September 1st, 2010 3:49 am
In News, Anime, News, Events, News, International Cinema
NEW PEOPLE Expands 2010 J-POP SUMMIT FESTIVAL With a Week of Events
Japanese Film, Fashion, Music and Art Celebrated in a Week of Activities Leading Up to All-Day Event Showcasing the Best in Modern Asian Popular Culture
Source: VIZ Pictures, MediaLab press releases
Official Site: J-Pop.com
Special Thanks to Erik Jansen
NEW PEOPLE, a dynamic entertainment destination bringing the latest examples of Japanese popular culture to North American shores, will expand its upcoming 2010 J-Pop Summit Festival, happening on Saturday, September 18th in San Francisco’s Japantown, with a special series of events taking place at the venue each night during the week leading up to the Festival.
Beginning on Monday, September 13th and continuing every evening through Friday, September 17th, different aspects of Japanese and Asian film, anime, fashion design, music and other forms of pop culture will be celebrated in a series of unique screenings, interactive discussions, multimedia presentations and live performances. Special gift bags containing a variety of fun premiums will be given to all ticket holders each night.
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August 31st, 2010 6:53 am
In News, Anime, News, DVD / Blu-ray, News, Superheroes
CASSHERN SINS Now on Region 1 DVD and Blu-ray
Source: FUNimation Entertainment
Official Site: casshern-sins.jp (Japan), funimation.com/casshernsins (US)
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Manny Alcala
The complete 24 episode anime series CASSHERN SINS (Kyashan Sins, 2008) has been released on North American DVD and Blu-ray by FUNimation Entertainment. The series is loosely based on the original NEO-HUMAN CASSHERN (Shinzo Ningen Casshan, aka CASSHAN), a 1973 superhero show produced Tatsunoko Production (SPEED RACER, GATCHAMAN). CASSHERN SINS is set in a post-apocalyptic world where mankind is nearly extinct. Robots far outnumber humans, but the inhospitable environment has begun to destroy even their metal bodies as well. Into this world comes the humanoid cyborg Casshern. Extremely powerful but suffering from amnesia, the first things Casshern discovers is that he is responsible for what has befallen the world… and now everyone wants to kill him.
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August 30th, 2010 10:19 am
In News, Anime, News, Merchandise
Tokyo Realtime: Akihabara Audio Tour Released by White Rabbit Press
New Audio CD Acts as Your Guide to Akihabara
Source: White Rabbit Press press release
Official Website: www.TokyoRealtime.com
White Rabbit Press is proud to release the world’s first professionally produced audio guided walking tour for Tokyo’s Akihabara district.
With TOKYO REALTIME: Akihabara, visitors and residents alike can experience a unique behind-the-scenes tour of Tokyo’s ‘Electric Town’, a subculture hotspot for anime, games, manga, maids and more. Assisted by his sentient GPS ‘Navi’, Akihabara expert Patrick W. Galbraith, author of The Otaku Encyclopedia, guides visitors through all the must-see places. Patrick provides historical background and cultural insight along the way, as well as breaking down insider jargon such as otagei, moé and itasha.
The release of TOKYO REALTIME: Akihabara marks the second volume in the highly-acclaimed Tokyo Realtime audio tour series. Interweaving narration and interviews within a soundscape of location ambience and music, Tokyo Realtime audio travel guides deliver a seamless mix of adventure and cultural insight while navigating real-world spaces.
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August 29th, 2010 5:59 pm
In News, Anime, News, DVD / Blu-ray, News, Kaiju / Monsters
FUNimation Acquires EVANGELION: 2.0 YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE from NTV
Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release
Official Movie Site: funimation.com/evangelion (US), evangelion.co.jp (Japan)
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Manny Alcala
FUNimation Entertainment announced that it has acquired the North American home entertainment, broadcast, digital and merchandise rights to the animated sci-fi action film EVANGELION: 2.0 YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE (Evangelion Shin Gekijoban: Ha, 2009) from international sales agent NTV (Nippon Television Network). FUNimation will release the film on Region 1 DVD and Blu-ray in 2011.
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August 28th, 2010 3:08 pm
In News, Events, News, Godzilla / Toho, News, Merchandise
Haruo Nakajima Attends Publishing Party for Autobiography Kaiju Jinsei
Godzilla Suit Actor Celebrates Launch of New Book
Author: Daisuke Ishizuka
Source: Yosensha Co., Ltd.
A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE
Today a publishing party was held for the autobiography Kaiju Jinsei (Kaiju Life) by Mr. Haruo Nakajima. Mr. Haruo Nakajima is a pioneer of monster suit acting who is well known as the suit actor who played Godzilla and various Toho monsters. He has often been invited to conventions in America; Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, etc. and he is familiar with Tokusatsu fans in the U.S. I attended the G-Fest convention in Hollywood in 2000 and it was my first time to see him. I had chance to hear about his career at that time. In 2010, we now have a chance to know about him more deeply because his autobiography was published in July by Yosensha Co., Ltd.
In Kaiju Jinsei, Mr. Nakajima details his life, from his youth to the present day. Needles to say, he focuses on his career as suit actor. In addition, he talks about Mr. Eiji Tsuburaya as well as the filmmakers and his friend and co-workers at Toho. The book is valuable resource for Tokusatsu fans.
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August 28th, 2010 9:13 am
In News, Anime, News, Events
EUREKA SEVEN: THE MOVIE to Screen at London’s Barbican Center
Popular Anime Film Plays in September
Source: Barbican Centre, Sarah Harvey Publicity press release
Special Thanks to Helene Muron
The Barbican Centre in London continues their JAPANIMATION event series in September with EUREKA SEVEN: THE MOVIE. The screening will once again be introduced by anime expert and author Helen McCarthy (The Anime! Movie Guide, Hayao Miyazaki: Master of Japanese Animation, and founder of the magazine AnimeFX).
JAPANIMATION
Friday 24 September, 8.30pm
EUREKA SEVEN: THE MOVIE (Kokyoshihen Eureka Sebun: Poketto ga Niji de Ippai, 2009)
Director: Tomoki Kyoda
Running Time: 115 min
Certification: 12A*
In Japanese with English Subtitles
EUREKA SEVEN: THE MOVIE is a complete re-imagining of the popular TV series, an emotional tale of love and survival amid spectacular aerial maneuvers. When Renton is cruelly separated from his childhood playmate Eureka, a girl who cannot survive in sunlight, he vows to rescue her. Years later Renton, a mecha pilot on the airship Gekko, is finally reunited with the girl he loves, only to discover her true nature and dark fate.
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August 28th, 2010 12:52 am
In News, Anime, News, DVD / Blu-ray
Latest Anime DVDs and Blu-ray from FUNimation
Source: FUNimation Entertainment press releases
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Manny Alcala
FUNimation Entertainment has provided details on their new and upcoming Region 1 anime DVD and Blu-ray releases.
Read on for cover art and specs for…
MY BRIDE IS A MERMAID, Parts 1 and 2
SOUL EATER Part 4
DRAGON BALL Season 5
ONE PIECE: SEASON 3- SECOND VOYAGE
MASTER OF MARTIAL HEARTS
FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: BROTHERHOOD Part 2
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August 26th, 2010 9:20 pm
In News, Anime, News, Tribute
Satoshi Kon: 1963-2010
Internationally Acclaimed Anime Director has Died
Author: Kyle Byrd
Source: Tokyo Shimbun, Anime News Network, Polymetrica, Sony Pictures Classics, The Associates, various
On Tuesday, August 24, renowned anime director Satoshi Kon passed away from pancreatic cancer at the young age of 46. Along with films like Katsuhiro Otomo’s AKIRA (1988) and Mamorou Oshi’s GHOST IN THE SHELL (1995), Kon’s films such as PERFECT BLUE (1997) and PAPRIKA (2006) helped popularize mature-themed Japanese animation in the United States by showing the West that animated films didn’t have to be for children. Kon’s films were often subversive, complex, and surreal examinations of the human condition, and he would prove to be an influence on filmmakers the world over.
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August 26th, 2010 7:15 am
In News, Events, News, Superheroes, News, Tokusatsu / FX
Ban Daisuke Meets Fans in Little Tokyo
KIKAIDA star appears at Los Angeles Nisei Week events
Author: Richard Pusateri
Official Sites: Anime Jungle, Generation Kikaida, www.bandaisuke.com
Special thanks: Joanne Ninomiya, Tetsu Shiota, August Ragone
Ban Daisuke’s recent visit to Los Angeles, hosted by Anime Jungle, demonstrated that the appeal of KIKAIDA is not limited to markets where the Japanese TV program aired in the United States. After much success at personal appearances in Hawaii, San Francisco and at San Diego Comic Con in years past, Mr. Ban met his enthusiastic Los Angeles fans August 14 and 15 during Little Tokyo’s Nisei Week celebration.
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August 25th, 2010 12:31 pm
In News, International Cinema, News, Kaiju / Monsters
Review: PIRANHA 3D
Author: Kyle Byrd
Official Site: piranha-3d.com
The PIRANHA series is simply one of the most bizarre footnotes in the history of b-movies. The Roger Corman produced 1978 film was the solo directorial debut of Joe Dante (THE HOWLING, GREMLINS, SMALL SOLDIERS), and the first screenplay by acclaimed writer and future director John Sayles (LONE STAR, PASSION OF FISH). The satirical horror/comedy was made to capitalize on the success of JAWS and came out on the heels of JAWS 2. For a quick cash-in/rip off of a big Hollywood production, PIRANHA was much better than it had any reason to be due to a great new talent behind the camera and a witty script. It spawned a below-par sequel (PIRANHA 2: THE SPAWNING), which was the first directed by James Cameron (THE TERMINATOR, AVATAR). For some reason, the series has been the launching pad for many people who would go on to do bigger and better things. There was also a cheap made for TV remake in 1995 which used stock footage and the same screenplay as the 78 original, but lacked everything that made it work.
Now a proper remake has been made, directed by French horror darling Alexandre Aja (HIGH TENSION, THE HILLS HAVE EYES remake). Like Dante’s film, it tells the story of a pack of killer piranhas and the people trying to stop them from getting to a large beachside event (it was the opening of a water park in the original, it’s a college spring break site here). Of course, the fish get loose and cause all kinds of bloody carnage.
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August 24th, 2010 7:17 am
In News, DVD / Blu-ray, News, Kaiju / Monsters
Sneak Peek: Shout! Factory’s GAMERA DOUBLE FEATURE COLLECTOR’S EDITION DVDs
Four Classic Gamera Movies Coming September 21st
Source: Shout! Factory
Special Thanks to Tom Chen and Brian Ward
Our friends at Shout! Factory sent over advance copies of their GAMERA VS. GUIRON / GAMERA VS. JIGER and GAMERA VS. GYAOS / GAMERA VS. VIRAS Double-Feature Collector’s Edition DVD sets, so we’re pleased to give SciFi Japan readers an early look at what’s coming their way on September 21st. Each DVD set is sold separately and has a suggested retail price of $19.93.
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August 23rd, 2010 10:03 am
In News, DVD / Blu-ray, News, Kaiju / Monsters
New Gamera Double Feature DVDs Coming from Shout! Factory
Classic Kaiju Movies to be Released September 21st
Source: Shout! Factory press release
Special Thanks to Tom Chen and Brian Ward
If you loved the first two Special Edition home entertainment releases of the original Gamera movies – GAMERA, THE GIANT MONSTER and GAMERA VS. BARUGON, prepare yourself for four times the fun! On September 21, 2010, Shout! Factory will further unleash four more Gamera movies (the original Japanese version) from the Showa series in two Double-Feature Collector’s Edition DVD sets: GAMERA VS. GYAOS / GAMERA VS. VIRAS and GAMERA VS. GUIRON / GAMERA VS. JIGER. Featuring all-new anamorphic widescreen transfers, each Double-Feature DVD set includes both the original Japanese and infamous English dubbed versions of each film along with publicity galleries. A must-have for film enthusiasts and collectors, aggregate your Gamera movie collection with these two Double-Feature Collector’s Edition DVD sets. Each DVD set is sold separately with $19.93 SRP.
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August 22nd, 2010 8:04 am
In News, Anime, News, DVD / Blu-ray, News, Godzilla / Toho, News, Tokusatsu / FX
September Region 4 DVD Releases from Madman
Source: Madman Entertainment
Special Thanks to Ben Pollock and Philippa Lamb
The Australian distributor Madman Entertainment is releasing a mix of anime and Asian live action titles on Region 4 DVD in September, 2010. The selection includes:
FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: BROTHERHOOD Collection 2
ONE PIECE (Uncut) Collection
MY BRIDE IS A MERMAID Collection 1
BAKUGAN: NEW VESTROIA Collection 2
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Collection 3
JYU-OH-SEI (PLANET OF THE BEAST KING) Collection
NANA Collection 2
INITIAL D FOURTH STAGE Collection 2
KUROKAMI Collection 1
BLEACH Vol 26
20TH CENTURY BOYS Trilogy
and MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM 00 Second Season Vol 1
Read on for plot descriptions, DVD specs, cover art, and more.
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August 21st, 2010 9:39 am
In News, Anime, News, DVD / Blu-ray
September Anime DVD and Blu-ray Releases from Section23 Films
XAM’D Blu Ray Available on September 21st
Source: Section23 Films press release
Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff
Home video distributor Section23 Films has provided product details for their September 2010 slate of releases, including XAM’D COLLECTION 1 on DVD and Blu-ray, GOLGO 13 COLLECTION 2, BLUE DROP COMPLETE COLLECTION, DVD and Blu-ray editions of GHOST HOUND COMPLETE COLLECTION, and HELL GIRL: THREE VESSELS COLLECTION 1.
Read on for plot descriptions, DVD/Blu-ray specs, and cover art for all these titles.
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August 19th, 2010 10:16 am
In News, DVD / Blu-ray, News, International Cinema, News, Kaiju / Monsters
THE LOST SKELETON RETURNS AGAIN and DARK AND STORMY NIGHT Now on DVD
A Double-Dose of Hilarious B-Movie Lampoons
Source: Shout! Factory, Bantam Street
Official Movie Websites: THE LOST SKELETON RETURNS AGAIN, DARK AND STORMY NIGHT
Special Thanks to Brian Ward and Tom Chen
In the grand tradition of Mel Brooks and Preston Sturges, Larry Blamire brings his zany ensemble of actors back in two hysterically funny and instant cult-classics, when the highly-anticipated sequel THE LOST SKELETON RETURNS AGAIN and Blamire’s latest send-up DARK AND STORMY NIGHT hit the home entertainment shelves August 17, 2010 from Shout! Factory. Poised to deliver the cinematic chuckle-fests that loyal fans have been waiting for, both collectible DVDs boast cast and crew commentary, a behind-the-scenes featurette and more. Each DVD is sold separately and has a suggested retail price of $14.97.
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August 18th, 2010 2:19 pm
In News, Anime
Studio Ghibli’s TALES FROM EARTHSEA Now in Limited US Theatrical Release
Images and Production Notes from Walt Disney Studios
Source: Walt Disney Studios
Official Movie Site: disneypictures/earthsea (US)
On August 13th, Studio Ghibli’s TALES FROM EARTHSEA (Gedo Senki, 2006) began a limited theatrical run in the United States through Walt Disney Studios Distribution. Disney has released most of Ghibli’s films in the US, but TALES FROM EARTHSEA was delayed for several years since author Ursula Le Guin’s Earthsea novels had previously been optioned for film and television by Hallmark Entertainment.
The film was directed by Goro Miyazaki, son of Studio Ghibli co-founder and legend Hayao Miyazaki. While the works of the elder Miyazaki are revered worldwide, reviews for Goro’s directorial debut have been much less enthusiastic.
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August 17th, 2010 7:55 pm
In News, Anime, News, DVD / Blu-ray, News, Merchandise
VIZ Anime and Manga Releases for Summer 2010
Vampires, Soul Reapers, Ninja, Mangaka, and Romance Heat Up the Summer
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen
VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, will delight anime fans with several exciting new DVD and manga releases scheduled for the summer.
Anime titles are scheduled to include the North American debut of VAMPIRE KNIGHT, as well as the latest episodic releases of the popular BLEACH and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN series and a new POKÉMON collection. This summer also sees the launch of brand new manga series set to tantalize the most discriminating manga tastes and features romantic dramas, fantasy driven action, the trials of aspiring manga creators, and a tasty slice of life story set in a romantic bistro in Rome.
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August 17th, 2010 9:59 am
In News, Anime, News, Events, News, Merchandise
Anime Expo 2010: A Look Back
Photos from America’s Largest Anime and Manga Convention
Authors: Chris Taylor and Daisy Evans, Not Interested Entertainment
Official Site: anime-expo.org
Anime Expo was held again this year at the Los Angeles Convention Center in downtown Los Angeles, California. The event was, as always, attended by many thousands of fans from across the country (more than 100,000 people attended according to official statements from the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation). Many of these fans were wearing everything from simple to stunningly elaborate costume creations from a wide range of sources including anime, manga, Japanese culture (such as many Morning Musume and various visual kei bands), as well as those dressed in the style of Elegant Gothic Lolita (EGL).
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August 14th, 2010 3:17 pm
In News, International Cinema, News, Kaiju / Monsters
Magnolia Unleashes MONSTERS in U.S. this October
Indie UK Sci-Fi Thriller Opens October 29
Source: Magnolia Pictures
Official Movie Site: monstersfilm.com (US), monstersthemovie.com (UK)
Special Thanks to Brandon Nichols
Six years ago NASA discovered the possibility of alien life within our solar system. A probe was launched to collect samples, but crashed upon re-entry over Central America. Soon after, new life forms began to appear there and half of Mexico was quarantined as an INFECTED ZONE.
Today, the American and Mexican military still struggle to contain “the creatures”…
Our story begins when a US journalist agrees to escort a shaken American tourist through the infected zone in Mexico to the safety of the US border.
The low budget indie UK film MONSTERS will be distributed in the United States by Magnet Releasing, a division of Magnolia Pictures (THE HOST, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN). The picture will first be shown On Demand starting September 24th, with a limited theatrical run beginning in Los Angeles and New York on October 29th.
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August 12th, 2010 1:17 pm
In News, DVD / Blu-ray, News, Events, News, Tokusatsu / FX
VIZ Pictures to Release First Blu-Ray: DEATH NOTE COLLECTION
Highly Anticipated Double-Feature Includes DEATH NOTE, DEATH NOTE II: THE LAST NAME and Bonus Disc
Source: VIZ Pictures, MediaLab press releases
Official Movie Site: Death-Note-Movie (Japan), Death Note Films (US)
Special Thanks to Erik Jansen
VIZ Pictures will debut the Blu-ray DEATH NOTE COLLECTION on August 24th, 2010. The 3-disc set includes 2 feature films – DEATH NOTE and DEATH NOTE II: THE LAST NAME – as well as a bonus disc containing more than two hours of all new behind-the-scenes footage. Both films feature Japanese audio with English subtitles as well as an English dubbed dialogue track. MSRP for the DEATH NOTE COLLECTION is $39.98 U.S. / $57.99 CAN.
To celebrate the new release, VIZ Pictures will hold a special screening of both films at VIZ Cinema, located inside NEW PEOPLE in San Francisco’s Japantown (1746 Post St., San Francisco, CA 94115) on Saturday, September 4th.
As a special offer to U.S. and Canadian DEATH NOTE fans, VIZ Pictures will award three lucky winners posters for DEATH NOTE and DEATH NOTE II along with an autograph from one of the three lead actors – Tatsuya Fujiwara (who played Light Yagami), Erika Toda (Misa Amane) and Kenichi Matusyama (L/Ryuzaki).
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