Human Vapor

Human Vapor
GenreScience fiction
Thriller
Crime drama
Based on
The Human Vapor
by
ShowrunnerYeon Sang-ho
Written byYeon Sang-ho
Ryu Yong-jae
Directed byShinzo Katayama
StarringShun Oguri
Yu Aoi
Suzu Hirose
Kento Hayashi
Yutaka Takenouchi
Country of originJapan
South Korea
Original languageJapanese
Production
Executive producersYeon Sang-ho
Minami Ichikawa
Keiji Ota
Hisashi Usui
Nen Hyo
Ryoji Kure
ProducersSokichi Onoda
Yoomin Hailey Yang
Production companiesToho Studios
WOWPOINT
Original release
NetworkNetflix

Human Vapor (Japanese: ガス人間, Hepburn: Gasu Ningen; Korean: 가스인간; RR: gaseuingan; lit. 'Gas Man') is an upcoming Japanese-South Korean science fiction thriller television series based on the 1960 tokusatsu film The Human Vapor directed by Ishirō Honda. Written by Yeon Sang-ho and Ryu Yong-jae, and directed by Shinzo Katayama, the series stars Shun Oguri and Yu Aoi in their first live-action collaboration in 23 years.[1] It is a co-production between Toho Studios and South Korea's WOWPOINT, marking the first collaboration between Netflix and Toho. The eight-episode limited series[2] is scheduled for release on Netflix in 2026.[3]

Production

Development

The series originated from discussions between Toho producers and Yeon Sang-ho in 2018, during which Yeon selected The Human Vapor from Toho's "Transforming Human Series" for its blend of speculative science and human drama.[1] Yeon, known for global hits like Train to Busan (2016) and Netflix's Hellbound (2021), emphasized the original film's "skillful sci-fi expressions" and emotional core, stating: "While it is a sci-fi thriller, at its core, it is a story about people. We focused on treating human emotions with care and portraying the characters’ humanity."[1][4]

Script development took three years, with Ryu Yong-jae—Yeon's collaborator on Parasyte: The Grey (2024)—joining as co-writer.[5] Shinzo Katayama, acclaimed for Gannibal (2022), was selected as director for his ability to merge genre elements with intimate storytelling. Katayama, upon revisiting the original, noted: "I was intrigued by its blend of human drama and romantic elements, despite featuring an absurd creature like the Human Vapor."[1][6]

The project represents Netflix's first partnership with Toho, aiming to revive the studio's tokusatsu legacy for global audiences using cutting-edge VFX.[7] WOWPOINT, the production company behind Parasyte: The Grey, co-produces, infusing Korean expertise in genre storytelling.[8]

Casting

Casting announcements began in August 2024, with Shun Oguri and Yu Aoi confirmed as leads—reuniting after their last live-action project, the 2001 TV movie Ao to Shiro de Mizuiro (also known as 24 Eyes).[9] Yeon specifically envisioned Aoi for her role, citing her performances in Hana & Alice (2004) and Wife of a Spy (2020). Oguri, known internationally for Godzilla vs. Kong (2021), was selected for his star power and versatility.[6]

Filming and post-production

Principal photography commenced in September 2024 at Toho's Stage 9 in Tokyo, with additional location shoots in Shizuoka Prefecture from February to April 2025.[10] Filming wrapped in April 2025 after a brief pause in December 2024 due to Aoi getting a high fever, however, she returned to work after being discharged from the hospital.[3] The production incorporated practical effects alongside CGI to modernize the gaseous transformations, drawing from the original's tokusatsu roots.[11]

Open casting calls for extras ran through March 2025, offering non-commercial memorabilia as incentives.[12]

Release

Human Vapor is slated for a global Netflix premiere in April 2026.[3] Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos highlighted it as a flagship upcoming title during the company's 2025 earnings call, alongside anticipated returns like Bridgerton and One Piece.[13]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Human Vapor Announcement". Netflix. August 7, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
  2. ^ "[단독] 연상호 감독, 아오이 유우x오구리 슌 ‘가스인간’ 쇼러너..K콘텐츠의 진화". 일간스포츠 (in Korean). 2024-05-07. Retrieved 2025-10-25.
  3. ^ a b c 『FLASH』編集部 (2025-02-14). "小栗旬、Netflix『ガス人間第一号』リブート作品現場に"自腹200人分"服提供の太っ腹！蒼井優も驚いた東宝全面協力の"大迫力ロケ"". Smart FLASH/スマフラ[光文社週刊誌] (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-10-25.
  4. ^ "Japanese SF film 'The Human Vapor' to be remade as Netflix series". The Korea Herald. August 8, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
  5. ^ "Netflix, Toho to remake sci-fi 'The Human Vapor' written by Train to Busan's Yeon Sang-ho". Screen Daily. August 8, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
  6. ^ a b "小栗旬 × 蒼井優 23年ぶり実写共演！日韓トップクリエイターの強力タッグで 東宝の伝説的特撮映画を完全オリジナルストーリーでリブート！Netflixシリーズ「ガス人間」制作決定" (in Japanese). Netflix Japan. August 8, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
  7. ^ "Netflix Partners With Japan's Toho to Reboot 'The Human Vapor'". The Hollywood Reporter. August 8, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
  8. ^ "Human Vapor: Netflix Set to Remake Japanese Sci-Fi Classic as Series". Bleeding Cool. August 8, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
  9. ^ "'Godzilla vs. Kong' Star Oguri Shun, 'Rurouni Kenshin' Actor Aoi Yu to Lead Netflix-Toho Series Reboot of Classic Film 'Human Vapor'". Variety. August 8, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
  10. ^ "【配信ドラマ「ガス人間」片山慎三監督インタビュー】" (in Japanese). Shizuoka Shimbun. April 30, 2025. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
  11. ^ "Netflix Working on Live-Action Series Adaptation of 'The Human Vapor'". What's on Netflix. October 23, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
  12. ^ "終了 ＊ 3/22RNetflixシリーズ「ガス人間」エキストラ募集" (in Japanese). M Port. March 22, 2025. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
  13. ^ Hayes, Dade (2025-07-17). "Ted Sarandos Has 37 Reasons Why Netflix's Programming Mojo Will Continue Through 2026". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-10-25.
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