The highly anticipated movie adaptation of Akira Toriyama’s manga, Sand Land, has released its first full trailer ahead of its scheduled release on August 18, 2023. Fans of Toriyama were thrilled when the project was first announced on December 8, 2022, as they were eager to see another one of his works come to life on screen. The animation for the movie is being handled by Sunrise, Kamikaze Douga, and ANIMA.
The Sand Land official website initially shared a teaser video, giving fans a glimpse of the story’s main characters. However, on April 2, the first full trailer was released, complete with voice acting and music. The trailer showcases the story’s protagonist, the demon prince Beelzebub, joining sheriff Rao on a quest to find a source of water for the inhabitants of their desertic world. The movie will be directed by Toshihisa Yokoshima, known for his work on Amanatsu and COCOLORS.
Sand Land is an important work for Toriyama, as it was the first manga he created and published after the conclusion of Dragon Ball. Serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump between May and August 2000, the story is set in a desert world inhabited by humans and demons. After years of wars and natural disasters, water supplies are almost depleted, with the tyrannical king monopolizing what remains. Former army officer turned sheriff, Rao, decides to fight against the king’s greed and seeks help from the demon tribe. Prince Beelzebub and his friend Thief agree to join Rao in finding the legendary Phantom Lake hidden somewhere in the desert.
The trailer highlights the unique setting of Sand Land, which is brought to life with vibrant animation. Though not as popular as Dragon Ball, the original Sand Land manga has developed a cult following. It possesses many of Toriyama’s signature characteristics, including quirky characters, humor, and unusual vehicle designs. The trailer features a tank ridden by Beelzebub, Rao, and Thief, showcasing Toriyama’s love for creating eccentric vehicles. However, Sand Land also has a darker and dystopian tone that sets it apart from Toriyama’s previous works like Dr. Slump and Dragon Ball.
Upon its release, some speculated that Sand Land could be a sequel to Dragon Ball, but this was not the case. Nevertheless, Sand Land is regarded as one of Toriyama’s best works, sparking high expectations for the movie adaptation. Given the involvement of Akira Toriyama himself and the high-quality production showcased in the trailer, Sand Land is poised to be one of the anime hits of 2023.
Overall, the release of the first full trailer for the Sand Land movie has generated excitement among fans of Akira Toriyama and his works. With its unique setting, colorful characters, and involvement of Toriyama himself, the film adaptation of Sand Land is highly anticipated and is expected to make a significant impact in the anime industry in 2023.
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