Noted film director Mamoru Oshii is directing and writing his first stage production, it was learned on Thursday. He is tackling an adaptation of Mitsuteru Yokoyama's manga "Tetsujin 28-go," which was turned into an anime series in the '60s that became the basis of the American show "Gigantor."

Unexpectedly, 44-year-old actress Kaho Minami will be starring in two roles, as the 15-year-old male protagonist Shotaro Kaneda and as a mysterious female "fast food grifter" (more accurately, a "tachiguishi," as seen in Oshii's live-action film "Onna Tachiguishi Retsuden"). The supporting cast includes Narushi Ikeda, rocker Diamond Yukai, and musician/writer Sunplaza Nakano-kun (appearing in his first play).

"Tetsujin 28-go" will be performed at Tokyo's Galaxy Theatre on January 10-25 and at Osaka's Umeda Arts Theater on February 5-8.