SFJ Staff Choose Their Favorite Japanese Films for Halloween!
Author: Bob Johnson

Godzilla gives readers an evil Halloween stare! Photo courtesy of Bob Johnson ©2010 Toho Co., ltd.

Newspapers, television, radio, internet blogs, magazines and more. When Halloween rolls around everyone starts talking about the best horror films to watch for any Halloween celebration. Most of the usual suspects are mentioned, from Universal classic monster films to NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, THE EXORCIST or any number of slasher/gore films.

However, here at SciFi Japan, we realize there are more choices to make and some you may not have thought about. So if you love Japanese cinema (and we assume you do if you are visiting this site), then here are some staff picks for Halloween. Treats from the East to liven up any Halloween feast!
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Hapless Kaiji Ito (Tatsuya Fujiwara, center) is caught in a deadly game between rivals Yukio Tonegawa (Teruyuki Kagawa) and Rinko Endo (Yuuki Amami).
Photo courtesy of NTV. © Nobuyuki Fukumoto, Kodansha /2009 “Kaiji” Film Partners

DEATH NOTE’s Tatsuya Fujiwara is the Ultimate Gambler in Big Screen Manga Adaptation
Source: NTV (Nippon Television Network)
Additional Images: 4Digital Media
Official Movie Site: kaiji-movie.jp (Japan)
Special Thanks to Asuka Kimura, Tzeling Huang, Steve Beecham and Steve Kirkham

English language international promo art for KAIJI. Photo
courtesy of NTV. © Nobuyuki Fukumoto, Kodansha /2009
“Kaiji” Film Partners

KAIJI (Kaiji Jinsei Gyakuten Geemu) is a 2009 live action film based on the best selling manga series. It was produced by a partnership of companies that include the Nippon Television Network (NTV), Toho, Kaiji manga publisher Kodansha, Horipro, YTV, Vap, DN Dreampartners, and Hint Inc. KAIJI was released theatrically in Japan by Toho on October 10, 2009. The film was a box office success, earning ¥2.1 billion yen (approximately $23 million US) during its theatrical run. A sequel has been announced for release in Japan in 2011.

NTV is handling world sales of KAIJI and has promoted the movie at international trade shows such as the American Film Market. The film has been distributed in a handful of countries, including the United Kingdom where it was released on DVD with English subtitles on July 26, 2010. In some territories it has been released with the English title KAIJI: THE ULTIMATE GAMBLER.

NTV has provided SciFi Japan with photos, promotional art, and production notes for KAIJI. Supplementing the article are additional photos from the film’s UK distributor, 4Digital Media.
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Central America has been overrun by gigantic alien life forms in MONSTERS, the new film which begins its US theatrical run this week in New York and Los Angeles.
© 2010 Vertigo Films, Ltd.

Indie UK Sci-Fi Thriller Opens Theatrically October 29
Author: Richard Pusateri
Source: Magnolia Pictures
Official Movie Site: monstersfilm.com (US), monstersthemovie.com (UK)
Special Thanks to Brandon Nichols

The latest US poster art for MONSTERS, courtesy of
Magnet Releasing. © 2010 Vertigo Films, Ltd.

SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details for a new movie.

Magnolia Pictures’ new movie, MONSTERS, opens in Los Angeles and New York theaters this Friday, October 29th. Visit the official MONSTERS website for a regularly-updated list of cities and theaters where the film will be playing in the months to come.

MONSTERS is also now available through Video On Demand, itunes, Xbox Live, Playstation Marketplace, Amazon and Vudu.

SPOILER ALERT (Part 2): I am going to spoil this movie for you with this breaking news – MONSTERS isn’t much of a monster movie, per se, and I don’t think the few monsters in MONSTERS are the titular monsters. I think people are the monsters in MONSTERS. Now, don’t think this is a negative review, I liked this movie; it is beautifully filmed and consistently engrossing. It just isn’t really about the giant monsters.

If you want to see a graphic, giant-critters-on-the-loose monster movie, keep looking. Not to say this low budget film is bad, it just has an odd title for a little film with a simple story about a couple (Scoot McNairy and Whitney Able) trying to flee from Mexico back to the United States.. with alien monsters lurking in the landscape. I feel safe calling this a little film because the couple trying to return to the United States is the entire cast. That’s right; the cast is two people. Actually, the end credits list dozens of names but apparently they are more like extras with speaking parts. While very convincing, the rest of the people in the movie flit past, speaking apparently improvised lines in Spanish.
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New Release Packed Full of Extras Plus a Bonus Digital Copy
Source: Showbox Media Group press release
View the Trailer: cine-asia.co.uk/trailer/LITTLE-BIG-SOLDIER
Special Thanks to Louise Rivers

Cover art for the UK DVD of LITTLE BIG SOLDIER. Photo
courtesy of Showbox Media Group. © 2010 Bona
Entertainment and JCE Movies

Cine Asia are proud to announce the DVD and Blu-ray release of the long-awaited (it took 20 years in the making, but boy was it worth it!) and highly anticipated, LITTLE BIG SOLDIER (Da bing xiao jiamg, 2010), starring Jackie Chan and Leehom Wang. The film arrives on 2 Disc DVD and Blu-ray 8th November 2010, courtesy of Cine Asia.

Join the undisputed ‘King of Action Comedy’ for a madcap action-packed journey across ancient China. In the aftermath of a great battle between rival kingdoms, only two men remain standing! One is a peasant soldier with a shameless ability for avoiding his responsibilities in battle (Jackie Chan); the other is a warrior prince, who has been wounded fighting for his country (Leehom Wang). Irresistibly tempted by the chance to collect a large reward, the peasant overpowers the disadvantaged prince and sets off to collect his bounty.

Unknowingly, his bold actions unleash a chain reaction of chaos, and they are soon pursued across country by relentless nomad warriors and rogue forces lead by the prince’s disenchanted brother. When danger confronts them around every corner, the world’s two most unlikely allies quickly realise they will need to join forces if they are to make it home in one piece! Now, as each challenge takes them closer to victory, a prince will learn humility and a nobody will find the strength to be someone great.

Based on an original story created by Jackie Chan himself, LITTLE BIG SOLDIER is an irresistible, pulse-pounding deluge of side-splitting comedy, stunts and kinetic martial arts action that is guaranteed to enthrall and entertain from start to finish!
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DVD Sequel Contains Unrated Footage Not Seen on SyFy
Source: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, MPRM press releases
Special Thanks to Leif Helland and Corrie Hirokawa

Cover art for LAKE PLACID 3, the new DVD sequel to the
monster crocodile movie series. Photo courtesy of Sony
Pictures Home Entertainment. © 2010 Sony Pictures
Worldwide Acquisitions Inc.

The monster crocodiles return in a frightening new installment of the successful horror franchise when the unrated LAKE PLACID 3 debuts on DVD October 26 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Colin Ferguson (TV’s EUREKA), Yancy Butler (KICK-ASS), Kacey Barnfield (RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE), and Michael Ironside (TERMINATOR SALVATION) star in the latest incarnation of the campy, blood-thirsty horror series. Fans will eat up the steamy, sexy and gory LAKE PLACID 3 when it arrives on DVD for $24.96 SRP, boasting unrated, unreleased scenes suitable only for adult audiences.

Get ready for a living, feeding nightmare when a swarm of gigantic crocodiles terrorizes a secluded country lake. When local wildlife is brutally mauled and campers are reduced to carcasses, biologist Nathan Bickerman (Colin Ferguson) knows a voracious predator is on the loose. So does a feisty female hunting guide (Yancy Butler) out for her next trophy. As the body count rises, the local sheriff tries to keep things quiet and keep the tourists coming. But when the horrifying, hulking truth emerges, can anyone stop these cold blooded killers before they claim their next victim? Lake Placid 3 is pulse pounding, adrenaline pumping, pure horror film fun.

LAKE PLACID 3 has a running time of 93 minutes and is unrated. The film contains graphic violence and full frontal nudity, has a running time of 93 minutes and is unrated. LAKE PLACID 3 contains graphic violence and full frontal nudity.
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Amazing New Book Coming in November
Source: Ernest Farino, Archive Editions LLC
View the Trailer

Cover art for Ray Harryhausen – Master of the Majicks Volume
3: The British Films. Photo courtesy of Ernest Farino.
© 2010 Archive Editions LLC.

Ray Harryhausen – Master of the Majicks Vol. 3 – The British Films
by Mike Hankin
Foreword by Caroline Munro (star of THE GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD)
Preface by Guillermo del Toro (director of HELLBOY and PAN’S LABYRINTH)

Written and produced over the past 10 years with Ray Harryhausen’s cooperation and support, the complete 3-volume definitive 295,000-word career/biography features interviews with Ray and his colleagues and is profusely illustrated with several hundred rare photographs, artwork, and illustrations (many of which have never been previously published).

Majicks Volume 3 covers THE THREE WORLDS OF GULLIVER, MYSTERIOUS ISLAND, JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS, FIRST MEN ’IN’ THE MOON, ONE MILLION YEARS BC, THE VALLEY OF GWANGI, THE GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD, SINBAD AND THE EYE OF THE TIGER, and CLASH OF THE TITANS. This Deluxe Edition (Hardcover with Dust Jacket) runs 640 pages, with over 3,600 color and black & white photos and illustrations. Regular price $84.95.

Vol. 3 is now at the printer, and will ship in mid-November (just in time for Christmas!) but you can purchase it now for $74.95 and save $10.00!
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XAM’D COLLECTION 2 BLU-RAY EDITION Available on November 9th
Source: Section23 Films press release
Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff

XAM’D COLLECTION 2 Blu-ray. Photo courtesy of
Section23 Films.

Home video distributor Section23 Films has provided product details for their November 2010 slate of releases, including TAISHO BASEBALL GIRLS COMPLETE COLLECTION, HELL GIRL: THREE VESSELS (SEASON 3) COLLECTION 2, UTA-KATA COLLECTION 1, GHOST SWEEPER MIKAMI COLLECTION 1, and both DVD and Blu-ray editions for XAM’D COLLECTION 2.

Read on for plot descriptions, DVD/Blu-ray specs, and cover art for all these titles.
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Source: Japan Foundation, Sydney
Official Site: japanesefilmfestival.net
Special Thanks to Amanda Thompson and Evon Fung

ZERO FOCUS. Photo courtesy of Japan Society. © 2009 Zero Focus Film Partners

Currently sitting in sixth position of Sydney’s top ten film festivals according to Dorling Kindersley’s Eyewitness Travel Guide, is the Japanese Film Festival, continuing its euphoric presence for its 14th year.

Last year, the festival received an audience of 10,000 entering our festival doors to participate in a panoramic feast of Japanese cinema. This year, with a line up of 22 feature films, 21 of which are Australian premieres, the 2010 program promises to be nothing short of spectacular.
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Full Color Character Portraits By Creator Masashi Kishimoto
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

Cover art for the Naruto Illustration Book. Photo courtesy
of VIZ Media. © 2009 Masashi Kishimoto

VIZ Media, LLC has announced the release of the vividly colored Naruto Illustration Book on October 26th. The new soft cover edition is offered by the Shonen Jump imprint, features nearly 100 pages of original illustrations by creator Masashi Kishimoto, and will carry an MSRP of $19.99 U.S. / $27.00 CAN.

Naruto is a young shinobi (or ninja) with an incorrigible knack for mischief. He’s got a wild sense of humor, but Naruto is completely serious about his ongoing mission to be the world’s greatest ninja! The Naruto Illustration Book features a variety of character portraits depicting the young ninja in action, as well as his cohorts including Sasuke, Sakura and Kakashi. A color pull-out double-sided poster and a sticker sheet are also included.

Created by Masashi Kishimoto, Naruto was first introduced in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in Japan in 1999 and quickly became that country’s most popular ninja manga targeting tweens and teens with more than 100 million copies in circulation to-date. The manga series (rated ‘T’ for Teens) and animated counterpart (NARUTO rated ‘T’ for Teens, and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens) are among VIZ Media’s most successful properties and have captivated millions of fans across North America, Europe and South America.
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Five SciFi Japan readers have won the poster and DVD of Mamoru Oshii’s ASSAULT GIRLS. Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.
© 2009 88mm Deiz/ Geneon Universal Entertainment

Source: Well Go USA, Inc.
Official Site: assaultgirlsmovie.com (US), assault-girls.nifty.com (Japan)
Special Thanks to Chrissy Walker

A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Thank you to everyone who entered Well Go USA and SciFi Japan’s ASSAULT GIRLS DVD and POSTER contest. The winning entries are Andrea L Marbry, Abel Castro Montero, Treveno Colley, Frank Polgar, and Lance Saltzman.

Congratulations to the winners! Well Go USA will be shipping the prizes shortly so keep an eye on your mailbox.

Our giveaway competitions for DEMEKING and PSYCHO SHARK DVDs and THE EXORCIST: EXTENDED DIRECTOR’S CUT Blu-ray are still running, and more contests are planned for 2010 so keep checking back with SciFi Japan for more chances to win some cool stuff!
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Source: FUNimation Entertainment
Official Movie Site: funimation.com/vampiregirl
Special Thanks to Manny Alcala and Jackie Smith

Cover art for the new 2 disc DVD set of VAMPIRE GIRL VS
FRANKENSTEIN GIRL. Photo courtesy of FUNimation Ent.
© 2009 Pony Canyon /Concept Film /Excellent Film Partners

The deranged genius behind TOKYO GORE POLICE (Tokyo Zankoku Keisatsu, 2008) is back with a chilling new flick that’s re-writing the hallowed history of the horror genre. VAMPIRE GIRL VS FRANKENSTEIN GIRL (Kyuketsu Shojo tai Shojo Furanken, 2009) is the terrifying story of two classic monsters re-imagined as super hot – and extremely lethal – Japanese school girls. Gore rules supreme in this blood-cake cavalcade of carnage chosen as the winner of the Audience Award at the 2009 NY Asian Film Festival and also took home the Guru Prize for Most Energetic Film at the Fantasia Festival. Fan boys and movie blogs are already buzzing over this bloodbath du jour, and aficionados of psychedelic blood-filled chocolates, mad scientist principals, sumo wrestlers from hell, and sex-crazed school nurses are guaranteed to lose their heads over this old school splatter-fest.

VAMPIRE GIRL VS FRANKENSTEIN GIRL has now been released on 2-disc Blu-ray and DVD in North America by FUNimation Entertainment.
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The Scariest Movie of All Time Debuts on Blu-Ray
Source: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
Official Website: theexorcist.warnerbros.com
Special Thanks to Ines Logarta

“What an excellent day for an exorcism.” –Demon.

Warner Bros. is giving SciFi Japan readers a chance to win the new 2-disc Blu-ray
edition and an iTunes Downloadof THE EXORCIST: EXTENDED DIRECTOR’S CUT.
Photo courtesy of Warner Home Video. © 1973/2000 Warner Bros Entertainment,
Inc. and William Peter Blatty

THE EXORCIST, Academy Award winning director William Friedkin’s masterpiece of suspense that haunted, intrigued, and thrilled the world, debuted on Blu-ray in a two-disc, must-have high-definition set, and For Download on iTunes with Bonus Content Extras on October 5 from Warner Home Entertainment. A true cinema landmark, THE EXORCIST went on to win two Academy Awards and became a multi-million dollar franchise.

The film tells the now-famous story of a girl’s demonic possession, and a gripping fight between good and evil. Linda Blair, in a breakout role, plays Regan, a young girl who starts to exhibit strange, arcane behavior. Her mother (Ellen Burstyn) calls upon a priest, Father Karras (Jason Miller) to investigate. But Karras, who has self-doubts about faith, is suddenly confronted with the unimaginable evil of Regan’s possession. When Father Lankester Merrin (Max Von Sydow), a priest with a mysterious past, is called to help, a horrific battle for her soul begins.

Keeping up with the Halloween spirit, Warner Bros. is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to get spooked with a free Blu-ray copy and an iTunes Download copy of THE EXORCIST: EXTENDED DIRECTOR’S CUT.
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The giant monster Demeking destroys the port of Setouchi. Photo courtesy of Cinema Epoch. © 2009 “Space Monster Demeking” Film Committee.

Enter for a Chance at New Japanese Giant Monsters for Free on Region 1 DVD
Source: Cinema Epoch
Movie Website: demeking-movie.com (Japan)
Special Thanks to Gregory Hatanaka and Edwin Santos

A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Young women are disappearing from Sunny Beach in PSYCHO SHARK. Photo
courtesy of Cinema Epoch. © 2009 Ace Deuce Inc.

Earlier this week, the independent Japanese monster movies DEMEKING, THE SEA MONSTER (Demekingu, 2009) and PSYCHO SHARK (Jaws in Japan, 2009) were released on Region 1 DVD by the American movie and video distributor Cinema Epoch. The discs have a suggested retail price of $19.98 each.

DEMEKING, THE SEA MONSTER is adapted from the 1991 cult hit manga Demeking by Takashi Imashiro. Imashiro also co-wrote the film’s screenplay with director Kotaro Terauchi (SLIT MOUTH WOMAN 2, BOYS LOVE THE MOVIE, SHAOLIN GRANDMA). Comedian Takeshi Nadagi stars as Koichi Hachiya, who as a young man found an anonymous letter in a glass bottle which foretold of the apocalyptic assault from a monster from outer space. Since that day, he has prepared himself physically and mentally to face the menace whenever it appears.

PSYCHO SHARK is a low budget production that was promoted upon its release in Japan as “Classic JAWS versus big tits bikini idols”. College students Miki ((Nonami Takizawa) and Mai (Airi Nakajima) vacation at private Sunny Beach on a tropical island south of Japan. The girls plan on days of swimming and sunbathing but instead become the targets of a both a serial killer and a monstrously large shark.

Cinema Epoch is now offering SciFi Japan readers in the United States a chance to win free copies of both the PSYCHO SHARK and DEMEKING DVDs.
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Beautiful Works of Art are Haunted in Latest Action Series from the VIZ Signature Imprint
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

Cover art for Volume 1 of March Story. Photo courtesy
of VIZ Media. © 2008 Hyung Min Kim, Kyung Il Yang/
Shogakukan

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, will release the supernatural manga series March Story on October 19th. The latest addition to the VIZ Signature imprint, by Hyung Min Kim with artwork by Kyung Il Yang, is rated ‘M’ for Mature readers and will carry an MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN.

Among the quiet villages and towns of 18th century Europe, demons known as the Ill hide within the most beautiful works of art and are sparked to life by the torment of their creators. Attracted by their jewel-like allure, unwary viewers can find themselves possessed by the Ill and will be driven to horrific acts of violence. Only the hunters of the Ciste Vihad can dispel the Ill. March is one such hunter, tracking the Ill from town to town to find the antiques that contain the demons before they can possess anyone. If the worst has come to pass, March’s full powers are unleashed to battle the fiendish Ill.

“Great works of art are not what they appear in this intriguing new series,” says Mike Montesa, Senior Editor for VIZ Signature. “Each haunted masterpiece has a dark tale to tell, as do their creators and untimely victims. And March’s own past is filled with similar tragedy. With its elaborate artwork and quick-paced action, March Story arrives just in time for Halloween and we look forward to adventure fans never viewing pieces of art quite the same way again.”
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Riki Takeuchi Stars in Ultra-Violent Yakuza Film by Takashi Miike
Source: The Associates press release
Official Site: Arrow Films

Cover art for the UK DVD of DEADLY OUTLAW: REKKA.
Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 2002 Toei Video Co.

Sex, gore, ultra-violence, psychotic Yakuza hitmen, the blackest of humour, Sonny Chiba, a pounding proto-metal soundtrack and gratuitous and inappropriate use of a tire iron and a hand-held rocket launcher – it just has to be a movie from Japan’s most prolific and unpredictable cult filmmaker and master of Asian extreme cinema, Takashi Miike (SUKIYAKI WESTERN DJANGO; ICHI THE KILLER; the DEAD OR ALIVE trilogy; AUDITION).

Written by Shigenori Takechi (BLOOD; IZO) and produced by Tsuneo Seto (BLOOD) – both real-life Yakuza before taking up careers in the movies – Takashi Miike’s DEADLY OUTLAW: REKKA (Jitsuroku Andoo Noboru Kyoodoo-den: Rekka, 2002) is an expertly crafted tale of vengeance and betrayal set in Japan’s vicious criminal underworld.

DEADLY OUTLAW: REKKA (cert. 18) will be released on DVD (£15.99) by Arrow Video on 8th November 2010. Special Features include: brand new transfer of the film with new and improved subtitle translation; original trailer; video interview with director Takashi Miike; ‘Deadly Outlaw: Miike’ – Takashi Miike discusses key scenes from the film and working with his collaborators; booklet featuring stills and an essay on the film by Tom Mes, author of Agitator: The Cinema of Takashi Miike; notes on prog rockers Flower Travellin’ Band, the stars and providers of the soundtrack to the film, written by Sam Jones.
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Death metal star Johannes Krauser II (Kenichi Matsuyama) rocks out in the men’s room with Hidenori Saji (Issei Takahashi) in DETROIT METAL CITY, Toho’s live action
comedy based on the international best-selling manga series. © 2008 Toho Co., Ltd. /Horipro Inc. / Hakusensha, Inc. /Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. / Dentsu Inc. /d-rings Inc. /Parco Co., Ltd. /SDP, Inc. /Tokyo FM Broadcasting Co., Ltd. /Yahoo Japan Corporation /Nippon Shuppan Hanbai Inc. /Tsutaya Group.

Film Based on Popular Manga Series Features Appearances by Gene Simmons of KISS and Marty Friedman of MEGADETH
Source: VIZ Pictures, MediaLab press releases
Official Site: go-to-dmc (Japan), DMCtheMovie.com (US)
Special Thanks to Erik Jansen

The DETROIT METAL CITY DVD goes on sale November 9th.
Photo courtesy of VIZ Pictures. © 2008 Toho Co., Ltd.
/Horipro Inc. / Hakusensha, Inc. /Sony Music Ent. (Japan) Inc.
/ Dentsu Inc. /d-rings Inc. /Parco Co., Ltd. /SDP, Inc. /Tokyo
FM Broadcasting Co., Ltd. /Yahoo Japan Corporation /Nippon
Shuppan Hanbai Inc. /Tsutaya Group.

VIZ Pictures, an affiliate of VIZ Media, LLC that focuses on Japanese live-action film distribution, has announced the DVD release on November 9th of DETROIT METAL CITY. The live-action comedy, directed by Toshio Lee and based on the popular manga created by Kiminori Wakasugi, is presented in Japanese with English subtitles and will carry an MSRP of $24.92 U.S. / $35.99 CAN.

To celebrate the release, VIZ Pictures has scheduled a special one-night-only screening of DETROIT METAL CITY at 7:15pm on Tuesday, November 4th at VIZ Cinema, located inside NEW PEOPLE in the heart of San Francisco’s Japantown (1746 Post St., San Francisco CA 94115).

Deluxe tickets to the screening are $25.00 and include a pass to the film, a copy of the new DVD, a poster and stickers, and entry into a raffle for several fun DETROIT METAL CITY premiums. Prizes will be awarded and attendees are invited to also enjoy complementary beverages before the show. Regular admission tickets are $10.00 (for film only).

DETROIT METAL CITY takes the zany rock antics inspired by films like THIS IS SPINAL TAP to hilarious new extremes in this story, based on a comic series that has sold more than 4.5 million copies in Japan (and published in North America by VIZ Media). It features notable appearances by Gene Simmons from the legendary band, KISS, and Marty Friedman of Megadeth, and stars Kenichi Matsuyama, one of the most adored actors in Japan today and known widely for his role as ‘L’ in the DEATH NOTE films (also available from VIZ Pictures).
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Critically Acclaimed Films Available for the First Time in America in High Definition
Source: Mill Creek Entertainment, Tower PR
Special Thanks to Chris Sanchez and Amy Gorton

Cover art for the new GAMERA DOUBLE FEATURE Blu-ray. Photo
courtesy of Mill Creek Entertainment. © Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.

On October 12th the award-winning films GAMERA: GUARDIAN OF THE UNIVERSE (Gamera Daikaiju Kuchu Kessen, 1995) and GAMERA 2: ATTACK OF LEGION (Gamera 2: Region Shurai, 1996)— promoted here as GAMERA 2: ATTACK OF THE LEGION— will be released as a Blu-ray Double Feature by the Minneapolis, MN home video label Mill Creek Entertainment. Both movies were directed by Shusuke Kaneko (GMK, DEATH NOTE), written by Kazunori Ito (GHOST IN THE SHELL), and feature visual effects directed by Shinji Higuchi (SINKING OF JAPAN, HIDDEN FORTRESS: THE LAST PRINCESS).

Previously released on Region 1 DVD by the now-defunct ADV Films, GUARDIAN OF THE UNIVERSE and ATTACK OF LEGION were recently newly licensed by Mill Creek from Joyplex, Inc., the US sales agent for Kadokawa Pictures, owners of the Gamera franchise. The new Gamera Blu-ray boasts brand-new high-def transfers from Kadokawa’s original film elements. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $14.98.
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Win New Live Action Sci-Fi Adventure from Director of GHOST IN THE SHELL
Source: Well Go USA, Inc.
Official Site: assaultgirlsmovie.com (US), assault-girls.nifty.com (Japan)
Special Thanks to Chrissy Walker

Win the new Region 1 DVD of Mamoru Oshii’s ASSAULT GIRLS.
Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. © 2009 88mm Deiz/ Geneon
Universal Entertainment

A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Gorgeous women, huge weapons, and gigantic sand whales… the long-awaited Oshii masterpiece is coming to DVD and Blu-ray…

ASSAULT GIRLS (Asaruto Garuzu, 2009) is a live action sci-fi adventure from Mamoru Oshii, the award-winning director of GHOST IN THE SHELL (Kokaku Kidotai, 1995), AVALON (2001), GHOST IN THE SHELL 2: INNOCENCE (2004), GHOST IN THE SHELL 2.0 (Kokaku Kidotai 2.0, 2008), and THE SKY CRAWLERS (Sukai Kurora, 2008). ASSAULT GIRLS will be released on Region 1 DVD and Blu-ray by Well Go USA, Inc. on October 19th. The suggested retail prices are $24.98 (DVD) and $26.98 (Blu-ray).

To celebrate the upcoming North American release of ASSAULT GIRLS, Well Go USA is giving SciFi Japan readers in the United States and Canada a chance to win a free ASSAULT GIRLS Prize Pack containing the DVD and poster for the film.
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Katsuo Nakamura in a classic scene from Toho’s ghost film KWAIDAN, launching Japan Society’s Zen & Its Opposite monthly film series this Friday.
Photo courtesy of Japan Society. © 1965 Toho Co., Ltd.

Zen & Its Opposite: Essential (& Turbulent) Japanese Art House (October 15 2010-February 18 2011)
Source: Japan Society
Special Thanks to Kanako Shirasaki and Shannon Jowett

Tatsuya Nakadai in SWORD OF DOOM. Photo courtesy of Japan Society. © 1966
Toho Co., Ltd.

New York, NY – Japan Society’s Monthly Classics film series, Zen & Its Opposite: Essential (& Turbulent) Japanese Art House peers into the dark side of the classical repertoire of the late 1950s and 1960s, illuminating the paradoxical and little understood unity of Zen Buddhism and violence. Timed with The Sound of One Hand: Painting and Calligraphy by Zen Master Hakuin (October 1, 2010–January 9, 2011), Japan Society’s major exhibition of 18th century Zen paintings, Zen & Its Opposite launches Friday, October 15, with Masaki Kobayashi’s KWIDAN at 7:30 pm, screening another 4 films monthly through February 13, 2011.

In Zen & Its Opposite, 5 master filmmakers offer the bloody and all-too-human spectacle of sin, folly and frailty, in unforgettable tales of crime and punishment, vengeful ghosts and delirious soldiers, mad samurai and deranged marauders, fire and brimstone, and spiritual darkness. The selection promises to satisfy the courteous viewer with an appetite for dark eroticism, macabre poetry and the exquisite monstrosity of the human heart, which will haunt long after viewing.
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The King of the Monsters Returns to Comics… and This Time, He’s Not Alone
Source: IDW Publishing press release
Special Thanks to Lyle Huckins

Godzilla cover art by Eric Powell. © 2010 IDW
Publishing/ Toho Co., Ltd.

The biggest star in motion pictures prepares to wreak havoc once again! IDW Publishing is thrilled to announce a partnership with Toho Co., Ltd. to create all-new Godzilla comics. Starting in 2011, Godzilla will smash his way back onto the scene with a cast of characters from his films never before seen in comics.

“This new series will be monsters and mayhem, but most importantly, it’s going to be a lot of fun,” said Yukio Kotaki of Toho. “Godzilla has been gone from comics for too long and we feel that IDW is the perfect company to welcome him back in 2011.”

In addition to the King of the Monsters himself, the new comics from IDW Publishing and Toho Co., Ltd. will feature many of Godzilla’s friends and foes, including Mothra, King Ghidorah, Rodan and more that have never before been featured in an American comic book series alongside Godzilla. With an impressive cast of monsters both old and new, IDW’s series will treat fans to both familiar themes and original takes on the pop culture legends that have stomped, smashed, and fought their way across movie screens for over five decades.

“Not only is Godzilla known worldwide, he’s loved worldwide, too. Having a film career with more than 25 movies and going on a 56-year span pretty much solidifies you as a legend, and IDW is really looking forward to contributing to that legacy,” said Chris Ryall, Chief Creative Officer and Editor-in Chief for IDW Publishing. “We wanted Godzilla to return to comics, but this time we wanted him to have some company. I think fans will be pleased with the monster guest appearances, which will really offer something for every fan of these films. There are the classic characters, but there are also a few surprises, too.”

Debuting in February 2011, fans can expect to see a number of unique storylines from some of the industry’s top creators.
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Packaging art for the ASSAULT GIRLS on Region 1 DVD. Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. © 2009 88mm Deiz/ Geneon Universal Entertainment

Live Action Sci-Fi Adventure from GHOST IN THE SHELL Director Streets October 19th
Source: Well Go USA, Inc.
Official Site: assaultgirlsmovie.com (US), assault-girls.nifty.com (Japan)
Special Thanks to Chrissy Walker

Japanese poster art. © 2009 88mm Deiz/ Geneon
Universal Entertainment

Mamoru Oshii, the internationally acclaimed director who brought the world the explosive anime hit GHOST IN THE SHELL (Kokaku Kidotai, 1995) delivers his first live action movie since AVALON in 2001. ASSAULT GIRLS (Asaruto Garuzu, 2009) is a true visual experience that will amaze fans both old and new. Oshii shot the film in 35mm and utilized all new techniques from CGI to VFX effects. The movie’s theme song “Screw” is written and sung by the popular international artist KOTOKO, who has provided songs for several anime and video game titles. ASSAULT GIRLS has become the highest grossing film to date from the Japanese movie and video company Geneon Universal Entertainment.

US film distributor Well Go USA, Inc. will release ASSAULT GIRLS on Region 1 DVD and Blu-ray on October 19, 2010. Well Go has backed the upcoming release with an extensive print media campaign and promotions at Comic Con International and New York Comicon.
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Source: AnimEigo, Inc.
Official Site: shinsengumi-chronicles
Special Thanks to Bobby Engelmann

DVD cover art for SHINSENGUMI CHRONICLES – I WANT TO
DIE A SAMURAI! Photo courtesy of AnimEigo, Inc. © 1963
Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.

The classic SHINSENGUMI CHRONICLES – I WANT TO DIE A SAMURAI! (Shinsengumi Shimatsuki, 1963) is being released on DVD in North America by AnimEigo, Inc. The DVD streets November 9, 2010 but can be purchased now directly from animeigo.com.

Based on the best-selling novel by Kan Shimosawa (creator of Zatoichi) and produced by the Daiei Motion Picture Company, SHINSENGUMI CHRONICLES is an action-packed epic tale of the Shinsengumi, a special police force consisting of ronin, farmers and peasants established in 1863 to protect the Mibu district of Kyoto. The film stars Raizo Ichikawa (the SHINOBI NO MONO series) as Susumu Yamasaki, a honest man who joins the Shinsengumi out of admiration for its leader, Isami Kondo (Tomisaburo Wakayama, star of LONE WOLF & CUB), and because he wants to die as a samurai. But as his involvement grows, reality and idealism come into deadly conflict.

SHINSENGUMI CHRONICLES – I WANT TO DIE A SAMURAI! was directed by Kenji Misumi, director of the LONE WOLF & CUB movies and a number of films in the Zatoichi series.
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Promotional art for THE LAST MESSAGE – UMIZARU, the Japanese blockbuster now playing both 2D and 3D versions.
Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. © 2010 Fuji Television Network, ROBOT, Pony Canyon, Toho, Shogakukan, Team Agent FNS27 Inc.

Toho Sails to the Top of the Box Office with a New 3D Chapter in Their Spectacular UMIZARU Series
Author: Kevin Grays
Official Movie Site: umizaru.jp

Following the overwhelming international success of James Cameron’s AVATAR (2009), the Japanese film industry has made a bold move into the waters of 3D with its own challengers. Among the top 10 films in Japan in 2010 as of August, the leading four were grand scale 3D American productions with AVATAR winning the war of these foreign invaders. Domestic box office receipts in the first six months of this year, according to The Motion Pictures Producers Association of Japan, improved by over 1.5%. Theaters in Japan saw such a positive turnaround in the increase of audience numbers— despite the greater price in tickets for these films— that the new 3D movie technology made headline news across the nation.

So Toho studios made the decision to experiment with the release of the latest installment in their epic UMIZARU series. Originally filmed in a 2D format, THE LAST MESSAGE – UMIZARU (Za Rasuto Messeji: Umizaru) was upgraded into 3D for select releases in cinemas across Japan. And it did not take long at all for LAST MESSAGE to take the very top box office crown away from the competition. With a September 18, 2010 release, the first nine days saw over 2.1 million admissions that sent profits racing beyond $38.6 million. Shown in both traditional 2D and new technology 3D versions, 68.7% of audiences opted for the more expensive 3D experience.
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Source: VIZ Pictures, MediaLab press releases
Official Site: NewPeopleWorld.com
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

SAYONARA ITSUKA – GOODBYE, SOMEDAY. Photo courtesy of
VIZ Media. © 2009 CJ Entertainment Inc.

VIZ Cinema, the nation’s only movie theatre dedicated to Japanese film, makes October a month full of premieres, special events and mini film festivals with a compelling new roster of just-announced screenings.

The month begins with an encore screening of the acclaimed World War II documentary 442: LIVE WITH DIGNITY, DIE WITH HONOR to be followed by a presentation of director John H. Lee’s newest romantic drama SAYONARA ITSUKA – GOODBYE, SOMEDAY.

Anime and pop culture fans shouldn’t miss the new animated racing action of REDLINE, premiering at VIZ Cinema the same week of its release in Japan, as well as a one-day-only rare encore screening of HATSUNE MIKU U.S. LIVE, which presents a live film ‘concert’ by Japan’s most popular virtual idol. This event will also feature a rare personal appearance by Hatsune Miku creator Hiroyuki Ito.

Branching out to include other aspects of Asian film, VIZ Cinema is also proud to partner with the San Francisco Film Society to present Taiwan Film Days, which offers six films that includes the U.S. premiere of LET’S FALL IN LOVE, SEVEN DAYS IN HEAVEN and TEARS. Finally, the theatre has also scheduled a pair of retrospectives celebrating the works of two of Japan’s most legendary film directors: Yasujiro Ozu and Kenji Mizoguchi.
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Who Will Escape, and What Will Be Left of Them?
Source: Cinema Epoch, 4Digital Media, Organic Marketing press releases
Special Thanks to Steve Beecham, Andy Green, Gregory Hatanaka and Edwin Santos

Cover art for the upcoming US DVD release of DEATH
TUBE. Photo courtesy of Cinema Epoch.

From Yohei Fukuda, the director of CHANBARA BEAUTY (Onechanbara: The Movie, 2008) and TOKYO GORE SCHOOL (Gakko Ura Saito, 2009), and the producers of the “banned in the UK” horror movie GROTESQUE (Gurotesuku, 2009) comes DEATH TUBE (2010), a Japanese extreme splatter film in the tradition of the HOSTEL and SAW series. The movie was released on DVD in the United Kingdom this past September by 4Digital Media and comes out in the United States at the end of this month, courtesy of Cinema Epoch.

DEATH TUBE stars Shoichi Matsuda (CREEPY HIDE AND SEEK, TOKYO GORE SCHOOL), Ayaka, Wataru Kaoru, Atsushi Ishino (A DAY ON THE PLANET), Sanae Tsukamoto, Hajime Namikawa (CREEPY HIDE AND SEEK), Kensuke Ashihara, Yohei Hoshina (GHOST STORY OF SHIN-MIMBUKURO), Takuya Motono, Misa Shibuki (OYASUMI ANMONITE), Ryoichi Oomori, and Masaki Yoshida.

Tragedy begins with curiosity. A young girl gets hooked on a website called “Death Tube,” which broadcasts actual murders in real time… someone is brutally murdering people in a twisted game and showing the footage online through a live feed. At first she didn’t believe it was real, until she is brought into the site itself along with other random internet viewers chosen against their will by the online killer. There is no way out. It is literally a life and death situation, and they must play for their survival in this cruelest of spectator sports. The killing game is about to begin.
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One SciFi Japan reader has won THE LORD OF THE RINGS Blu-ray Prize Pack containing all three films and a host of cool LOTR collectibles.
Photo courtesy of Warner Home Video. © 2010 New Line Productions, Inc.

Source: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
Official Website: LordOfTheRings.net
Special Thanks to Bridget Groller

Thank you to everyone who entered Warner Bros. and SciFi Japan’s THE LORD OF THE RINGS Blu-ray Prize Pack contest. We received hundreds of submissions, and the randomly-chosen winning entry is…

Mike Wegener

Congratulations to the winner! We will be shipping the prizes shortly so keep an eye on your mailbox.

More contests are planned for 2010 so keep checking back with SciFi Japan for more chances to win some cool stuff!
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The Alien Queen and Rodan are coming to Kaiyodo’s popular Sci-Fi Revoltech Series of fully articulated toys.
© Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. © 1956 Toho Co., Ltd. © 2010 Kaiyodo Co., Ltd.

Kaiyodo Company’s Sci-Fi Revoltech Series of super-articulated figures of popular science fiction, horror, and fantasy characters continues in December with the Alien Queen from James Cameron’s classic ALIENS (1986) and one of Toho’s “Big Five” daikaiju stars; Rodan the flying monster. The Alien Queen while be the largest figure released in the line to date and will retail for slightly more than the other toys.

SciFi Japan presents a sneak peek at these upcoming figures with manufacturer’s photos provide by our sponsor, Anime Jungle. Also included are photos and specs for October and November’s Sci-Fi Revoltech Series releases.
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New Manga and Anime, Special Contests, and Events Scheduled for this Month
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

Naruto Volume 49 is just one of many new releases and
events celebrating the franchise’s 10th anniversary this
month. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 1999 Masashi
Kishimoto/Shueisha Inc.

It’s Naruto’s birthday October 10th, and VIZ Media invites fans to help celebrate the birth of the world’s most popular ninja with the release of the latest volume of the Naruto manga series, the next NARUTO SHIPPUDEN box set, special coverage in Shonen Jump magazine, and a series of fun events planned around the 2010 New York Comic Con and Anime Festival.

Created by Masashi Kishimoto, Naruto was first introduced in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in Japan in 1999 and quickly became that country’s most popular ninja manga targeting tweens and teens with more than 100 million copies in circulation to-date. The manga series (rated ‘T’ for Teens) and animated counterpart (NARUTO rated ‘T’ for Teens, and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens) are among VIZ Media’s most successful properties and have captivated millions of fans across North America, Europe and South America.
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Indie UK Sci-Fi Thriller Now on Video On Demand; Opens Theatrically October 29
Source: Magnolia Pictures
Official Movie Site: monstersfilm.com (US), monstersthemovie.com (UK)
Special Thanks to Brandon Nichols

Magnolia Pictures has provided clips from their new movie, MONSTERS. The film is now available through Video On Demand, iTunes, Xbox Live, Playstation Marketplace, Amazon and Vudu. MONSTERS opens in US theaters October 29, 2010.
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