The ever popular ACE ATTORNEY (Gyakuten Saiban-2012/Mystery, Drama/Approx. 130 min) manga and video game comes alive in this live action feature film to be screened EXCLUSIVELY at this summer’s most anticipated Anime, Manga and Music event AM2. Two screenings will be available-one EXCLUSIVELY for Passport holders ONLY and the second for Passport holders preferred (with general attendees as seating permits). More info and attendee registration can be found at www.am2con.org

First released in 2001 for the Nintendo “GAME BOY”, ACE ATTORNEY was ported for the DS, PC, Wii. With four games in the series, Ace Attorney has sold over 4.2 million copies worldwide. The series has been further popularized and continues to build a new fan base via the advent of spinoff series Ace Prosecutor (gyakuten-kenji in Japanese) to the game appearing on GREE, Japan’s leading social networking service and in comic book form. In 2008, the Tokyo Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra performed a concert based on the game, and the following year, the Takarazuka Revue Company started their live musical performance of the series.

Set in a futuristic, fictional Japan courtroom where “bench trials” have been implemented to fight rising crime, the appealing amusement of Ace Attorney has to be its leading character, hot-blooded, sometimes 4th-down-and-long-Hail-Mary rookie defense lawyer, Phoenix Wright. The speedy storyline, filled with twists and turns of sheer enjoyment, unfolds as Phoenix finds the truth and wins his case. Rising from the ashes when the chips are down, he challenges the court with “evidence” collected through his own investigations and exposes the actual criminals and their pack of lies.

The story structure of the film is based on the characters and amusing story twists from the first work in the series. Penning the screenplay are none other than the cop and courtroom drama master Takeshi Iida (writer for SHINZANMONO and PARTNERS) as well as Sachiko Oguchi (KAIJI 2) who is popular for her fast paced scripts. The director is hit-maker Takashi Miike, world-renowned for his talent and the pride of the Japan filmmaking world whose latest works always attract attention. In this film, Miike depicts a heated courtroom battle by evoking his novel visual sense with VFX and CG and his unique “Miike magic” directing of actors from films like YATTERMAN, the CROWS – Episod 0, CROWS and Thirteens Assassins. While most films set in courtrooms tend to offer low-key, pedestrian visuals, the courtroom scenes in this film are amazingly attractive for audiences.

Hiroki Narimiya, the talented young actor whose performances in Drop and the TV series Bad Boy & Good Girl resonated with a new generation of young people, plays the hot-blooded, rookie lawyer Phoenix Wright. His childhood friend and ultimate rival Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth is played by Takumi Saitoh (medical TV series Saijo no Meii), a younger actor in the limelight. Extremely popular, teenage actress Mirei Kiritani plays the damsel in distress Maya Fey, a spirit medium in training. Veteran actors from the Japanese film world and regular Miike Takashi film actors including Ryo Ishibashi (Audition, Ju-On The Grudge), Rei Dan (Kabei: Our Mother), Fumiyo Kohinata, Kimiko Yo (Departures), Akira Emoto, round out the cast. Court is in session for this “courtroom battle” entertainment film at theatres nationwide on February 11, 2012. Don’t miss it!

SYNOPSIS

In 20XX, to prevent the rise of vicious crimes the government introduces “bench trials” a new justice system where the defense and prosecutor go head-to-head in open court. Within just three days, a guilty or not guilty verdict is decided.

Talented attorney Mia Fey, who shows understanding for her junior lawyer, Phoenix Wright (Hiroki Narimiya), is murdered. Arrested for the murder is her spirit medium in training sister Maya Fey (Mirei Kiritani). Phoenix believes in Maya’s innocence and takes the case where he meets Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth (Takumi Saito), a level-headed, prodigy attorney and childhood friend. An intense courtroom battle unfolds as testimony and evidence are presented.

After the trial, Phoenix receives word that Miles has been arrested for murder! Phoenix steps forward to defend Miles. Opposing council is none other than Miles’s master, legendary prosecutor von Karma (Ryo Ishibashi) who has been undefeated in court for 40 years. As the trial goes on, the 15 year old DL-6 case, where Miles’s father Gregory Edgeworth was shot and killed in the evidence room, is examined closely.

What will become of Phoenix, Miles and Maya? What dangerous truth lies behind this mysterious case?

Staff and the Cast

Directed by Takashi Miike

Screenplya by Takeshi Iida, Sachiko Oguchi

Music by Koji Endo

Theme Song by pronograffitti (SME Records)

CHARACTERS (Japanese name follows the English name)

- Hiroki Narimiya as Phoenix Wright (Ryuichi Naruhodo) A hot-blooded, rookie lawyer.

- Takumi Saitoh as Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth (Reiji Mitsurugi) A calm, cool genius prosecutor. Phoenix’s childhood friend and fateful rival.

- Mirei Kiritani as Maya Fey (Mayoi Ayasato) Phoenix’s client. A spirit medium in training. Mia’s younger sister.

- Akiyoshi Nakao as Larry Butz (Masashi Yahari) Phoenix’s childhood friend. A good-for-nothing loveable guy.

- Shunsuke Daito as Detective Dick Gumshoe (Keisuke Itonokogiri) A shoot-from-the-hip cop who places his trust in Miles’s ability to convict felons.

- Akira Emoto as The Judge aka Your Honor (Saibancho) A veteran judge who calls, “Order in the court.”

- Rei Dan as Mia Fey (Chihiro Ayasato) A talented lawyer. Phoenix’s boss and sister to Maya.

- Mitsuki Tanimura as Lotta Hart (Natsumi Osawagi) A would-be cameraman and witness to the alleged shooting. She speaks in an Osaka dialect which is translated as a Southern dialect.

- Takehiro Hira as Attorney Gregory Edgeworth (Shin Mitsurugi) Miles’s father and role-model reason for becoming a lawyer. He was a victim in the DL-6 case.

- Esuke Sasai as Robert Hammond (Yukio Namakura) The defendant lawyer in the DL-6 case who represented Yanni Yogi.

- Makoto Ayukawa as Redd White (Masaru Konaka) Freelance magazine writer, wiretapper, witness to Mia’s murder and possibly more.

- Kimiko Yo as Misty Fey (Maiko Ayasato) A spirit medium. Mother to Mia and Maya.

- Ryo Ishibashi as Prosecutor von Karma (Gou Karuma) Miles’s master, a legendary prosecutor who has not lost a case in 40 years. He turns out to be the true criminal behind the DL-6 case.

- Fumiyo Kohitani as Yanni Yogi (Koutarou Haine) Former court agent. A defendant in the DL-6 case. His wife Polly later committed suicide. He also has a pet parrot named after his wife.

Attendees can avoid the anticipated huge lines at autographs, premiere screenings, workshops, main events, and panels by purchasing a Passport fast pass for the event. The Passport fast pass will also provide holders with access to Main Events and Concert events as well as major discounts with theme parks, retailers and local restaurants. Bypass the lines and get your Passport today and experience the difference!

AM2 current activities include Exhibit Hall, AMV’s, Arcade, Summer Festival, Behind the Voice Actors Studio, Masquerade, Dances, Fashion Shows, Table Top, Console Gaming, Workshops, Panels, Concerts and more!