Let’s make some magic! 

The record-breaking 3DCG animated epic Youzen (New Gods: Yang Jian), a mythological masterpiece of unparalleled grandeur, is FINALLY making its way to Japan, lead by none other than Masaya Sano from the Japanese POP/ROCK sensation Ae! group (A ぇ! group) in his first voice acting role!

The highly anticipated Japanese-dubbed version is set to premiere in March 2025 and also features Japanese actor Toshiki Masuda.

Youzen (English Title: New Gods: Yang Jian) is a spellbinding feature-length animation from China’s prestigious Light Chaser Animation Studio, helmed by the visionary Zhao Ji. Known for their mythical and visually stunning works like White Snake and New Gods: Nezha Reborn, the film reimagines Yang Jian—a central figure from the ancient Chinese epic Fengshen Yanyi (The Investiture of the Gods)—in an awe-inspiring original tale, part of the New Gods animated series.

Sano voices Youzen, a skilled bounty hunter stripped of his divine power, while Masuda brings Jinkou to life, a young boy who has stolen the very essence of the gods’ power. One driven by loss, one by forbidden power – it’s a struggle as old as time…

…Long ago, the world was split between the Celestial Realm and the Human Realm. But after the catastrophic wars between the Yin and Zhou dynasties, the Celestial Realm’s once-great power began to wane. Among the fallen was Erlang Shen, also known as Yang Jian, who, like many celestial beings, was cast down from grace. Now, he survives as a bounty hunter in the Human Realm.

Fate takes an unexpected turn when Yang Jian crosses paths with his nephew, Shen Xiang. The young man is on a perilous quest to find the legendary Lotus Lamp, a powerful artifact believed to have the power to free his mother, who has been imprisoned on Mount Hua. However, their journey is fraught with danger, and unforeseen challenges lurk at every turn…

“I was incredibly surprised when I received this offer,” Sano said in an official statement. “I never imagined the day would come when I’d get the chance to work as a voice actor, so I was truly delighted. When I first watched this film, I was struck by how stunningly beautiful the visuals were and how amazing the music sounded. While the story features elements of Chinese mythology that might not be familiar to everyone, it also has many accessible and relatable aspects, making it easy for anyone to enjoy.”

There will be more Ae! group soon so… 

Stay Tuned!