A first look at the gorgeous GOJIRA promotional poster that Classic Media
will be giving away at select festivals and conventions starting this
weekend. Photo courtesy of Classic Media. ©1954 Toho Co., Ltd.

Promotional Blitz for New Godzilla DVDs Begins!
Author: Keith Aiken
Source: Classic Media
Official site: Godzilla on DVD

A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

This weekend Classic Media launches their promotional campaign for the GOJIRA/GODZILLA KING OF THE MONSTERS 2-disc collector’s edition DVD with presentations at two major festivals in Southern California. And that’s just the beginning… this summer will feature screenings of both the US and Japanese versions of the first Godzilla film, more festival and convention appearances, video previews, website updates, Godzilla prizes, and more!

SciFi Japan is pleased to present an exclusive early look at Classic Media’s plans for Godzilla over the next few months. The latest news, a look at the complete packaging art for the 2-disc set, and information on what events to attend for a chance at free Godzilla items such as the cartoon show DVDs, toys, shirts, and the great GOJIRA DVD poster pictured at left can all be found here.

Gamera comes to the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood for the US premiere of GAMERA THE BRAVE. The latest Gamera movie caps an evening devoted to Kadokawa Pictures that also includes a Q&A with a studio rep and the Los Angeles premiere of THE GREAT YOKAI WAR. Photo courtesy of Kadokawa Pictures.
© 2006 Chiisaki Yusha-tachi Gamera/Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.

Plus the LA premiere of THE GREAT YOKAI WAR, Gamera prizes, and an introduction from Kadokawa Pictures
Author: Keith Aiken
Source: Kadokawa Pictures USA

Beginning at 7:30 pm this Friday, June 30, the American Cinematheque presents “Giant Monsters On the Loose”, three days of kaiju films, premieres, and presentations at the historic Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, CA. The first night of the event will focus on Kadokawa Pictures, the studio responsible for some of the biggest Japanese fantasy films of the past year. “An Evening with Kadokawa Pictures” will feature the US premiere of the brand-new GAMERA THE BRAVE(Chiisaki Yusha-tachi Gamera), the launch of the US theatrical run of Takashi Miike’s THE GREAT YOKAI WAR (Yokai Daisenso), an introduction and Q&A session with a rep from Kadokawa Pictures, and an opportunity to win Gamera and Yokai prizes.
Continued…

©2005 Shochiku Film Co.

Author: Aaron Cooper
Source: Geneon Video
Special Thanks to Bob Johnson

It looks like Japan is on the same bandwagon as the United States in remaking, re-imagining and re-tooling older properties for the next generation. Unfortunately, with this comes the same pitfalls and lack of imagination Hollywood suffers from in this era of remakes if not done correctly. TETSUJIN-28, known as Gigantor in the States, is no exception.
Continued…

Promotional “Conceptual CG Illustration” from the press release. Photo courtesy of Imagi International Holdings Ltd.
©2006 Tatsunoko Production Co., Ltd. and Imagi International Holdings Ltd.

Author: Robert Saint John
Source: Press Release
Official Japanese Site: Imagi Animation Studios

Imagi Animation Studios announced this week that it will co-produce with Tatsunoko Production a feature-length CG animated film version of Tatsunoko’s popular TV anime series, SCIENCE NINJA TEAM GATCHAMAN. Originally produced in 1972, Kagaku Ninja tai Gatchaman was in many ways the forefather of the live action Super Sentai genre, and Gatchaman and its sequels were later made popular worldwide through English adaptations such as “Battle of the Planets” and “G-Force”.
Continued…

Director to helm a new DAIMAJIN for Kadokawa/ Media Blasters brings ZEBRAMAN to US

Takashi Miike will remake the classic film DAIMAJIN and Media Blasters will release the director’s ZEBRAMAN on American DVD.
DAIMAJIN © 1966 Kodakawa Pictures. ZEBRAMAN photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 2004 Zebraman Partners

Takashi Miike has developed a reputation as one of the most prolific, talented, and controversial filmmakers in the world with credits such as AUDITION, ICHI THE KILLER, GOZU, ONE MISSED CALL, IZO, ULTRAMAN MAX, THREE EXTREMES, and the “banned” episode of Showtime’s MASTERS OF HORROR. This past week saw two big announcements concerning the director; one from Japan, the other from America.

Following his success with THE GREAT YOKAI WAR, Kadokawa Pictures has hired Takashi Miike to helm a remake of the classic film DAIMAJIN. At Anime Boston, Media Blasters revealed that they would be bringing Miike’s hilariously entertaining 2004 favorite ZEBRAMAN to America for the first time.

Robert Saint John and Clay Holden provide some early news plus a look back and forward to these projects here.

Monster Zero Founder and beloved friend dies at age 36
Source:Monster Zero News

©1954 Toho Co., ltd.

From Monster Zero News…

It is with a heavy heart and much sadness that the staff of Monster Zero must announce the unexpected passing of MZ co-founder and owner, Aaron Smith. Aaron passed away on Tuesday after a major cardiac arrest. He had been in the hospital over the weekend due to ongoing complications arising from an injury he suffered a few months ago. It appeared by Monday that he was out of the woods but, according to his family, Tuesday’s heart attack was massive and quick, and nothing could be done.
Continued…