'Gintama' movie release date, news: Movie to be released in the U.S. and Canada

A screenshot from the official trailer of "Gintama" live-actionYouTube/J Trailers

Popular manga and anime "Gintama" has had its live-action movie released in Japan recently. Now, western fans of the comedy manga and anime will be able to see the film as well, as Well Go USA has just confirmed its release for the U.S.

The announcement for the movie's release to the U.S. was confirmed by the company, as per Anime News Network. The live-action movie based on Hideaki Sorachi's "Gintama" manga will be out on DVD, Blu-ray Disc and  DVC combo pack, and Digital HD. These options will be available by March 6, 2018.

According to Comicbook.com, the movie will also be shown in theaters months before its release on DVD, as per usual. Well Go USA has partnered with film distributors Azoland Pictures and will screen the movie by Jan. 19, 2018 in both the United States and Canada.

While live-action movies are not exactly a popular genre given the previous live-action movies, "Gintama" found success in its first four days of release in Japan, earning 980 million yen or 8.9 million dollars. It has even inspired a live-action web series on Japan's Docomo dTV.

The movie was actually already screened in Canada during the Fantasia International Film Festival a few months ago. Needless to say, the film was a success shortly after its screening. Yuichi Fukuda and Shun Oguri, the director and the star of the film, respectively, were proud to announce that they would be working on a sequel, and it will be open in Summer of 2018.

"Gintama" has been around nearly a decade and a half already, and its continued success and support from fans is what makes the series go on. Sadly, the manga is set to end by next year, with the anime still catching up. Those who have not watched the anime can do so by streaming it for free via Crunchyroll.