Source: ADV Films
Official Site: Newtype USA

© 2007 Newtype USA, Inc.

Newtype USA celebrates its 5th anniversary with a special collectors’ edition packed with extras. The November issue has the latest scoops on the newest anime both here and in Japan, including a cover story on GUNDAM 00, the bold new take on the classic franchise. Also inside: features on DEATH NOTE, SUPER ROBOT WARS and HONEY AND CLOVER; the official art of THE MELANCHOLY OF HARUHI SUZUMIYA; and a sneak-peek at over a dozen new shows out only in Japan! The party continues with a very special look back at 60 months of Newtype USA, with commentary from the staff behind each issue. Plus reports on WELCOME TO THE N-H-K and TSUBASA – RESERVOIR CHRONICLE;
45 reviews of all the latest anime, manga, video games and music; a pullout poster featuring the cast of THE WALLFLOWER; and the latest installment of CLAMP’s manga Kobato.

The issue also includes a free DVD with FIVE full anime episodes, including VENUS VERSUS VIRUS, ROZEN MAIDEN TRAUMEND, HELL GIRL, FLAG and TOKYO MAJIN. The issue also includes a bonus 2008 calendar featuring artwork from next year’s hottest shows: CODE GEASS, DEVIL MAY CRY, SERGEANT FROG, STRAIT JACKET and more.

Five years in the making, November’s Newtype USA is now on sale.

Source: ADV Films
Official Site: Newtype USA

© 2007 Newtype USA, Inc.

BLEACH blasts its way onto October’s Newtype USA with an exclusive cover and feature on the megahit anime franchise. Ichigo the soul reaper comes alive in two new games, and Newtype USA has the scoop, including details you won’t find anywhere else. This is an absolute must-have for anyone who loves BLEACH!

October is also packed with an exclusive 10-page first look at GUNDAM 00, the latest — and possibly greatest — Gundam yet. Other special features include an in-depth look at the lovable heroines of THE MELANCHOLY OF HARUHI SUZIMIYA, learn to draw from manga superstars Peach-Pit, features on TSUBASA, FATE/STAY NIGHT and VAMPIRE HUNTER D, a TEKKON KINKREET review and director interview, the official art of AIR, columns and commentary from anime insiders, and meet the cast of LUCKY STAR.

Extras in Newtype USA include a DVD packed with three full anime episodes; one each of PUMPKIN SCISSORS, PHOENIX and WELCOME TO THE N-H-K! The manga insert is the latest in the exclusive serialization of Clamp’s Kobato, and the centerfold poster features the ladies from the fan-favorite game-turned-anime XENOSAGA.

Newtype USA Vol. 6, Issue 10 is available October 1, 2007.

Spanish-speaking horror fans may enjoy Horrormanía: La Enciclopedia de cine de terror, a new book published in Madrid.

From the press release…
HORRORMANÍA: ENCICLOPEDIA DE CINE DE TERROR (Horrormania: The Encyclopedia of Terror Cinema)
Author: José Manuel Serrano Cueto
Editor: Alberto Santos (Madrid, Spain, 2007).
480 pages, SRP: 26.50 € (approximately $37.50 US)

THE GRUDGE 2 is featured on the cover of
Horrormanía. Enciclopedia de cine de terror.
© 2007 José Manuel Serrano Cueto/Imagica

Horrormanía is the most complete horror cinema dictionary published in Spanish. The book features more than 2,500 references: actors (Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney, Jr., Paul Naschy, Robert Englund, etc.), directors (John Carpenter, David Cronenberg, Jesús Franco, Dario Argento, James Whale…), musicians (Jerry Goldsmith, Ennio Morricone, Marco Beltrami…), writers (Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Anne Rice…), movies (THE EXORCIST, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, THE BIRDS, THE OTHERS…), critics (David J. Skal, Carlos Aguilar, Danilo Arona…), and magazines (Fangoria, Gorezone, Famous Monsters of Filmland…).

Horrormanía includes all epochs and nationalities, with a good sample of Japanese horror cinema: Ishiro Honda, Michiaki Watanabe, Takashi Shimizu, Takashi Shimura, THE RING, GOJIRA, Takashi Miike, Michio Yamamoto, Masao Yonezawa, Kimika Yoshino, Ataru Oikawa, DARK WATER and more.

About the author: José Manuel Serrano Cueto is a prestigious Spanish writer specialized in cinema, especially horror and science-fiction. He has published the books Vincent Price: El terror a cara descubierta (Vincent Price: Describing the Face of Terror) and De monstruos y hombres: Los reyes del terror de la Universal (Of Men and Monsters: The Kings of Universal Terror).

For more information, contact the publisher at imagica@telefonica.net.

Source: ADV Films
Official Site: Newtype USA

© 2007 Newtype USA, Inc.

Newtype USA leads off the fall anime season with an exclusive cover and feature on THE STORY OF SAIUNKOKU. Already a hit with both male and female viewers, SAIUNKOKU takes its royal setting and infuses it with enough modern drama and action to satisfy all kinds of fans.

But that’s not all! The September 2007 issue has another incredible exclusive—a behind-the-scenes tour of THE MELANCHOLY OF HARUHI SUZUMIYA, including in-depth interviews with the cast and crew! Plus, Newtype USA comes stuffed with extras, including a DVD with three full anime episodes: XENOSAGA, RED GARDEN and RAMEN FIGHTER MIKI. The pullout poster features Misaki Nakahara from WELCOME TO THE NHK, and manga maniacs will adore the latest installment of CLAMP’s KOBATO, inserted right into the middle of September’s issue.

Also in the issue are features on MUSHI-SHI, SHIN CHAN , .hack//ROOTS, MY-OTOME and WELCOME TO THE NHK; sneak previews of nine new shows playing only in Japan; the latest on the EVANGELION movies; con coverage blowout; the official art of GUNBUSTER 2; and every new anime DVD and manga reviewed!

Newtype USA Vol. 6, Issue 9 will be available September 1.

Author: Loomis (Kim Song-ho)

Korean poster for D-WAR. © 2007 Younggu Art
Entertainment Co., Ltd.

D-WAR opened nationwide in South Korea on August 1. According to news reports, D-WAR marked the biggest opening day record for a Korean movie this year with an estimated 417,298 admissions at 530 screens across the country. In comparison, THE HOST recorded around 450,000 admissions for it first day of release last year— the biggest record then, which was later outrun by SPIDER-MAN 3′s 500,000. Domestic distributor Showbox is predicting that D-WAR will sell 2 million tickets by this weekend’s close.

Early analysis indicates that the high number of admissions is mainly due to family audiences. D-WAR has opened during children’s vacation season in Korea, and records show that males in their 30s and 40s bought an average 2.5 tickets per person and brought their family members to the cinemas. While D-WAR was filmed in English, 15% of all the cinemas playing the movie feature a Korean dubbed version to attract family viewing.

However, audience reactions are mixed and the summer box office war is far from over. It is uncertain if D-WAR will endure after the first week or not. It will be quite interesting to observe box office charts for the weeks to come.

Source: Sony Pictures

Perched upon a telephone pole, street urchin Kuro overlooks the amazing city
of Takaramachi in TEKKONKINKREET ©2006 Taiyo Matsumoto/Shogakukan,
Aniplex, Asmik Ace, Beyond C, Dentsu, TOKYO MX; ©2007 Sony Pictures Digital

July 13th marks the US opening of director Michael Arias’ (THE ANIMATRIX) animated film adaptation of Taiyo Matsumoto’s acclaimed manga, TEKKONKINKREET, distributed by Sony Pictures. The film tells the story of a pair of orphans, Kuro (“Black”) and his younger brother Shiro (“White”), who terrorize the darker elements of Treasure Town. Although accustomed to simply making life miserable for thugs and the local yakuza, the boys find themselves facing internal and external struggles as a Disneyesque corporation moves into Treasure Town to change it.

TEKKONKINKREET will start its run at The Quad in New York and The Landmark in Los Angeles, with a wider run to follow. The film — a unique combination of traditional cel animation and 3D CGI — was the winner of the prestigious Ofuji Noburo Award at the 2007 Mainichi Film Concours, and has received great praise at a number of film festivals worldwide since its Japanese release in December 2006. A trailer and additional media can be found on Sony Pictures’ official website and on YouTube.

Source:La-La Land Records

Cover for the first official 2CD-Set release of
GODZILLA: LIMITED EDITION © 2007 La-La
Land Records / TriStar Pictures

La-La Land Records, a US label specializing in rare film scores, has announced its release of David Arnold’s original orchestral score for the 1998 TriStar Pictures film GODZILLA. While the GODZILLA film itself has been greatly maligned by critics and Godzilla fans alike, Arnold’s score has remained a much sought-after rarity. A 1999 promo CD (produced by Arnold himself for an Academy Award submission) became the source for bootlegs that have remained consistently popular in the collectors’ circle over the years. This new Limited Edition (3000 units) marks the first official, studio endorsed release of the full score. The 2CD-set includes 40 tracks totaling 109 minutes, including four bonus tracks. Exclusive liner notes are also included, and the set is available directly from La-La Land Records for $24.98 plus shipping.

For a complete track listing, MP3 track samples, and to order, visit the La-La Land Records website.

Sources: Broadcasting & Cable Magazine, Anime News Network
Official Site: Sci Fi Channel Wire

Poster for the OVA release of GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND
ALONE COMPLEX – SOLID STATE SOCIETY © 2006 Shirow
Masamune – Production I.G/KODANSHA

U.S. cable network Sci Fi Channel has announced its new Ani-Monday block for the Monday 11pm – 1am weekly timeslot, featuring anime films, series and shorts licensed from Manga Entertainment Inc., a Starz Media Company. SFC’s first real venture into the highly competitive late night block debuts on June 11th with the exclusive U.S. premiere of GHOST IN THE SHELL – SOLID STATE SOCIETY (Koukaku Kidoutai: Solid State Society, aka GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX – SOLID STATE SOCIETY, 2006). This surprise premiere is notable considering that this TV movie was only first shown on SKYPerfecTV! network in Japan last September, and is scheduled for DVD release in the States on July 3rd.

Other titles planned to be shown in the block, also from Manga/Starz Media, are NINJA SCROLL, BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE, BLACK JACK: THE MOVIE, and series such as READ OR DIE, STREET FIGHTER II V, NOEIN, TOKKO and MACROSS PLUS. Keep an eye on the Schedulebot section of the SFC website for up-to-date listings.

Longtime Sci Fi Channel viewers will recall that this is not SFC’s first foray into anime programming. During the 90s, SFC started each Saturday broadcast day with its 2 hour Saturday Anime program block, featuring films and OVA features, often heavily edited. Also notable, of course, is that SFC’s new Ani-Monday block will face off against rival Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim block which regularly includes anime, including the two GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX series from which SOLID STATE SOCIETY spun-off!

Source: Super7 Newsletter
Official Site: Vinyl Toy Network

Super7 x Marusan Godzilla © 2007 Super7

The Vinyl Toy Network is a collaboration of vendors, manufacturers and artists bringing the public the latest and greatest in vinyl toys. The VTN Spring 2007 Show is being held Sunday, May 6th from 10:00am – 5:30pm at the Pasadena Convention Center. Admission is free and open to the public, and the first 100 attendees will receive a free gift bag.

Amongst the vendors at the show will be Super7, who will be releasing two exclusive new toys including a new 16″ Super7 x Marusan Giant Clear Green Godzilla, limited to 50 pieces! For directions to the show, information on guests and other vendors, check out the Vinyl Toy Network site and Super7′s online store.

Source: ADV Films
Official Site: Newtype USA

© 2007 Newtype USA, Inc.

The swashbuckling LE CHEVALIER D’EON graces the cover of Newtype USA’s April 2007 issue. The magazine gives you all the ammo you need to watch D’Eon dish out justice on his 17th-century campaign for carnage, including interviews with anime creator Tow Ubukata as well as English dub director Steven Foster, plus more art from the show than you can shake a stick at. A quest for vengeance never looked this good!

Newtype USA keeps the exclusives with previews of such highly anticipated shows as CODE GEASS, El CAZADOR, KIDDY GRADE 2 and THE WINGS OF REAN. Also in the issue are features on FATE/STAY NIGHT and COYOTE RAGTIME SHOW; the Official Art of GUNBUSTER 2; pics and info on Hello Kitty’s latest goth-punk gear; reviews of all the latest anime, manga, video games, music and toys; and columns and commentary from anime actors, writers and industry insiders. This month extras include the next manga installment of Once Upon a Glashma, the free April DVD featuring episodes of KURAU PHANTOM MEMORY, .hack//Roots and SHINGU: SECRET OF THE STELLAR WARS, and a double-sided poster insert of the ladies of MABURAHO.

Newtype USA Vol. 6, Issue 4 is now on sale.

Monster Zero News took its name from the classic
Godzilla movie. © 1965 Toho Co, Ltd.

On March 22, 1997 website designer and lifelong Godzilla fan Aaron Smith launched a Godzilla news site. In the decade since then other fan sites have come and gone, but Monster Zero News (as Aaron’s site came to be known) grew to become the internet source for the latest Godzilla news and information. MZ has broken stories time and again, features the largest English language Godzilla-themed message board and provides regular news updates for the official Godzilla website Godzilla.com.

SciFi Japan congratulates Monster Zero News on its 10th anniversary. Aaron Smith is no longer with us, but his legacy lives on. We hope it continues to do so for many years to come.

Textless poster art for THE HOST. Photo courtesy
of Magnolia Pictures. © 2006 Chungeorahm Film

Source: MJ Simpson
Official Site: The Host Movie

Fangoria has posted an excellent interview with THE HOST fx artist John Cox, conducted by author and film reporter MJ Simpson.

John Cox’s Creature Workshop in Australia has created creatures and animatronic props for such films as BABE (1995), GARGANTUA (1998), PITCH BLACK (2000), SCOOBY DOO (2002) and PETER PAN (2003). For THE HOST, the Creature Workshop crew made a realistic, full scale head of the monster with functional jaws.

Check out the interview on the Fangoria website.

Source: Asahi

Radio and voice actor Kyoji Kobayashi died March 8th of subarachnoid hemorrhage at the age of 75. His funeral will be held at the funeral hall of the Tokyo Shibuya Ward, Nishihara on March 14th.

Kobayashi was the narrator for SPECTREMAN (Supekutoruman, 1971), the 1980 NHK radio adaptation of Japan Sinks (Nihon Chinbotsu) and the anime series PLANETES (2003). He also worked on ULTRA SEVEN (Urutora Sebun, 1967), providing the voice of the villainous Alien Godola (Godora Seijin) in episode #4, “Vessel Machs, Reply” (Makusu Oto-seyo, US title “Double Trouble at Sea”). His other TV anime voice performances included OSOMATSU-KUN (1966), PRINCESS KNIGHT (Ribbon no Kishi, 1967) and STAR OF THE GIANTS (Shinjuku no Taiketsu, 1968). He also did Japanese dubbing for foreign TV shows, including Gerry Anderson’s JOE 90 (1968).

Source: Anime Jungle

The four great dioramas in the new Yuji Kaida Artworks Collection Part II set.
© 1955-70 Toho Co., Ltd./2007 MegaHouse Corporation

Now arriving on stores shelves are two great new Godzilla candy toy diorama series. Beautifully sculpted and pleasantly affordable, the sets features the talents of two talented Yujis; sculptor Yuji Sakai and painter Yuji Kaida.

First up is Artworks Collection Part II, a set of dioramas based on the paintings of Yuji Kaida that was released late last month in Japan by MegaHouse. For nearly two decades, Kaida’s amazing work has been used for posters, video packaging, toy boxes and comic all over the world. His Godzilla, Gamera and Ultraman illustrations have been collected in the 1995 book The Gallery of Kaiju.

The series has four separate pieces (plus variant color versions) inspired by classic Toho films. Each piece stands approximately 75mm (3 inches) tall and sells for ¥630.
1. Godzilla 1955
2. Angilas 1955- the Godzilla and Angilas dioramas fit together to recreate their battle from GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN (Gojira no Gyakushu, 1955)
3. Mogera from THE MYSTERIANS (Chikyu Boeigun, 1957)
4. Gezora, Ganime and Kamoebas from SPACE AMOEBA (Gezora, Ganime, Kameba: Kessen! Nankai no Daikaiju, aka YOG: MONSTER FROM SPACE, 1970)

Bandai’s Godzilla Complete Works Final was originally scheduled for January, but will now go on sale this month. As with the three previous Complete Works sets, this collection features Godzilla in key scenes from seven of his films (plus a secret “chase” diorama). All the pieces were sculpted by Yuji Sakai. With the exception of the GODZILLA VS KING GHIDORAH diorama, each piece stands approximately 88mm (3.5 inches) tall.
1. Godzilla’s attack on the Diet Building from GODZILLA (Gojira, 1954)
2. Godzilla on Leitchi Island from GODZILLA VS THE SEA MONSTER (Gojira, Ebira, Mosura: Nankai-no Daiketto, 1966)
3. Godzilla on Monster Island from GODZILLA’S REVENGE (Gojira, Minira, Gabara: Oru Kaiju Daishingeki, 1969)
4. Godzilla from GODZILLA VS MEGALON (Gojira tai Megaro, 1973)
5. Godzilla at the Sapporo TV Tower from GODZILLA VS KING GHIDORAH (Gojira tai Kingu Ghidora, 1991)
6. Godzilla from GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA II (Gojira tai Mekagojira, 1993)
7. Godzilla vs a Maser Tank from GODZILLA AGAINST MECHAGODZILLA (Gojira x Mekagojira, 2002)

Sets or individual pieces from both diorama collections can be ordered from Anime Jungle in Los Angeles, CA.

The Godzilla Complete Works Final set features seven beautifully sculpted Godzilla dioramas by Yuji Sakai. © 1954-2002 Toho Co., Ltd./2007 Bandai

All that you see here could be yours! This famous still from GODZILLA
is being recreated as a huge limited edition diorama. © 1954 Toho
Co., Ltd.

Source: Anime Jungle

The Diorama Series: First Godzilla is a massive recreation of one of the most famous publicity shots for the original GODZILLA (Gojira, 1954). Godzilla stands 400mm high (approximately 16” tall) and comes with light up dorsal fins (thanks to built-in LED light unit) and audio of his trademark roar.

Surrounding the King of the Monsters is an army of tanks and cannons on a 900mm x 900mm (3 foot square) base. The entire diorama weighs a hefty 16kg; more than 35lbs. Only 100 dioramas are being manufactured, and each unit is individually serial numbered… making it the perfect collectible for the fan with spare room and cash to burn.

The Diorama Series: First Godzilla is available for pre-order from Anime Jungle in Los Angeles, CA. The order deadline is March 20, and the diorama will be released in May.

Source: ADV Films
Official Site: Newtype USA

© 2007 Newtype USA, Inc.

The March 2007 issue of Newtype USA covers everything anime, from classics reborn to exclusive sneak peeks at the latest shows still in development. The cover feature this time out is GUNBUSTER 2, a retro-future classic from renowned anime studio GAINAX. Go behind the scenes with the creators of this series, including Yoshiyuki Sadamoto and Hideaki Anno, and find out what it takes to become an alien-busting Topless pilot in this thrilling feature!

There are also exclusive previews and full-spread art of anime straight from Japan, including cutting-edge shows like LUCKY STAR, DARKER THAN BLACK and IDOL MASTER XENOGLOSSIA, plus the latest on the new EVANGELION films; features on .hack//Roots, KURAU PHANTOM MEMORY and COYOTE RAGTIME SHOW; the Official Art of COMIC PARTY REVOLUTION; game reports and reviews of all the latest anime, manga, video games, music and toys. The extras include the manga insert, Once Upon a Glashma —a rollicking tale of two young magic investigators bumbling through a world where all the girls have disappeared— and an AIR GEAR double-sided poster. The March DVD features episodes of the anime Le CHAVELIER D’EON and PEACH GIRL.

Newtype USA Vol. 6, Issue 3 is available March 1, 2007.

Soldiers in gas masks hunt a man-eating monster in THE HOST.
Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures. © 2006 Chungeorahm Film

Source: Magnolia Pictures
Official Site: The Host Movie

Magnolia Pictures has added several new theaters and show dates for the American theatrical release of THE HOST. We’ve updated our previous coverage to include the new information, so please visit THE HOST US Trailers article for the latest theater schedule for the film… and be sure to check back for future updates!

THE HOST opens at theaters across America on March 9.

UPDATED MARCH 9 WITH NEW THEATERS AND SCREEN DATES

Ishiro Honda shows he’s a “hands on” filmmaker
in one of the many behind the scenes photos on
the Ishiro Honda Official Site. MONSTER ZERO
© 1965 Toho Co., Ltd.

Source: Ishiro Honda Official Site

A new Japanese language website for legendary filmmaker Ishiro Honda (1911-1993) recently went online. Honda co-wrote and directed the original GODZILLA (Gojira, 1954) and directed seven Godzilla sequels from 1962-1975. His other credits include such classics as EAGLE OF THE PACIFIC (Taiheyo no Washi, 1953), RODAN (Sora no Daikaiju Radon, 1956), THE MYSTERIANS (Chikyu Boeigun, 1957), MOTHRA (Mosura, 1961), GORATH (Yosei Gorasu, 1962), ATRAGON (Kaitei Gunkan, 1963), FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD (Furankenshutain tai Chite Kaiju Baragon, 1965) and WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS (Furankenshutain no Kaiju: Sanda tai Gaira, 1966). In his later years, Honda collaborated with his lifelong friend Akira Kurosawa on KAGEMUSHA (1980), RAN (1985), DREAMS (Yume, 1990), RHAPSODY IN AUGUST (Hachi-gatsu no Kyoshikyoku, 1991) and MADADAYO (1993).

The Ishiro Honda Official Site features photos and information on the director’s works, his life, and messages from some of the people who knew and worked with him, including his widow Kimi Honda, actress Kumi Mizuno (MATANGO, MONSTER ZERO), actor Akira Kubo (DESTROY ALL MONSTERS, SPACE AMOEBA) and more.

Source: ShoWest, Variety

© 2007 Toho Co.,Ltd.

Next month ShoWest, the annual film convention organized by the National Association of Theatre Owners, will present its International Lifetime Achievement Award to Isao Matsuoka, chairman of Toho Co., Ltd. Mr Matsuoka is also chairman of the Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan.

The ShoWest award comes on the heels of a banner year for the Japanese film industry. In 2006, Japanese-produced movies earned a record-breaking 107.75 billion yen (approximately $905,462,100 US) at the Japan box office and outperformed import films for the first time in 21 years. While the American pictures HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE (Japanese ticket sales: $92,436,900 US) and PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN’S CHEST ($84,117,600) were the year’s top earners, six Japanese films passed the 5 billion yen mark. Four of those titles were Toho releases; TALES FROM EARTHSEA (Gedo Senki) was the top Japanese film with $64,285,700 US, the action sequel LIMIT OF LOVE: UMIZARU earned $59,663,800, SUITE DREAMS (Uchoten Hoteru) brought in $51,092,400, and the disaster movie SINKING OF JAPAN (Nihon Chinbotsu) made $44,873,900. Toho also scored with POKEMON RANGER AND THE TEMPLE OF THE SEA (Gekijoban Poketto Monsuta Adobansu Jenereshon Pokemon Renja to Umi no Oji Manafi), DOREAMON: NOBITA’S DINOSAUR (Doraemon: Nobita no Kyoryu), FALLING TEARS (Nada Soso), and DETECTIVE CONAN: REQUIEM OF THE PRIVATE EYES (Meitantei Konan Tantei tachi no Requiem), which each earned between $25-30 million at the box office.

NTV/Warner’s DEATH NOTE: THE LAST NAME (Desu Noto 2) was the number four Japanese film of the year with $46,298,400, and Toiei/TV Asahi’s YAMATO earned $42,773,100 for sixth place. Other big hits for 2006 include DEATH NOTE (Desu Noto), KISARAZU CATS EYE: SAYONARA GAME, and LOVE AND HONOR (Bushi no ichibun).

At a press conference last month, Isao Matsuoka explained that Japanese filmmakers “have come to produce many films that are beloved by the audience. Also, gigantic US movies made with computer graphics have lost their initial impact.”

For more details on the International Lifetime Achievement Award, please see the press release from ShoWest.

Japanese poster art for CUTIE HONEY. © 2004
Dynamic Planning, Inc./Warner Bros. Ent.

Source: Bandai Entertainment

On April 17, Warner Bros. Japan’s CUTIE HONEY (Kutei Hanii, 2004) will be released on DVD in America by Bandai Entertainment. The movie was directed by Hideaki Anno (NEON GENESIS EVANGELION) and stars fashion model Eriko Sato (a.k.a. “Sato Eri”) as the flesh and blood incarnation of Go Nagai’s famous manga and anime character. CUTIE HONEY is a fun and fast-paced film in which the super-heroine goes through more than thirty different costume changes as she battles a host of bizarre and silly villains.

Bandai has announced that there will be two different releases of CUTIE HONEY. The standard DVD release will retail for $29.98 and includes the 93 minute long feature with the original Japanese audio, an English dub and English subtitles, plus the theatrical trailers, a promo video, and a “Making of CUTIE HONEY” documentary.

The Limited Edition CUTIE HONEY Set will include the DVD and a keychain, all packaged inside a Cutie Honey lunchbox. Only 5000 sets will be manufactured. SRP is $49.98.

Source: John DeSentis
Official Site: The Criterion Collection

© 1956 Nikkatsu Corp / 2007 Criterion

The Criterion Collection has announced the March 13, 2007 DVD releases of two classic war dramas by director Kon Ichikawa, THE BURMESE HARP (Biruma no tategoto, 1956) and FIRES ON THE PLAIN (Nobi, 1959). Both are newly restored high-definition digital transfers presented in their original aspect ratios (1.33:1 and 2.35:1, respectively) and feature newly remastered soundtracks. MSRP for both titles is $29.95 each.

THE BURMESE HARP stars Shoji Yasui (THE FALL OF AKO CASTLE) as Mizushima, a POW at the end of World War II sent on a mission that will change his very identity. Music plays a key role in the film, which features a score by the late Akira Ifukube (GODZILLA, DAIMAJIN). The DVD also features interviews with director Kon Ichikawa and veteran actor Rentaro Mikuni (KWAIDAN), and an essay by film historian Tony Rayns.

FIRES ON THE PLAIN is another story near the end of the war, this time of remnants of the Japanese Imperial Army in the jungles of the Philippines. Private Tamura (Eiji Funakoshi, GAMERA and GAMERA VS. GUILLON) struggles to retain his humanity as he watches fellow soldiers descend into desperation, madness and even cannibalism. The DVD features an introduction by film historian Donald Richie, new interviews with director Kon Ichikawa and actor Mickey Curtis (GUNHED, COWBOY BEBOP: THE MOVIE), and an essay by film critic Chuck Stephens.

Ren Osugi and Chiaki Kuriyama in the weird new
horror film EXTE — HAIR EXTENSIONS. © 2007
Toei Co.,Ltd

Ghostly women with long, flowing hair are a tradition in Japanese horror stories. The new movie EXTE — HAIR EXTENSIONS (Ekusute) eliminates the ladies but keeps the hair with a tale of extensions that start randomly attacking the people who wear them. In true JU-ON fashion, the hair extensions carry the grudge of the individuals to which the hair originally belonged.

EXTE is the latest film from Shion Sono, director of SUICIDE CLUB (Jisatsu Saakuru, 2002) and STRANGE CIRCUS (Kimyo no Sakasu, 2005). It stars fan favorite actress Chiaki Kuriyama (BATTLE ROYALE, KILL BILL VOL 1, AZUMI 2, THE GREAT YOKAI WAR) as Yuko, a trainee hair stylist who is menaced by Yamazaki, a morgue attendant dealing with a black market organ ring. Yamazaki is played by the popular character actor Ren Osugi (BODYGUARD KIBA, SHALL WE DANCE?, WEATHER GIRL, CURE, AUDITION, UZUMAKI, THE TWILIGHT SAMURAI, NIGHTMARE DETECTIVE).

Check out the EXTE — HAIR EXTENSIONS official site for the theatrical trailer and the bizarre music video “My Hair” (My Hea), performed by Ren Osugi. The film opens in theaters in Japan on February 17. We expect Roy Lee will announce a US remake entitled THE WEAVE sometime in the next 30 seconds.

© 2004 Masamune Shirow/Seishinsa/Apple
Seed Film Partners

Source: Herald Sun, Federation Square

The Federation Square in Melborne, Australia will open their new theater with a series of free cult movie screenings courtesy of Madman Entertainment, Saturday nights at 10:00pm. The program kicks off this weekend with the anime classic AKIRA (1988). Upcoming screenings will include the CGI anime movie APPLESEED (Appurushido, 2004), ESCAFLOWNE (2000), GHOST IN THE SHELL (Kokaku Kidotai, 1995), and Godzilla’s 50th anniversary film GODZILLA: FINAL WARS (2004).

Opened in 2002, Federation Square is an open air courtyard with ACMI (the Australian Centre for the Moving Image), Champions: Australian Racing Museum, Federation Wharf, The Ian Potter Centre: National Galley of Victoria Australia, the Special Broadcasting Service TV and radio system, and the Melbourne Tourist Information Centre.

Additional information on scheduled films and screen dates is now available on the Federation Square Upcoming Events page.

© 2007 Newtype USA, Inc.

Source: ADV Films
Official Site: Newtype USA

The February 2007 issue of Newtype USA takes a lighthearted look at anime’s most dysfunctional couples with an exclusive cover and eight-page feature on EUREKA SEVEN, starring the charming yet conflicted duo of Eureka and Anemone. Will these two leading ladies ever find true love— or will they be swept away in the tides of intense conflict swirling around them?

Additional articles include details on the new EVANGELION films; a profile of Mine Yoshizaki (Sgt Frog); a look at anime titles BASILISK, .hack//Roots and LE CHEVALIER D’EON; The Official Art of Guyver; and reviews of all the latest anime, manga, video games, music and toys. Among the assortment of extras is with the exclusive manga insert, Once Upon a Glashma —a rollicking tale of two young magic investigators bumbling through a world where all the girls have disappeared— plus a free DVD featuring full anime episodes of AIR GEAR and DISGAEA.

Newtype USA Vol. 6, Issue 2 is available February 1, 2007.

© 1971 P Productions / 2007 Inspire

Author: Robert Saint John
Source: Hobby Search

The Japanese collectible website Hobby Search has announced that it is accepting pre-orders for a March release of a 6 3/4″ Spectreman pre-painted vinyl figure, based on the superhero of the tokusatsu TV series produced by P Productions and aired on Fuji TV in 1971-72. The figure is being manufactured by Inspire, and list price is 3,850 yen (approximately $32.00 US). Click on the image caption to visit the page.

© 2007 Studio Kaiju LLC

Source: Studio Kaiju LLC
Official Site: Kaiju.com

Next month, KAIJU BIG BATTEL: THE TV PILOT will be filmed in front of a live studio audience at the Avalon Boston. The live monster wrestling show has been optioned as a television series for the G4 TV cable network.

“We are very excited about the prospects of a KAIJU TV series, and it’s only fitting that we film the pilot in Kaiju’s hometown”, Studio Kaiju LLC’s Kaiju Commissioner announced in a press release. “Boston has been very generous in their support of KAIJU over the years and we wouldn’t want to hold this Big Battel anywhere else. You can be a part of this monumental moment in television history by becoming a member of the live studio audience. Tickets are available now at Ticketmaster outlets and ticketmaster.com.”

KAIJU BIG BATTEL: THE TV PILOT takes place 7:00pm Wednesday, February 21st at the Avalon Boston (15 Lansdowne St. Boston, MA). Tickets for the “All Ages” show are $15.25.

Author: Clay Holden
Source: Japan Postal Service

Gamera © 1999 Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.
Godzilla © 2004 Toho Co., Ltd.

The Japanese Postal Service has released several Special Issue Postal Stamps that may be of interest to anime and tokusatsu fans. “Animation Hero and Heroine, Series 3” is a full sheet of stamps from GALAXY EXPRESS 999 (Ginga Tetsudo Three-Nine) and other Leiji Matsumoto creations. “Japanese Movie I” focuses on chambara characters such as Toshiro Mifune’s ‘Kikuchiyo’ from SEVEN SAMURAI (Shichinin no Samurai). “Japanese Movie II” includes SAILOR SUITS AND GUNS (Serafuku to Kikanju), TWILIGHT SAMURAI (Tasogare Seibei), GAMERA: REVENGE OF IRIS (Gamera 3: Irisu Kakusei), and GODZILLA: FINAL WARS.

The main Japan Post website has information on distributors who are selling these Special Issues in a dozen countries, including the United States, Britain, Spain, and Germany.