The original Ring film was released in Japan in 1998 and was directed by Hideo Nakata. It is an adaptation of Koji Suzuki’s horror novel of the same name about a cursed video that when watched kills the viewer seven days after watching. It went on to become Japan’s No. 1 horror film. The film franchise is set to receive a sequel entitled in Sadako which is set to premiere in Japan on May 24, 2019.

The film stars Hiroya Shimizu who plays the role of a video creator. He spreads Sadako’s curse after posting a certain video on a video streaming website.

It has been revealed that hugely popular Japanese YouTubers Mizutamari Bond will make an appearance in the film.

Mizutamari Bond are a comedy duo on YouTube consisting of Kanta and Tommy. They first began posting videos in 2015 and have since gone on to garner almost 4 million subscribers. They produce a variety of different videos daily, from pranks to experiments to exploring urban legends. Their fried rice prank video which was posted in January has clocked 9.5 million views and even featured on TIME’s website.

Kanta and Tommy will play themselves in Sadako. While they are watching content from another creator, they will discover something strange in the video. We will get to see the spread of Sadako’s curse across the video streaming platform.

Both Kanta and Tommy gave comments on being involved with the film. Kanta said: “I am extremely happy to have the opportunity to be involved with such a historical film as this. I shuddered when I first saw the cursed tape as a child. Sadako finely traumatised me. I’m happy that Nakata is bringing Sadako to modern society by changing it from a tape to an online video. It’s because we’re so familiar them that makes it scary, and if you love in Japan, it’s scary because of the way Japanese houses are laid out and how Japanese-style rooms are. Sadako can come in many forms and is scary in whatever time she appears. This is a really fantastic film.”

Tommy commented: “I never thought a day would come where I would appear in a national horror movie like Sadako. I was also really happy that it came when it did as the subject matter is what I do as my job. I definitely want all the kids of the younger generation who are using the net to watch this film. It’s really scary, but in one viewing I also think it’s a fantastic film.”

The film’s director Hideo Nakata also spoke about having Kanta and Tommy involved. He said: “The scene where both of them appear went unbelievably smoothly, as expected of such big YouTubers. They were lively in front of the camera. Their ability to talk so casually [in front of it] is their forte. We shot on location, so the middle school kids on their way back from cram school spotted them. The setting is that they are watching a―street-style?―type of video which we made by learning from watching others. They praised us enthusiastically for out efforts and said ‘With this you’ll be able to hit a million views!’ [laughs] We were overjoyed to hear that. There’s also a part where a shot from the cursed tape appears on their smartphone…

©2019 Sadako Production Committee

It has been two years since rock band QUEEN BEE released an album. Their brand new album Ju (“Ten”) was just released on Wednesday 22nd May. Their song Seisen (“Holy War”), which is included on the new album, will be used as the film’s main theme song for the upcoming horror film Sadako.

Along with the release of Seisen, the official music video has also gone public. The wildest thing: the scary ghost of Sadako even takes part in the music video!

Sadako x QUEEN BEE – “Seisen” Collaboration Music Video

The film Sadako is the sequel to the world-hit 1998 Japanese film Ring, which is an adaptation of Koji Suzuki’s horror novel of the same name about a cursed video that when watched kills the viewer seven days after watching. With Elaiza Ikeda playing the role of the heroine and Hideo Nakata as the film’s director, this latest horror film was created by the hands of an original team. The film is set to premiere in Japan on 24th May.

The music video was directed by Sayaka Nakane, who also directed the music videos for QUEEN BEE’s HALF, Hypnotize and FIRE. As the film’s main antagonist, Sadako makes a strong appearance in the music video. Witnessing the terrifying Sadako in a music video is something you just have to see! The song Seisen is now available for early digital download and streaming across major digital music platforms.

The new album Ju is the sequel to QUEEN BEE’s previous album Q which was praised as a masterpiece. The new album consists of 10 songs, including the album version of the band’s biggest singles such as FIRE; the opening theme for anime Dororo; and HALF, the ending theme for anime Tokyo Ghoul:re, both of which were hits on streaming services. Other big hits on the album include Hypnotize for which Limited Pressing Edition copies of the single sold out immediately. And of course, Sadako’s main theme song Seisen is also on the album.

QUEEN BEE is currently on their 2019 Japan tour QUEEN BEE Tour 2019 “Ju” -Kaen-.

© 2019 Sadako Production Committee

The original Ring film was released in Japan in 1998 and was directed by Hideo Nakata. It is an adaptation of Koji Suzuki’s horror novel of the same name about a cursed video that when watched kills the viewer seven days after watching. It went on to become Japan’s No. 1 horror film. The film franchise is set to receive a sequel entitled in Sadako which is set to premiere in Japan on May 24, 2019.

QUEEN BEE will perform the film’s main theme song Seisen (“Holy War”) which you can hear in the latest trailer.

In the trailer, we see the fear-filled protagonist Mayu (played by Elaiza Ikeda) sitting on a bed, contrasted with another scene of her where her desperate eyes are full of rage. There’s also a mysterious scene of a small child with mysterious eyes.

Hideo Nakata explained how Sadako maintains that J-horror atmosphere while keeping in line with the “entertaining fear factor” of today’s movies. He also noted that the film contains strong human drama elements as expressed through love as a blood connection. Nakata praised QUEEN BEE’s song Seisen as being the perfect match for the film as they were able to capture and portray the movie’s themes. He admitted to being in tears after seeing the band perform live.

Elaiza Ikeda’s passionate performance of Mayu combined with the beautiful collaboration between Seisen and the movie are just a couple of reasons why you should check the trailer out.

©2019 Sadako Production Committee ／A KADOKAWA film.

A new trailer for the latest entry to the Ring film franchise Sadako has been released. The film is set to premiere on May 24, 2019 in Japan. Check out the new trailer below.

The original Ring film was released in Japan in 1998 and was directed by Hideo Nakata. It is an adaptation of Koji Suzuki’s horror novel of the same name about a cursed video that when watched kills the viewer seven days after watching.

QUEEN BEE made headlines last month for performing a cover of feels like HEAVEN which is being used in promotional videos for the film including the one above. In more recent news, it has just been announced that their new song Seisen (“Holy War”) will be used as the film’s main theme song.

The track will be included on the band’s upcoming new album Ju (“Ten”) which will drop on May 22, 2019 just before the film’s release.

A new promo visual has also been released featuring the protagonist Mayu about to close her camera shutter as some familiar hands show their ghoulish hands from behind her. This poster is creepy enough to have us thinking we’re already cursed by looking at it!

The original Ring film was released in Japan in 1998 and was directed by Hideo Nakata. It is an adaptation of Koji Suzuki’s horror novel of the same name about a cursed video that when watched kills the viewer seven days after watching. The film kindled a J-horror boom when it was released and the main antagonist, Sadako, has gone on to become one of Japan’s most famous ghosts.

The next entry to the famous horror series will be Sadako hitting Japanese cinemas on May 24, 2019. It was revealed earlier this month that Hitomi Satō will reprise her role as Masami Kurahashi ―20 years later.

It has been announced that QUEEN BEE are releasinga cover of feels like HEAVEN, the theme of the original 1998 film and considered synonymous with Sadako. The song is being used for promotional material.

The already-released trailer for the film features a snippet of the song―a lyric that embedded fear in the hearts of Japanese people with the original movie was released: Kitto kuru (“I’m on my way”).

A promotional visual was released featuring QUEEN BEE’s vocalist Avu-chan as a “reverse-Sadako,” donning long white hair. The band’s cover of the main theme will be released on iTunes and other digital platforms on March 28, 2019 at midnight (JST).

Avu-chan released the following statement: “Sadako. A superstar in the world of Japanese horror movies. The artwork we have created and our cover of that iconic song respect her [Sadako’s] development and charisma. We have begun the effort to help spread Sadako’s curse. She’s on her way. On her way to you.”

The film’s director Hideo Nakata also commented on teaming up with QUEEN BEE: “At the first QUEEN BEE concert I went to it felt like I had suddenly returned to when I was going through puberty in my teens. Avu-chan’s lyrics and voice have a quality to them that is characteristic of puberty: delicate and easy to hurt. That combines with the other members’ energetic playing. It’s all-out raw positivity, the kind that makes you feel no matter what happens you will keep on living. I felt the combination of those things and the pull of their magnetic force was something incredible. When I met Avu-chan, she explained how she was captivated by Ring and the power that Sadako holds, which is what led her to listen to the original song feels like HEAVEN. I am shuddering at the cover which incorporates the band’s uniqueness magnificently.”

The original Ring film was released in Japan in 1998 and was directed by Hideo Nakata. It is an adaptation of Koji Suzuki’s horror novel of the same name about a cursed video that when watched kills the viewer seven days after watching. The next entry to the famous horror series will be Sadako hitting Japanese cinemas on May 24, 2019.

Japanese actress Hitomi Satō played the part of Masami Kurahashi in the original 1998 movie who, despite encountering Sadako―the haunting antagonist of the film franchise―miraculously survived. She reprised her role again in the 1999 sequel, Ring 2.

It has been announced that Satō will once again play her character in the new film―20 years later.

Elaiza Ikeda plays the main character Mayu Akigawa, a psychology counsellor working at a mental hospital. She becomes interested in one of her female patients who seems very peculiar.

The film’s director Hideo Nakata has described her having an innate disposition when it comes to acting, and so it will be interesting to see how Hitomi Satō’s role will play out as a survivor of Sadako.

Speaking about this, Nakata commented: “She played the part magnificently, bringing together that distinct tension born from a mix of horror and everyday life.” Satō herself also remarked, “It’s not a blur for [Nakata] at all. It’s exactly like it was back then (laughs)[when filming the original]. He’s always talking about it (laughs).”

Their mutual trust in each other only propels the excitement to seeing her role reprised. What will happen when she encounters Sadako once more, after having crawled out alive from the curse?

Below are the full statements from both Hitomi Satō and Hideo Nakata.

Hitomi Satō (Masami Kurahashi): ‘I was taken aback when I received the offer. I remembered, “Oh yeah, I survived!!” and felt really happy and wondered to myself how interesting it would be if I was to return after having survived 20 years ago. I hope everybody looks forward to seeing how [Masami] is 20 years on. The films Nakata makes really are scary… Rather than having fun I want you to be scared out of your pants (laughs).’

Hitomi Satō (Director): ‘When Satō finished filming her part in the first Rings equence, I was really happy for her to bring to my attention that she wanted to be in it longer. And so in Ring 2, I had her play a very important role―an eyewitness and survivor of Sadako. In this film, although 20 years have passed, Satō is still able to vividly convey Sadako’s image to Elaiza. We had countless auditions for Ring, but the moment I saw Satō, who was then a teenager, and her innate disposition for acting, I said “she’s the one!” I have seen her playing vital parts in recent dramas and scenes too, so I requested she come on board a third time. She played the part magnificently, bringing together that distinct tension born from a mix of horror and everyday life, something which Elaiza also now has.’

The film will star Elaiza Ikeda as the main character Mayu Akigawa, a psychology counsellor who gets involved in an incident with Yusuke Ishida, played by Takashi Tsukamoto, who will try to fix it. Hiroya Shimizu will play the part of Mayu’s younger brother Kazuma Akigawa who becomes a YouTuber to try and awaken Sadako’s curse. Himeka Himejima will play Jinko, a mysterious girl who lost her memory and is taken in at the hospital Mayu works at. Renn Kiriyama will play Mayu’s colleague Minori Fujii.

A new trailer for the recently-announced upcoming next entry to the Ring film franchise Sadako has been released.

The original Ring film was released in Japan in 1998 and was directed by Hideo Nakata. It is an adaptation of Koji Suzuki’s horror novel of the same name about a cursed video that when watched kills the viewer seven days after watching.

The film kindled a J-horror boom when it was released. The antagonist of the film, Sadako Yamamura, has gone on to become the most famous ghost in Japan with the image of her crawling out of the TV with her white one piece and long black hair.

The new trailer features the protagonist Mayu Akigawa (played by Elaiza Ikeda), a psychology counselor, watching her young brother Kazuma Akigawa’s (Hiroya Shimizu) video on his YouTube channel where he enters the room of a multi-unit apartment which burned from a fire. In the video, she notices a mysterious figure cloaked in a white robe with long black hair standing behind him…

The rest of the trailer features clips of the cursed tape backed by a new arrangement of the song feels like ‘HEAVEN’, a song that was used in the original Ring film.

Sadako is crawling through Japanese cinema screens on May 24, 2019. It will star Elaiza Ikeda as the main character Mayu Akigawa, a psychology counselor who gets involved in an incident with Yusuke Ishida, played by Takashi Tsukamoto, who will try to fix it. Hiroya Shimizu will play the part of Mayu’s younger brother Kazuma Akigawa who becomes a YouTuber to try and awaken Sadako’s curse. Himeka Himejima will play Jinko, a mysterious girl who lost her memory and is taken in at the hospital Mayu works at. Renn Kiriyama will play Mayu’s colleague Minori Fujii.

A new poster has been unveiled teasing the next entry to the Ring film franchise. Titled Sadako, the movie will screen in Japanese cinemas on May 24, 2019.

The original Ring film was released in Japan in 1998 and was directed by Hideo Nakata. It is an adaptation of Koji Suzuki’s horror novel of the same name about a cursed video that when watched kills the viewer seven days after watching.

The film kindled a J-horror boom when it was released. The antagonist of the film, Sadako Yamamura, has gone on to become the most famous ghost in Japan with the image of her crawling out of the TV with her white one piece and long black hair.

Now, 20 years on, with the times and shape of horror changing, the next entry to the franchise Sadako is set to hit theatres on May 24.

The poster displays the words “撮るな” (Toru na, “Don’t take a photo of me”) and just below it, a mysterious well with long black hair draped over it. What could those words mean?

The film will star Elaiza Ikeda as the main character Mayu Akigawa, a psychology counselor who gets involved in an incident with Yusuke Ishida, played by Takashi Tsukamoto, who will try to fix it. Hiroya Shimizu will play the part of Mayu’s younger brother Kazuma Akigawa who becomes a YouTuber to try and awaken Sadako’s curse. Himeka Himejima will play Jinko, a mysterious girl who lost her memory and is taken in at the hospital Mayu works at. Renn Kiriyama will play Mayu’s colleague Minori Fujii.

A giant advertising poster for the film will be put up under Shinjuku Station and Hankyu Umeda Station on February 18. Something very surprising will happen if you take a photo of it with your phone with flash turned on.