Nanoha Itou and Kaito Daimon attempt to solve a potentially deadly puzzle in the anime series PHI-BRAIN ~ KAMI NO PUZZLE. © 2011 Sunrise/ NHK · NEP

Episodes Begin Streaming this Friday
Source: Sentai Filmworks, Anime Network press releases
Official Site: phibrain.net, nhk/anime/phibrain (Japan)
Special Thanks to David Williams and Christian Lopez

Key art for PHI-BRAIN ~ KAMI NO PUZZLE. © Sunrise/
NHK · NEP

Sentai Filmworks and Anime Network have acquired the new paranormal thriller series PHI-BRAIN ~ KAMI NO PUZZLE (ファイ・ブレイン 神のパズル, Fai Burein Kami no Pazuru, 2011) from famed director and manga creator Junichi Sato (SAILOR MOON, SERGEANT FROG, PRETEAR, ARIA), and legendary anime studio SUNRISE (MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM, COWBOY BEBOP, SORCERER HUNTERS, DIRTY PAIR, ESCAFLOWNE). Based on a treatment by ‘Hajime Yatate’, a collective name for the Sunrise staff, and with script supervision by Mayori Sekijima (NAJICA BLITZ TACTICS, PLASTIC LITTLE, SOL BIANCA, CLAMP SCHOOL), the 25 episode series features character designs by veteran animator Youhei Sasaki and music by Akio Izutsu.

Digital distribution will begin this week on the streaming service, Anime Network Online. Starting Friday, November 4th, Episodes 1 to 5 will be released daily online at 4 PM Eastern to catch up to the release of Episode 6 on Wednesday, November 9th. New episodes will be available every Wednesday. Each episode will also be available on the free, ad-supported Hulu service, as well as the Hulu Plus subscription service, within 24 hours. Distribution on additional services and platforms will follow in 2012.
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Discover the Fate of the World in this Lavishly Illustrated Masterwork on November 8th
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

Cover art for X 3-in-1 Edition, Volume 1. Photo
courtesy of VIZ Media. © CLAMP 1992, 1993

VIZ Media, LLC, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has announced the upcoming release of a deluxe collector’s edition for X, the apocalyptic action epic from the internationally renowned manga creative team of CLAMP. X 3-in-1 Edition, Volume 1, debuts on November 8th, is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $19.99 U.S. / $22.99 CAN.

Each of VIZ Media’s X releases bundles three complete manga volumes and features 24 pages of gorgeous, full-color illustrations never before published outside Japan! The pages are also printed in their original right-to-left reading order and presented in the highest quality.

As X (previously released in the United States as X/1999) opens, Kamui Shiro is a young man followed by mystery. He was taken from Tokyo by his mother while still a child and had to leave behind his dearest friends, including the gentle Kotori and her brother Fuma, following a terrible incident that claimed their mother’s life. Returning to Tokyo following his mother’s death, Kamui is a changed young man – moody and distant to his old friends, yet determined to protect them from the dark forces that swirl around him. It turns out that he is the nexus of a great cataclysm to come, and the inheritor to a strange destiny that could decide the fate of the entire world.
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Source: Sentai Filmworks press release
Official Site: mashiro.tv (Japan)
Special Thanks to David Williams

Key art for MASHIROIRO SYMPHONY ~ THE COLOR OF LOVERS.
© 2011 Palette/ Ketsu Hime Joshi Gakuen Nukobu

Sentai Filmworks has acquired MASHIROIRO SYMPHONY ~ THE COLOR OF LOVERS (ましろ色シンフォニー ~the color of lovers ~, 2011), the anime adaptation of the hit game franchise from visual novel developer Pallete, which has already spawned three manga spinoffs and a series of drama and music CDs.

Produced by Manglobe, the 12 episode series is scripted by Team RIKKA and directed by Eiji Suganuma (SASAMEKI KOTO, NINJA CADETS). Adaption of the intricate original designs by Tsubasu Izumi (AKANE-IRO NI SOMARU SAKA, EF: A TALE OF MEMORIES) were handled by Toshie Kawamura (THE WORLD ONLY GOD KNOWS, YES! PRECURE 5, PRECURE ALL-STARS), who also serves as the animation director.

MASHIROIRO SYMPHONY ~ THE COLOR OF LOVERS will be available digitally soon. The home video release will follow next year on subtitled DVD.
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The FAFNER anime series and movie are coming to North America in 2012. © King Record.Co.,Ltd. © Xebec/Tatsumiyajima Yakuba

Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release
Official Site: fafner.jp (Japan)
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee

FUNimation Entertainment has acquired the home entertainment, digital, and merchandise rights to the FAFNER (蒼穹のファフナー, Sookyuu no Fafunaa) anime series and movie.

The twenty-six episode series focuses on a group of children who pilot the titular Fafners in a war against the Festum— giant aliens who destroyed much of the world. The movie FAFNER: DEAD AGGRESSOR: HEAVEN AND EARTH (蒼穹のファフナーDead Aggressor HEAVEN AND EARTH, Sookyuu no Fafunaa: Dead Aggressor: Heaven and Earth, 2010) takes place two years after the end of the original series.
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Sawako (Hikari Mitsushima) takes stock of her life when she returns to her hometown to take care of her ailing father Tadao (Kotaro Shiga) in
SAWAKO DECIDES. Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. © 2010 PFF Partners

Source: Third Window Films, The Associates press release
Official Movie Site: kawasoko.com (Japan), thirdwindowfilms.com/sawako-decides (UK)
Special Thanks to Adam Torel

DVD cover art. Photo courtesy of Third Window Films.
© 2010 PFF Partners

Yuya Ishii’s award winning comedy SAWAKO DECIDES (川の底からこんにちは, Kawa no Soko Kara Konnichi Wa, 2010) is now available on DVD in the United Kingdom, courtesy of Third Window Films. The film stars Hikari Mitsushima, well known to tokusatsu fans for her roles in REBIRTH OF MOTHRA II (1997), ULTRAMAN MAX (2005) and the DEATH NOTE films (2006). In recent years she has established herself with quirky performances in international cult hits like LOVE EXPOSURE (愛のむきだし, Ai no Mukidashi, 2009) and KAKERA: A PIECE OF OUR LIFE (カケラ, Kakera, 2010).

Sawako (Hikari Mitsushima) has lived in Tokyo for five years, is working her fifth office job, and is dating her fifth boyfriend, who is also her boss at the office. Her life with her boyfriend Kenichi (Masashi Endo) and his daughter from a previous marriage, Kayoko (Kira Aihara), feels like a “compromise,” and she endures each day feeling distressed about her career and love life.One day, she receives word that her father, Tadao (Kotaro Shiga), who runs a freshwater clam processing business in her hometown, has fallen ill. There is a reason why Sawako would rather not go back home so easily, but she reluctantly decides to return at Kenichi’s insistence. But Kenichi, who had actually quit his job shortly before Sawako, uses this opportunity to come along with Sawako to her hometown with his daughter in tow. Thus Sawako’s ordeals continue. Still, she takes over her father’s clam processing company and begins to work there.
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Celebrate the Video Game’s 25th Anniversary with the Complete Set of Manga Volumes in a Keepsake Box
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

Package art for The Legend of Zelda Manga Box Set.
Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2011 Nintendo

VIZ Media, LLC, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, will delight gamers and manga fans nationwide with the release of The Legend of Zelda Manga Box Set, just in time to celebrate the series’ 25th Anniversary. The set, available in stores now, is rated ‘A’ for All Ages, includes all 10 volumes of the fantasy action adventure series as well as a full color poster, and carries an MSRP of $69.99 U.S. / $80.99 CAN.

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year, and is the best selling role-playing, puzzle-solving, action title for Nintendo video game platforms. More information on the history of THE LEGEND OF ZELDA and its anniversary is available at zelda.com/25th.

The Legend of Zelda manga series takes place in the mystical land of Hyrule, where three spiritual stones hold the key to the Triforce. Whoever holds them will control the world. A boy named Link sets out on a quest to deliver the Emerald, the spiritual stone of the forest, to Zelda, Princess of the land of Hyrule. The journey will be long and perilous, and Link will need all his skill and courage to defeat evil. The battle for Hyrule and the Sacred Realm has begun!
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New Korean Creature Feature Coming Next Year
Author: Kim Song-ho
Source: Ozone Film Co., Ltd. and CJ Entertainment

Actor Kim Myung-min will play a man struggling to save
his family after they are infected by parasitic worms.

The Korean motion picture companies Ozone Film Co., Ltd. and CJ Entertainment have jointly announced the principal cast members of GORDIAN WORM (연가시, Yeongasi, tentative title), a new creature feature that will be released next year.

Inspired by real-life parasitic animals known as “horsehair worms”, the movie is about mutated parasites that infest the brains of humans and manipulate them. A man struggles to save his family, who became victims of the titular parasites, as the disaster rages on.

GORDIAN WORM is the latest movie by director Park Jeong-woo, who began as a successful screenwriter of such action/comedies as ATTACK THE GAS STATION (주유소 습격사건, Juyuso seubgyuksageun, 1999), JAIL BREAKER (광복절 특사, Gwangbokjeol Teuksa, 2002) and BREAK OUT (라이터를 켜라, Lightereul kyeora, 2002). In 2004, he directed his first feature film DANCE WITH THE WIND (바람의 전설, Baramui jeonseol), a romantic comedy starring Lee Seong-jae and Park Sol-mi. He continued his directing career with the action comedy BIG BANG (쏜다, Ssonda) in 2007. Hence, GORDIAN WORM will be a change of pace for Park as he challenges a completely different genre this time, and a very rare one at that in Korea.
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Source: Sentai Filmworks press release
Official Site: kaminomi.jp (Japan)
Special Thanks to David Williams

Key art for THE WORLD GOD ONLY KNOWS. © Tamiki
Wakaki, Shogakukan/ TV Tokyo

Sentai Filmworks has acquired the eagerly anticipated anime series THE WORLD GOD ONLY KNOWS (神のみぞ知るセカイ, Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai, 2010). The news was first revealed to massive applause at the 2011 Anime Weekend Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia on September 30, 2011.

Based on the super-hit manga by Tamiki Wakaki, the 24 episode series is helmed by TRIGUN and FLAME OF RECCA vet Shigehito Takayanagi, who is directing from scripts supervised by Read Or Die creator Hideyuki Kurata (EXCEL SAGA, KAMICHU) and character designs adapted from Wakaki’s originals by Akio Watanabe (SOULTAKER, NURSE WITCH KOMUGI-CHAN). Original music is provided by TRANSFORMERS ARMADA composer Hayato Matsuo (HELLSING ULTIMATE, STREETFIGHTER ALPHA).

Keima Katsuragi can score with any girl he wants… provided that she’s not real. A legendary master of Japanese “dating sims,” often referred to by other players as the God Of Conquests, Keima is a classic nerd in real life and isn’t even all that interested in girls with more than two dimensions in the first place! Unfortunately for Keima, his personal preferences cease to be of any importance when he accepts a challenge to what he THINKS is an internet game, only to discover that he’s actually made a deal with a demon!
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Qiu Jin (Yi Huang) inspires revolution in the biopic THE WOMAN KNIGHT OF MIRROR LAKE. The movie opens this Friday in Los Angeles.
© 2011 National Arts Productions Limited.

US Theatrical Release Begins October 28th
Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release
Official Movie Site: funimation.com/the-woman-knight-of-mirror-lake (US)
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee

FUNimation Entertainment today announced it has acquired the home video, digital, mobile, television, and theatrical distribution rights for the live action film, THE WOMAN KNIGHT OF MIRROR LAKE (競雄女俠•秋瑾, Jingxiong Nüxia – Qiu Jin, 2011).

FUNimation has partnered with Eleven Arts to bring THE WOMAN KNIGHT OF MIRROR LAKE to the big screen in theaters across the U.S. starting this week as part of the worldwide release of the film. THE WOMAN KNIGHT OF MIRROR LAKE premiered in Hong Kong on October 13th and in Singapore on October 20th. The film will begin its U.S. theatrical run on October 28th in Los Angeles at the Culver Plaza Theatre. The film THE LEGEND IS BORN – IP MAN, will screen simultaneously at the Culver Plaza Theatre.
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Logo for the new digital magazine Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © Masashi Kishimoto /2007 Shippuden © NMP 2008

Digital Magazine Brings Fans the Most Popular Manga in the World Faster than Ever Before
Source: VIZ Media press release
Official Site: ShonenJump.viz.com
Special Thanks to Jane Lui

VIZ Media, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in the North America, has announced the countdown to the launch of Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha (Weekly SJ Alpha), a weekly serial anthology of some of the most popular manga series in the world: Naruto, Bleach, One Piece, Bakuman, Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan and Toriko. The first issue of Weekly SJ Alpha goes on sale January 30, 2012, and will be available through VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga Apps for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

Each new digital issue of Weekly SJ Alpha brings manga fans in North America the latest chapters of their favorite series only two weeks after it debuts in Japan’s massively popular Weekly Shonen Jump Magazine (週刊少年ジャンプ, Shuukan Shoonen Janpu). Currently, Japanese releases are often several months to years ahead of North American print titles; Weekly SJ Alpha eliminates the delay in unprecedented fashion.
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Teo (Miyuki Sawashiro), Haruka (Haruka Ayase) and Cotton (Tamaki Matsumoto) explore a land of long-lost childhood treasures in the computer animated
film OBLIVION ISLAND: HARUKA AND THE MAGIC MIRROR. © 2009 Fuji Television Network/ Production I.G / Dentsu/ Pony Canyon

Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee

FUNimation Entertainment has acquired the home entertainment, broadcast, digital, and mobile rights to the Production I.G. full length animated film, OBLIVION ISLAND: HARUKA AND THE MAGIC MIRROR (ホッタラケの島 〜遥と魔法の鏡〜, Hottarake no Shima – Haruka to Maho no Kagami, 2009). Directed and co-written by Shinsuke Sato (the GANTZ live action films), the film was nominated for the award for Excellent Animation of the Year at the 33rd Japan Academy Prize.
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World’s First Virtual Pop Idol Will Be Featured in a Special One-Night-Only Event
Source: MediaLab press release
Special Thanks to Erik Jansen

Flyer for the Hatsune Miku LIVE in SAPPORO event.
Photo courtesy of MediaLab. © 2011 Crypton Future
Media, Inc.

Live Viewing Japan, a distribution company focused on bringing Japanese entertainment media to an international audience, has announced that it will stage a very special one-night-only Hatsune Miku event simultaneously in nine major U.S. cities on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 7:00pm (local time). Hatsune Miku Live Party 2011 39′s LIVE in SAPPORO (originally organized by 5bp Inc. in August, 2011) will screen a live concert performance of Hatsune Miku in movie theaters in select markets. More information about this exclusive one-night-only event is available at liveviewing.jp/009_mikupa.html.

The cities that will host the Hatsune Miku event include:
Baltimore, MD
Boston (Manchester), MA
Chicago, IL
Houston, TX
Los Angeles, CA
Orange, CA
New York, NY – Two locations
San Francisco/Bay Area, CA
Seattle, WA
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The Criterion Collection’s DVD and Blu-ray cover art for KURONEKO. Photos courtesy of The Criterion Collection. © 1968 Toho Co., Ltd.

Source: The Criterion Collection, Image Entertainment
Official Site: criterion.com/kuroneko
Special Thanks to Jonathan Saba

The Criterion Collection has issued the rarely-seen Japanese horror classic KURONEKO (藪の中の黒猫 Yabu no Naka no Kuroneko, 1968) on DVD and Blu-ray. From director Kaneto Shindo (NAKED ISLAND, ONIBABA), KURONEKO (aka “Black Cat”) is a spectacularly eerie twilight tale with a shocking feminist angle, evoked through ghostly special effects and exquisite cinematography.

In this poetic and atmospheric horror fable, set in a village in war-torn medieval Japan, a malevolent spirit has been ripping out the throats of itinerant samurai. When a military hero is sent to dispatch the unseen force, he finds that he must struggle with his own personal demons as well.
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Source: Sentai Filmworks press release
Official Site: melomelomelon.com (Japan)
Special Thanks to David Williams

Melon from AKIKAN! © Riko Ranjo, Hiro Suzihara/
Shueisha, Authority A

Sentai Filmworks has let the genie out of the bottle… or in this case, can… with the company’s announcement of the acquisition of the latest ‘pop’ culture phenomenon from Japan, AKIKAN! (アキカン!, 2009).

Animation industry veteran director Yuji Himaki, already known for his work about a superhero made of bread with the latest Anpanman feature film, switches materials and genders to helm both the 12 episode series and the bonus OVA telling the story of a bubbly young girl who just happens to be a soft drink can, while the process of adapting creators Riku Ranjo and Hiro Suzuhira’s original text and art go respectively to script-master Hideaki Koyasu (BRIGHTER THAN THE DAWNING BLUE, KURE-NAI), and character designer Ryo Tanaka (VIRTUA FUGHTER, LUPIN III, MISSED BY A DOLLAR).

AKIKAN! will be distributed digitally through a variety of outlets and on subtitled DVD in January 2012.
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LOUPS=GAROUS Available on November 29th
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 November slate of releases; including LOUPS=GAROUS. The animated thriller will be released on both DVD and Blu-Ray by Section23 client, Sentai Filmworks.

Also scheduled for October are DVD editions of AMAGAMI SS COLLECTION 2, NINJA TRIPLE-FEATURE, ICE COMPLETE COLLECTION, and ZOMBIE TRIPLE-FEATURE, the Blu-ray edition of CLANNAD COMPLETE COLLECTION, and COICENT / FIVE NUMBERS on both DVD and Blu-ray.

Read on for plot descriptions, DVD/Blu-ray specs, and cover art for all of these titles.
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Final cover artwork for the DESTROY ALL MONSTERS DVD. Photo courtesy of Media Blasters. © 1968 Toho Co., Ltd.

Cover Art and Specs for New Releases from Media Blasters
Source: Media Blasters, Inc.
Special Thanks to Carl Morano

Media Blasters Inc. has revealed the specifications and final cover art for their upcoming Tokyo Shock release of the Godzilla classic DESTROY ALL MONSTERS (怪獣総進撃, Kaiju Soshingeki, 1968). The movie will be sold separately on both DVD (SRP $19.98) and Blu-ray (SRP $29.98). The discs have shipped to retailers and have a street date of October 25, 2011.
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It’s business as usual for the Busan underworld in A BETTER TOMORROW, the south Korean remake of the classic John Woo film. © 2010 CJ E&M Pictures

2010 Remake from Executive Producer John Woo
Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications press release
Special Thanks to Chrissy Walker, Doris Pfardrescher and Leif Hellend

Cover art for the A BETTER TOMORROW Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack.
Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. © 2010 CJ E&M Pictures

The accent is on action when Jin-mo Ju (A FROZEN FLOWER, THE WARRIOR) and Seung-heon Song (SO CLOSE, GHOST) star in the remake of John Woo’s 1986 cult classic A BETTER TOMORROW (무적자, Mujeokja, 2010), debuting on Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack and DVD November 8 from Well Go USA.

Double-dealing among rival Thai and Korean mob syndicates provide the fuel for this fast-paced crime thriller that also stars Kang-woo Kim (MARINE BOY) and Han Sun Jo. Bonus materials include deleted scenes, a photo gallery, behind-the-scenes interviews with director Hae-sung Song and the film’s actors, and a 30-minute interview with executive producer John Woo. A BETTER TOMORROW will be available in a Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack for $29.98 SRP and on DVD for $24.98 SRP.

A BETTER TOMORROW has a runtime of approximately 124 minutes and is not rated.
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The post-apocalyptic world of ICE is coming next month to DVD in the United Kingdom. Photo courtesy of Cine du Monde. © 2008 E.Net Frontier/Eleven Arts.

Source: Cine du Monde
Official Site: project-ice.com (Japan), cinedumonde.co.uk/ice-anime (UK)
Special Thanks to Andrew Kirkham

Cover art for the UK DVD release of ICE. Photo courtesy
of Cine du Monde. © 2008 E.Net Frontier/ Eleven Arts.

It is the Apocalypse. A drastic change in the environment causes every male on the face of earth to die out by 2012. Most of the remaining women perish after fighting in a world war over their territories. 20,000 survivors huddle together in the Shinjuku area, which has become an ocean of trees.

Within this small, all-female world, humankind divides into two groups: One which accepts its fate to perish and chooses to give their lives to pleasure. Whilst the other group strives to save the future through the power of science. It’s the beginning of an intense battle between these two forces over ‘ICE’, which is said to be the last hope for mankind.

The UK home video label Cine du Monde will release the anime feature ICE (アイス, 2007) on DVD this November 7th.
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Source: Eleven Arts Entertainment press release
Official Movie Site: hagaren-movie.net (Japan), funimation.com/fullmetal-alchemist-the-sacred-star-of-milos (US)
Special Thanks to Shun Ohara

Promotional art for FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: THE
SACRED STAR OF MILOS. Image courtesy of Eleven
Arts Entertainment. © 2011 Hiromu Arakawa/
Hagaren the Movie 2011

Eleven Arts and FUNimation Entertainment are bringing the feature length followup film to the popular FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST anime franchise, FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: THE SACRED STAR OF MILOS (鋼の錬金術師 嘆きの丘（ミロス）の聖なる星, Hagane no Renkinjutsushi: Mirosu no Sei-naru Hoshi, 2011), to more than 100 theater screens across North America this Winter.

Eleven Arts is the company that has brought you such celebrated Japanese films as MEMORIES OF TOMORROW starring Ken Watanabe and Yoji Yamada’s LOVE AND HONOR. FUNimation Entertainment is known for releasing quality anime titles to the American market, and they have handled such popular titles as DRAGON BALL and EVANGELION. In 2011, these two companies brought EVANGELION: 2.0 YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE and TRIGUN: BADLANDS RUMBLE to North American theaters with great success.

FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: THE SACRED STAR OF MILOS was released in Japan on July 2, 2011. The movie was produced by the animation studio BONES (CoOWBOY BEBOP: THE MOVIE) and directed by Kazuya Murata (assistant director on CODE GEASS). It features the official theme song “Good Luck My Way” by L’Arc-en-Ciel.
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DVD Set of Four Classic Films Featuring the International Action Star
Source: Golden Media Group
Official Site: GooHead Internet Channel
Special Thanks to Roy McAree

Win a DVD set of four classic films featuring international
star Sonny Chiba. © 1979-1984 Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.

Earlier this month, the GooHead Internet Channel— a free streaming service for classic Asian feature films and television series— announced they would be adding eight new titles to their lineup of films featuring martial arts legend, Shinichi “Sonny” Chiba (THE STREET FIGHTER, KILL BILL VOL. 1). Now, GooHead is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a free DVD set of four Sonny Chiba films!

THE SONNY CHIBA COLLECTION brings together, for the first time ever, four Chiba classics, uncut and unedited…

• G.I. SAMURAI (戦国自衛隊 Sengoku Jieitai, aka TIME SLIP, 1979)
• RESURRECTION OF GOLDEN WOLF (蘇える金狼, Yomigaeru Kinro, 1979)
• NINJA WARS (伊賀忍法帖, Iga Ninpo-cho, aka BLACK MAGIC WARS, 1982)
• LEGEND OF THE EIGHT SAMURAI (里見八犬伝, Satomi Hakkenden, 1983)
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© 2011 FUNimation Entertainment.　© 2011 Nico Nico, Inc.

Fall Slate of Simulcast Series Announced October 14th
Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release
Official Site: niconico.com/anime
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee

During New York Comic con, North America’s anime leader, FUNimation Entertainment, and the world’s premier video networking website, niconico.com, announced that they are forming a partnership that will begin with the simulcast of several of the newest anime series debuting in Japan this fall. All simulcast episodes will be available at niconico.com/anime.

The companies are forming a joint effort where both companies will be contributing to the acquisition of new anime titles from Japan. “Our goal is to simulcast top-notch anime. It’s an ambitious plan but one in which we are investing heavily,” said Gen Fukunaga, President and CEO of FUNimation Entertainment.
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Come Perform Onstage as Your Favorite Japanese Superhero
Source: Anime Jungle
Special Thanks to Tetsu Shiota and Yoichi Kakuma

Photo courtesy of Anime Jungle.

On Saturday, November 5th, the collector’s shop Anime Jungle in Los Angeles, CA will host their first HENSHIN CONTEST for costumers/cosplayers to perform a short onstage skit with a Kamen/Masked Rider, Super Sentai/Power Rangers, or other Costumed Heroes theme. The contest will take place at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) during the opening reception for the KAMEN RIDER VS SUPER SENTAI Anniversaries Tribute Exhibition (co-sponsored with with Q-POP) in downtown LA’s Little Tokyo.

Cosplayers who wish to participate in the Henshin Contest can register at either of Anime Jungle’s Los Angeles locations or online. Complete contest details can be found at animejungle.net/henshin. The top three performances will have their choice of three prizes, all related to Kamen Rider or Super Sentai. Anime Jungle invites everyone to come see a great show by fans, for fans.
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The sci-fi anime FREEDOM is now avilable on Australian Blu-ray and DVD. Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 2006 Freedom Committee

A New Vision of the Future from the Creator of AKIRA
Source: Madman Entertainment

The sci-fi anime series FREEDOM (自由, 2006) is now available on DVD (Region 4, PAL) and Blu-ray (Region B) from Australian distributor Madman Entertainment. Animated by Sunrise (COWBOY BEBOP, MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM), FREEDOM features character designs by Katsuhiro Otomo, the creator of AKIRA. The seven-part series uses a hyper anime-realistic cell-shaded 3D look similar to APPLESEED and VEXILLE.

In the year 2041, mankind created their first space colony on the moon. But after a freak cataclysm devastated human civilization on Earth, the republic of the moon built a domed megalopolis known as Eden. Now in the year 2267, a boy called Takeru spends his time engaging in hover-craft races against rival street gangs, unaware that he is about to embark in the journey of unearthing Eden’s origin.
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Blu-ray and DVD cover art for NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: BONDS. Photos courtesy of VIZ Media. © Masashi Kishimoto /2007 Shippuden © NMP 2008

The World’s Most Popular Ninja Returns in the Second NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Anime Feature Film
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Official Site: naruto.com
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

VIZ Media, LLC, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, is proud to announce the DVD and Blu-ray release of the latest NARUTO feature film on October 25th. NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: BONDS (劇場版 NARUTO−ナルト− 疾風伝 絆, Gekijooban Naruto Shippuuden: Kizuna, 2008) will be the first Blu-ray release from the international anime franchise to hit North American shores, and is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens and priced at $24.98 (Blu-ray) and $19.98 (DVD) in both the U.S. and Canada.
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Disc Streets October 24th
Source: The Associates press release

UK DVD cover art. Photo courtesy of The Associates.
© 1992 Melsat Co., Ltd.

Written and directed by acclaimed Japanese novelist and film director, Ryu Murakami— the genius mind behind Takashi Miike’s AUDITION— TOKYO DECADENCE (トパーズ Topaazu, 1992) takes the viewer on a journey to the seedy, secretive side of modern Japanese society as seen through the eyes of a young call girl who specializes in sadomasochistic acts of bondage, domination and submission.

Sexually graphic without being gratuitous, brilliant and honest, TOKYO DECADENCE is an unforgettable film that never shies away from exposing the realities of a world that is devoid of humanity and feeling. Boasting a music score by Academy Award winning composer Ryuichi Sakamoto (THE LAST EMPEROR) and a brave, subtly sympathetic, soul-baring central performance by Miho Nikaido, it presents a searing, disturbing and extremely graphic indictment of the hypocrisies of excessive materialism and sexual puritanism.

TOKYO DECADENCE (cert. 18) will be released on DVD (Region 2, PAL) by ArrowDrome on 24th October 2011. MSRP is £9.99. Special Features include collectors’ booklet by Robin Bougie, reversible sleeve and ArrowDrome trailers.
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Mecha Anime Begins Streaming this Month
Source: Sentai Filmworks press release
Official Site: breakblade.jp (Japan)
Special Thanks to David Williams

The highly anticipated BROKEN BLADE debuts this month
on Anime Network Online. © 2010 Yunosuke Yoshinaga/
Flex Comix, Broken Blade Production Committee

Sentai Filmworks has announced the company’s acquisition of one of the year’s most eagerly awaited anime titles; BROKEN BLADE (ブレイク ブレイド, Bureiku Bureido, 2010), an epic new series of animated films based on the international manga bestseller from Yunosuke Yoshinaga (Rampage).

Created in six 50 minute installments, the mega production is helmed by Chief Director Tetsuro Amino (MACROSS 7, SHIKI, JEWELL BEM HUNTER LIME), and Director Nobuyoshi Habara (DNANGEL, NEGIMA!, FAFNER) working from screenplays by screenwriter Masashi Sogo (BLEACH, GANTZ, SAMURAI X/ RUROUNI KENSHIN). Music duties for the blockbuster production will be handled by Yoshihisa Hirano (DEATH NOTE, BEYBLADE, OURAN HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB).

Digital distribution of the first 50 minute installment of BROKEN BLADE will begin this October on Anime Network Online and through many other outlets. The home video release will follow in 2012 with releases on DVD and Blu-Ray.
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Epic Martial Arts Masterpiece Debuting on Blu-ray and DVD October 25
Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications press release
Special Thanks to Chrissy Walker, Doris Pfardrescher and Leif Hellend

Cover art for the Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack of SHAOLIN. Photo
courtesy of Well Go USA. © 2011 Emperor Motion Pictures

Andy Lau (HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS, FUTURE X-COPS), Nicolas Tse (THE STOOL PIGEON, STORM WARRIORS), and international superstar Jackie Chan (THE KARATE KID, RUSH HOUR trilogy) star in the martial arts drama SHAOLIN (新少林寺, Xīn Shàolín Sì, 2011), debuting on Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack, DVD and Collector’s Editions DVD and Blu-ray October 25 from Well Go USA. In this remake of Jet Li’s SHAOLIN TEMPLE (1982), acclaimed director Benny Chan (CITY UNDER SIEGE) tells an epic tale of sadistic warlords squaring off against noble monks in “a tale of monstrous evil, spiritual transformation and ultimate self-sacrifice” (Mark Jenkins, NPR).

SHAOLIN will be available for $24.98 SRP (DVD), $29.98 SRP (Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack, DVD Collector’s Edition), and $32.98 (Blu-ray Collector’s Edition). The Collector’s Edition features extensive bonus materials including deleted scenes and a “Making of” featurette.
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DVD and Blu-ray cober designs for the Australian release of EDEN OF THE EAST: PARADISE LOST. Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 2010 EDEN OF THE EAST.

Source: Madman Entertainment
Official Site: juiz.jp (Japan)

The anime feature EDEN OF THE EAST: PARADISE LOST (東のエデン 劇場版Ⅱ Paradise Lost, Higashi no Eden Gekijooban II: Paradise Lost, 2010) will be released on DVD (Region 4, PAL) and Blu-ray in Australia by Madman Entertainment on October 19th. The film wraps up the storyline begun in the acclaimed anime series EDEN OF THE EAST (東のエデン, Higashi no Eden, 2009).

Accused of terrorism and feeling the heat, Saki Morimi’s high-tech crew is in the crosshairs. Meanwhile, the shroud of mystery covering Akira Takizawa is lifted as he and his fellow Selecao make their final moves. Every game must come to an end. For those playing Mr. Outside’s twisted game of conspiracy thrills, the end comes now.
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Source: Sentai Filmworks press release
Official Site: tbs.co.jp/soremachi (Japan)
Special Thanks to David Williams

Hotori Arashiyama, the main character in AND YET THE
TOWN MOVES. © 2010 Masakazu Ishiguro

Sentai Filmworks has put a chocolate on the pillowcases of anime fans everywhere with the announcement of the company’s acquisition of the acclaimed slice of life anime AND YET THE TOWN MOVES (それでも町は廻っている, Soredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru, 2010). Based on hit manga by Masakaza Ishiguro, the story of trouble prone Maid-Waitress Hotori is familiar ground for director Akiyuki Shinbo, whose previous body of work includes handling the HIDAMARI SKETCH, NEGIMA and MARIAHOLIC franchises. Script supervision is by genre stalwart Katsuhiko Takayama, whose resume includes such familiar titles as LOVE HINA, FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST, GODANNAR and SORCERER HUNTERS, while character design for the 12 episode series is being handled by chief animation director Hiroki Yamamura (MAHOROMATIC).

Digital distribution of AND YET THE TOWN MOVES will begin through many outlets this winter, and the series will find its way to home video next January with the release of all 12 episodes on subtitled DVD.
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DVD and Blu-ray cover art for TREASURE HUNTER. Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2009 Chang Hong Channel Film & Video Co..

Taiwanese Action/Comedy Starring THE GREEN HORNET’s Jay Chou
Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee

Fans of The MUMMY need hunt no further for edge-of-your-seat thrills! Hong Kong Film Award winners, Jay Chou (THE GREEN HORNET) and Eric Tsang (INFERNAL AFFAIRS), star in THE TREASURE HUNTER (刺陵, Ci Ling 2009), a blazing adventure packed with action and stunning special effects. In November, the movie will be released on both DVD and Blu-ray in North America by FUNimation Entertainment.
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