‘NOAH OF THE BLOOD SEA’ Japanese Horror Manga Gets Feature Film Adaptation From Tyrus Pictures
Japanese Horror Manga ‘NOAH OF THE BLOOD SEA’ Set for Feature Film Adaptation at Tyrus Pictures
Japanese horror manga NOAH OF THE BLOOD SEA (Kekkai no Noah) is heading to the big screen, with Los Angeles-based production company Tyrus Pictures acquiring the film adaptation rights from Japanese publisher Takeshobo. The project is currently in development, with production tentatively targeted to begin in 2027.
Created by Yu Satomi, the five-volume manga centers on a group of passengers who embark on what initially promises to be a luxurious cruise vacation. However, the seemingly idyllic voyage takes a disturbing turn when passengers begin disappearing under mysterious circumstances, transforming the journey into a desperate fight for survival.
The adaptation will be produced by Tyrus Pictures founders Michael Zelman and Hamid Mokhneche, who are developing the project as part of the company's expanding international production slate.
While specific details regarding the screenplay, director and cast have not been announced, the source material offers a contained maritime setting for a supernatural survival-horror story. Its combination of an isolated cruise ship, unexplained disappearances and a mythology rooted in Japanese horror provides the foundation for a feature-length adaptation.
Mokhneche emphasized the cinematic possibilities of Satomi's work, particularly its unsettling atmosphere and supernatural elements.
"What immediately drew me to Noah of the Blood Sea was its extraordinary cinematic potential," Mokhneche said, adding that the production team intends to preserve the qualities that distinguish the original manga while adapting its story for the screen.
The acquisition arrives amid increasing international interest in Japanese intellectual property, particularly following the global success of GODZILLA MINUS ONE and the continued expansion of the ONE PIECE franchise.
Japanese publishers and production companies have also increased efforts to introduce domestic properties to international markets through industry initiatives, including the Japan IP Market in Cannes.
For Takeshobo, the agreement represents another opportunity to expand the reach of its publishing catalog through screen adaptations.
Founded in 1972, the Tokyo-based publishing company produces manga, books and magazines. Its portfolio includes MADE IN ABYSS, the internationally recognized manga series that has been translated into 22 languages and developed into an anime franchise.
Atsushi Kimura, Deputy General Manager at Takeshobo, expressed enthusiasm about seeing Satomi's distinctive artwork and fictional world translated into a live-action production.
Shin Ogasawara, Deputy Corporate Officer at Takeshobo, also highlighted the production company's understanding of the source material and its commitment to maintaining the manga's identity throughout development.
The publisher is additionally expanding the manga's international availability. A Taiwanese edition is currently in development, while an English-language release is planned for North America.
Those forthcoming editions could introduce NOAH OF THE BLOOD SEA to a wider readership ahead of the proposed film adaptation.
Zelman, a former executive at WME and LD Entertainment, established Tyrus Pictures with Mokhneche in 2025. The company was launched with plans to produce approximately one to two feature films annually, targeting budgets between $5 million and $50 million.
The acquisition reflects the company's interest in developing internationally sourced intellectual property, with Japanese horror identified as a particular area of interest.
"We've long wanted to develop a project rooted in Japanese horror, and Noah of the Blood Sea represents exactly the kind of distinctive storytelling we've been looking for," Zelman said.
The rights agreement was negotiated by Mokhneche for Tyrus Pictures and by Kimura and Ogasawara on behalf of Takeshobo.
With the project still in its early development stages, additional information regarding the creative team, casting and distribution has yet to be revealed.
NOAH OF THE BLOOD SEA is targeting a 2027 production start. No theatrical release date has been announced.
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