WOWOW to Make Live-Action Spinoff of Legendary Anime Series “Yatterman"

Posted By Ashley Williams

Elaiza Ikeda as Doronjo

WOWOW, Japan’s leading premium pay TV broadcaster, is making a live-action spin-off TV series from the hugely popular anime series “Yatterman.” In cooperation with Tatsunoko Production, the new series is titled “DORONJO” and tells the prequel story of female villain Doronjo from the original “Yatterman” anime series that was broadcast on Saturday evenings from 1977 to 1979. Doronjo is an immensely popular and iconic female villain in Japanese anime, comparable to the Harley Quinn and Catwoman characters in the U.S. The series stars popular Japanese actress Elaiza Ikeda as Doronjo and is directed by Eisuke Naito and Hatsuki Yokoo. WOWOW is handling worldwide rights to this series. In the series, the shocking past of the sadly beautiful dark heroine Doronjo will be revealed over 11 episodes premiering in October exclusively on WOWOW.

© Tatsunoko Productions

A new interpretation from a completely new perspective will show how Doronjo became Doronjo. “DORONJYO” is the first live-action TV series of “Yatterman” and celebrates the milestone 60 year anniversary of Tatsunoko Production. Producers are Masaki Yamada, Yusuke Kobayashi and Megumi Hoshino. Series writers are Kohei Kiyasu, Eisuke Naito, Satoshi Oshio and Midori Sato. In addition to airing in Japan, the original “Yatterman” anime series aired in Spain, Italy, Poland and several other Asian countries, becoming a massive global hit. A remake of the anime series was produced in 2008, and a spin-off animation series was produced in 2015, while the first live action feature film was made in 2009. DORONJO continues WOWOWs pursuits in the Anime space, having produced original animations such as "Eien no 831" by Kenji Kamiyama, as well as a live action Fantasy/Sci-Fi TV series based on anime including "Isekai Izakaya Nobu," "I Want To Hold Aono-kun So Badly I Could Die," and "HIRU/LEECH," which has been broadcast and distributed in 25 countries throughout Asia.