Akira Toriyama, the renowned creator of the iconic “Dragon Ball” series, needs no introduction among anime fans. While many are familiar with his groundbreaking work on “Dragon Ball,” fewer may know about his other projects. However, anime enthusiasts now have the opportunity to delve into one of Toriyama’s lesser-known works, as “Sand Land” is being adapted into a CGI movie set to hit theaters soon. Here’s everything we know so far about the plot, release date, and production details of “Sand Land.”
What is “Sand Land” about?
“Sand Land” is a short series written and illustrated by Akira Toriyama. It was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from May 2000 to August 2000. The story takes place in a future Earth where all water supplies have been depleted due to natural disasters and wars. The planet is now covered in nothing but sand, with only the King’s personal water supply remaining.
The scarcity of water leads to citizens resorting to robbing each other, resulting in a state of complete chaos. Sheriff Rao, left with no other choice, seeks help from the demons of Sand Land to find new water sources. The Demon prince Beelzebub, along with his friend Thief, agrees to assist the Sheriff, and the trio embarks on a thrilling adventure.
Sand Land Anime Movie Release Date
According to the official website, “Sand Land” is scheduled for release in theaters on Friday, August 18, 2023. The anticipation for the movie soared after the release of a trailer on April 3, 2023, which provided information about the cast voices. However, some fans expressed skepticism regarding the use of CGI, drawing comparisons to “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
Staff Members and Production Details
The CGI adaptation of “Sand Land” will be a collaborative effort between 2023 Studio Sunrise, Kamikaze Douga, and ANIMA. The movie will be distributed by TOHO, a well-known name in the industry.
Toshihisa Yokoshima has been appointed as the director of the movie, while Hayashi Mori takes on the responsibility of writing the script. Yugo Kanno will be in charge of the music, with Yoshikazu Iwanami serving as the sound director.
As of June 5, 2023, the confirmed cast members of Sand Land movie include:
| Voice Actor | Character |
| Mutsumi Tamura | Beelzebub |
| Akio Otsuha | Satan |
| Chafunin | King |
| Cho | Thief |
| Hiroyuki Yoshino | Shark |
| Kazuhiro Yamaji | Rao |
| Koji Yusa | Pike |
| Masafumi Kobatake | Guppy |
| Nobuo Tobita | General Zeu |
| Satosi Tsruoka | General Are |
| Tomakazu Sugito | Swimmer’s Papa |
With a dedicated team spearheading the production, fans can expect to witness Akira Toriyama’s brilliant work come to life, complete with captivating character designs and stunning visual effects. Further information about the movie will be shared as soon as it becomes available, so stay tuned for updates on this exciting adaptation!
