If you’re a fan of Power Rangers then the name Koichi Sakamoto should ring a bell for you. Acting as everything from stunt director to director and producer, Koichi Sakamoto’s run on Power Rangers was one of the longest running jobs spanning nearly 20 years. After leaving Power Rangers (though he did direct the final episode of Power Rangers Super Megaforce) he spent time working on both the Ultraman franchise as well as directing Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger which will be adapted next year as Power Rangers Dino Charge. Thanks to both the Tokusatsu Network as well as RangerCrew.com we can share with you the promotional images from the licensing expo as well as the pilot for this new series being developed by Gunblade Culture Industry SPC in South Korea. The press release, courtesy the Tokusatsu Network, is as follows:
Las Vegas, Nev. (June 12, 2014) – From the executive producer and director who brought adoring fans the hit popular series, “Power Rangers,” Koichi Sakamoto will bring to life the next generation of superheroes with a new action drama, “GUNBLADE.” The highly-anticipated show will be unveiled during the 2014 Licensing Expo at Mandalay Bay Convention Center on Tuesday, June 17.
During the three-day tradeshow, visitors of the Kocca booth will experience an exclusive eight-minute sneak preview of “GUNBLADE” and will also have the opportunity to interact with one of the superheroes.Produced by Gunblade Culture Industry SPC, a South Korean-based production company and a subsidiary of A mate Inc., “GUNBLADE” is the tale of the extraordinary “Gunblade Team,” a six-member special missions unit, assembled to protect and defend humankind against the evil Dr. Dexter and his super computer, “Olympus.” Seeking assistance to carry out his diabolical plan to destroy the Earth, Dr. Dexter resurrects an ancient destructive clan, “Gothic,” who had been sealed away for evildoing. Now with the threat of humanity becoming extinct, the Gunblade Team must stop Dr. Dexter from destroying the Earth. Equipped with the “GB Drive,” a special smart phone type device, GUNBLADE members can use its applications to transmit high-tech weaponry, assist in a variety of attack skills, garner protection by an impenetrable shield and even transform into a special armored suit.
“GUNBLADE is an extension of popular superhero programs that have appealed to audiences of all ages for years,” explains Sakamoto. “As a child, we looked up to superheroes because we wished we could be one ourselves. With superhuman powers, they saved the world from evil and got to wear cool costumes. As an adult, I believe our inner child still possesses that same feeling of admiration, which is why I believe superheroes have exploded in popularity and is what I hope to achieve with GUNBLADE.”
The $20 million budgeted production is scheduled to begin filming this August and will be on-air in Korea as early as March 2015. “GUNBLADE” will be distributed throughout select Asian markets in June and September 2015 and is planned to air in Europe and the United States by January of 2016.
The pilot trailer is below.
Currently, Gunblade is slated to release in March of 2015 in South Korea, select Asian countries the rest of 2015, and a potential airing in the United States and Europe in 2016. What do you think? Are you excited for Gunblade? Discuss the trailer/pilot in our discussion thread!
surprised no one is talking about this
Las Vegas, Nev. (June 12, 2014) – From the executive producer and director who brought adoring fans the hit popular series, “Power Rangers,” Koichi Sakamoto will bring to life the next generation of superheroes with a new action drama, “GUNBLADE.” The highly-anticipated show will be unveiled during the 2014 Licensing Expo at Mandalay Bay Convention Center on Tuesday, June 17.
During the three-day tradeshow, visitors of the Kocca booth will experience an exclusive eight-minute sneak preview of “GUNBLADE” and will also have the opportunity to interact with one of the superheroes.
Produced by Gunblade Culture Industry SPC, a South Korean-based production company and a subsidiary of A mate Inc., “GUNBLADE” is the tale of the extraordinary “Gunblade Team,” a six-member special missions unit, assembled to protect and defend humankind against the evil Dr. Dexter and his super computer, “Olympus.” Seeking assistance to carry out his diabolical plan to destroy the Earth, Dr. Dexter resurrects an ancient destructive clan, “Gothic,” who had been sealed away for evildoing. Now with the threat of humanity becoming extinct, the Gunblade Team must stop Dr. Dexter from destroying the Earth. Equipped with the “GB Drive,” a special smart phone type device, GUNBLADE members can use its applications to transmit high-tech weaponry, assist in a variety of attack skills, garner protection by an impenetrable shield and even transform into a special armored suit.
“GUNBLADE is an extension of popular superhero programs that have appealed to audiences of all ages for years,” explains Sakamoto. “As a child, we looked up to superheroes because we wished we could be one ourselves. With superhuman powers, they saved the world from evil and got to wear cool costumes. As an adult, I believe our inner child still possesses that same feeling of admiration, which is why I believe superheroes have exploded in popularity and is what I hope to achieve with GUNBLADE.”
The $20 million budgeted production is scheduled to begin filming this August and will be on-air in Korea as early as March 2015. “GUNBLADE” will be distributed throughout select Asian markets in June and September 2015 and is planned to air in Europe and the United States by January of 2016.
and here is the pilot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=236i57oggkw
Seems like Gunblade is also at the licensing expo too.
That sounds fairly interesting.
What the hell did I just read? Bad subtitles aside, that was pretty neat.
It looks, interesting? The production values of say a Sentai theatrical film. But with a transformation that feels very much like it's trying to be a Metal Hero and a costume that feels very much like a cross of Guyver and a rider kaijin.
Could be interesting though I'd really need to see more than a poorly subbed video to decide.
What the hell did I just read? Bad subtitles aside, that was pretty neat.
Dark of the Moon Soundwave's arms + Ironhide's face + Green Lantern powers = Gunblade.
This looks fricking awesome Im kinda pumped for this.
I feel like it isn't quite fair to criticise this in the way I would do other things, but oh my from the hilarious subs, to the butter knife, to the CG it was kinda terrible.
Which is a shame, as the actual suited fight had lots of cool little style touches, I really do like the suit design and the cast seem like they have a lot of energy and enjoyment in what they are doing.
Which is a shame, as the actual suited fight had lots of cool little style touches, I really do like the suit design and the cast seem like they have a lot of energy and enjoyment in what they are doing.
And you've got to love how the actress had more slow-mo high kicks, jeez.
It looks fun to get drunk to with friends though.
Keep reading: New Korean Toku: Koichi Sakamoto's Gunblade. - Page 2
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