Poster of a TV adaption of Cha's Wuxia novel in 1980s. (Photo provided by chinadaily.com.cn)
Most Chinese have read or watched at least one of Louis Cha's wuxia novels or a screen adaptation. Now fans seemingly have one more option: to enjoy his martial arts world in the form of comics.
Phoenix Entertainment, a newly-established subsidiary of the Hong Kong broadcaster Phoenix TV, announced recently that it has obtained the adaptation rights of all of Cha's 15 wuxia novels and the right to develop related merchandise.
Zhang Jiayun, CEO of Phoenix Entertainment, reveals Japanese artist Yoshitaka Amano and Common Corporation, who was behind Japan's hit manga series Ghost in the Shell, will take part in the adaptation.
Zhang also says the firm will emphasize the copyright protection of Cha's literary works.
During the past 50 years, a number of brands or products were named after Cha's novels or the known fictional characters but few were licensed.
Cha, aka Jin Yong, is China's most influential martial arts author. His 15 novels, written between mid-1950s and 1970s, unleashed a new boom of martial arts literature.
Liu Changle, board chair and CEO of Phoenix, says the television broadcaster will expand its business to the comics sector.
