Fantasia 2021 Preview: Kakegurui 2 North American Premiere

Minami Hamabe stars opposite Ryusei Fujii in must-see high octane, high stakes gambling. Yumeko Jabami fans will not want to miss Kakegurui’s live action movie sequel at the 2021 Fantasia International Film Festival.

Kakegurui 2: Ultimate Russian Roulette will see its much anticipated North American Premiere on August 19, 2021 @ 7:00 pm EDT at this year’s Fantasia International Film Festival. Virtual screening tickets will be bundled together with the original Kakegurui film.

The Natural Aristocrat reviewed the first Kakegurui live action movie at Fantasia 2020 and it was a flashy joyride, a seamless cult classic. Every gambler’s guilty pleasure dream scenario. Kakegurui 2 promises to raise the stakes with ‘Ultimate Russian Roulette’ as its bejeweled centerpiece of a headline. Gambling life itself in the film’s live action drama adaptation of the popular anime series and manga.

Kakegurui 2: Ultimate Russian Roulette Movie Poster

Meet the Director: Tsutomu Hanabusa

Kakegurui film Director Tsutomu Hanabusa – Photo provided by Fantasia International Film Festival

Director Tsutomu Hanabusa & screenwriter Minato Takano wrote both live action screenplays to 2019’s Kakegurui and 2021’s Kakegurui 2: Ultimate Russian Roulette. Tsutomu Hanabusa previously directed the Kakegurui live action TV series from 2018 to 2019 as well.

Hanabusa is certainly no stranger to high profile material based on an anime/manga, also directing Tokyo Revengers‘ live action film. Tokyo Revengers released in Japan on July 9, 2021. Hanabusa also directed Bandai Namco’s Project Dreams: How to Build Mazinger Z’s Hangar which screened in Fantasia 2020, Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, and The Handsome Suit.

The manga which the films & anime series are based on was originally created by Homura Kawamoto and Tôru Naomura. Tōru Naomura is the manga’s main illustrator & character designer and the storyline is written by Homura Kawamoto. The English adaption of the manga was published by Yen Press and well known video game giant Square Enix is the original publisher.

Let’s meet the characters and cast returning in Yumeko’s Kakegurui return below:

Kakegurui Lead Characters & Cast in Part 2

Minami Hamabe previously portrayed Jabami Yumeko in the first Kakegurui film and the 2018-2019 live action TV series. Hamabe has done a fantastic job as transfer student Jabami Yumeko… And is likely subtly responsible for more than a few cosplay inspirations. Truly embodying Kakegurui: Compulsive Gambler’s essence perfectly.

There’s never a shortage of Yumeko Jabami quotes to think about post-credits…

Ryusei Fujii is playing new lead villain Makuro Shikigami, who’s an original non-anime Kakegurui character being introduced specifically for the live action film. The original movie also introduced four new characters, Eri Arukibiju, Amane Murasame, Kyū Nitobe and Tomu Inuhachi.

Elaiza Ikeda returns as fan favorite Kirari Momobami, Kakegurui’s President of Hyakkaou Private Academy’s student council. One of the great cinematic details by Hanabusa is always having light flush around Kirari Momobami. Thus making the character appear heavenly.

While those who speak to her maintain a lower tier state in the hierarchy… As they have to directly look into the bright white light when they talk to her. The student council President might not quite be over her encounter with Yumeko Jabami in the first Kakegurui movie.

Elaiza Ikeda also portrayed Kirari Momobami in the live action TV series. In the anime, Kirari wears noticeable blue lipstick but this feature is a bit lighter in the live action films. Initially being purple lipstick in the first season of the TV series.

Ruka Matsuda and Mahiro Takasugi in Kakegurui Part 2 – Photo Credit: GAGA Corporation

Mahiro Takasugi returns as Ryota Suzui, Yumeko Jabami’s good natured friend who’s always looking out for her. Mahiro also starred in the 2018-2019 TV series.

Aoi Morikawa returns as Mary Saotome (Meari Saotome), who’s also the lead character in new spinoff series Kakegurui Twin. The series takes place 1 year before the events of the main series at Hyakkaou Private Academy when Jabami Yumeko meets Kakegurui’s student council president… Aoi Morikawa previously played Mary Saotome in the first movie and the 2018-2019 live action TV series.

Ruka Matsuda is back as the infinitely wealthy Itsuki Sumeragi in the sequel. Matsuda also portrayed Sumeragi in the 2018-2019 live action TV series like most of the rest of the film’s cast… Like Yurika Nakamura as Sayaka Igarashi, Natsume Mito as Runa Yomotsuki, Natsumi Okamoto as Yuriko Nishinotouin, Miki Yanagi as Midari Ikishima and Yūma Yamoto as Jun Kiwatari….

Kakegurui 2 movie cast – Photo Credit: GAGA Corporation

Without spoiling anything about the sequel, know that these are some of the primary leads. Plenty of familiar favorites await in Part 2… There’s never been a better time to get acquainted with the unpredictable but seemingly calculated compulsive gambler, Kakegurui’s Yumeko Jabami at Fantasia 2021.

– Be sure to go to Fantasia Festival for more details on the film and purchase tickets for the August 19th, 7 pm EDT virtual screening!

– Check out our Fantasia 2020 Kakegurui movie review and catch up on the events of the first film!

– Read our exclusive interview with cosplay model Neneko who comments on her fandom for Yumeko Jabami!