Laughing Under the Clouds: Gaiden Part 1

Laughing Under the Clouds: Gaiden Part 1 was produced by Wit Studio and released in 2017 as the first installment of a three-part film trilogy. The project serves as a cinematic expansion of the original manga series by Kemuri Karakara, focusing on the Kumoh brothers and their historical role in protecting the gates of Lake Biwa during the early Meiji period. This adaptation was designed to provide deeper insight into the backstories of the characters, bridging the narrative gap between the original manga and the sequel series.

The film adaptation was directed by Tetsuya Wakano, who utilized Wit Studio’s characteristic high-contrast aesthetic to maintain the moody, traditional Japanese atmosphere established in the manga. By shifting the perspective to the events surrounding the three brothers after the rebellion, the studio aimed to capture the themes of duty and brotherhood while translating Karakara’s intricate character designs into a polished cinematic format. The trilogy received a generally positive reception from fans for its faithful expansion of the source material's lore.