New York-based Little Magic Films has secured a deal to represent the works of best-selling Japanese cult novelist Hideyuki Kikuchi for English-language film and TV live-action adaptations.

Little Magic president Kiki Miyake will work with Tokyo-based Japan Digital Contents Trust (JDCT) to handle the rights. Miyake will also serve as executive producer on adaptations of the Kikuchi titles.

Often compared to Stephen King and H.P. Lovecraft, Kikuchi has published more than 100 volumes of novels in Japan, many of which have been adapted into best-selling manga or anime movies.

Kikuchi titles available for adaptation include A Wind Named Amnesia, Dark Wars: Meiji Dracula, Darkside Blues and Demon City.

'Producers in the US have only scratched the surface in terms of the amazing body of work Kikuchi has created,' said Miyake, who previously acquired movies for Japan 's Amuse Pictures and Toshiba such as Finding Neverland and Resident Evil.

Two of his novel series, Vampire Hunter D and Wicked City, have already been optioned by Samuel Hadida's Davis Films and director Mark Dippe (Spawn) respectively, so have been excluded from the deal.

JDCT sets up funds for entertainment ventures and has co-financed films such as Hula Girls, which was Japan 's official entry for the Oscars last year.

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