Get the 20TH CENTURY BOYS 1: BEGINNING OF THE END DVD and More for Free, Courtesy of VIZ Pictures and SciFi Japan
Source: VIZ Pictures
Official Movie Site: 20thboysfilms.com (US), 20th Boys (Japanese)
Special Thanks to Rieko Fuji

VIZ Pictures is offering SciFi Japan readers the chance to win
a 20TH CENTURY BOYS 1: BEGINNING OF THE END Gift Pack
containing the DVD, poster, and button. Photo courtesy of
VIZ Pictures. © 1999, 2006 Naoki Urasawa, Studio Nuts
/Shogakukan © 2008 “20th Century Boys” Film Partners

A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

The popular 20TH CENTURY BOYS (20-Seki Shonen) live-action movie trilogy is coming to Region 1 DVD from VIZ Pictures and VIZ Media, starting this month with 20TH CENTURY BOYS 1: BEGINNING OF THE END. The films are based on the critically acclaimed 20th Century Boys manga series created by Naoki Urasawa, which is a national phenomenon in Japan, selling over 20 million copies to date. The first 20TH CENTURY BOYS movie was released in Japan by Toho on August 30, 2008 and quickly shot to the top of the box office. The film premiered at the VIZ Cinema in San Francisco on August 15, 2009.

To celebrate this release, VIZ Pictures is giving SciFi Japan readers in the United States and Canada a chance to win one of three “20TH CENTURY BOYS DVD Otoshi-dama Gift Packs” ['Otoshi-dama' refers to a Japanese gift of good fortune for a new year]. Each Gift Pack includes the 20TH CENTURY BOYS 1: BEGINNING OF THE END DVD, the US theatrical poster, and a 20TH CENTURY BOYS button.

The 20TH CENTURY BOYS 1: BEGINNING OF THE END DVD will be available for purchase on December 15.
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The premiere screening of the newly restored, HD transfer of MOTHRA was recently held at Sony Pictures Studios. © 1961 Toho Co., Ltd.

Author: Keith Aiken
Special Thanks to Kai Saari

Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, CA. Photo courtesy of the Japan Film Society.

On the evening of Thursday, November 19th, the Japan Film Society and Sony Pictures Entertainment hosted a special premiere screening of the fully restored Toho sci-fi classic MOTHRA (Mosura, 1961). The invitation-only event was held in the Jimmy Stuart Building on the Sony Studios lot in Culver City for members of the press and Japanese Entertainment Industry in Southern California.

Sony’s connection to MOTHRA dates back to 1961 when Columbia Pictures— now a subsidiary of Sony— helped finance the movie’s production and later distributed it theatrically, to television, and on home video in the United States. Last month’s screening was spearheaded by Kai Saari, Coordinator for Digital Media for Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) as well as Marketing Director for the newly formed Japan Film Society.
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Zone Fighter join forces with the monster of justice, Godzilla! ©MCC, Toho Co., Ltd

Godzilla, King Ghidorah and Gigan feature in classic Toho TV series
Author: Jim M. Ballard
Special Thanks to Keith Aiken, John Paul Cassidy and Oki Miyano

RYUUSEI NINGEN ZOON (Zone The Meteor Man) was a superhero TV series produced by Toho Eizo that aired weekly on the Nippon Television Network (NTV) between April 2nd and September 24th 1973. Toho has registered the series with the United States copyright office under the English title ZONE FIGHTER.

The series is centered around a family of aliens known as the Zone Family, whose home planet Peaceland was destroyed by the villainous Garoga Baron aliens. Seeking refuge on Earth, they take on their new identity as the Sakimori family, but are soon followed by the Garoga who are on a new mission of a conquest!

The series is best remembered for featuring appearances by Toho’s big screen monsters Godzilla, King Ghidorah and Gigan. The events of ZONE FIGHTER were reportedly part of the Showa Godzilla series, taking place between the movies GODZILLA VS. MEGALON (Gojira tai Megaro, 1973) and GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA (Gojira tai Mekagojira, 1974). The series features the final onscreen appearances of the original incarnations of King Ghidorah and Gigan.

Join SciFi Japan as we look back at this unique episode of Godzilla’s history!
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Source: Warner Home Video
Official Movie Site: 20thboysfilms.com (US), 20th Boys (Japanese)

DVD cover art for the North American release of 20TH
CENTURY BOYS 1: BEGINNING OF THE END. Photo courtesy
of Warner Home Video. © 1999, 2006 Naoki Urasawa,
Studio Nuts /Shogakukan © 2008 “20th Century Boys”
Film Partners

The popular 20TH CENTURY BOYS (20-Seki Shonen) live-action movies trilogy will be coming to Region 1 DVD from VIZ Pictures and VIZ Media starting this December. The films are based on the critically acclaimed 20th Century Boys manga series created by Naoki Urasawa, which is a national phenomenon in Japan, selling over 20 million copies to date.

The three pictures were filmed together by a partnership of the Nippon Television Network, Shogakukan, Toho Co., VAP, Yomiuri Television, Dentsu, Yomiuri Shimbun, Cine Bazaar, Office Crescendo, and d-rights. Produced at a combined budget of 6 billion yen (approximately $60 million US), 20th CENTURY BOYS is the most expensive film project in Japanese history. The first 20th CENTURY BOYS was released in Japan by Toho on August 30, 2008 and quickly shot to the top of the box office. NTV handles world sales for the trilogy and have sold distribution rights in more than two dozen countries.

VIZ Media DVD titles are distributed (in English) in the U.S and Mexico by Warner Home Video and in Canada by Allegro.
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Madman Entertainment in Australia will release three Region 4/PAL DVD collections of Toho’s Godzilla movies on October 21.
Photos courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 2009 Toho Co., Ltd.

Region 4 Collections Coming this Week
Source: Madman Entertainment

On October 21st, Eastern Eye— the Asian theatrical and home video division of Australian distributor Madman Entertainment— will release three DVD collections of classic Godzilla films.

The sets collect seventeen Godzilla movies that had been released individually on DVD by Madman from 2004-2007. With the exception of the new packaging, the new DVDs are identical in terms of content to the previous releases, including special features such as original Japanese theatrical trailers, photo galleries, trivia, concept art, and poster galleries.

Each box set will be Region 4 and PAL format, and retail for $49.95 AUD.
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Auntie (Yoko Minamida, right) needs the blood of virgins to give her eternal life in HOUSE, a very weird haunted house story by filmmaker Nobuhiko Obayashi.
Photo courtesy of NYAFF. © 1977 Toho Co., Ltd.

Source: Janus Films
Official Movie Site: janusfilms.com/house

On July 30, 1977, Toho Co. Ltd released HOUSE (Hausu), a bizarre horror film written and directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi. Mixing scares, comedy, and psychedelic imagery— and based on an idea by the director’s 11 year-old daughter— HOUSE told the tale of seven high school girls who are trapped inside a haunted house with a bloodthirsty aunt, a demonic black cat, and killer pianos, mattresses, and chandeliers.
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Advertisement for VIZ Cinema’s theatrical run of K-20: THE FIEND WITH 20 FACES. Photo courtesy of VIZ Pictures. © 2008 “K-20″ Film Partners

Now Playing at VIZ Cinema in Japantown
Author: Dan Ross
Source: VIZ Pictures
Official Movie Site: k20themovie (US), K-20 (Japanese)

Edogawa Rampo’s Fiend with 20 Faces will be haunting San
Francisco for the next two weeks. Photo courtesy of VIZ
Pictures. © 2008 “K-20″ Film Partners

In the 1920s eminent horror and detective fiction author Edogawa Rampo began writing a series of short stories that would go on to become a household name in Japan. Though inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, the case files of Kogoro Akechi followed the Tokyo detective down paths of a more fantastic and even occult nature.

And like Holmes, Akechi had his own “Moriarty”, an arch nemesis known only as Kaijin Niju Menso “The Fiend with 20 Faces”. But in truth the character of Kaijin Niju Menso was more in the style of Maurice LeBlanc’s Arsene Lupin, a master of disguise and gentleman thief who only stole from those who may deserve it and never from the struggling, working class everyman. The ongoing battle of wits between detective and thief cultivated a grudging admiration between the two.

In 1989 writer Soh Kitamura wrote a controversial book called The Story of Nijumenso (aka The Fiend With 20 Faces) which takes a rather different view of the world of Rampo’s Akechi mythos. Rampo scholars and fans were not happy with Kitamura’s take on these legendary characters and it caused quite a stir. Though the novel takes place in our reality, it is from this book that the alternate universe, steampunk movie K-20: THE FIEND WITH 20 FACES is based.
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Ed Godziszewski and Steve Ryfle have provided DVD audio commentaries and other supplemental features for several Toho science fiction films.
Top row: Credits for the 2006 DVDs of GODZILLA from the British Film Institute and MOTHRA VS GODZILLA from Classic Media.
Bottom row: BATTLE IN OUTER SPACE from Sony’s new DVD set ICONS OF SCI-FI: TOHO COLLECTION (2009), and the writing/producing
credit for Classic Media’s documentary BRINGING GODZILLA DOWN TO SIZE (2008). © 1954, 1959, 1964, 2008 Toho Co., Ltd.

Interview by: Richard Pusateri

Sharp-eyed fans of Japanese monster and science fiction films may have noticed the decidedly non-Japanese names Ed Godziszewski and Steve Ryfle repeatedly popping up in the credits of Toho DVDs, materials for theatrical screenings and releases, and various Godzilla-themed events over the past few years.

Following the release of Sony’s ICONS OF SCI-FI: TOHO COLLECTION, Steve and Ed spoke with their old friend Richard Pusateri about their work on the new DVD set and other Godzilla/Toho projects.
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1998 American Remake Coming to Blu-ray High Def in US and UK
Source: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Hollywood in Hi-Def
Special Thanks to Scott Hettrick

Cover art for the new GODZILLA Blu-ray. Photo courtesy of Sony
Pictures Home Ent. © 1998 Toho Co., Ltd./TriStar Pictures, Inc.

On November 10, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment brings their 1998 remake of GODZILLA from TriStar Pictures to Blu-ray Disc for the SRP of $24.95. A UK release is currently scheduled for November 3 with a retail price of £19.99.

Blu-ray special features included movieIQ, a multiplayer trivia game and cinechat. Godzilla fans have the opportunity to test their skills against other experts via the BD-Live enabled multiplayer trivia game. Godzilla first-timers can get up to speed quickly by accessing movieIQ which will provide them with information on the production and players involved with the film. And all can share their knowledge, new or time-tested, with viewers around the globe with cinechat.

Additional features include an audio commentary, a music video, cartoon episodes, and featurettes from Sony’s earlier DVD releases of GODZILLA. There is also a sneak peak at GODZILLA director Roland Emmerich’s highly anticipated disaster film 2012.
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Catch the rarely seen GOKE, BODYSNATCHER FROM HELL and HOUSE on the big screen this month in Hollywood!
GOKE, BODYSNATCHER FROM HELL © 1968 Shochiku Co., Ltd. HOUSE © 1977 Toho Co., Ltd.

Horror Double Feature in Hollywood on September 23
Source: American Cinematheque
Special Thanks to Chris D and Kevin Pyrtle

On September 23, the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, CA presents two rarely seen Japanese horror cult classics; Toho’s 1977 fantasy masterpiece HOUSE (Hausu) and Shochiku’s 1968 sci-fi terror GOKE, BODYSNATCHER FROM HELL (Kyuketski Gokemidoro). Neither film is available on R1 DVD, and both will be shown in their original Japanese language with English subtitles.

The screenings are preceded by a booksigning at 6:30 PM with author Chris Desjardins and his re-released book Outlaw Masters of Japanese Film, a detailed look at Japanese cult, action and exploitation cinema from the early 1950s to the present day.

The Egyptian Theatre is located at 6712 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood CA 90028. Ticket prices to the theater are $10.00 general, $8.00 students and seniors, and $7.00 for American Cinematheque members.
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Music from the Classic Blind Swordsman Films from Toho and Daiei
Source: La La Land Records press release
Special thanks to Philip Garnecki

Cover for the new soundtrack CD ZATOICHI – THE BEST CUTS (1967-
1973). Cover design © 2009 La La Land Records. © Katsu Productions

ZATOICHI – THE BEST CUTS (1967-1973): LIMITED EDITION
Music by Shigeru Ikeno, Akira Ifukube, Isao Tomita and Kunihiko Murai
Limited Edition of 1500 Units
NOW SHIPPING
RETAIL PRICE: $19.98
LLLCD 1102

Presenting the original soundtrack music from Toho’s legendary “blind swordsman” series of ZATOICHI feature films. Famed GODZILLA composer Akira Ifukube, along with Shigeru Ikeno, Isao Tomita and Kunihiko Murai, provide the influential music on ZATOCHI – THE BEST CUTS (1967-1973): LIMITED EDITION, a compilation of dynamic original recordings from the ZATOCIHI films released between 1967-1973. This compilation was assembled from remastered elements from the Toho Studios’ vaults. In-depth liner notes by Randall Larson take you behind the scenes of The Blind Swordsman and his musical legacy. A Limited Edition of 1500 Units.
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In September, the Plaza Theatre in Atlanta will screen a rare 35mm print of Toho’s classic monster movie RODAN. © 1956 Toho Co., Ltd.

Big Month of Asian Sci-Fi and Horror at the Plaza Theatre
Source: Plaza Theatre

Atlanta area fans of Asian monsters, anime, and science fiction are in for a treat as the Plaza Theatre has scheduled three great films— including the Toho classic RODAN— for September.
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The Rotofugi Gallery in Chicago is hosting TOY KARMA 2, an exhibit of art inspired by Japanese toys. Alex Wald’s “Tura Satana in Violent Planet”
is © Alex Wald. “Untitled (Zone Fighter with Bear and Bird)” is © Steve Seeley. Zone Fighter © Toho Co., Ltd.

Exhibit of Art Inspired by Japanese Toys at the Rotofugi Gallery
Official Site: Toy Karma
Special Thanks to Alex Wald

TOY KARMA is an art exhibit featuring artists expressing their love for classic Japanese toys. The event will be held at Rotofugi Gallery in Chicago from September 5-20, 2009. There will be an Opening Reception at the Gallery on Saturday, September 5 from 7-10PM.
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Japanese Theatrical Smash to be Released in Britain September 7th
Source: The Associates press release
Official Movie Site: Dororo (Japan)
Special Thanks to Louise Rivers

UK DVD art for DORORO. Photo courtesy of The
Associates. © 2007 “DORORO” Production Committee

Based on the enduring 1960s manga series by the legendary Osamu Tezuka (creator of ASTRO BOY) and its subsequent anime television series adaptation, DORORO finally gets a big-budget, big-screen treatment as a live-action feature starring Japanese singing and acting superstar Kou Shibasaki (MEMORIES OF MATSUKO; ONE MISSED CALL; BATTLE ROYALE; SINKING OF JAPAN) in the title role.

Directed by Akihiko Shiota (CANARY; HARMFUL INSECT), co-starring Satoshi Tsumabuki (THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT), Eita (MEMORIES OF MATSUKO) and Anna Tsuchiya (SAKURAN; KAMIKAZE GIRLS), and featuring action choreography by Hong Kong action maestro Siu-Tung Ching (CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER; HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS; HERO), this epic, supernatural fantasy proved to be a major box office smash in Japan, topping the movie charts for an unprecedented six consecutive weeks.

DORORO (cert. 15) will be released on DVD (£15.99) by MVM Entertainment on 7th September 2009. Special Featues include: “Road To Dororo” featurette; deleted scenes; trailer gallery; stills gallery; Japanese Dolby 5.1 and DTS 5.1 audio options; optional English subtitles; scene selection.

The UK publicists The Associates have provided DVD cover art, stills, and video clips from the film… enjoy!
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San Francisco Venue Debuts Live-Action Science Fiction Feature on August 28th – the Same Day Film Premieres in Japan
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Official Movie Site: 20thboysfilms.com (US), 20th Boys (Japanese)
Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen

The Japanese poster art for 20TH CENTURY BOYS 3:
REDEMPTION, the conclusion of the hit science fiction film
trilogy. © 1999, 2006 Naoki Urasawa, Studio Nuts
/Shogakukan © 2009 “20th Century Boys” Film Partners

NEW PEOPLE, a dynamic entertainment destination bringing the latest examples of Japanese popular culture to North American shores, presents a very special world premiere of the final chapter of the 20th Century Boys trilogy of live-action films – 20TH CENTURY BOYS 3: REDEMPTION – this Friday, August 28th at the newly opened VIZ Cinema located in the heart of San Francisco’s historic Japantown. The special world premiere will take place simultaneously with the theatrical release of the film in Japan and will continue to play at the venue through September 3rd. For schedule and ticket information, please visit www.vizcinema.com.

The 20TH CENTURY BOYS film trilogy is based on a critically-acclaimed manga series created by Naoki Urasawa that was a national phenomenon in Japan, selling over 24 million copies. Excitement and anticipation for the release of the final chapter has built steadily from fans because the ending of the film is markedly different from the original manga series that inspired it.

VIZ Cinema is the nation’s first movie theater devoted exclusively to Japanese film and anime. The 143-seat subterranean theater is located in the basement of the NEW PEOPLE building and features plush seating, digital as well as 35mm projection, and a THX-certified sound system. 20TH CENTURY BOYS 1: BEGINNING OF THE END plays at VIZ Cinema until August 27th (matinee only), while 20TH CENTURY BOYS 2: THE LAST HOPE runs through August 28th.
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