Human Vapor (TV 2026)
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Human Vapor (Japanese: ガス人間 Gasu Ningen, Korean: 가스인간 Gaseu Ingan, lit. "Gas Man") is an upcoming Japanese-Korean science fiction Netflix series written by Yeon Sang-ho and Ryu Yong-jae and directed by Shinzo Katayama, based on the 1960 Toho tokusatsu film The Human Vapor. Funded by Toho and produced by its subsidiary TOHO Studios in collaboration with South Korean company WOW POINT, the series will star Yu Aoi and Shun Oguri. It will reportedly feature eight episodes and release in April 2026.
Plot
A bank robber surrenders himself to the police, and reveals while in custody that he can turn himself into vapor as a result of illegal human experimentation.[1]
Development
Yeon Sang-ho was approached about remaking one of the Transforming Human Series films by Toho producer Nen Hyo in 2018. He ultimately decided on The Human Vapor, citing its "impressively skillful" use of science-fiction elements and the untapped potential in a retelling using modern technology. Director Shinzo Katayama was suggested by Toho and contacted over Facebook by Yeon, who became convinced of his qualifications after watching several of his films. Yeon and Ryu Yong-jae developed the basis for the script over a period of one-and-a-half to two years, and they and Katayama went on a scriptwriting retreat in South Korea to fine-tune the details in person.[2]
The show was first reported by South Korea's Ilgan Sports on May 7, 2024.[1] Netflix officially announced it on August 7, also revealing its English title and Ryu's involvement.[2] Included with the announcement were comments of support from stars Shun Oguri and Yu Aoi, and an interview with Yeon and Katayama. Yeon estimated that it would be "more than a year" before the series was released, though Katayama assured, "I believe we will deliver visuals that have never been seen before".[2]
On February 14, 2025, Japanese outlet Smart FLASH published five on-set photos of Oguri and Aoi. It also revealed that the series is set for release in April 2026, that a big-name actress is rumored to be playing a kaijin, and that Aoi will play a reporter.[3]
Production
Principal photography on Human Vapor is currently underway in Japan, having begun in the latter half of 2024[1] and set to wrap in April 2025.[3] Filming was briefly paused in December when Aoi came down with a high fever, but she returned to work after being discharged from the hospital.[3] According to Katayama, the crew were given "special permission to shoot in locations where filming is usually not allowed".[2] One such location was the 12th floor of an office building, which was completely redecorated into a newsroom; its typical occupants were given paid leave courtesy of Toho. During rural shooting in February, Oguri gifted matching jackets to some 200 staff members, paid for out of his own pocket.[3]
Staff
Staff role on the left, staff member's name on the right.
- Directed by Shinzo Katayama
- Written by Yeon Sang-ho, Ryu Yong-jae
- Executive producer Yeon Sang-ho
Cast
Actor's name on the left, character played on the right.
- Yu Aoi as news reporter
- Shun Oguri
Appearances
Monsters
Trivia
- Human Vapor will be the first live-action project to cast both Yu Aoi and Shun Oguri since the 2005 TV movie 24 Eyes, and the first project overall since the 2013 3D-animated movie Harlock: Space Pirate.
External links
References
This is a list of references for Human Vapor (series). These citations are used to identify the reliable sources on which this article is based. These references appear inside articles in the form of superscript numbers, which look like this: [1]
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