They Were Eleven (1977)
A rare 1977 NHK live-action adaptation of Moto Hagio's landmark sci-fi manga about cadets, suspicion, and survival in space.
They Were Eleven - Movie Information
- Original Title: 11人いる！
- Release Year: 1977
- Directed by: Toru Minegishi
- Type: Movie
- Runtime: 45m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Production Companies: NHK
- Production Countries: Japan
They Were Eleven - Plot
An NHK adaptation of the famous manga by Moto Hagio.
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They Were Eleven - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Toru Minegishi
Main Cast
- Taizo Sayama
- Tsuguaki Yoshida
- Kei Satō
- Pepe Hozumi
- Toshio Nakamura
- Tadayoshi Kura
- Yuji Mitsuya
- Keizaburo Ishigaki
Writers
- Mamoru Sasaki
They Were Eleven - FAQs
What is They Were Eleven about?
They Were Eleven follows a group of space academy cadets who board a derelict spacecraft for their final exam — only to discover their team numbers eleven instead of the expected ten. Stranded and unable to call for help, they must survive mounting dangers while suspicion grows over who the mysterious extra person might be.
Is They Were Eleven based on a manga?
Yes! They Were Eleven is based on the acclaimed manga 11人いる！ by Moto Hagio, one of the pioneering figures of shōjo manga. Originally serialized in the early 1970s, the story is celebrated for blending sci-fi tension with themes of identity and trust. This 1977 NHK production is a faithful live-action adaptation of that classic work.
Who directed the 1977 NHK adaptation?
The 1977 NHK television adaptation was directed by Toru Minegishi. The production was broadcast by NHK, Japan's public broadcasting network, and brought Moto Hagio's celebrated manga to life in live-action format, with a runtime of approximately 45 minutes.
Who are the main cast members in They Were Eleven?
The cast features Taizo Sayama, Tsuguaki Yoshida, Kei Satō, Pepe Hozumi, Toshio Nakamura, Tadayoshi Kura, Yuji Mitsuya, and Keizaburo Ishigaki. Together they portray the group of cadets at the heart of the story's tense survival drama aboard the mysterious spacecraft.
Is there a later anime adaptation of this story?
Yes — beyond this 1977 NHK live-action version, Moto Hagio's manga was also adapted into an animated film in 1986. The anime version is perhaps better known internationally and has been praised for capturing the suspense and emotional depth of the original story, making it a touchstone of classic sci-fi anime.
What themes does They Were Eleven explore?
At its core, They Were Eleven explores trust, paranoia, and identity under pressure. Trapped together with no way out, the cadets must decide whether to cooperate or suspect one another — a classic locked-room mystery set in space. The story also touches on gender identity, a notably progressive theme for its era.
How long is They Were Eleven (1977)?
This NHK adaptation runs approximately 45 minutes, making it a compact but complete telling of the story. Its shorter runtime reflects its origins as a television production rather than a theatrical feature, yet it covers the essential arc of Moto Hagio's manga within that tight timeframe.
What are some similar films to They Were Eleven?
If you enjoy They Were Eleven, you might also like other Japanese anime and live-action adaptations of beloved manga, such as Gantz: Perfect Answer, Blood-C: The Last Dark, or Kamui. These films share a similar spirit of adapting popular manga properties into cinematic form with genre-blending storytelling.
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