New Information on Upcoming Korean Monster Movie
Author: Kim Song-ho
Source: CJ Entertainment

The teaser poster design for the 3D monster movie
SECTOR 7. Photo courtesy of CJ Entertainment. © 2010
JK Film / CJ Entertainment

The Korean film company and distributor CJ Entertainment and production company JK Film recently revealed the advance teaser poster for their upcoming 3D creature feature SECTOR 7 (7광구, Chil gwangu). The revised design overall is basically the same as the promotional artwork distributed at the American Film Market in Santa Monica, CA back in November, but has been somewhat modified with a different color tone and added elements (mainly the smoke and the flying birds in the sky). It also shows the new English title logo for the film.

Along with the new artwork, CJ and JK announced that they have pre-sold the picture to four international markets during AFM. The foreign distributors who have acquired rights to SECTOR 7 are TF1 Group of France, M Pictures Entertainment Public Company Ltd. from Thailand, and Scorpio East Holdings Ltd. of Singapore and Malaysia. The companies were reportedly impressed by promotional materials and computer generated concept art shown at the film market.

Produced by Youn Je-kyun, who directed the disaster hit HAEUNDAE (해운대, released in the US as TIDAL WAVE), the film is about a group of workers on the ‘Eclipse’, an oil prospecting platform, being terrorized by a hostile undersea creature. The movie is directed by Kim Ji-hoon, who is well known in Korea for his 2008 drama MAY 18 (화려한 휴가, Hwaryeohan hyuga), which depicted the 1980 Gwangju pro-democracy movement.

Starring Ha Ji-won (Youn’s HAEUNDAE and MIRACLE ON 1ST STREET), Ahn Seong-gi (SLEEPING MAN), Lee Han-wee (CITY OF GLASS), Park Cheol-min (MAY 18), Oh Ji-ho (MY WIFE IS A GANGSTER 3), Song Sae-byeok (MOTHER) and Cha Ye-ryeon (DOREMIFASOLASIDO), SECTOR 7 is now in post-production and will open in Korea in the summer of 2011.

A seemingly normal tropical fish shop owner (Denden) has a terrifying secret life in COLD FISH, the new film from the director of LOVE EXPOSURE.
© 2010 Sushi Typhoon/ Nikkatsu

New Horror Film from Sushi Typhoon and the Director of LOVE EXPOSURE
Source: Sushi Typhoon
Official Movie Site: coldfish.jp (Japan)
Special Thanks to Marc Walkow

English language promotional art for COLD FISH. Photo
courtesy of Sushi Typhoon. © 2010 Sushi Typhoon/
Nikkatsu

After the international acclaim of his masterpiece LOVE EXPOSURE (Ai no Mukidashi, 2008), director Shion Sono is back with COLD FISH (冷たい熱帯魚, Tsumetai Nettaigyo, 2010), the third release from Nikkatsu’s new genre film label, Sushi Typhoon. The film is a horror story— with a bit of Sono’s trademark black humor— inspired by the real life crimes of exotic dog breeder Gen Sekine, his common-law wife Hiroko Kasama, and his business partner Nagayuki Yamazaki, who murdered and dismembered a number of people in 1993.

COLD FISH made its World Premiere this past September at the 67th Venice Film Festival. The North American Premiere followed that same month at the Toronto International Film Festival, and the film has since played Fantastic Fest in Texas, the Vancouver International Film Festival, the Pusan International Film Festival in South Korea, Sitges Film Festival in Catalonia, Spain, the BFI London Film Festival and the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival. At Sitges, COLD FISH was awarded “Best Motion Picture” in the festival’s Casa Asia division.

The film will open theatrically in Japan in early January. UK rights to COLD FISH were acquired earlier this year by the distributor Third Window Films. Third Window will release the movie theatrically in the UK in April or May of 2011 with the DVD and Blu-ray tentatively scheduled for that June. COLD FISH will continue to play the North American film festival circuit in 2011, with a DVD and Blu-ray release to follow from FUNimation Entertainment.
Continued…

Source: Madman Entertainment
Special Thanks to Ben Pollock and Philippa Lamb

Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 2008
Tatsunoko Production/Yatterman Film Partners

The Australian distributor Madman Entertainment is releasing a mix of anime and Asian live action titles on Region 4 DVD in January, 2011. The selection includes:

YATTERMAN
BIRDY THE MIGHTY: DECODE Collection 2
DRAGONAUT Collection
VAMPIRE KNIGHT Volume 3
GIRLS BRAVO Collection
MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM 00 Second Season Vol. 5
BLEACH Collection 06
SPICE AND WOLF Season 1
INITIAL D 1ST STAGE Collection 2
SEKIREI COLLECTION
CORPSE PRINCESS: SHIKIBANE HIME Collection 2 – Kuro
LINEBARRELS OF IRON OVA
ONE PIECE (UNCUT) Collection 5
EUREKA SEVEN MOVIE: GOOD NIGHT, SLEEP TIGHT, YOUNG LOVERS

Read on for plot descriptions, DVD specs, cover art, and more.
Continued…

Just a few of the titles coming from Warner Bros in 2011. Photos courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. © 2010 Warner Bros Entertainment, Inc.

Action, Fantasy, Horror, Animation and Thrillers Scheduled for the Coming Year
Source: Warner Bros. Pictures

Warner Bros. Pictures has provided details and images for movies scheduled from release by the studio from January through December of 2011. Read on for an early look at GREEN LANTERN, THE RITE (starring Anthony Hopkins), the over the top action fantasy SUCKER PUNCH, Liam Neeson in UNKNOWN, HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS – PART 2, the romantic fantasy thriller RED RIDING HOOD, HAPPY FEET 2, FINAL DESTINATION 5, the supernatural tale THE APPARITION, JOURNEY 2: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND, the all-star thriller CONTAGION, and Robert Downey Jr. in SHERLOCK HOLMES II.
Continued…

Get the New Ninja Adventure for Free, Courtesy of FUNimation and SciFi Japan
Source: FUNimation Entertainment
Official Movie Site: kamuigaiden.jp (Japan), funimation.com/kamui (US)
Special Thanks to Manny Alcala

A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Here is your chance to win a free DVD of KAMUI GAIDEN.
Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2009 Kamui
Film Partners

Another Christmas may have passed, but the gift giving isn’t over yet! SciFi Japan is pleased to present out first contest with FUNimation Entertainment, who have offered our readers a chance to win the new Region 1 DVD of KAMUI GAIDEN, starring Kenichi Matsuyama (DETROIT METAL CITY, DEATH NOTE) and directed by Japanese Academy Award winner Yoichi Sai (BLOOD AND BONES).

Based on the 1964 manga series by Sanpei Shirato, KAMUI GAIDEN is the 17th Century story of the young ninja Kamui. Disillusioned with the laws and principles of his ninja clan, which dictate that he must use his skills to kill others, Kamui chooses to leave his past behind him and go in search of true freedom. But, for a ninja, liberation comes at a price and the only way to escape the bonds of the ninja brotherhood is to die.

Now a fugitive on the run from his clan, who are determined to hunt him down and eliminate him for his betrayal, Kamui finds himself constantly fighting for his life and unable to trust anyone. He eventually finds some solace when he meets an indomitable fisherman who saves his life and invites him to settle with his family. Unexpectedly, the arrangement brings Kamui face to face with a long-forgotten nemesis of his, another renegade ninja with a deadly score to settle. Meanwhile, the ninja army hunting Kamui is setting a trap from which there can be no escape…

KAMUI GAIDEN will be released on Region 1 DVD ($24.98) and Blu-ray ($29.98) by FUNimation Entertainment on December 28, 2010. The discs contain the original Japanese audio, an English dubbed track, English subtitles, and 45 minutes of extra features.
Continued…

It’s round two for Ultraman Zero and the evil Ultraman Belial! Photo courtesy of Shochiku. © 2010 Ultraman Zero- Revenge of Belial Film Partners

Review Of The Latest Ultraman Movie
Author: Jim M. Ballard
Official Movie Site: ultramanzero.com

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

ULTRAMAN ZERO: THE REVENGE OF BELIAL poster. Photo
courtesy of Shochiku. © 2010 Ultraman Zero- Revenge
of Belial Film Partners

Opening to theaters nationwide in Japan on December 23rd, ULTRAMAN ZERO: THE REVENGE OF BELIAL (Urutoraman Zero THE MOVIE Chou Kessen! Beriaru Ginga Teikoku) is the latest entry in the enduring Ultraman series, and serves as a direct sequel to last year’s MEGA MONSTER BATTLE ULTRA GALAXY: THE MOVIE (Daikaiju Batoru Urutora Ginga Densetsu THE MOVIE) in which the evil Ultraman Belial was released from a millennia of imprisonment and resurrected an army of 100 monsters to defeat the Ultra warriors.

The new film delves right into the action with a dramatic sweeping shot of Princess Emerana’s home world of Esmeralda being ravaged by Ultraman Belial (now calling himself “Kaiser Belial”) and his empire, and her protector Mirror Knight – one of the film’s three new heroes – leaping forth to her defense.
Continued…

A mega-typhoon hits Japan in the large scale disaster movie 252: SIGN OF LIFE. ©2008 ”252” Film Partners

In the Midst of Disaster, Only One Signal Matters
Source: The Associates press release
Official Movie Site: 252 (Japan)

UK DVD cover art for 252: SIGN OF LIFE. Photo courtesy
of The Associates. ©2008 ”252” Film Partners

Inspired by a miraculous real-life rescue event that occurred following the Chuetsu earthquake of 2004 and named after the Tokyo Fire Department code that indicates the discovery of survivors in need of rescue, 252: SIGN OF LIFE (252: Seizonsha Ari, aka 252: SIGNAL OF LIFE, 2008) is an epic, special effects-laden disaster movie that combines the thrills and dramatic heroics of THE TOWERING INFERNO with the elemental spectacle of SINKING OF JAPAN.

Giant, baseball-sized hailstones and a devastating tidal wave are merely precursors to the main event, a mega-typhoon that strikes Japan and virtually destroys Tokyo, leaving a handful of survivors trapped in the rapidly flooding and collapsing subway system with their fate of hanging in the balance. Among them is a former Hyper Rescue Squad member, Yuji Shinohara, and his young deaf-mute daughter, Shiori, along with a desperate businessman, an antagonistic medical trainee and a beautiful Korean nightclub hostess.

252: SIGN OF LIFE (cert. 12) will be released on DVD (Region 2, PAL) by MVM on 10th January 2011. The suggested retail price is £15.99.
Continued…

Source: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
Official Website: BBCAmericaShop.com
Special Thanks to Bridget Groller

BEING HUMAN is one of the sci-fi/fantasy series available
from BBC America. © 2010 BBC.

Thank you to everyone who entered the BBC America Shop 2010 Holiday Sweepstakes from Warner Bros and BBC, and Warner Bros and SciFi Japan’s contest for a free BBC Holiday Prize Pack containing DVD copies of BEING HUMAN, TOP GEAR, DOCTOR WHO, and a UK inspired light switch cover. The winning entry is:

Chris Hall

Congratulations, Chris! Warner Bros has already shipped your Prize Pack so keep an eye on your mailbox.

And SciFi Japan isn’t done with prizes for 2010! We’re currently running a contest for free tickets to the world premiere of GANTZ, and in the next few days will launch a DVD giveaway for KAMUI GAIDEN. So keep checking back with SciFi Japan for more chances to win some cool stuff!
Continued…

North American Release on December 28
Source: FUNimation Entertainment
Official Movie Site: kamuigaiden.jp (Japan), funimation.com/kamui (US)
Special Thanks to Manny Alcala

Blu-ray cover art for KAMUI GAIDEN. Photo courtesy of
FUNimation Entertainment. © 2009 Kamui Film Partners

FUNimation Entertainment will release the live-action dramatic epic KAMUI GAIDEN on Region 1 DVD and Blu-ray on December 20th. Produced by Shochiku Co. Ltd., the film was released in September 2009 in Japan. An adaptation of Sanpei Shirato’s 1964 manga series of the same name, the movie is directed by Japanese Academy Award winner Yoichi Sai (BLOOD AND BONES), written by Kankuro Kudo (PING PONG) and stars Kenichi Matsuyama (DETROIT METAL CITY, DEATH NOTE).

Both the DVD (SRP $24.98) and Blu-ray ($29.98) present KAMUI GAIDEN in its original 1.85:1 theatrical aspect ratio with both Japanese and English dubbed audio tracks. There are also 45 minutes of extras, including “Making Of” and behind the scenes footage.
Continued…

See the New Movie Before It Opens in Japan, Courtesy of VIZ Pictures and SciFi Japan!
Source: VIZ Pictures
Official Movie Site: gantz-movie.com (Japan)
Premiere Event Page: GANTZ
Special Thanks to Rieko Fuji and Erik Jansen

A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Promo art for the world premiere of GANTZ. Photo
courtesy of VIZ Pictures. © Hiroya Oku/Shueisha
© 2011 Gantz Film Partners

The live-action feature GANTZ, based upon the popular Japanese manga and anime series, will be screened in American theaters nine days before the film opens in Japan. NEW PEOPLE and NCM Fathom are bringing the world premiere of GANTZ to cinemas nationwide for a one night live event on Thursday, January 20th at 8:00 pm ET/ 7:00 pm CT/ 6:00 pm MT/ 8:30 pm PT (tape delayed). It will be English over-dubbed exclusively for this big screen event.

Following the feature, the two stars, Kazunari Ninomiya (LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA) and Kenichi Matsuyama (DEATH NOTE, DETROIT METAL CITY) will participate in an exclusive live interview that can only be seen at this premiere.

Tickets for this special event are available at participating theater box offices and online now. For a complete list of theater locations and ticket information, please visit FathomEvents.com/Gantz.

As an added bonus, our friends at VIZ Pictures have offered SciFi Japan readers a chance to win free tickets to see this film on the big screen. We have three passes to give away… and here is your chance to grab one for yourself!
Continued…

KOIHIME MUSO COMPLETE COLLECTION Available on January 4th
Source: Section23 Films press release
Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff

KOIHIME MUSO COMPLETE COLLECTION. Photo
courtesy of Section23 Films.

Home video distributor Section23 Films has provided details on its January 2011 slate of releases, including the popular series KOIHIME MUSO. The complete collection will be released by Section23 client Sentai Filmworks.

Also on ringing in the New Year will be GHOST SWEEPER MIKAMI COLLECTION 2, 11 EYES COMPLETE COLLECTION, and KAMPFER COMPLETE COLLECTION.

Read on for plot descriptions, DVD specs, and cover art for all these titles.
Continued…

Friends Miyu (Erina Mizuno), Ken (Yuya Yagira), Lin (Ai Maeda), and Hajime (Ryo Katsuji) find themselves in a strange, maze-like — and haunted— building
in the 3D J-Horror film SHOCK LABYRINTH. © 2009 Shock Labyrinth Film Committee

From the Director of THE GRUDGE Comes J-Horror’s First Live-Action 3D Shocker
Source: The Associates press release
Official Movie Site: 3d-shock.asmik-ace.co.jp (Japan)

UK DVD cover for SHOCK LABYRINTH. Photo courtesy of
The Associates. © 2009 Shock Labyrinth Film Committee

Japanese master of horror Takashi Shimizu, the writer-director and overall creative force behind the nerve-shredding and hugely successful JU-ON/THE GRUDGE franchise, takes J-Horror into a brand new era with the spooky and mysterious SHOCK LABYRINTH 3D (戦慄迷宮３Ｄ, Senritsu Meikyuu 3D), which comes to DVD in the United Kingdom in January 2011 and features both the 2D and 3D versions of Shimizu’s latest spine chiller complete with two pairs of 3D glasses.

Directed by Shimizu and based on the world’s largest walk-through ‘haunted house’, The Haunted Hospital attraction situated at the world famous Fuji-Q Highland theme park, SHOCK LABYRINTH 3D is the first Japanese film shot in HD Digital 3D (and J-Horror’s first ever live action 3D movie) and stars some of Japanese cinema’s hottest acting talents, including Ai Maeda (GAMERA 3: REVENGE OF IRIS, DEATH NOTE II: THE LAST NAME), Suzuki Matsuo (ROBO-GEISHA) and Shoichiro Masumoto (GOEMON; ICHI; TOKYO GORE POLICE).

SHOCK LABYRINTH 3D (cert. tbc) will be released on DVD (Region 2, PAL) by Chelsea Films on 31st January 2011.The suggested retail price is £14.99.
Continued…

Eva Unit 01 races into action in EVANGELION: 2.0 YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE. The anime film will be released in theaters across North America
beginning this January. © 2009 Khara

Theatrical Run Launches January 21, 2011
Source: Eleven Arts Entertainment press release
Official Movie Site: funimation.com/evangelion (US), evangelion.co.jp (Japan)
Special Thanks to Shun Ohara

North American theatrical poster for EVANGELION:
2.0 YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE. Photo courtesy of
Eleven Arts. © 2009 Khara

Cinema Arts Releasing, Eleven Arts and FUNimation Entertainment are proud to announce the initial release schedule of EVANGELION: 2.0 YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE (Evangelion Shin Gekijoban: Ha, 2009) in the United States. The movie is the second chapter in four part “Rebuild of Evangelion” (Evangelion Shin Gekijoban) film series by Hideaki Anno and Studio Khara, re-imagining the sci-fi animated series blockbuster NEON GENESIS EVANGELION (Shin Seiki Evangelion)— also written and directed by Anno— which first aired on Japanese television in 1995. It was one of the top five highest grossing Japanese films of 2009 with box office in excess of $40 million US. EVANGELION: 2.0 YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE screened at Film Festivals around the world, including the 2010 Fantasia Film Festival, the 2010 SITGES Film Festival, and the 15th Lyon Asian Film Festival (France).

With a few exceptions, EVANGELION: 2.0 YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE will begin its American theatrical run on January 21, 2011. Some theaters will also show the first chapter, EVANGELION: 1.0 YOU ARE (NOT) ALONE (Evangelion Shin Gekijoban: Jo, 2007), prior to the release of the second feature.

Read on for a list of confirmed theaters at this time. More American theaters will be added in the coming weeks, and the theatrical release schedule for Canada will be announced in early January.
Continued…

Asian Studios Remake Patrick Swayze/Demi Moore Romantic Fantasy
Author: Kim Song-ho
Source: CJ Entertainment
Official Movie Site: ghost-movie.jp (Japan), naver.com/ghost_2010 (Korea)

Matsushima and Song re-enact one of the most famous scenes from the original
GHOST. Photo courtesy of CJ Entertainment. © 2010 Ghost Film Partners

In 1990, Paramount Pictures’ fantasy/romance hit GHOST earned more than $500 million worldwide and was nominated for five Academy Awards (winning two). Two decades later, Paramount Pictures Japan has remade the film for Asian audiences.

The new version is a co-production between various Japanese companies such as NTV, Vap, and Shochiku plus Korea’s CJ Entertainment, along with its Japanese branch CJ Entertainment Japan. Marketed with the same English title as the original, the film was released in Japan as GHOST: IN YOUR ARMS AGAIN (ゴースト もういちど抱きしめたい, Gosuto: mou ichido dakishimetai) on November 13th, and in Korea on November 25th as GHOST: LOVE AND SOUL (고스트 : 보이지 않는 사랑, Ghost: Boiji Anneun Sarang).
Continued…

Larger Size Edition of the Riveting Supernatural Crime Mystery Features Added Full Color Pages
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Official Site: Deathnote.viz.com
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

Cover for the Death Note Black Edition Volume 1. Photo
courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2003 by Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi
Obata/ Shueisha Inc.

VIZ Media, LLC has announced the release of Death Note Black Edition, an oversized version of the acclaimed supernatural crime thriller. Volume 1 hits stores on December 28th and includes the first two editions of the popular manga series as well as added full-color pages. The Death Note Black Edition will be offered under the Shonen Jump Advanced imprint, is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens, and will retail for $14.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN.

“Death Note took the manga world by storm and became an international bestseller with its sinister plot and captivating artwork,” says Beth Kawasaki, Sr. Editorial Director. “The Black Edition is an ideal way for those who never read the original series to finally see what the buzz is all about in six volumes versus the original 12-volume run. For established fans or anyone that might have missed later Death Note volumes, the new version also presents a great opportunity to revisit the series with its larger trade paperback size, new cover design, and bonus color pages.”
Continued…

The Japanese live action sci-fi adventure GANTZ will be screened nationwide in the United States more than a week before Toho opens the film in Japan.
Photo courtesy of VIZ Pictures. © Hiroya Oku/Shueisha © 2011 Gantz Film Partners

Exclusive Event Featuring Two of Japan’s Biggest Stars to 325 Select Movie Theaters LIVE on January 20
Source: MediaLab press release
Official Movie Site: gantz-movie.com (Japan)
Premiere Event Page: GANTZ
Special Thanks to Erik Jansen

International promo art for GANTZ. Photo courtesy of
NTV. © Hiroya Oku/Shueisha © 2011 Gantz Film
Partners

GANTZ, a live-action Japanese feature event, is making its world premiere in 325 movie theaters in an exclusive one-night Fathom event on Thursday, January 20th, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT / 6:00 p.m. MT / 8:30 p.m. PT (tape delayed). Following the feature, GANTZ’s two leading actors, Kazunari Ninomiya (LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA) and Kenichi Matsuyama (DEATH NOTE, DETROIT METAL CITY) will participate in an exclusive live interview that can only be seen at this event.

Tickets are available at participating theater box offices and online at FathomEvents.com. For a complete list of theater locations and prices, please visit EventTheatresReport_gantz.

Presented by NCM Fathom and NEW PEOPLE, in association with Dark Horse Comics, GANTZ (English dubbed) tells the story of childhood friends Kei Kurono and Masaru Kato who are accidentally killed while trying to save another man’s life. Rather than find themselves in the hereafter, however, they awaken in a strange apartment in which they find a mysterious black orb they come to know as “GANTZ.” Along with similar abductees, they are provided with equipment and weaponry and manipulated into playing a kind of game in which they are sent back out to the greater world to do battle with alien beings, all while never quite knowing whether this game is an illusion or their new reality.
Continued…

Cover art for the UK DVD and Blu-ray editions of K-20: THE LEGEND OF THE BLACK MASK. Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 2008 “K-20″ Film Partners

Source: The Associates press release
Official Movie Site: k20themovie (US)

The entertaining K-20: LEGEND OF THE MASK (K-20: Kaijin Niju-Menso Den, 2008) is a movie we’ve covered several times on SciFi Japan after attending a premiere screening at the 2008 American Film Market. After playing the North American festival circuit the film was released on Region 1 DVD earlier this year by VIZ Pictures as K-20: THE FIEND WITH TWENTY FACES. Now comes word that Manga Entertainment will be bringing the film to DVD and Blu-ray in the United Kingdom with the title K-20: THE LEGEND OF THE BLACK MASK.

K-20: THE LEGEND OF THE BLACK MASK (cert. 12) will be released on DVD (£15.99) and Blu-ray (£19.99) by Manga Entertainment on 10th January 2011.
Continued…

Logo design for ULTRAMAN ZERO: THE REVENGE OF BELIAL. Photo courtesy of Shochiku © 2010 Ultraman Zero- Revenge of Belial Film Partners

English sales flyer for “Ultraman Zero: The Revenge
Of Belial”. Photo courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions.
© 2010 Ultraman Zero- Revenge of Belial Film Partners

Official Press Notes For The Latest Ultraman Movie
Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd., Tsuburaya Productions
Translation: Jim M. Ballard
Official Movie Site: ultramanzero.com

The Ultraman series continues to send to children, and to those adults who have not forgotten their dreams, a “message of hope for the future”.

In this new production commemorating the 45th anniversary of the series, Ultraman Zero encounters new friends on his adventures, delivering a story of growth to adulthood as our heroes learn many important lessons.

Previously defeated by the Ultra warriors, the evil Ultraman Belial has revived, returning as the “Galactic Emperor Kaiser Belial” with aspirations of universal conquest and revenge against the Ultra warriors! Will the warriors from the “Land Of Light” be able to defeat this evil army!?
Continued…

Honesty is Not Always the Best Policy in New Manga
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

Cover art for Volume 1 of Itsuwarabito. Photo
courtesy of VIZ Media. © Itsuwarabito Utsuho © 2009
Yuuki Iinuma/ Shogakukan

VIZ Media, LLC will release creator Yuuki Iinuma’s manga series Itsuwarabito on December 14th. The new series will be published under the company’s Shonen Sunday imprint, is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens, and will carry and MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.

Utsuho’s truthfulness as a child resulted in an enormous catastrophe, and he decided to lie from that day forward. Raised in a village of orphans by a monk, Utsuho is an unrepentant troublemaker. The monk eventually inspires him to help people, but there’s no way Utsuho’s going to lead an honest life! Instead, he’s going to use his talents for mischief and deception for good!

“Creator Yuuki Iinuma uses the dichotomy of integrity and lying as the basis for an interesting new story that ponders if honesty is indeed the best policy,” says Carrie Shepherd, Managing Editor. “An itsuwaribito is an expert at sneaking, trickery, and theft. In the series, Utsuho vows to tell lies, but only ‘good lies,’ that help people. He fights evil with methods typically thought of as immoral, with lots of intense action along the way. We hope readers will contemplate whether the end truly justifies the means in this engaging new series from Shonen Sunday!”
Continued…

The Japanese/Korean horror adventure HIGANJIMA – ESCAPE FROM VAMPIRE ISLAND is one of several new Asian films picked up for North American distribution
by FUNimation. Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 2010 Suzuki Koji/ Kodansha, “Higanjima” Film Partners.

Source: FUNimation Entertainment
Special Thanks to Manny Alcala

North American theatrical and home video distributor FUNimation Entertainment recently acquired rights to a number of Asian live action films. The following titles will be released on home entertainment in 2011.

The lineup includes the ten delinquent action film DROP (2009), the horror vampire flick HIGANJIMA – ESCAPE FROM VAMPIRE ISLAND (Higanjima, 2010), the martial arts romance THE SWORD WITH NO NAME (Bulkkotcheoreom Nabicheoreom, 2009), the samurai action drama TAJOMARU (2009), the action adventure THE TREASURE HUNTER (Ci Ling, 2010), and the over the top action epic GOEMON (2009).

Read on for details and images.
Continued…

Japanese school students are forced to kill each other in BATTLE ROYALE, the controversial and acclaimed 2000 box office hit. The film will be released in the
United Kingdom this month as 3-disc DVD and Blu-ray collector’s sets. Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 2000 Toei Co., Ltd.

Deluxe Release of Kinji Fukasaku’s Cult Classic Arrives December 13th
Source: The Associates press release
Official Site: Arrow Films

Packaging for the BATTLE ROYALE Limited Edition DVD.
Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 2000 Toei Co., Ltd.

The cult Japanese movie that defines twisted action and sickening violence is ready to shock you all over again.

Arrow Video’s BATTLE ROYALE Limited Edition DVD and Blu-Ray will be released on 13th December 2010 in the United Kingdom. Both format releases feature brand new restored high definition transfers of both the Theatrical Cut and Director’s Cut, brand new subtitle translations, limited edition packaging numbered #/5000 with certificate and a whole host of new and exclusive extra features.

In a world where teenagers have no respect and adults are losing control there can be only one solution: Battle Royale! Now, see what happens when you let a high school class loose on an island, arm them and then give them a simple choice… Kill your friends or have them kill you; with poison, crossbows, machetes and dynamite. ‘Beat’ Takeshi Kitano (VIOLENT COP, ZATOICHI) is a teacher pushed to the edge by his unruly charges. Kidnapped and gassed, his class wake up with exploding metal rings around their necks. If they rebel, they could lose their heads. Now they have three days and only one is permitted to survive this grisly battle to the death.
Continued…

A Kiss On The Forehead Is A Girl’s Ticket To A New Home And An Unexpected Life As A Deity
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

Cover art for Volume 1 of Kamisama Kiss. Photo
courtesy of VIZ Media. © Kamisama Hajimemashita
© Julietta Suzuki 2008/ Hakusensha, Inc.

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media) will release the shojo manga (graphic novels for female readers) romantic comedy, Kamisama Kiss, on December 7th. The new series, created by Julietta Suzuki, will be published under the company’s Shojo Beat imprint, is rated ‘T’ for Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.

Nanami Momozono is alone and homeless after her dad skips town to evade his gambling debts and the debt collectors kick her out of her apartment. So when a mysterious man she’s just saved from a dog attack offers her his home, she jumps at the opportunity. But it turns out that his place is a shrine, and Nanami has unwittingly taken over his job as a local deity!

“Plenty of surprises are in store for Nanami as she adjusts to life at the shrine, taking on new responsibilities and facing a whole range of hidden dangers that she doesn’t fully understand yet,” says Pancha Diaz, Editor. “A kiss on the forehead might have bestowed the land-god mark on Nanami, but she will have a lot to learn as she faces a bratty sky god, a mysterious swamp deity, and a strange, cute boy who might have supernatural powers of his own!”
Continued…

Director of DRAGON WARS Returns to His Comedic Alter-Ego for New English Language Movie
Author: Kim Song-ho
Source: Younggu Art and CJ Entertainment official press materials
Official Movie Site: THE LAST GODFATHER

DRAGON WARS director Shim Hyung-rae’s bumbling character Young-gu visits
America. Photo courtesy of Younggu Art and CJ Entertainment. © 2010 Younggu
Art

Shim Hyung-rae, the comedian-turned-director who brought us such SFX-monster films as YONGGARY (aka REPTILIAN, 1999/2001) and DRAGON WARS (D-WAR, 2007), travels to the United States in the 1950s and becomes the son of a mob boss! This hilarious premise comes true as Shim’s new comedy, THE LAST GODFATHER (라스트 갓파더), has officially set its release date in Korea for December 30.

Directed by and starring Shim himself, the film also features such American actors as Harvey Keitel (TAXI DRIVER, RESERVOIR DOGS), Michael Rispoli (THE SOPRANOS, KICK-ASS), Jocelin Donahue (THE BURROWERS), Jason Mewes (CLERKS, JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK) and Jon Polito (THE CROW, THE MAN WHO WASN’T THERE).
Continued…

American and Korean Promotional Materials for New Adventure Film
Introduction: Kim Song-ho
Source: Relativity Media
Official Movie Site: iamrogue.com/thewarriorsway (US), ww2010.co.kr (Korea)

US theatrical poster for the film. Photo courtesy of
Relativity Media. © 2010 Laundry Warrior Ltd.

The action/adventure film THE WARRIOR’S WAY opens today in the US. The film was produced by Barrie M. Osborne (of THE LORD OF THE RINGS fame) and written and directed by Korean filmmaker Sngmoo Lee. In Korea, the film has been much anticipated because not only was it a major studio production directed by a Korean, but also the first English-language feature of Jang Dong-gun, who happens to be the superstar of the superstars in his native country. The film opened December 2 in Korea.

Set in the American West, this stylish-looking martial arts film is about Yang, a master swordsman. Seeking refuge in a rundown town, Yang is unexpectedly involved a feud between the locals. Kate Bosworth, Geoffrey Rush, Danny Huston, and Tony Cox also star.

The world premiere and red carpet ceremony for THE WARRIOR’S WAY were held on November 22 in Seoul with Jang, Bosworth and director Lee in attendance. It remains to be seen whether the film is strong enough to match the large amount of hype surrounding it.

The following US production notes are courtesy of production company and distributor Relativity Media. Accompanying the article are images, advertising art, and video providing by Relativity and the Korean company SK Telecom.
Continued…

David Bowie stars as a soldier held in a Japanese POW camp in director Nagisa Oshima’s riveting World War II drama MERRY CHRISTMAS MR. LAWRENCE.
Photo courtesy of Japan Society. © 1983 Shochiku Co., Ltd.

Filmmakers from Japan and China Explode the Truth of War in a Four Film Series
Source: Japan Society press release
Special Thanks to Shannon Jowett

New York, NY – War is honor, glory, and the wisdom of the nations swept away by the wind of fear and the fires of bloodshed. This winter Japan Society tells the multifaceted story of Japan’s quest for Empire and its tragic downfall, as seen through the eyes of filmmakers from Japan and China.

From December 10-12, “Shadows of the Rising Sun: Cinema and Empire” encompasses four epoch-making titles, poised between past and present, exploring the conflagration and its dreadful consequences. Featured films range from Kon Ichikawa’s 1959 arch-classic FIRES ON THE PLAIN to the New York Premiere of Koji Wakamatsu’s recent and controversial shocker CATERPILLAR (which earned main actress Shinobu Terajima the 2010 Silver Bear for Best Actress at the Berlin Film Festival). With additional titles DEVILS ON THE DOORSTEP and MERRY CHRISTMAS MR. LAWRENCE, the series blast the confines of history and truth, beyond the bright madness of battle and heroism, into the metaphysical realm of death, evil, sacrifice and the sublime.
Continued…

Memorial card for Shunsuke Ikeda, star of the 1973 Toei superhero show KIKAIDA 01. Photo courtesy of Tetsu Shiota.
© 1972 Ishimori Production Inc. and Toei Co., Ltd.

Memorial Service in Hawaii for KIKAIDA 01 Star
Source: Anime Jungle, Generation Kikaida
Special Thanks to Tetsu Shiota, Daisuke Ishizuka, Joanne Ninomiya and Scott Shinsato

Front page of the schedule for the Shunsuke Ikeda
memorial service. Photo courtesy of Tetsu Shiota.

On November 11th, family and friends gathered at Diamond Head, Hawaii to bid a final farewell to actor Shunsuke Ikeda, who died this past June after a long battle with stomach cancer. Ikeda had appeared in a number of television dramas and FX shows during the 1960s and 70s and is best remembered for his starring role in the popular superhero series KIKAIDA 01 (1973).

Ikeda had loved Hawaii so deeply that he wished to have his ashes scattered there. At 10:30am on what would have been his 70th birthday, his ashes were scattered at sea. A memorial service was held that same day at the Blaisdell Center. Ikeda’s fellow KIKAIDA Ban Daisuke, Joanne Ninomiya of JN Productions, Koji Shiota of Anime Jungle, Steven Fong of Shirokiya Inc., Bert Shibuya of Generation Kikaida Fans, and the Ikeda Family were among the guests who shared their stories and memories of Shunsuke Ikeda. Governor Linda Lingle sent a message to Generation Kikaida and the Ikeda Family, while Mayor Peter Carlisle and Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares designated the date as “Ikeda Shunsuke Day”.
Continued…

Enter the BBC America Shop 2010 Holiday Sweepstakes for a chance to win Gift Cards and other great prizes! Photos courtesy of Warner Home Video.
DOCTOR WHO and TORCHWOOD © BBC. PRIMEVAL © ITV Plc/Impossible Pictures

TWO Chances for Great Holidays Gifts from BBC America Shop
Source: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
Official Website: BBCAmericaShop.com
Special Thanks to Bridget Groller

The holiday season is right around the corner, and Warner Bros and the BBC are working together to promote their BIG holiday sweepstakes. The BBC has some great sci-fi titles including DOCTOR WHO, BEING HUMAN, TORCHWOOD, PRIMEVAL, RED DWARF and SURVIVORS, and now they want people like you to discover the BBC America Shop to find all the perfect holiday gifts including BBC films, TV series, and unique British Collectibles. So to get your attention, Warner Bros and the BBC will be giving away $1000 (two $500 Gift Cards, one for the winner and one for a friend) redeemable toward purchases at BBCAmericaShop.com. There are also 2nd and 3rd place prizes for two $250 and two $100 Gift Cards, respectively.

Warner Bros has asked for SciFi Japan’s help spreading the word about this campaign, and they’ve offered to sweeten the deal even more!
Continued…