DVD Set of Four Classic Films Featuring the International Action Star
Source: Golden Media Group
Official Site: GooHead Internet Channel
Special Thanks to Roy McAree

Win a DVD set of four classic films featuring international
star Sonny Chiba. © 1979-1984 Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.

Earlier this month, the GooHead Internet Channel— a free streaming service for classic Asian feature films and television series— announced they would be adding eight new titles to their lineup of films featuring martial arts legend, Shinichi “Sonny” Chiba (THE STREET FIGHTER, KILL BILL VOL. 1). Now, GooHead is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a free DVD set of four Sonny Chiba films!

THE SONNY CHIBA COLLECTION brings together, for the first time ever, four Chiba classics, uncut and unedited…

• G.I. SAMURAI (戦国自衛隊 Sengoku Jieitai, aka TIME SLIP, 1979)
• RESURRECTION OF GOLDEN WOLF (蘇える金狼, Yomigaeru Kinro, 1979)
• NINJA WARS (伊賀忍法帖, Iga Ninpo-cho, aka BLACK MAGIC WARS, 1982)
• LEGEND OF THE EIGHT SAMURAI (里見八犬伝, Satomi Hakkenden, 1983)
Continued…

The sci-fi anime FREEDOM is now avilable on Australian Blu-ray and DVD. Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 2006 Freedom Committee

A New Vision of the Future from the Creator of AKIRA
Source: Madman Entertainment

The sci-fi anime series FREEDOM (自由, 2006) is now available on DVD (Region 4, PAL) and Blu-ray (Region B) from Australian distributor Madman Entertainment. Animated by Sunrise (COWBOY BEBOP, MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM), FREEDOM features character designs by Katsuhiro Otomo, the creator of AKIRA. The seven-part series uses a hyper anime-realistic cell-shaded 3D look similar to APPLESEED and VEXILLE.

In the year 2041, mankind created their first space colony on the moon. But after a freak cataclysm devastated human civilization on Earth, the republic of the moon built a domed megalopolis known as Eden. Now in the year 2267, a boy called Takeru spends his time engaging in hover-craft races against rival street gangs, unaware that he is about to embark in the journey of unearthing Eden’s origin.
Continued…

Blu-ray and DVD cover art for NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: BONDS. Photos courtesy of VIZ Media. © Masashi Kishimoto /2007 Shippuden © NMP 2008

The World’s Most Popular Ninja Returns in the Second NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Anime Feature Film
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Official Site: naruto.com
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

VIZ Media, LLC, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, is proud to announce the DVD and Blu-ray release of the latest NARUTO feature film on October 25th. NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: BONDS (劇場版 NARUTO−ナルト− 疾風伝 絆, Gekijooban Naruto Shippuuden: Kizuna, 2008) will be the first Blu-ray release from the international anime franchise to hit North American shores, and is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens and priced at $24.98 (Blu-ray) and $19.98 (DVD) in both the U.S. and Canada.
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Disc Streets October 24th
Source: The Associates press release

UK DVD cover art. Photo courtesy of The Associates.
© 1992 Melsat Co., Ltd.

Written and directed by acclaimed Japanese novelist and film director, Ryu Murakami— the genius mind behind Takashi Miike’s AUDITION— TOKYO DECADENCE (トパーズ Topaazu, 1992) takes the viewer on a journey to the seedy, secretive side of modern Japanese society as seen through the eyes of a young call girl who specializes in sadomasochistic acts of bondage, domination and submission.

Sexually graphic without being gratuitous, brilliant and honest, TOKYO DECADENCE is an unforgettable film that never shies away from exposing the realities of a world that is devoid of humanity and feeling. Boasting a music score by Academy Award winning composer Ryuichi Sakamoto (THE LAST EMPEROR) and a brave, subtly sympathetic, soul-baring central performance by Miho Nikaido, it presents a searing, disturbing and extremely graphic indictment of the hypocrisies of excessive materialism and sexual puritanism.

TOKYO DECADENCE (cert. 18) will be released on DVD (Region 2, PAL) by ArrowDrome on 24th October 2011. MSRP is £9.99. Special Features include collectors’ booklet by Robin Bougie, reversible sleeve and ArrowDrome trailers.
Continued…

Epic Martial Arts Masterpiece Debuting on Blu-ray and DVD October 25
Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications press release
Special Thanks to Chrissy Walker, Doris Pfardrescher and Leif Hellend

Cover art for the Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack of SHAOLIN. Photo
courtesy of Well Go USA. © 2011 Emperor Motion Pictures

Andy Lau (HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS, FUTURE X-COPS), Nicolas Tse (THE STOOL PIGEON, STORM WARRIORS), and international superstar Jackie Chan (THE KARATE KID, RUSH HOUR trilogy) star in the martial arts drama SHAOLIN (新少林寺, Xīn Shàolín Sì, 2011), debuting on Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack, DVD and Collector’s Editions DVD and Blu-ray October 25 from Well Go USA. In this remake of Jet Li’s SHAOLIN TEMPLE (1982), acclaimed director Benny Chan (CITY UNDER SIEGE) tells an epic tale of sadistic warlords squaring off against noble monks in “a tale of monstrous evil, spiritual transformation and ultimate self-sacrifice” (Mark Jenkins, NPR).

SHAOLIN will be available for $24.98 SRP (DVD), $29.98 SRP (Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack, DVD Collector’s Edition), and $32.98 (Blu-ray Collector’s Edition). The Collector’s Edition features extensive bonus materials including deleted scenes and a “Making of” featurette.
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DVD and Blu-ray cober designs for the Australian release of EDEN OF THE EAST: PARADISE LOST. Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 2010 EDEN OF THE EAST.

Source: Madman Entertainment
Official Site: juiz.jp (Japan)

The anime feature EDEN OF THE EAST: PARADISE LOST (東のエデン 劇場版Ⅱ Paradise Lost, Higashi no Eden Gekijooban II: Paradise Lost, 2010) will be released on DVD (Region 4, PAL) and Blu-ray in Australia by Madman Entertainment on October 19th. The film wraps up the storyline begun in the acclaimed anime series EDEN OF THE EAST (東のエデン, Higashi no Eden, 2009).

Accused of terrorism and feeling the heat, Saki Morimi’s high-tech crew is in the crosshairs. Meanwhile, the shroud of mystery covering Akira Takizawa is lifted as he and his fellow Selecao make their final moves. Every game must come to an end. For those playing Mr. Outside’s twisted game of conspiracy thrills, the end comes now.
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DVD and Blu-ray cover art for TREASURE HUNTER. Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2009 Chang Hong Channel Film & Video Co..

Taiwanese Action/Comedy Starring THE GREEN HORNET’s Jay Chou
Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee

Fans of The MUMMY need hunt no further for edge-of-your-seat thrills! Hong Kong Film Award winners, Jay Chou (THE GREEN HORNET) and Eric Tsang (INFERNAL AFFAIRS), star in THE TREASURE HUNTER (刺陵, Ci Ling 2009), a blazing adventure packed with action and stunning special effects. In November, the movie will be released on both DVD and Blu-ray in North America by FUNimation Entertainment.
Continued…

NARUTO Voice Actress, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: BONDS Premiere, Panel Discussions, Booth Activities And Giveaways
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

TIGER & BUNNY co-creator Masayuki Ozaki will attend.
Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2011 Sunrise/ T&B
Partners, MBS

VIZ Media, LLC, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has announced a packed schedule of events, panel discussions, promotional giveaways, theatrical film premieres, and rare guest appearances for the 2011 New York Comic Con, taking place at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City, October 13th – 16th. VIZ Media will be located in Booth 932.

The annual New York Comic Con is the largest gathering on the East Coast dedicated to comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies, and television. Complete details on New York Comic Con is available at newyorkcomiccon.com.

This year, VIZ Media is proud to welcome Junko Takeuchi, the Japanese voice of Naruto, who will participate in a special NARUTO SHIPPUDEN panel discussion on Friday, October 14th from 1:15pm to 2:15pm in Room 1A22. Come welcome the actress for her first-ever U.S. appearance, and hear her experiences performing the voice for the world’s most popular ninja!

VIZ Media is pleased to welcome Masayuki Ozaki of Sunrise, the co-creator and Executive Producer of the hit anime TIGER & BUNNY, currently streaming on VIZAnime.com. He will participate in a can’t-miss TIGER & BUNNY panel discussion, taking place on Sunday, October 16th from 1:15pm to 2:15pm in Room 1A03.
Continued…

Major Motoko Kusanagi hunts cyber criminals in GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX. Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment.
© 2002-2004 Shirow Masamune- Production I.G/Kodansha

The Complete Section 9 Cases Collected
Source: Madman Entertainment
Official Site: Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, ghostintheshell.com.au (Aus)

Packaging for GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX Complete
Collection. Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 2002-2004
Shirow Masamune- Production I.G/Kodansha

On October 19th, the complete GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX (攻殻機動隊 STAND ALONE COMPLEX, Kookaku Kidootai Sutando Aroon Konpurekkusu) will be released in Australia as a limited edition DVD box set (Region 4, PAL) from Madman Entertainment. The STAND ALONE COMPLEX television series is based on Masamune Shirow’s manga and Mamoru Oshii’s highly influential film GHOST IN THE SHELL (攻殻機動隊, Goosuto In Za Sheru/Kookaku Kidootai, 1995), one of the most popular anime movies of all time and widely cited as inspiration for the MATRIX.

Madman’s GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX Complete Collection contains all 53 episodes from Season 1 and Season 2 as well as three feature length STAND ALONE COMPLEX films.
Continued…

The seven part OVA series FREEDOM— featuring character and mecha designs by AKIRA creator Katsuhiro Otomo— will be released on Blu-ray and DVD
in the United Kingdom on October 10th. Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 2006 Freedom Committee

Character and Mecha Designs by AKIRA Creator Katsuhiro Otomo
Source: The Associates press release
Official Site: freedom-project.jp (Japan)

UK DVD cover art. Photo courtesy of The Associates.
© 2006 Freedom Committee

AKIRA creator and STEAMBOY co-writer and director Katsuhiro Otomo’s unmistakeable visual style shines throughout FREEDOM (自由, 2006), a beautifully envisioned sci-fi anime series of cinematic scope and quality that puts most TV animation in the shade. Written by Katsuhiko Chiba (BLUE DRAGON; SLAYERS), Yuuichi Nomura (XAM’D: LOST MEMORIES) and Dai Sato (CASSHERN; GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX), directed by Shuhei Morita (COICENT; KAKURENBO) and with Otomo on board as the series’ character and mecha designer, this seven-episode (plus Prologue) series will more than satisfy those hungry anime fans who are eagerly waiting to see what Otomo will produce next.

FREEDOM (cert. 12) will be released on DVD (Region 2, PAL) and as a Collectors’ Edition Blu-ray (Region B) by Manga Entertainment on 10th October 2011. The Collector’s Edition includes all seven episodes of FREEDOM in HD on one Blu-ray disc plus the series on two standard definition DVD discs and a bonus set of four art cards packaged in a beautifully designed slip cover.
Continued…

The Yamato races against time to save the Earth in the hit film SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO, coming to DVD and Blu-ray from the Australian label Madman.
Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 2010 Space Battleship Yamato Production Committee.

Region 4 Home Video Release in December
Source: Madman Entertainment

On December 14th, the live action feature film SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO (宇宙戦艦ヤマト, Supeesu Batorushippu Yamato, 2010) will be released on DVD (Region 4, PAL) and Blu-ray (Region B) in Australia by Madman Entertainment. The movie is not currently scheduled for release in North America or the United Kingdom.

Directed by Takashi Yamazaki (RETURNER, the ALWAYS- SUNSET ON THIRD STREET films), the film is based on the hugely popular SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO anime franchise (originally shown in America as STAR BLAZERS). It topped the box office upon its release in Japan, earning $12 million (US) in just five days.
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Anime Feature Film from the Producers of NARUTO Now on Sale
Source: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Official Movie Site: onigamiden.jp (Japan)

Cover art for the LEGEND OF THE MILLENNIUM DRAGON Blu-Ray/
DVD Combo Pack. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Home
Entertainment. © 2011 The Legend of The Millennium Dragon
Film Partners.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has released the anime film LEGEND OF THE MILLENNIUM DRAGON (鬼神伝, Onigamiden, 2011) as a 2-Disc Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack.

Based on the 2004 novel by author Takafumi Takada, the movie was produced by Studio Pierrot (BLEACH, NARUTO) and TV Tokyo. The creative team includes director/writer Hirotsugu Kawasaki (SPRIGGAN, NARUTO THE MOVIE: LEGEND OF THE STONE OF GELEL), screenwriter Naruhisa Arakawa (SPICE AND WOLF, DRAGON BALL Z), and voice actors Kensho Ono (the Japanese voice of Harry Potter), Satomi Ishihara (CINNAMON THE MOVIE), and Shidou Nakamura (DEATH NOTE).

Sony’s publicity materials describe LEGEND OF THE MILLENNIUM DRAGON as “A spectacular journey of an unwilling young hero thrust into a mysterious past full of monsters, dragons, and strange hidden powers. Through a series of out of this world battles and adventures, Jun, a shy middle school boy, is transformed into a hero destined to battle evil and ensure harmony and tranquility in the world.”
Continued…

Source: NEW PEOPLE Entertainment, Warner Home Video
Official Movie Site: gantz-movie.com (Japan), gantzmovies.com (US)

Announcement for the GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER Blu-ray and DVD.
Photo courtesy of Warner Home Video. © Hiroya Oku/Shueisha
© 2011 Gantz Film Partners

Warner Home Video has announced that the sci-fi thriller GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER (前編 PERFECT ANSWER, Gantsu Pafekuto Ansaa, 2011) will be released by NEW PEOPLE Entertainment in January, 2012. The film concludes the story begun in director Shinsuke Sato’s GANTZ (前編, Gantsu, 2011), and stars leading Japanese actors Kazunari Ninomiya (LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA) and Kenichi Matsuyama (DEATH NOTE, DETROIT METAL CITY).

Determined to resurrect friends who have died in battle, Kei Kurono (Ninomiya), Masaru Kato (Matsuyama) and other members trapped in the “in-between” world of GANTZ are aiming to score the 100 points needed to break through. An emergence of a mysterious investigator, however, complicates the situation further. The battle continues on as the two dimensions start to merge together. Some fight for love, and others fight for justice. At the end, who will sacrifice the most?

GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER will be available as both a 2-Disc DVD and a 3-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack.
Continued…

Fifty-four high school girls commit a terrifying act in director Shion Sano’s SUICIDE CLUB, now available for the first time on DVD in the UK.
Photo courtesy of Cine du Monde. © 2001 Omega Project /Biggubito /For Peace Co., Ltd. /Fyuzu /Kadokawa Pictures

New Label Presents Controversial Horror Favorite from Director Shion Sano
Source: Cine du Monde
Official Site: cinedumonde.co.uk/suicideclub (UK)
Special Thanks to Andrew Kirkham

Cover art for the UK DVD release of SUICIDE CLUB.
Photo courtesy of Cine du Monde. © 2001 Omega Project
/Biggubito /For Peace Co., Ltd. /Fyuzu /Kadokawa
Pictures

Cine du Monde is a great new DVD/Blu-ray label launched in the United Kingdom. The company will focus on “Left-of-Centre Cinema”, giving well-deserved attention to films that do not generally receive mainstream recognition.

One of Cine du Monde’s first DVD releases is the uncut version of the controversial Japanese shocker SUICIDE CLUB (自殺サークル, Jisatsu Saakuru, 2002). Written and directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Shion Sano (LOVE EXPOSURE, COLD FISH), SUICIDE CLUB quickly became a favorite on the international film festivals, winning the Jury Prize for “Most Ground Breaking Film” at the 2003 Fantasia Film Festival. Despite the film’s cult status and critical attention, SUICIDE CLUB was not officially available in the UK until now.

54 high school girls throw themselves in front of a subway train. This appears to be only the beginning of a string of suicides around the country. Does the new all-girl group Desert have anything to do with it? Detective Kuroda tries to find the answer, which isn’t as simple as one could hope.
Continued…

Suou Pavlichenko has the ability create a PTRD-41 rifle from the meteor fragment she wears around her neck. © Bones – Tensai Okamura/DTB Committee • MBS.

Set Features the Complete Season 2 Plus 4 OVAs
Source: FUNimation Entertainment
Official Site: d-black.net (Japan), funimation.com/darker-than-black (US)
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee

Cover art for the DARKER THAN BLACK: GEMINI OF THE METEOR
Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack. Photo courtesy of FUNimation
Entertainment. © Bones – Tensai Okamura/DTB Committee • MBS.

On October 18th, FUNimation Entertainment will release the DARKER THAN BLACK: GEMINI OF THE METEOR (DARKER THAN BLACK -流星の双子[ジェミニ]- Daakaa Zan Burakku -Ryuusei no Jemini-, 2009) Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack, containing all twelve episodes from season two of the sci-fi anime series DARKER THAN BLACK. The set also includes the four-part DARKER THAN BLACK GAIDEN (DARKER THAN BLACK 黒の契約者 外伝, Daakaa Zan Burakku Kuro no Keiyakusha: Gaiden, 2010) OVA that links seasons 1 and 2.

DARKER THAN BLACK: GEMINI OF THE METEOR is produced by Studio Bones (FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST, WOLF’S RAIN, COWBOY BEBOP, ESCAFLOWNE) and directed by Tensai Okamura (WOLF’S RAIN, COWBOY BEBOP: THE MOVIE, NARUTO: THE MOVIE). In the series, a new and deadly breed of covert agent known as Contractors wield bizarre supernatural powers to carry out the dirty work of others. They thrive in the underworld, between rumor and reality, their loyalties always in question. One among these operatives is more mysterious than the rest – Hei aka the masked killer BK-201, the Black Reaper. As his path weaves through the shadows and alleys of Tokyo, blood is spilled on both sides of the law.
Continued…

Korean Horror Film Arrives October 10th
Source: Third Windows Films
Official Site: terracottadistribution.com/death-bell (UK)

Cover art for the UK DVD release of the Korean horror
movie DEATH BELL. © 2008 Core Contents Media

Terror Cotta, the new sub-label from Terracotta Distribution presents their first release, the Korean slasher-horror DEATH BELL (고死: 피의 중간고사, Gosa: Piui Junggangosa, 2008).

Students at an elite high school, preparing for mid-term exams, are held captive and forced into a series of sadistic games. The students find themselves plunged into a deadly test where they are picked off one by one and held in impenetrable traps where they must rely on the amazing intellects of their classmates to be released, every time a question is answered incorrectly, a classmate meets their torturous, grizzly death.

When it emerges that the students are being picked off according to a pattern, pupil Kang Yi-na understands exactly how much time she has to stay alive and figure out the mysteries of who is imprisoning them and what is the ghostly presence that stalks the school and seems to bind them all together, before the Death Bell rings for her.
Continued…

Korean student Cha Se-hui (Park Ji-Yeon) is trapped in school with a murderer in DEATH BELL: BLOODY CAMP. © 2010 Core Contents Media

Korean Horror Film Arrives in October
Source: Media Blasters, Inc.
Special Thanks to Carl Morano

DVD cover art for DEATH BELL: BLOODY CAMP. Photo
courtesy of Media Blasters. © 2010 Core Contents Media

On October 11th, Media Blasters will release the Korean horror film DEATH BELL: BLOODY CAMP (고사 두 번째 이야기: 교생실습, Gosa Du Beonjjae Yiyagi: Gyosaengsilseop, 2010) on DVD through their Tokyo Shock label.

DEATH BELL: BLOODY CAMP had its world premiere on July 23, 2010 as the closing film of the 14th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival. The Korean theatrical run began July 28, 2010, with more than 50,000 people seeing the film on its first day of release.

After the school swim star, Jeong Tae-yeon (Yoon Seung Ah), is found murdered, new teacher Park Eun-su (Hwang Jung Eum), student Cha Se-hui (Park Ji-Yeon) and their elite summer session class find themselves locked in the school with an ultimatum: find the murderer among you, or everyone dies. Their only clue is a message scrawled on the blackboard: “When an innocent mother is killed, what son would not avenge her death?”
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Five SciFi Japan readers have won copies of the GAMERA TRILOGY Collector’s Edition, courtesy of Mill Creek, Cheap DVD Packs, and SFJ!
Photo courtesy of Mill Creek Entertainment. © 2011 Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.

Source: Mill Creek Entertainment, Cheap DVD Packs
Special Thanks to Barrett Evans

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Our thanks to everyone who entered Mill Creek Entertainment, Cheap DVD Packs, and SciFi Japan’s contest for the GAMERA TRILOGY Collector’s Edition Blu-ray set. We’ve received hundreds of entries, and the randomly chosen winners are:

Marcus Scoggins
Pete Quint
Zen Faulkes
Tyler Beasley
Jeffrey Jennings

Congratulations to the winners! Each of you has won a 2-disc Blu-ray collection of GAMERA: GUARDIAN OF THE UNIVERSE (ガメラ 大怪獣空中決戦, Gamera Daikaiju Kuchu Kessen, 1995), GAMERA 2: ATTACK OF THE LEGION (ガメラ2 レギオン襲来, Gamera 2: Region Shurai, 1996) and GAMERA 3: REVENGE OF IRIS (ガメラ3 邪神〈イリス〉覚醒, Gamera 3: Jyashin Iris Kakusei, 1999).
Continued…

GLASS MAIDEN COMPLETE COLLECTION Available on October 4th
Source: Section23 Films press release
Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff

Photo courtesy of Section23 Films.

Home video distributor Section23 Films has provided details on its October slate of releases; including the exciting sci-fi meets private eye series, GLASS MAIDEN. The complete collection will be released on DVD by the exciting new anime label and Section23 client, Maiden Japan.

Also scheduled for October are DVD editions of HIMAWARI! SEASON 1 COLLECTION, KOBATO COLLECTION 2, HELL GIRL: TWO MIRRORS COMPLETE COLLECTION, PRINCESS TUTU COMPLETE COLLECTION, LA CORDA D’ORO ~ PRIMO PASSO COMPLETE COLLECTION, and RAY COMPLETE COLLECTION.

Read on for plot descriptions, DVD specs, and cover art for all of these titles.
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Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Official Site: VIZ.com/Pokemon
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen

Cover art for POKÉMON – ZOROARK: MASTER OF ILLUSIONS.
Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2011 Pokémon. © 1997-2010
Nintendo, Creatures, GAME FREAK, TV Tokyo, ShoPro, JR
Kikaku. © PIKACHU PROJECT 2010.

VIZ Media, LLC, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, will excite POKÉMON fans everywhere with the DVD release of the thirteenth full-length feature film from the venerable kids franchise, POKÉMON—ZOROARK: MASTER OF ILLUSIONS. The DVD, rated ‘A’ for All Ages, was released on September 20th under the company’s VIZ KIDS imprint and carries an MSRP of $19.97 U.S. / $19.98 CAN.

The Pokémon Baccer World Cup. It is the most anticipated event of the year, and as hundreds flock to Crown City to watch the exciting competition unfold, Ash, Pikachu, and his friends encounter a mysterious new Pokémon they have never seen before.

But when the three Legendary Pokémon Raikou, Entei, and Suicune suddenly arrive and begin rampaging through the streets, it’s up to Ash and his companions, along with their new Pokémon friend Zorua, to uncover the secret behind the immense and powerful forces at work.

What strange and dangerous powers are afoot in Crown City? Why did Celebi suddenly return after vanishing for twenty years? And why is the mighty Zoroark unleashing its fury upon the town? The quest for these answers leads down an uncertain path filled with peril—can Ash and his companions find enough courage, strength, and friendship to unearth the mystery in time to save Crown City? All these questions and more will be answered in POKÉMON—ZOROARK: MASTER OF ILLUSIONS!
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Source: Sentai Filmworks press release
Official Site: gendaimahou.com (Japan)
Special Thanks to David Williams

MODERN MAGIC MADE SIMPLE will be released on DVD in December.

Sentai Filmworks hasn’t added a starter course in sorcery to their catalog, but they have added the thoroughly enchanting new series MODERN MAGIC MADE SIMPLE (よくわかる現代魔法, Yoku Wakaru Gendai Mahoo, 2009) to their ever expanding line up of animated hits! Based on the hit manga written by Hiroshi Sakurazaka and illustrated by Miki Miyashita (Maburaho), the 12 episode series about a world where the task of casting a magic spell is the equivalent of writing computer code has been mystically crafted under the supervision of director Yasuhiro Kuroda (KAMPFER, AMAZING NURSE NANAKO) with Makoto Koga (ARIA, SOLA, BLUDGEONING ANGEL DOKURA-CHAN) adapting the character designs from Miyashita’s bewitching originals.
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5-Part Original Miniseries Hitting Home Entertainment Shelves Nationwide
Source: Shout! Factory press release
Special Thanks to Tom Chen

Cover art for TRANSFORMERS PRIME – DARKNESS RISING.
Photo courtesy of Shout! Factory. ©2011 Hasbro, Inc.

“Megatron has not been seen nor heard from in some time, and if his return is imminent, it could be catastrophic.” -Optimus Prime

The lure of the TRANSFORMERS saga starts a new chapter as all foes return, legendary heroes rise, and new ones are found in unlikely places. The new CGI animated series TRANSFORMERS PRIME which currently airs on The Hub television network and is a Hasbro Studios production, deepens the epic mythology of both the Autobots and Decepticons, while starting fresh for a new generation of fans.

On December 6, 2011, Shout! Factory, in collaboration with Hasbro, Inc, will release TRANSFORMERS PRIME – DARKNESS RISING DVD, featuring all five action-packed episodes. Delivering a new level of heavy metal action and family entertainment for all ages, this highly collectible DVD is priced to own with a suggested retail price of $14.97. Passionate fans and collectors can pre-order this DVD now on Amazon.com or ShoutFactoryStore.com.
Continued…

Dinosaurs rule the prehistoric Korean peninsula in TARBOSAURUS. The 3D Korean film has been picked up for a North American release.
© 2011 CJ E&M Pictures

Well Go USA Acquires North American Rights
Source: Well Go USA Entertainment, CJ E&M Pictures

The Korean movie production and distribution company CJ E&M has licensed the North American rights for the WWII tale MY WAY (마이 웨이, Mai Wei) and the 3D dinosaur film TARBOSAURUS (타르보사우루스) to distributor Well Go USA Entertainment.

Promotional art for MY WAY. © 2011 CJ E&M Pictures

Based on a true story, MY WAY is directed by Kang Je-kyu (TAEGUKGI: THE BROTHERHOOD OF WAR) and stars Jang Dong-Kun (TAEGUKGI, THE WARRIOR’S WAY), Joe Odagiri (SHINOBI, MUSHI-SHI), and Bingbing Fan (BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS, SHAOLIN). The film begins in Japan-colonized Korea during the 1930s, where Jun-shik (Jang) and Tatsuo (Odagiri) are rivals hoping to compete as marathon runners in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. But when war breaks out with the U.S.S.R. Jun-shik is forced to enlist in the army.

MY WAY will open in theaters in Korea in December. Well Go USA has picked up DVD/Blu-ray, digital, Video on Demand, and television rights and is planning the North American release for early 2012.

The family adventure TARBOSAURUS was directed by Han Sang-ho. The film combines computer animation and live action photography to tell the story of dinosaurs who inhabited the Korean Peninsula 70 million years ago. At that time, the area now known as Jeonnam Yeosu was the forest habitat of a species of theropod dinosaur called Tarbosaurus.

Well Go USA has acquired North American theatrical, DVD/Blu-ray, digital, VoD, and television rights for TARBOSAURUS. No release date has been set.
Continued…

From the Director of OF ALIEN VS. NINJA and the Star of KARATE GIRL
Source: The Associates press release
Official Movie Site: kunoichi-movie.com (Japan)

UK DVD cover art. Photo courtesy of The Associates.
© 2011 The Kunoichi Partners

From pioneering ninja movie writer-director Seiji Chiba (ALIEN VS. NINJA; ROGUE NINJA), 19-year-old karate sensation-turned-actress Rina Takeda (KARATE GIRL; HIGH-KICK GIRL) and stunt choreographer Kensuke Sonomura (THE WARRIOR’S WAY; ALIEN VS. NINJA; THE MACHINE GIRL) comes THE KUNOICHI: NINJA GIRL (女忍, Kunoichi, 2011), an ass-kicking blast of martial arts action.

As the fierce rivalry between the Iga and Kouga ninja clans rages on, a pair of psychotic eunuch ninjas, Shimotsuki and Hyotsuki, are tasked with abducting young women from nearby Kouga villages and forcing them to serve as “tools of pleasure” to the lower-ranking members of their clan. While transporting their latest quartet of victims – including a feisty girl called Kisaragi (Rina Takeda) – through the woodlands back to their own village, they are suddenly intercepted by an unknown man who helps the four women to escape by providing Kisaragi with a sword, which she uses to sever their bonds.

THE KUNOICHI: NINJA GIRL (cert. tbc) will be released on DVD (Region 2, PAL) by MVM on 10th October 2011.
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Iris and Gamera face off in a publicity shot for GAMERA 3: REVENGE OF IRIS. © 1999 Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.

Get the Blu-ray Box Set for Free, Courtesy of Mill Creek, Cheap DVD Packs, and SciFi Japan!
Source: Mill Creek Entertainment, Cheap DVD Packs
Special Thanks to Barrett Evans

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Contents of the GAMERA TRILOGY Collector’s Edition Blu-ray
box set. Photo courtesy of Mill Creek Entertainment. © 2011
Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.

On September 27th, GAMERA 3: REVENGE OF IRIS and the GAMERA TRILOGY Collector’s Edition will be released on Blu-ray in North America by Mill Creek Entertainment. Now, Mill Creek and their friends over at Cheap DVD Packs are offering SciFi Japan readers an early chance to win the GAMERA TRILOGY Blu-ray set, free of charge!

The GAMERA TRILOGY Collector’s Edition includes all three movies from the acclaimed 1990s Gamera series on two Blu-ray discs…

GAMERA: GUARDIAN OF THE UNIVERSE (ガメラ 大怪獣空中決戦, Gamera Daikaiju Kuchu Kessen, 1995)
GAMERA 2: ATTACK OF THE LEGION (ガメラ2 レギオン襲来, Gamera 2: Region Shurai, 1996)
GAMERA 3: REVENGE OF IRIS (ガメラ3 邪神〈イリス〉覚醒, Gamera 3: Jyashin Iris Kakusei, 1999)

Each movie is presented in a brand-new high-def transfer from original film elements provided by Kadokawa Pictures, owner of the Gamera franchise. Language options are Japanese 5.1 DTS HD audio, English dubbed 5.1 Dolby Digital audio, and English subtitles. The set also features a wealth of extras from all three films, including trailers, deleted scenes, cast and crew interviews, behind the scenes footage, FX tests, and much more! The complete running time is 6 hours and 26 minutes.
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Apes rule a futuristic Japan in TIME OF THE APES, one of four fun movies from the upcoming DVD collection MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000: XXII.
© 1974 Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd.

Featuring TIME OF THE APES, MIGHTY JACK, THE VIOLENT YEARS, and THE BRUTE MAN
Source: Shout! Factory press release
Special Thanks to Tom Chen

Box art for MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000: XXII. Photo
courtesy of Shout! Factory. © 2011 Best Brains, Inc.

Our long cultural nightmare is over. On December 6, Shout! Factory, in association with Best Brains, Inc., will release MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000: XXII, a 4-DVD set that includes TIME OF THE APES, MIGHTY JACK, THE VIOLENT YEARS, THE BRUTE MAN and a cornucopia of extras worthy of the holiday season. All four episodes are previously unreleased on DVD, and TIME OF THE APES and MIGHTY JACK are two of the most beloved and most requested episodes of the comedy phenomenon!

The MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 series was created by Joel Hodgson and produced by Jim Mallon. The premise of the series features a hapless man who is trapped by mad scientists on a satellite in space and forced to watch old B-movies of questionable worth. To keep sane, he’s built two robot sidekicks, and together they do a running commentary on the films, affectionately mocking their flaws with inspired wisecracks and acting as a demented movie theater peanut gallery. During its 11-year run and 198 episodes (including one feature film), MST3K attained a loyal fan base and critical acclaim. The series won a Peabody Award in 1993, and was nominated for writing Emmys in 1994 and 1995.

Passionate fans and collectors can pre-order this 4-DVD set now on ShoutFactoryStore.com, Amazon.com and other online retailers.
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A colony of vampires causes havoc on an uncharted Japanese island in HIGANJIMA: ESCAPE FROM VAMPIRE ISLAND.
Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2010 Suzuki Koji/ Kodansha, “Higanjima” Film Partners.

Japanese/Korean Horror Adventure Coming October 4th
Source: FUNimation Entertainment
Official Movie Site: Higanjima (Japan)
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee

Cover art for the HIGANJIMA Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack.
Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2010
Suzuki Koji/ Kodansha, “Higanjima” Film Partners.

FUNimation Entertainment will release the Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack of HIGANJIMA: ESCAPE FROM VAMPIRE ISLAND (彼岸島, Higanjima, 2010) on October 4th. Based on Koji Matsumoto’s manga, HIGANJIMA is a Japanese/Korean horror adventure from VOLCANO HIGH director Kim Tae-gyun and DEATH NOTE movie screenwriter Tetsuya Oishi.

Akira Miyamoto (Hideo Ishiguro, GOKUSEN THE MOVIE) and his ragtag group of teenage friends enter a world of danger and action when they land on the shores of Higanjima, an uncharted island that’s overrun by vampires. They’ll face entire villages of sword-wielding vampires while racing to stay a step ahead of winged she-beasts and giant gargoyles.
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The anime feature TRIGUN: BADLANDS RUMBLE will be released on DVD and Blu-ray this September 27th. Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment.
© 2010 Yasuhiro Naito/ Trigun the Movie Production Committee

Source: FUNimation Entertainment
Official Movie Site: funimation.com/trigun (US), trigun-movie.com (Japan)
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee

TRIGUN: BADLANDS RUMBLE (トライガン The Movie 公式サイト, 2010), the first full length Trigun movie, will be released on both DVD and Blu-ray in North America by FUNimation Entertainment. The movie is the first new Trigun animation in over a decade, and features a new story by series creator Yasuhiro Naito.
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Cover art for the upcoming UK DVD and Blu-ray editions of the Japanese live action sci-fi adventure GANTZ. Photos courtesy of The Associates.
© Hiroya Oku/Shueisha © 2011 Gantz Film Partners

Source: The Associates press release
Official Movie Site: gantz-movie.com (Japan), gantzmovies.com (US)

Already adapted as a hugely successful anime series, Hiroya Oku’s manga Gantz gets a stunning special effects-laden, live action makeover courtesy of director Shinsuke Sato (SAND CLOCK; ALL ABOUT MY DOG) and DEATH NOTE trilogy producer Takahiro Sato.

GANTZ (cert. 15) will be released on DVD (Region 2, PAL) and Blu-ray (Region B) in the UK by Manga Entertainment on 3rd October 2011. Special Features include: The Making Of GANTZ; interviews; teasers and trailers; TV spots; Japanese 5.1 Dolby Digital and 2.0 PCM audio options; optional English subtitles.
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Naomitsu Hatakeyama (Shun Oguri) is betrayed by his brother in TAJOMARU: AVENGING BLADE. Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment.
©2009 Tajomaru Film Partners

Source: FUNimation Entertainment
Official Movie Site: warnerbros.co.jp/tajomaru (Japan)
Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee

Loosely based on Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s short stories Rashomon and In A Grove (most famously adapted for the screen by Akira Kurosawa in his 1950 masterpiece RASHOMON), TAJOMARU: AVENGING BLADE (タジョウマル, Tajomaru, 2009) is directed by Hiroyuki Nakano (STEREO FUTURE) and stars Shun Oguri (SUKIYAKI WESTERN DJANGO, CROWS ZERO), Kyosuke Yabe (SAMURAI ZOMBIE) and Hiroyuki Ikeuchi (IP MAN, SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO). On September 20th, the film comes to North America in a Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack from distributor FUNimation Entertainment.
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