【MMJ】 Production of the film “Zombie 1/2: Right Side of the Living Dead” has been confirmed! &Cast information released
MMJ Press release: October 3, 2025 To Members of the Press The film “Zombie 1/2: Right Side of the Living Dead” is in the works! & Cast Information Released An unprecedented zombie movie is in the works, starring a “half-zombie” who is the only sane person in a world after the end of a zombie pandemic! The film stars actor Sojiro Yoshimura and is directed by a 23-year-old up-and-coming female director in her second year at MMJ! We are pleased to announce the release of “Zombie 1/2: Right Side of the Living Dead,” an
unprecedented zombie film starring a “half-zombie” who is the only sane person in a world after the end of a zombie pandemic. It has been announced that the film “Dead~” will be produced, with actor Yoshimura Sojiro playing the lead role and director Ota Erika, a 23-year-old up-and-coming director in her second year at MMJ. This film”Right Side of the Living Dead”is the second installment of the “M CINEMA” project, a new challenge for Media Mix Japan (MMJ), a production company that has been at the forefront of filmmaking for many years. MMJ offers young employees in their 20s and 30s the opportunity to produce theatrical film projects. The first film, “V. MARIA” (released in April 2025), starring Kikuchi Himena, was shown at Meguro Cinema to sell out every day during its 50th anniversary screening, and was a huge success at theaters and film festivals around the country. This second installment was jointly planned and conceived by Yanagisawa Taisuke, an MMJ employee who loves B-movies and normally works as an actor’s manager, and Ota Erika, a zombie movie enthusiast. This time, Yanagisawa, a B-movie nerd, will be producing for the first time, while Ota, a self-proclaimed zombie fanatic who has watched countless zombie films, will be directing for the first time. Producer Yanagisawa explained the intention behind the project, saying, “I want audiences to experience the same formative experiences I had back then, rummaging through horror and B-movies at rental video stores and becoming obsessed with the feeling of having watched something I shouldn’t have.” The protagonist of this work is Ryoma Shingu, the last remaining “half-zombie” working as an office worker. He lives an ordinary life, wanting to “stay out of the way,” but one day he bites Uzame, a college student interning there, and a zombie pandemic breaks out. He’s meant to take on the fight to put an end to the chaos, but his inherently introverted nature gets in the way and he can’t get started. Zombie movies are often associated with horror films, but this film adds comedy elements and depicts the world of zombies in the “black comedy” genre. It aims to be a B-movie that can be enjoyed by people of all ages while depicting common zombie experiences. Director Erika Ota, making her directorial debut, commented, “When I discovered zombie movies, I wanted to spread the genre more widely in Japan, and I thought to myself, ‘I’ll be the director of a zombie movie someday!’ I want to create a film that only I can make at this point in my life.” The lead role is played by Yoshimura Soujiro, who played the lead role in PrimeVideo’s “A Special Person” (directed and written by Imaizumi Rikiya), a film about the line between friends with benefits and lovers. In preparation for filming, Yoshimura said, “This is my first time playing a zombie in a zombie movie, and I’m excited! The half-zombie protagonist coexists with a full-on comedy world, making it a very unique project.” He also said, “Through this role, I’ll do my best to convey the freedom and silly fun of comedy in my own way,” and appears to be fully prepared for filming to begin in early November. The movie is scheduled to be released in spring 2026.
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Sojiro Yoshimura [Synopsis] Humanity has triumphed over the zombie threat, leaving only one zombie remaining in the world. That “last zombie” is the protagonist of this work. He is a “half-zombie” who retains his sanity even after being bitten by a zombie, and he lives an ordinary life as an office worker, accepted by society. But one day, when she accidentally bites intern Uzame, a zombie pandemic breaks out! The situation involves her admired senior, Eruko, and zombie researcher Dr. Horafukida, and the mysterious man Hiiringu, who operates in the “Healing Half-Zombie House,” also appears… Will the protagonist be able to save the world and his loved ones? [Full comment] ● Yoshimura Soujiro / role of Shingu Ryoma I’m excited to be playing a zombie in a zombie movie for the first time! This is my first time starring in a comedy film, and I’m very honored. I don’t think it’s common for a zombie to star in a zombie movie. Of course, I can’t avoid talking, so the zombie is half-zombie, which is a rather unusual setting. When I first read the script, I was excited by the unique concept of a half-zombie protagonist coexisting with a full-blown comedy world. The protagonist, a half-zombie, has yet to become a full-blown zombie, and instead lives his life (?) as listless as young people in modern society. While he may seem full of flaws, he’s actually a fascinating character, and as the story progresses, we see his growth and unexpected side. I intend to explore various mediums to bring out his charm as much as possible. Through this role, I will do my best to convey the freedom and silly fun of comedy in my own way. ●Yanagisawa Taisuke / Producer When I was in elementary school, I often visited a local video rental store. For some reason, the horror movie section was at the very back, giving off the vibe of a place you shouldn’t approach carelessly. Back in the day, I’d rent horror movies based solely on the packaging, without my parents knowing, and secretly watch them late at night. The feeling of, “Oh no, I’ve just seen something scary that I shouldn’t have.” I thought I was only watching horror movies, but before I knew it, I was only watching B-movies. Back then, I was constantly fighting with myself to see how many crappy movies (and I mean that as a compliment) I could discover. I wonder if kids today, with rental stores now in decline, feel the same way? I came up with this project because I wanted someone to have that same formative movie experience. A new form of zombie film shot by a young female director. I hope you’ll come to the theater to see the protagonist, who is a zombie but also struggles and struggles as a man, and the slightly strange but lovable people around him. ●Erika Ota / Director This is my first time directing a film. To be honest, I didn’t earn this position through experience or talent. I still have a lot to learn, so I feel anxious and confused about directing. As a child, I had a vague dream of one day seeing my name somewhere in the end credits of a movie. When I first encountered zombie movies, I was fascinated by them and wanted to spread the genre more widely in Japan, so I thought to myself, “One day, I’ll direct a zombie movie!” I never expected my name to appear so soon, and especially as the last “director” to appear. I feel truly lucky, and I realize that if you keep talking about your dreams, they will come true. However, as I progress with the production, I realize that filmmaking constantly challenges what you believe in and what you want to portray. While learning through this project, I want to create a film that only I, at this point in my life, can make. I will do my best to deliver a film that will make viewers think, “This is interesting!” and “This kind of film is also possible.” [Credit] Title: ‘Zombie 1/2 ~Right Side of the Living Dead~” *Use a half-width space between “1/2” and “~” and between words. / Pronunciation: Zombi ni bun no ichi ~Right Side of the Living Dead~ Starring: Sojiro Yoshimura Producer: Taisuke Yanagisawa Director: Erika Ota Official X ＠zombie1_2 Instagram ＠zombie1_2_official #Half Zombie #MCINEMA ■About Media Mix Japan Inc. MMJ is a comprehensive entertainment production company that delivers “fun” and “surprising” content to the world, regardless of channel. Established in April 1993, MMJ began with television drama production and has steadily expanded its reach to include variety shows, stage productions, and film productions. With over 200 drama series, the company has firmly established itself as one of Japan’s leading drama production companies. In addition, the entertainment production company “BLUE LABEL,” established in 2016, has been attracting attention within the industry thanks to the success of Hayato Isomura, Miyu Sakihi, Himena Kikuchi, and the new addition of Shunsuke Daito. ■Company Profile Company Name: Media Mix Japan Inc. Japan Co., Ltd. Abbreviation: MMJ) Address: Shin-Nogizaka Building 7F, 1-15-14 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062 Representative: Representative Director and President Yuji Tojo Established: April 2, 1993 Official website:
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https://www.instagram.com/mmj_pro/ ■Major Productions: 【Drama】 “The Housekeeper Mitazono,” “Wave, Listen to Me!”, “Hayabusa Fire Brigade,” “On a Starry Night,” “Alibi Destruction,” “The Man Who Can’t Get Married,” “The Statute of Limitations Police Has Started,” “Stolen Love, “Summer,” “Chief Special Agent Tadano Hitoshi,” “Wonderful Taxi,” “GTO,” “White Spring,” “Dragon Zakura,” “At Home Dad,” “Your Hands are Whispering,” and more. [Movies] “V. MARIA,” “Horror Doll,” “Run! T School Basketball Club,” “Masked Noise,” “Gift” Other [Variety] “This Date is Fiction,” “The Strongest LINE Group Trip,” “Freestyle Dungeon,” “Uchida Atsuto’s SDGs School!”, “Rap Star”, “Umeda Cipher’s Wednesday The NIGHT”, and more [Stage Play] “Kaasan no Mitazono THE STAGE “Les Miserables Bath,” “Father of the Galaxy Railroad,” “Always Have Chopin in My Pocket,” “Young Master Mairu,” “My Host-chan” series, and more The end
