Salaryman Kintaro Manga Comes Alive as an Exciting Stage Opera
Discover Takaki Kurihara's stunning performance at Tokyo's opera opening on September 5. Don't miss this unforgettable musical event!
Takaki Kurihara Stars in Opera Opening in Tokyo on September 5
Hiroshi Motomiya's manga classic, Salaryman Kintaro, is making a bold leap from page to stage with a new opera titled Salaryman Kintaro: Money Wars-hen. The production is set to premiere at Tiara Koto Hall in Tokyo on September 5.
A Star-Studded Cast and Creative Team
Takaki Kurihara takes on the role of Kintaro Yajima, the ex-bike gang leader turned salaryman. The opera also features storytellers Yasuharu Nakajima and Naomi Yanaga, along with a special appearance by Chō Shunshō.
The screenplay is written by Midori Sumidagawa, while Kenichi Kamio, known for his work in anime, directs, composes the music, and plays the piano. Kamio is also producing the opera through Light Link Music. Yūki Sakamoto is responsible for the timpani.
Celebrating a 30-Year Legacy
This opera commemorates the 30th anniversary of the original manga, adapting the Money Wars arc from the series.
About the Manga
Salaryman Kintaro has been published intermittently in Weekly Young Jump magazine by Shueisha since 1994. Hiroshi Motomiya revived the series as a web manga in April 2005 and has since launched several spinoffs, including Salaryman Kintaro Gojūsai (Salaryman Kintaro 50 Years Old), which ran from 2015 to 2016.
The manga's story follows Kintaro Yajima, a retired ex-bike gang leader, who leaves his hometown after his wife’s passing to start anew as a salaryman in Tokyo. The series explores whether Kintaro can handle the challenges of office life.
Adaptations and Influence
The manga inspired two live-action films:
- Salaryman Kintaro: Akatsuki-hen (Dawn), released on January 10
- Salaryman Kintaro: Sakigake-hen (Vanguard), released on February 7
Nobuyuki Suzuki stars as Kintaro in these films, following previous portrayals by Katsunori Takahashi and Masaru Nagai in TV series and a 2001 anime adaptation by Arts Magic.
Additional Information
- The manga was briefly available in English via Manga Planet, which is now licensing the series.
- The story has also inspired two recent live-action films and a variety of spin-offs, highlighting its enduring popularity.
Sources:
Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting adaptation!**