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25th Anniversary of DRAGON BALL Z Includes HD Remastered Video and Audio
Source: FUNimation Entertainment presskit
Official Site: dragonballzkai.com
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Manny Alcala
The Legendary Z Reborn! In celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the hugely popular anime DRAGON BALL Z, FUNimation and Toei Animation Co. are proud to release DRAGON BALL Z KAI on DVD and Blu-ray in the United States.
DRAGON BALL Z KAI includes HD re-mastered video and audio, updated opening and closing sequences, plus the return of several key DRAGON BALL Z English-voice cast members! For the first time in history, experience the legendary Z as the master intended: bigger, faster, stronger, and packed with the pulverizing power to blow your puny minds! Beef up your collection with this manga-centric, fresh take on Akira Toriyama’s original vision, featuring more action than you can handle, revitalized animation, and an amped-up audio experience that will make your ears beg for mercy!
DRAGON BALL Z KAI PART 1 (containing Episodes 1-13) goes on sale tomorrow, May 18th. Look for PART 2 on DVD and Blu-ray on September 14, 2010. Continued…
Newly issued KAMEN RIDER V3 DVD Box Set!
Author Bob Johnson
Source: JN Productions and Generation Kikaida
After going out of print, JN Productions received numerous requests for their KAMEN RIDER V3 DVD box set. So now the motorcycle-riding hero is back for an encore. JN Productions is proud to release a newly issued “Special Edition” 6-disc set, which contains all 52 exciting episodes and bonus features originally found on the “Collector’s Edition” box set. The Special Edition box set is available on May 18 and will be priced at $149.50.
Considered, along with the original KAMEN RIDER series, to be the best of the “showa” Kamen Riders, KAMEN RIDER V3 is a series not to be missed. Continued…
Congratulations to the winners! Each of you has won a Gift Pack containing the K-20: THE FIEND WITH TWENTY FACES DVD and theatrical poster. VIZ Pictures will be shipping the Gift Packs shortly so keep an eye on your mailbox.
More contests are planned for 2010— including another VIZ DVD giveaway for 20TH CENTURY BOYS 3: REDEMPTION— so keep checking back with SciFi Japan for more chances to win some cool stuff! Continued…
Action-Packed Drama Released May 11 from Magnolia Home Entertainment
Source: Magnolia Home Entertainment, Bender/Helper Impact
Official Movie Site: HAEUNDAE
Special Thanks to Kim Song-ho and Frances Kregel
Magnet Releasing, the genre division of Magnolia Pictures, has released the Korean disaster movie HAEUNDAE on Blu-ray and Region 1 DVD with the English title TIDAL WAVE. The film topped the Korean box office last year and was given a limited US theatrical run as HAEUNDAE (TSUNAMI).
Magnolia is also making TIDAL WAVE available for download for PC, Mac, DVD Player, and PlayStation 3 in North America via Film Fresh, Inc.. The download price is $15.99.
Synopsis
A deep-sea earthquake occurs creating a tidal wave that is headed straight for Haeundae, a popular vacation spot on the south coast of Korea, which draws visitors from all over the world. During its peak season, more than a million vacationers pack onto its narrow one-mile strip of sand. While tracking offshore seismic activity, Professor Kim, a marine geologist, recognizes the impending danger of a mega tsunami. He desperately attempts to warn authorities and alert the unknowing vacationers of the 500 MPH destructive force of nature headed their direction. Continued…
20TH CENTURY BOYS 3: REDEMPTION (20-Seiki Shonen: Saishusho-Bokura no Hata, 2009), the final chapter of the smash hit sci-fi action trilogy based on the manga by Naoki Urasawa, will be available on Region 1 DVD starting June 1st. VIZ Pictures is celebrating the upcoming DVD release with a special one-night-only film screening event this month at the VIZ Cinema in San Francisco.
VIZ Pictures presents a YUKIHIKO TSUTSUMI Film, Based on a manga by NAOKI URASAWA 20TH CENTURY BOYS 3: REDEMPTION
2009/Japan/35mm/with English subtitles/155 min./Color/16:9 anamorphic
Day: Thursday, May 20th
Time: 7pm
Place: VIZ Cinema (NEW PEOPLE B-Level, 1746 Post St., SF, CA 94115)
Ticket: $25 (including movie ticket, DVD, poster & more!)
$10 (movie ticket only) No discounts apply Continued…
Final Showa Ultraman TV Series To Be Released On DVD
Author: Jim M. Ballard
Source: Bandai Visual
ULTRAMAN 80 (Urutoraman Eitii, 1980), the last live action Ultraman TV series of the Showa era, will be released on DVD for the first time in Japan this year. It is the last of all the primary Ultraman TV series to be released on DVD in Japan.
The series will be split into two “Memorial Box” collection sets. Memorial Box I is due for release on June 25th, and will contain the first twenty-eight episodes on seven discs. Memorial Box II will be released three months later on September 24th, containing the final twenty-two episodes on six discs, plus a bonus disc containing special features. Both sets come in deluxe art boxes and will retail for 24,150 yen (approx. US$260). The discs are region coded, and will only function in Japanese, European and other Region 2 encoded DVD players. Continued…
The Australian distributor Madman Entertainment is releasing a number of anime and Asian live action titles this month on Region 4 DVD. Highlights include…
MOTHER
From Bong Joon-ho, director of THE HOST comes MOTHER, which stars Kim Hye-ja in the role which won her the Best Actress award at last year’s Asia-Pacific Screen Awards.
IKKI TOUSEN DRAGON DESTINY S2 VOL 1
The Romance of the Three Kingdoms continues in modern Japan, as rival schools in the reincarnated saga struggle to achieve dominance. The focus shifts to other high schools and their front runners. Meanwhile, the dragons of the remaining two great leaders are awakening, leading to growing mayhem. As ancient artifacts are acquired and events unfold, the battles keep raging with enough intensity to rend flesh and clothing.
PARADISE KISS COLLECTION
The beautiful Yukari strives to ace her college entrance exams, but the goal is really her mother’s, not her own. One day, she meets Paradise Kiss, a group of fashion design students who scout her as a model for their runway show. Reluctant at first, Yukari is influenced by their determination to pursue their dreams, agreeing to explore her true potential. In the meantime, she also discovers a growing attraction to George, the outrageous leader of Paradise Kiss. Continued…
FUNimation Entertainment has provided details on several new Region 1 anime DVDs coming in the first half of May. Read on for cover art and specs for:
DRAGON BALL SEASON 4 COMPLETE COLLECTION
DRAGON BALL Z: DRAGON BOX Z VOL. 3,
VANDREAD: THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION
ONE PIECE: SEASON 2- SEVENTH VOYAGE
INITIAL D: THIRD STAGE
INITIAL D: PROJECT D, FOURTH STAGE- PART 1 Continued…
SciFi Japan is pleased to present another giveaway contest for Japanese horror fans in the United Kingdom.
On April 26th, the two latest films in the hugely successful JU-ON/THE GRUDGE Japanese horror series— JU-ON: WHITE GHOST and JU-ON: BLACK GHOST— will be released together on DVD in the UK by 4Digital Media. The one disk set continues the franchise under the helm of the original JU-ON producer Taka Ichise and creator Takashi Shimizu whose horror filled vision was remade in America as THE GRUDGE (2004). To celebrate the release of these horrifying films 4Digital Media and Organic Marketing have 5 copies of the DVD to give away to SciFi Japan readers.
4Digital Media’s JU-ON: WHITE GHOST and JU-ON: BLACK GHOST DVD is Region 2 PAL, cert. 15, has a running time of 121 minutes, and presents the films in their original 16×9 Anamorphic widescreen, with Japanese language audio (Dolby Digital 2.0) and English subtitles. The suggested retail price is £15.99. Continued…
Get the K-20 DVD and Poster for Free, Courtesy of VIZ Pictures and SciFi Japan
Source: VIZ Pictures
Official Movie Site: k20themovie (US), K-20 (Japanese)
Special Thanks to Rieko Fuji
Today, VIZ Pictures is releasing the action film K-20: THE FIEND WITH TWENTY FACES (K-20: Kaijin Nijumenso Den, 2008) on Region 1 DVD. To celebrate the new release, VIZ Pictures is giving SciFi Japan readers in the United States and Canada a chance to win one of three Gift Packs, each with the K-20: THE FIEND WITH TWENTY FACES DVD and poster.
Heikichi Endo (played by Takeshi Kaneshiro) is a circus acrobat who is deceived by K-20 and framed to take the fall for the phantom thief. Using his incredible physical dexterity, Heikichi wages war against K-20 in order to clear his name and fights alongside K-20′s next wealthy target, Duchess Yoko Hashiba (Takako Matsu) and her fiancée, the brilliant detective Kogoro Akechi (Toru Nakamura). But what is the ultimate decision Heikichi has to make?
The K-20: THE FIEND WITH TWENTY FACES DVD is now available for purchase. The suggested retail price is $24.92 U.S. / $35.99 CAN. Continued…
Valentine’s Day turns twisted for Mizushima after the vampire schoolgirl Monami gives him a chocolate laced with vampire blood. One bite of the delicious sweet infects him with immortality. This does not sit well with Mizushima’s jealous girlfriend Keiko. She wants him all to herself. A bloody battle between the two women ends with Keiko falling to her death. To her luck, Keiko’s mad scientist father reanimates her into an undead Frankenstein girl. Now on a level playing field, the undead damsels fight for the heart of Mizushima.
FUNimation Entertainment has acquired home entertainment, digital and merchandising rights to the live action horror comedy VAMPIRE GIRL VS. FRANKENSTEIN GIRL (Kyuuketsushoujo tai Shoujofuranken, 2009) from Eleven Arts Entertainment. FUNimation will release the film on DVD and Blu-ray in October 2010. Continued…
Coming to US DVD and Blu-Ray this Summer
Source: Media Blasters
Special Thanks to Richard York
Media Blasters has released the English language trailer for DEATH KAPPA, a new Tokyo Shock original film produced with Fever Dreams Japan. DEATH KAPPA is an “old school” daikaiju movie from the creators of cult favorites THE MACHINE GIRL, DEATH TRANCE and TOKYO GORE POLICE and director Tomoo Haraguchi, the celebrated make-up, creature and effects master whose credits include the last four Gamera films, ASHURA, UZUMAKI, RING 0, Showtime’s MASTERS OF HORROR series. and REIGO: THE DEEP-SEA MONSTER VS THE BATTLESHIP YAMATO. Haraguchi has also directed a handful of films such as MIKADROID, SAKUYA, and KIBAKICHI. Continued…
With the great news of a new Godzilla film in the near future, Toho Studios has been getting into the Blu-Ray game with some of the great kaiju classics from the 1950′s and 60′s with such titles as GODZILLA (GOJIRA, 1954), RODAN (SORA NO DAIKAIJU RADON, 1957) MOTHRA (MOSURA, 1962) and the newly released WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS (SANDA TAI GAIRA, 1966).
Presented in an incredible 2:35:1 Blu-Ray transfer, WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS is by far the most pristine print ever of this classic and is superior to the “Toho Master Collection” put out by Classic Media last year. Many fans were disappointed with the Japanese film transfer in that collection, but will be very elated to see a fantastic film transfer here. But unlike the Classic Media DVD collection, this Blu-Ray does not come with English subtitles which is no surprise when it comes to how Toho releases their films on DVD or Blu-Ray. Continued…
Suspense And Intrigue Combine With Stunning Visual Effects And Gravity-Defying Stunts For A Riveting Adventure
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Official Movie Site: k20themovie (US), K-20 (Japanese)
Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen
VIZ Pictures will release the action film K-20: THE FIEND WITH TWENTY FACES (K-20: Kaijin Nijumenso Den, 2008) on DVD on April 20th. The film will carry an MSRP of $24.92 U.S. / $35.99 CAN.
Director Shimako Sato assembled a strong cast and used cutting edge special effects to bring K-20 to life. The movie is set in the fictional city of Teito in the late 1940s, in a world where World War II never happened and the nobility system established during the Meiji Era still exists. An extreme divide exists between the upper and lower classes, with 90 percent of the country’s wealth being held by the upper class. The capital of Teito is in crisis with the emergence of a menacing phantom thief known as “The Fiend (Kaijin) With Twenty Faces” or simply “K-20.”
“The character of K-20 was originally born in the best-selling 26-volume Boy Detectives series, written by Japanese literary master Rampo Edogawa, and over the years the stories have been enjoyed by more than 100 million people,” says Seiji Horibuchi, President and CEO of VIZ Pictures. “The inspired film uses a potent mix of eye-catching visual effects and gravity-defying high wire stunts to bring the unique story to the screen with incredible results. We look forward to fans discovering this thrilling new action feature from VIZ Pictures.” Continued…
Beginning December 29th, 1964, an extraordinary cross-cultural TV sensation swept through the suburban lounge rooms of Australia. Senkosha Productions’ THE SAMURAI (Onmitsu Kenshi, 1962-65) left an indelible impression on the children of the “swinging” sixties. Imported from Japan, dubbed into American-English it was a smash hit, astonishing broadcasters, advertisers, the press and critics alike. Never before, or since, has a show become such a cult hit and caused such controversy as THE SAMURAI.
This 2009 documentary interviews prominent Australian SAMURAI lovers – such as comedian Steve Bedwell (FULL FRONTAL), writer/producer Santo Cilauro (The D-Generation) and Roy Slaven (comedian John Doyle) – to discover exactly why THE SAMURAI phenomenon caused such fervor across Australia. It looks at children’s perception and the equally profound perception of their parents and grandparents.
THE SAMURAI has left an endearing legacy in the hearts and minds of the Australians who experienced a unique sensation which swept a nation. This is a unique Australian story which needed to be told. Continued…
FUNimation Entertainment has provided details on three new Region 1 anime DVDs going on sale at the end of March…
On March 30th, look for STRIKE WITCHES: The Complete First Season Box Set featuring 12 uncut episodes, SOUL EATER- Part Two Box Set with Episodes 14-26, and SGT FROG: SEASON 2- PART 2 Box Set with episodes 40-51. Continued…
Known as one of the top J-Horror directors, Kiyoshi Kurosawa has made such well-known hits as SEANCE (Kourei: Ushirowo Miruna, 1999), CHARISMA (Karisuma, 2001), PULSE (Kairo, 2001), BRIGHT FUTURE (Akarui Mirai, 2003), DOPPELGANGER (Dopperugengaa, 2003), and LOFT (Rofuto, 2005). One of his most acclaimed works is CURE (Kyua, 1997) which is now coming to Region 4 (Australia) DVD from Madman Entertainment.
Against the backdrop of a decaying Tokyo, Detective Kenichi Takabe (Koji Yakusho) investigates a series of baffling murders occurring all over the city. In all cases, each victim is killed the same way, but the murderers are always different, always ordinary people who remember nothing of the crime afterward.
The only link appears to be a mysterious man named Kunio Mamiya (Masato Hagiwara) who came into brief contact with each of the murderers, and who seems to possess an unusual power of suggestion over others. Detective Takabe must place his own sanity on the line in an attempt to end this wave of inexplicable terror. Continued…
The hit anime series CLANNAD is being reissued on DVD by Sentai Filmworks with a brand-new English dub. Originally released in a subtitled only format, CLANNAD is receiving the dub as part of an agreement in which several affiliated groups have come together to create English language versions for five of Sentai’s most popular titles.
In appreciation of those who supported the subtitled only release of these shows, Sentai Filmworks and Section23 Films have set up an “Upgrade” program which will allow owners of the subtitled versions to upgrade their DVD’s for the new release containing the English dub. Continued…
Based on the first book in the series of bestselling ‘John Rain’ novels by acclaimed author and former CIA operative Barry Eisler, the action-packed crime-thriller, RAIN FALL, brings Eisler’s half-Japanese, half-American anti-hero to the screen for the first time in the form of award winning Japanese star, Keppei Shiina (THE LAST PRINCESS; SAKURAN). RAIN FALL (cert. 15) will be released on DVD (£15.99) by Momentum Pictures on 29th March 2010.
Adapted for the screen and directed by Max Mannix (DANCE OF THE DRAGON), this slickly mounted, tense thriller co-stars Gary Oldman (THE DARK KNIGHT; HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX), veteran Japanese actor Akira Emoto (GODZILLA VS SPACE GODZILLA; ICHI; MEMORIES OF MATSUKO; SINKING OF JAPAN), Kyoko Hasegawa (NANAYO), Misa Shimizu (THE UNBROKEN; THE HARIMAYA BRIDGE) and Dirk Hunter (UNDEAD). Continued…
Section23 Films has announced that TAYUTAMA: KISS ON MY DEITY is now on sale on DVD across North America.
TAYUTAMA: KISS ON MY DEITY COMPLETE COLLECTION contains all 12 episodes of the magical comedy series on 2 discs. TAYUTAMA began life as a popular adult PC game, but it has since been adapted to many other media, including anime.
Yuuri Mito is a typical, normal Japanese teenager. He goes to school, works on people’s motorcycles and performs exorcisms. Okay, that last part’s a little bit unusual, but his family lives in a shrine and they do that sort of thing. Still, you would think he’d know enough to be careful with an ancient relic he finds in the woods, especially when a mysterious goddess appears and tells him to leave it alone. Unfortunately, despite Mito’s best efforts, the seal gets broken anyway and a number of dangerous “tayuti” that it held in stasis get loose. This is bad. Mito also ends up with a beautiful goddess girl who decides that she’s going to marry him. This might not be so bad, if he wasn’t already caught up in the middle of a war between the entities he’s released. Continued…
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