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…

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…

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.
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Free Event in West Hollywood Gives Sneak Peek at North America’s First Digital Weekly Manga Anthology
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Official Site: VIZManga.com
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

Cover for the first issue of the new digital manga
magazine Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha. Photo
courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2011 VIZ Media LLC

VIZ Media, LLC, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, invites Southern California manga/anime fans and pop culture enthusiasts to a very special launch event for the new Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha (Weekly SJ Alpha) on Saturday, January 28th at the West Hollywood Library in Los Angeles, CA.

The event is FREE to attend and takes place between 2:00pm-5:00pm in the library’s Community Room. The West Hollywood Library is located at 625 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069. Additional library details are available at colapublib.org/libs/whollywood.

During the event, attendees will be able to preview the first issue of Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha content on several iPads that will be available, meet VIZ Media staff, and take advantage of fun photo opportunities with the world’s most popular ninja, Naruto, and Bleach’s Kon. Gift bags will be given away (while supplies last) and attendees can enter to win other fun prizes in a special raffle contest. Japanese snacks such as Pocky provided by Ezaki Glico USA and other refreshments will also be served while supplies last.
Continued…

Arrietty fends off a threatening insect. © 2010 GNDHDDTW

Production Details for the Studio Ghibli Animated Feature
Source: Madman Entertainment
Official Movie Site: karigurashi.jp (Japan), arrietty.com.au (Australia), disney.go.com/arrietty (US)

The animated feature ARRIETTY (借りぐらしのアリエッティ, Karigurashi no Arrietty, 2010) was another smash hit for Studio Ghibli, topping the Japanese box office for 2010. Based on Mary Norton’s novel The Borrowers, ARRIETTY is now being released theatrically in two major English language markets; Madman Entertainment will open the film in Australian cinemas on January 12, 2012, and Walt Disney Studios will release it in North America as THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY on February 17.

The following English language press notes for ARRIETTY are courtesy of Madman Entertainment.
Continued…

The mysterious men in black are looking for a fight in GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER, playing January 14th at NEW PEOPLE Cinema.
© Hiroya Oku/Shueisha © 2011 Gantz Film Partners

NEW PEOPLE in San Francisco to Screen GANTZ and GANTZ II on January 14th
Source: NEW PEOPLE Entertainment, MediaLab press release
Official Movie Site: gantz-movie.com (Japan), gantzmovies.com (US)
Special Thanks to Erik Jansen

NEW PEOPLE Entertainment celebrates the recently announced release of GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER on DVD/Blu-ray with a special series of screenings of the entire GANTZ film saga on Saturday, January 14th at the S.F. Film Society | NEW PEOPLE Cinema located in San Francisco’s Japantown. Tickets are $10. Additional ticket and film info is available at newpeopleworld.com/#gantz2.

GANTZ (Dubbed) 1:00pm
GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER (Dubbed) 4:00pm
GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER (Subtitled) 7:00pm

All those attending the screenings of GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER will receive a free full-color GANTZ poster. A special ticket bundle is also available for $25 (DVD) or $30 (Blu-ray) that includes a movie pass, poster, and either the DVD or Blu-ray release.
Continued…

Get Your Passport Today for Chance to Win Tickets to the Red Carpet Premiere Event in Los Angeles
Source: BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions press release
Official Site: am2con.org
Special Thanks to Chase Wang

FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: THE SACRED STAR OF MILOS will
screen at this year’s AM² convention. Pre-register now
for a chance to win two tickets to the film’s red carpet
premiere. © 2011 Hiromu Arakawa/ Hagaren the Movie

2012′s highly-anticipated animation, music and manga convention in Southern California, AM² (June 15-17, 2012 at the Anaheim Convention Center and Hotels) continues to bring more fun to fans with the screening of the long-awaited 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 this year’s event! Passport purchasers will also have a chance to attend the official premiere event in Los Angeles on January 20, 2012.

Passport purchasers will be automatically entered into the AM² Pre-Registration contest to potentially win two (2) tickets to the FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: THE SACRED STAR OF MILOS Red Carpet Premiere Event. It will be a night of entertainment for fans of the popular FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST franchise featuring an opportunity to walk the carpet, movie presentation, and a Q & A with both the Japanese director Kazuya Murata and the US Director Mike McFarland as well as members of the US voice cast including Vic Mignogna and BONES president, Masahiko Minami.

“We are working hard to bring you (the fans) the best in anime, manga and music entertainment from Asia”, states Chase Wang AM² representative, “Whether you are a casual or hard-core fan, we hope you will joins us for this truly amazing and fun fan event filled with anime, manga, j-rock, j-pop, cosplay and more!”
Continued…

A tiny girl befriends a young boy in the Studio Ghibli animated feature THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY. NYICFF will have a preview screening in NYC
before the film opens nationwide in the United States. © 2010 GNDHDDTW

Source: GKIDS Inc. press release
Official Event Site: gkids.tv/intheaters
Official Movie Site: karigurashi.jp (Japan), disney.go.com/arrietty (US)

NYICFF (New York Int’l Children’s Film Festival) is thrilled to present a special preview screening of Studio Ghibli’s THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY (借りぐらしのアリエッティ, Karigurashi no Arrietty, 2010), based on Mary Norton’s classic children’s book The Borrowers. Co-written by Hayao Miyazaki and directed by Miyazaki protégé Hiromasa Yonebayashi, the film is a gorgeous and entertaining treat – a beautiful story, sumptuously animated with all the loving detail, warmth, and humanity we have come to expect from Studio Ghibli’s finest works. THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY is currently certified 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

The screening will take place at 1:00pm on Saturday, January 21st at Symphony Space in New York City. This event is expected to sell out, so advance purchase is highly recommended.
Continued…

The tiny borrower Arrietty lives beneath the floorboards of mansion in the Studio Ghibli animated feature ARRIETTY.
Image courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 2010 GNDHDDTW

Discover a Secret World Within Our Own
Source: Madman Entertainment
Official Movie Site: karigurashi.jp (Japan), arrietty.com.au (Australia)

Australian theatrical poster for ARRIETTY, courtesy of
Madman Entertainment. © 2010 GNDHDDTW

The Studio Ghibli animated feature ARRIETTY (借りぐらしのアリエッティ, Karigurashi no Arrietty, 2010) will open in Australian cinemas on January 12, 2012, courtesy of distributor Madman Entertainment.

Madman will screen ARRIETTY in both English language and Original Japanese language versions with English subtitles. The English language track was recorded in the UK and features a different voice cast than will be heard in the upcoming US release (entitled THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY) from Walt Disney Studios. The UK cast includes Saoirse Ronan (THE LOVELY BONES, HANNA) as Arrietty, Tom Holland as Sho, Olivia Colman (HOT FUZZ) as Homily, Phyllida Law (UNLEASHED, THE WINTER GUEST) as Sadako, Luke Allen-Gale (CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER) as Spiller, Mark Strong (SHERLOCK HOLMES, GREEN LANTERN) as Pod and Geraldine McEwan (MISS MARPLE, WALLACE & GROMIT) as Haru.
Continued…

Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release
Official Movie Site: hagaren-movie.net (Japan), funimation.com/fullmetal-alchemist-the-sacred-star-of-milos (US)
Special Thanks to Scott Lonski

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

FUNimation Entertainment, in conjunction with Aniplex Inc. and Eleven Arts Inc., announced that its animated feature film 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), produced by BONES, will be presented at a red carpet premiere at the Downtown Independent Theater in Los Angeles, CA on Friday January 20, 2012.

It will be a night of entertainment for fans of the popular FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST franchise featuring an opportunity to walk the carpet starting at 8:00pm and see the movie presentation at 9:00pm. A Q&A will follow with both the Japanese director Kazuya Murata and the US Director Mike McFarland as well as members of the US voice cast including Vic Mignogna and BONES president, Masahiko Minami.

Tickets for the premiere screening are currently on sale at downtownindependent.com. The first 100 tickets purchased will include an autographed limited edition event poster.
Continued…

A young boy named Shawn (right, voice of David Henrie) is astonished when he visits the garden and discovers Arrietty (voice of Bridgit Mendler),
a tiny person who lives hidden with her family under the floorboards of the house where he’s staying, in Disney’s release of the
Studio Ghibli animated feature, THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY. Image courtesy of Walt Disney Studios. © 2010 GNDHDDTW

Anime Film Opens February 17, 2012
Source: Walt Disney Studios press release
Official Movie Site: karigurashi.jp (Japan), disney.go.com/arrietty (US)

US poster art, courtesy of Walt Disney Studios. © 2010
GNDHDDTW

Residing quietly beneath the floorboards are little people who live undetected in a secret world to be discovered, where the smallest may stand tallest of all. From the legendary Studio Ghibli (SPIRITED AWAY, PONYO) comes THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY (借りぐらしのアリエッティ, Karigurashi no Arrietty, 2010), an animated adventure based on Mary Norton’s acclaimed children’s book series The Borrowers.

Arrietty (voice of Bridgit Mendler), a tiny, but tenacious 14-year-old, lives with her parents (voices of Will Arnett and Amy Poehler) in the recesses of a suburban garden home, unbeknownst to the homeowner and her housekeeper (voice of Carol Burnett). Like all little people, Arrietty remains hidden from view, except during occasional covert ventures beyond the floorboards to “borrow” scrap supplies like sugar cubes from her human hosts.

But when 12-year-old Shawn (voice of David Henrie), a human boy who comes to stay in the home, discovers his mysterious housemate one evening, a secret friendship blossoms. If discovered, their relationship could drive Arrietty’s family from the home and straight into danger.
Continued…

Toei’s Super Sentai and Kamen Rider Christmas displays at Akihabara. Photos by Daisuke Ishizuka. © 2011 Toei Co., Ltd.

Authors: the SciFi Japan team
Photos: Daisuke Ishizuka

The staff of SciFi Japan to thank all of our readers, contributors, news sources and sponsors for their help and support this past year. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a wonderful holiday season as we head into 2012.
Continued…

Cover art for the upcoming North American DVD and Blu-ray/DVD Combo Set of the Japanese live action sci-fi adventure GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER.
Photos courtesy of NEW PEOPLE Entertainment. © Hiroya Oku/Shueisha © 2011 Gantz Film Partners

Source: NEW PEOPLE Entertainment, Warner Home Video
Official Movie Site: gantz-movie.com (Japan), gantzmovies.com (US)

NEW PEOPLE Entertainment, a film division of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. that focuses on the licensing and distribution of Japanese films and media, has announced the highly anticipated release of the live-action film sequel to GANTZ. GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER (前編 PERFECT ANSWER, Gantsu Pafekuto Ansaa, 2011) will debut on Region 1 DVD (SRP $24.92) and Blu-ray/DVD combo-pack (SRP $29.99) on January 17th, 2012. The film, which is unrated, features both English and Japanese dialogue options and includes a bonus disc with an exclusive director’s interview, cast profiles, and theatrical film trailers. NEW PEOPLE DVD/Blu-ray titles are distributed in the U.S and Mexico by Warner Home Video.

To celebrate the film’s North American release, NEW PEOPLE Entertainment will hold three special theatrical screenings of GANTZ and GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER on Saturday, January 14th at the S.F. Film Society | NEW PEOPLE Cinema located in San Francisco’s Japantown. Tickets are $10. All those attending the screenings of GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER will receive a free full-color GANTZ poster. A special ticket bundle is also available for $25 (DVD) or $30 (Blu-ray) that includes a movie pass, poster, and either the DVD or Blu-ray release.
Continued…

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

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

Cineplex Entertainment, Eleven Arts and FUNimation Entertainment are bringing 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 the big screen exclusively at participating Cineplex theatres across Canada on Sunday, January 15, 2012 at 12:55pm and Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 7:30pm local time.
Continued…

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

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

Eleven Arts and FUNimation Entertainment are bringing the feature length sequel 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 in January 2012.

Read on for the current list of US theaters and screening dates for the film.
Continued…

Masaru Kato (Kenichi Matsuyama) battles aliens in GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER, playing December 17th at NEW PEOPLE Cinema.
© Hiroya Oku/Shueisha © 2011 Gantz Film Partners

EATRIP, DOCUMENTARY OF AKB48 and GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER in the The Bay Area on Dec 17th
Source: NEW PEOPLE Entertainment, MediaLab press release
Special Thanks to Erik Jansen

NEW PEOPLE, the nation’s only entertainment complex dedicated to Japanese popular culture, has announced a trio of Japanese live-action films to screen on Saturday, December 17th at the venue’s SF Film Society|NEW PEOPLE Cinema. The screenings will include the culinary documentary EATRIP, which plays at 1:00pm, the newly released music biopic, DOCUMENTARY OF AKB48 – TO BE CONTINUED, which plays at 3:00pm and again at 8:30pm, and finally the action-packed conclusion of the celebrated GANTZ sci-fi saga with a showing of GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER 5:00pm. Tickets are $10.00 each per film. Information and advance tickets are available at newpeopleworld.com.

The SF Film Society|NEW PEOPLE Cinema is a 143-seat subterranean theatre located at 1746 Post Street in San Francisco’s Japantown and features plush seating, digital as well as 35mm projection, and a THX-certified sound system.

Filmgoers that bring their movie ticket to NEW PEOPLE, The Store, located in the building’s lobby, before or after each show will receive $10.00 off any NEW PEOPLE Entertainment DVD or Blu-ray release that day.
Continued…

Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications
Official Site: wellgousa.com/detail-tripletap (US)
Special Thanks to Liza Nedelman and Leif Hellend

Three SFJ readers have won the TRIPLE TAP DVD. Photo
courtesy of Well Go USA. © 2010 Emperor Classic Films, Ltd.

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Our thanks to everyone who entered Well Go USA and SciFi Japan’s contest for a free DVD of TRIPLE TAP. The randomly chosen winners are:

David Bullard
Jason Fanesi
Patrick Beagan

Congratulations to the winners! The prizes will be shipped soon by Well Go USA so keep an eye on your mailboxes.

Two-time Best Director Hong Kong Film Award winner Derek Yee’s (ONE NIGHT IN MONGKOK, SHINJUKU INCIDENT) latest action-packed thriller, TRIPLE TAP (鎗王之王, Qiang Wang Zhi Wang, 2010) is now available in a Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack for $29.98 SRP and on DVD for $24.98 SRP.
Continued…

A theatrical retrospective of fifteen animated films from Studio Ghibli will begin a North American tour December 16th in New York.
Posters for Studio Ghibli films from 1984-2002 courtesy of GKIDS. HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE and PONYO posters courtesy of Walt Disney Studios.
© 1984-2008 Nibariki

New 35mm Prints of 15 Titles to Screen at IFC Center from December 16 to January 12
Source: GKIDS Inc. press release
Official Movie Site: gkids.tv/intheaters
Special Thanks to Sara Groves, Eric Beckman and Dave Jesteadt

GKIDS, a distributor of award winning animation for both adults and family audiences, is bringing a complete retrospective of films from Japan’s renowned Studio Ghibli to the IFC Center in New York (323 Sixth Avenue at West Third Street) from Friday, December 16 to Thursday, January 12. The run will include US premiere theatrical engagements for several titles.

All fifteen Studio Ghibli feature films produced between 1984 and 2008 will be presented, including Hayao Miyazaki’s Academy Award winning SPIRITED AWAY, PRINCESS MONONOKE, MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, NAUSICAA OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND, CASTLE IN THE SKY, PONYO, HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE, and KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE. Newly-struck 35mm prints of the films will be shown in both subtitled and English dubbed versions.

Following the IFC Center engagement, the retrospective will tour to major US and Canadian markets, including Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington DC, Toronto, Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, and other cities, throughout the first half of 2012. GKIDS is also planning limited releases of select Studio Ghibli titles, many of which have never been released theatrically in the US, beginning late 2012.
Continued…

Haruka, Cotton and Teo explore a land of long-lost childhood treasures in the computer animated film OBLIVION ISLAND, screening the next two weekends in NYC.
© 2009 Fuji Television Network/ Production I.G / Dentsu/ Pony Canyon

World Premiere this Weekend at New York International Children’s Film Festival
Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release
Special Thanks to Scott Lonski

The English language version of the anime feature film OBLIVION ISLAND (ホッタラケの島 〜遥と魔法の鏡〜, Hottarake no Shima – Haruka to Maho no Kagami, 2009) will have its world premiere this weekend at the New York International Children’s Film Festival. Production I.G., the creators of GHOST IN THE SHELL, mix exquisitely detailed 2D backgrounds with modern 3D character designs in a dazzling animated adventure that plays like Alice’s fall through the rabbit hole into a world of topsy-turvy, anime dream-logic.
Continued…

Cover art for the DVD and Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack of TRIPLE TAP. Photos courtesy of Well Go USA.© 2010 Polybona Films

Director Derek Yee’s Action Thriller Explodes on Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack and DVD December 6th
Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications
Official Site: wellgousa.com/detail-tripletap (US)
Special Thanks to Liza Nedelman and Leif Hellend

Two-time Best Director Hong Kong Film Award winner Derek Yee’s (ONE NIGHT IN MONGKOK, SHINJUKU INCIDENT) latest action-packed thriller TRIPLE TAP (鎗王之王, Qiang Wang Zhi Wang, 2010) debuts on Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack and DVD December 6 from Well Go USA. Louis Koo (TRIAD ELECTION, FLASH POINT) plays a champion shooter who becomes a hero after fatally-shooting a band of armed bank robbers, but is soon suspected to be the mastermind behind the heist by a crack shot police officer (Daniel Wu, SHINJUKU INCIDENT). TRIPLE TAP will be available in a Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack for $29.98 SRP and on DVD for $24.98 SRP, and is packed with explosive extras, including deleted scenes, director and actor interviews, a behind-the-scenes featurette, a photo gallery and an optional English dub.

To add to the fun, Well Go USA is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a free DVD of TRIPLE TAP! Read on for details.
Continued…

Created in Partnership with Autodesk to Benefit Japanese Disaster Recovery; Exhibit of Artwork in Las Vegas
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

“First Flight” by Dave Guertin. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2011 Dave Guertin

VIZ Media has announced the upcoming debut of ART FOR HOPE, a limited edition digital art book anthology created in partnership with Autodesk, Inc. to benefit Architecture for Humanity. The anthology will be available for a limited time, from December 1, 2011 to May 31, 2012, for $4.99 through VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. 100% of VIZ Media’s net proceeds will support Architecture for Humanity’s ongoing disaster reconstruction efforts in Japan. To learn more about these rebuilding projects, please visit ArchitectureForHumanity.org.

Each of the 40 artists participating in the ART FOR HOPE anthology used Autodesk SketchBook digital paint and drawing software applications in some way to create original pieces for the anthology. The artists, both professional and amateur, hail from around the world and from diverse fields, and range in style from the realistic to the fantastic, each illustrating the theme of “Hope.” Notable contributors include Eisner Award and Harvey Award winner Rob Guillory, Harvey Award Winner Lark Pien, muralist Sirron Norris, and MAMESHIBA artists Jorge Monlongo and Gemma Corell.
Continued…

The J-idol band Momoiro Clover get trapped in a haunted house in the mockumentary SHIROME. Photo courtesy of Zipangu Fest. © 2010 Shirome Project Partners

Festival of Nuclear Reactions, Retro, Anime and Horror Kicks Off November 18th in London
Source: Zipangu Fest, Third Window Film press releases
Official Site: zipangufest.com

The second Zipangu Fest— celebrating the best of cutting edge and avant garde Japanese cinema— will be held at London’s Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) and Café Oto from November 18th to 24th, before moving to venues around the UK. The festival will showcase a selection of Japan’s finest features, documentaries, shorts, animation and experimental films… most of which have never been seen before in the UK and this festival will probably be the only chance to see them in the near future.
Continued…

The insane AACHI AND SSIPA kicks off the “Unbridled Energy: Korean Animation” film series at the Museum of Arts and Design in NYC. © 2006 Studio 2.0/Mediacorp.

Film Series at the Museum of Arts and Design from December 2-16
Source: Museum of Arts and Design press release
Official Site: unbridled-energy
Special Thanks to Marisa Bartolucci and Jake Yuzna

In conjunction with the exhibition “Korean Eye”, the Museum of Arts and Design in New York presents “Unbridled Energy: Korean Animation”, a program that showcases the breadth and diversity of contemporary creativity in this Asian nation. The series runs from December 2 to December 16, 2011 at MAD (2 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019).

Though Japanese anime is more widely known, in the past two decades Korean animation or “han-guk manhwa aenimeisyeon” has become increasingly prominent. With over 260 animation studios, mostly based in the capital Seoul, Korea has become an international leader in animation production. Its studios are responsible for the hand-drawn animation of hit American primetime television series like THE SIMPSONS, KING OF THE HILL and FAMILY GUY as well as for such beloved children’s television shows as AAAAH!!! REAL MONSTERS, ARTHUR and RUGRATS.

In celebration of the artistry of hand-drawn Korean animation, MAD will present a selection of largely unknown and rarely screened examples. From post-apocalyptic worlds to children’s fables, warriors reincarnated as vending machines and philosophizing excrement, this series provides a fascinating glimpse into Korea’s wildly imaginative animated worlds.
Continued…

SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO is just one of thirty movies making their Australian premiere at the 15th Japanese Film Festival.
Photo courtesy of Japan Foundation. © 2010 Space Battleship Yamato Production Committee.

Source: Japan Foundation, Sydney press releases
Official Site: japanesefilmfestival.net
Special Thanks to Evon Fung and Amanda Thompson

Not long now until the 15th Japanese Film Festival hits Sydney and Melbourne with their biggest line-up to date. Featuring 30 films – all Australian premieres – the festival lineup includes the live action feature SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO, Koki Mitani’s new comedy A GHOST OF A CHANCE, Studio Ghibli’s box office smash ARRIETTY, Takahisa Zeze’s latest LIFE BACK THEN, OBA: THE LAST SAMURAI (with director Hideyuki Hirayama and actor Yutaka Takenouchi in attendance), ABACUS AND SWORD, Yoshihiro Nakamura’s A BOY AND HIS SAMURAI, VILLAIN, GANTZ and GANTZ: PERFECT ANSWER.
Continued…

SKETCH OF MUJO, the first documentary to be made in the wake of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, is one of six new Japanese films
screening during the “Premiere Japan 2011″ festival at the Barbican Centre.

Six New Japanese Films Screening November 25-27
Source: Barbican Centre, Sarah Harvey Publicity press release
Special Thanks to Liz Parkinson

Now in its seventh year in London, Premiere Japan comes to the Barbican for the first time from 25 to 27 November, screening six of the best and most recent features and documentaries from Japan. Highlights include Locarno Film Festival winner, TOKYO PARK featuring rising star Haruma Miura; the latest delight from Yazaki Hitoshi, SWEET LITTLE LIES adapted from Ekuni Kaori’s best selling novel, and SKETCH OF MUJO the first documentary to be made in the wake of the devastating earthquake and tsunami earlier this year. Each screening is preceded by a short film chosen from submissions made by students, both Japanese and non-Japanese, at the University of the Arts London.
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Source: Golden Media Group
Official Site: GooHead Internet Channel
Special Thanks to Roy McAree

Ten SFJ readers have won a DVD set of four classic films
featuring international star Sonny Chiba. © 1979-1984
Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

It’s time to announce the winners of GooHead Internet Channel and SciFi Japan’s THE SONNY CHIBA COLLECTION giveaway. The following ten entrants were randomly chosen to receive a free DVD set containing the Shinichi “Sonny” Chiba films G.I. SAMURAI, RESURRECTION OF GOLDEN WOLF, NINJA WARS and LEGEND OF THE EIGHT SAMURAI…

James Babbo
Keith Marsh
Benjamin Haines
Tyler Collins
Lee Merritt
Andrew Stengele
Jordan Perry
Christopher Allen
Austin Buell
Mark Fitzpatrick
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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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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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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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