Cardfight!! Vanguard: The Movie (Japanese: 劇場版 カードファイト!! ヴァンガード, Hepburn: Gekijōban Kādofaito!! Vangādo) is a 2014 Japanese animated/live-action science fantasy action film based on the Cardfight!! Vanguard series created by Bushiroad and Akira Itō. The film is divided into two segments: Neon Messiah (Japanese: ネオンメサイア, Hepburn: Neon Mesaia) the animated portion, and Three Games (Japanese: 3つのゲーム, Hepburn: 3-tsu no Gēmu), the live-action portion of the film. The film is co-produced by Liden Films and Ace Crew Entertainment, and was released in theaters in Japan on September 13, 2014.
Contents
Premise
Neon Messiah
The card game that gathered millions of players all over the world has become part of daily life. Throughout this game that has captivated the world, two card fighters – Aichi Sendō and Kai Toshiki – have met many friends and rivals. From the bond he made with the unit "Blaster Blade", Aichi was entrusted with the wishes and prayers to save the Planet Cray from the brink of destruction, through a mysterious dream.
In that dream, Takuto Tatsunagi announced an invite-only tournament, then invited both Aichi and Kai to take part in Messiah Scramble. The first prize is the card named Messiah, the name of a savior that was heard in a dream. At the same time, the destruction of Planet Cray and disappearance of the units captivated the person that stood before the invitees, Kōji Ibuki.
Three Games
A blackmail sent to the police containing a video showing the letters VF in the flame. The criminal demands they call the strongest adult Vanguard fighter and fight him against three games.
Cast
Neon Messiah
Tsubasa Yonaga as Aichi Sendō
Takuya Satō as Kai Toshiki
Izumi Kitta as Misaki Tokura
Shizuka Ishikawa as Kamui Katsuragi
Atsushi Abe as Ren Suzugamori
Toru Nara as Naoki Ishida
Mamoru Miyano as Kōji Ibuki
Three Games
Daigo as himself
Suzuko Mimori as Kōrrin Tatsuragī
Production
A film adaptation of Cardfight!! Vanguard was announced in August 2014 and featured separate stories from both animated and live-action portions. The animated portion was titled Neon Messiah while the live-action portion was titled Three Games. Neon Messiah was directed by Shin Itagaki, written by Mayori Sekijima, and produced by Liden Films. Three Games was directed by Takashi Motoki, written by Yutaka Bangadō and produced by Ace Crew Entertainment. Mamoru Miyano will voice a character in Neon Messiah segment, while Daigo portrayed a middle school teacher named Daigo in Three Games.
Release
The film was released in Japanese theaters on September 13, 2014. It was released on DVD and Blu-Ray in Japan on May 2, 2015. An English sub was shown on July 4, 2015, at the Anime Expo in Los Angeles, California.