Rarely have I ever come across any sort of controversy when it comes to mangas or anime movies or shows or anything of the sort. To be honest, the only time I ever pay attention to these is if there's action involved and making it's way to some kind of film adaptation, and that includes director Miike Takashi's latest manga adaptation, Terra Formars.
The film is based on the 2011 manga by Tachibana Kenshi and Sasuga Yū which centers on mankind's peril when Earth and Mars fall victim to earlier efforts to colonize Mars through the use of modified algae and cockroaches. What now lurks on the planet are giant humanoid, and judging by their depictions interpreted in the manga in this article, I can certainly understand how some might deem this to be, well...a little, hmmmm....racist.
That's not to suggest this will be Miike's approach with filming already underway as of May. As to what these creatures look like, your guess is as good as mine, although the film is finally breathing a few signs of life with a brand new teaser, as well as the first official poster. Both are now viral and don't really offer much, but as much as this is tapping into the creature genre, it's worth asking how some may feel about the manga with respect to the film's prospects.
Personally, I imagine (and surely hope) the monsters will look much more supernatural and badass than grotesque depictions of black people. Because despite whatever Tachibana and Sasuga might have had mind, this is kind of awkward in its mild hilarity, and to be frank, maybe a little fucked up. BUT, you be the judge.
The film is set to release in 2016 with Ito Hideaki, Takei Emi, Yamada Takayuki, Oguri Shun, Kosugi Kane, Kikuchi Rinko, Kato Masaya, Ohta Rina and Fukushima Rila starring among its cast. Check out the poster and teaser below!
