THE BOY
AND
THE BEAST
WORKS:
Overview:
The Boy and the Beast is an animated film directed by Mamoru Hosoda, released in 2015 and winner of the Animation of the Year award from the Japan Academy Prize. As the first musical adaptation of a Studio Chizu film, the production marks a major milestone in the Shiki Theatre company’s creative history. The Tokyo premiere in 2022 achieved an impressive run of approximately 11 months and attracted around 238,000 theatregoers. It set new records for both the longest run and highest attendance for an original musical premiere by the company. To bring its diverse beasts, festive fantasy setting, and powerful battle scenes to life, creators from every field came together, from special effects makeup, puppetry, movements, magic, and video projection. The result is an original musical on an unprecedented scale, passionately crafted by Shiki Theatre Company, using the unique expressive power of live theater to tell this grand story.
Keyword:
- Fantasy
- Puppetry
- Based on Manga/Anime
- Musical
- Large Cast
- Moving
- Exciting
- Thrilling
- Heartwarming
- All Ages
- Live Performance
- Projection Mapping
- Life
- Love
- Family
Performing Group:
Shiki Theatre Company
Genre:
Musical
Status:
Seeking a co-produced staging in partnership with a local production company.
Time:
160 min
Dialogue:
Japanese (currently only in Japanese, but English production is possible)
Subtitle:
Currently none, but possible.
Capacity:
Approx.1100 *A total of 503,000 people have seen the show in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya
Cast:
Main cast: 10 / Ensemble: 17 / Child cast: 3
1
Synopsis:
Ren wanders alone into Jutengai, the realm of the beasts, where he encounters Kumatetsu, an unruly beast with a deeply steadfast spirit. Taking Ren in as his disciple, Kumatetsu gives him the name Kyuta. At the same time, Kumatetsu is preparing to battle his longtime rival, Iozen, for the title of the next Grandmaster to rule the beast world.
At first, the two constantly clash at every turn. But through years of training together, they gradually grow alongside one another, eventually forming a bond like that of a true parent and child.
Meanwhile, Ichirohiko, Iozen’s son around the same age as Kyuta, admires his father deeply, but is troubled that he has not developed the fangs that mark him as a true beast.
Years later, Kyuta is a young man renowned as Kumatetsu’s finest student, but he remains torn between the worlds of beasts and humans, questioning his own identity. One day, after unexpectedly returning to the human world, Kyuta meets a high school girl named Kaede, and begins searching for the path he truly wishes to follow.
Then comes the day of the battle that will determine the next Grandmaster. A great crisis erupts, engulfing both the human and beast worlds.
What can each of them do to save everyone? For both Kumatetsu and Kyuta, the time comes to make their final decision.
2
Concept:
Through the relationship between a lonely boy and an awkward, rough-edged beast, The Boy and the Beast depicts the strength to not hide from your own weakness. At its heart lies the universal message: people need other people to grow, and eventually you become the one looking out for others. Despite the clashes, Kumatetsu and Kyuta have a bond like a parent and child. Despite struggling with his own identity, Kyuta is supported by everyone around him and moves forward. They teach you the significance of stepping towards the future with the people you love by your side.
The story was inspired by Mamoru Hosoda questioning “How do children grow?” and “What can the father do for them?” At its core is a warm and hopeful message to believe in tomorrow and move forward in a world where people are anxious for the future. Combining the knowledge from many years of experience and the talents of the creative team, the production delivers a spectacular theatrical experience that celebrates the joy of living.
3
Crew & Cast:
-
Mamoru Hosoda
Original movie (The Boy and the Beast)
-
Chikae Takahashi
Book and Lyrics
-
Go Aoki
Director
-
Harumi Fuuki
Music and Orchestrations
-
Megumi Chinju
Music Director
-
Takamasa Hagiwara
Choreographer
-
K. Ishihara / BLANk R&D
Set Designer
-
Masatomo Ota
Costume Designer / Hair & Makeup / Special Makeup Designer
-
Toby Olié
Puppet Designer & Director
-
Koji Akasaki
Lighting Designer
-
Nobuhiro Matsuzawa
Projection Plan
-
Naoki Kurihara
Fight Direction
-
Real Magician RYOTA
Illusions
-
Jiro Chiba
Sound Designer
Company Profile:
Founded in 1953 by ten students led by Keita Asari, the company has grown to include approximately 1,700 members, comprising actors, technical staff, and administrative personnel.
Its repertoire spans a wide range of productions, including translated international musicals, original musicals, and straight plays. Under a rigorous merit-based system, it is known for maintaining a high standard of theatrical quality. With approximately 3,000 performances annually and an audience of around 3 million people each year, it attracts the largest audience of any single theater company in Japan.
The company operates seven dedicated theaters across Japan, primarily staging productions through long-running engagements.
It is also deeply committed to social contribution activities.
These include Kokoro no Gekijō a program that invites elementary school students from across Japan to attend performances free of charge, and Utsukushi Nihongo no Hanashikata Kyoushitsu (beautiful Japanese language class) in which actors visit elementary schools and teach effective Japanese speech and communication skills based on the company’s theatrical methodology.
Performance Record:
2022-2023
2022
No. 1 in the Production Category of the Musical Best Ten.
2023-2024
2024-2025
Nagoya
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