Kenji Sonishi's 4-panel gag manga "Neko Rahmen" is being turned into a live-action film titled "Neko Rahmen Taisho." The original comic, which is currently serialized in Comic Blade, is a surreal comedy about a cat that runs a ramen shop. Two tankoubon have been released so far, selling a total of 150,000 copies.

Director Minoru Kawasaki is taking on the project. Known for movies such as "The World Sinks Except Japan" ("Nihon Igai Zenbu Chinbotsu") and "The Rug Cop" ("Zura Deka"), Kawasaki also has a history with offbeat films featuring animal characters, such as "The Calamari Wrestler," "Executive Koala," and "Kani Goalkeeper."

The film is being distributed by Tornado Film, who is also distributing Kawasaki's upcoming "The Monster X Strikes Back: Attack the G8 Summit" ("Guilala no Gyakushu: Toyako Summit Kiki Ippatsu"). "Neko Rahmen Taisho" will see limited theatrical release across the country this fall.

- Tokyograph