Library Wars

This article is about the 2013 film. For the original property, see Library War. For other uses, see Library War (disambiguation).
Library Wars
Theatrical release poster
Kanji図書館戦争
Revised HepburnToshokan Sensō
Directed byShinsuke Sato
Screenplay byAkiko Nogi
Based onLibrary War
by Hiro Arikawa
Produced byTamako Tsujimoto
Starring
CinematographyTarō Kawazu
Edited byTsuyoshi Imai
Music byYū Takami
Production
company
Sedic International
Distributed byToho
Release dates
  • March 18, 2013 (2013-03-18) (Hong Kong)
  • April 27, 2013 (2013-04-27) (Japan)
Running time
128 minutes[1]
CountryJapan
LanguageJapanese
Box office
  • ¥1.72 billion (Japan)[2]
  • $16.8 million (worldwide)[3]

Library Wars (Japanese: 図書館戦争, Hepburn: Toshokan Sensō) is a 2013 Japanese film based on the light novel series Library War by Hiro Arikawa. Produced by Sedic International and distributed by Toho, the film was directed by Shinsuke Sato from a script written by Akiko Nogi. It stars Junichi Okada as Atsushi Dojo and Nana Eikura as Iku Kasahara, alongside Kei Tanaka, Sota Fukushi, Naomi Nishida, Jun Hashimoto, Kazuma Suzuki, Kazuyuki Aijima, Kyusaku Shimada, Kiyoshi Kodama, Chiaki Kuriyama, and Kōji Ishizaka. In the film, Kasahara joins the Library Defense Force, an organization tasked to protect libraries against the Media Betterment Committee from censorship, where she meets Dojo as her instructor.

A live-action film adaptation to be directed by Sato was announced in August 2012, along with the casting of Okada and Eikura. Filming began in September 2012 and concluded in December of that year, taking place at Saitama, Ibaraki, Yamanashi, and Fukuoka prefectures. Additional cast were revealed in November 2012. The film was completed in February 2013.

Library Wars premiered in Hong Kong on March 18, 2013, and was released in Japan on April 27. The film grossed ¥1.72 billion in Japan. A sequel, Library Wars: The Last Mission, premiered in 2015.

Plot

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In 1988, the Media Betterment Act becomes a law which limits freedom of speech, particularly in media publications, because Japan sees it as a bad influence on their people. The Media Betterment Committee gets armed to enforce the law. In 2004, the Library Defense Force is established by Iwao Nishina, a survivor of the Hino Library incident in 1999, as its commander to combat the censorship.

In a bookstore, high school student Iku Kasahara witnesses the Media Betterment Committee confiscating the books, including her favorite fairy tale book. When she resists to give up her book, Kasahara is saved by a mysterious member of the Library Defense Force who orders the Media Betterment agents that the books are now under their protection. This incident inspires Kasahara to join the Library Defense Force in 2019 to find her so-called "prince", where she is placed under the supervision of instructor Atsushi Dojo, whom she has trouble getting along. Later, she and Hikaru Tezuka are transferred to the elite unit Library Task Force led by its squad leader Ryusuke Genda. As they return to base following their training camp, the task force passes by a bookstore, where Kasahara witnesses another censorship operation. She immediately intervenes in the operation and declares the books to be under the Library Defense Force's protection, but her rank is low to collect the books. Kasahara is saved by Dojo but later gets reprimanded for her reckless actions.

Later, the Media Betterment Committee demands the Library Defense Force to surrender the graphic novels being kept in their headquarters, the Musashino Library, as part of an ongoing murder investigation in which those novels are found in the murderer's possession and might have inspired him to commit the crime. The Library Defense Force refuses, causing the Media Betterment Committee to use force to access the library. While fighting is taking place outside, library staffer and Kasahara's friend Asako Shibasaki finds two Media Betterment agents entering the premise. Kasahara and Tezuka engage with the intruders and manage to retrieve the confiscated books. The assault, which only lasts for an hour as per the agreement, ends. Afterward, Tezuka wants Kasahara to be his girlfriend, but she is not giving him an answer for now.

Sometime later, industrialist Sohachi Nobeyama, who owns a museum in Odawara where the documents regarding illegalities on the passing of the Act can be found, passes away. As per Nobeyama's last will, all of the materials in the museum will be transferred to Musashino Library. The Library Defense Force prepares to defend the museum from the Media Betterment Committee's assault. Genda dismisses Kasahara from the task force and assigns her to guard Nishina during his visit to the funeral. Later, Kasahara and Nishina get kidnapped by supporters of the law, who demand the Library Defense Force to burn the museum materials. Kasahara is allowed to talk to confirm their safety and gives the Library Defense Force a hint that they are somewhere in Tachikawa. Dojo and Mikihisa Komaki manage to rescue Kasahara and Nishina. The hostage taking and the assault at the museum gets published on newspapers by journalist and Nishina's friend Maki Orikuchi. Meanwhile, Kasahara rejects Tezuka and later realizes that her prince is Dojo.

Cast

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Production

[edit]
The Kitakyushu City Central Library in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka was used to depict the outside view of Musashino Library, the Library Defense Force headquarters.[5]

A live-action film adaptation of the light novel series Library War by Hiro Arikawa was announced in August 2012, with Shinsuke Sato serving as the director. That month, Junichi Okada and Nana Eikura were cast as Atsushi Dojo and Iku Kasahara, respectively.[6] Principal photography began on September 29, 2012, with filming locations set on Iruma Air Base and Kumagaya Air Base in Saitama Prefecture, and libraries in Mito, Ibaraki, Kōfu, Yamanashi, and Kitakyushu, Fukuoka.[7] The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force provided assistance.[7] The gunfight scene that was filmed in a shopping center at Jōsō, Ibaraki had more than 5,000 gunshots fired, in addition to 40,000 magazines and books scattered all over the floor.[8] In November 2012, Chiaki Kuriyama, Kōji Ishizaka, Kei Tanaka, Jun Hashimoto, Naomi Nishida, and Sota Fukushi joined the cast.[9] Ishizaka played an original character named Iwao Nishina.[10] The film wrapped on December 5, 2012.[11] In February 2013, Jōji Abe, a Japanese actor and member of the theater troupes Caramel Box and Sky Rocket, was confirmed to be making an appearance.[12] The film was completed later that month after its dubbing was concluded.[13]

Music

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Yū Takami composed the theme song for Library Wars, titled "Library Wars", and the film's original soundtrack. The song was released on March 20, 2013, and the soundtrack on April 24.[14]

Marketing

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The teaser trailer for Library Wars was released in December 2012.[15] A collaboration between the film and the manga series Sgt. Frog was revealed in March 2013, in which the titular character, Sergeant Keroro, joined the Library Defense Force with the rank of Library Clerk First Class, the same rank as with Kasahara, despite the sergeant rank in his name.[16] The film also collaborated with the Japanese tonkatsu chain store Kimukatsu [ja].[17]

Release

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Theatrical

[edit]

Library Wars had its world premiere at the Hong Kong International Film & Television Market in Hong Kong on March 18, 2013.[18][19] The film was released in Japan on April 27, 2013.[9] It was screened at the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival in Bucheon, South Korea in late July 2013,[20] at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal, Quebec on July 30,[21] at the Japan Film Festival of San Francisco in San Francisco, California on August 2–3,[22] and at LA EigaFest in Los Angeles, California on December 8.[23][24]

Home media

[edit]

Library Wars was released on Blu-ray and DVD in Japan on November 13, 2013.[25] The film was added on Netflix in Japan on February 23, 2023.[26]

Reception

[edit]

Box office

[edit]

Library Wars grossed ¥1.72 billion in Japan, becoming the twenty-second highest-grossing Japanese film in 2013.[2] The film had a worldwide box office gross of $16.8 million.[3] It grossed ¥217 million in its opening weekend and debuted at fourth place in box office rankings.[27][28] It earned an additional ¥226 million in the second weekend and surpassed the one-billion-yen box-office milestone in the third weekend after earning ¥97.4 million.[29][30]

Critical response

[edit]

Mark Adams of Screen Daily stated that Library Wars was a "sci-fi film that makes the most of the most incongruous of action concepts." Adams lauded Sato for his direction, particularly his handling of action sequences while layering humor and romance into the storyline. He also felt that Kuriyama's casting would help boost the film's international profile due to her role in Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003).[18] Andrew Mack of Screen Anarchy felt the film was "thoroughly entertaining and funny" and praised its action sequences and romance plot.[31] Clarence Tsui of The Hollywood Reporter felt the film was "more like an inflated tele-serial skipping from one thread to another, sometimes with its dystopian settings largely forgotten as the main protagonists' light-as-air emotional struggles taking over." Tsui noted that the raison d'être for Japan's tolerance on Library Defense Force despite being an authoritarian state was never made clear. Despite that, she found that the conflict between the authorities and armed librarians was used as "devices through which Kasahara builds her character and she and Dojo establishes a rapport-turns-romance."[20]

Library "Mini" Wars

[edit]

Sato directed a short silent film, titled Library "Mini" Wars (図書館mini戦争, Toshokan "Mini" Sensō), under his video production label Angle Pictures.[32] It follows the daily lives of two library staffers away from the main storyline of Library Wars.[33] Terata Karan and Ako Masuki reprised their respective roles from the film as Yui and Ako, with Keisuke Tomita and Kensei Mikami co-starring as library users.[32] Two episodes were streamed on a website created by Angle Pictures, as well as on the label's YouTube channel.[34] Library "Mini" Wars was also aired on the Wowow channel from April 1 to May 5, 2013.[33]

Sequel

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Library Wars: The Last Mission

[edit]
Main article: Library Wars: The Last Mission

A sequel to Library Wars, titled Library Wars: The Last Mission, was announced in December 2014, with Sato returning to direct it. Additionally, Okada and Eikura were set to reprise their roles, alongside the returning cast members Tanaka, Fukushi, Kuriyama, Ishizaka, Nishida, and Hashimoto.[35] The sequel would take place one and half years after the events of the film.[35] The Last Mission was released in Japan on October 10, 2015.[36]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ 図書館戦争 [Library Wars]. Eiga.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on May 31, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Movies with Box Office Gross Receipts Exceeding 1 Billion Yen". Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan. 2013. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Library Wars". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l 図書館戦争 [Library Wars]. Allcinema (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  5. ^ Takeuchi (May 28, 2013). 「図書館戦争」 見ましたか? [Have you seen Library Wars?] (in Japanese). Kitakyushu Film Commission. Archived from the original on June 4, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  6. ^ Loo, Egan (August 1, 2012). "V6's Junichi Okada Stars in Live-Action Library War Film". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 31, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  7. ^ a b 岡田准一、榮倉奈々を平手打ち「泣かれて動揺」 [Junichi Okada slaps Nana Eikura: "I'm upset because she cried"]. Eiga.com (in Japanese). November 10, 2012. Archived from the original on May 31, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  8. ^ 岡田准一アクションスター街道猛進中 [Junichi Okada on the fast track to action star status]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). November 10, 2012. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Loveridge, Lynzee (November 11, 2012). "Live-Action Library War Film Reveals More of Cast in Costume". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 31, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  10. ^ 映画『図書館戦争』配信中 [@toshokan_movie] (November 11, 2012). 「“表現の規制”への抵抗」そのメッセージを伝える我らが図書隊の司令官！仁科巌役は石坂浩二さんです！仁科司令は、原作にはないオリジナルキャスト。ご本人は、この映画の持つメッセージを伝えるため、責任を感じながら演じています、とおっしゃっていました。 #toshokan_movie [The commander of our Library Defense Force, who delivers the "resistance to 'censorship of expression'" message! Koji Ishizaka plays the role of Iwao Nishina! Commander Nishina is an original cast member not in the original work. He said that he felt the sense of responsibility for his performance in order to convey the message of the film. #toshokan_movie] (Tweet) (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 1, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024 – via Twitter.
  11. ^ 映画『図書館戦争』配信中 [@toshokan_movie] (December 5, 2012). 突然ですが、監督の佐藤信介です。本日、クランクアップ。長かった撮影も、あと数時間で終わり。本当にお疲れ様でした! （写真は、現在の撮影風景です） [This is sudden, but I'm director Shinsuke Sato. Filming wrapped up today. The long shoot will end in a few hours. Thank you so much for all your hard work! (The photo shows the current shooting scene.)] (Tweet) (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 1, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024 – via Twitter.
  12. ^ 映画『図書館戦争』配信中 [@toshokan_movie] (February 1, 2013). キャラメルボックスの看板俳優さんでもあるスカイロケットの主催者でもある阿部丈二さんはなんと本作にも出演なさってるのです！詳細はコチラから！http://unit-skyrocket.com/home/tabineko #toshokan_movie [Jōji Abe, the organizer of Sky Rocket and one of Caramel Box's signature actors, also appears in this film! For more details, click here! http://unit-skyrocket.com/home/tabineko #toshokan_movie] (Tweet) (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 1, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024 – via Twitter.
  13. ^ Shinsuke Sato 佐藤信介【公式】 [@Shin_Angle] (February 27, 2013). 『図書館戦争』完成しました。@toshokan_movie: ついに、ついに！ダビングが終わり映画「図書館戦争」あとは初号を待つのみ（≧∇≦）!! 皆様公開までもう暫くお待ちください 写真は記念の乾杯 #toshokan_movie [Library Wars is completed. @toshokan_movie: Finally, finally! The dubbing of the film Library Wars is over, and all that's left is to wait for the first issue（≧∇≦）!! Please wait a little longer until it is released to the public The photo shows a commemorative toast #toshokan_movie] (Tweet) (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024 – via Twitter.
  14. ^ オリジナル・サウンドトラック発売＆メインテーマ先行配信決定！ [Original soundtrack to be released & main theme to be released early]. toshokan-sensou-movie.com (in Japanese). March 19, 2013. Archived from the original on June 22, 2013. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  15. ^ Luster, Joseph (December 17, 2012). "VIDEO: Library Wars Live-Action Film Teaser Arrives to Protect Us". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on June 1, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  16. ^ ケロロ軍曹が図書隊に入隊希望？映画「図書館戦争」で一等図書士で参戦 [Sergeant Keroro wants to join the Library Defense Force? Joining the film Library Wars as a first-class librarian]. Anime! Anime! (in Japanese). March 4, 2013. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  17. ^ 図書館戦争コラボパッケージ [Library Wars Collaboration Package]. Kimukatsu [ja] (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 27, 2013. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  18. ^ a b Adams, Mark (March 20, 2013). "Library Wars". Screen Daily. Archived from the original on May 31, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  19. ^ "Screening Schedule". Hong Kong International Film & Television Market. March 18, 2013. Archived from the original on March 15, 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  20. ^ a b Tsui, Clarence (August 4, 2013). "Library Wars: PiFan Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 31, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  21. ^ "Library Wars". Fantasia International Film Festival. Archived from the original on July 23, 2013. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  22. ^ Loo, Egan (May 21, 2013). "San Francisco to Premiere Hunter x Hunter, Naruto, Library Wars Films". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 31, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  23. ^ Loo, Egan (November 14, 2013). "L.A. EigaFest to Show Miyazaki's Wind Rises, Live-Action Library Wars". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 31, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  24. ^ "Film Line-Up". LA EigaFest. 2013. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  25. ^ "Blu-ray & DVD 11.13 [Wed] on Sale!!". toshokan-sensou-movie.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 21, 2013. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  26. ^ Netflix Japan | ネットフリックス [@NetflixJP] (February 3, 2023). ◆配信開始 映画『#図書館戦争 THE LAST MISSION』（日本）#岡田准一 #榮倉奈々 出演。あらゆる表現を規制する「メディア良化法」が制定された日本。本を読む自由を守るべく活動する「図書隊」は、検閲の実行部隊「良化隊」との激しい戦いに挑む。前作『図書館戦争』も同時配信。 [◆Start of distribution Library Wars: The Last Mission (Japan) Cast: #JunichiOkada #NanaEikura. Japan has enacted the Media Betterment Act, which regulates all forms of expression. The Library Defense Force, which works to protect the freedom to read books, engages in a fierce battle against the Media Betterment Committee, a unit that enforces censorship. The previous film, Library Wars, was also distributed at the same time.] (Tweet) (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 5, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024 – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  27. ^ 「名探偵コナン 絶海の探偵」が2週連続1位！5作品が初登場（4月27日-4月28日） [Detective Conan: Private Eye in the Distant Sea was No. 1 for the second week in a row! Five films made their first appearance (April 27–April 28)]. Kogyo Tsushin (in Japanese). April 30, 2013. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  28. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (May 6, 2013). "Japanese Box Office, April 27–28". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  29. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (May 12, 2013). "Japanese Box Office, May 4–5". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  30. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (May 19, 2013). "Japanese Box Office, May 11–12". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  31. ^ Mack, Andrew (August 2, 2013). "Fantasia 2013 Review: LIBRARY WARS. Japanese Feel-Good Action Cinema". Screen Anarchy. Archived from the original on June 1, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  32. ^ a b 「図書館戦争」アナザーストーリー「図書館mini戦争」が配信・放送 [Library "Mini" Wars, another story of Library Wars, distributed and will be broadcast]. Eiga.com (in Japanese). March 27, 2013. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  33. ^ a b Loo, Egan (March 27, 2013). "Live-Action Library Wars Film Inspires Mini Shorts". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  34. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (April 12, 2013). "2nd Live-Action Library Wars Mini Short Posted". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  35. ^ a b Loo, Egan (December 3, 2014). "Live-Action Library Wars Film Gets Sequel Next October". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  36. ^ Loo, Egan (May 29, 2015). "Live-Action Library Wars Special to Air Before Film Sequel". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
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