© 2007 Newtype USA, Inc.

Source: ADV Films
Official Site: Newtype USA

The February 2007 issue of Newtype USA takes a lighthearted look at anime’s most dysfunctional couples with an exclusive cover and eight-page feature on EUREKA SEVEN, starring the charming yet conflicted duo of Eureka and Anemone. Will these two leading ladies ever find true love— or will they be swept away in the tides of intense conflict swirling around them?

Additional articles include details on the new EVANGELION films; a profile of Mine Yoshizaki (Sgt Frog); a look at anime titles BASILISK, .hack//Roots and LE CHEVALIER D’EON; The Official Art of Guyver; and reviews of all the latest anime, manga, video games, music and toys. Among the assortment of extras is with the exclusive manga insert, Once Upon a Glashma —a rollicking tale of two young magic investigators bumbling through a world where all the girls have disappeared— plus a free DVD featuring full anime episodes of AIR GEAR and DISGAEA.

Newtype USA Vol. 6, Issue 2 is available February 1, 2007.

© 1971 P Productions / 2007 Inspire

Author: Robert Saint John
Source: Hobby Search

The Japanese collectible website Hobby Search has announced that it is accepting pre-orders for a March release of a 6 3/4″ Spectreman pre-painted vinyl figure, based on the superhero of the tokusatsu TV series produced by P Productions and aired on Fuji TV in 1971-72. The figure is being manufactured by Inspire, and list price is 3,850 yen (approximately $32.00 US). Click on the image caption to visit the page.

Original UK TV movie of MAX HEADROOM: 20 MINUTES INTO THE FUTURE finally makes it to DVD
Author: Robert Saint John
Official Site: Transformer

It’s back to the future with Max Headroom. © 1985
Chrysalis Visual Programming/Channel 4/All3Media

20 years into the past… it was 1985, and the pre-Post Apocalyptic future was so bright, I had to wear shades. I decided to take a long vacation from life-as-I-knew-it-then in Ohio, sold everything I owned, and went to live in the UK for a few months. I had lots of big red hair and an attitude (I’ve since lost the former), and everything interesting in the Gothic Rock scene was happening in not-so-merry old England. Cynicism was the rule of the day, AIDS was becoming a global epidemic, Reaganomics and Thatcherism were ensuring that the rich got richer while the poor got poorer, The Bomb was probably going to fall any day now, and the Japanese appeared poised to purchase whatever scraps would be left. It was in this dystopian setting, late one evening at the Kit-Cat Club in London, that I got a glimpse 20 minutes into the future.
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Park Hyun-seo (Ko A-sung) in danger in THE HOST. © 2006 Chungeorahm Film

Source: Magnolia Pictures, MPRM
Official Site: The Host Movie
Video courtesy of Magnolia Pictures, © 2006 Chungeorahm Film

UPDATED MARCH 9 WITH NEW THEATERS AND SCREEN DATES

The South Korean blockbuster THE HOST opens in American theaters on March 9. US distributor Magnolia Pictures has provided the red band teaser trailer, the theatrical trailer and a list of theaters across the country that will be showing THE HOST this March and April.
Watch Video…

Catch KING KONG VS GODZILLA on the big screen
at Thrillville. © 1962 Toho/Advertising art © 2007
Thrillville Productions

Source: Thrillville Productions

The Bay Area’s Thrillville moves to their new haunt next month with the “Monstrous Valentines Show” at the Cerrito Speakeasy Theater. The main event will be a rare screening of KING KONG VS GODZILLA, courtesy of a 35mm print from Universal Studios:

The two mightiest monsters of all time battle in the thrilling adventure classic, KING KONG VS GODZILLA. When an underhanded pharmaceutical company goes to a remote tropical island to steal King Kong for advertising purposes, they get more than they bargained for when the gigantic ape attacks an unsuspecting village and an enormous octopus. Meanwhile, far below the sea, a submarine crew unleashes reptilian terror when they melt a block of ice and release the ferocious Godzilla from his icy lair. When both destructive monsters descend on Tokyo, it’s a fight that holds the future of mankind in the balance in this knock-out film that was the first theatrical release to bring its larger-than-life contenders to the big screen in glorious color.

Godzilla will also appear in “person” to meet burlesque star Gorilla X in a duel to the death. The match will be refereed by CINEMA INSOMNIA host Mr Lobo. Rounding out the festivities is a live performance by The Atomic Lounge Show.

Thrillville’s “Monstrous Valentines Show” will take place Thursday, February 8th at 9:00pm. The Cerrito Speakeasy Theater is located at 10070 San Pablo Ave in El Cerrito, CA. Tickets are $8.00 each.

© 2007 Studio Kaiju LLC

Source: Studio Kaiju LLC
Official Site: Kaiju.com

Next month, KAIJU BIG BATTEL: THE TV PILOT will be filmed in front of a live studio audience at the Avalon Boston. The live monster wrestling show has been optioned as a television series for the G4 TV cable network.

“We are very excited about the prospects of a KAIJU TV series, and it’s only fitting that we film the pilot in Kaiju’s hometown”, Studio Kaiju LLC’s Kaiju Commissioner announced in a press release. “Boston has been very generous in their support of KAIJU over the years and we wouldn’t want to hold this Big Battel anywhere else. You can be a part of this monumental moment in television history by becoming a member of the live studio audience. Tickets are available now at Ticketmaster outlets and ticketmaster.com.”

KAIJU BIG BATTEL: THE TV PILOT takes place 7:00pm Wednesday, February 21st at the Avalon Boston (15 Lansdowne St. Boston, MA). Tickets for the “All Ages” show are $15.25.

Author: Clay Holden
Source: Japan Postal Service

Gamera © 1999 Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.
Godzilla © 2004 Toho Co., Ltd.

The Japanese Postal Service has released several Special Issue Postal Stamps that may be of interest to anime and tokusatsu fans. “Animation Hero and Heroine, Series 3” is a full sheet of stamps from GALAXY EXPRESS 999 (Ginga Tetsudo Three-Nine) and other Leiji Matsumoto creations. “Japanese Movie I” focuses on chambara characters such as Toshiro Mifune’s ‘Kikuchiyo’ from SEVEN SAMURAI (Shichinin no Samurai). “Japanese Movie II” includes SAILOR SUITS AND GUNS (Serafuku to Kikanju), TWILIGHT SAMURAI (Tasogare Seibei), GAMERA: REVENGE OF IRIS (Gamera 3: Irisu Kakusei), and GODZILLA: FINAL WARS.

The main Japan Post website has information on distributors who are selling these Special Issues in a dozen countries, including the United States, Britain, Spain, and Germany.

Toei’s latest Rider appears January 28th
Author: James Ballard
Official Site: TV Asahi

Toei’s newest hero, MASKED RIDER DEN-O,
premieres next week in japan. © 2007 Ishimori
Pro/TV Asahi/ADK/Toei Co.,Ltd

Following the climax of MASKED RIDER KABUTO (Kamen Raidaa Kabuto, 2006) this Sunday, the latest entry in the Masked Rider series, MASKED RIDER DEN-O (Kamen Raidaa Denou), premieres on January 28th. MASKED RIDER DEN-O is the seventeenth entry in the long running television franchise produced by Toei Company and Ishimori Productions, a collaboration which began with the hugely popular MASKED RIDER (Kamen Raidaa) in 1971.

Masked Rider Den-O (the Japanese “Den” meaning “electric” and “Ou” meaning “king”) is an all-new hero, crossing through different times and dimensions. Den-O’s transformation is accomplished through various Rider Tickets which are to be used with the Rider Pass on his belt. As well as Den-O’s basic red “Sword Form”, he will initially be able to adopt three other forms; a blue “Rod Form”, a yellow “Axe Form” and a purple “Gun Form”. Not only will Den-O have the traditional motorcycle, he will also be riding in on his own train, the Den-Liner, which is what allows him to cross through time and space.
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The American Cinematheque will screen 12 classic Akira Kurosawa films this month at the Aero Theatre.
RASHOMON © 1950 Kadokawa Pictures, Inc. YOJIMBO, RAN, SEVEN SAMURAI © Toho Co., Ltd.

Source: American Cinematheque

Beginning tomorrow and running thru the end of January, the American Cinematheque’s Aero Theatre will screen a dozen films by the legendary director Akira Kurosawa. The lineup includes such masterpieces as RASHOMON, YOJIMBO, RAN, THRONE OF BLOOD, and SEVEN SAMURAI. The complete schedule, ticket info, and further details are available here.

The American Godzilla: Not Returning to a Theater Near You. © 1998 Toho Co.,
Ltd./TriStar Pictures, Inc.

Sony Has No Plans For A New Godzilla Film
Author: Keith Aiken
Source: Sony Pictures

Last month the German movie news website Cinetech reported that Sony Pictures was considering a sequel to their American version of GODZILLA (1998) for the summer of 2009. The latest rumors has led to discussions on several Godzilla fan forums and message boards about a possible GODZILLA 2, but today reps from Sony have stated that there is nothing to the story, and the studio has no plans to make another Godzilla film.
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A terrifying mutation hunts for human prey in THE HOST, a Magnolia Pictures release. © 2006 Chungeorahm Film

US Studio press materials for the Korean blockbuster
Source: Magnolia Pictures, MPRM
Official Site: The Host Movie

The talk of the 2006 Cannes International Film Festival, THE HOST, the latest film from critically acclaimed visionary director Bong Joon-ho, has already garnered a substantial amount of international buzz. Utilizing state-of-the-art special effects courtesy of a creative partnership between Weta Workshop (KING KONG, THE LORD OF THE RINGS) and The Orphanage (HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE, SIN CITY), THE HOST is equal parts creature-feature thrill ride and poignant human drama.

THE HOST will open in American theaters on March 9. Distributor Magnolia Pictures has provided an early look at this acclaimed film, including an interview with director Bong Joon-ho.
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By the staff of SciFi Japan, compiled by Aaron Cooper.

A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

2006 was a year that saw great changes in the landscape of Japanese science fiction and fantasy films, whether it was the serious evolution in tokusatsu television programming, to a return to roots for a particular kaiju eiga; a continuing court battle over classic characters, or the unfortunate passing of far too many industry greats. The staff of SciFi Japan took a moment to ponder over the events of the past year (which included the inception of this very site), and attempted to come up with the most defining moments of the year.
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