Hiroya Oku fans, this one is worth keeping on the radar: Gigant is officially getting an anime movie adaptation.
The announcement was made during K2 Pictures’ press conference at the Cannes Film Festival in France, with the project standing out for one big reason — this will be K2 Pictures’ first move into animation production. For a company making its animation debut, choosing a sci-fi seinen title from the creator of Gantz is definitely not the safest, softest landing. But honestly? That makes it more interesting.
Why Gigant matters
Gigant comes from Hiroya Oku, the manga creator many anime and manga fans know through Gantz. That name alone carries a certain expectation: sci-fi ideas, mature storytelling, and the kind of strange, high-concept material that can either become a cult favourite or a very spicy debate topic online.
The manga began serialization in Big Comic Superior in December 2017. Shogakukan later wrapped the series with its 10th and final volume in December 2021, so this is not one of those adaptations chasing a still-running manga with an uncertain ending. The source material is complete, which is good news for anyone hoping the movie has a proper structure instead of feeling like a two-hour advertisement for the manga.
The series also has some proven pull behind it. Gigant has 1.2 million copies of its volumes in circulation, which is a strong number for a seinen sci-fi title that is not exactly mainstream comfort food. Seven Seas Entertainment also licensed the manga, giving it an international footprint beyond Japan.
Why Malaysia and SEA fans should care
For Malaysian anime fans, this is the kind of announcement that could become very relevant if the movie gets a regional theatrical push. Anime films have been getting better visibility in Malaysia and across SEA over the last few years, especially when they come with a known creator name or a strong fanbase. A Hiroya Oku project may not be as instantly mass-market as a shounen blockbuster, but it has the kind of name recognition that can attract older manga readers and sci-fi anime fans.
If distributors pick this up for Malaysia, expect the audience to be more niche but passionate — the same crowd that pays attention to darker seinen adaptations, anime film festivals, and limited cinema runs. This is not necessarily a “bring your little cousin” anime movie. It sounds more like one for fans who want something weirder, sharper, and more adult than the usual seasonal comfort picks.
Big test for K2 Pictures
The most interesting industry angle here is K2 Pictures itself. Since Gigant marks the company’s first animation production, fans will be watching closely to see who handles the actual animation work, what creative staff gets attached, and whether the film leans into Oku’s sci-fi style properly.
For now, no release date, cast, staff list, or trailer details were included in the announcement. But as first anime projects go, this is a pretty bold pick. If K2 Pictures nails it, Gigant could become one of those anime films that gets people talking not just because of the source material, but because it signals a new player entering the animation space.
We’ll be watching for the next update — especially any Malaysia or SEA screening news, because this one could be a sleeper hit for the seinen crowd.
Source: MyAnimeList News