The popularity of Japan's animation and detective fiction has spilled over to China, and Chinese filmmakers are now reportedly on a shopping spree to buy copyrights of famous Japanese works that would be adapted both on small and big screens.
For instance, famous Japanese mystery writer Keigo Higashion's The Devotion of Suspect X, which won him a number of awards, is currently being produced. Its adaptation rights were bought by Enlight Media. Taiwanese singer and actor Alec Su is said to be directing the movie. The book has also its own Japanese and South Korean versions.
Copyrights for The Miracle in the Grocery Store have also been purchased by Emperor Motion Pictures and the Wanda Group. Its film adaptation is expected to hit the screen next year.
Another new movie company by Chinese director Jia Zhangke also acquired copyright to Paradox 13.
Chinese audience will soon get a taste of Japanese detective movies with the release of Edge of Innocence on July 8. The story, which was written by Soji Shimada, follows a 19-year-old man, who met a traffic accident, and witnessed a young woman living in a mansion across killing her father. Despite being traumatized by what he saw, he still could not help but fall in love with her.
The film's rights were sold to Desen International Media, the company behind the Tiny Times franchise. It was directed by Zhang Rongji and stars Huang Zitao and Yang Caiyu.
Meanwhile, instead of just targeting teenagers, the film's twist of mystery and conflict will help its audiences explore complex circumstances and choices both young men and women have to face in dealing with love, friendship, and society, Yang told Beijing News.
Talking about how China will possibly respond to these Japanese films, Desen's president An Xiaofen said she is confident that they will be big hits. Political tensions may have hindered the popularity of Japanese films, but the young generation is less affected by historical burdens.
