NEW PEOPLE in San Francisco has announced a week of festivities leading up to their 2010 J-Pop Summit Festival.
Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2010 VIZ Media

Japanese Film, Fashion, Music and Art Celebrated in a Week of Activities Leading Up to All-Day Event Showcasing the Best in Modern Asian Popular Culture
Source: VIZ Pictures, MediaLab press releases
Official Site: J-Pop.com
Special Thanks to Erik Jansen

More than 33,000 people attended the 2009 J-Pop Summit Festival which marked
the grand opening of NEW PEOPLE. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2010 VIZ
Media

NEW PEOPLE, a dynamic entertainment destination bringing the latest examples of Japanese popular culture to North American shores, will expand its upcoming 2010 J-Pop Summit Festival, happening on Saturday, September 18th in San Francisco’s Japantown, with a special series of events taking place at the venue each night during the week leading up to the Festival.

Beginning on Monday, September 13th and continuing every evening through Friday, September 17th, different aspects of Japanese and Asian film, anime, fashion design, music and other forms of pop culture will be celebrated in a series of unique screenings, interactive discussions, multimedia presentations and live performances. Special gift bags containing a variety of fun premiums will be given to all ticket holders each night.
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DVD cover art for CASSHERN SINS. Photos courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2008 Tatsunoko Production/ Casshern Sins Project

Source: FUNimation Entertainment
Official Site: casshern-sins.jp (Japan), funimation.com/casshernsins (US)
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Manny Alcala

The complete 24 episode anime series CASSHERN SINS (Kyashan Sins, 2008) has been released on North American DVD and Blu-ray by FUNimation Entertainment. The series is loosely based on the original NEO-HUMAN CASSHERN (Shinzo Ningen Casshan, aka CASSHAN), a 1973 superhero show produced Tatsunoko Production (SPEED RACER, GATCHAMAN). CASSHERN SINS is set in a post-apocalyptic world where mankind is nearly extinct. Robots far outnumber humans, but the inhospitable environment has begun to destroy even their metal bodies as well. Into this world comes the humanoid cyborg Casshern. Extremely powerful but suffering from amnesia, the first things Casshern discovers is that he is responsible for what has befallen the world… and now everyone wants to kill him.
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New Audio CD Acts as Your Guide to Akihabara
Source: White Rabbit Press press release
Official Website: www.TokyoRealtime.com

Cover for White Rabbit Press’ Akihabra audio tour.
© 2010 White Rabbit Press

White Rabbit Press is proud to release the world’s first professionally produced audio guided walking tour for Tokyo’s Akihabara district.

With TOKYO REALTIME: Akihabara, visitors and residents alike can experience a unique behind-the-scenes tour of Tokyo’s ‘Electric Town’, a subculture hotspot for anime, games, manga, maids and more. Assisted by his sentient GPS ‘Navi’, Akihabara expert Patrick W. Galbraith, author of The Otaku Encyclopedia, guides visitors through all the must-see places. Patrick provides historical background and cultural insight along the way, as well as breaking down insider jargon such as otagei, moé and itasha.

The release of TOKYO REALTIME: Akihabara marks the second volume in the highly-acclaimed Tokyo Realtime audio tour series. Interweaving narration and interviews within a soundscape of location ambience and music, Tokyo Realtime audio travel guides deliver a seamless mix of adventure and cultural insight while navigating real-world spaces.
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Eva Units 02 and 00 battle the Angel Sahaquiel in EVANGELION 2.0: YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE. The film will be released in North America next year
by FUNimation Entertainment. © 2009 Khara

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

FUNimation Entertainment announced that it has acquired the North American home entertainment, broadcast, digital and merchandise rights to the animated sci-fi action film EVANGELION: 2.0 YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE (Evangelion Shin Gekijoban: Ha, 2009) from international sales agent NTV (Nippon Television Network). FUNimation will release the film on Region 1 DVD and Blu-ray in 2011.
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Popular Anime Film Plays in September
Source: Barbican Centre, Sarah Harvey Publicity press release
Special Thanks to Helene Muron

Japanese poster art for EUREKA SEVEN: THE MOVIE.
© 2009 Bones/ Project Eureka Movie

The Barbican Centre in London continues their JAPANIMATION event series in September with EUREKA SEVEN: THE MOVIE. The screening will once again be introduced by anime expert and author Helen McCarthy (The Anime! Movie Guide, Hayao Miyazaki: Master of Japanese Animation, and founder of the magazine AnimeFX).

JAPANIMATION
Friday 24 September, 8.30pm
EUREKA SEVEN: THE MOVIE (Kokyoshihen Eureka Sebun: Poketto ga Niji de Ippai, 2009)
Director: Tomoki Kyoda
Running Time: 115 min
Certification: 12A*
In Japanese with English Subtitles

EUREKA SEVEN: THE MOVIE is a complete re-imagining of the popular TV series, an emotional tale of love and survival amid spectacular aerial maneuvers. When Renton is cruelly separated from his childhood playmate Eureka, a girl who cannot survive in sunlight, he vows to rescue her. Years later Renton, a mecha pilot on the airship Gekko, is finally reunited with the girl he loves, only to discover her true nature and dark fate.
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Source: FUNimation Entertainment press releases
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Manny Alcala

MASTER OF MARTIAL HEARTS cover art, courtesy of
FUNimation Entertainment. © Master of Martial
Hearts Committee

FUNimation Entertainment has provided details on their new and upcoming Region 1 anime DVD and Blu-ray releases.

Read on for cover art and specs for…
MY BRIDE IS A MERMAID, Parts 1 and 2
SOUL EATER Part 4
DRAGON BALL Season 5
ONE PIECE: SEASON 3- SECOND VOYAGE
MASTER OF MARTIAL HEARTS
FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: BROTHERHOOD Part 2
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Three of the amazing works created by anime director Satoshi Kon. MILLENNIUM ACTRESS image courtesy of The Associates. © 2001 Chiyoko Committee.
TOKYO GODFATHERS courtesy of Sony Pictures. © 2003 Satoshi Kon, Madhouse and Tokyo Godfathers Committee. PARANOIA AGENT courtesy of The
Associates. © 2004 Satoshi Kon • Madhouse / Paranoia Agent Committee.

Internationally Acclaimed Anime Director has Died
Author: Kyle Byrd
Source: Tokyo Shimbun, Anime News Network, Polymetrica, Sony Pictures Classics, The Associates, various

Satoshi Kon died this past Tuesday.

On Tuesday, August 24, renowned anime director Satoshi Kon passed away from pancreatic cancer at the young age of 46. Along with films like Katsuhiro Otomo’s AKIRA (1988) and Mamorou Oshi’s GHOST IN THE SHELL (1995), Kon’s films such as PERFECT BLUE (1997) and PAPRIKA (2006) helped popularize mature-themed Japanese animation in the United States by showing the West that animated films didn’t have to be for children. Kon’s films were often subversive, complex, and surreal examinations of the human condition, and he would prove to be an influence on filmmakers the world over.
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Source: Madman Entertainment
Special Thanks to Ben Pollock and Philippa Lamb

DVD cover art for 20TH CENTURY BOYS Trilogy. Photo
courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 1999, 2006 Naoki
Urasawa, Studio Nuts/ Shogakukan. © 2009 “20th Century
Boys” Film Partners

The Australian distributor Madman Entertainment is releasing a mix of anime and Asian live action titles on Region 4 DVD in September, 2010. The selection includes:

FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: BROTHERHOOD Collection 2
ONE PIECE (Uncut) Collection
MY BRIDE IS A MERMAID Collection 1
BAKUGAN: NEW VESTROIA Collection 2
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Collection 3
JYU-OH-SEI (PLANET OF THE BEAST KING) Collection
NANA Collection 2
INITIAL D FOURTH STAGE Collection 2
KUROKAMI Collection 1
BLEACH Vol 26
20TH CENTURY BOYS Trilogy
and MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM 00 Second Season Vol 1

Read on for plot descriptions, DVD specs, cover art, and more.
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XAM’D Blu Ray Available on September 21st
Source: Section23 Films press release
Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff

BLUE DROP COMPLETE COLLECTION. Photo
courtesy of Section23 Films.

Home video distributor Section23 Films has provided product details for their September 2010 slate of releases, including XAM’D COLLECTION 1 on DVD and Blu-ray, GOLGO 13 COLLECTION 2, BLUE DROP COMPLETE COLLECTION, DVD and Blu-ray editions of GHOST HOUND COMPLETE COLLECTION, and HELL GIRL: THREE VESSELS COLLECTION 1.

Read on for plot descriptions, DVD/Blu-ray specs, and cover art for all these titles.
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The Studio Ghibli animated film TALES FROM EARTHSEA is now playing in American theaters. Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Studios.
©2006 Nibariki – GNDHDDT

Images and Production Notes from Walt Disney Studios
Source: Walt Disney Studios
Official Movie Site: disneypictures/earthsea (US)

On August 13th, Studio Ghibli’s TALES FROM EARTHSEA (Gedo Senki, 2006) began a limited theatrical run in the United States through Walt Disney Studios Distribution. Disney has released most of Ghibli’s films in the US, but TALES FROM EARTHSEA was delayed for several years since author Ursula Le Guin’s Earthsea novels had previously been optioned for film and television by Hallmark Entertainment.

The film was directed by Goro Miyazaki, son of Studio Ghibli co-founder and legend Hayao Miyazaki. While the works of the elder Miyazaki are revered worldwide, reviews for Goro’s directorial debut have been much less enthusiastic.
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Vampires, Soul Reapers, Ninja, Mangaka, and Romance Heat Up the Summer
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

Bakuman。, the new manga from the
creators of Death Note. Photo courtesy of
VIZ Media. © 2008 Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi
Obata/ Shueisha Inc.

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, will delight anime fans with several exciting new DVD and manga releases scheduled for the summer.

Anime titles are scheduled to include the North American debut of VAMPIRE KNIGHT, as well as the latest episodic releases of the popular BLEACH and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN series and a new POKÉMON collection. This summer also sees the launch of brand new manga series set to tantalize the most discriminating manga tastes and features romantic dramas, fantasy driven action, the trials of aspiring manga creators, and a tasty slice of life story set in a romantic bistro in Rome.
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More than 100,000 fans flocked to last month’s Anime Expo in Los Angeles.

Photos from America’s Largest Anime and Manga Convention
Authors: Chris Taylor and Daisy Evans, Not Interested Entertainment
Official Site: anime-expo.org

Anime Expo was held again this year at the Los Angeles Convention Center in downtown Los Angeles, California. The event was, as always, attended by many thousands of fans from across the country (more than 100,000 people attended according to official statements from the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation). Many of these fans were wearing everything from simple to stunningly elaborate costume creations from a wide range of sources including anime, manga, Japanese culture (such as many Morning Musume and various visual kei bands), as well as those dressed in the style of Elegant Gothic Lolita (EGL).
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After numerous false starts, the YAMATO saga is successfully revived with the feature film SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO: RESURRECTION.
© 2009 Space Battleship Yamato Film Partners

Author: Ed Godziszewski
Official Site: yamato2009

English language sales flier for SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO:
RESURRECTION. © 2009 Space Battleship Yamato Film
Partners

SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO: RESURRECTION marks the return of the YAMATO saga to the big screen after nearly 30 years. Arguably the biggest animation franchise at the time that Japanese animation made its mark on the world, YAMATO has been conspicuous by its absence for all these years. Never mind that the ship was destroyed in FINAL YAMATO… Yamato has been rebuilt before, and besides, no one and no thing is ever REALLY dead in science fiction. The lack of new YAMATO stories during this time was probably for the best– you just can’t keep threatening earth with calamity, then destroying and reviving the ship every year– not without eventually losing even the most devoted fans. After FINAL YAMATO, the series needed a break, and a long one.

But with all the advancements in technology that have occurred since Yamato last flew a mission, the idea of bringing it back to the big screen had fans of the original intrigued about the possibilities. The original films and TV series were made when technique was limited and the animation almost primitive by today’s standards. And, every bit as important, with the passing of series composer Hiroshi Miyagawa, what would the producers do for a musical score? Miyagawa’s distinctive sounds are almost as completely entwined with YAMATO as Akira Ifukube has been with Godzilla. How would YAMATO make the transition to the 21st century?
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The Ju-On curse celebrates its 10th anniversary with the new film THE GRUDGE: WHITE GHOST/BLACK GHOST, coming to Australian DVD from Madman.
Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 2009 Toei Video Co., Ltd. /Cell

Source: Madman Entertainment
Special Thanks to Philippa Lamb

KAMUI. Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment.
© 2009 KAMUI Film Partners

The Australian distributor Madman Entertainment is releasing several anime and Asian live action titles on Region 4 DVD in August, 2010, including movies not yet available in North America.

The selection includes the latest JU-ON film THE GRUDGE: WHITE GHOST/BLACK GHOST; the third volume of IKKI TOUSEN DRAGON DESTINY SEASON 2; new collections of GURREN LAGANN, NANA, KURAU PHANTOM MEMORY, SOUL EATER and LINEBARRELS OF IRON; the ninja adventure KAMUI starring Kenichi Matsuyama; and the revamped DRAGON BALL Z KAI COLLECTION 1.

Read on for plot descriptions, DVD specs, cover art, and more.
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Disney/Pixar and Toho characters are the focus of the next two waves of figures in Kayodo’s Sci-Fi Revoltech line.
Mogera and Mothra © Toho Co., Ltd. Buzz Lightyear and Woody © Disney/Pixar. © 2010 Kaiyodo Co., Ltd.

The Latest Series Brings Two more Characters from Toho’s Tokusatsu Universe Plus an Exclusive
Author: John “Dutch” DeSentis
Official Site: kaiyodo.co.jp/revoltech

The Kaiyodo Company’s Sci-Fi Revoltech series continues to bring great, super-articulated figures of popular science fiction characters to the hands of collectors. Thus far, the only Toho character represented has been the monster Baragon from Wave 2. Thankfully, that will change on September 1st, as a figure based on Mothra (1961 style) will join Mogera (1957 style). The previous month sees Buzz Lightyear and Woody from the Disney/Pixar TOY STORY movies. Reportedly the Tyrannosaurus Rex from JURASSIC PARK, Jason Vorhees from the FRIDAY THE 13TH series, and a Type-1966 Maser Tank from WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS will follow in the next few months.
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Source: Section23 Films press release
Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff

PRINCESS RESURRECTION COMPLETE COLLECTION.
Photo courtesy of Section23 Films.

Home video distributor Section23 Films has provided product details for their August 2010 slate of releases, including PRINCESS RESURRECTION COMPLETE COLLECTION, LA CORDA D’ORO ~ PRIMO PASSO COLLECTION 2, SHIGOFUMI COMPLETE COLLECTION, and TYTANIA COLLECTION 1, the new epic space opera from the team behind the legendary anime MACROSS. Read on for plot descriptions, DVD specs, and cover art for all these titles.
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Legendary Voice Actor and Director Has Died
Source: Bill Winckler

Writer, director, and voice actor Peter Fernandez died today.

SciFi Japan was just informed that Peter Fernandez passed away this morning from lung cancer. Long acknowledged as one of the best in the business, Fernandez was a voice actor and dubbing director for the American versions of dozens of films and television series… his long list of credits include such favorites as ULTRAMAN, ASTRO BOY, GODZILLA VS THE SEA MONSTER, THE SPACE GIANTS, SON OF GODZILLA, GIGANTOR, STAR BLAZERS, the Sergio Leone/Clint Eastwood spaghetti westerns… and even a “clean version” of George Romero’s DAY OF THE DEAD. He may be best known for his work on SPEED RACER, in which he voiced both Speed and Racer X and also wrote the English lyrics for the show’s theme song.

Our condolences to Peter’s family and friends. SciFi Japan will be following with a full tribute soon, but in the meantime please see our 2009 interview with Peter in which he discusses his life and career, and our overview of Peter’s work on SPEED RACER.

Personal Appearances, Activities, and Show Exclusives
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

An early look at the design for VIZ Media’s 2010 Comic-Con International tote
bag. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media.

VIZ Media, LLC has announced an exciting roster of personal appearances, panel discussions, events, giveaways and convention exclusives for 2010 Comic-Con International. Comic-Con is the nation’s largest comic book and science fiction event, and takes place July 21-25 at the San Diego Convention Center, CA. VIZ Media will be located in Booth 2813.

The VIZ Media booth will be an exciting destination on the show floor for fans, with a variety of fun activities and exclusive products available for purchase during special times throughout the show.
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Anime Expo 2010 logo, courtesy of Anime Expo. © 1992-2010 Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation.

Source: Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation press release
Official Site: anime-expo.org
Special Thanks to Kimberly Groomes

Anime Expo (AX), North America’s largest anime and manga event, has concluded its most successful event ever – a four-day event at the Los Angeles Convention Center that drew over 100,000 fans of Japanese animation, manga (comic books) and pop culture. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa visited Anime Expo 2010 and joined Lattanzio in making the announcement that Anime Expo will be in Los Angeles through 2013. Collectively, the event is expected to generate more than $100 million citywide in the next three years.
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Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Official Site: ShonenSunday.com
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

Check out 7 seasons and three films from the hit anime
INUYASHI on iTunes, Hulu and VIZAnime.com. Photo
courtesy of VIZ Media. © Rumiko Takahashi /Shogakukan
Inc. • Yomiuri TV • Sunrise 2009

VIZ Media announces a new promotion for INUYAHSA episodes and feature films (all rated ‘T’ for Teens) available now from the iTunes Store in the U.S. and Canada, as well as the streaming content provider HULU and VIZAnime.com, the company’s premier website for anime.

iTunes will offer the first three INUYASHA feature films (dubbed) – INUYASHA THE MOVIE: AFFECTIONS TOUCHING ACROSS TIME, INUYASHA THE MOVIE 2: THE CASTLE BEYOND THE LOOKING GLASS, and INUYASHA THE MOVIE 3: SWORDS OF AN HONORABLE RULER, for a special Download-To-Own (DTO) sale price of $4.99 (U.S.) each until August 3rd. Additionally, INUYASHA TV episode 1 is available to download for FREE, and episodes 2-167, covering Seasons 1-7, will be 50% off and available for iTunes users to download for only $0.99 each.

HULU will stream INUYASHA: AFFECTIONS TOUCHING ACROSS TIME (subtitled) for free until August 11th; it will also be available during the same period on VIZAnime.com, the free-to-use interactive web destination that is the permanent home to some of the company’s best-loved animated series.

INUYASHA is a hit TV anime series is based on a massively popular manga (also published by VIZ Media, rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens) by famed creator Rumiko Takahashi, who won the prestigious Shogakukan Manga Award for the series in 2002. Many of Takahashi’s titles have been adapted into other media such as anime, live-action TV series, and film. The INUYASHA anime series ran for 167 episodes in total and has also spawned an exciting finale series, INUYASHA THE FINAL ACT (also available on VIZAnime.com), as well as several successful feature films.
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