Netflix confirmed today that Misato Morita (The Naked Director) will take the role of Kaori Makimura in the upcoming live-action Japanese City Hunter film, joining previously announced Ryohei Suzuki as Ryo Saeba.

The film is set for release in 2024 with Yuichi Sato (Kisaragi, Strawberry Nights, and The End of the Tiny World) directing.

The story of the film takes place in modern-day Shinjuku and with the cooperation of the city, the local Tourism Association, and the Kabukicho shopping district, large-scale filming in Shinjuku and Kabukicho areas is now possible in order to authentically bring the story of City Hunter to life.

City Hunter was first serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1985 to 1989, with a total circulation of over 50 million copies worldwide. In 1987, an anime series based on the manga was first aired and remained popular until its last special broadcast in 1999.

Successfully weaving in the elements of comedy, action, and romance, City Hunter’ has been captivating fans around the world since its initial release. Netflix says that the newly announced film will expand the franchise with stories about beloved characters that have yet to be told.

Netflix has also released some excerpts from the cast of the movie:

• Misato Morita (Kaori Makimura): “For decades, City Hunter has been infused with the love of countless many. To be able to stand in the shoes of someone as beloved as Kaori Makimura makes me nervous, but also gives me the greatest joy. Kaori is hardworking, vigorous, loving, and charming. The more I gaze into her heart, the more I find myself captivated by her charm. I intend to pour everything I have into playing Kaori so that I can touch even a small fragment of what makes her so special in the fans’ hearts.”

• Ryohei Suzuki (Ryo Saeba): “We have now spent several months as Kaori and Ryo together and I’ve gotten to know Misato as an honest and hard-working actor, bringing to life the Kaori I‘ve loved since my childhood. I cannot wait for people everywhere to see for themselves that there is no one better than Misato stepping into the role of the beloved Kaori.”