Natsume Maya is reporting that a live action version of Gigantor (known as Tetsujin 28-go in Japan) will debut theatrically in Japan in the fall of 2004.  Based on a manga series by Giant Robo creator Mitsuteru Yokoyama, Tetsujin 28-go was made into a popular anime series in the 1960s, which was brought to the U.S. by Fred Ladd, who renamed the giant robot, Gigantor.  There was a live action 'kaiju' series based on the property in the 1960s in Japan, as well as two additional anime series (in 1980 and 1992).  The new live action series will make use of computer-generated images as well as outsized props (a 7-foot head) to tell the story of the 65-foot tall robot, who was conceived in war, but dedicated to peace.

In addition to the new live action movie, yet another Tetsujin 28-go anime series is slated for broadcast on Japanese television in 2004.  This property is definitely undergoing a major revival in Japan, and it is highly likely that we will see new live action and anime versions of Gigantor here in the States before the end of 2005.  Meanwhile Rhino has released two DVD box sets of the original Gigantor series from the 1960s as part of its very successful repackaging of vintage animation.