Kaiji Kawaguchi's acclaimed manga series, "The Silent Service," first hit the big screen with the live-action film "The Silent Service: Battle of Tokyo Bay," starring Takao Osawa, Hiroshi Tamaki, and Aya Ueto, which garnered rave reviews. Its sequel, "The Silent Service: North Pacific Battle," followed up last September.
On March 19, a production announcement event held in Kanagawa saw lead actor and producer Takao Osawa, along with Hiroshi Tamaki, director Kohei Yoshino, and cast members playing the crew of the "Yamato" submarine, all in attendance. During the event, it was officially announced that a new sequel is in the works, with Takao Osawa personally confirming, "It's been decided that we will adapt the entire original manga, and filming has already begun," much to the excitement of fans.
"The Silent Service" stands as a classic manga from the mid-80s to 90s, centering on submarine warfare. Its intricate plot delves into complex themes of nuclear weapon strategy and international political relations. Despite its serious tone, the series has maintained significant popularity and was previously adapted into an OVA anime.
Beyond Takao Osawa, who stars as protagonist Shiro Kaieda, the first season boasted an impressive ensemble cast including Hiroshi Tamaki, Yosuke Eguchi, Aya Ueto, Tomoya Nakamura, Asami Mizukawa, Yusuke Santamaria, Aoi Nakamura, Takashi Sasano, Yui Natsukawa, Hoka Kinoshita, and Isao Hashizume, bringing together a host of big names.
Takao Osawa admitted that he initially worried audiences might be put off by the "political and war themes." However, after its release, he felt that "the work's scale and realism successfully resonated with viewers," boosting his confidence in the series' future.
Regarding the upcoming sequel, Osawa emphasized that it will be a major upgrade. Not only will filming take place overseas, but the story will also see the previously opposing Kaieda and Fukamachi unite to face a greater enemy. He stated, "This is where the story truly gets exciting. Everything—the plot, the visuals, and the actors' performances—will surpass the previous installments."
As for the release date, officials have only hinted that new footage is already hidden in the end credits of "The Silent Service: North Pacific Battle" Prime Video special edition, with more information to be released progressively. The previous film was incredibly impactful and is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video for those interested.
via： 映画『沈黙の艦隊』官方 X