Terra Formars (film)

Terra Formars (film) is a 2016 Japanese science fiction action horror film directed by Takashi Miike, based on the manga series Terra Formars written by Yū Sasuga and illustrated by Kenichi Tachibana. The film stars Hideaki Ito, Rinko Kikuchi, Tomohisa Yamashita, Takayuki Yamada, and Emi Takei.

The film adapts the "Bugs 2" arc of the manga. Set in the year 2599, humanity has been attempting to terraform Mars by sending moss and cockroaches to cover the planet's surface. When a group of fifteen genetically enhanced Japanese soldiers is sent to Mars to exterminate the cockroaches in preparation for human colonization, they discover that the cockroaches have evolved into enormous, humanoid, and incredibly strong creatures with formidable fighting abilities. The film depicts the battle between the crew and these evolved cockroaches, known as Terra Formars, as the humans struggle to survive and complete their mission.

The plot deviates from the source material in several ways, primarily due to the film's shorter runtime compared to the expansive narrative of the manga. These changes include alterations to character backstories, modifications to the powers granted by the genetic enhancements, and a more streamlined progression of the story. The film also incorporates elements of body horror and graphic violence, consistent with the Terra Formars manga.

The film was released in Japan on April 29, 2016. It received generally negative reviews, with critics citing its weak plot, poor CGI, and over-the-top acting as its primary flaws. However, some praised the film for its faithfulness to the manga's visual style and its action sequences.