A classic Toho daikaiju runs amuck in the dynamic photo
collage “Titanosaurus” by Bill’s Kitchen. Artwork © Bill
Gudmundson. Titanosaurus © Toho Co., Ltd.

Florida Gallery Host Exhibition of Japanese Monster Art
Source: ArtCenter/South Florida press release
Visit KAIJU MONSTER INVASION on MySpace

December 2, 2008 – January 4, 2009
ArtCenter/South Florida’s Richard Shack Gallery
800 Lincoln Road at Meridian Avenue, Miami Beach, FL
Admission is free!

ArtCenter/South Florida (“ACSF”) presents KAIJU MONSTER INVASION: MIAMI BEACH 2008, an exhibition featuring Japanese monster-inspired interpretations by renowned contemporary western and eastern artists.

The Japanese word Kaiju, which translates to “strange beast” or “monster”, first emerged in post-war Japan in the 1950s and 1960s. Now a half-century later, Lowbrow and Pop Surrealists including Coop, Ron English, Mark Nagata and Skot Olsen have been inspired by and amassed their very own collections of the famed vinyl monsters. The opening reception takes place on December 3, followed by an artists signing on December 5 and a kaiju-themed computer music concert on December 6.
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VIZ is offering a wide selection of anime and manga releases for the 2008 holiday season. Photos courtesy of VIZ Media.

Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Special Thanks to Jane Lui, Kara Brovsky, and Erik Jansen

Publishing, animation and licensing company VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media) has announced an array of new manga and animated titles scheduled for release throughout the Fourth Quarter. The new anime releases include the long-awaited launch of a new series – HUNTER X HUNTER – as well as a variety of DVD Box Sets Featuring Special Collectible Figurines, Special Editions and single disc editions of popular series including BLEACH, NARUTO, DEATH NOTE, BUSO RENKIN, BLUE DRAGON and much-loved classics like INUYASHA.

On the manga front, seven new series are set to debut: Blank Slate, Nora: the Last Chronicle of Devildom, Solanin, Captive Hearts, Gaba Kawa, We Were There and St. ♥ Dragon Girl. The first titles will premiere this month and are designed to appeal to Teen and Older Teen readers with a variety of different story lines that will capture the interest of many new and old fans alike. “We are looking forward to bringing a diverse range of titles in Q4 which will range from slice-of-life stories to romance and more!” says Evelyn Dubocq, Sr. Director of Public Relations, VIZ Media. “As the 2008 holiday season approaches, manga fans will have multiple strong VIZ Media releases to choose from in every genre.”
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SAW Meets BATTLE ROYALE in Korean Box Office Hit
Author: Kim Song-ho (Loomis) and Keith Aiken
Source: Mirovision Inc., Official DEATH BELL Press Kit, American Film Market, various
Official Website (Korea): Gosa2008

English language international sales art for the 2008
Korean horror movie DEATH BELL. Photo courtesy of
Mirovision. © 2008 Core Contents Media

170 days before college entrance exams, the twenty top students at a high school meet for a special Saturday exam cram session. Midway through class, the students are interrupted by Beethoven’s piano solo “Für Elise” playing over the school p.a. system. The picture on the classroom TV switches to reveal the top ranked student, Hye-yeong, trapped in a tank that is filling with water. As the water level rises and the girl screams and struggles to breathe, an unidentified voice comes over the loudspeaker and asks a question from the mid-term exam. If the students answer incorrectly the girl will lose her life. And for each additional wrong answer, another student from the class will die.

With nowhere to run, and only 20 students and 3 teachers on campus, the bloody exam begins just for them.

DEATH BELL (Gosa: Piui Junggangosa) is a new South Korean horror movie which was recently released on home video in its native country and is now being marketed for international export. Released to theaters this past August 6, the movie brought in 1.7 million admissions, making it a surprise hit at the box office. It now ranks as the second most successful horror film in Korean history, behind only the acclaimed A TALE OF TWO SISTERS (Janghwa, Hongryeon, 2003).
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Edition Features 11 Full-Color Posters Inspired by Hit Animated/Manga Series and 2 Original Exclusive Creations
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press release
Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen

Cover art for the BLEACH Posterzine. Photo courtesy of VIZ
Media. © Tite Kubo/Shueisha, TV TOKYO, dentsu, Pierrot

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media) has announced the upcoming release of a special BLEACH Posterzine, which features 11 massive full-color posters inspired by the smash hit manga and animated series (rated ‘T’ for Teens) created by Tite Kubo.

Available exclusively through participating newsstands nationwide beginning December 2nd, the Posterzine carries an MSRP of $9.99 and includes two original creations made especially for this unique release. Each poster in the collection folds out to 16” x 22” and depicts the heroic Soul Reaper Ichigo and his friends as well as villains rendered in beautiful detail. This special publication will also include 2 free BLEACH sticker sheets and an iTunes gift card valid for a free download of episode 59 of the popular BLEACH animated series and access to an interview with the creator of BLEACH, Tite Kubo (iTunes gift card valid in the United States only).

BLEACH follows the story of Ichigo Kurosaki, a fifteen-year old student with the ability to see ghosts. His fate takes an extraordinary turn when he meets Rukia Kuchiki, a Soul Reaper who shows up at Ichigo’s house on the trail of a Hollow, a malevolent lost soul.
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The Korean monster hit THE HOST will be remade for American audiences by Universal Pictures. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures. © 2006 Chungeorahm Film

After Two Years, Producers, Director, and Screenwriter Named for English Language Adaptation
Source: Variety, Korean news sources, various
Special Thanks to Kim Song-ho (Loomis)

Gore Verbinski will produce the American reamke of THE
HOST. The filmmaker is seen here on the set of THE RING,
which he directed. Photo courtesy of DreamWorks. © 2002
DreamWorks LLC

In 2006, THE HOST (Gwoemul) became the highest grossing movie in Korean history. The film also won numerous awards, including “Best Picture” at the Blue Dragon Awards, the Baek Sang Art Awards, the Asian Film Awards, and the Korean Film Awards. THE HOST even caught on with international audiences; it was a major hit at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival and AFI Fest, and was named one of the “Must See” movies of 2006 by the American magazine Premiere. It was quickly picked up for distribution in more than 30 countries, including the United States.

But months before THE HOST was given a limited US theatrical release by Magnolia Pictures, Universal Pictures had already acquired American remake rights for the film. At a screening of THE HOST at the Hollywood AFI Fest in November 2006, director Bong Joon-ho told attendees he was interested in seeing how Universal adapted his film for English-speaking audiences.

Two years later, Variety and Korean news reports have announced that Universal is finally moving forward with the project. Gore Verbinski, who had previously directed the remake of THE RING and the blockbuster PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN trilogy, will produce the American version of THE HOST.
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VIZ Media Announces Unprecedented Campaign To Provide Near Simultaneous U.S.-Japan Release Of New NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Animated Episodes
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press release
Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen

VIZ will release subtitled episodes of the new NARUTO
SHIPPUDEN series within days of their Japanese premiere.
Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2002 Masashi Kishimoto
/2007 Shippuden

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media) has announced an innovative and unprecedented multimedia plan to provide near-simultaneous Japan-U.S. release of NARUTO, one of the most popular Japanese animated and manga properties in the world. This campaign is the latest expansion of VIZ Media’s ongoing strategy to utilize the web to its maximum potential to stream a variety of hit animated properties.

Beginning on January 15th the latest episode of the NARUTO SHIPPUDEN (English-subtitled) animated series will be available for free viewing on the ultimate destination for anything NARUTO – the official NARUTO website, www.naruto.com, within days of its original airdate in Japan. A new English-subtitled episode will be added every Thursday thereafter.

On January 2nd, VIZ Media will also debut, for free, 8 uncut, English-subtitled episodes from the beginning of the NARUTO SHIPPUDEN series on naruto.com. Each Friday thereafter there will be an additional 8 uncut, English-subtitled episodes added on naruto.com until the series eventually catches up to the current third season of the hit program. Also, coming this week, an exclusive sneak peek of NARUTO SHIPPUDEN (English-subtitled) debuting on naruto.com.
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MTV and Anime Expo are looking for anime/manga fans for the TV series TRUE LIFE.
MTV logo and TRUE LIFE © 2008 MTV Networks; Anime Expo logo © 1992-2008 Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation.

Casting Call for Fanboys/Fangirls for Documentary Series
Source: BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions press release
Special Thanks to Chase Wang

Obsessed with comic books, anime, fantasy, or manga? Obsessed with cosplaying and attending anime conventions? Do your friends consider you a fanboy/fangirl? Have you ever missed work, school, or other important events to engage in role-playing or cosplay? Are you misunderstood by your family or significant other because of your loyal fandom? Anime Expo 2009 and MTV Network’s TRUE LIFE series wants to hear your story and is looking to cast three (3) individuals for an upcoming show.
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Japanese poster art for the Toho horror film HOUSE.
© 1977 Toho Co., Ltd.

Source: Independent Film Channel
Special Thanks to Doran Gaston

This weekend, the Independent Film Channel will air Toho’s 1977 horror movie HOUSE (Hausu). While the film did have a few scattered theatrical screenings in the United States courtesy of Toho International, HOUSE has never received any kind of wide release in America and is not available on R1 DVD.

HOUSE is a satirical take on the classic haunted house story. A teenager named Oshare (Kimiko Ikegami) struggles to deal with the recent death of her mother. Hoping to get away from her problems (and her father’s new girlfriend), Oshare invites six female classmates to join her on a visit to her aunt’s secluded mansion. Upon their arrival, the girls fall prey to the dark, supernatural power infesting the home; each experiences bizarre hallucinations before they are picked off one by one and literally devoured by the haunted house.
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On December 3rd, DEATH NOTE II: THE LAST NAME will be screened in theaters across Canada. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2006 [Death Note] Film Partners

Special One-Night-Only Presentation of Supernatural Crime Thriller to Delight Canadian Fans
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press release
Official Movie Site: Death Note Films
Special Thanks to Manami Iiboshi and Erik Jansen

Ad for the Canadian screening of DEATH NOTE II: THE
LAST NAME. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2006 [Death
Note] Film Partners

VIZ Pictures, an affiliate of VIZ Media, LLC that focuses on Japanese live-action film distribution, has announced an exciting one-night only theatrical event – DEATH NOTE II: THE LAST NAME – showing at select Cineplex Entertainment and Empire Theatres locations across Canada on Wednesday, December 3rd.

Advance tickets are now on sale. For more information, screening times, advance tickets and a complete list of participating theatres go to DeathNoteFilms.com/tickets, cineplex.com, or empiretheatres.com/deathnote2. VIZ Media’s SHONEN JUMP magazine will lend additional support with a promo ad in the December 2008 issue, which hit stores on November 4th.

Earlier this year, VIZ Pictures partnered with Cineplex Entertainment and Empire Theatres to present the first DEATH NOTE live-action film theatrically in Canada. Based on the enthusiastic response, combined with the continued overall popularity of the DEATH NOTE franchise, the companies will again be showing this presentation (English dubbed) in nearly every major Canadian city.
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Thanks and Best Wishes to the Ultimate Fan
Author: the SciFi Japan Staff

Forrest J Ackerman at home with many of his
movie props and collectibles.

Friends of Forrest J Ackerman have reported that “Uncle Forry” is in ill health. The 91 year-old is battling pneumonia and has also been diagnosed with congestive heart failure.

“Legendary” is a word that gets tossed around much too often, but anyone who knows or has heard of Forry Ackerman would agree that in his case it absolutely fits. He is best known for the legendary (there it is again) magazine Famous Monsters of Filmland, but his impact extends far beyond FM…. the man has influenced literally generations of fans, artists, writers, and filmmakers. Forry has given an amazing gift to his fellow fans and will leave behind an incredible legacy.

Rather than remain in the hospital, Forry has chosen to return home where he can spend his days meeting with his legion of friends and fans. Forry’s friends, including caretaker Joe Moe, have stated that anyone wishing to stop by and pay their respects are welcome to visit. Cards and letters may also be sent to the same address:

FORREST J ACKERMAN
4511 Russell Ave
Los Angeles CA 90027

The staff of SciFi Japan are proud to be among the countless number inspired by Forrest Ackerman and Famous Monsters, and we encourage everyone who sees this report to follow Joe’s advice and call, write, or visit Forry and let him know how much he means to you and to fandom. We’re also pleased to share Sean Kotz’s look at the many accomplishments of FJA as well as reminiscences by many of our writers and contributors.
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Two of the Hottest Animated Series in North America are Now Available for Download-To-Own
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press release
Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen

The complete DEATH NOTE anime can now be Downloaded-To-Own. Photo courtesy
of VIZ Media. © 2003 Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata, Shueisha, DNP, VAP, Madhouse

VIZ Media, LLC has announced the availability of the hit animated action series BLEACH and DEATH NOTE (both Uncut and English dubbed) on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment console from Microsoft. Fans in the U.S. will now have the ability to watch these episodes on a Download-To-Own (DTO) basis through Xbox LIVE for 160 Microsoft Points per episode.

BLEACH features episodes 1-41 dubbed in English with more to be added, and DEATH NOTE features the full 37-episode series dubbed in English. The two series join NARUTO Uncut, which has been offered on Xbox LIVE since November 2007 and currently features episodes 1- 52 dubbed in English as well as episodes 1 – 24 subbed (with English subtitles), with more to be added. Episodes and more information are available at xbox.com/live.
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Imagi Studios presents the new CGI ASTRO BOY film. ©2008 Summit Entertainment Ltd, Tezuka Productions Co., Ltd, Imagi International Holdings Ltd.

Studio and ASTRO BOY Distributor, Summit Entertainment, Also Unveil Global Marketing Alliances
Source: Imagi Studios press release
Official Website: Imagi Studios

Osamu Tezuka’s Astro Boy blasts onto theater screens in October of 2009!
©Tezuka Productions Co., Ltd

Imagi Studios announced that it has signed worldwide licensing agreements with American Greetings, Penguin Group (USA) Inc., Jazwares Inc., D3Publisher and IDW Publishing for ASTRO BOY, its upcoming CG-animated film based on the adventures of the superhero icon. The studio’s agreement with American Greetings also extends to future Imagi films.

ASTRO BOY, slated for domestic release on October 23, 2009, is being distributed worldwide by Summit Entertainment except for Imagi’s reserved territories of Japan, Hong Kong and China.
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A small sampling of the many Japanese films promoted at this year’s American Film Market.

K-20, MONSTER X STRIKES BACK, 20Th CENTURY BOYS, IKIGAMI, GOD’S PUZZLE and more screened in California
Author: Keith Aiken
Source: AFM, Shochiku Co., Ltd., NTV, Gold View Co., Ltd., TBS, Toei Co., Ltd.

Since 1981, the Independent Film and Television Alliance has hosted an annual motion picture trade show in Santa Monica, CA called the American Film Market (AFM). The 29th American Film Market started on November 5 and concludes November 12.

The event has drawn more than 400 motion picture companies from around the globe, including the major Japanese studios Toho, Shochiku, Kadokawa, Toei, and Nikkatsu, as well as Nippon Television Network, Tokyo Broadcasting System, Gold View, Pony Canyon, Fuji Television, Gaga Communications, and Geneon. Approximately 25 different Japanese productions were screened at AFM, with dozens more advertised.
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Meet GODZILLA: FINAL WARS star Don Frye, Hugo award winning artist Bob Eggleton, and GAMERA 3 voice actor Vic Mignogna at the Anime Kaiju Experience.
GODZILLA: FINAL WARS © 2004 Toho Co., Ltd. Japanese Giants illustration © Bob Eggleton. GAMERA 3 © 1999 Kadokawa Pictures

Guest List Includes Don Frye, Bob Eggleton, Johnny Yong Bosch and More
Source: Anime Kaiju Experience press release
Official Site: animekaijuexperience.com
Special Thanks to Paul Aldred and Mary Dumas

The Anime Kaiju Experience, New England’s celebration of Japanese pop culture and the world’s adaptations of it, is proud to welcome Don Frye (UFC champion and star of GODZILLA: FINAL WARS), Bob Eggleton (kaiju expert and Hugo award winning illustrator), Vic Mignogna (voiced for the Gamera trilogy, but best remembered as the voice of Edward Elric in the mega-hit FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST) and Johnny Yong Bosch (Black Power Ranger kaiju smack-down buddy, who’s now known as the voice of Ichigo in the anime hit BLEACH). Appearing at the New England Fan Experience, November 21-23, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Cambridge (575 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02139-4896), these gentlemen are the final addition to a stellar line-up of guests and programming… this is promising to be an Experience to remember.
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ULTRA GALAXY: MEGA MONSTER BATTLE - NEVER ENDING ODYSSEY
©2008 Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd / Bandai Co., Ltd

It’s a kaiju battle royale in the highly anticipated sequel series!
Author: James Ballard
Official Website: Daikaijyu.com

Toho may have retired their legendary monster star Godzilla in 2004, and the likelihood of a new Gamera movie may seem bleak following the monster’s 2006 outing, but giant monsters are still running amok on Japan’s airwaves.

The Ultra Galaxy franchise is a spin-off from Tsuburaya Productions’ popular Ultraman series, showcasing the show’s giant monsters rather than the Ultraman heroes. It began as an arcade game MEGA MONSTER BATTLE: ULTRA MONSTERS (Daikaiju Batoru Urutora Monsutaazu), which tied in with a series of monster trading cards featuring bar codes that could be read by the arcade machines.

The popularity of the video game and trading cards led to last year’s TV series ULTRA GALAXY: MEGA MONSTER BATTLE (Urutora Gyarakushii Daikaiju Batoru).

Now, the franchise will return to TV with the new series ULTRA GALAXY: MEGA MONSTER BATTLE - NEVER ENDING ODYSSEY (Urutora Garakushii Daikaiju Batoru Nebaa Endingu Odessei), which starts broadcasting from December 20th every Saturday at 7.00AM on Japan’s satellite station BS11.
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