Earth forces attempt to repel alien invaders in PLANZET, the computer animated science fiction film from NEGADON director Jun Awazu.
© 2010 Jun Awazu/Media Factory/CoMix Wave Films

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

Sentai Filmworks is pleased to announce its license of PLANZET (プランゼット, Puranzetto, 2010), a science fiction tale of invasion and human struggle and survival. The creation of writer, director and character designer Jun Awazu (NEGADON: THE MONSTER FROM MARS), the movie is presented by industry innovator CoMix Wave (5 CENTIMETERS PER SECOND, Hoshizora Kiseki) and has been featured at festivals such as the 14th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival and SIGGRAPH Asia 2010. CGI is directed by Shin Miyahara (KARAS: THE PROPHECY) and music is by Shingo Terasawa with the main theme being sung by Chitose Hajime (BLOOD+).

PLANZET will soon be available digitally through multiple outlets, with a home video release on DVD and BD scheduled for later this year.
Continued…

Rin (Mika Hijii, foreground right) is one of the many ninja who must stop a killer alien in Sushi Typhoon’s ALIEN VS NINJA.
Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2010 Sushi Typhoon & “Alien vs. Ninja” Production Committee

Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release
Official Site: funimation.com/avn, Sushi Typhoon (US), Sushi Typhoon (Japan)
Special Thanks to Scott Lonski, Tim Baxter and Michelle Lee

On February 21st, FUNimation Entertainment will reissue ALIEN VS NINJA (AVN, 2010), this time in a 2 disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack.

Centuries ago, the fiercest ninjas of the Iga clan face their toughest enemies — and they aren’t from this planet! A fiery mass crashes in the forest and soon horrifyingly savage creatures reduce the warriors to tasty snacks. But these extraterrestrials have bitten off more than they can chew. Swords and throwing stars may fail against unearthly goons, but ninja skills don’t stop at sharp stuff. If you’re into ARMY OF DARKNESS, you’ll be taking bets over who’ll win this over-the-top battle for survival!
Continued…

This Time It’s War
Source: Madman Entertainment press release

Australian DVD cover for BATTLE ROYALE II: REQUIEM.
Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 2003 The
“Battle Royale” Production Committee

BATTLE ROYALE II: REQUIEM (バトル・ロワイアル II～鎮魂歌（レクイエム）～, Batoru Rowaiaru II: Chinkonka, 2003), the follow-up to the cult classic BATTLE ROYALE (バトル・ロワイアル, Batoru Rouaiaru, 2000), will be released on Region 4 DVD in March by Madman Entertainment. The new release will be a “director’s cut” (also known as BATTLE ROYALE II: REVENGE) with 25 minutes of extra footage. Never before seen in Australia, the extended version ups the stakes in every way.

It’s three years after the events of the original BATTLE ROYALE, and Shuya Nanahara (DEATH NOTE’s Tatsuya Fujiwara) is now an internationally-known terrorist determined to bring down the government. His terrorist group, Wild Seven, stages an attack that levels several buildings in Tokyo on Christmas Day, killing 8000 people.

Exactly one year afterward, the government enacts the “New Century Terrorist Counter-Measure Alternative” program, a.k.a. the BRII act, and sends the forty-two students of Shikanotoride Junior High Class 3-B to hunt Nanahara and his cohorts down in their island stronghold. Shiori Kitano (Ai Maeda, GAMERA 3), the daughter of the late headmaster of Nanahara’s Battle Royale, signs up for the program, to avenge her father. In order for the government to study the benefits of “teamwork”, the new students work in pairs, with their collars electronically linked so that if one of them is killed, the other dies as well. They must kill Nanahara in three days — or die.
Continued…

Source: Sentai Filmworks press release
Official Site: bantorra.com, tsutaya.co.jp/shisho (Japan)
Special Thanks to David Williams

Promotional art for THE BOOK OF BANTORRA. © Ishio
Yamagata • Shigeki Maeshima • Shueisha/ Library of
Bantorra

Sentai Filmworks is glad to announce its licensing of THE BOOK OF BANTORRA (戦う司書 The Book of Bantorra, Tatakau Shisho – The Book of Bantorra, 2009), the action-packed anime where the story of your life is a book – literally! Based on the light novels written by Ishio Yamagata and illustrated by Shigeki Maeshima, the 27 episode series is directed by Toshiya Shinohara (BLACK BUTLER, INUYASHA movies) with character designs by Masaki Yamada (TIGER & BUNNY, APPLESEED: EX MACHINA) and music by Yoshihisa Hirano (DEATH NOTE, BROKEN BLADE).

In another time and place, on a world of pain and sorrow, when someone dies, their soul doesn’t go to Heaven or Hell — it becomes a book. A book that reveals the deceased’s innermost secrets… and can be read by anyone.

Protecting these priceless treasures is the elite organization known as the Armed Librarians. It’s their job to keep the books and the knowledge within them safe from those who would misuse or destroy them. It’s a tough, dangerous job, so Chief Librarian Hamyuts Maseta recruits only the best and the brightest psychics to join her team of expert fighters.

But will they be good enough to stop the fanatics of the Church of Drowning in God’s Grace from wrecking vengeance on the entire world? Only time will tell, but that book hasn’t been written yet. Welcome to the Library of Bantorra, where the past is an open book.

THE BOOK OF BANTORRA will soon be available digitally through multiple outlets, with a home video release on bilingual DVD scheduled for later this year.

Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release
Official Site: geneon-ent.co.jp/pretear (Japan), funimation.com/pretear (US)
Special Thanks to Scott Lonski

Key art for PRETEAR. © Junichi Sato • Kaori Naruse/
Project PRETEAR

FUNimation Entertainment announced today that it has acquired the broadcast, home entertainment, merchandising, and streaming rights to the complete 13 episode anime series, PRETEAR (新白雪姫伝説プリーティア, Shin Shirayuki-hime Densetsu Puriitia, 2001). The series was created by Chief Director, Junichi Sato, best known for his work on KALIEDO STAR, SAILOR MOON and PRINCESS TUTU. PRETEAR was directed by Kiyoko Sayama, who had previously worked on VAMPIRE KNIGHT.

A sixteen year old girl named Himeno Awayuki is struggling to adjust to a new step-family when seven guys appear on the scene. Calling themselves the Leafe Knights, the men reveal that Himeno is a Pretear, a girl who possesses a special magical power. Shying away from the strange group, she later joins them when a monster places her friend’s life in jeopardy.

Without training, Himeno must prove herself capable to take up the sacred duty of the Pretear. She and the Leafe Knights must resolve their differences and work together to defeat the evil Princess of Disaster who is intent on destruction.
Continued…

Source: Sentai Filmworks press release
Official Site: tbs.co.jp/getbackers (Japan)
Special Thanks to David Williams

Promotional art for GET BACKERS. © Yuya Aoki • Rando Ayamine • Kodansha/
Team Get Backers

Sentai Filmworks proudly announces the licensing of the fan-favorite GET BACKERS (ゲットバッカーズ -奪還屋-, Gettobakkaazu Dakkan’ya, 2002), the anime where anything that’s been taken can be returned to its rightful owner by the Get Backers – Ban & Ginji. The 49 episode series was produced by Studio Deen (HELL GIRL, RUROUNI KENSHIN) with series composition by Akemi Omode (RUROUNI KENSHIN, KYO KARA MAOH!) and character designs by Atsuko Nkajima (HAKOUKI, YOU’RE UNDER ARREST).

Whether it’s a favorite stuffed animal, a priceless painting or even your last shred of hope, if someone’s taken it from you, Ban and Ginji will get it back. They’re the Get Backers, an expert “recovery” service. And they’ll retrieve what’s been stolen, no matter what it is or who took it.

Of course, with Ban’s special “Evil Eye” and Ginji’s lightning strike capability, they’ve got a head start on the crooks. No job is too big, no job is too small. At least not until they pay off their tab at the local coffee shop. It’s 49 episodes of non-stop action. It’s the GET BACKERS Complete Collection — don’t let anyone take yours!

GET BACKERS will soon be available digitally through multiple outlets, with a home video release on bilingual DVD scheduled for later this year.
Continued…

FUNimation will release Blu-ray/DVD Combo sets of SENGOKU BASARA: SAMURAI KINGS and SENGOKU BASARA: SAMURAI KINGS 2 on February 7th.
Image courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © Capcom/Team Basara

Source: FUNimation Entertainment
Official Site: funimation.com/sengoku-basara-samurai-kings (US)
Special Thanks to Scott Lonski, Tim Baxter and Michelle Lee

FUNimation Entertainment will release two SENGOKU BASARA: SAMURAI KINGS (戦国BASARA, 2009-2010) Complete Series Blu-ray/DVD Combo packs on February 7th. Based on the brutal video game world created by Capcom, the animated series was produced by the famed studio Production I.G. (GHOST IN THE SHELL, KILL BILL VOL. 1, EDEN OF THE EAST).
Continued…

Source: Mill Creek Entertainment
Special Thanks to Chris Smith and Barrett Evans

UPDATE with additional information, 2/1/2012.

Send Mill Creek your GAMERA 3 Blu-ray cover sleeve to receive a
free replacement disc with corrected subtitles. Photo courtesy of
Mill Creek Entertainment. © 1999 Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.

Last September, Mill Creek Entertainment released the acclaimed daikaiju film GAMERA 3: REVENGE OF IRIS (ガメラ3 邪神〈イリス〉覚醒, Gamera 3: Jyashin Iris Kakusei, 1999) on Blu-ray, both as a single disc and as part of a GAMERA TRILOGY Collector’s Edition set. The bargain priced (SRP: $9.98) release — packed with nearly 3 hours of Gamera bonus features — was unfortunately marred by subtitling problems, including subtitles which were out of sync with onscreen dialogue and text.

Mill Creek is now offering free replacement copies of GAMERA 3 for people who are having issues with the subtitles. They’ve asked SciFi Japan to run the following message…

GAMERA 3 Replacements now available! If you are having problems with the subtitles on GAMERA 3, please send your artwork wrap (as proof of purchase) with your contact and mailing information to Mill Creek and we will send you a new GAMERA 3 (with artwork). Mill Creek’s address is:

Mill Creek Entertainment
2445 Nevada Ave N
Golden Valley, MN 55427

Mill Creek is to be commended for their excellent customer service. For additional information or answers to any questions, please email support@millcreekent.com.
Continued…

Source: Sentai Filmworks press release
Official Site: z-child.com (Japan)
Special Thanks to David Williams

Japanese promotional art for PSYCHIC SQUAD. © 2008
Takashi Shiina/ Zettai Karin Children Partners

Sentai Filmworks is glad to announce its license of PSYCHIC SQUAD (絶対可憐チルドレン, Zettai Karin Children, 2008) where, once upon a time, there were three little girls — who were all considered national security risks and a danger to the human race! The 52 episode series is based on a manga by Takashi Shiina (Ghost Sweeper Mikami) with direction by Keiichiro Kawaguchi (HAYATE THE COMBAT BUTLER, NYANKOI) and music by Kotaro Nakagawa (CODE GEASS, INU x BOKU SS).

They’re cute, adorable and three of the most powerful Espers the world has ever seen: Kaoru, the brash psychokinetic who can move objects with her mind; Shiho, the sarcastic and dark natured psychometric able to pick thoughts from people’s minds and read the pasts of inanimate objects like a book; and Aoi, the most collected and rational of the three, who has the ability to teleport herself and the others at will. So what to do with these potential psychic monsters in the making?

PSYCHIC SQUAD will soon be available digitally through multiple outlets, with a home video release on subtitled DVD scheduled for later this year.
Continued…

Includes Special YU-GI-OH! Trading Card Promotion For All Subscribers
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Official Site: SJAlpha.com
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

Contents page for issue 1. Image courtesy of VIZ Media.
© 2012 VIZ Media LLC

The wait is finally over! VIZ Media, LLC, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, launches the debut issue of its new digital manga magazine — Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha — today! The first issue is available now through VIZManga.com; it will also be part of the upcoming update to the VIZ Manga apps for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.

Each new digital edition of Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha treats manga fans in North America to the latest chapters of some of the world’s most popular manga series only two weeks after they debut in Japan’s massively popular Weekly Shonen Jump magazine. The first issue of Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha also includes part 1 of an exclusive of an interview with Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto, where he discusses the inner workings behind his creative process and how he creates a story that captivates audiences from all over the world.

To further celebrate the launch, Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha has joined forces with Konami to delight Duelists and manga fans with a special offer! Fans that sign up for an annual membership to Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha will receive highly collectable YU-GI-OH! game cards four times a year, delivered right to their doorstep before anyone else has them.
Continued…

Special Event at Anime Jungle on February 17th
Source: Anime Jungle, AniplexUSA
Official Site: madoka-magica.com (Japan), MadokaMagicaUSA.com (US)
Special Thanks to Tetsu Shiota

Key art for PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA, courtesy of
Aniplex USA. © Magica Quartet／Aniplex, Madoka
Partners, MBS

Celebrating the release of PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA (魔法少女まどか☆マギカ, Maho Shojo Madoka Magika) Vol. 1 in North America, Aniplex of America is having a special Meet and Greet Event with the English voice cast of the series. Fans will get to share the excitement of MADOKA MAGICA with the English cast just days after the release of the First Volume (February 14th). This Meet and Greet Event will be held on Friday February 17th at 8:30 PM at Anime Jungle #1 in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo.

The MADOKA MAGICA Meet and Greet event is open to the public and is a great opportunity for fans to meet the English cast in person and show their love for the series. Fans will have the opportunity to have their questions answered from the English cast. In addition, there will also be an autograph session for fans that have purchased the first volume of the series and bring their proof of purchase to the event.

PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA follows the story of a 14 year old girl named Madoka Kaname, who is offered the opportunity of gaining magical powers if she agrees to make a contract with a strange little being named Kyubey. Kyubey will also grant Madoka one wish, but in exchange she shall risk her life by accepting the responsibilities of fighting witches. Little does Madoka know what the real risks of making a contract will be for her.
Continued…

Loan shark Aiichiro Fukuhara (Tomokazu Miura) and slacker law school student Fumiya Takemura (Joe Odagiri) walk across Tokyo in director
Miki Satoshi’s award-winning comedy ADRIFT IN TOKYO. Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. © 2007 Adrift in Tokyo Film Partners

Acclaimed Comedy Streets February 27th
Source: Third Window Films
Official Movie Site: tokyosanpo.jp (Japan), thirdwindowfilms.com/adrift-in-tokyo (UK)
Special Thanks to Adam Torel

Cover art for the UK DVD of ADRIFT IN TOKYO. Photo
courtesy of Third Window Films. © 2007 Adrift in Tokyo
Film Partners

Joe Odagiri (MASKED RIDER KUUGA, BRIGHT FUTURE, AIR DOLL) stars in director Miki Satoshi’s (TURTLES ARE SURPRISINGLY FAST SWIMMERS, INSTANT SWAMP) comedy ADRIFT IN TOKYO (転々, TenTen, 2007), coming to DVD in the United Kingdom on February 27th from distributor Third Window Films. The film has not been released on DVD or Blu-ray in the United States.

Leading a lazy life, Fumiya Takemura (Odagiri) has been a university student for 8 years and owes money to loan sharks. One day, a man named Aiichiro Fukuhara (Tomokazu Miura – ALWAYS-SUNSET ON THIRD STREET) comes to collect the loan, which Fumiya cannot pay. So Fukuhara makes a proposition: He will cancel the debt as long as Fumiya agrees to walk with him across Tokyo to the police station of Kasumigaseki, where he intends to turn himself in for a crime he deeply regrets. Not having much choice, Fumiya accepts the deal. Thus begins their journey which will lead them to various unusual encounters, most of all with themselves.
Continued…

Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release
Official Site: tbs.co.jp/anime/haganai/ (Japan), funimation.com/haganai (US)
Special Thanks to Scott Lonski

Key art for HAGANAI. © 2011 Yomi Hirasaka ・ Media
Factory/ Hanagai Production Committee

FUNimation Entertainment announced yesterday at Ohayocon that it has acquired the broadcast, home entertainment, merchandising, mobile and streaming rights to the anime series, HAGANAI (僕は友達が少ない, Boku wa Tomodachi Ga Sukunai, 2011). Based on the novels by Yomi Hirasaka, HANAGAI was directed by Hisashi Saito (BAMBOO BLADE, HEAVEN’S LOST PROPERTY) and produced by the animation studio AIC Build (Anime International Company Inc.).

Kodaka Hasegawa has just transferred to St. Chronica’s Academy and he’s having a hard time making friends. With his naturally blond hair and fierce looking eyes, people constantly mistake him for a delinquent. One day, he runs into his bad-tempered loner of a classmate, Yozora, while she’s talking to her imaginary friend, Tomo. Since neither of them have any friends, they decide to form a club and start recruiting some.
Continued…

Source: FUNimation Entertainment
Official Sites: hack.channel.or.jp/quantum (Japan), FUNimation.com/hackquantum (US)
Special Thanks to Scott Lonski, Tim Baxter and Michelle Lee

Packaging for the .hack//QUANTUM Blu-ray. Image courtesy
of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2011 .hack Conglomerate　
© Quantum Project

Distributor FUNimation Entertainment will release the complete OVA (original video animation) series .hack//QUANTUM (ドットハック クワンタム, Dotto Hakku Kuwantamu, 2010) in a Blu-ray/DVD Combo pack on February 14th.

.hack//QUANTUM is the latest installment in the .hack franchise from Showgate, adapted from the .hack role-playing games created by Bandai Namco Games. This three episode OVA is animated by Kinema Citrus Studio and directed by Masaki Tachibana (TOKYO MAGNITUDE 8.0).

Tobias, Mary, and Sakuya are way into the world’s largest online fantasy role-playing game known as The World R:X. Together, they form an inseparable group, grinding toward the break of day and running dungeons in search of the artifacts of adventure.

But when the trio becomes lost in this virtual labyrinth, a chance encounter with the mysterious entity known only as Hermit will change their lives forever. There’s an eerie darkness spreading across The World, and once you stumble in, you may never make it out.
Continued…

Australian DVD and Blu-ray cover art for GANTZ: PERFECT ANSWER. Photos courtesy of Madman Entertainment.
© Hiroya Oku/Shueisha © 2011 Gantz Film Partners

Second Installment of the Popular GANTZ Franchise Streets February 15th
Source: Madman Entertainment
Official Movie Site: gantz-movie.com (Japan), gantzmovies.com (US)

The Australian label Madman Entertainment will release the box office hit GANTZ: PERFECT ANSWER (前編 PERFECT ANSWER, Gantsu Pafekuto Ansaa, 2011) on DVD (Region 4, PAL) and Blu-ray (Region B) in February 2012. The discs will feature a never-before seen extended version of the film with new scenes added.

Several months after the events of GANTZ 1, Kei Kurono (Kazunari Ninomiya) faces an impending alien invasion under the order of Gantz. As he closes in on the magical “100″ score to resurrect his friends, young pop star Eriko Ayukawa (Ayumi Ito) is being secretly ordered by Gantz to carry out assassinations, and cop Masamitsu Shigeta (Takayuki Yamada) inches closer towards finding out the truth about the invading aliens. As the missions get increasingly dangerous, Kurono discovers that the endgame for Gantz is quickly approaching with a massive bloody showdown with the aliens.
Continued…

Releases Based on the New Studio Ghibli Film Include Film Comics, Art and Picture Books
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Official Movie Site: karigurashi.jp (Japan), arrietty.com.au (Australia), disney.go.com/arrietty (US)
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

The Secret World of Arrietty Film Comic Volume 1.
Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2010 GNDHDDTW

VIZ Media, LLC, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, brings the miniaturized adventure of famed Studio Ghibli’s newest animated creation — THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY (借りぐらしのアリエッティ, Karigurashi no Arrietty, 2010) — to readers everywhere with a collection of Arrietty film comics, art and picture books set to debut on February 7th, 2012. THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY is scheduled for North American theatrical release on February 17th, 2012.

THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY is based on the celebrated novel, The Borrowers, by Mary Norton and was produced by Studio Ghibli, the famed animation company founded by Hayao Miyazaki, which also created SPIRITED AWAY, PRINCESS MONONOKE, HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE and PONYO. The new film, with planning/screenplay by Hayao Miyazaki and directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, will feature the voice talents of Bridget Mendler, Amy Poehler, Carol Burnett and Will Arnett for its English language release.

“Fans and readers of all ages won’t want to miss these new additions to VIZ Media’s Studio Ghibli Library of titles,” says Masumi Washington, Senior Director, Editorial. “Studio Ghibli has mastered the ability to tell poignant and engaging stories that captivate both children and adults, and their latest film, THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY, continues this tradition. Our forthcoming picture book and film comics are fun ways for young readers to visit the world of ARRIETTY while the gorgeous art book will be a must-have for the ardent Studio Ghibli fan or those who want to know more about the evolution of the film. Discover the adventures in-store for this band of ‘borrowers’ in these new releases scheduled for February!”
Continued…

LUST IN HELL – EDGE OF THE WORLD © 2009 Takeshobo Inc. END CALL © 2008 The MonteCristo Fund LLC/ T.O Entertainment.

Source: Asian Crush, Media Blasters, Inc.

The home video label Asian Crush, a division of Asian Media Rights, has announced the Region 1 DVD release of the Japanese horror films END CALL (エンドコール, Endokoru, 2008) and LUST IN HELL – EDGE OF THE WORLD (妖美伝奇 新説 牡丹灯籠 壱 この世の果て, Bi Denki Shinsetsu Botandourou Ichi Kono Yono Hate, 2009). Asian Crush titles are distributed by Media Blasters.
Continued…

The digital releases of Naruto, Bleach and One Piece are now current with each series’ publication in Japan. Photos courtesy of VIZ Media.
Naruto © 1999 by Masashi Kishimoto/Shueisha Inc. Bleach © 2001 Tite Kubo/Shueisha Inc. Inc. One Piece © 1997 Eiichiro Oda/Shueisha Inc.

Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Official Site: VIZManga.com
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

At long last, the day fans have been waiting for is here — digital volumes of Bleach Vol. 53, Naruto Vol. 58 and One Piece Vol. 64 are now available on VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App for iPad, iPhone & iPod touch, catching North American readers up to Japan releases!

These volumes have been released ahead of the print editions as part of the SHONEN JUMP DIGITAL WARP speed up to get U.S. readers up to date with Japan, just in time for the debut of Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha (Weekly SJ Alpha) this Monday, January 30th.
Continued…

Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release
Official Site: toei-anim.co.jp/dragonz (Japan), funimation.com/dragon-ball-z (US)
Special Thanks to Michelle Lee and Scott Lonski

FUNimation’s plans to release DRAGON BALL Z
on Blu-ray are now on hold. © 1989 Toei
Animation Co., Ltd.

FUNimation Entertainment has officially confirmed they have suspended production of all future planned Blu-ray releases of DRAGON BALL Z including Level 2.1 scheduled to be released on March 27, 2012.

Blu-ray editions of DRAGON BALL Z went into production based on fan demand, however due to technical challenges of restoring from the original film frame by frame, we are unable to continue these releases by way of this process. FUNimation will be re-evaluating the current process and researching more efficient methods of restoration.
Continued…

Packaging for the DVD and Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack of BLADE OF KINGS. Photos courtesy of Well Go USA. © 2004 Emperor Entertainment Group

Donnie Yen, Jackie Chan and Bing Bing Fan Star in an Epic Tale with Cutting Edge Martial Arts
Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications
Special Thanks to Leif Hellend

Donnie Yen (IP MAN), Jackie Chan (SHAOLIN, 1911) and Bing Bing Fan (SHAOLIN, MY WAY) star in the epic action adventure BLADE OF KINGS (千機變II花都大戰, Chin gei bin 2: Fa dou daai jin, aka THE TWINS EFFECT II, 2004), debuting on Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack and DVD March 6th from Well Go USA Entertainment.

The all-star cast also includes Charlene Choi (TRIPLE TAP, THE JADE AND THE PEARL), Gillian Chung (VAMPIRE EFFECT), and Hong Kong Film Award nominee for Best Newcomer Jaycee Chan (1911) in the tale of Charcoal Head, a humble boy born to rule an empire who must first undertake his journey to claim his throne in the mythical land of Huadu. Nominated for four Hong Kong Film Awards, including Best Visual Effects, the film was directed by Patrick Leung and Cory Yuen.
Continued…

Zoffy flies over a street near the fomrer offices of Tsuburaya Productions. Photo by Daisuke Ishizuka. © 2012 Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd.

Tsuburaya Productions’ Characters on Display in Their Old Hometown
Author: Daisuke Ishizuka

Ultraman statue located outside Soshigaya-Okura station.
Photo by Daisuke Ishizuka. © 2012 Tsuburaya Productions
Co., Ltd.

From 1963-2005, Tsuburaya Productions — the television and film company behind the long-running Ultraman franchise — had their headquarters in the residential Kinuta and Okura districts of Tokyo’s Setagaya Ward. Tsuburaya Pro moved into their new offices in Hachimanyama, Setagaya, Tokyo after being purchased by the TYO Group in 2007.

For a time, the Kinuta office was maintained as an editing and computer graphic imaging facility. The second floor of the building was also used as a warehouse to store the monster suits, masks and costumes from the various Ultraman movies and shows. But Tsuburaya eventually decided to to move these departments to Hachimanyama as well, and the Kinuta branch was shut down on February 6, 2008. The property was sold to developers who demolished the office and replaced it with an apartment building.

The Soshigaya-Okura station on the Odakyu-line was the closest train station to the original Tsuburaya Productions offices. And even though Tsuburaya has moved to another city, the area around Soshigaya-Okura is still named “Ultra Town” because many Ultramen can still be seen there.
Continued…

It’s Time for the Final Showdown
Official Site: tekken-bloodvengeance.com (Japan)
Source: The Associates press release

UK DVD cover art. Photo courtesy of The Associates.
© 2010 Studio Bicolor Co., Ltd

Seiji Chiba, director of the cult hits NINJA GIRL, ALIEN VS NINJA and ROGUE NINJA, brings a further helping of period-set ninja action to the screen with NINJA BATTLE (忍邪, Sengoku: Iga No Ran, 2010), starring Aiko Ito (ULTRAMAN MENIUS & ULTRAMAN BROTHERS; BLAST-DRAGON TASK FORCE ABARANGER), Shuji Kashiwabara (ALIEN VS NINJA), Daisuke Nagakura (BIG MAN JAPAN), Kentaro Shimazu (ROBO-GEISHA; TOKYO GORE POLICE; THE MACHINE GIRL) and Ben Hiura (ALIEN VS NINJA; ZATOICHI).

A cerebral ninja movie full of twists and intrigue, NINJA BATTLE also capably delivers the martial arts and swordplay action promised by its title as once again Seiji Chiba proves himself to be one of the genre’s leading cult directors.

NINJA BATTLE (cert. 15) will be released on DVD (Region 2, PAL) in the United Kingdom by MVM on February 6th.
Continued…

Photo courtesy of FanimeCon. © 2012 FanimeCon.

New Addition to Anime Convention in San Jose, CA
Source: FanimeCon press release
Official Site: fanime.com
Special Thanks to Milton Le

FanimeCon, in partnership with the Steam Federation, is proud to announce Clockwork Alchemy! This new additional convention for steampunk fans will be held during Memorial Day weekend, May 25th–28th, 2012, the same weekend as FanimeCon. A single membership will grant access to both FanimeCon in the San Jose Convention Center area and Clockwork Alchemy in the DoubleTree Hotel.

Clockwork Alchemy is a creative exploration of the world of steampunk, a fantastical past that never was but should have been. Steampunk is a world of incredible machines, daring heroes, bold inventors, mad scientists, and adventure at every turn, all set in a time when steam powered the world and the possibilities were endless!
Continued…

Modern girl Akari Yoshiyama (Riisa Naka) travels back in time to 1974 in TIME TRAVELLER: THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME,
the live-action adaptation of the classic novel. © 2010 Time Traveller Film Partners

Source: Asian Crush, Media Blasters, Inc.
Official Movie Site: tokikake.jp (Japan)

DVD cover art. © 2010 Time Traveller Film Partners

The live-action feature film TIME TRAVELLER: THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME (時をかける少女, Toki o Kakeru Shojo, 2010) is coming to DVD in North America on January 24th. It is the newest adaptation of the original 1967 novel The Girl Who Leapt Through Time by Yasutaka Tsutsui, previously the basis for a classic 1983 live-action movie and an award winning 2006 animated film.

TIME TRAVELLER: THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME is the first movie from director Masaaki Taniguchi (SNOW FLAKE). The film stars Riisa Naka (ZEBRAMAN 2: ATTACK ON ZEBRA CITY), who provided the voice of the lead character, Makoto Konono, in the anime adaptation. Riisa was named “Rookie of the Year” at the 2011 Japanese Academy Awards and “Best New Artist” at the 2010 Nikkan Sports Film Awards.

TIME TRAVELLER: THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME will be released by the home video label Asian Crush, a division of Asian Media Rights. Asian Crush titles are distributed by Media Blasters.
Continued…

Source: Sentai Filmworks press release
Official Site: starchild.co.jp/papakiki (Japan)
Special Thanks to David Williams

Key art for LISTEN TO ME, GIRLS. I AM YOUR FATHER! © 2012
King Record Co., Ltd.

Sentai Filmworks has announced the licensing of LISTEN TO ME, GIRLS. I AM YOUR FATHER! (パパのいうことを聞きなさい! Papa no Iu Koto o Kikinasai!, 2012), the wild new anime series that takes the classic sit-com premise of ‘a bachelor being forced to adopt three young children and discovering a whole new outlook on life’ and turns it completely on its head!

Based on the series of novels by Tomohiro Matsu and the subsequent manga series illustrated by Yuka Nakajima, the 12 episode series is directed by Itsuro Kawasaki (LICENSED BY ROYALTY, RENTAL MAGICA, ARC THE LAD,) while series composition is handled by veteran Naruhisa Arakawa (STEEL ANGEL KURUMI, DNANGEL, BLUE SEED) while key animator Takashi Mamezuka (INFINITE STRATOS, EDEN OF THE EAST,) takes up the task of adapting Nakajima’s original designs.

LISTEN TO ME, GIRLS. I AM YOUR FATHER! will be available digitally through multiple outlets, with a home video release on subtitled DVD scheduled for later this year.
Continued…

New Documentary Series Examines the Dynamic Film Scene of China, Taiwan, India, Korea and Iran
Source: Madman Entertainment press release

Cover art for the CINEMA ASIA DVD. Photo courtesy of
Madman Entertainment. © 2010 SCANNÁIN INBHEAR

CINEMA ASIA is a five-part documentary series that takes the viewer into the most dynamic film scene on the planet. Asia houses some of the world’s biggest film industries: India boasts that it is the Number One film producing country in the world, while China, at Number Three is nipping closely at Hollywood’s heels. Taiwan, Korea and Iran have film industries that are smaller, but no less vibrant. Punching far above their weight these national cinemas have taken their place on the international stage. Long trapped within their own national boundaries, these national cinemas have in recent years burst onto international screens. They have even taken the charts Number One slot in the home of cinema itself – Hollywood.

CINEMA ASIA offers the viewer a rich mix of clips from some of the most important films produced in recent years. Interviews with their makers provide a unique window not only on the world of film-making, but on the cultures that have made them. In an age of incessant and irresistible globalization these programmes show how national cinemas fight against the Hollywoodization of global cinema.

CINEMA ASIA will air on Australia’s public broadcasting network SBS (Special Broadcasting Service) in January and February, 2012. Madman Entertainment will release the complete series on DVD on March 21st.
Continued…

The computer animated feature film TEKKEN: BLOOD VENGEANCE will be released on DVD next month in the United Kingdom.
Image courtesy of The Associates. © 2011 Namco Bandai Games, Inc.

Visually Stunning CG Animated Feature Based on the Smash Hit Video Game Series
Source: The Associates press release
Official Site: tekken-bloodvengeance.com (Japan)

UK DVD cover art. Photo courtesy of The Associates.
© 2011 Namco Bandai Games, Inc.

Prepare yourself for a severe case of eye candy overload courtesy of director Youichi Mouri’s brand new, full-length CG feature film, TEKKEN: BLOOD VENGEANCE (鉄拳 ブラッド・ベンジェンス, Tekken Buraddo Benjensu, 2011), based on the phenomenally successful video game franchise and coming to DVD (Region 2, PAL) in the United Kingdom on February 6th, 2012.

Scripted by the hugely talented Dai Sato, whose impressive list of previous writing credits includes GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX, COWBOY BEBOP, EDEN OF THE EAST, CASSHERN and SAMURAI CHAMPLOO, TEKKEN: BLOOD VENGEANCE is a visually stunning work of CG animation that brings together sexy ass-kicking heroes and heroines, winged mutant monsters, awesome mecha weaponry, bone-crunching martial arts action, a super-hot android and a panda (yes, a panda!) in one explosive package of mind-blowing entertainment.

Delivering all the beautifully rendered and superbly choreographed thrill-a-minute combat action one would expect from a Tekken movie – as well as much, much more – TEKKEN: BLOOD VENGEANCE is the ultimate Tekken experience, one like no other.
Continued…

BROKEN BLADE Available on February 21st
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 February slate of releases; including BROKEN BLADE. The heavy metal mecha action series will be released on both DVD and Blu-Ray by Section23 client, Sentai Filmworks.

Also scheduled for February are XAM’D: LOST MEMORIES COMPLETE COLLECTION on DVD and Blu-ray, and DVD editions of A-CHANNEL COMPLETE COLLECTION and HELL GIRL: THREE VESSELS COMPLETE COLLECTION.

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

Veteran homicide detective Cho Sang-gil (Song Kang-ho) and eager rookie detective Cha Eun-young (Lee Na-young) investigate a series of bizarre murders.
Photo courtesy of CJ Entertainment and Opus Pictures. © 2011 CJ Entertainment, Opus Pictures

Additional Promotional Materials for the Upcoming Korean Thriller
Author: Kim Song-ho
Source: CJ Entertainment, Opus Pictures
Official Website: howling2012.co.kr

Korean theatrical poster for HOWLING. Photo courtesy
of CJ Entertainment and Opus Pictures. © 2011 CJ
Entertainment, Opus Pictures

CJ Entertainment and Opus Pictures recently released a new trailer, behind-the-scenes clip and several new stills for HOWLING (하울링), a new thriller that opens February 9 in Korea.

HOWLING is about a series of murders, presumably committed by a wolfdog, and two detectives who pursue the real culprit. Song Kang-ho, of MEMORIES OF MURDER (살인의 추억, Salinui chueok, 2003), THE HOST (괴물, Gwoemul, 2006), SECRET SUNSHINE (밀양, Milyang, 2007) and THIRST (박쥐, Bakjwi, 2009) fame, stars as Cho Sang-gil, a veteran detective and Lee Na-young, who is well known for her starring roles in WHO ARE YOU? (후아유, 2002), SOMEONE SPECIAL (아는 여자, Aneun yeoja, 2004) and MAUNDY THURSDAY (우리들의 행복한 시간, Urideul-ui haengbok-han shigan, 2006), plays Cha Eun-young, a rookie detective.

HOWLING is based on the Japanese novel The Hunter (凍える牙, Kogoeru Kiba, 1996) by Asa Nonami, which won Naoki Prize, one of the most prestigious literary awards of Japan. It is the new film by poet-turned-director Yoo Ha, whose filmography includes ONCE UPON A TIME IN HIGH SCHOOL (말죽거리 잔혹사, Maljukgeori janhoksa, 2004), A DIRTY CARNIVAL (비열한 거리, Biyeolhan geori, 2006) and A FROZEN FLOWER (쌍화점, Ssang-hwa-jeom, 2008).
Continued…

Popular Ultra Series Characters Enjoy a Day at the Amusement Park
Author: Daisuke Ishizuka

Author Daisuke Ishizuke with Dada. Photo courtesy of
Daisuke Ishizuka. © 2012 Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd.

January 9, 2012 was a national holiday in Japan known as “Coming of Age Day” (成人の日, Seijin no Hi). The holiday is held each year on the second Monday of January, and celebrates those Japanese who — over the past year — turned 20 years old, the age one is considered an adult can legally vote, drink and smoke (and be tried as an adult in court). Throughout the day, special ceremonies honoring the new adults (新成人, Shin Seijin) were held at cities across Japan. Young women dress up in fancy, fur-lined silk kimonos called furisodes while men wear suits or traditional hakama.

The Yomiuriland amusement park in Inagi City, Tokyo decided to celebrate Coming of Age Day in a unique and fun way. Just as the English language has words that have the same spelling or pronunciation but separate meanings, so does Japanese. So a 20 year-old Japanese person is called a “Seijin”, but Seijin has another meaning in spoken Japanese… it also means “alien”.

Therefore, “Alien Day” was held instead of Coming of Age Day at Yomiuriland on January 9th. Popular alien characters from Tsuburaya Productions’ Ultraman series spent the day at the amusement park; posing for photos, clowning around with attendees and having a good time.
Continued…