The team behind the project is pitching it as 'live-action anime' and we can now share the first sneak peaks and report that Cineflix Rights will handle distribution. It will launch the series internationally on MIPCOM, the largest TV market of the year. The eight-part drama is based on the successful graphic novel of the same name, created by Shawn Kittelsen and Eric Zawadzki from Mortal Kombat 2.
The series is set in a post-pandemic Japan. It follows a segment of the population who have supernatural abilities, known as Variants, and who face oppression because of their powers. When two Variants, Ema and Umin, meet, they make an unexpected connection and fight together for their existence and freedom.
The series stars Kanichiro as Umin, Toko Miura as Ema and Goro Kishtani as Umin's handler, Unit Chief Liu. Takeshi Maruyama directs. Robert Kirkman, David Alpert, Rick Jacobs and Glenn Geller produce for Skybound. Koji Ishi and Takeshi Shimokawa are directors of Fuji.
“By turning anime into live action drama, Heart Attack will appeal not just to the millions of superfans of an incredibly popular TV genre but also wider audiences who love sci-fi thrillers,” said James Durie, Head of Scripted, Cineflix Rights. “With the added pedigree of Skybound, the creatives behind the huge global hit that is The Walking Dead, we are expecting a lot of interest from global buyers as we gear up to launching it at MIPCOM.”
Koji Ishii, Senior Executive Director, Fuji TV added that the broadcaster and Skybound had an eye on the international market when they teamed for Heart Attack: “With Cineflix Rights distributing the series, I hope that people around the world will enjoy this powerful story that will captivate sci-fi fans with its theme of young men and women, love and oppression.”
“The Cineflix Rights team has an outstanding reputation for placing top-tier dramas with broadcasters and streaming platforms around the globe,” said Rick Jacobs, Managing Partner, Linear Content, Skybound Entertainment, which is behind The Walking Dead and Amazon hit Invincible. “We’ve had great partnerships with Cineflix Rights in the past and we are excited to continue our collaborations with them as we launch Heart Attack.”