Wangan Midnight
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese manga
series written and illustrated by Michiharu Kusunoki
and serialized in Shogakukan
's Big Comic Spirits
since 1990, later in Kodansha
's Young Magazine
. In 1999, it won the Kodansha Manga Award
for general manga.
The series has been adapted into several live action feature films, video games, and an anime
television series. The anime began airing in Japan on June 8, 2007 on the anime satellite television network Animax
, produced by OB Planning.
The Wangan Midnight comic book series ended with issue #42 but it has been followed with a new arc called Wangan Midnight C1 Runner (湾岸ミッドナイト C1ランナー). Years before Wangan Midnight, Michiharu Kusunoki worked on a similar series known as Shakotan Boogie
.
Bayshore Route
. 'Wangan' (literally bayshore in Japanese) is the endonym of this longest, straightest road in the entire country. There is also road traffic to contend with, including a fair number of heavy trucks. Because of this, the action is inherently hazardous, and wrecks are common. Blown engines are also a frequent hazard, especially with the extremely high power engines.
One day, Akio Asakura, a high school student in his last year of study, is driving his Fairlady Z
(Z31) when he challenges Tatsuya Shima, a doctor, in his black Porsche 911 Turbo
(964
), dubbed as the "BlackBird". With his friend in the passenger seat and two girls in the back, Akio attempts to win, but is defeated. Determined to drive a faster car, he goes to the junkyard because his mechanic friend tells him he saw the scrapped body of a midnight blue Nissan Fairlady Z just like Akio wanted. When he sees the scrapped body of a midnight blue Fairlady Z (S30) in the junkyard, he remembers seeing this car a few years ago with a nice girl in the passenger seat. Intrigued as to why such a classic Japanese performance vehicle is about to be junked, he convinces the junkyard owner to sell it to him. The junkyard owner was told by the previous owner to scrap the car because it is cursed. He soon finds that the car is unnaturally fast due to a tuned L28
engine, bored and stroked to 3.1 L and fitted with twin turbos. He also finds that one of the car's previous owners shares his first and last name, and had been killed in a horrible crash on the Wangan. Every person who takes possession of the Z ends up spinning out of control and crashing, as if the car is rebelling against its driver. This gives the blue Z the nickname "The Devil Z". The manga follows Akio's various encounters with people on the Wangan, though the central plot revolves around his constant battle with the BlackBird for Wangan superiority.
.
for Maximum Tune 1 and 2 and Namco
for Maximum Tune 3, first released on February 2, 2001. A PS2 version of Wangan Midnight was released later on March 21, 2002. A complete re-imagining of the game series, Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune, was released in 2004 to arcades only, followed by another sequel, Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 2, on April 21, 2005. Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 3 was released on July 5, 2007 in the arcade, with a sequel to the original game
following on the PlayStation 3
and PlayStation Portable
platforms. The next sequel, Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 3 DX, was released on July 16, 2008. The PS3 and PSP games were re-released in 2008 under the "Genki The Best" label. An RPG
which was a sequel to the PS3 and PSP games, titled Wangan Midnight: C1 Runner (based on the manga of the same name), was also released by Genki. The latest sequel, Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 3 DX PLUS, was released in December, 2008. Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 4 is soon to be released in late 2011. The majority of Wangan Midnight racing games featured music soundtracks composed by Yuzo Koshiro
.
) announced the production of an animated series based on the manga. Aired on a pay-per-view channel of Animax
in June 2007, the series was co-produced by OB Planning, A.C.G.T., and Pastel under the direction of Tsuneo Tominaga and consists of twenty-six episodes. The series was released on DVD with the thirteenth volume reaching 29th on the Oricon sales chart for Japanese animation DVDs in November 2008.
. The film stars Yuichi Nakamura
as Akio Asakura, Ryoko Kobayashi
as Eriko Asakura, Kazuki Katou as Tatsuya Shima, Rio Matsumoto as Reina Akikawa, and Yoshihiko Hakamada as Ko-chan. The film was shot in San Mateo, Rizal
, Philippines
as a stand-in for the expressway racing scenes. Like the previous television anime and video features, Wangan Midnight: The Movie will center on Akio Asakura his "Devil Z" and the rivalry with "Black Bird".
It appears that a sequel may be planned, as after the ending credits in a bonus scene, Shima is seen to be leaving work when he hears the sound of a Z, followed by a fade out message saying 'Z will be back'. This is also rumored sequel, Wangan Midnight: C1 Runner, which will center on the new character, Shinji Ogishima.
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
series written and illustrated by Michiharu Kusunoki
Michiharu Kusunoki
is a Japanese manga artist from Tosa, Kōchi. He is most known for its street racing series Wangan Midnight serialized in Kodansha weekly Young Magazine and which has been adapted into a 26 episode anime series, a series of video games, and a movie....
and serialized in Shogakukan
Shogakukan
is a Japanese publisher of dictionaries, literature, manga, non-fiction, DVDs, and other media in Japan.Shogakukan founded Shueisha which founded Hakusensha. These are three separate companies, but are together called the Hitotsubashi Group, one of the largest publishing groups in Japan...
's Big Comic Spirits
Big Comic Spirits
is a weekly Japanese seinen manga magazine published by Shogakukan and aimed at males 20–25 years old. It originally launched on October 14, 1980. The culture of food, sports, love relationships, and business provide the themes for its featured series, which often question conventional values...
since 1990, later in Kodansha
Kodansha
, the largest Japanese publisher, produces the manga magazines Nakayoshi, Afternoon, Evening, and Weekly Shonen Magazine, as well as more literary magazines such as Gunzō, Shūkan Gendai, and the Japanese dictionary Nihongo Daijiten. The company has its headquarters in Bunkyō, Tokyo...
's Young Magazine
Young Magazine
is a Japanese manga magazine published weekly by Kodansha. The magazine was started on June 23, 1980 and is targeted at adult males . It is also known as Young or YM. It goes on sale Monday every week...
. In 1999, it won the Kodansha Manga Award
Kodansha Manga Award
is an annual award for serialized manga published in the previous year, sponsored by the publisher Kodansha. It is currently awarded in four categories: children's, shōnen, shōjo, and general. The awards began in 1977, initially with categories for shōnen and shōjo. The first award for the...
for general manga.
The series has been adapted into several live action feature films, video games, and an anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
television series. The anime began airing in Japan on June 8, 2007 on the anime satellite television network Animax
Animax
is a Japanese anime satellite television network, dedicated to broadcasting anime programming. A subsidiary of Japanese media conglomerate Sony, it is headquartered in in Minato, Tokyo, Japan, with its co-founders and shareholders including Sony Pictures Entertainment and the noted anime studios...
, produced by OB Planning.
The Wangan Midnight comic book series ended with issue #42 but it has been followed with a new arc called Wangan Midnight C1 Runner (湾岸ミッドナイト C1ランナー). Years before Wangan Midnight, Michiharu Kusunoki worked on a similar series known as Shakotan Boogie
Shakotan Boogie
is a manga by Michiharu Kusunoki, detailing the adventures of two brothers interested in shakotan, extremely lowered street cars.-OVA:A series of OVAs based on the manga were released in 1991 and 1992.-Video games:...
.
Story
The story gets its roots from the street racing that occurs on Tokyo's Shuto ExpresswayShuto Expressway
is a network of toll expressways in the Greater Tokyo Area of Japan. It is operated and maintained by the .Most routes consist of elevated roadway above other roads or over water, and have many sharp curves which require caution to drive safely...
Bayshore Route
Bayshore Route
Wangan has many meanings. See Wangan for a list.The Bayshore Route of Shuto Expressway is a stretch of toll highway in Greater Tokyo, 70 km, that runs from Yokohama city, Kanazawa ward, to Ichikawa city of Chiba Prefecture...
. 'Wangan' (literally bayshore in Japanese) is the endonym of this longest, straightest road in the entire country. There is also road traffic to contend with, including a fair number of heavy trucks. Because of this, the action is inherently hazardous, and wrecks are common. Blown engines are also a frequent hazard, especially with the extremely high power engines.
One day, Akio Asakura, a high school student in his last year of study, is driving his Fairlady Z
Nissan Z-car
The Z-car is a series of sports cars manufactured by Nissan Motors Ltd.. The original Z was sold in October 1969 in Japan as the Nissan Fairlady Z and was sold in Japan at Nissan Exhibition dealerships that previously sold the Nissan Bluebird. It was exported as the Datsun 240Z. Since 2009 Nissan...
(Z31) when he challenges Tatsuya Shima, a doctor, in his black Porsche 911 Turbo
Porsche 911
The Porsche 911 is a luxury 2-door sports coupe made by Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany. It has a distinctive design, rear-engined and with independent rear suspension, an evolution of the swing axle on the Porsche 356. The engine was also air-cooled until the introduction of the Type 996 in 1998...
(964
Porsche 964
The Porsche 964 is the company's internal name for the version of the Porsche 911 model manufactured and sold between 1989 and 1994. It featured significant styling revisions over previous versions of the 911, most prominently the more integrated bumpers , although it was still obviously a 911...
), dubbed as the "BlackBird". With his friend in the passenger seat and two girls in the back, Akio attempts to win, but is defeated. Determined to drive a faster car, he goes to the junkyard because his mechanic friend tells him he saw the scrapped body of a midnight blue Nissan Fairlady Z just like Akio wanted. When he sees the scrapped body of a midnight blue Fairlady Z (S30) in the junkyard, he remembers seeing this car a few years ago with a nice girl in the passenger seat. Intrigued as to why such a classic Japanese performance vehicle is about to be junked, he convinces the junkyard owner to sell it to him. The junkyard owner was told by the previous owner to scrap the car because it is cursed. He soon finds that the car is unnaturally fast due to a tuned L28
Nissan L engine
The Nissan L series of automobile engines ranged from 1.3 L to 2.8 L in both straight-4 and straight-6 configurations and were produced from 1967 through 1986. This was the engine of the Datsun 240Z sports car as well as the Datsun 510 and the first Nissan Maxima. These engines are known for their...
engine, bored and stroked to 3.1 L and fitted with twin turbos. He also finds that one of the car's previous owners shares his first and last name, and had been killed in a horrible crash on the Wangan. Every person who takes possession of the Z ends up spinning out of control and crashing, as if the car is rebelling against its driver. This gives the blue Z the nickname "The Devil Z". The manga follows Akio's various encounters with people on the Wangan, though the central plot revolves around his constant battle with the BlackBird for Wangan superiority.
Characters
- An ambitious racer who started when he was very young, Akio was in his final year of high school as the story began. He was driving his red Nissan 300ZX (Z31) until, after a humiliating loss to Tatsuya Shima, he discovered the "Devil Z", a Nissan Fairlady S30 Z (known as the Datsun 240Z/260Z/280Z in certain markets) which is supernaturally fast and extremely hard to drive. Akio is regarded as a legend on the Wangan, although he is a humble young man. Still, despite his gentle demeanor, he is so serious about racing that he skips school to the point of repeating a grade to drive the Devil Z. Akio has trouble forming intimate relationships, although he has made some slight inroads with Reina Akikawa. His day job is a waiter for a night club, but was later fired for showing up late too often due to late night racing. He is regularly exposed to the active social scene at the heart of Tokyo. He was already an accomplished racer with his old car, but behind the wheel of the Devil Z, Akio is nearly invincible. He is very adaptable and can learn to drive virtually anything.
- Reina is a very attractive model who also co-hosts a driving television show named "Drive Go Go!" where the latest automotive trends are discussed. She finds Akio on the Wangan and becomes obsessed with him and the Devil Z, driving her to tune her car and even steal the Devil Z one night. After getting her Nissan Skyline GT-RNissan Skyline GT-RThe Nissan Skyline GT-R is a Japanese sports car based on the Nissan Skyline range.The first GT-Rs were produced from 1969–1973. After a 16 year hiatus since the KPGC110 in 1972, the GT-R name was revived in 1989 with the Skyline R32. This car was nicknamed "Godzilla" by the Australian motoring...
(R32) tuned and modified, she discovers a previously unknown aptitude for street racing, something that does not sit very well with her manager. She is very sociable, and has lots of acquaintances, but has no real boyfriend. While she is an idol, she is quite modestly dressed. Like most of the women in the series, Reina is very sensitive and bursts into tears easily, although she calms down considerably in later volumes.
.
- He is the main rival of Akio Asakura, as Akio is the only one who regularly gives him a challenge. He drives a black Porsche 911 Turbo (964) in the anime and manga, and a Nissan 350ZNissan 350ZThe Nissan 350Z is a two seat sports car that was manufactured by Nissan from 2002 to 2009 and marks the fifth generation of Nissan's Z-car line. The 350Z entered production in late 2002 and was sold and marketed as a 2003 model. The first year there was only a coupe, as the roadster did not debut...
in the English version of the arcade racing games. The car has 470 HP stock. Tatsuya becomes annoyed with Akio becoming faster all the time so he hires Kitami Jun, the man who built the Devil Z, to tune the Porsche. Kitami tunes the suspension and adds a second turbo and boosts the car to 700 HP and beyond to try and keep up with the Devil Z. He is an extraordinarily skilled driver and has only been in one wreck during the course of the manga, when he swerved to avoid two drunk men on the road, only to swerve again to avoid a taxi and end up hitting a pole. He knows the limits of his vehicle and will never risk disaster by pushing it beyond its safe limits. This cost him a couple of battles, but he always learns from his failures and comes back even tougher. He is a very skilled surgeon and uses his large salary to fund his Porsche.
V-Cinema
The series was adapted into a series of direct-to-video movies in 1994, 1997 and again in 2000. They accurately depict the manga, with the exception of Akio being in his thirties. Many Japanese viewers hold the films in high regard for their realistic portrayal of the racing with the cars having the speed they have in the manga.- Wangan Midnight (湾岸MidNight), 1991
- Wangan Midnight II (湾岸ミッドナイトII), 1993
- Wangan Midnight III (湾岸ミッドナイトIII), 1993
- Wangan Midnight 4 (湾岸ミッドナイト4), 1993
- Wangan Midnight Special Director's Cut Complete Edition (湾岸ミッドナイトスペシャル ディレクターズカット完全版), 1994
- Wangan Midnight Final: GT-R Legend - Act 1 (湾岸ミッドナイト FINAL ~GT-R伝説 ACT1~), 1994
- Wangan Midnight Final: GT-R Legend - Act 2 (湾岸ミッドナイト FINAL ~GT-R伝説 ACT2~), 1994
- Devil GT-R Full Tuning (魔王GT-R チューニングのすべて), 1994
- Showdown! Devil GT-R (対決!魔王GT-R), 1994
- Wangan Midnight S30 vs. Gold GT-R - Part I (新湾岸ミッドナイト S30vsゴールドGT-R Part I), 1998
- Wangan Midnight S30 vs. Gold GT-R - Part II (新湾岸ミッドナイト S30vsゴールドGT-R Part II), 1998
- Wangan Midnight Return (湾岸ミッドナイト リターン), 2001
- Wangan Midnight The Movie (湾岸MidNight Movie), 2009
Video games
The series has been adapted into a series of video games, developed by SegaSega
, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
for Maximum Tune 1 and 2 and Namco
Namco
is a Japanese corporation best known as a former video game developer and publisher. Following a merger with Bandai in September 2005, the two companies' game production assets were spun off into Namco Bandai Games on March 31, 2006. Namco Ltd. was re-established to continue domestic operation of...
for Maximum Tune 3, first released on February 2, 2001. A PS2 version of Wangan Midnight was released later on March 21, 2002. A complete re-imagining of the game series, Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune, was released in 2004 to arcades only, followed by another sequel, Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 2, on April 21, 2005. Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 3 was released on July 5, 2007 in the arcade, with a sequel to the original game
Wangan Midnight (PlayStation 3 game)
is a racing game developed by Genki for the PlayStation 3. It is based on the Award winning Japanese comic of the same name created by Michiharu Kusunoki back in 1992. The Wangan Midnight PlayStation 3 Blu-ray disc was released in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan on July 5, 2007...
following on the PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
and PlayStation Portable
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
platforms. The next sequel, Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 3 DX, was released on July 16, 2008. The PS3 and PSP games were re-released in 2008 under the "Genki The Best" label. An RPG
Role-playing video game
Role-playing video games are a video game genre with origins in pen-and-paper role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons, using much of the same terminology, settings and game mechanics. The player in RPGs controls one character, or several adventuring party members, fulfilling one or many quests...
which was a sequel to the PS3 and PSP games, titled Wangan Midnight: C1 Runner (based on the manga of the same name), was also released by Genki. The latest sequel, Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 3 DX PLUS, was released in December, 2008. Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 4 is soon to be released in late 2011. The majority of Wangan Midnight racing games featured music soundtracks composed by Yuzo Koshiro
Yuzo Koshiro
is a Japanese video game music composer and audio programmer. He is regarded as one of the most influential innovators in chiptune music and video game sound design...
.
- February 2, 2001: Wangan Midnight (ArcadeArcade gameAn arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
(System 246Namco System 246The Namco System 246 is a development of the Sony PlayStation 2 technology as a basis for an arcade system board. It was released in 2001 on its first game Ridge Racer V. Like the Sega NAOMI, it is widely licensed for use by other manufacturers...
)) - December 20, 2001: Wangan Midnight R (ArcadeArcade gameAn arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
(System 246Namco System 246The Namco System 246 is a development of the Sony PlayStation 2 technology as a basis for an arcade system board. It was released in 2001 on its first game Ridge Racer V. Like the Sega NAOMI, it is widely licensed for use by other manufacturers...
)) - March 21, 2002: Wangan Midnight (PlayStation 2PlayStation 2The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
) - July 3, 2004: Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune (ArcadeArcade gameAn arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
(Chihiro)) - April 21, 2005: Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 2 (ArcadeArcade gameAn arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
(Chihiro)) - July 5, 2007: Wangan MidnightWangan Midnight (PlayStation 3 game)is a racing game developed by Genki for the PlayStation 3. It is based on the Award winning Japanese comic of the same name created by Michiharu Kusunoki back in 1992. The Wangan Midnight PlayStation 3 Blu-ray disc was released in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan on July 5, 2007...
(PlayStation 3PlayStation 3The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
) - November 30, 2007: Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 3 (ArcadeArcade gameAn arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
(System N2System N2The System N2 arcade platform runs on an nForce2-based motherboard that NVIDIA developed. It is based on a GeForce graphics card, running the graphics in OpenGL format. It runs a Linux operating system that appears to be based on debian...
)) - September 2, 2007: Wangan Midnight Portable (PlayStation PortablePlayStation PortableThe is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
) - January 30, 2009: Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 3 DX (ArcadeArcade gameAn arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
(System N2System N2The System N2 arcade platform runs on an nForce2-based motherboard that NVIDIA developed. It is based on a GeForce graphics card, running the graphics in OpenGL format. It runs a Linux operating system that appears to be based on debian...
)) - July 4, 2010: Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 3 DX PLUS (ArcadeArcade gameAn arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
(System N2System N2The System N2 arcade platform runs on an nForce2-based motherboard that NVIDIA developed. It is based on a GeForce graphics card, running the graphics in OpenGL format. It runs a Linux operating system that appears to be based on debian...
)) - 2011: Wangan Midnight: C1 Runner (Mobile phoneMobile phoneA mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
) - 2011: Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 4 (ArcadeArcade gameAn arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
)
Anime
At the 2007 Tokyo Anime Fair, OB Planning (Initial DInitial D
is a manga by Shuichi Shigeno which has been serialized in Kodansha's Young Magazine since 1995. It has been adapted into a long-running anime series by OB Planning, Studio Comet, Studio Gallop, Pastel, and A.C.G.T, and a live action film by Avex and Media Asia...
) announced the production of an animated series based on the manga. Aired on a pay-per-view channel of Animax
Animax
is a Japanese anime satellite television network, dedicated to broadcasting anime programming. A subsidiary of Japanese media conglomerate Sony, it is headquartered in in Minato, Tokyo, Japan, with its co-founders and shareholders including Sony Pictures Entertainment and the noted anime studios...
in June 2007, the series was co-produced by OB Planning, A.C.G.T., and Pastel under the direction of Tsuneo Tominaga and consists of twenty-six episodes. The series was released on DVD with the thirteenth volume reaching 29th on the Oricon sales chart for Japanese animation DVDs in November 2008.
Wangan Midnight: The Movie (2009)
On September 12, 2009, Jolly Roger and Geneon Universal Entertainment released a live-action adaptation of the manga. Wangan Midnight: The Movie is directed by the Atsushi Muroga, with the screenplay written by Yasutoshi MurakawaYasutoshi Murakawa
is a Japanese screenwriter.-Career:He studied under Hiroshi Kashiwabara, Takuya Nishioka, and Yumiko Inoue, before working as a screenwriter. He is a member of the Japan Writers Guild.-Screenplay:* OneChanbara * Wangan Midnight...
. The film stars Yuichi Nakamura
Yuichi Nakamura
is a Japanese voice actor who is affiliated with Sigma Seven.-2001:* Dennou Boukenki Webdiver , Griffion, Ligaon, Raada* The Prince of Tennis , Ginka Center member 1-2003:* Crush Gear Nitro , Hugo...
as Akio Asakura, Ryoko Kobayashi
Ryoko Kobayashi
is a Japanese actress.- Movies :*Kogitsune Helen *ZOO *Hinokio *Kamen Rider THE FIRST - Dramas :* Code Blue 2 * Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge * Samurai High School...
as Eriko Asakura, Kazuki Katou as Tatsuya Shima, Rio Matsumoto as Reina Akikawa, and Yoshihiko Hakamada as Ko-chan. The film was shot in San Mateo, Rizal
San Mateo, Rizal
San Mateo, Rizal is a first class urban municipality of Rizal Province. Located on the island of Luzon, San Mateo is one of 13 municipalities and a capital city that make up the Province of Rizal, Region 4-A of the Philippines. San Mateo is part of the Metro Luzon Urban Beltway...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
as a stand-in for the expressway racing scenes. Like the previous television anime and video features, Wangan Midnight: The Movie will center on Akio Asakura his "Devil Z" and the rivalry with "Black Bird".
It appears that a sequel may be planned, as after the ending credits in a bonus scene, Shima is seen to be leaving work when he hears the sound of a Z, followed by a fade out message saying 'Z will be back'. This is also rumored sequel, Wangan Midnight: C1 Runner, which will center on the new character, Shinji Ogishima.