one under 15 years of age allowed to see) version, subtitled Shinsei-ban ("Genuine edition"), followed Japan on October 4, 2024. The combined total gross the two versions reached 3.22 billion yen (21.8 million USD). The stage play edition is scheduled to perform at the Sunshine Theater in Tokyo from January 9 to 25, 2026, at Umeda Arts Theater Theater Drama City in Osaka from January 29 to February 1, and at Tosu Civic Culture Hall in Saga on February 7 and 8. Norihito Nakayashki ( Kuroko's Basketball , World Trigger stage plays) serves as the director on a script by Nobuhiro Mouri ( Musical Hakuoki series). Kenji Kawai, who worked on the music for the film, also provides music. In addition to Hiroki Suzuki and Ryota Murai, other cast members include: Sayo Ryuga played by Himena Okamoto (Nogizaka46) Otome Ryuga played by Yoko Soumi Hinoe Ryuga played by Harumi Shuhama Toshiko Osada played by Mikiko Okauchi Tokimaro Ryuga played by Koichi Kosse Kozo Ryuga played by Kei Kato Nazumi played by Shoma Nakata Tokiya Osada played by Ise Hashimoto Katsunori Ryuga played by Ichiro Mikami Gengi Osada played by Shinji Rachi Toei Animation Europe's official website describes the film's synopsis as such: In Showa 31 (1956), Nagura Village was secretly controlled by the Ryuga family, who dominated Japan’s political and financial circles. Mizuki, who worked at the Imperial Blood Bank, entered the village under the pretense of mourning the death of the head of the family, carrying ambitions and a secret mission. At the same time, Kitaro’s father entered the village searching for his wife. Within the Ryuga family, a vicious struggle over succession had begun. During this time, one of the family members was mysteriously murdered at the village shrine. This marked the beginning of a terrifying chain of supernatural events. Source: "The Birth of Kitaro: The Mystery of GeGeGe" stage play official website and X (formerly Twitter)

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