For the pricing game, see List of Price Is Right pricing games#Joker.
Joker Game
Ja kanjiジョーカー・ゲーム
Ja romajiJōkā Gēmu
GenreMystery, political thriller, spy[1][2]
Joker Game
novel series
AuthorKoji Yanagi
PublisherKadokawa Shoten
FirstAugust 28, 2008
LastMarch 25, 2016
Volumes4
D no Maō
manga
AuthorKayoko Shimotsuki
PublisherShogakukan
Magazine
FirstJanuary 5, 2009
LastMay 27, 2010
Volumes3
Joker Game
manga
AuthorKayoko Shimotsuki
PublisherShogakukan
MagazineBig Comic Spirits
FirstNovember 14, 2014
LastJanuary 19, 2015
Volumes1
Joker Game
live film
DirectorYu Irie
WriterYūsuke Watanabe
MusicTaisei Iwasaki
StudioToho
ReleasedJanuary 31, 2015
Runtime107 minutes
Joker Game the Animation
manga
AuthorSubaru Nitō
PublisherMag Garden
MagazineMonthly Comic Garden
ImprintBlade Comics
FirstFebruary 5, 2016
LastFebruary, 2018
Volumes5
Joker Game
tv series
DirectorKazuya Nomura
Producer
  • Sachi Kawamoto
  • Kazuo Ōnuki
  • Hirotsugu Ose
  • Natsumi Mori
  • Noritomo Isogai
  • Keisuke Arai
  • Shungo Eguchi
  • Yōko Shiraishi
WriterTaku Kishimoto
MusicKenji Kawai
StudioProduction I.G
Licensee
NetworkAT-X, Tokyo MX, MBS, TV Aichi, BS11
FirstApril 5, 2016
LastJune 21, 2016
Episodes12 + 2 OVA

Joker Game (ジョーカー・ゲーム, Jōkā Gēmu) is a Japanese novel series written by Koji Yanagi. It has inspired a live-action film, two manga adaptations and an anime television series produced by Production I.G, which aired from April to June 2016.

Characters

(結城, Yuuki)
[3]
Yuuki is the founder of D-Agency, a lieutenant colonel of the Imperial Japanese Army, and a spymaster. As a spy he was named as the "Demon Lord." He is the adopted son of Viscount Arisaki, originally known as Akira Arisaki. He is good at academics, but was expelled from the military school for his cowardly tactics of fighting. This led him to open up the D-Agency, or this is what the information trail he left behind explains, but the spy who uncovers this information finds that it may all be a fabrication taken from another individual altogether.
(佐久間, Sakuma)
[3]
A man from the Imperial Japanese Army, Sakuma was sent to D-Agency to work as a liaison. He is a diligent soldier and is cautious of his surroundings. Although he personally dislikes spies, after the incident in Gordon's house, he has grown to understand them.
(三好, Miyoshi)
[3]
Miyoshi is a narcissist with an arrogant nature. He often talks in a sarcastic tone. Like Kaminaga, he often works overseas. He acts bitter towards Sakuma at first because of his fixed thought about the military, but this soon changes after their first mission together.
(神永, Kaminaga)
[3]
At first glance, he gives the atmosphere of a mischievous, happy-go-lucky playboy. He has a lot of pride. Like Miyoshi, he works overseas.
(小田切, Odagiri)
[3]
His real name is Tobisaki Hiroyuki. Graduated from military academy and cadet school, he is unique compared to other members of D-Agency. He was appointed as the second lieutenant. He rarely laughs and is somewhat distant to the other D-Agency members. In most visuals, he is shown to be not very good at handling alcohol.
(甘利, Amari)
[3]
One of the oldest along with Kaminaga. A man with a sociable and caring personality, he is like a big brother to the other agency members. He is a very carefree man who is good at handling women.
(波多野, Hatano)
[3]
While he is said to be charming and proud, he has a cheeky personality. He is a master martial artist and is very agile.
(実井, Jitsui)
[3]
He has a friendly personality, even to Sakuma who was antagonized by most of the members of the agency. He is soft-spoken and caring, but sometimes when he is against a hostile enemy, he shows a sadistic side.
(田崎, Tazaki)
He talks calmly and gives an intellectual atmosphere which makes him sound older than he looks. He has the habit of doing magic when he is thinking. In his conversation card, Amari stated that he can see how stressed Tazaki is from the amount of pigeons flying out from his coat.
(福本, Fukumoto)
While he is goofy and quiet in nature, he gets along with Odagiri. He can cook.
(蒲生 次郎, Gamou Jirou)
He is a professional at chess and is known as a good man even in missions that require no emotions.

Media

Novels

The original novel, Joker Game, published by Kadokawa Shoten on August 28, 2008,[4] is a collection of five short stories written by Koji Yanagi.[5] Three of them were published directly in the novel, but two of them—"Joker Game" and "Robinson"—were first published in Kadokawa Shoten mystery magazine Yasei Jidai on its November 2007 and May 2008 issues respectively.[5] The same happened in the following novels; Double Joker, released on August 29, 2009,[6] featured five stories that were previously serialized in Yasei Jidai, an original story—"Black Bird"–and a story that was slated to the magazine October 2009 issue.[7][8] Paradise Lost, released on March 23, 2012,[9] contained five stories published between Yasei Jidais July 2011 and March 2012 issues.[10][11] Released on January 17, 2015,[12] the four stories of Last Waltz had previously been published between Yasei Jidais September 2014 and January 2015 issues.[13][14]

Manga

Kayoko Shimotsuki wrote two manga adaptations of the series. The first, D no Maō (Dの魔王), adapts the first novel and debuted in Shogakukan's seinen manga magazine Weekly Big Comic Spirits on January 5, 2009.[15] The manga was later transferred to Monthly Big Comic Spirits, where it was serialized from August 27, 2009,[16] to May 27, 2010.[17][18] Shogakukan collected its chapters in three tankōbon volumes, released from August 28, 2009, to July 30, 2010.[19][20][21] The second manga, adapting the film, was simply titled Joker Game and serialized in Big Comic Spirits between November 17, 2014,[22] and January 19, 2015,[23] the same day its sole tankōbon was published.[23]

A manga by Subaru Nitō adapting the anime was announced in the February 2016 issue of Mag Garden's Comic Garden magazine. It began its serialization in the March 2016 issue of Mag Garden's Comic Garden Magazine on February 5, 2016, which contained the first two chapters of the manga.[24] The manga titled Joker Game the Animation has been collected into five volumes released on May 10, 2016, and March 10, 2018.[25][26]

Film

A live-action action suspense film directed by Yu Irie based on the novel was released on January 31, 2015.[27][28] Starring Kazuya Kamenashi, Yūsuke Iseya and Kyoko Fukada, it was filmed during April 2014 in Singapore and in Batam, Indonesia.[29] Irie described it as an international production since it featured British and Australian actors and only 20% of the crew was composed of Japanese people.[30] The film's budget was partially financed by Nippon Television and it was distributed by Toho.[31] The film earned ¥271 million on its opening weekend in Japan,[28] closing its run with ¥960 million grossed.[32] It received 225 votes (out of 677) and won the Fan Grand Prize of the Nikkan Sports Film Award.[33] Its North American premiere was held during the Japan Cuts festival on July 9, 2015.[34]

Anime

An anime television series was announced in the September issue of Kadokawa's Newtype magazine. The 12-episode series was produced by Production I.G, directed by Kazuya Nomura and written by Taku Kishimoto.[35][36] Shirow Miwa provided the series' character designs and Kenji Kawai composed the music.[1] The anime began airing on April 5, 2016, on AT-X, Tokyo MX, MBS, TV Aichi and BS11, finishing on June 21, 2016.[37][38] The two Blu-ray disc released on July 27, 2016, and September 28, 2016, respectively, contained an original video animation each, titled Kuroneko Yoru no Bōken.[39][40] QUADRANGLE performed the anime's opening theme, titled "Reason Triangle", and MAGIC OF LiFE performed the anime's ending theme, titled "Double." The anime is licensed in North America by Funimation and simulcast through the streaming website Crunchyroll.[41]

Reception

In 2008, Joker Game ranked second on Kono Mystery ga Sugoi! and third on Shūkan Bunshun Mystery Best 10.[42] In 2009, Joker Game won the Yoshikawa Eiji Prize for New Writers and the Mystery Writers of Japan Award for Best Novel.[1][29] The anime won the special Nogizaka46 Award given by the Newtype magazine.[43]

References

  1. ^ "Kōji Yanagi's Joker Game Novels Get TV Anime Adaptation". Anime News Network. August 7, 2015. Archived August 7, 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  2. ^ Chapman, Jacob (April 13, 2016). "Episodes 1-2 - Joker Game". Anime News Network. Archived May 27, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 6, 2020. Two episodes into Joker Game, and this political thriller is definitely done trying to bury the lede.
  3. ^ "Fall 2016 SimulDub™ English Cast Announcements – For The Love of Dubs - Funimation – Blog!". www.funimation.com. 18 October 2016. Archived 2016-10-19 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2016-11-10.
  4. ^ "KADOKAWA Corporation" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. Archived October 22, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  5. ^ "KADOKAWA Corporation" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. Archived March 30, 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  6. ^ "KADOKAWA Corporation" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. Archived April 25, 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  7. ^ "KADOKAWA Corporation" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. Archived April 10, 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  8. ^ "ダブル・ジョーカー" (in Japanese). CiNii. Archived October 24, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  9. ^ "KADOKAWA Corporation" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. Archived October 22, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  10. ^ "パラダイス・ロスト" (in Japanese). CiNii. Archived October 24, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  11. ^ The following sources confirm the publication of "Kikan" (retitled "Gosan" for the novel), "Paradise Lost", "Tsuiseki" and "Angō-mei: Keruberosu" (part 1 and 2) in Yasei Jidai: *"小説 野性時代7月号(6月13日発売)" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. Archived November 3, 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 24, 2016. *"小説 野性時代9月号(8月11日発売)" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. Archived November 3, 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 24, 2016. *"小説 野性時代11月号(10月12日発売)" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. Archived January 25, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 24, 2016. *"小説 野性時代1月号(12月12日発売)" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. Archived August 24, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 24, 2016. *"小説 野性時代3月号(2月13日発売)" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. Archived August 20, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  12. ^ "KADOKAWA Corporation" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. Archived October 24, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  13. ^ "ラスト・ワルツ" (in Japanese). CiNii. Archived October 24, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  14. ^ The following sources confirm the publication of "Valkyrie" (part 1 and 2), "Budōkai no Yoru" and "Asia Express" in Yasei Jidai: *"小説 野性時代9月号(8月12日発売)" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. Archived February 24, 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 24, 2016. *"小説 野性時代10月号(9月12日発売)" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. Archived February 24, 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 24, 2016. *"小説 野性時代11月号(10月11日発売)" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. Archived February 24, 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 24, 2016. *"小説 野性時代1月号(12月12日発売)" (in Japanese). Kadokawa Shoten. Archived February 24, 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  15. ^ Shimotsuki, Kayoko (December 31, 2008). "ja:Dの魔王" (in Japanese). Shimotsuki Kayoko Website -DIARY-. Archived February 4, 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  16. ^ "ja:月刊！スピリッツ本日創刊。豪華19作品＋2大付録" (in Japanese). Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc. August 27, 2009. Archived October 26, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  17. ^ Shimotsuki, Kayoko (May 21, 2010). "ja:ヒャッッHOOO〜！！" (in Japanese). Shimotsuki Kayoko Website -DIARY-. Archived October 22, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 22, 2021. 今月末頃発売の月刊スピリッツにて『Dの魔王』最終回です！よろしくお願いします〜！！ [The final chapter of "D no Maō" will be released in Monthly Spirits around the end of this month! thank you~! !! ]
  18. ^ "ja:B・Cスピリッツ増刊 月刊スピリッツ! 2010年7月号" (in Japanese). Neowing. Archived October 22, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  19. ^ "ja:Ｄの魔王 １" (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived October 22, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  20. ^ "ja:Ｄの魔王 ２" (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived October 22, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  21. ^ "ja:Ｄの魔王 ３" (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived October 22, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  22. ^ "ja:柳広司「ジョーカー・ゲーム」映画化記念、霜月かよ子のマンガ版新章開幕" (in Japanese). Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc. November 17, 2014. Archived November 6, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  23. ^ "ja:映画公開直前「ジョーカー・ゲーム」霜月かよ子のマンガ版が単行本に" (in Japanese). Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc. January 19, 2015. Archived October 22, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  24. ^ "Joker Game Spy Anime Gets Manga Adaptation in February". Anime News Network. January 4, 2016. Archived January 5, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  25. ^ ja:ジョーカー・ゲーム THE ANIMATION 1 (BLADE COMICS) [Joker Game The Animation 1 (Blade Comics)] (in Japanese). ASIN 4800005728.
  26. ^ ja:ジョーカー・ゲーム THE ANIMATION 5 (BLADE COMICS) [Joker Game The Animation 5 (Blade Comics)] (in Japanese). ASIN 4800007518.
  27. ^ "ja:ジョーカー・ゲーム(2014)" (in Japanese). allcinema. Stingray. Archived February 4, 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
  28. ^ Gavin J. Blair (February 2, 2015). "Japan Box Office: 'Big Hero 6' Tops Fifth Weekend, 'Exodus' Opens in Fourth". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived April 25, 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
  29. ^ "亀梨和也が"天才スパイ"に！深田恭子＆伊勢谷友介と共演…映画『ジョーカー・ゲーム』" (in Japanese). CinemaCafé.net. IID. April 6, 2014. Archived December 3, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  30. ^ "Japan Cuts 2015 Hibi Rock/Joker Game Yu Irie Exclusive Interview". TheDivaReview.com. July 9, 2015. Archived March 7, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  31. ^ Hale, Mike (July 3, 2015). "Japan Cuts Film Festival at Japan Society Emphasizes the Eccentric". The New York Times. Archived November 8, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  32. ^ "嵐・松本潤の新作映画発表で気になる「大コケジャニーズ映画」はこの4作!" (in Japanese). Asajo. Tokuma Shoten. July 8, 2016. Archived October 24, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  33. ^ "ファン大賞は「ジョーカー・ゲーム」／映画大賞" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. December 29, 2015. Archived September 15, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  34. ^ "Joker Game". Japan Society. Archived August 18, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  35. ^ "Kenyuu Horiuchi, More Star in Joker Game Anime's Cast". Anime News Network. December 25, 2015. Archived December 29, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  36. ^ "Joker Game Spy Mystery Anime Will Have 12 Episodes". Anime News Network. March 30, 2016. Archived April 2, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
  37. ^ "Joker Game Spy Anime Premieres on April 5". Anime News Network. March 6, 2016. Archived March 7, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  38. ^ "Joker Game Anime Reveals Key Visual, Additional Staff, April Premiere". Anime News Network. December 10, 2015. Archived November 8, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
  39. ^ "Blu-ray BOX 上巻" (in Japanese). Joke Gamer anime official website. Archived November 5, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
  40. ^ "Joker Game Anime Blu-rays to Include Original Animation". Anime News Network. April 5, 2016. Archived December 4, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  41. ^ "Crunchyroll, Funimation Announce Partnership to Share Content Via Streaming, Home Video, Est.". Anime News Network. September 8, 2016. Archived September 19, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
  42. ^ "柳広司の小説「ジョーカー・ゲーム」、「攻殻機動隊」のProduction I.Gがアニメ化!" (in Japanese). Eiga.com. August 14, 2015. Archived June 22, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  43. ^ "Shinkai's 'your name.,' Kabaneri Win Top Newtype Anime Awards". Anime News Network. October 9, 2016. Archived November 8, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 9, 2016.