Source: Japan Foundation, Sydney press release
Official Site: japanesefilmfestival.net
Special Thanks to Evon Fung and Amanda Thompson

The Oscar contender CONFESSIONS sold out its screening in Sydney. The film plays
Melbourne on December 4th. Photo courtesy of Japan Society. © 2010 Confessions
Production Committee　

The 14th Japanese Film Festival in Australia concluded last Sunday with record audiences of 7,700 in Sydney alone. The week-long festival screened 20 sessions all up, with four sessions selling out, and another two almost reaching full capacity.

The Festival now heads to Melbourne starting this Thursday at ACMI Cinemas, Australian Centre for the Moving Image. Tickets are on sale now with only a handful of tickets remaining for Opening night. Don’t miss out!
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Source: VIZ Pictures
Official Site: go-to-dmc (Japan), DMCtheMovie.com (US)
Special Thanks to Rieko Fuji

One lucky SciFi Japan reader has won a free DVD of
DETROIT METAL CITY. Photo courtesy of VIZ Pictures. © 2008
Toho /Horipro /Hakusensha /SME /Dentsu /d-rights /Parco
/SDP /Tokyo FM /Yahoo! Japan/ Nippan /Tsutaya Group

A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Thank you to everyone who entered VIZ Pictures and SciFi Japan’s contest for a free DETROIT METAL CITY DVD. The winning entry is:

Vince Flores

Congratulations, Vince! VIZ Pictures will be shipping the Gift Pack shortly so keep an eye on your mailbox.

More contests are in the works so keep checking back with SciFi Japan for more chances to win some cool stuff!
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First Anime Title Theme Available Today
Source: FUNimation Entertainment press releases
Special Thanks to Manny Alcala

A dynamic theme is now available for FULLMETAL
ALCHEMIST: BROTHERHOOD. © 2009 Hiromu Arakawa/FA
Project・MBS

FMA fans take note: a FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: BROTHERHOOD-based dynamic theme hits the North American PlayStation® Store, a service that is part of PlayStation Network, this week.

Fans of the anime series can download the theme, available for PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, for $2.99.

Both the theme itself and the icons will be themed with FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: BROTHERHOOD imagery. Some of the dynamic elements include the sound, change of light in the background from day to night, eye and clothing movements, as well as a look at how Al and Ed age from children to adults.
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Author: Elliot Gay
Official Site: sentoshojo.jp (Japan), Sushi Typhoon (US)
Special Thanks to Marc Walkow and Norman England

English language poster design for MUTANT GIRLS SQUAD.
© 2010 Sushi Typhoon and Toei Video

MUTANT GIRL SQUAD (Sento Shojo: Chi no Tekkamen Densetsu, 2010) might be one of the strangest films I have ever seen. One could attempt to describe it as a Japanese X-MEN though I have the feeling that might be missing the point entirely. It’s a film that cannot be put into any one category if only because its tone jumps around so frequently it is impossible to place. Don’t get me wrong, there is an entertaining story in here. Just understand that in my opinion it isn’t nearly as accessible as its predecessor ALIEN VS NINJA.

Trying to summarize MUTANT GIRL SQUAD is akin to being asked how to take a hamster for a walk; you think you can do it but you’re not entirely sure if you’re going to get it right the first time. The story follows a young high school girl named Rin in her quest to find peace in her life after a series of ridiculous events occur that force her to join a top secret and elite squad of mutants with outlandish weapons and abilities. Of course, when I say ridiculous events, I mean things along the lines of breast guns and nose pistols. One sequence early on is essentially ten minutes of our heroine violently killing nearly every person she confronts as she is attacked for a bounty. I won’t spoil what takes place after she joins the squad, but just know that it is both incredibly weird and violent.
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Miki (Nonami Takizawa) comes fact-to-face with the title character in PSYCHO SHARK. © 2009 Ace Deuce Inc.

Spoiler Free Review of the 2009 Japanese Horror Movie
Author: A. David Conway

When I think of the distribution company Jolly Roger, I usually think of the Japanese equivalent of a SyFy Channel original movie, the likes of MEGA SHARK VS GIANT OCTOPUS, or any direct to DVD release from Asylum, but director John Hijiri surprised me by focusing at least as much on the idea of suspense as spectacle in the form of horror. I am known for my preference for low-budget movies over blockbusters, but PSYCHO SHARK did not take the path I expected. For a change, this was a good thing. The premise of the secluded island being covered in hidden cameras creates an act of voyeurism on part of the audience, and a question persists through the course of the film: through whose eyes are the cameras truly looking? The majority of this film consists of very little plot, which is not surprising, but it contains quite a collection of subtle imagery to coincide with its blatant visuals.
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The Yamato prepares for launch in a massive SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO movie display at the TBS Broadcasting Center in Akasaka, Tokyo.
Photo courtesy of Daisuke Ishizuka. © 2010 Space Battleship Yamato Production Committee.

Franchise Creator Dies as New Movie Premieres
Author: Bob Johnson
Official Site: yamato-movie.net
Special Thanks to Tokyo Broadcasting System and Daisuke Ishizuka

Cover for the November 6th Daily Variety, advertising the
world premiere of the live action SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO.
© 2010 Space Battleship Yamato Production Committee. © 2010
Variety

On Saturday November 6th, the feature film SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO (Uchu Senkan Yamato, 2010)— the latest incarnation of the classic YAMATO saga— had its world premiere screening for potential buyers and guests at the American Film Market (AFM) tradeshow in Santa Monica, CA. Directed by the popular Takashi Yamazaki (RETURNER, the ALWAYS- SUNSET ON THIRD STREET films), the new live action adaptation does for SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO what JJ Abrams’ update of STAR TREK did last year; launch a long-running franchise to new levels and new audiences.

The AFM screening of SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO was hosted by the film’s international sales agent, Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS). Among TBS’ invited guests were reps from multiple film studios and distributors, a reporter for Variety Japan, VIZ Pictures associate Erik Jansen, Tim Eldred of Starblazers.com, and the editors of SciFi Japan.

But, in one of life’s tragic ironies, on the day the attendees were sitting in the Criterion 2 theater marveling at the new movie, 75 year old SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO producer and co-creator Yoshinobu Nishizaki died near the Ogasawara Islands off the coast of Japan.

Please join SciFi Japan as we honor Nishizaki’s legacy and offer an early look at his latest achievement.
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The ninja Yamata (Masanori Mimoto) battles a killer alien (Katsu Itagaki) in ALIEN VS NINJA, the first film from Nikkatsu’s new genre label, Sushi Typhoon.
Photo courtesy of Sushi Typhoon. © 2010 Sushi Typhoon & “Alien vs. Ninja” Production Committee

Author: Elliot Gay
Official Site: The Sushi Typhoon
Special Thanks to Marc Walkow

Let me preface this review by stating that I love films and filmmakers who do a lot with very little. In this day and age it’s hard to find big budget films that go beyond the pretty explosions and mega stars to make something that is legitimately fun and/or shows the audience something they haven’t seen before. Maybe that’s why I have a soft spot for low budget Japanese films that seem to do anything and everything despite whether it makes sense or not. Sushi Typhoon’s first release, ALIEN VS NINJA, fits that bill perfectly.
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Asuka appears to be thinking “It’s about time!” in this promotional shot from EVANGELION 2.0: YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE.
The film will be released in theaters across North America this January. Photo courtesy of Eleven Arts. © 2009 Khara

Source: Eleven Arts Entertainment press release
Official Movie Site: funimation.com/evangelion (US), evangelion.co.jp (Japan)

Cinema Arts Releasing, Eleven Arts and FUNimation Entertainment are bringing EVANGELION: 2.0 YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE (Evangelion Shin Gekijoban: Ha, 2009), the second of the new Evangelion films, to the big screen in theaters across North America in January 2011. In an explosive new story full of brutal action and primal emotion, a group of young pilots maneuver their towering, cyborg Eva Units into combat against a deadly and disturbing enemy.
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Humans and robots learn to coexist in the anime film TIME OF EVE. Photo courtesy of Japan Foundation. © 2009/2010 Yashuhiro Yoshiura/ Directions, Inc.

Source: Japan Foundation, Sydney press release
Official Site: japanesefilmfestival.net
Special Thanks to Evon Fung

Sydneysiders grab your tickets to the 14th Japanese Film Festival, on sale now at Event Cinemas George Street. From 22 November, the festival returns for one week only. Don’t miss your chance to meet this year’s festival guest, Naoyoshi Shiotani. Shiotani is the Animation Director of OBLIVION ISLAND: HARUKA AND THE MAGIC MIRROR, a place where all your childhood items end up, and the Director of TOKYO MARBLE CHOCOLATE, a romantic comedy which is bitter sweet, just like chocolate.

Shiotani will be attending the festival’s Anime Matsuri, so big that it’s split into two sessions – both jam-packed with double screenings, co-organised with SMASH! (Sydney Manga and Anime Show!).
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NYAN KOI! COMPLETE COLLECTION Available on December 14th
Source: Section23 Films press release
Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff

NYAN KOI! COMPLETE COLLECTION. Photo courtesy
of Section23 Films.

Home video distributor Section23 Films has provided details on its December 2010 slate of DVD releases, including the wildly popular series NYAN KOI! The complete collection will be released from Section23 client Sentai Filmworks.

Also on tap for the holiday season is EYESHIELD 21 COLLECTION 3, KIMIKISS: PURE ROUGE COLLECTION 2, and GINTAMA COLLECTION 3.

Read on for plot descriptions, DVD specs, and cover art for all these titles.
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The Celestial Being Mobile Suit GN-001 Gundam Exia races into action in GUNDAM 00. Photo courtesy of Bandai Entertainment. © 2007-2009 Sotsu, Sunrise, MBS

Author: Andrew Nguyen
Source: Bandai Entertainment
Official Site: gundam00.net, mbs.jp/gundam00 (Japanese), gundam00.bandai-ent.com (US)
Special Thanks to Robert Napton

MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM 00 (Kido Senshi Gundamu Double O) is the latest television series in the long running Gundam metaseries. Premiering in October of 2007, it is the first Gundam series to take place in the new Anno Domini timeline. Directed by Seiji Mizushima (FULL METAL ALCHEMIST) and with music composed by Kenji Kawaii (GHOST IN THE SHELL , THE SKY CRAWLERS), it earned great success though not to the level of its two predecessors, MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM SEED (Kido Senshi Gundamu SEED, 2002) and MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM SEED DESTINY (Kido Senshi Gundamu SEED DESTINY, 2004). It is the first Gundam series to air in widescreen and hi-def. Furthermore, in another first for a Gundam series, Sunrise made two seasons of GUNDAM 00 with 25 episodes each.
Continued…

Director Yoshihiro Nishimura (left) and producer Yoshinori Chiba on the set of Sushi Typhoon’s HELLDRIVER.
Photo by Norman England, courtesy of Yoshinori Chiba and Emiko Kawai. © 2010 Sushi Typhoon

Author: Elliot Gay
Official Site: Sushi Typhoon
Special Thanks to Marc Walkow and Emiko Kawai

A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Trade ad for Nikkatsu’s Sushi Typhoon lineup at the 2010
American Film Market. © 2010 Sushi Typhoon

During the 2009 American Film Market, Japan’s oldest film studio Nikkatsu Corporation announced their new genre film label the Sushi Typhoon, which would produce and internationally release “extreme movies” by such controversial and acclaimed filmmakers as Takashi Miike (ICHI THE KILLER, AUDITION), Sion Sono (LOVE EXPOSURE), and Yoshihiro Nishimura (TOKYO GORE POLICE). The first two Sushi Typhoon titles— the action gore comedy film ALIEN VS. NINJA and the splatter action comedy MUTANT GIRLS SQUAD— have already played the film festival circuit in the United States and Canada and are now slated for release on North American DVD and Blu-ray by FUNimation Entertainment in early 2011.

Sushi Typhoon was conceived by 44-year-old producer Yoshinori Chiba, a longtime behind-the-scenes creative talent whose work has literally changed the face of the Japanese film industry. Chiba and Sushi Typhoon are hard at work to (in their own words) “satisfy audiences who crave the good taste of bad taste, and for whom too much is never enough”. With ALIEN VS. NINJA and MUTANT GIRLS SQUAD in the can, the team is putting the finishing touches on thier next slate of films… director Shion Sono’s COLD FISH, Yoshihiro Nishimura’s HELLDRIVER, and Noboru Iguchi’s KARATE ROBO ZABORGAR, an update of the 1974 P- Productions superhero television series DENJIN ZABORGAR.
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The first promotional art released for SECTOR 7, the new 3D Korean monster movie scheduled for 2011.
Photo courtesy of CJ Entertainment. © 2010 JK Film / CJ Entertainment

Latest News on Upcoming 3D Korean Monster Movie
Author: Kim Song-ho
Source: CJ Entertainment

The Korean 3D creature film SECTOR 7 (7광구, Chil gwanggu) is now in the post-production stage. The movie, which began production on June 16 and wrapped on September 29, is about a group of workers on an oil prospecting platform (called the ‘Eclipse’) being terrorized by a hostile undersea creature. It is one of the most anticipated genre pictures in Korea since it was one of the first domestic 3D films announced by a major production company and features a list of prominent cast and crew members.
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Get the New Toho Heavy Metal Comedy for Free, Courtesy of VIZ Pictures and SciFi Japan
Source: VIZ Pictures
Official Site: go-to-dmc (Japan), DMCtheMovie.com (US)
Special Thanks to Rieko Fuji

Win a free DETROIT METAL CITY DVD from VIZ Pictures!
Photo courtesy of VIZ Pictures. © 2008 Toho /Horipro
/Hakusensha /SME /Dentsu /d-rights /Parco /SDP /Tokyo
FM /Yahoo! Japan/ Nippan /Tsutaya Group

A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

VIZ Pictures, an affiliate of VIZ Media, LLC that focuses on Japanese live-action film distribution, has released the Toho heavy metal comedy DETROIT METAL CITY on Region 1 DVD with Japanese audio and English subtitles. Directed by Toshio Lee and based on the popular manga comic created by Kiminori Wakasugi, DETROIT METAL CITY takes the zany rock antics inspired by films like SPINAL TAP to hilarious new extremes. It features notable appearances by Gene Simmons from the legendary band, KISS, and Marty Friedman of Megadeth, and stars Kenichi Matsuyama, widely for his role as ‘L’ in the DEATH NOTE films.

The suggested retail price for the DETROIT METAL CITY DVD is $24.92 U.S. / $35.99 CAN, but VIZ Pictures is giving SciFi Japan readers in the United States and Canada a chance to win a free copy.
Continued…

Natsuki Shinohara enjoys the virtual reality of OZ in SUMMERS WARS, the award-winning anime movie from the director of THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME.
© 2009 Summer Wars Film Partners

Director Mamoru Hosoda Delivers a Japanese Academy Award Winner
Author: Elliot Gay
Source: FUNimation Entertainment
Official Site: s-wars.jp (Japan)

Key publicity art for SUMMER WARS. © 2009 Summer Wars
Film Partners

Four years ago, animation studio Madhouse quietly released a little film called THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME (Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo, 2006). Directed by Mamoru Hosoda, the film went on to become a critical success around the world as audiences were captivated by its well-told tale. Before working on THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME, Hosoda directed several film extensions of anime television series, such as DIGIMON and ONE PIECE. In particular, his work on the ONE PIECE film, BARON OMATSURI AND THE SECRET ISLAND (Omatsuri Danshaku to Himitsu no Shima, 2005) received a lot of praise for its creative take on the well beloved franchise. But really, it was his Madhouse debut in 2006 that truly put him in the eyes of the film world.

Hosoda’s SUMMER WARS (Sama Wozu, 2009) was announced in 2008 at the Tokyo International Anime Fair to a large amount of interest. Hosoda had already built quite the reputation for himself after his seemingly out of nowhere success with THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME. Fans and critics were eager to see what he would do next.

To say that SUMMER WARS is a success is to grossly understate just how excellent the film really is.
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The manager from hell transforms three geeks into the Death Metal band Detroit Metal City. Photo courtesy of VIZ Pictures.
© 2008 Toho /Horipro /Hakusensha /SME /Dentsu /d-rights /Parco /SDP /Tokyo FM /Yahoo! Japan /Nippan /Tsutaya Group

Source: VIZ Pictures
Official Site: go-to-dmc (Japan), DMCtheMovie.com (US)
Special Thanks to Rieko Fuji

VIZ Pictures, an affiliate of VIZ Media, LLC that focuses on Japanese live-action film distribution, has provided the following press notes for DETROIT METAL CITY, the live-action heavy metal comedy based on the popular manga of the same name. DETROIT METAL CITY is now available on Region 1 DVD with Japanese audio and English subtitles. MSRP is $24.92 U.S. / $35.99 CAN.
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Gainax’s controversial new anime PANTY AND STOCKING WITH GARTERBELT is now streaming free in America on Crunchyroll.
Photo courtesy of Crunchyroll. © 2010 Gainax/Geeks

Author: Elliot Gay
Official Site: crunchyroll.com/panty-and-stocking-with-garterbelt (US), gainax.co (Japan), newtype.kadocomic (Japan)
Special Thanks to Chase Wang

Gainax, known for anime hits such as GUNBUSTER, DIEBUSTER, NEON GENESIS EVANGELION, TENGEN TOPPA GURREN LAGANN, FLCL and others has taken a huge creative chance with its latest television show, PANTY AND STOCKING WITH GARTERBELT. Featuring such Gainax talent as Hiroyuki Imaishi (DEAD LEAVES) and Hiroaki Tomita (GURREN LAGANN), the series seems bound for success regardless of the concept. Yet the end result as of episode 6 is that of a show that blends the humor and cartoon style of western adult animation, with the lightning quick and sometimes crazy animation of a Gainax production. Having debuted in America via Crunchyroll, the show has been hit with split opinions across the board. People generally seem to either love it or hate it. I happen to fall into the former category, constantly looking forward to the next streaming episode.
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Be Careful Who You Bully Because They Might Be An Ogre!
Source: VIZ Media press release
Special Thanks to Jane Lui

Cover art for Volume 1 of Kurozakuro. Photo courtesy
of VIZ Media. © 2004 Yoshinori Natsume/Shogakukan

VIZ Media, LLC release award-winning artist Yoshinori Natsume’s manga series Kurozakuro on November 9th. The new series, offered under the Shonen Sunday imprint, is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.

Mikito Sakurai is tired of being a punching bag for all the delinquents on campus. But what can he do? By nature he’s a gentle and easygoing high school student. That all changes the night he swallows a mysterious orb and meets Zakuro, a strange kid who promises to grant his most heartfelt desire. “When you wake up,” says the pint-sized apparition, “you’ll be stronger and better than a human.”

“The kids who bully Mikito are in for a rude awakening when he starts displaying new, violent instincts after he swallows the orb,” says Andy Nakatani, Editorial Director and Editor-in-Chief, Shonen Sunday. “Anyone who has ever been bullied will be able to relate to Mikito and will enjoy the wild and unpredictable adventure in Kurozakuro. But beware, because becoming the new strongest boy on campus isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, especially when you might be turning into an ogre with a taste for human flesh!“
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Five SciFi Japan readers have won free copies of DEMEKING THE SEA MONSTER and PSYCHO SHARK. Photo courtesy of Cinema Epoch.
© 2009 “Space Monster Demeking” Film Committee.

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

Thank you to everyone who entered Well Go USA and SciFi Japan’s DEMEKING and PSYCHO SHARK contest. The winning entries are Aaron Conway, Timothy Padgett, Heather Bradley, Stuart Webner, and Don J. Krouskop.

Congratulations to the winners! The prizes will be shipping shortly so keep an eye on your mailbox.
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Ryo Ikebe (lower right) in an incredible piece of publicity art for Ishiro Honda’s GORATH. © 1962 Toho Co., Ltd.

Toho Leading Man Dies at 92
Author: Ed Godziszewski
Source: Variety, Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan
Special Thanks to Daisuke Ishizuka, Stuart Galbraith IV, Mark Schilling, and Georges Baumgartner

Ryo Ikebe in a publicity shot for THE DECOY. © 1957 Toho Co.,
Ltd.

Ryo Ikebe, well-known to fans of Japanese science fiction and fantasy film, died in Tokyo at 1:55pm on October 8, 2010 from complications of blood poisoning at the age of 92. Born on February 11, 1918 to painter and comic artist Hitoshi Ikebe, he graduated from Rikkyu University and started out his film career in 1940 as a screenwriter at Toho, with his ultimate ambition to be a director. However, his handsome good looks were noticed by director Yasujiro Shimazu who suggested Ikebe try performing in front of the camera, and he made his acting debut in 1941’s FIGHTING FISH (Togyo).

Shortly after his debut, Ikebe was drafted into the military and served nearly 5 years in China as an officer. Upon his return to Japan after the war, Ikebe’s acting career resumed, initially taking on several leading roles for director Kajiro Yamamoto. He quickly established himself as a top star and worked with a virtual hall-of-fame roll call of directors… Yasujiro Ozu, Mikio Naruse, Kon Ichikawa, Tadashi Imai, Masahiro Shinoda, Shiro Toyoda.
Continued…

Source: Solid Objects press release
Special Thanks to Max Winter and Brad Warner

Cover art by Michael Kupperman for Jim Shepard’s new
novella Gojira, King of the Monsters. Photo courtesy
of Solid Objects. Godzilla © 2010 Toho Co., Ltd.

Solid Objects, a newly launched fiction, drama, poetry, and nonfiction publisher based in New York, will release the novella Gojira, King of the Monsters on November 8th. Written by Jim Shepard, the book presents a fictionalized account on the personal and professional struggles of special effects director Eiji Tsuburaya during the production of the original GODZILLA (Gojira, 1954).

Jim Shepard is the author of numerous novels and short stories, including the collections Like You’d Understand, Anyway; Love and Hydrogen; and Batting Against Castro, as well as the novels Project X and Nosferatu. He has won the Story Prize and been nominated for the National Book Award. He lives in Massachusetts and teaches at Williams College.

Gojira, King of the Monsters
By Jim Shepard
Paperback
56 pages
$12
5″ by 7″
Cover design by Michael Kupperman
ISBN 978-0-9844142-1-5

Gojira, King of the Monsters can be ordered directly from Solid Objects (with free shipping and handling) or through Small Press Distribution and Amazon.
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Color guide used during the production of GODZILLA: THE SERIES. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Family Entertainment.
© 1998 Toho Co., Ltd./Adelaide Productions, Inc.

Complete Animated Series Now Available Online
Official Site: sony.com/tv/kids/godzilla
Special Thanks to Zen Faulkes

Netflix subscribers can now watch all forty episodes of Sony Pictures Television’s animated program GODZILLA: THE SERIES. Spun off from the studio’s big budget GODZILLA (1998), the show aired Saturday mornings on the Fox Network from 1998 to 2000. Netflix has also made available two episodes of GODZILLA: THE SERIES, 126- THE BALLAD OF GENS DU MARAIS and 139- TOURIST TRAP, which were not broadcast on US television.

To view the GODZILLA: THE SERIES episodes, visit netflix.com/Godzilla-The-Complete-Series.

For more on the series check out SciFi Japan’s The Ultimate Guide to GODZILLA: THE SERIES.