LOS ANGELES, July 3 (Xinhua) -- The 2017 Anime Expo hosted its first-ever live-action movie panel in anticipation of the release of the upcoming "Fullmetal Alchemist" movie with the director and the lead actor here on Monday.
Created by Hiromu Arakawa, a famous Japanese manga artist, the legendary comic "Fullmetal Alchemist" has sold over 70 million books worldwide. It was serialized from 2001 to 2010 and animed in 2003.
Based on the original comic, live-action movie "Fullmetal Alchemist" tells the story about two alchemist brothers who break a taboo in an attempt to bring their mother back to life and it goes horribly wrong. Then they go on a quest for the Philosopher's Stone in order to take back everything they have lost.
Director Fumihiko Sori and leading actor Ryosuke Yamada attended the panel as their first overseas anime convention. They revealed some new footage for the film, which won rounds of applause from the audience.
"The difference between the animation and live version probably is that, for the live version you get more of human connection and feelings, and you can dig deep in that human connection," Fumihiko Sori, the director of this movie, said at the press conference after the panel.
Ryosuke Yamada said he was very happy and honored to play the leading role. "I am so happy that 'Fullmetal Alchemist' is loved by so many people, not just in Japan but also in other countries," he said at the press conference. "I hope that people from different places will love this live action movie, and also the original comic."
Anime Expo would be the first stop on a promotional tour for the movie and the next stop on the tour is Paris' Japan Expo on July 7th. The movie will be on big screen in Japan on Dec. 1st.
Founded in 1991, Anime Expo has grown into the largest anime and manga convention in North America. The 2017 Anime Expo opened on Saturday and will end on Tuesday. Over 100,000 people are expected to attend.
