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Source: 4Digital Media, The Associates
Official Movie Site: 20th Boys
Special Thanks to Steve Beecham and Farhana Shaikh
The response to SciFi Japan’s UK Readers: Win the 20TH CENTURY BOYS DVD Prizepack! contest was phenomenal, and we thank everyone who entered, 4Digital Media, and The Associates for making our first UK giveaway a big success. We’ll be doing more contests for our British readers!
The following randomly drawn entrants correctly answered all contest questions:
Ellen Stafford Paul Shepherd Jackie ONeill
Congratulations to the winners! Each of you has won a 4Digital Media “20TH CENTURY BOYS DVD Prizepack” that includes the 2-Disc DVD set, a Friend cult T-shirt, and the 20TH CENTURY BOYS theatrical poster. The Associates will be shipping out the Prizepacks shortly after the DVD streets on May 4. Continued…
Dai Nipponjin is a sixth-generation superhero guarding his country from these outlandish “baddies,” as Daisatou calls them. But while his predecessors were national heroes, Daisatou is a pariah among the citizens he protects. His battles are broadcast late at night to diminishing television ratings while the public bitterly complains about the noise and destruction of property he causes.
And Daisatou has his own problems— an agent insistent on branding him with sponsor advertisements, an Alzheimer-afflicted grandfather who transforms into a giant in dirty underwear, and an ex-wife and daughter who are embarrassed by his often cowardly exploits.
A wickedly deadpan spin on the giant Japanese superhero, BIG MAN JAPAN is an outrageous portrait of a pathetic but truly unique hero.
After an enthusiastically received premiere at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival, a successful theatrical run in Japan, and appearances at festivals both in the US and abroad, BIG MAN JAPAN will be released to theaters across America on May 15, 2009. SciFi Japan presents an early look at the film with press notes, photos, poster art and the theatrical trailer, courtesy of US distributor Magnet Releasing. Continued…
Early Celebration for DEATH NOTE: L, change the WorLd on April 28 at New York City’s Kinokuniya Bookstore
Source: Roger Bilheimer Associates, VIZ Pictures press release
Official Movie Site: Death Note Films: L
The New York Anime Festival (NYAF) is partnering with VIZ Pictures to hold a special DEATH NOTE Day at the largest Japanese bookstore in North America — New York City’s Kinokuniya Bookstore. Taking place Tuesday, April 28, Kinokuniya Bookstore (located at 1073 Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan ) will present an evening of DEATH NOTE events in celebration of the theatrical release of the third DEATH NOTE film – DEATH NOTE: L, change the WorLd coming to select theaters nationwide for two nights only on April 29 and 30.
“DEATH NOTE is nothing short of an international phenomenon, and we’re quite honored to help herald in the release of the latest film in the franchise,” NYAF Show Manager Lance Fensterman said. “We hope DEATH NOTE Day whets the appetites of all of NYC’s anime fans who have been eagerly anticipating the release of L, change the WorLd.” Continued…
J-Horror Movies and Shows Each Week on Anime and Asian Entertainment Site
Source: BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions press release
Special Thanks to Chase Wang
As previously announced on SciFi Japan, the online Anime and Asian entertainment media distributor Crunchyroll and the US branch of Japanese studio Kadokawa Pictures have teamed up to present selected J-Horror titles from the Kadokawa Pictures film and television library. Now Crunchyroll has revealed that fans and members can catch fresh thrills, chills, hauntings and psychos every week with “Kadokawa Tuesdays” starting this month.
Titles launching Crunchyroll’s “Kadokawa Tuesdays” include Takashi Miike’s psychopathic trilogy MPD PSYCHO I-III and the continued saga of a mysterious girl who appears again and again in various people’s lives and haunts them until their eventual end in TOMIE 4: REBIRTH and TOMIE 5: FORBIDDEN FRUIT. Continued…
Leading up to the DEATH NOTE: L, change the WorLd nationwide theatrical event, SciFi Japan presents press notes and photos for the film courtesy of North American distributor VIZ Pictures and international sales agent Nippon Television Network…
DEATH NOTE: L, change the WorLd
Directed by HIDEO NAKATA
Inspired by the best-selling Japanese Comic by TSUGUMI OHBA and TAKESHI OBATA
Starring:
KENICHI MATSUYAMA as “L / Ryuzaki”
Opening at #1 in Japan, DEATH NOTE: L, change the WorLd is the exciting spin-off of the DEATH NOTE film series based on the best-selling supernatural action mystery manga written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata. With 26 million copies of the original manga sold worldwide, Death Note has become an unstoppable phenomenon, and this latest, unwritten chapter of DEATH NOTE will captivate all who watch it! Continued…
Norman England’s New Horror Short Now Available Online
Author: James Ballard
Official Website: FEED ME
Special Thanks to Norman England, JR Lipartito and Ryoko Ohtaki
Hot off the heels of his sci-fi satire THE iDol (2006) and last year’s documentary BRINGING GODZILLA DOWN TO SIZE, director Norman England returns with his latest endeavor FEED ME, a low-budget horror short released exclusively as an internet download.
Filmed in English on location in Tokyo, Japan, FEED ME begins with Japanese student Mamiko and her University friends Jason, Freddy and Regan debating the merits of Japanese and American horror films. Attempting to prove the Japanese brand of horror the creepier of the two, Mamiko leads her trio of friends to a nearby field said to be the resting place of Misaru, the slain daughter of a shamed samurai. Although successful in resurrecting Misaru’s spirit, the group’s expectation of a docile, feet-shuffling ghost girl couldn’t be more off the mark. And the evening turns into a fight for survival!
In part a satire of the oft-derided Japanese “ghost girl” genre, the film offers plenty of tongue-in-cheek moments, but is ultimately able to stand on its own as an earnest horror piece.
For his second narrative film Norman worked closely with friend and fellow filmmaker JR Lipartito for the first time. “We were hanging out last year in Shimokitazawa, my town in Tokyo. It was at first just us saying, ‘let’s make a film!’” Says Norman. Continued…
Just a brief reminder to any monster movie fans near Keene, New Hampshire that this Friday, April 24th at 7:00PM, KING KONG VS GODZILLA (US version) will be playing at the Colonial Theatre. The film is part of the second “Spooktacular” event put together by the creators of the horror-host television show SATURDAY FRIGHT SPECIAL (seen on public access stations throughout the United States).
The screening will feature the premiere of a brand-new 35mm print of KING KONG VS GODZILLA, freshly struck by Universal Pictures. The Spooktacular will also include vintage monster movie trailers and theater ads, in person visits from all of the SATURDAY FRIGHT SPECIAL crew, and tons of giveaways that include T-shirts and DVD copies of the new horror host documentary AMERICAN SCARY.
Legendary comic artist Steve Bissette— known for his work with Alan Moore on Swamp Thing and for writing and drawing the first Dark Horse Godzilla King of the Monsters Special— has donated six signed sets of his critically acclaimed dinosaur-themed title Tyrant plus and an original KING KONG VS GODZILLA sketch (see photo) for the event.
Blast off with Anime Expo and members of the MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS dynasty as they storm into the Los Angeles Convention Center for one of the biggest Ranger Reunions to date at the nation’s largest anime and manga convention held July 2-5, 2009. More information can be found on the website anime-expo.org.
Power Rangers in attendance include:
· Karan Ashley: Aisha Campbell, the Yellow Power/Ninja Ranger (1994-96)
· Steve Cardenas: Rocky DeSantos, the Red Power/Ninja Ranger (1994-96)
· Walter Jones: Zack Taylor, the original Black Power Ranger (1993-94)
· Catherine Sutherland: Kat Hillard, the Pink Power/Ninja Ranger (1995-96)
· Johnny Yong Bosch: Adam Park, the Black Power/Ninja Ranger (1994-98)
· Robert Axelrod: Lord Zedd (1993-96)
In addition to attending Anime Expo 2009, the MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS Reunion event will include a panel on as well as a booth in the Anime Expo Exhibit Hall where fans can meet, take pictures with and obtain autograph head shots of their favorite convention attending Rangers! Continued…
As reported last time, ARRIVEDERCI YAMATO (A.K.A. Farewell to Yamato) was the biggest thing anime had ever seen when it was released in 1978. Hugely popular, amazingly successful, groundbreaking in every respect, it ignited a whole new world of anime and was loved by all…except one. Just one guy among millions thought it was a big mistake. And his opinion counted for a lot, because his name was Leiji Matsumoto.
It’s well-documented by now that he was invited onto SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO at just the right time with just the right skills to turn it into a classic. The story originated with Producer Yoshinobu Nishizaki and his writing team, but Matsumoto’s involvement made the difference between a well-intentioned SF cartoon and a true game-changer. More than any other individual, he gave it a look and spirit that set it apart from absolutely everything else. When Nishizaki announced that he wanted to write a sequel, Matsumoto was right there ready to stir in the magic ingredients all over again. Continued…
Anime and Asian Entertainment Site Launches Junji Ito Manga Based Film-Trilogy and Films of Horror
Source: BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions press release
Special Thanks to Chase Wang
Beginning April 16, the online media distributor Crunchyroll and the US branch of Japanese studio Kadokawa Pictures partner to bring hours of endless horror and fright to fans with the highly popular TOMIE Trilogy and the Japanese Horror Anthology which includes the titles HEARTBROKEN TRIP, NURARIHYON, PEONY LAMP, SHADOWS OF THE WRAITH, SHE-BEAR and YAMABA. More information can be found at crunchyroll.com/publisher/kadokawapicturesusa.
“We are extremely excited and proud to have Kadokawa Pictures USA partner with Crunchyroll”, states Crunchyroll CEO Kun Gao. “Kadokawa titles are well known to be of high quality and have a huge existing following. This partnership marks a meaningful addition to the Asian live action content available on Crunchyroll.”
Kadokawa Pictures with its library of over 2,000 titles, develops, finances, produces and distributes live action and anime films theatrically and for TV throughout Japan and Asia and boasts a state-of-the art production facility in Tokyo. Films that have garnered worldwide attention from these libraries include: THE RING, DARK WATER, PULSE and SHALL WE DANCE? Kadokawa also owns the Daiei film library which includes the Gamera and Majin movie series. Continued…
VIZ Media, LLC has announced that five of its animation series will launch on the FUNimation Channel, the premiere anime network from FUNimation Entertainment and OlympuSAT, and will debut in late Spring and Summer 2009. Titles include BUSO RENKIN, HONEY AND CLOVER, HUNTER X HUNTER, MONSTER, and NANA.
The FUNimation Channel was conceived as a vehicle to expose a wider audience to the unique storytelling style and graceful animation inherent in the Japanese style of animation. In addition, it provides anime and entertainment fans direct access to FUNimation Entertainment’s exclusive portfolio of leading anime titles as well as top titles from other U.S. anime companies. FUNimation Channel in affiliation with OlympuSAT offers video providers across the nation the FUNimation Channel linear feed as well as top syndicated & multiplatform transactional programming. Continued…
“Schoolgirl Milky Crisis (n.) 1. A silly name for a generic anime show, made up to protect the innocent in Jonathan Clements’ long-running insider column about the Japanese comics and cartoons business. (n.) 2. A hugely entertaining collection of nearly two decades of articles, speeches and interviews by Jonathan Clements, manga and anime translator, sometime voice actor, and co-author of the Anime Encyclopedia.
Mixing reviews, cultural commentary, insights into classic manga and anime titles, interviews and profiles of Japan’s top creators, and hilarious insider stories from the anime trade, Clements is your guide to this fascinating and often very strange world, with new illustrations from fan favorite artist Steve Kyte.”
VOLTRON: DEFENDER OF THE UNIVERSE EDITION of MONSTERPOCALYPSE Collectible Miniatures Game Coming in 2010
Source: Privateer Press press release
Official Site: Monsterpocalypse.com
Privateer Press, Inc. and World Events Productions, Ltd. are proud to announce an agreement giving Privateer Press rights to license the widely popular Voltron: Defender of the Universe for Privateer’s hit collectible miniatures game MONSTERPOCALYPSE. The new set is expected to release in early 2010 and will feature iconic characters from the classic VOLTRON animated series.
Matt Wilson, Privateer Press’ Chief Creative Officer and MONSTERPOCALYPSE creator, said about the agreement, “MONSTERPOCALYPSE was created with the goal of being able to feature guest stars from our favorite films and TV shows that have done so much to inspire the creation of the game. Along with millions of other fans since VOLTRON hit our airwaves in the 80s, we at Privateer have all been in love with that indomitable Defender of the Universe, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to see Voltron as the very first media celebrity to be featured in MONSTERPOCALYPSE.” Continued…
Who will See the Latest DEATH NOTE Film for Free on April 29?
Source: VIZ Pictures
Official Movie Site: Death Note Films: L
Special Thanks to Rieko Fuji
The following randomly drawn entrants correctly answered all contest questions:
Ernest Lin Amanda Moore Daniel Amaro Andrew Marrell Fernando Amador
Congratulations to the winners! Each of you has won a pair of tickets for the subtitled DEATH NOTE: L, change the WorLd on April 29 at your selected theater. VIZ Pictures will be contacting you to confirm your attendance so keep checking your email. Have a great time! Continued…
Source: 4Digital Media, The Associates
Official Movie Site: 20th Boys
Special Thanks to Steve Beecham and Farhana Shaikh
SciFi Japan is pleased to present another giveaway contest; for the first time aimed at Japanese science fiction fans in the United Kingdom.
In celebration of the upcoming UK DVD release of 20TH CENTURY BOYS, 4Digital Media and The Associates are giving British SciFi Japan readers a chance to win one of three “20TH CENTURY BOYS DVD Prizepacks”. Each Prizepack includes the 20TH CENTURY BOYS theatrical poster, a Friend cult T-shirt, and the 2-Disc UK DVD set.
Based on the hugely successful, award winning manga series created by Naoki Urasawa (Yawara; Monster), 20TH CENTURY BOYS is the first installment of the mind-blowing, three-part live-action adaptation of the epic sci-fi fantasy adventure. A national phenomenon in Japan and a huge hit internationally, Urasawa’s 24-volume sci-fi fantasy manga has sold over 20 million copies worldwide, with the film attaining similar success by becoming one of the country’s biggest box office hits of 2008.
