SciFi Japan » Merchandise

SciFi Japan » Merchandise http://www.scifijapan.com/articles Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:49:34 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Tokyo Realtime: Akihabara Audio Tour Released by White Rabbit Press http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2010/08/30/tokyo-realtime-akihabara-audio-tour-released-by-white-rabbit-press/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2010/08/30/tokyo-realtime-akihabara-audio-tour-released-by-white-rabbit-press/#comments Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:19:17 +0000 Bob Johnson http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=16680 www.TokyoRealtime.com

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. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2010/08/30/tokyo-realtime-akihabara-audio-tour-released-by-white-rabbit-press/feed/ 0 Haruo Nakajima Attends Publishing Party for Autobiography Kaiju Jinsei http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2010/08/28/haruo-nakajima-attends-publishing-party-for-autobiography-kaiju-jinsei/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2010/08/28/haruo-nakajima-attends-publishing-party-for-autobiography-kaiju-jinsei/#comments Sat, 28 Aug 2010 22:08:33 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=16927

Haruo Nakajima sucker punches Gaira (the monster he played in WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS) during the publishing party for his autobiography Kaiju Jinsei. Photo courtesy of Daisuke Ishizuka. Godzilla Suit Actor Celebrates Launch of New Book Author: Daisuke Ishizuka Source: Yosensha Co., Ltd.

A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Today a publishing party was held for the autobiography Kaiju Jinsei (Kaiju Life) by Mr. Haruo Nakajima. Mr. Haruo Nakajima is a pioneer of monster suit acting who is well known as the suit actor who played Godzilla and various Toho monsters. He has often been invited to conventions in America; Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, etc. and he is familiar with Tokusatsu fans in the U.S. I attended the G-Fest convention in Hollywood in 2000 and it was my first time to see him. I had chance to hear about his career at that time. In 2010, we now have a chance to know about him more deeply because his autobiography was published in July by Yosensha Co., Ltd. In Kaiju Jinsei, Mr. Nakajima details his life, from his youth to the present day. Needles to say, he focuses on his career as suit actor. In addition, he talks about Mr. Eiji Tsuburaya as well as the filmmakers and his friend and co-workers at Toho. The book is valuable resource for Tokusatsu fans. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2010/08/28/haruo-nakajima-attends-publishing-party-for-autobiography-kaiju-jinsei/feed/ 0 VIZ Anime and Manga Releases for Summer 2010 http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2010/08/17/viz-anime-and-manga-releases-for-summer-2010/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2010/08/17/viz-anime-and-manga-releases-for-summer-2010/#comments Wed, 18 Aug 2010 02:55:33 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=16535 VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

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. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2010/08/17/viz-anime-and-manga-releases-for-summer-2010/feed/ 0 Anime Expo 2010: A Look Back http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2010/08/17/anime-expo-2010-a-look-back/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2010/08/17/anime-expo-2010-a-look-back/#comments Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:59:19 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=16508

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). Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2010/08/17/anime-expo-2010-a-look-back/feed/ 0 MOTHRA (1961) 2 DISC SOUNDTRACK SET from Toho Music http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2010/08/03/mothra-1961-2-disc-soundtrack-set-from-toho-music/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2010/08/03/mothra-1961-2-disc-soundtrack-set-from-toho-music/#comments Tue, 03 Aug 2010 20:38:22 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=16083

Yuji Koseki's soundtrack to the original MOTHRA is being re-issued in a new 2 CD collection. © 1961 Toho Co., Ltd. Classic Toho Soundtrack Re-mastered in a Deluxe Edition Author: John “Dutch” DeSentis Source: Toho Music Store Special Thanks to Mike Temple and Ed Godziszewski Over the last two years, Toho Music has begun reissuing some of their non-Godzilla related special effects film scores in deluxe packaging with re-mastered sound. Joining the already re-released soundtracks to THE THREE TREAURES (Nippon Tanjo, 1959) and THE MYSTERIANS/BATTLE IN OUTER SPACE (Chikyu Boeigun, 1957/Uchu Daisenso, 1959) is Yuji Koseki’s score to MOTHRA (Mosura, 1961), released as a dual disc set at the end of July. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2010/08/03/mothra-1961-2-disc-soundtrack-set-from-toho-music/feed/ 0 SCI-FI REVOLTECH SERIES Waves 5 and 6 Plus HOBBY JAPAN EXCLUSIVE http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2010/07/23/sci-fi-revoltech-series-waves-5-and-6-plus-hobby-japan-exclusive/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2010/07/23/sci-fi-revoltech-series-waves-5-and-6-plus-hobby-japan-exclusive/#comments Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:00:17 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=16093

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. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2010/07/23/sci-fi-revoltech-series-waves-5-and-6-plus-hobby-japan-exclusive/feed/ 0 VIZ Media Delivers Three New Sci-Fi Novels from Haikasoru Imprint http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2010/07/18/viz-media-delivers-three-new-sci-fi-novels-from-haikasoru-imprint/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2010/07/18/viz-media-delivers-three-new-sci-fi-novels-from-haikasoru-imprint/#comments Sun, 18 Jul 2010 18:20:30 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=15918 VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: haikasoru.com Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

VIZ Media, LLC will deliver out-of-this-world summer science fiction and fantasy reading with the release of three new novels under its Haikasoru imprint this summer – Harmony by Project Itoh, Rocket Girls by Housuke Nojiri and Summer, Fireworks, and My Corpse by Otsuichi. Haikasoru is a unique imprint with a dedicated focus on publishing some of the most compelling contemporary Japanese science fiction and fantasy for English-speaking audiences. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2010/07/18/viz-media-delivers-three-new-sci-fi-novels-from-haikasoru-imprint/feed/ 0 INUYASHA Limited Time Promotion on iTunes, Hulu and VIZAnime.com http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2010/07/13/inuyasha-limited-time-promotion-on-itunes-hulu-and-vizanime-com/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2010/07/13/inuyasha-limited-time-promotion-on-itunes-hulu-and-vizanime-com/#comments Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:46:23 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=15781 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. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2010/07/13/inuyasha-limited-time-promotion-on-itunes-hulu-and-vizanime-com/feed/ 0 Koichi Kawakita Pitches New Godzilla Collectibles http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2010/07/08/koichi-kawakita-pitches-new-godzilla-collectibles/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2010/07/08/koichi-kawakita-pitches-new-godzilla-collectibles/#comments Thu, 08 Jul 2010 17:11:19 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=15546

Although retired from filmmaking, Koichi Kawakita (FX director of the Godzilla series from 1989-1995) has managed to find a new way to stay in the public eye these days, promoting a series of products related to Toho special effects films. In January he appeared at Super Festival, introducing two new books concerning the Godzilla films, the DVD of ZERO FIGHTER (Ozora no Samurai, 1976), and some miscellaneous goods. Then in February he was at Wonder Festival promoting a garage kit replica of the Oxygen Destroyer from GODZILLA (Gojira, 1954). And since late last year, he has been doing interviews in the booklets for each of DeAgostini's DVD book releases of Toho special effects films. In Volume 18 of this Toho SFX DVD Collection series (DESTROY ALL MONSTERS), issued during May, Kawakita appears promoting even more goods related to Toho films. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2010/07/08/koichi-kawakita-pitches-new-godzilla-collectibles/feed/ 0 GODZILLA SOUNDTRACK PERFECT COLLECTION BOX 6 http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2010/07/04/godzilla-perfect-collection-box-6/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2010/07/04/godzilla-perfect-collection-box-6/#comments Sun, 04 Jul 2010 10:30:07 +0000 Jim M. Ballard http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=12812 Toho Music Store Official Website: Toho Music

Back in 2004, during Godzilla’s 50th Anniversary, Toho Music Announced they would be reissuing all the Godzilla soundtracks remastered in a series of box sets, each limited to 1,954 pressings of each (to commemorate the year of the original Godzilla). What fans didn’t know was just how long it would take for them to be released. The first set went on sale September 20th, 2004 and was highly regarded for its improved sonics, especially on the 1954 disc. Box 2 came a short few months later in December, during the release of GODZILLA FINAL WARS. Box 3 followed in April of 2005, around the same time as the release of the GODZILLA FINAL BOX which contained all 28 movies on DVD. What followed then was a wait of nearly a year and a half as the fourth box didn’t hit the streets until October, 2006 and it took only slightly less time for the fifth box to come out in January, 2008. Fan speculation ran high as to whether or not the final set would ever be released at all. But after a wait of over two years (the longest stretch between two sets), Box 6 was finally released in Japan on March 25th, and the collection is now complete. Continued...
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