‘Hypnosis Mic – Division Rap Battle’ Interactive Movie Set for February Release

As a seasoned movie critic with a penchant for innovative storytelling and interactive experiences, I must say that the upcoming “Hypnosis Mic – Division Rap Battle” has piqued my interest. Having witnessed the evolution of multimedia franchises over the years, it’s fascinating to see Japan taking a bold step into the realm of interactive cinema with this project.


The popular Japanese media brand “Hypnosismic” plans to grow, incorporating an interactive movie titled “Hypnosis Mic – Division Rap Battle,” set for release in February of the coming year.

In 2017, the franchise was created at King Records, which centers around a world where weapons are outlawed, and instead, men compete for dominance through rap contests. This “Hypnosismic” universe has expanded into various fields such as music, radio plays, comics (manga), stage performances, video games, and an animated television series (anime).

The upcoming movie is helmed by Tsujimoto Takanori (known for “Resident Evil: Vendetta”) at Polygon Pictures. The script is penned by Momose Yuichiro, a former architect of the franchise’s narrative, characters, and games. The character designs are credited to Kazui.

This innovative film experience is marketed as Japan’s first interactive movie, featuring a fresh rap battle. The narrative and the victor of the Third Division Rap Battle may change at every unique showing, with the results influenced by live audience voting via their smartphones during the event.

The specifics were revealed during the AGF2024 event held on Sunday in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro area. Ticket pre-booking started right away prior to a theatrical release by distributor Toho Next, which is scheduled for February 21, 2025.

From the time it started in 2017, ‘Hypnosismic’ has attracted a massive international fanbase [..] as Japan’s inaugural interactive film, ‘Hypnosis Mic – Division Rap Battle’ not only boosts the financial worth of the brand but also improves the viewing experience by involving spectators in its distinctive interactive style,” the producers stated.

The person explained that interactive films are not just a passing fad; instead, they represent a significant blend of technology and movie magic. This unique format opens up innovative business and financial opportunities for the film industry, going beyond conventional cinema and exploring various platforms such as video games, streaming services, and immersive location-based entertainment.

Previously, the anime series were produced by a different studio, A-1 Pictures, with a distinct team led by director Ono Katsumi. The inaugural season debuted in October 2020, initially streaming on Funimation, which is owned by Sony and has since been combined with Crunchyroll for broadcast. A sequel to the series was released in 2023.

Watch the trailer here

‘Hypnosis Mic – Division Rap Battle’ Interactive Movie Set for February Release

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2024-11-11 14:46