SciFi Japan readers can win a set of three different variant editions of IDW Publishing’s Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters comic book.
Photo courtesy of IDW Publishing. © 2011 IDW Publishing/ Toho Co., Ltd.

Win a Set of Three Different Cover Editions, Courtesy of IDW Publishing and SciFi Japan
Source: IDW Publishing
Special Thanks to Chris Ryall, Carlos Guzman, Dirk Wood and Alonzo Simon

A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Today, IDW Publishing premieres the first issue of their new comic books series Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters. Based on the long-running Toho film series and characters, the ongoing comic stars the King of the Monsters and other fan favorites such as Mothra, Rodan, Anguirus, and King Ghidorah in stories by writers Eric Powell (The Goon) and Tracy Marsh and artists Phil Hester (Green Arrow, Firebreather) and Bruce McCorkindale (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, The Falling Man).

To celebrate Godzilla’s return to American comics, IDW is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win prize packs containing three different cover variant editions of Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters issue #1. The covers feature the artwork of Alex Ross (Marvels, Kingdom Come) and Godzilla comic writer Eric Powell.
Continued…

This April and May, the Japan Foundation Sydney takes a look at some of Japan’s most popular characters. Photo courtesy of Japan Foundation.

Source: Japan Foundation, Sydney press release
Special Thanks to Evon Fung

This April, the Japan Foundation Sydney presents their latest exhibition, “Japan: Kingdom of Characters”. The exhibition will run from 8 April through to 28 May at the Japan Foundation Gallery, taking visitors through Japan’s most popular characters that have triggered worldwide crazes from the 1950s to the present.

Why do characters appear and become popular? What kind of social reality do they reflect? As interest in Japanese subculture, particularly anime and manga, become increasingly a topic of interest around the world, the Japan Foundation responds and examines the impact of characters on Japanese society.
Continued…

Ten SciFi Japan readers have won free copies of EVANGELION: 2.22 YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE on Region 1 DVD or Blu-ray. © 2009 Khara

Source: FUNimation Entertainment
Official Movie Site: funimation.com/evangelion (US), evangelion.co.jp (Japan)
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith

Contest winners were able to choose either the DVD or
Blu-ray edition of EVANGELION 2.22. Photo courtesy of
FUNimation Entertainment. © 2009 Khara

A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Thank you to everyone who entered FUNimation Entertainment and SciFi Japan’s EVANGELION 2.22 Blu-ray and DVD contest. We received hundreds of entries, and the ten randomly drawn winners are:

Willie L. Calvert (DVD)
Bret Lonsway (Blu-ray)
Will Frazier (Blu-ray)
Robert Haney (Blu-ray)
Mike Palumbo (Blu-ray)
Christopher Monk (Blu-ray)
Thomas Singleton (Blu-ray)
Derek Shepard (DVD)
Robert Wright-Stasko (Blu-ray)
Helen McNamara (Blu-ray)

EVANGELION 2.22 will be available for purchase on Region 1 DVD ($24.98) and Blu-ray ($29.98) on March 29th. The discs contain the original Japanese audio, a new English dubbed track, English subtitles, deleted scenes, a dubbing cast audio commentary, theatrical trailers, Japanese TV spots, and much more.
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Sentai Filmworks has acquired the North American rights to the hit anime series ANGEL BEATS! Promo art featuring the characters Otonashi, Yuri, and Angel.
© 2009 VisualArt’s/ Key/ Angel Beats! Project

Source: Sentai Filmworks press release
Official Site: angelbeats.jp (Japan)
Special Thanks to David Williams

Sentai Filmworks has announced its acquisition of Japan’s white-hot anime series, ANGEL BEATS! (エンジェルビーツ!, Enjeru Bītsu!, 2009). A multi-media mega-franchise with two manga volumes, a series of illustrated short stories, an OVA (original video animation) and two internet radio shows, each new volume of ANGEL BEATS! has consistently ranked in the top three nationwide bestselling Blu-ray releases in Japan.
Continued…

Issue #1 of IDW Publishing’s Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters comic book comes with multiple variant covers, including this tri-fold illustration by
Eric Powell for Cover B. Photo courtesy of IDW Publishing. © 2011 IDW Publishing/ Toho Co., Ltd.

Source: IDW Publishing
Special Thanks to Chris Ryall and Carlos Guzman

Cover A by Alex Ross. Photo courtesy of IDW Publishing.
© 2011 IDW Publishing/ Toho Co., Ltd.

The first issue of IDW Publishing’s Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters, comic book series will arrive on stores shelves Wednesday, March 30th. The ongoing series is being written by Eisner Award-winner Eric Powell (The Goon) and Tracy Marsh. Artwork is provided by penciller Phil Hester (Green Arrow, Firebreather), inker Bruce McCorkindale (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, The Falling Man) and Eisner-nominated colorist Ronda Pattison. The cover price is $3.99.

Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters begins as Godzilla emerges from the ocean off the coast of Japan and makes his way towards Tokyo. Military countermeasures seem powerless against the gargantuan beast, and the Japanese government may have to resort to some desperate measures to prevent further calamity. The destructive saga also features a host of beloved Toho monsters such as Rodan, Mothra, and King Ghidorah, making their long-awaited debut to American comics.
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Simulcasting Exclusively on VIZAnime.com Starting April 2nd
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Official Site: tigerandbunny.net (Japanese)
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

A washed-up veteran and a rookie with an attitude
team up to become the best and worst superhero duo
of all time. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2011 Sunrise/
T&B Partners, MBS

VIZ Media, LLC invites fans to dive into the crime-fighting action of one of the most anticipated anime series of 2011 with the simulcast premiere of TIGER & BUNNY (タイガー＆バニー, Taigaa & Banii) on Saturday, April 2nd. The new series launches on VIZAnime.com, the company’s exclusive web destination for anime, the same day it debuts in Japan! New FREE weekly episodes (subtitled) will be available to stream on VIZAnime beginning at 12:00pm (PST) each Saturday.

“TIGER & BUNNY is the latest series from the famed anime studio, Sunrise, and we’re very excited to make it available to fans in North America exclusively through VIZAnime.com,” says Ken Sasaki, Sr. Vice President and General Manager of VIZ Media. “The inventive story matches a veteran hero who is dealing with all kinds of quirky personal and professional problems with a young partner who is impulsive and unmanageable. When they team up to fight crime, they also usually end up battling each other. TIGER & BUNNY is a fun new series that combines plenty action and humor with an exploration of an unlikely friendship, and we invite fans to catch the premiere!”
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UK (left) and Australian (right) DVD covers for the sci-fi film MONSTERS. Photos courtesy of The Associates and Madman Entertainment. © 2010 Vertigo Films, Ltd.

Source: The Associates, Madman Entertainment press releases
Official Movie Site: monstersfilm.com (US), monstersthemovie.com (UK)

Following a US home video release in February, the critically acclaimed MONSTERS comes to DVD and Blu-ray in the UK on April 11th courtesy of Vertigo Films, and in Australia on April 13th from Madman Entertainment.
Continued…

CLANNAD: AFTER STORY COMPLETE COLLECTION Available on April 19th
Source: Section23 Films press release
Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff

Photo courtesy of Section23 Films.

Home video distributor Section23 Films has provided details on its April 2011 slate of releases, including one of the most beloved anime series ever, CLANNAD: AFTER STORY. The complete collection will be released April 19th with a new English dub, by Section23 client Sentai Filmworks.

Also scheduled for April are DVD editions of SPECIAL A COMPLETE COLLECTION and ASYLUM SESSION, plus NEEDLESS COLLECTION 2 on DVD and Blu-ray.

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

Benefit screenings of the Japanese Academy Award-winning HULA GIRLS will take place on Saturday, March 26th at VIZ Cinema in San Francisco.
Photo courtesy of NEW PEOPLE. © Cine Qua Non 2006, in association with HAPPINET and S.D.P

Award Winning Film Set in Fukushima Prefecture is a Testament to the Enduring Human Spirit
Source: MediaLab press release
Official Site: NewPeopleWorld.com
Special Thanks to Erik Jansen

NEW PEOPLE, the nation’s only entertainment complex dedicated to Japanese popular culture, will present a special screening of director Lee Sang-il’s celebrated film, HULA GIRLS, to raise funds for Japanese earthquake and tsunami relief. HULA GIRLS will screen on Saturday, March 26th at 2:00pm, 4:30pm and 7:00pm at VIZ Cinema. Suggested donations are $10.00 or more per person. NEW PEOPLE is located in the heart of San Francisco’s Japantown at 1746 Post Street, San Francisco, CA 94115.

100% of proceeds from the screenings will be donated to the Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund, administered by JCCCNC and Union Bank in San Francisco’s Japantown.
Continued…

Cult Favorite Rankin/Bass-Tsuburaya Co-production Available March 22nd
Author: Keith Aiken
Source: Warner Archive Collection
Special Thanks to Gabriel Vicuna and Ed Godziszewski

Cover art for the Warner Archive Collection DVD of the
Rankin/Bass- Tsuburaya co-production THE LAST DINOSAUR.
© 1977 Rankin Bass Productions Inc.

“It eats meat! Us!!” It is a Tyrannosaurus, ruler of a lost world hidden within a dormant polar volcano. Us are members of expedition led by a big game hunter and überzillionaire (Richard Boone). And eats – well, you get the idea, tyrant lizard fans! Arthur Rankin, Jr. and Jules Bass, who charmed families with THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS and more animated and stop-motion holiday heartwarmers, relied on dinomight for THE LAST DINOSAUR, the sort of thrill-a-minute popcorn-seller that gives bad movies a good name. Join the adventurers as they encounter a perilous array of prehistoric beasts, a tribe of savage cavemen and a T. rex who, despite its less-than-special effect appearance, can kick some serious Triceratops butt. -synopsis courtesy of Warner Archive

The 1977 cult classic THE LAST DINOSAUR— one of three movies produced by the American studio Rankin/Bass in association with Tsuburaya Productions in Japan— is coming to DVD from the Warner Archive Collection.

The Warner Archive Collection DVD of THE LAST DINOSAUR can be ordered from the Warner Bros online store WBShop.com. The title is currently $16.56, a 17% discount off the standard retail price of $19.95.
Continued…

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

Cover art for VAMPIRE KNIGHT GUILTY Volume 1.
Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2008 Matsuri
Hino, Hakusensha/ VAMPIRE KNIGHT Project

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced their new DVD releases for this month.

These include the first episodic volume of VAMPIRE KNIGHT GUILTY (the second season of the hit gothic melodrama VAMPIRE KNIGHT), the latest Box Set for BLEACH, and 3 new releases from the latest installment of POKÉMON, POKÉMON DP GALACTIC BATTLES.
Continued…

Source: MediaLab, BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions
Special Thanks to Erik Jansen and Chase Wang

SciFi Japan has been receiving press releases and statements from companies and organizations regarding the recent earthquakes and tsunami in Japan. We’re presenting this information for anyone who would like to contribute to relief efforts, and also direct our readers to the banner links posted here at screen right.

• Official Statement from VIZ Media Regarding the Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan
• WE HEART JAPAN Silent Auction with Special Guests, March 17th
• X Japan’s Yoshiki to Auction Off His ‘Crystal’ Piano to Aid Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami Victims
• AM2 to Aid in Tokyo Disaster Relief
Continued…

DVD and Blu-ray cover art for the UK release of SUMMER WARS. Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 2009 Summer Wars Film Partners

Japanese Academy Award-Winner Coming March 28th
Source: The Associates press release
Official Site: s-wars.jp (Japan), funimation.com/summer-wars (US)

From Mamoru Hosoda, the visionary director of THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME, comes a brand new, award winning animated feature, SUMMER WARS (Samaa Woozu, 2009), the story of an ordinary family forced to go to extraordinary lengths to avert an impending cyber-apocalypse.

SUMMER WARS (cert. 12) will be released on Region 2 PAL DVD (£17.99) and Blu-ray (£19.99) by Manga Entertainment on 28th March 2011. Special Features include: interview with director at Locarno (13 mins); stage greeting (20 mins); cast interview (25 mins); trailer (4 mins); teaser trailers; TV spots.
Continued…

Evangelion Unit 02 goes into Beast Mode in EVANGELION: 2.22 YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE, coming to Region 1 DVD and Blu-ray this month. © 2009 Khara

Get the Second “Rebuild of Evangelion” Film For Free, Courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment and SciFi Japan!
Source: FUNimation Entertainment
Official Movie Site: funimation.com/evangelion (US), evangelion.co.jp (Japan)
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith

A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Our friends at FUNimation Entertainment are offering SciFi Japan readers the opportunity to win DVD or Blu-ray editions of EVANGELION: 2.22 YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE, the digitally mastered and upgraded version of the anime theatrical feature EVANGELION: 2.0 (Evangelion Shin Gekijoban: Ha, 2009). The movie was one of the top five highest grossing Japanese films of 2009 with box office in excess of $40 million. It was also critically praised, a favorite at international film festivals, and given a theatrical release in both the United States and Canada.

Now comes your chance to get the EVANGELION: 2.22 edition— for free!
Continued…

Helen Wallace (Arlene Zoellner) and Kenny Ishikawa (Yasushi Sakagami) root for Gamera, the friend of all children, in a publicity shot from GAMERA VS. ZIGRA.
Photo courtesy of Kadokawa Pictures and Golden Media Group, Inc. © 1971 Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.

Who will Receive the Complete Gamera Set DVD for Free from Shout! Factory and SciFi Japan?
Source: Shout! Factory
Special Thanks to Tom Chen, Roy McAree and Richard Noboru Kekahuna

A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Five SciFi Japan readers have won the Shout! Factory
GAMERA DVD Collection, including the new GAMERA VS.
ZIGRA/ GAMERA: THE SUPER MONSTER disc. Photo courtesy
of Shout! Factory. © 1971, 1980 Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.

Our thanks to everyone who entered Shout! Factory and SciFi Japan’s contest for the complete Shout! Factory Gamera DVD Collection. We’ve received hundreds of entries, and the randomly chosen winners are:

Jared P. Foust
Mike Powell
Rob Walicki
Kevin Blackwell
Abelardo D. Flores

Congratulations to the winners! Each of you has won a DVD set of the original series of Gamera movies, including GAMERA THE GIANT MONSTER, GAMERA VS BARUGON, GAMERA VS. GYAOS /GAMERA VS. VIRAS Double Feature, GAMERA VS. GUIRON /GAMERA VS. JIGER Double Feature, and GAMERA VS. ZIGRA/GAMERA: THE SUPER MONSTER Double Feature. Shout! will be shipping the prizes soon so keep an eye on your mailboxes.

For anyone who did not win, the GAMERA VS. ZIGRA/GAMERA: THE SUPER MONSTER Double Feature will be sold online and in stores starting March 15th. This new DVD features newly restored anamorphic widescreen transfers of both movies, the original Japanese language audio, removable English subtitles, English dubs, and photo galleries. The combined running time is approximately 179 minutes. The SRP is $19.93.
Continued…

Relief efforts to aid the victims of the Japan earthquake and tsunami are now underway. If you’re looking to help with a donation but want to be sure your money will be going to those in need, we suggest the following organizations which come highly recommended by our contacts in Japan and the United States…

The American Red Cross is a top emergency response organization with 130 years’ experience aiding victims of devastating natural disasters around the world. Donations supporting their efforts for those affected by the earthquake in Japan and tsunami throughout the Pacific can be made at the American Red Cross website. A $10 donation can also be easily done via cell phone by texting ‘redcross’ to 90999.

Our friends at Japan Society have created a Japan Earthquake Relief Fund in partnership with several Japanese and American non-profits working on the frontlines of disaster relief and recovery. 100% of your tax-deductible contributions will go to organization(s) that directly help victims. The Japan Society site also provides information on how to find friends and family members in Japan.

The Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC) has established the Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund Donations can be made at the link we’ve provided or sent to JCCCNC 1840 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94115. 100% of donations will go directly towards citizen relief efforts in the most affected areas.

GlobalGiving has established a Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund. Their goal is to raise $850,000 to help fund organizations providing relief and aid to victims.

The Salvation Army is also asking for contributions for earthquake relief. Donations can be made at their website, or text ‘Japan’ or ‘Quake’ to 80888 to make a $10 donation.

Hello all,

As a movie and TV news site, SciFi Japan has generally avoided covering real world events. But yesterday’s massive earthquake and tsunami (and the resulting aftershocks) in Northern Japan really hit home for us. We’ve spent much of the past several hours calling, emailing, and checking Facebook to make sure that friends, family, and associates in Japan are alright, and we feel extremely fortunate that all of them appear to be okay.

On a larger scale, there has been massive destruction and hundreds of lives lost. Our thoughts, prayers, and hopes go out to everyone affected by this tragedy. Chris MaGee of the website Toronto J-Film Pow-Wow has suggested that Japanese film sites and blogs should work together to provide information and links to reputable aid organizations who will be doing work in Miyagi Prefecture and other affected areas in Japan. We think this is a wonderful idea and will be posting relief effort information here as it becomes available.

Please check back here or with Toronto J-Film Pow-Wow for updates. And if you can possibly donate to aid organizations, please do so.

Thank you,
Keith, Bob, and the Staff of SciFi Japan

EVANGELION: 2.0 YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE is coming to DVD and Blu-ray this month as the upgraded edition EVANGELION 2.22.
Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2009 Khara

Second “Rebuild of Evangelion” Film Streets March 29th
Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release
Official Movie Site: funimation.com/evangelion (US), evangelion.co.jp (Japan)
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith

Brutal mechanized action explodes on a grand scale as towering cyborg gladiators— the Eva Units— fight for the fate of the world in the new feature film EVANGELION: 2.22 YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE, coming to Blu-ray and 2-disc DVD in North America on Tuesday, March 29th. The home video editions from FUNimation Entertainment present the theatrical anime movie EVANGELION: 2.0 (Evangelion Shin Gekijoban: Ha, 2009), digitally mastered and with upgraded scenes.
Continued…

Titles Include Kids Favorites, Sci-Fi Action, Shojo Fantasy Drama, and Works by Natsume Ono and CLAMP
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

Cover art for Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Vol. 1. Photo courtesy
of VIZ Media. © 2009 by Masahiro Hikokubo, Masashi
Sato/ Shueisha Inc. © K. Takahashi © NAS・TV Tokyo

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media) has detailed a variety of notable new manga acquisitions for the second half of 2011.

Scheduled for release in coming months, perfect for kids’ summertime fun, are a pair of new Pokemon titles including a Travel Activity Kit and the debut of the Pokemon Black & White manga series. The highly anticipated cute and quirky bean dogs of Mameshiba will also debut in their own manga and in a character guide.

Other titles aimed at Teen and Older Teen readers will feature the high-speed action of Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s in an innovative new original story, the tense mystery drama Psyren, a remastered 3-in-1 collection of the classic apocalyptic saga X by the celebrated manga creative team CLAMP, an anthology of 14 never-before-released stories by Natsume Ono in Tesoro, and the dramatic fantasy of Dawn of the Arcana.
Continued…

Quad poster for the UK release of COLD FISH, the acclaimed new film from the director of LOVE EXPOSURE.
Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. © 2010 Sushi Typhoon/ Nikkatsu

Source: Third Window Films, The Associates press release
Official Movie Site: coldfish.jp (Japan), thirdwindowfilms.com/cold-fish (UK)
Special Thanks to Adam Torel

The latest feature from cult Japanese writer-director Sion Sono (LOVE EXPOSURE), COLD FISH (冷たい熱帯魚, Tsumetai Nettaigyo, 2010) is the third release from Nikkatsu’s new genre film label, Sushi Typhoon. Inspired by and loosely based on the real-life exploits of serial killer couple Gen Sekine and his ex-wife Hiroko Kazama (the perpetrators of Tokyo’s notorious 1993 “Saitama serial murders of dog lovers” killings), the film is a psychotic cavalcade of sex, violence and comedy that has been hailed by Variety for its “gleeful humour and dare-you-to-watch aesthetic”.
Continued…

T-’s Facto presents the prototype Godzilla 54 sculpture, one of the the incredible kits sold at Winter WonderFest 2011.
Photo by Ed Godziszewski. © 1954 Toho Co., Ltd.

Godzilla, Ultraman, and More at Tokyo Model and Toy Collectors Show
Author: Ed Godziszewski
Official Site: Wonder Festival

Once again, it’s that time of year for the winter season orgy of model kits, toys, and cosplay otherwise known as Wonder Festival. Hosted once again by toy and kit maker Kaiyodo, this year’s event again took place February 6, 2011 at the Makuhari Messe, just a few train stops down the Keio Line from Tokyo Disneyland. And as usual, this year’s show had its share of surprises as well as the weird, wacky, and wonderful.
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Sho Aikawa in director Takashi Miike’s DEAD OR ALIVE. Photo courtesy of Japan Society. © 1999 Kadokawa Shoten Co., Ltd.

Japanese Gangster Film Series Spans 50 Years, with 15 films and a Guest Appearance by an American Movie Legend
Source: Japan Society
Special Thanks to Shannon Jowett and Joshua Pagillo

New York, NY: Years before Coppola’s GODFATHER enthralled a nation and decades before SOPRANOS and BOARDWALK EMPIRE fed viewers’ insatiable appetites for serial gangster melodrama, the yakuza (Japanese mafia) were mainstays of the Japanese film industry.

From March 9-19, Japan Society presents the Globus Film Series “Hardest Men in Town: Yakuza Chronicles of Sin, Sex & Violence”, featuring 15 seminal films encompassing 50 years of snarling, swaggering, tattooed and inexplicably sexy cinema icons from Japan. In addition to celebrated classics by Hideo Gosha (THE WOLVES), Kinji Fukasaku (COPS VS. THUGS, BATTLES WITHOUT HONOR AND HUMANITY), the series includes lesser known titles and overlooked gems by Seijun Suzuki (YOUTH OF THE BEAST), Takashi Miike (DEAD OR ALIVE), Rokuro Mochizuki (A YAKUZA IN LOVE, ONIBI: THE FIRE WITHIN) and Sydney Pollack (THE YAKUZA), as well as contemporary incarnations of the genre such as Takeshi Kitano’s OUTRAGE.

Kicking off the festival, filmmaker Paul Schrader (dir.: BLUE COLLAR, AMERICAN GIGOLO; writer: TAXI DRIVER, LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST) appears March 9 to introduce THE YAKUZA, which he penned, and take part in a Q&A following the screening.
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Young lovers struggle to stay true despite time and distance in director Makoto Shinkai’s 5 CENTIMETERS PER SECOND. Photo courtesy of The Associates.
©2007 Makoto Shinkai /CoMix Wave Films

Source: The Associates press release
Official Movie Site: 5cm.yahoo.co.jp (Japan)

UK DVD cover art for 5 CENTIMETERS PER SECOND. Photo
courtesy of The Associates. ©2007 Makoto Shinkai /CoMix
Wave Films

Hailed by many fans and critics as Japanese animation’s successor to Hayao Miyazaki (PONYO; HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE; SPIRITED AWAY), director Makoto Shinkai (THE PLACE PROMISED IN OUR EARLY DAYS) presents his most mature and complicated work yet, 5 CENTIMETERS PER SECOND (Byoosoku Go Senchimeetoru: a Chein Obu Shooto Sutoriizu Abauto Zea Disutansu, 2007), coming to DVD on 14th March 2011 and featuring a brand new and superior audio dub produced by Bang Zoom! Entertainment.

Taking its title from the speed at which cherry blossoms fall, 5 CENTIMETERS PER SECOND comprises three interconnected short stories, each centered on the hopes and dreams of a boy named Takaki Tono, beginning in the 1990s and end in the present day.

The story begins when a new girl, Akari Shinohara, transfers to Takaki’s elementary school, the two very quickly grow close to each other due to their similar interests and personalities and are soon inseparable. That is until Akari’s parents have to move because of their jobs and, inevitably, have to take their daughter with them. The two friends remain in touch by letter but, despite their mutual affection, they begin to drift apart. When Takaki is informed that he and his family will also be moving even further away, he decides to take a trip to visit Akari and reveal his true feelings to her.
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An Interview with Producer/Director Tom Wyrsch
Author: Bob Johnson
Official Website: Garfield Lane Productions

Poster for BACK TO SPACE-CON, an all-new documentary.

People growing up across the country have their own local nostalgia that stays with them a lifetime, embedded in their memories along with other old friends and experiences. Horror hosts, amusement parks, local attractions… some areas are or were overflowing with them, each a unique brand representing the cities and towns they originated from.

Most lie only in people’s memories. Long gone, torn down. Making way for more modern attractions like strip malls and business parks.

In the San Francisco Bay Area we had a rich history of parks, attractions and our fair share of horror hosts. However, far from distant memories, they are being kept alive and well documented by local fan turned producer/director Tom Wyrsch.

His latest film BACK TO SPACE-CON is a look back at a series of STAR TREK/Sci Fi conventions that took place in the 1970s when cons were plentiful and mostly put together through grass-roots efforts, rather than corporate machines charging top dollar for a simple autograph.

In honor of this tradition, Tom is premiering the film on March 12 at Auctions by the Bay in Alameda, California as part of a mini Space-Con like convention. We caught up with Tom to talk to him about his films, our memories and how he keeps nostalgia alive and well.
Continued…

Takashi Yamazaki Continues the Blockbuster Film Series… this Time in 3D
Authors: Keith Aiken and Jim Ballard
Source: NTV (Nippon Television Network), Cinema Today, various
Official Site: Always 3

Advance art for ALWAYS- SUNSET ON THIRD STREET ’64.
© 2012 Always Sunset on Third Street ’64 Film Partners

Fresh from the smash success of his live action SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO (SPACE BATTLESHIP ヤマト, Uchu Senkan Yamato, 2010), filmmaker Takashi Yamazaki is now at work on a third installment of the award-winning ALWAYS- SUNSET ON THIRD STREET movie franchise.

During a January press conference for ALWAYS- SUNSET ON 3RD STREET ’64, Takashi Yamazaki told the press that, “As the title clearly states, the film is set in 1964, when throughout Japan there was a heightened state of excitement for the Tokyo Olympics.” It wasn’t just the Tokyo Olympics; with the grand opening of the Tokaido bullet-train line and the rapid economic growth as a result of increasing tourism, the year was a critical juncture for the country. Coincidentally, 1964 was also the year that the director and ALWAYS cast members Shinichi Tsutsumi and Hiroko Yakushimaru were born.

This time period was never depicted in the Sunset on Third Street manga series, but creator Ryouhei Saigan gave his blessing to the new film and offered some story suggestions. Yamazaki explained, “We showed the plot to Mr. Saigan and incorporated some of his ideas. “I had a very difficult time creating the screenplay [with ALWAYS and ALWAYS 2 co-screenwriter Ryota Kosawa] while I was thinking about the significance of making a third movie.”
Continued…

Serial killer Kyung-chul (OLDBOY star Choi Min-sik) chooses the wrong victim (Oh San-ha) in the Korean thriller I SAW THE DEVIL, opening this week in
American theaters. Photo courtesy of Magnet Releasing.

Director Kim Jee-woon Delivers Extreme Revenge Flick with Vengeance
Author: Richard Pusateri
Source: Magnet Releasing
Official Movie Site: isawthedevilmovie.com (US), isawthedevil.co.kr (Korea)
Special Thanks to Marina Bailey Film Publicity

US theatrical poster for I SAW THE DEVIL. Photo
courtesy of Magnet Releasing.

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

I SAW THE DEVIL (악마를 보았다 , Akmareul Boattda, 2010) has a lot of great buzz and early reviews going for it. The well-acted riveting story has fine photography and great pacing. The momentum carries interest over some implausible situations and other plot holes. But still, I found myself uncomfortable enjoying this slick slasher/serial killer/revenge movie.

This Korean version of Gein-mania does share many plot points with NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN. Instead of the psycho killer pursuing the protagonist as in NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, in I SAW THE DEVIL, secret agent Soo-hyun takes time off from his job at the state security service to hunt for his fiance’s killer as the police are unable to close the case. However the “good guy” loses his righteous status as he quickly goes overboard and throws away all common sense in a death match crusade to torment the maniacal murderer regardless of any consequence.
Continued…

Source: Shout! Factory
Special Thanks to Tom Chen

A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Dot Matrix and her brother Enzo announce the winners of the REBOOT Seasons
1 and 2 DVD contest. Photo courtesy of Shout! Factory. © 2011 Rainmaker Inc.

Thank you to everyone who entered Shout! Factory and SciFi Japan’s contest for free DVDs of REBOOT Seasons 1 and 2. The winning entries are:

Andrew Stengele
Jeffrey Richardet
Richard Shirley
Mark Martucci
Lucas Micromatis

Congratulations to the winners! Shout! will be shipping the prizes soon so keep an eye on your mailboxes. And be sure to enter our new contest for free copies of Shout! Factory’s upcoming GAMERA VS ZIGRA/GAMERA: THE SUPER MONSTER Double feature DVD.
Continued…

North America’s Most Popular Manga Monthly Delivers Commemorative Special
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

Cover for the 100th issue of Shonen Jump, now on sale.
Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2011 VIZ Media, LLC

VIZ Media, LLC celebrates the 100th issue of Shonen Jump magazine, which hit newsstands nationwide on March 1st. The cover price is $4.99.

The commemorative April 2011 issue features special content including a pictorial retrospective of all the manga heroes that have graced the magazine’s pages since the very first issue. This includes original Shonen Jump heroes such as Goku from Dragon Ball, Yugi from Yu-Gi-Oh! and popular mainstays like Naruto, Ichigo from Bleach, as well as more recent additions to the Shonen Jump Super Team including Ageha from the new manga series Psyren, and Yusei from Yu-Gi-Oh 5D’s. The issue also contains the Dragon Ball X One Piece Cross Epoch, a collaborative one-shot story by the creators of each series where characters from both popular manga meet, and includes a free YU-GI-OH! trading card, Dark Magician.
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Shout! Factory is giving SciFi Japan readers the chance to the complete Gamera DVD collection, including the new GAMERA VS. ZIGRA/GAMERA: THE SUPER MONSTER
Double Feature DVD. Photos courtesy of Shout! Factory © 1965-1980 Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.

Get the Entire Series of Classic Gamera Movies for Free, Courtesy of Shout! Factory and SciFi Japan!
Source: Shout! Factory
Special Thanks to Tom Chen, Roy McAree and Richard Noboru Kekahuna

Gamera tackles the deep sea monster Zigra in a publicity shot from GAMERA VS.
ZIGRA, one of two films included in Shout! Factory’s latest Gamera Double Feature
DVD. Photo courtesy of Kadokawa Pictures and Golden Media Group, Inc. © 1971
Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.

A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

This month, Shout! Factory completes their DVD releases of the early Gamera movies (1965-1980) with the GAMERA VS. ZIGRA/GAMERA: THE SUPER MONSTER Double Feature. In celebration, Shout! is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win their complete Gamera collection before the final DVD arrives on store shelves!

The GAMERA Collection from Shout! Factory includes all eight movies on five DVDs…
GAMERA THE GIANT MONSTER
GAMERA VS BARUGON
GAMERA VS. GYAOS /GAMERA VS. VIRAS Double Feature
GAMERA VS. GUIRON /GAMERA VS. JIGER Double Feature
GAMERA VS. ZIGRA/GAMERA: THE SUPER MONSTER Double Feature

The first four Gamera DVDs are now available in stores and from online retailers with a suggested retail price of $19.93 each. The fifth DVD will be released on March 15th and features the final two entries in the first cycle of Gamera films; GAMERA VS. ZIGRA (ガメラ対深海怪獣ジグラ, Gamera tai Shinkai Kaijuu Jigura, 1971) and GAMERA: THE SUPER MONSTER (宇宙怪獣ガメラ, Uchuu Kaijuu Gamera, 1980). Both movies are presented with newly restored anamorphic widescreen transfers, the original Japanese language audio, removable English subtitles, English dubs, and photo galleries. The combined running time for the GAMERA VS. ZIGRA/GAMERA: THE SUPER MONSTER Double Feature is approximately 179 minutes.
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A fresh take on SciFi Japan’s dragon logo, courtesy of Hugo Award-winning illustrator Bob Eggleton. © 2011 SciFi Japan

Authors: Keith Aiken and Bob Johnson

Five years ago today we launched SciFi Japan with a very specific intent in mind. For decades the studios in Japan and other countries have often been reluctant to deal with the foreign media. But the team behind SFJ has had the great fortune to work with these studios on everything from DVDs, to comic books, film festivals, books, animation, publicity, premieres, and documentaries. Thanks to our ongoing professional and personal connections with these companies we have been honored and pleased to share materials provided bythe likes of Tsuburaya Productions, Toho, Kadokawa, Nippon Television, Shochiku, Tokyo Broadcasting System, Sushi Typhoon, CoMix Wave Films, Toei, Gold View, Warner Bros. Japan, Production IG, Pony Canyon, Nikkatsu, Showbox, Younggu Art, JS Media, T3, and CJ Entertainment.
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