The Godzilla “Mega Monster with Sound” prototype figure from Trendmasters’ unreleased GODZILLA: THE SERIES toy collection.
Photo courtesy of Jonathan Shyman. © 1998 Toho Co., Ltd.

Author: Jonathan Shyman and Keith Aiken
Special Thanks to Andrew Wong, Bill Bronson and Brian Weinstock

For our first feature article of 2011, SciFi Japan looks back to 1998-99 and the unproduced Trendmasters toy line based on the animated television show GODZILLA: THE SERIES. Despite the cartoon’s ratings success— it was the Number 1 program among boys 6-11 on any broadcast network— retailers were still dealing with shelves of unsold GODZILLA (1998) movie merchandise and were not interested in purchasing more Godzilla products at that time. Advance orders for the first wave of GODZILLA: THE SERIES toys were so low that Trendmasters canceled the line before it went into production.

But some of the promotional materials and prototype action figures that were developed for the G:TS toy range were eventually bought by private collectors. We’re pleased to present a thorough overview of the GODZILLA: THE SERIES toy line with a look at advertising art, catalog listings, concept sketches, and dozens of photos of unreleased plastic and resin prototype figures now in the collection of Jonathan Shyman. Jonathan’s detailed presentation is further supplemented by information provided by former Trendmasters staffers Brian Weinstock and Bill Bronson.
Continued…

Larger Size Edition of the Riveting Supernatural Crime Mystery Features Added Full Color Pages
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Official Site: Deathnote.viz.com
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

Cover for the Death Note Black Edition Volume 1. Photo
courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2003 by Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi
Obata/ Shueisha Inc.

VIZ Media, LLC has announced the release of Death Note Black Edition, an oversized version of the acclaimed supernatural crime thriller. Volume 1 hits stores on December 28th and includes the first two editions of the popular manga series as well as added full-color pages. The Death Note Black Edition will be offered under the Shonen Jump Advanced imprint, is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens, and will retail for $14.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN.

“Death Note took the manga world by storm and became an international bestseller with its sinister plot and captivating artwork,” says Beth Kawasaki, Sr. Editorial Director. “The Black Edition is an ideal way for those who never read the original series to finally see what the buzz is all about in six volumes versus the original 12-volume run. For established fans or anyone that might have missed later Death Note volumes, the new version also presents a great opportunity to revisit the series with its larger trade paperback size, new cover design, and bonus color pages.”
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Honesty is Not Always the Best Policy in New Manga
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

Cover art for Volume 1 of Itsuwarabito. Photo
courtesy of VIZ Media. © Itsuwarabito Utsuho © 2009
Yuuki Iinuma/ Shogakukan

VIZ Media, LLC will release creator Yuuki Iinuma’s manga series Itsuwarabito on December 14th. The new series will be published under the company’s Shonen Sunday imprint, is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens, and will carry and MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.

Utsuho’s truthfulness as a child resulted in an enormous catastrophe, and he decided to lie from that day forward. Raised in a village of orphans by a monk, Utsuho is an unrepentant troublemaker. The monk eventually inspires him to help people, but there’s no way Utsuho’s going to lead an honest life! Instead, he’s going to use his talents for mischief and deception for good!

“Creator Yuuki Iinuma uses the dichotomy of integrity and lying as the basis for an interesting new story that ponders if honesty is indeed the best policy,” says Carrie Shepherd, Managing Editor. “An itsuwaribito is an expert at sneaking, trickery, and theft. In the series, Utsuho vows to tell lies, but only ‘good lies,’ that help people. He fights evil with methods typically thought of as immoral, with lots of intense action along the way. We hope readers will contemplate whether the end truly justifies the means in this engaging new series from Shonen Sunday!”
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A Kiss On The Forehead Is A Girl’s Ticket To A New Home And An Unexpected Life As A Deity
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

Cover art for Volume 1 of Kamisama Kiss. Photo
courtesy of VIZ Media. © Kamisama Hajimemashita
© Julietta Suzuki 2008/ Hakusensha, Inc.

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media) will release the shojo manga (graphic novels for female readers) romantic comedy, Kamisama Kiss, on December 7th. The new series, created by Julietta Suzuki, will be published under the company’s Shojo Beat imprint, is rated ‘T’ for Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.

Nanami Momozono is alone and homeless after her dad skips town to evade his gambling debts and the debt collectors kick her out of her apartment. So when a mysterious man she’s just saved from a dog attack offers her his home, she jumps at the opportunity. But it turns out that his place is a shrine, and Nanami has unwittingly taken over his job as a local deity!

“Plenty of surprises are in store for Nanami as she adjusts to life at the shrine, taking on new responsibilities and facing a whole range of hidden dangers that she doesn’t fully understand yet,” says Pancha Diaz, Editor. “A kiss on the forehead might have bestowed the land-god mark on Nanami, but she will have a lot to learn as she faces a bratty sky god, a mysterious swamp deity, and a strange, cute boy who might have supernatural powers of his own!”
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First Anime Title Theme Available Today
Source: FUNimation Entertainment press releases
Special Thanks to Manny Alcala

A dynamic theme is now available for FULLMETAL
ALCHEMIST: BROTHERHOOD. © 2009 Hiromu Arakawa/FA
Project・MBS

FMA fans take note: a FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: BROTHERHOOD-based dynamic theme hits the North American PlayStation® Store, a service that is part of PlayStation Network, this week.

Fans of the anime series can download the theme, available for PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, for $2.99.

Both the theme itself and the icons will be themed with FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: BROTHERHOOD imagery. Some of the dynamic elements include the sound, change of light in the background from day to night, eye and clothing movements, as well as a look at how Al and Ed age from children to adults.
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Be Careful Who You Bully Because They Might Be An Ogre!
Source: VIZ Media press release
Special Thanks to Jane Lui

Cover art for Volume 1 of Kurozakuro. Photo courtesy
of VIZ Media. © 2004 Yoshinori Natsume/Shogakukan

VIZ Media, LLC release award-winning artist Yoshinori Natsume’s manga series Kurozakuro on November 9th. The new series, offered under the Shonen Sunday imprint, is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.

Mikito Sakurai is tired of being a punching bag for all the delinquents on campus. But what can he do? By nature he’s a gentle and easygoing high school student. That all changes the night he swallows a mysterious orb and meets Zakuro, a strange kid who promises to grant his most heartfelt desire. “When you wake up,” says the pint-sized apparition, “you’ll be stronger and better than a human.”

“The kids who bully Mikito are in for a rude awakening when he starts displaying new, violent instincts after he swallows the orb,” says Andy Nakatani, Editorial Director and Editor-in-Chief, Shonen Sunday. “Anyone who has ever been bullied will be able to relate to Mikito and will enjoy the wild and unpredictable adventure in Kurozakuro. But beware, because becoming the new strongest boy on campus isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, especially when you might be turning into an ogre with a taste for human flesh!“
Continued…

Source: Solid Objects press release
Special Thanks to Max Winter and Brad Warner

Cover art by Michael Kupperman for Jim Shepard’s new
novella Gojira, King of the Monsters. Photo courtesy
of Solid Objects. Godzilla © 2010 Toho Co., Ltd.

Solid Objects, a newly launched fiction, drama, poetry, and nonfiction publisher based in New York, will release the novella Gojira, King of the Monsters on November 8th. Written by Jim Shepard, the book presents a fictionalized account on the personal and professional struggles of special effects director Eiji Tsuburaya during the production of the original GODZILLA (Gojira, 1954).

Jim Shepard is the author of numerous novels and short stories, including the collections Like You’d Understand, Anyway; Love and Hydrogen; and Batting Against Castro, as well as the novels Project X and Nosferatu. He has won the Story Prize and been nominated for the National Book Award. He lives in Massachusetts and teaches at Williams College.

Gojira, King of the Monsters
By Jim Shepard
Paperback
56 pages
$12
5″ by 7″
Cover design by Michael Kupperman
ISBN 978-0-9844142-1-5

Gojira, King of the Monsters can be ordered directly from Solid Objects (with free shipping and handling) or through Small Press Distribution and Amazon.
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Amazing New Book Coming in November
Source: Ernest Farino, Archive Editions LLC
View the Trailer

Cover art for Ray Harryhausen – Master of the Majicks Volume
3: The British Films. Photo courtesy of Ernest Farino.
© 2010 Archive Editions LLC.

Ray Harryhausen – Master of the Majicks Vol. 3 – The British Films
by Mike Hankin
Foreword by Caroline Munro (star of THE GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD)
Preface by Guillermo del Toro (director of HELLBOY and PAN’S LABYRINTH)

Written and produced over the past 10 years with Ray Harryhausen’s cooperation and support, the complete 3-volume definitive 295,000-word career/biography features interviews with Ray and his colleagues and is profusely illustrated with several hundred rare photographs, artwork, and illustrations (many of which have never been previously published).

Majicks Volume 3 covers THE THREE WORLDS OF GULLIVER, MYSTERIOUS ISLAND, JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS, FIRST MEN ’IN’ THE MOON, ONE MILLION YEARS BC, THE VALLEY OF GWANGI, THE GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD, SINBAD AND THE EYE OF THE TIGER, and CLASH OF THE TITANS. This Deluxe Edition (Hardcover with Dust Jacket) runs 640 pages, with over 3,600 color and black & white photos and illustrations. Regular price $84.95.

Vol. 3 is now at the printer, and will ship in mid-November (just in time for Christmas!) but you can purchase it now for $74.95 and save $10.00!
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Full Color Character Portraits By Creator Masashi Kishimoto
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

Cover art for the Naruto Illustration Book. Photo courtesy
of VIZ Media. © 2009 Masashi Kishimoto

VIZ Media, LLC has announced the release of the vividly colored Naruto Illustration Book on October 26th. The new soft cover edition is offered by the Shonen Jump imprint, features nearly 100 pages of original illustrations by creator Masashi Kishimoto, and will carry an MSRP of $19.99 U.S. / $27.00 CAN.

Naruto is a young shinobi (or ninja) with an incorrigible knack for mischief. He’s got a wild sense of humor, but Naruto is completely serious about his ongoing mission to be the world’s greatest ninja! The Naruto Illustration Book features a variety of character portraits depicting the young ninja in action, as well as his cohorts including Sasuke, Sakura and Kakashi. A color pull-out double-sided poster and a sticker sheet are also included.

Created by Masashi Kishimoto, Naruto was first introduced in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in Japan in 1999 and quickly became that country’s most popular ninja manga targeting tweens and teens with more than 100 million copies in circulation to-date. The manga series (rated ‘T’ for Teens) and animated counterpart (NARUTO rated ‘T’ for Teens, and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens) are among VIZ Media’s most successful properties and have captivated millions of fans across North America, Europe and South America.
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Beautiful Works of Art are Haunted in Latest Action Series from the VIZ Signature Imprint
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

Cover art for Volume 1 of March Story. Photo courtesy
of VIZ Media. © 2008 Hyung Min Kim, Kyung Il Yang/
Shogakukan

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, will release the supernatural manga series March Story on October 19th. The latest addition to the VIZ Signature imprint, by Hyung Min Kim with artwork by Kyung Il Yang, is rated ‘M’ for Mature readers and will carry an MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN.

Among the quiet villages and towns of 18th century Europe, demons known as the Ill hide within the most beautiful works of art and are sparked to life by the torment of their creators. Attracted by their jewel-like allure, unwary viewers can find themselves possessed by the Ill and will be driven to horrific acts of violence. Only the hunters of the Ciste Vihad can dispel the Ill. March is one such hunter, tracking the Ill from town to town to find the antiques that contain the demons before they can possess anyone. If the worst has come to pass, March’s full powers are unleashed to battle the fiendish Ill.

“Great works of art are not what they appear in this intriguing new series,” says Mike Montesa, Senior Editor for VIZ Signature. “Each haunted masterpiece has a dark tale to tell, as do their creators and untimely victims. And March’s own past is filled with similar tragedy. With its elaborate artwork and quick-paced action, March Story arrives just in time for Halloween and we look forward to adventure fans never viewing pieces of art quite the same way again.”
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The King of the Monsters Returns to Comics… and This Time, He’s Not Alone
Source: IDW Publishing press release
Special Thanks to Lyle Huckins

Godzilla cover art by Eric Powell. © 2010 IDW
Publishing/ Toho Co., Ltd.

The biggest star in motion pictures prepares to wreak havoc once again! IDW Publishing is thrilled to announce a partnership with Toho Co., Ltd. to create all-new Godzilla comics. Starting in 2011, Godzilla will smash his way back onto the scene with a cast of characters from his films never before seen in comics.

“This new series will be monsters and mayhem, but most importantly, it’s going to be a lot of fun,” said Yukio Kotaki of Toho. “Godzilla has been gone from comics for too long and we feel that IDW is the perfect company to welcome him back in 2011.”

In addition to the King of the Monsters himself, the new comics from IDW Publishing and Toho Co., Ltd. will feature many of Godzilla’s friends and foes, including Mothra, King Ghidorah, Rodan and more that have never before been featured in an American comic book series alongside Godzilla. With an impressive cast of monsters both old and new, IDW’s series will treat fans to both familiar themes and original takes on the pop culture legends that have stomped, smashed, and fought their way across movie screens for over five decades.

“Not only is Godzilla known worldwide, he’s loved worldwide, too. Having a film career with more than 25 movies and going on a 56-year span pretty much solidifies you as a legend, and IDW is really looking forward to contributing to that legacy,” said Chris Ryall, Chief Creative Officer and Editor-in Chief for IDW Publishing. “We wanted Godzilla to return to comics, but this time we wanted him to have some company. I think fans will be pleased with the monster guest appearances, which will really offer something for every fan of these films. There are the classic characters, but there are also a few surprises, too.”

Debuting in February 2011, fans can expect to see a number of unique storylines from some of the industry’s top creators.
Continued…

The Alien Queen and Rodan are coming to Kaiyodo’s popular Sci-Fi Revoltech Series of fully articulated toys.
© Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. © 1956 Toho Co., Ltd. © 2010 Kaiyodo Co., Ltd.

Kaiyodo Company’s Sci-Fi Revoltech Series of super-articulated figures of popular science fiction, horror, and fantasy characters continues in December with the Alien Queen from James Cameron’s classic ALIENS (1986) and one of Toho’s “Big Five” daikaiju stars; Rodan the flying monster. The Alien Queen while be the largest figure released in the line to date and will retail for slightly more than the other toys.

SciFi Japan presents a sneak peek at these upcoming figures with manufacturer’s photos provide by our sponsor, Anime Jungle. Also included are photos and specs for October and November’s Sci-Fi Revoltech Series releases.
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New Manga and Anime, Special Contests, and Events Scheduled for this Month
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

Naruto Volume 49 is just one of many new releases and
events celebrating the franchise’s 10th anniversary this
month. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 1999 Masashi
Kishimoto/Shueisha Inc.

It’s Naruto’s birthday October 10th, and VIZ Media invites fans to help celebrate the birth of the world’s most popular ninja with the release of the latest volume of the Naruto manga series, the next NARUTO SHIPPUDEN box set, special coverage in Shonen Jump magazine, and a series of fun events planned around the 2010 New York Comic Con and Anime Festival.

Created by Masashi Kishimoto, Naruto was first introduced in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in Japan in 1999 and quickly became that country’s most popular ninja manga targeting tweens and teens with more than 100 million copies in circulation to-date. The manga series (rated ‘T’ for Teens) and animated counterpart (NARUTO rated ‘T’ for Teens, and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens) are among VIZ Media’s most successful properties and have captivated millions of fans across North America, Europe and South America.
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Ieyasu Tokugawa fights to unify Japan in Capcom’s new game SENGOKU BASARA SAMURAI HEROES. Photo courtesy of The Associates.
© 2010 Capcom Co., Ltd.,

Source: The Associates press release
Official Site: samuraiheroes.com
Special Thanks to Farhana Shaikh

The next evolution from the producer of DEVIL MAY CRY 4, Hiroyuki Kobayashi’s BASARA series is coming to PLAYSTATION 3 and Wii with SENGOKU BASARA SAMURAI HEROES. Set during a tumultuous period of Japanese history, SENGOKU BASARA SAMURAI HEROES follows players as they fight their way to the dramatic battle of Sekigahara. Players will take up the swords and spears of more than a dozen fierce samurai warriors in huge battles against hundreds of opponents in many exciting stages that lead up to the main event.
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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.
Continued…

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.

Cover art for Kaiju Jinsei, courtesy of Yosensha Co.
© 2010 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…

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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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.
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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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The Best In Critically Acclaimed Japanese Science Fiction And Fantasy
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Official Site: haikasoru.com
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

Cover for the award-winning novel Harmony by the
late Project Itoh. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media.
© 2008 Project Itoh. Originally published in Japan by
Hayakawa Publishing, Inc.

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…

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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Former Godzilla FX director Koichi Kawakita has been promoting a slew of new Toho-themed collectibles. © 2010 Toho Co., Ltd.

Author: Ed Godziszewski
Official Site: KK DeAgostini Japan

Enjoy some Godzilla Wine. © 1954/2010 Toho Co., Ltd.

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.
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The Final Box Set in the Series is Released
Author: John “Dutch” DeSentis
Source: Toho Music Store
Official Website: Toho Music

Advertisement for the GODZILLA SOUNDTRACK PERFECT
COLLECTION, including the newly released sixth and
final volume. © 2010 Toho Co., Ltd.

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…

A menagerie of Japanese monsters and heroes are on display at Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens’ new KAIJU! MONSTER INVASION Exhibit.
Photo by James Bonney.

Japanese Monster Vinyl Figures on Display at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
Author: James Bonney
Official Site: Kaiju! Monster Invasion!

Fans of the kaiju tokusatsu, or rather, their plastic counterparts in South Florida are in for a treat. The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is hosting a brand new exhibit showcasing the various figures from the world of Japanese kaiju film and television entitled KAIJU! MONSTER INVASION!
Continued…

Friend comforts Friend (!?) after learning that they did not win VIZ Pictures’ 20TH CENTURY BOYS 3: REDEMPTION Gift Pack.
Photo courtesy of VIZ Pictures. © 1999, 2006 Naoki Urasawa, Studio Nuts/ Shogakukan. © 2009 “20th Century Boys” Film Partners

Source: VIZ Pictures
Official Movie Site: 20thboysfilms.com (US), 20th Boys (Japanese)
Special Thanks to Rieko Fuji

Thank you to everyone who entered VIZ Pictures and SciFi Japan’s contest for a free 20TH CENTURY BOYS 3: REDEMPTION Gift Pack. The winning entry is:

Nathan Bishop

More contests are planned for 2010 so keep checking back with SciFi Japan for more chances to win some cool stuff!
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Get a Bundle of 20TH CENTURY BOYS Goodies 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 free 20TH CENTURY BOYS 3: REDEMPTION Gift Pack. Photo
courtesy of VIZ Pictures. © 1999, 2006 Naoki Urasawa, Studio
Nuts /Shogakukan © 2008 “20th Century Boys” Film Partners

A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

20TH CENTURY BOYS 3: REDEMPTION is the third and final chapter of the mega hit 20TH CENTURY BOYS sci-fi action film trilogy from Japan. Attracting attention as the biggest film project of the century in the Japanese film industry, the production of the trilogy cost over $60 million, stars over 300 all-star cast members, with shooting taking place for an entire year.

To celebrate the new Region 1 DVD release of this film, VIZ Pictures is giving SciFi Japan readers in the United States and Canada a chance to win a free 20TH CENTURY BOYS 3 Gift Pack. The pack includes a 20TH CENTURY BOYS 3: REDEMPTION US theatrical poster, a ‘Tomodachi’ T-shirt featuring the infamous Friend symbol, a mini-flag, and a 20TH CENTURY BOYS 3 button.

All three films in the 20TH CENTURY BOYS movie series are now available on DVD in North America from VIZ Pictures. The suggested retail price is $24.92 each.
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Nicely Packaged but Disappointing Volume Fails to Live Up to Its Title
Author: Ed Godziszewski
Official Site: harpercollins.com/books/Killer-Kaiju-Monsters

Drazoran, an original toy creation by Mark Nagata,
graces the cover of the new book Killer Kaiju
Monsters: Strange Beasts of Japanese Film. © 2010
HarperCollins Publishers

A year ago, New York-based publisher HarperCollins announced their upcoming release Godzilla and Friends: The Art of the Japanese Monster. After various delays, the book finally went on sale this past week with the revised title Killer Kaiju Monsters: Strange Beasts of Japanese Film. The hardcover volume was written and edited by Ivan Vartanian (Full Vinyl: The Subversive Art of Designer Toys) and features illustrations by Mark Nagata (Max Toy Company), Shoji Ohtomo (An Anatomical Guide to Monsters), Ryohei Tanaka (Panic Attack!), and a cut-out paper toy by renowned paper engineer Keisuke Saka.

Killer Kaiju Monsters: Strange Beasts of Japanese Film at first looks to be typical of what we come to expect from mainstream published books on Japanese movie monsters. The Japanese studios prohibit the use of the names or any likeness or their characters on the cover (hence the change from Godzilla and Friends), so a more generic title is used and any monster design is by necessity an original one, i.e. not of a movie monster. So ordinarily, the cover belies its contents. However, in the case of Killer Kaiju Monsters, the cover is oddly emblematic of what the rest of the book delivers.
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Special Promotion To Celebrate the Domestic Broadcast Launch of the Shonen Sunday Animated Series
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Official Site: shonensunday.com/series/kekkaishi
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2006, 2010 Yellow Tanabe/ Shogakukan, Yomiuri
TV, Sunrise

VIZ Media invites fans to explore the demon-battling action adventure of popular Shonen Sunday KEKKAISHI anime series with a FREE Download-to-Own (DTO) episode through VIZ Media partners iTunes, Xbox Live’s Zune Marketplace, PlayStation Network and Amazon Video on Demand. KEKKAISHI Episode 1 will be available for free download now through June 17th to celebrate the recent domestic broadcast launch of KEKKAISHI on Adult Swim.

KEKKAISHI is based on the hit manga series by Yellow Tanabe (also published in North America by VIZ Media). A story of mystical forces powerful in the region known as Karasumori. For over 400 years, it has been the duty of a clan of “kekkaishi”—barrier masters—to guard this land and exterminate the supernatural creatures that are drawn to it night after night.
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Latest Instalment in the Hit Series Brings New Features and Multiplayer Action to PAL territories in Summer 2010
Source: NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe, Indigo Pearl press release
Special Thanks to Holly Barnes

Cover art for the European release of DRAGON BALL: ORIGINS 2 on Nintendo DS.
Photo courtesy of NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe. © Bird Studio/ Shueisha, Toei
Animation. © 2009 NBGI

Goku’s adventures have only just begun, with the news that NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe is bringing the next chapter in the Dragon Ball saga to fans across PAL territories in summer 2010, exclusively for Nintendo DS. Continuing Goku’s adventures from the first game for DS, DRAGON BALL: ORIGINS 2 throws in so many new features and cunning touches that Goku will barely be able to contain his Ki energy.

With Dragon Ball-busting side-on boss battling and heart-stopping aerial fights shown on the upper screen, the game comes even closer to reproducing the signature intense aerial assaults of the DRAGON BALL anime. If you want authentic Dragon Ball fun, action and adventure, coupled with a full serving of dazzling gameplay improvements and multiplayer co-op, then look no further. Can I hear a ‘Kamehameha”?

Developed by Game Republic, DRAGON BALL: ORIGINS 2 is scheduled for launch across PAL territories in summer 2010.
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