DVD cover art for CASSHERN SINS. Photos courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2008 Tatsunoko Production/ Casshern Sins Project

Source: FUNimation Entertainment
Official Site: casshern-sins.jp (Japan), funimation.com/casshernsins (US)
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Manny Alcala

The complete 24 episode anime series CASSHERN SINS (Kyashan Sins, 2008) has been released on North American DVD and Blu-ray by FUNimation Entertainment. The series is loosely based on the original NEO-HUMAN CASSHERN (Shinzo Ningen Casshan, aka CASSHAN), a 1973 superhero show produced Tatsunoko Production (SPEED RACER, GATCHAMAN). CASSHERN SINS is set in a post-apocalyptic world where mankind is nearly extinct. Robots far outnumber humans, but the inhospitable environment has begun to destroy even their metal bodies as well. Into this world comes the humanoid cyborg Casshern. Extremely powerful but suffering from amnesia, the first things Casshern discovers is that he is responsible for what has befallen the world… and now everyone wants to kill him.
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Eva Units 02 and 00 battle the Angel Sahaquiel in EVANGELION 2.0: YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE. The film will be released in North America next year
by FUNimation Entertainment. © 2009 Khara

Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release
Official Movie Site: funimation.com/evangelion (US), evangelion.co.jp (Japan)
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Manny Alcala

FUNimation Entertainment announced that it has acquired the North American home entertainment, broadcast, digital and merchandise rights to the animated sci-fi action film EVANGELION: 2.0 YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE (Evangelion Shin Gekijoban: Ha, 2009) from international sales agent NTV (Nippon Television Network). FUNimation will release the film on Region 1 DVD and Blu-ray in 2011.
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Source: FUNimation Entertainment press releases
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Manny Alcala

MASTER OF MARTIAL HEARTS cover art, courtesy of
FUNimation Entertainment. © Master of Martial
Hearts Committee

FUNimation Entertainment has provided details on their new and upcoming Region 1 anime DVD and Blu-ray releases.

Read on for cover art and specs for…
MY BRIDE IS A MERMAID, Parts 1 and 2
SOUL EATER Part 4
DRAGON BALL Season 5
ONE PIECE: SEASON 3- SECOND VOYAGE
MASTER OF MARTIAL HEARTS
FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: BROTHERHOOD Part 2
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Menu screens for the four Gamera films being released next month on DVD. Photos courtesy of Shout! Factory. © 1967-1970 Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.

Four Classic Gamera Movies Coming September 21st
Source: Shout! Factory
Special Thanks to Tom Chen and Brian Ward

Our friends at Shout! Factory sent over advance copies of their GAMERA VS. GUIRON / GAMERA VS. JIGER and GAMERA VS. GYAOS / GAMERA VS. VIRAS Double-Feature Collector’s Edition DVD sets, so we’re pleased to give SciFi Japan readers an early look at what’s coming their way on September 21st. Each DVD set is sold separately and has a suggested retail price of $19.93.
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Cover art for Shout! Factory’s GAMERA VS. GYAOS / GAMERA VS. VIRAS and GAMERA VS. GUIRON / GAMERA VS. JIGER Double Feature DVD Collections.
Photos courtesy of Shout! Factory. © 1967-1970 Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.

Classic Kaiju Movies to be Released September 21st
Source: Shout! Factory press release
Special Thanks to Tom Chen and Brian Ward

If you loved the first two Special Edition home entertainment releases of the original Gamera movies – GAMERA, THE GIANT MONSTER and GAMERA VS. BARUGON, prepare yourself for four times the fun! On September 21, 2010, Shout! Factory will further unleash four more Gamera movies (the original Japanese version) from the Showa series in two Double-Feature Collector’s Edition DVD sets: GAMERA VS. GYAOS / GAMERA VS. VIRAS and GAMERA VS. GUIRON / GAMERA VS. JIGER. Featuring all-new anamorphic widescreen transfers, each Double-Feature DVD set includes both the original Japanese and infamous English dubbed versions of each film along with publicity galleries. A must-have for film enthusiasts and collectors, aggregate your Gamera movie collection with these two Double-Feature Collector’s Edition DVD sets. Each DVD set is sold separately with $19.93 SRP.
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Source: Madman Entertainment
Special Thanks to Ben Pollock and Philippa Lamb

DVD cover art for 20TH CENTURY BOYS Trilogy. Photo
courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 1999, 2006 Naoki
Urasawa, Studio Nuts/ Shogakukan. © 2009 “20th Century
Boys” Film Partners

The Australian distributor Madman Entertainment is releasing a mix of anime and Asian live action titles on Region 4 DVD in September, 2010. The selection includes:

FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: BROTHERHOOD Collection 2
ONE PIECE (Uncut) Collection
MY BRIDE IS A MERMAID Collection 1
BAKUGAN: NEW VESTROIA Collection 2
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Collection 3
JYU-OH-SEI (PLANET OF THE BEAST KING) Collection
NANA Collection 2
INITIAL D FOURTH STAGE Collection 2
KUROKAMI Collection 1
BLEACH Vol 26
20TH CENTURY BOYS Trilogy
and MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM 00 Second Season Vol 1

Read on for plot descriptions, DVD specs, cover art, and more.
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XAM’D Blu Ray Available on September 21st
Source: Section23 Films press release
Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff

BLUE DROP COMPLETE COLLECTION. Photo
courtesy of Section23 Films.

Home video distributor Section23 Films has provided product details for their September 2010 slate of releases, including XAM’D COLLECTION 1 on DVD and Blu-ray, GOLGO 13 COLLECTION 2, BLUE DROP COMPLETE COLLECTION, DVD and Blu-ray editions of GHOST HOUND COMPLETE COLLECTION, and HELL GIRL: THREE VESSELS COLLECTION 1.

Read on for plot descriptions, DVD/Blu-ray specs, and cover art for all these titles.
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The long-awaited sequel to THE LOST SKELETON OF CADAVRA and Larry Blamire’s latest send-up have been released on DVD by Shout! Factory.
© 2008 Bantam Street

A Double-Dose of Hilarious B-Movie Lampoons
Source: Shout! Factory, Bantam Street
Official Movie Websites: THE LOST SKELETON RETURNS AGAIN, DARK AND STORMY NIGHT
Special Thanks to Brian Ward and Tom Chen

In the grand tradition of Mel Brooks and Preston Sturges, Larry Blamire brings his zany ensemble of actors back in two hysterically funny and instant cult-classics, when the highly-anticipated sequel THE LOST SKELETON RETURNS AGAIN and Blamire’s latest send-up DARK AND STORMY NIGHT hit the home entertainment shelves August 17, 2010 from Shout! Factory. Poised to deliver the cinematic chuckle-fests that loyal fans have been waiting for, both collectible DVDs boast cast and crew commentary, a behind-the-scenes featurette and more. Each DVD is sold separately and has a suggested retail price of $14.97.
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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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Ryuk the Shinigami and Light Yagami (Tatsuya Fujiwara) check out the new Blu-ray DEATH NOTE COLLECTION.
Photo courtesy of VIZ Pictures. © 2006 [Death Note] Film Partners

Highly Anticipated Double-Feature Includes DEATH NOTE, DEATH NOTE II: THE LAST NAME and Bonus Disc
Source: VIZ Pictures, MediaLab press releases
Official Movie Site: Death-Note-Movie (Japan), Death Note Films (US)
Special Thanks to Erik Jansen

Ad for the DEATH NOTE COLLECTION. Photo courtesy of VIZ Pictures.
© 2006 [Death Note] Film Partners

VIZ Pictures will debut the Blu-ray DEATH NOTE COLLECTION on August 24th, 2010. The 3-disc set includes 2 feature films – DEATH NOTE and DEATH NOTE II: THE LAST NAME – as well as a bonus disc containing more than two hours of all new behind-the-scenes footage. Both films feature Japanese audio with English subtitles as well as an English dubbed dialogue track. MSRP for the DEATH NOTE COLLECTION is $39.98 U.S. / $57.99 CAN.

To celebrate the new release, VIZ Pictures will hold a special screening of both films at VIZ Cinema, located inside NEW PEOPLE in San Francisco’s Japantown (1746 Post St., San Francisco, CA 94115) on Saturday, September 4th.

As a special offer to U.S. and Canadian DEATH NOTE fans, VIZ Pictures will award three lucky winners posters for DEATH NOTE and DEATH NOTE II along with an autograph from one of the three lead actors – Tatsuya Fujiwara (who played Light Yagami), Erika Toda (Misa Amane) and Kenichi Matusyama (L/Ryuzaki).
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DVD and Blu-ray cover art for The Criterion Collection’s upcoming release of director Nobuhiko Obayashi’s cult classic horror film HOUSE.
Photo courtesy of Image Entertainment. © 1977 Toho Co., Ltd.

Source: Image Entertainment
Official Movie Site: janusfilms.com/house, criterion.com/house
Special Thanks to Marsha Altmark

The Criterion Collection is proud to present Toho’s stunningly bizarre horror movie HOUSE (Hausu, 1977) on Region 1 DVD and Blu-ray. Directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi, this is a must have for any Japanese cult horror film fan.

HOUSE will be released on October 26th, 2010. Both the Criterion DVD and Blu-ray are now available for pre-order on Amazon.com.
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Innocent wannabe pop musician Soichi Negishi (Kenichi Matsuyama) becomes the death metal star Johannes Krauser II in DETROIT METAL CITY, Toho’s live action
movie based on the international best-selling manga series. © 2008 Toho Co., Ltd. /Horipro Inc. / Hakusensha, Inc. /Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. / Dentsu Inc. /d-rings Inc. /Parco Co., Ltd. /SDP, Inc. /Tokyo FM Broadcasting Co., Ltd. /Yahoo Japan Corporation /Nippon Shuppan Hanbai Inc. /Tsutaya Group.

Source: VIZ Pictures, MediaLab press releases
Official Site: go-to-dmc (Japan), DMCtheMovie.com (US)
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

VIZ Pictures, an affiliate of VIZ Media, LLC that focuses on Japanese live-action film distribution, has announced that it has licensed from Toho Company, Ltd the North American theatrical and DVD distribution rights to the heavy metal live-action comedy, DETROIT METAL CITY. The DVD is scheduled for release later in the fall of this year.

DETROIT METAL CITY takes the zany rock antics inspired by films like THIS IS SPINAL TAP to hilarious new extremes in this film directed by Toshio Lee and based on the popular manga comic created by Kiminori Wakasugi. It features notable appearances by Gene Simmons from the legendary band, KISS, and Marty Friedman of Megadeth, and stars Kenichi Matsuyama, one of the most adored actors in Japan today and known widely for his role as ‘L’ in the DEATH NOTE films.
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The Ju-On curse celebrates its 10th anniversary with the new film THE GRUDGE: WHITE GHOST/BLACK GHOST, coming to Australian DVD from Madman.
Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 2009 Toei Video Co., Ltd. /Cell

Source: Madman Entertainment
Special Thanks to Philippa Lamb

KAMUI. Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment.
© 2009 KAMUI Film Partners

The Australian distributor Madman Entertainment is releasing several anime and Asian live action titles on Region 4 DVD in August, 2010, including movies not yet available in North America.

The selection includes the latest JU-ON film THE GRUDGE: WHITE GHOST/BLACK GHOST; the third volume of IKKI TOUSEN DRAGON DESTINY SEASON 2; new collections of GURREN LAGANN, NANA, KURAU PHANTOM MEMORY, SOUL EATER and LINEBARRELS OF IRON; the ninja adventure KAMUI starring Kenichi Matsuyama; and the revamped DRAGON BALL Z KAI COLLECTION 1.

Read on for plot descriptions, DVD specs, cover art, and more.
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Ban Daisuke, star of KIKAIDA, KIKAIDA-01, and INAZUMAN, will make a special appearance at Anime Jungle in Los Angeles next month.
Photo courtesy of Generation Kikaida. © 1972 Ishinomori Production Inc. and Toei Co., Ltd.

Autograph Sessions, Parade, Dinner, and More During Nisei Week Festival, August 14-15
Source: Anime Jungle, JN Productions and Generation Kikaida
Special Thanks to Tetsu Shiota, Yoichi K, and Joanne Ninomiya

Advertisement for the event. Photo courtesy of Anime Jungle.
© 1971 Ishinomori Production Inc. and Toei Co., Ltd.

Anime Jungle, purveyors of everything anime in Japantown is proud to present an autograph session with Mr. Ban Daisuke, star of KIKAIDA (Jinzo Ningen Kikaida, 1972), KIKAIDA 01 (1973), and INAZUMAN (1973) at the upcoming Nisei Week Festival in Los Angeles. KIKAIDA took the Hawaiian Islands by storm over 35 years ago, and still going strong in Hawaii and the mainland due to the successful English-subtitled version of the DVD Box Sets.

KIKAIDA, based on an original story by manga artist and writer Shotaro Ishinomori (Kamen Rider), was produced as a tokusatsu (live action) by Toei Movie Company for television in the mid-seventies. A classic good-versus evil tale, the show pitted a guitar-playing, denim-clad young biker named Jiro, played by actor Ban Daisuke, against the evil DARK, a shadowy criminal organization bent on wreaking havoc upon Japan and the world.
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Advertisement for the Blu-ray and Region 1 DVD of IP MAN, the international martial arts hit about the mentor of Bruce Lee.
Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. © 2008 Mandarin Films

The Critically-Acclaimed, International Martial Arts Phenomena Debuts on Blu-ray and DVD July 27
Source: Well Go USA, Inc. press release
Special Thanks to Chrissy Walker

The trio behind the cult hit KILL ZONE — director Wilson Yip, star Donnie Yen, and action choreographer Sammo Hung — reteam for the Hong Kong action smash IP MAN, debuting on Blu-ray and DVD July 27 from Well Go USA. Yen (HERO, SEVEN SWORDS), currently Hong Kong’s biggest action star and gaining international recognition as the most diverse martial artist in the world, stars with Simon Yam (BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS, TOMB RAIDER) and Hiroyuki Ikeuchi (TAJOMARU, SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO) in the biopic based on the life of Ip Man, a grandmaster of the martial art Wing Chun and mentor to the widely influential and acclaimed martial artist and filmmaker Bruce Lee.
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DEATH NOTE’s Kenichi Matsuyama and Tatsuya Fujiwara reunite for the thriller KAIJI: THE ULTIMATE GAMBLER. Photo courtesy of 4Digital Media
and Organic Marketing. © 2009 “Kaiji” Film Partners

Hit Japanese Thriller Comes to DVD in the UK
Source: Organic Marketing
Official Movie Site: kaiji-movie.jp (Japan)
Special Thanks to Megan Han and Alexandra Beedell

Cover art for the UK DVD of KAIJI: THE ULTIMATE GAMBLER,
which goes on sale next week. Photo courtesy of 4Digital
Media and Organic Marketing. © 2009 “Kaiji” Film Partners

KAIJI: THE ULTIMATE GAMBLER (Kaiji: Jinsei Gyakuten Gemu, 2009) is based on Nobuyuki Fukumoto’s manga Ultimate Survivor Kaiji (Tobaku Mokushiroku Kaiji) and the 26 episode anime series by Madhouse Studios. The film stars Tatsuya Fujiwara (best known as “Light Yagami” in the DEATH NOTE films) as the titular character and features Kenichi Matuyama (“L”) in a key supporting role, marking the first time the two have appeared onscreen together since that hugely successful series.

A box office success in Japan (with a sequel planned for next year), KAIJI: THE ULTIMATE GAMBLER will be released on UK DVD (Region 2, PAL) by 4Digital Media on July 26th.

Kaiji Ito (Tatsuya Fujiwara) moves to Japan after graduating from high school. Unable to find a job and frustrated with society at large, Kaiji spends his days gambling, vandalising cars, and drinking. Two years later and his life is no better. A debt collector named Endo arrives to collect payment. She then offers two choices to Kaiji: spend 10 years paying off his loan or board a gambling boat for one night to repay his debt and possibly make a whole lot more. Meanwhile, the unscrupulous Endo is actually conning Kaiji, believing he won’t come back from his voyage. Kaiji is then up for the night of his life.
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Source: Section23 Films press release
Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff

PRINCESS RESURRECTION COMPLETE COLLECTION.
Photo courtesy of Section23 Films.

Home video distributor Section23 Films has provided product details for their August 2010 slate of releases, including PRINCESS RESURRECTION COMPLETE COLLECTION, LA CORDA D’ORO ~ PRIMO PASSO COLLECTION 2, SHIGOFUMI COMPLETE COLLECTION, and TYTANIA COLLECTION 1, the new epic space opera from the team behind the legendary anime MACROSS. Read on for plot descriptions, DVD specs, and cover art for all these titles.
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Chiaki Kuriyama and Takayuki Yamada star in Shochiku’s action comedy BATTLE LEAGUE HORUMO, now available on Region 1 DVD from VIZ Pictures.
© 2009 Kamogawa Horumo Film Partners

Japanese and American Press Materials for Combat Action Comedy Film
Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd., VIZ Pictures
Official Movie Site: horumo.com (US)
Special Thanks to Aki Harimoto and Rieko Fuji

The best-selling fantasy novel by Manabu Makime that became a phenomenon among the young and picky readers of Japan has been adapted into a combat action comedy film, made possible with the high quality and innovative VFX and animation by animation studio GONZO (creators of AFRO SAMURAI and BRAVE STORY).

BATTLE LEAGUE HORUMO (Kamogawa Horumo) introduces esoteric and ancient Taoist magic in an unusually modern setting with tight storytelling and a cast of uniquely hilarious characters. It’s a highly comic yet charming depiction of a hapless bunch of students who get pulled into an enigmatic secret social club called “The Azure Dragons” soon after entering the prestige Kyoto University.

Shochiku’s 2009 action comedy was released on Region 1 DVD this month by VIZ Pictures.
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Personal Appearances, Activities, and Show Exclusives
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

An early look at the design for VIZ Media’s 2010 Comic-Con International tote
bag. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media.

VIZ Media, LLC has announced an exciting roster of personal appearances, panel discussions, events, giveaways and convention exclusives for 2010 Comic-Con International. Comic-Con is the nation’s largest comic book and science fiction event, and takes place July 21-25 at the San Diego Convention Center, CA. VIZ Media will be located in Booth 2813.

The VIZ Media booth will be an exciting destination on the show floor for fans, with a variety of fun activities and exclusive products available for purchase during special times throughout the show.
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Source: The Associates press release
Official Movie Site: kamuigaiden.jp (Japan)
Special Thanks to Farhana Shaikh

Cover art for the UK DVD of KAMUI: THE LONE NINJA.
Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 2009 Kamui Film
Partners

Based on the legendary multi-volume manga series created by Japanese artist and essayist Sanpei Shirato in 1964, directed by Yoichi Sai (BLOOD AND BONES; DOING TIME; ALL UNDER THE MOON) and scripted by Sai and Kankuro Kudo (ZEBRAMAN; PING PONG; GO), the live-action, special effects-laden extravaganza KAMUI (Kamui Gaiden, 2009) perfectly captures the spirit and flavor of Shirato’s original vision. The film will be released on DVD and Blu-ray in the UK next month as KAMUI: THE LONE NINJA.

A high-spirited adventure involving deadly ninjas, fierce warrior clans, treacherous pirates and fearless shark hunters, KAMUI: THE LONE NINJA boasts a star-studded cast that features some of Asian cinema’s hottest talent, including Kenichi Matsuyama (the DEATH NOTE trilogy), Koyuki (BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE; KITARO), Koichi Sato (SUKIYAKI WESTERN DJANGO; STARFISH HOTEL), Ekin Cheng (STORM WARRIORS; DIVERGENCE), Yuta Kanai (DEATH NOTE: L change the worLd) and Suzuka Ohgo (MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA).

KAMUI: THE LONE NINJA (cert. 15) will be released on DVD (£15.99) and Blu-ray (£19.99) by Manga Entertainment on 9th August 2010.
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