"Akira Toriyama's New Story for SAND LAND: THE SERIES Revealed, Official Trailer Released"
On March 1, the manga community mourned the sudden loss of Akira Toriyama, who in 2000 published the gem of a short manga, "SAND LAND," in "Weekly Shonen Jump." This manga was later adapted into an anime movie in 2023. The series, now titled "SAND LAND: THE SERIES," will include previously unreleased scenes in the "Demon Prince Arc" and a new story conceived by Toriyama over 20 years after the movie, "The Angelic Hero Arc." It will be exclusively available on the streaming service Disney+ starting March 20. The key art, trailer, and opening & ending themes have been unveiled.
"SAND LAND" is an exhilarating adventure fantasy featuring the seemingly wicked yet pure-hearted demon prince Beelzebub, the justice-driven human sheriff Rao, and their captivating journey, influenced by a vigilant thief. The movie highlighted the allure of Akira Toriyama's work, including Beelzebub's cool heroism, despite his demonic nature, and the dynamic action and tank battle scenes that captivated audiences.
The first half of the newly released trailer for "SAND LAND: THE SERIES" showcases the quest of the demon prince Beelzebub, the human sheriff Rao, and the thief, who serves as the prince's guardian, searching for the "Phantom Spring" in the desert world of Sand Land, where the king controls water and people suffer from a longstanding drought.
New additional scenes exclusive to Disney+ enrich the movie, and the trailer concludes with a first glimpse into the new chapter, "The Angelic Hero Arc." This arc introduces a lush Forest Land, starkly different from Sand Land, where Beelzebub encounters Muniel, an angel without wings, and Ann, a mysterious girl adept at riding bikes. The trailer raises anticipation for how these new characters will intertwine in Akira Toriyama's story, conceived nearly 20 years later.
The trailer is accompanied by "Water Carrier," the opening theme by Kroi, a band receiving significant attention for their participation in SXSW, a global event combining music, film, and interactive festivals held every March. The song, filled with a sense of speed and exhilaration, sets the stage for Beelzebub to unleash his true power as the prince of demons in explosive battle scenes.
Kroi commented, "We hope our song adds to the excitement and anticipation of Beelzebub's adventures in a world where good and evil are intertwined, revealing a truth within their complexity."
The ending theme, "Drive My Idea," is performed by Tempalay, portraying a unique oriental and psychedelic sound landscape rooted in everyone's imagination. Ayato Kohara, the vocalist, expressed his joy of participating in a Toriyama project, recalling the impactful memories of "SAND LAND" during his childhood, marked by the turn of the millennium and Nostradamus's prophecies, adding a sense of unknown fear and excitement to the era.
The key art features Beelzebub, Rao, and the thief driving a jeep across Sand Land and Forest Land, alongside key characters from each arc. Additionally, new photos from the "Angelic Hero Arc" offer a glimpse into Beelzebub's encounter with the angel Muniel and Rao's meeting with Ann, setting the stage for their upcoming adventures.