It seems like a broad variety of video game franchises are being given the movie treatment, for better and for worse. This has been the case for a long time, though it has ramped up in the last two years.
Naturally we're waiting and hoping to see Nintendo get involved, but an announcement out of Japan is sure to please fans of a certain age - the Klonoa franchise is being turned into an animated movie.
As reported by Variety, Henshin - a US-based animation production company - is leading the project. Announced in Tokyo, it was confirmed that the producer will be Rob Pereyda and Hitoshi Ariga will write the script. Pereyda has worked with Bandai Namco in the past, while Ariga-san has extensive experience working on Pokémon manga, the Trading Card Game and even some new Pocket Monster designs.
Not much detail has emerged aside from that, though this could be the start of an attempt by Bandai Namco to revive the series. It's a franchise admired by plenty of enthusiasts; from a Nintendo perspective we had the excellent Klonoa: Empire of Dreams and Klonoa 2: Dream Champ Tournament on Game Boy Advance, while the Klonoa remake on Wii was also an enjoyable game.
It'll be interesting to see how this project progresses in the coming months.
With thanks to Benson for the heads up.
[source variety.com]
Comments 33
Seems kinda odd since Namco seems to put him in their equivalent Megaman bin.
Strange that Klonoa would be chosen of all franchises.
movie as in cinemas, or as in amazon/netflix? or hulu and the others, for that matter.
I know this is only slightly related but...is that Mighty No 9 movie still happening? I feel like the franchise is dead in the water at this point.
@Xaessya Not true! They dont make any games but Klonoa has a web comic (dont know is it still running though) in which Bandai themselves said that they wanted to keep Klonoa alive in some shape or form when making the web comic
I miss Klonoa. Wish they'd make a new game.
We seen how well Rachet and Clank was received and That's a much bigger and more recognized franchises. How in the world or more so who will even care?
Bottom line is write a good story and almost any movie will be well received. So there is yet hope.
@ekreig
Well, movies usually have video game tie-ins, right?
Wha-hoo!
@Spoony_Tech It's been a long time since I played my 1 and only Klona game, but I recall it having a nice narrative. R&C is all CGI in your face bombast aimed squarely at the forever adolescent male market. My guess would be Klonoa would look more like a cross between Japanese anime and a straight to DVD My Little Pony movie. Not necessarily only for 6-8 year old girls, but there would be a lot less guns and explosions and attitude. I could see it working as a family friendly flick.
Ooooorrrrrrr, go the Sonic Boom route, 6-8 year old boys. But still humorous family friendly, more about the characters and story, less about the weapons.
Klonoa Wii was a lot of fun.
Klonoa was a solid game. I really enjoyed it and I wish I hadn't been at that stage of my life where I traded games in after I had beat them. I'm not sure if it has legs beyond the game, but I'll support it.
Sweet jeans cool beans!!
I'm with that. Klonoa is a great character with great games. I hope it's good!
Klonoa is great! I hope it's a good movie and we get a new game Klonoa 3 is long overdue!
The GBA Klonoa games were my favorite games. The epitome of puzzle platforming. An animated series could be fun. I love that character.
Klonoa 3 for NS confirmed!…?
I hope this means more Klonoa games.
I remember when a friend of mine told me that I need to play Klonoa-- turned out to be one of the better platforming surprises I played. It's not a series that reinvents the wheel but idk... there's something about it that feels right. If only I could say the same about some of Pac-Man's platforming forays...
I really hope we'll see the second game on Switch. The first was great, I have the Wii remake!
Yay for Klonoa not be forgotten ^o^
A movie wasn't exactly what I wanted, but I thought Bandai-Namco totally gave up on this franchise, so this is still a fantastic news X3 (Plus a Klonoa animated movie could be amazingly fun if done right).
I've never heard of Klonoa.
Lets just hope it actually gets made. I'm still hoping Sly Cooper isn't cancelled.
Need a Klonoa 3 for Switch or 3DS, that would be awesome. A Klonoa HD Collection that include all previous five games (Klonoa 1, 2, Wii, Empire, and Dream Champ) would be awesome too.
Cue the Klonoa jingle from Door To Phantomile and Empire Of Dreams.
@Jadon1984 The GBA games really were great. I still have the Wii remake of the original packed away in a closet, too. That ending was something else.
I'd say the height of the series, though, was Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil on PS2 (which I have packed away right next to the Wii one). That game grabbed me in a way I never thought a platformer could. The challenge areas were incredibly, technically demanding and satisfying, too. Top notch stuff. Klonoa deserves a comeback!
This has the potential to become something fantastic. I'm looking forward to this!
@Tempestryke It's pretty great! I recommend trying the Wii game, if you run across a copy.
Cool I guess, but a new game would be better. Makes me want to go play Klonoa 2.
Jeez, not sure why there's so much negativity here. This seems like a good idea to me, obviously the games haven't done well enough recently to warrant another one but a good, well-written animated movie might boost interest in it again enough to justify a new game.
Either way though, I've always liked Klonoa games and I think an anime is potentially a great place for the series to go next (provided it's done right.)
Seeing the name Klonoa in a news story almost makes me cry manly tears :') The first two are some of my favorite platformers ever, having awesome music and perfectly emotional stories! Who can play the first one through without crying? I welcome any and all efforts by Bandai Namco to keep the series alive. If only, one day, I could play Klonoa 3... In the meantime, I'll be eagerly waiting for this movie (hoping the voice acting is good) and maybe I should also try to play the GBA games one way or another at some point.
I really need to play the GBA Klonoa on the E-Shop, it just looks like a great game to play. It isn't trying to reinvent the wheel, but sometimes that isn't necessary in order to have fun gameplay.
I'd kill for Klonoa 3. Preferably on Switch
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