Photo courtesy of BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions. © 2011 AM².

3-Day Event in Anaheim this 4th of July Weekend
Source: BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions press releases
Official Site: am2con.org
Special Thanks to Chase Wang

Located in Anaheim, California, ­ AM² is a 3-day, 24 hour event with no general attendance/badge purchase requirement and is aspiring to be a key meeting place for fans that share a common interest in Asian music, Animation/Anime, and Comics/Manga. Established in 2010, AM² will be held on July 1-3, 2011 at the Anaheim Convention Center in sunny Anaheim, California. AM² current activities include Exhibit Hall, AMV’s, Arcade, Summer Festival, World Cosplay Summit, Rum Party Pirates, Cosplay Chess, Dances, Fashion Shows, Table Top, Console Gaming, AniMaid Café, Workshops, Panels, Concerts and more! Entrance to the event is free, but attendees can avoid the huge lines by obtaining a Passport fast pass for the event. The Passport fast pass will also provide holders with premier seating options at Main Events and at Concert events as well as major discounts with theme parks, retailers and local restaurants.
Continued…

The Korean monster movie CHAW has been released on DVD and Blu-ray in North American with a slightly modified title.
Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures. © 2009 Polygon Entertainment LLC/Soo Jack Films

Source: Magnolia Home Entertainment press release, Bender/Helper Impact
Official Movie Site: chawzmovie.com

A very large— and very hungry— wild board stalks the forest surrounding a small
Korean village. © 2009 Polygon Entertainment LLC/Soo Jack Films

Magnet Releasing, the genre division of Magnolia Pictures, has released the Korean monster movie CHAWZ (차우, 2009) on Blu-ray and Region 1 DVD. Directed by Jeong-won Shin, the film is an affectionate tribute to classic creature features that mixes horror and comedy in a tale about a giant, vicious wild boar terrorizing an idyllic countryside and attacking innocent tourists.

The movie was shown in Korea and internationally as CHAW, with the name both a play on the English word ‘chew’ and meaning ‘to trap’ in the Korean dialect of the Gyeonggi and Chungcheong provinces. For the American release, Magnet slightly altered the film’s title to CHAWZ as a very intentional reference to the 1975 classic JAWS. The US distributor played this up in publicity for the film, with Magnet SVP Tom Quinn stating, “If JAWS was looking to branch out to dry land, without a doubt he’d want to be CHAWZ.”
Continued…

Director Takashi Miike remakes the classic 1963 samurai period action-drama THE THIRTEEN ASSASSINS. Photo courtesy of The Associates.
© 13 Assassins Film Partners

Takashi Miike’s Violent Samurai Tale Opens in Cinemas May 6th
Source: The Associates press release
Official Site: 13assassins.jp (Japan), 13assassins.com (US)

Takashi Miike, the director responsible for such uncompromising and unforgettable movies as AUDITION and ICHI THE KILLER indelibly stamps his trademark style on the Samurai genre with the ultra-violent, all-action, blood-spattered epic 13 ASSASSINS (十三人の刺客, Jusan-nin no Shikaku, 2010).

Nominated for the prestigious Golden Lion award at the 2010 Venice International Film Festival, 13 ASSASSINS was also nominated for 10 Japanese Academy Awards including those for Picture of the Year, Director of the Year, Screenplay of the Year and Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Koji Yakusho).
Continued…

A clandestine organization combats evil plots in the years leading up to WWII in the anime series NIGHT RAID 1931. © 2010 A-1 Pictures/ Night Raid Partners

Source: Sentai Filmworks press release
Official Site: 1931.tv (Japan)
Special Thanks to David Williams

Key art for NIGHT RAID 1931. © 2010 A-1 Pictures/ Night Raid
Partners

Sentai Filmworks announces its acquisition of the spectacular anime series NIGHT RAID 1931 (閃光のナイトレイド, Senkoo no Night Raid, 2010). Directed by Jun Matsumoto (PERSONA – TRINITY SCROLL) with script supervision by Shinsuke Onishi (THE THIRD, SHIN GETTER ROBO,) the 17 episode series was produced by A-1 Pictures and Aniplex and features character designs by acclaimed manga master Akimine Kamijyo (SAMURAI DEEPER KYO). Sentai’s forthcoming release will include episodes 0-13, plus two unaired episodes as well as a special bonus recap episode.

The year is 1931. The City is Shanghai. Ten years before America will enter World War II, the hydra’s teeth planted by the first great global conflict are beginning to germinate, hatching into spiders weaving the complex web of plots and conspiracies destined to inevitably draw entire nations, against their will, to the brink of destruction once more. And caught in the heart of these webs, desperately seeking to separate lies from truth, is “Sakurai Kikan,” an ultra-secret intelligence agency staffed by extraordinarily talented individuals with abilities far beyond those of normal humans. Their duty: stop the darkest plots and eliminate the greatest threats.
Continued…

Akira Takizawa takes a fall in THE KING OF EDEN, the first of two EDEN OF THE EAST theatrical films.
Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2009 EDEN OF THE EAST.

US Release Streets April 26th
Source: FUNimation Entertainment
Official Site: juiz.jp (Japan), funimation.com/edenoftheeast (US)
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith

Packaging for the EDEN OF THE EAST THE MOVIE 1: THE KING
OF EDEN Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack. Photo courtesy of
FUNimation Entertainment. © 2009 EDEN OF THE EAST.

The intrigue goes international in EDEN OF THE EAST THE MOVIE 1: THE KING OF EDEN (東のエデン 劇場版ⅠThe King of Eden, Higashi no Eden Gekijooban I: The King of Eden, 2009), a feature-length conspiracy thriller that continues the action of the acclaimed anime EDEN OF THE EAST (東のエデン, Higashi no Eden, 2009). The deadly game that began in Japan now intensifies on the streets of New York City. The rules are the same: Do whatever it takes to win. Die if you lose.

Produced by anime studio Production I.G. (GHOST IN THE SHELL, KILL BILL VOL. 1), EDEN OF THE EAST was created, written and directed by Kenji Kamiyama (director of MORIBITO: GUARDIAN OF THE SPIRIT and the best-selling GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX), and features character designs by manga artist Chica Umino (Honey and Clover).

FUNimation Entertainment is releasing THE KING OF EDEN as a 3-disc DVD/BD combo pack, featuring the film with both English and Japanese audio and 125 minutes of extras. Bonus features include EDEN OF THE EAST: AIR COMMUNICATION, the feature length film edit of the original 11 episode EDEN OF THE EAST television series. The SRP is $34.98.
Continued…

GUIN SAGA COLLECTION 2 Available on May 31st
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 May 2011 slate of releases, including the 2nd collection of GUIN SAGA to be released on DVD by Section23 client Sentai Filmworks.

Also scheduled for May are DVD editions of SHIN KOIHIME † MUSO: OTOME TAIRAN, GHOST SWEEPER MIKAMI COLLECTION 4, ALLISON & LILLIA GENERATION 1, and COFFEE SAMURAI / HOSHIZORA KISEKI.

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

High school student Akari Yoshiyama (Riisa Naka) travels back nearly 40 years in TIME TRAVELLER: THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME, the live-action
adaptation of the classic novel. Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 2010 Time Traveller Film Partners

Source: The Associates press release, Pictures Dept.
Official Movie Site: tokikake.jp (Japan)

Cover of the UK DVD. Photo courtesy of The Associates.
© 2010 Time Traveller Film Partners

TIME TRAVELLER: THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME (時をかける少女, Toki o Kakeru Shojo, 2010), the latest live-action movie incarnation of Yasutaka Tsutsui’s frequently adapted 1967 sci-fi/fantasy novel The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, gives the tale a contemporary spin as Akari, the teenage daughter of the novel’s protagonist, Kazuko Yoshiyama, travels back in time from the present in search of a mystery man from her mother’s past.

TIME TRAVELLER: THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME is the debut feature of director Masaaki Taniguchi, a longtime assistant to some of Japan’s most eminent directors; Kichitarou Negishi, Kazuyuki Izutsu, Yojirou Takita, Hideyuki Hirayama, and Tetsuo Shinohara. The film stars Riisa Naka (female star of Takashi Miike’s ZEBRAMAN 2: ATTACK ON ZEBRA CITY), who provided the voice for Makoto Konono, Kazuko’s time-travelling niece, in Mamoru Hosoda’s award winning 2006 animated adaptation of the story.

TIME TRAVELLER: THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME (cert. 12) will be released on DVD (Region 2, PAL) by Manga Entertainment on the 2nd of May, 2011.
Continued…

GOEMON, the action film from the director CASSHERN and the producers of THE GRUDGE, has been released on DVD and Blu-ray in North America.
Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2009 “Goemon” Film Partners.

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

The enterprising director of CASSHERN weaves Japanese folklore and history into GOEMON (ゴエモン, 2009), a tour de force evocative of the classic Robin Hood tale. The film is now available on DVD and Blu-ray in North America, courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. Both home video editions present GOEMON in its original theatrical aspect ratio, with Japanese and English dub audio tracks, supplemented by an hour of extra features.
Continued…

Original Godzilla suit actor Haruo Nakajima holds up autographed Godzilla photo for Anime Jungle’s Tetsuo Shiota. Photo courtesy of Tetsu Shiota.

Toho Monster Makers Attend Convention in Burbank, CA
Source: Tetsu Shiota and Shinichi Wakasa

Filmmakers, fans, collectors, and dealers from around the world flocked to Monsterpalooza 2011, held April 8-10 at the Marriott Burbank Hotel and Convention Center. Among the guests were two key figures from Toho’s Godzilla movie series: Haruo Nakajima and Shinichi Wakasa. Both Mr Wakasa and Tetsuo Shiota of the collector’s shop Anime Jungle have provided from their time at Monsterpalooza.
Continued…

The Japanese monster movie classics MAJIN, RETURN OF MAJIN, and MAJIN STRIKES AGAIN are coming to Blu-ray in North America from Mill Creek Entertainment.
© 1966 Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.

Author: Keith Aiken
Source: Golden Media Group, Tower PR
Special Thanks to Roy McAree and Amy Gorton

A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

The North American sales agent for Kadokawa Pictures has revealed that the classic Daimajin monster movie series has been licensed to distributor Mill Creek Entertainment for a home video release in 2011.

The Daiei Motion Picture Co. released all three films— MAJIN (大魔神, Daimajin), RETURN OF MAJIN (大魔神怒る, Daimajin Ikaru), and MAJIN STRIKES AGAIN (大魔神逆襲, Daimajin Gyakushu)— in 1966. But unlike the studio’s Gamera franchise, the Daimajin series were period films set during Japan’s Sengoku (Warring States) period, and combined elements of the kaiju eiga (monster movie) genre with Daiei’s extremely popular jidai-geki (period stories) and chanbara (sword-fighting) films. These movies each followed a similar pattern; telling the story of a giant statue of Daimajin (the name roughly meaning “Great Angry God”) that would come to life in times of need to punish evildoers.
Continued…

Special Event Celebrates the Creator Of Ristorante Paradiso and House of Five Leaves
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press release
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

VIZ and Kinokuniya present manga artist
Natsume Ono for a rare live appearance in New
York City. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2006
Natsume Ono

VIZ Media, LLC, together with Japanese licensor Ohta Shuppan, welcomes renowned manga artist Natsume Ono for a personal appearance and special event celebrating her work, hosted by the Kinokuniya Bookstores of America Company in New York City on Tuesday, May 10th starting at 7:00pm. Kinokuniya Bookstore is located at 1073 Avenue of the Americas, between 40th St. & 41st St., New York City.

Natsume Ono’s work is characterized by a minimalist yet sensual art style and composed psychological portraits that explore the relationships and dramas of everyday life. Ono made her professional debut in 2003 with the web comic, La Quinta Camera, and subsequent works such as not simple, Ristorante Paradiso, Gente and House of Five Leaves (all published VIZ Media’s Signature imprint) have pushed the manga genre in intriguing new directions and shown the creative breadth of this unique manga talent. Ristorante Paradiso and House of Five Leaves have both been adapted into animated TV series.

The event will feature commentary from Ono on her past and present works and her continued evolution as one of the foremost manga artists and graphic novel storytellers, hosted by Megumi Sato of Samurai Beat Radio. An audience Q&A session will follow. A raffle contest (open to all attendees, one raffle ticket per person) also will award one lucky Grand Prize winner an original Natsume Ono artwork, signed in-person by the artist; 2 additional runner-up winners will get a Natsume Ono print. Each winner will also have the opportunity to have Ono sign one personal item at the event.
Continued…

Doctors Eiko Kobayashi (Rei Dan) and Tsuyoshi Matsuoka (Satoshi Tsumabuki) race to stop a plague threatening to wipe out mankind in PANDEMIC, a sci-fi thriller
from TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System) and Toho. Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 2009 PANDEMIC’ Production Committee

The End of the World is Near in Japanese Sci-Fi Thriller
Source: The Associates press release

Cover art for the UK DVD of PANDEMIC. Photo courtesy of
The Associates. © 2009 PANDEMIC’ Production Committee

Japanese director Takahisa Zeze (FLYING RABBITS; MOON CHILD) combines the apocalyptic excitement of the disaster movie with the high tension of a medical thriller in PANDEMIC (感染列島, Kansen Retto, 2009), which stars Satoshi Tsumabuki (DORORO; THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT), Kanningu Takeyama (MEMORIES OF MATSUKO) and celebrated veteran actor Tatsuya Fuji (IN THE REALM OF THE SENSES; EMPIRE OF PASSION) in a terrifyingly topical tale of a world threatened by a mysterious virus.

At a Tokyo hospital, a patient thought to be suffering from flu tests negative for the disease but then suffers from fever, pneumonia, bleeding, diarrhea, systemic infection and multiple organ failure. Doctors quickly determine that the cause was not avian flu. It was something much, much worse – a brand new form of flu, the likes of which has never been seen before. Early estimates suggest an outbreak of this deadly plague could infect 2.5 million people within the Tokyo area and kill around 640,000 within weeks.
Continued…

Fushigi Yugi: Genbu Kaiden and Arata: The Legend Join the Newest Additions to 15 Other Popular VIZ Manga Series
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Official Site: VIZ.com/apps
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

27 different manga series and more than 125 manga
volumes will be available this month from the VIZ Manga App
for iPad. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2011 VIZ Media, LLC

VIZ Media will round out April with a second block of monthly manga updates available exclusively for the VIZ Manga App for the Apple iPad mobile device. These latest updates will include the digital premiere of 5 new manga titles and updates to 15 other series that are also currently available. Fushigi Yugi: Genbu Kaiden is set to debut on April 18th, and Arata: The Legend will launch for the iPad on April 25th.

The VIZ Manga App is available for free through the iTunes Store and all manga volumes are generally available for purchase and download in the U.S. and Canada within the application for $4.99 (U.S. / CAN) per volume. More than 125 manga volumes are now available for download.

The second round of April updates also includes new additions to 17 other popular VIZ Media series currently available. Readers should check the app regularly, as new additions and free Chapter 1 previews of forthcoming manga series for the iPad are also featured.
Continued…

Left to right: The Hello Kitty Room and Gundam are among the displays at the “Japan: Kingdom of Characters” exhibition.
Photos courtesy of the Japan Foundation. © 2011 Isaac Leung, Japan Foundation Gallery.

Exhibit at Japan Foundation Gallery in Sydney, Australia
Source: Japan Foundation, Sydney press release
Special Thanks to Evon Fung

“Japan: Kingdom of Characters” officially opened to the public last Friday attracting over 1,000 visitors of all ages in the first week alone. The exhibition runs until 28 May with free weekly Public Programs accompanying the exhibition.

Wednesday night saw the first of the Public Programs commence. It was a successful result, with the lecture room filled to capacity. Dr Michael Hill (aka Doctor Comics) gave a thorough overview on the anime and manga phenomenon.

Ms Tokiko Kiyota, director of the Japan Foundation, Sydney, is astonished by the extraordinary response from the Australian public. “We are very impressed by the high interest shown towards our exhibition and lecture series so far. We hope this will encourage more people to come again to the Japan Foundation and the services we offer.”
Continued…

Who has Won Sets of Three Different Cover Editions for the Sold-Out Comic Book?
Source: IDW Publishing
Special Thanks to Chris Ryall, Carlos Guzman, Dirk Wood and Alonzo Simon

Alex Ross artwork for Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters
Cover A. Photo courtesy of IDW Publishing. © 2011
IDW Publishing/ Toho Co., Ltd.

A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Thank you to everyone who entered IDW Publishing and SciFi Japan’s Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters comic book contest. The response from readers was fantastic with hundreds of entries submitted. The three randomly drawn winners are:

Marc Southerland
Veronica Weissman
Dillon Fisher

Congratulations to the winners! Each of you will receive a set of three Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters issue #1 cover variant editions featuring the artwork of Alex Ross and Eric Powell. The prizes will be shipped soon so keep an eye on your mailboxes.

In related news, IDW Publishing has announced that Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters #1 sold out on the first day of release at comic book retail stores throughout North America. To meet the continued demand, a second printing of the issue will be released on May 11, 2011. The second printing of Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters#1 will feature the Alex Ross illustrated cover from the first printing with a new foil logo.
Continued…

New Paranormal Anime Adventure in the U.S. Only Days After Japanese Debut
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Official Site: VIZAnime
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

Key art for the new paranormal anime BLUE EXORCIST.
Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © Kazue Kato/ Shueisha,
Blue Exorcist Committee, MBS

VIZ Media has announced that it will serve as an official distribution partner for Aniplex of America’s domestic debut of the BLUE EXORCIST anime series. VIZ Media will carry the new action series (subtitled) on its VIZAnime website beginning Wednesday, April 20th, just days after its eagerly anticipated debut on Japanese TV on April 17th. New episodes will stream on the site every Wednesday.

In the animated series, Rin, along with his twin brother Yukio Okumura are raised by an eminent priest, Shiro Fujimoto, but one day Rin discovers that their biological father is actually Satan! As the border between “Assiah” (the human world) and “Gehenna” (demon’s world) is intruded upon by evils, Rin vows to become the ultimate exorcist to defeat his own father, Satan. To hone his raw skills, Rin enters True Cross Academy to train with other exorcist candidates. Can Rin fight the demons and keep his infernal bloodline a secret? It won’t be easy, especially when drawing his father’s sword releases the demonic power within him!

VIZ Media is also the official North American publisher of the Blue Exorcist manga series, created Kazue Kato. Volume 1 is on sale now and is published under the company’s Shonen Jump Advanced imprint. Blue Exorcist is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens and carries an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.
Continued…

Cult film director Takashi Miike’s 13 ASSASSINS comes to America this month from Magnet Releasing. Photo courtesy of Magnet Releasing.
© 13 Assassins Film Partners

Source: Magnolia Pictures
Official Site: 13assassins.jp (Japan), 13assassins.com (US)

US poster art for 13 ASSASSINS. Photo courtesy of Magnet
Releasing. © 13 Assassins Film Partners

Beginning this month, 13 ASSASSINS (十三人の刺客, Jusan-nin no Shikaku, 2010) will be distributed in the United States by Magnet Releasing, a division of Magnolia Pictures (THE HOST, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, MONSTERS). Cult director Takeshi Miike (ICHI THE KILLER, AUDITION) delivers a bravado period action film set at the end of Japan’s feudal era in which a group of unemployed samurai are enlisted to bring down a sadistic lord and prevent him from ascending to the throne and plunging the country into a wartorn future.

13 ASSASSINS is now available on Video On Demand and starts a limited theatrical run on April 29th. Check the Magnolia Pictures website for theater locations and dates.

The following press notes and images are courtesy of Magnet Releasing/ Magnolia Pictures.
Continued…

VIZ Media Expands iPad Digital Library with Absolute Boyfriend, Black Bird, Blue Exorcist, Kekkashi and More
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Official Site: VIZ.com/apps
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

24 different manga series and more than 100 manga
volumes will be available this month from the VIZ Manga App
for iPad. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2011 VIZ Media, LLC

VIZ Media continues the expansion of its digital manga manga library available exclusively for the VIZ Manga App for the Apple iPad mobile device with several new series that will premiere during the first half of April.

The latest update features the launch of the shojo series Absolute Boyfriend and the fantasy-action of Kekkashi on April 4th. Another popular shojo manga series, Black Bird, and the supernatural adventure BLUE EXORCIST will premiere on April 11th. The VIZ Manga App is available for free through the iTunes Store and all manga volumes are generally available for purchase and download in the U.S. and Canada within the application for $4.99 (U.S. / CAN) per volume. More than 100 manga volumes are now available for download.

April updates also include new additions to 12 other popular VIZ Media series currently available. Readers should check the app regularly, as new additions and free Chapter 1 previews of forthcoming manga series for the iPad are also featured.
Continued…

New York mob boss Don Carini (Harvey Keitel) choses his dimwitted son Young-gu (Shim Hyung-rae) to take over the family in the comedy THE LAST GODFATHER.
Photo courtesy of Roadside Attractions. © 2010 Younggu Art

Source: Roadside Attractions LLC
Official Movie Site: THE LAST GODFATHER (Korea), lastgodfathermovie.com (US)

US poster for THE LAST GODFATHER. Photo courtesy of
Roadside Attractions. © 2010 Younggu Art

The famous South Korean comedian and film director Shim Hyung-rae (DRAGON WARS) returns with his latest Hollywood film, this time a comedy. Shim’s THE LAST GODFATHER (라스트 갓파더, 2010), co-starring Harvey Keitel (TAXI DRIVER, RESERVOIR DOGS), Jason Mewes (CLERKS, JAY AND SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK) and Blake Clark (THE WATERBOY). The film is now playing in cinemas across the United States… check lastgodfathertheaters.blogspot.com for theater listings.

Synopsis:
In 1951, Don Carini (Harvey Keitel), the mafia’s most powerful godfather, gathers his followers to announce the heir to the family. Each expects to be crowned the next Don, but they hear a shocking story from Don Carini. During his travels in Asia, he fell in love with an Korean woman who bore him a son. His now adult lovechild Young-gu (Shim Hyung-rae), who seems mentally impaired, is anointed the next boss.
Continued…

Brand New Anime Series to Premieres in North America on April 10th
Source: Sentai Filmworks, Anime Network press releases
Official Site: mariaholic.com (Japan)
Special Thanks to David Williams and Christian Lopez

Promotional art for the brand new anime series MARIA
HOLIC ALIVE! © 2011

This week, Sentai Filmworks announced its acquisition of MARIA HOLIC ALIVE! (まりあ†ほりっく あらいぶ), the follow up to the hit comedy and nosebleed bonanza MARIA HOLIC. The series is set to begin broadcast in Japan on April 7, and will be available in the U.S. on Anime Network Online starting this weekend.

From the anime studio SHAFT (HE IS MY MASTER, PANI PONI DASH) and director Shinbo Akiyuki (HIDAMARI SKETCH, SAYONARA, ZETSUBOU-SENSEI), MARIA HOLIC ALIVE! continues the hilariously perverse misadventures of Kanako and Mariya. With Kanako’s penchant for romantic trauma and Mariya’s sadistic nature (plus her love of torturing poor Kanako), there’s no telling what kind of antics they’ll get into! The nose bleeds will run wild, as silly, sexy fun collides with short-fused cross dressers and towering terrors in MARIA HOLIC ALIVE!

Episode 1 premieres on Anime Network Online this Sunday, April 10, 2011 at 10 pm Central Daylight Time, with new episodes debuting each week at that same time. Beginning with Episode 3, MARIA HOLIC ALIVE! simulcasts will be available to Anime Network Premium Subscribers.
Continued…

UK DVD and Blu-ray covers for the Japanese Academy Award-winning CONFESSIONS. Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 2010 Confessions Production Committee

Third Window Films to Release Acclaimed Psychological Thriller on April 25th
Source: Third Window Films, The Associates press release
Official Movie Site: kokuhaku-shimasu.jp (Japan), thirdwindowfilms.com/confessions (UK)
Special Thanks to Adam Torel

Written and directed by Tetsuya Nakashima, CONFESSIONS was selected as Japan’s official entry in the Best Foreign Film category of the 83rd Annual Academy Awards and was the winner of the awards for Best Film, Best Screenplay and Best Director at the 34th Japanese Academy Awards earlier this year.

CONFESSIONS (cert. 15) will be released in the UK as a two-disc DVD (£14.99) and single-disc Blu-ray (£19.99) by Third Window Films on 25th April 2011. Special Features include: 70-minute featurette “Final Confession” by Tetsuya Nakashima; “Real Confessions” by students; interview with Tetsuya Nakashima; theatrical trailer; Third Window Films trailers.
Continued…

It looks like North American Godzilla fans will have to keep waiting for an official GODZILLA VS MEGALON DVD. © 1973 Toho Co., Ltd.

Media Blasters Not Releasing Special Edition Disc of 1973 Godzilla Film
Author: Keith Aiken
Source: Media Blasters, Inc., Toho Co. Ltd, various
Special Thanks to Steve Ryfle, Carl Morano, and Emiko Jade Frost

Over the past few days, Godzilla fandom has been abuzz over rumors that the 1973 film GODZILLA VS MEGALON was being readied for a deluxe release on US DVD and/or Blu-ray. Well known Japanese film historian August Ragone (author of Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters) broke the news, providing details in several online postings and an article which ran on his blog March 31st.

The news was met with great enthusiasm from Godzilla fans. Unfortunately, it appears the report was incorrect.
Continued…