On March 18, 2025, the world premiere screening event for Season 2 of the highly anticipated Disney+ original series 'Gannibal' took place at TOHO Cinemas Shinjuku, Tokyo. The event featured lead actor Yuya Yagira along with co-stars Sho Kasamatsu, Riho Yoshioka, and director Shinzo Katayama. The second season, concluding the thrilling narrative of the first, will start streaming on Disney+ from March 19, 2025.
'Gannibal' is based on the hit manga by Masaaki Ninomiya, which has exceeded 4 million copies sold. This suspenseful village psycho-thriller centers on Agawa Daigo, portrayed by Yagira, as he unravels the dark secrets surrounding the village of Kugemura, where rumors suggest people are being eaten.
During the event, Yagira expressed his confidence, stating, "With the support of fans from Season 1, we have created a Season 2 we can be proud of." He added, "The action elements are significantly heightened this time. There’s so much packed with entertainment value, and it explores universal themes about wanting to protect loved ones.”
The actor reflected on how he drew inspiration from the Disney+ series 'SHOGUN', saying, "I was incredibly inspired by 'SHOGUN'. I want 'Gannibal' Season 2 to make waves around the world. Through Disney+, I hope to showcase Japanese drama and help pave the way for new eras.”
Kasamatsu, who plays the role of Goto Keisuke, shared his excitement too, saying, "It’s both thrilling and somewhat bittersweet to share our treasure with everyone.” He recognized the intensifying nature of the series, noting how director Katayama's vision and Yagira's determination drove the cast to deliver their best performances.
Yoshioka, who plays Agawa’s wife, expressed her joy about 'Gannibal's' global reach, stating, "I was informed by Disney+ representatives today how 'Gannibal' is the most-watched Japanese series worldwide. It’s truly overwhelming.”
Newer cast members like Yuri Konomi acknowledged the challenges of portraying their roles. Konomi mentioned needing significant power for her character and feeling the pressures of embodying youth during troubled times. "I even set a scene where Koro Goto is bullied by villagers as my phone's lock screen to maintain focus on my character's motivations throughout filming,” she shared.
The event also served as a celebration for Yagira's upcoming 35th birthday on March 26, with Yoshioka and Kokone Shiwak surprising him with a special birthday cake. Yagira expressed his gratitude, stating, "It was amazing!" He also shared his aspirations for 'Gannibal', saying, "I want to thrust 'Gannibal 2' onto the global stage and help invigorate Japanese dramas for new times.”
With Season 2 consisting of 8 episodes, it promises to be another spine-chilling chapter, delving even more deeply than Season 1 did. The film's narrative pace for the concluding season is expected to maintain high intensity, with plenty of action sequences intertwining throughout the storyline. Characters, conflicts, and their resolutions will continually captivate viewers, making it worth the watch for both fans new and old.
The screening showcased exclusive character graphics and provided viewers with sneak peeks of the first two episodes. The cliffhanger left at the end of Season 1 reveals Daigo discovering the empty cages where sacrificed children were kept, leading to imminent danger as he confronts various threats against him and his loved ones.
Season 2 will not only answer many unanswered questions but also unravel various truths surrounding Goto's family and the brutal history of Kugemura village.
Yuya Yagira's passion for promoting Japanese entertainment globally shines through his statements on the need for stories like 'Gannibal' to find their way onto international platforms. Looking back on his past experiences at overseas film festivals, he emphasized, "The time has come to craft productions with global perspectives.”
The series has been noted for exceeding typical Japanese drama production quality, garnering intense anticipation from fans all over the globe. The remarkable cast's combined efforts are set to deliver performances capable of leaving viewers enthralled, as they navigate through the chilling layers of Kugemura's secretive past.
With this upcoming season, 'Gannibal' has the potential to permeate not just Japanese entertainment spheres, but also make substantial endorsements on global platforms, providing intriguing narratives and unique perspectives.
Season 2 of 'Gannibal' is available to watch on Disney+ starting March 19, 2025. For fans of thrilling drama, surreal plots, and the art of storytelling, this series stands out significantly as one to follow closely.
