In Japan, TOHO Studio has announced the upcoming film Kaiji: Life Revenge Game, the fourth installment based on the cult manga by Nobuyuki Fukumoto. The story revolves around a debtor forced to participate in deadly gambling games.
After a seven-year hiatus, Tatsuya Fujiwara, known for his role in the Death Note adaptations, will reprise his lead role. He will face off against Kazuya Hyodo, the son of the chairman of the sinister Teiai corporation from the earlier films.
Returning to direct is Toya Sato, who helmed the entire series, with the screenplay penned by Masatoshi Yamaguchi in collaboration with Fukumoto. The manga has been published since 1996 and has sold over 30 million copies, with each of the three previous films grossing over $9.2 million in Japan.
The film is set to premiere in Japan on January 29, 2027.
Filming took place under a shroud of secrecy and tension. Production began in the summer of 2025 amidst a wave of scandals in the Japanese entertainment industry, where several comedians, idols, TV hosts, and network employees were implicated in illegal online gambling activities, according to reports from Tokyo Sports citing a crew member.
Due to the harsh backlash on social media regarding gambling addiction, the team refrained from announcing the start of filming and even feared for the film's release. Consequently, the film's announcement was made only on June 10, 2026.