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Source: Crunchyroll
Special Thanks to Amanda Geraldo
Official App Launches and Opens RSVP for Exclusive Events
November 15 & 16 @ Banc of California Stadium, Los Angeles
The super-sized second annual Adult Swim Festival will be held this weekend, November 15 and 16, at the stunning Banc of California Stadium in Downtown Los Angeles. In addition to previously announced musical acts such Dethklok, Jamie xx, Vince Staples, Captain Murphy, and Tierra Whack, 2 Chainz and Rapsody have also been added to the music lineup. (Previously announced Lil Nas X and Young Thug will no longer be performing due to personal reasons). The one-of-a-kind, 360° fan event will include top bands and musical artists, comedians, interactive games, and experiences that only Adult Swim can bring to life.
The Crunchyroll Anime Rave has been announced as the official after-party for the Adult Swim Festival, taking place on Friday night and headlined by DJ and producer Ducky, whose genre-free style is a distinct range of melodic pop tunes to heavy rave bangers. Continued…
Well Go USA Entertainment is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a Blu-ray Combo Pack of THE DIVINE FURY (사자, Saja, 2019). An MMA fighter helps an exorcist fight evil in the South Korean action-mystery from director Jason Kim (MIDNIGHT RUNNERD). The film stars Park Seo-joon (THE CHRONICLES OF EVILl), Ahn Sung-ki (UNBOWED) and Woo Do-hwan (MASTER), with special appearances by Choi Woo-shik (TRAIN TO BUSAN) and Kim Si-eun (THE BEAUTY INSIDE).
After losing his father at a young age in a terrible accident, Yong-hu (Park) abandons his Christian faith and chooses to only believe in himself. Now as an adult, Yong-hu is a champion fighter and has everything he has ever wanted, that is until a mysterious wound appears in the palm of his hand. He himself in the middle of a dangerous fight against otherworldly evil forces seeking to wreak havoc on the human world.
THE DIVINE FURY debuts on Blu-ray Combo Pack (SLP: $29.98), DVD (SLP: $24.98) and Digital November 19 from Well Go USA Entertainment. The film is presented with Korean an English audio with English subtitles, has a runtime of approximately 129 minutes and is not rated. Bonus materials include a “Making-of” and behind the scenes featurettes plus the trailer. Continued…
Shochiku has provided information and large, high-res photos from the comedy THE 47 RONIN IN DEBT (決算！忠臣蔵, Kessan! Chushingura). The film is based on Hirofumi Yamamoto’s Chushingura’s Financial Statements that detailed samurai Kuranosuke Oishi’s records of the attack on Kozunosuke Kira during the Edo Period. Continued…
Mill Creek Entertainment will be promoting their Ultraman Blu-ray and SteelBook releases at the upcoming GalaxyCon event in Minneapolis, November 8-10. In addition to the getting great deals on the Ultraman Blu-ray sets, fans will also be able to get their picture taken with Ultraman and Alien Zetton!
Other merchandise items will also be available for sale, so if you’re in the Minneapolis area, be sure to stop by BOOTH #1002! Continued…
Mill Creek Entertainment’s new transaction-based streaming service movieSPREE is pleased to announce the availability of ULTRAMAN ORB and ULTRAMAN GEED to purchase and stream exclusively in high-definition on movieSPREE’s website and apps, ahead of their release on Blu-ray! Both television series are now available to purchase and add to your movieSPREE library for $29.99 each, while the feature films are available for $19.99 each.
In related news, the classic series ULTRA Q (ウルトラＱ, Urutora Q, 1966) and ULTRAMAN (ウルトラマン 空想特撮シリーズ, Urutoraman Kūsō Tokusatsu Shirīzu, 1966-67) are now also available to purchase and stream in high-definition on Amazon for $29.99 each. Continued…
Source: Crunchyroll
Special Thanks to Amanda Geraldo
As most of us continue to celebrate all things Halloween, well into November (and for some throughout the year), Crunchyroll invited horror manga artist Junji Ito to take a tour of the famous Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California.
Junji Ito is a manga writer/artist, responsible for many nightmares in Japan via his horror comics such as Tomie, Uzumaki, Gyo and others. Born in 1963, he grew up writing and drawing manga while working as a dental assistant in the early 1990s. After submitting a short story to Gekkan Halloween that won an honorable mention in the Kazuo Umezu Prize (with Umezu himself as one of the judges), he would eventually leave the dental practice for a full time career in manga, becoming a prolific artist, turning out many horror-influenced works. Continued…
Source: NECA press release
Special Thanks to Peter de Leon
NECA is reissuing their 2001 Godzilla (Atomic Blast) 12” Head-to-Tail Figure in new packaging. This version of the beloved monster is based on Godzilla’s “Atomic Blast” attack in the 2001 movie GODZILLA, MOTHRA, AND KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK (ゴジラ・モスラ・キングギドラ 大怪獣総攻撃, Gojira, Mosura, Kingughidora: Daikaiju Soshingeki), a spectacular battle between Godzilla and some of his most famous foes. Continued…
Prequel Short SIDE: GALO to Play in the U.S. For The First Time Exclusively At Event
Source: GKIDS Inc., Fathom Events, Scoop Marketing press release
Official Site: promare-movie.com (Japan), PromareMovie.com (US)
Special Thanks to Katherine Schwappach, Erik Stein and Lucy Rubin
#Promare
In September, GKIDS and Fathom Events continued their collaboration to bring exciting all new animated features to U.S. cinemas with PROMARE (プロメア, Puromea, 2019) premiere events. Now, due to overwhelming fan demand, the companies are proud to announce that PROMARE will return for a special encore showing in December.
PROMARE is the first feature-length film from the acclaimed Studio TRIGGER, creators of the hit series KILL la KILL and LITTLE WITCH ACADEMIA. Directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi (GURREN LAGANN, KILL la KILL), PROMARE is the spiritual successor to many of his former works, and uses a bold cel-shaded visual style to tell a blistering action-adventure story.
For this encore event, PROMARE will be shown in its original Japanese language Additionally, event attendees will view, for the first time in U.S. theaters, a special 10 minute prequel short SIDE: GALO with a look at Galo’s first day with Burning Rescue! Continued…
Painting and Branded Merch Will be Part of Godzilla’s Booth at ComplexCon in Long Beach, Nov 2 – 3
Source: Toho Co., Ltd. press release
Official Site: godzilla.com
Special Thanks to Chris Robins
Godzilla, The King of the Monsters, bursts forth from the elements in a new painting from Japanese artist Takashi Murakami to celebrate Godzilla’s 65th Anniversary. The original painting will be seen for the first time at ComplexCon this weekend in Long Beach, November 2 – 3. The 11ft high painting will be on display at the Godzilla booth (E23) along with exclusive Godzilla merchandise including some lines featuring Murakami’s Godzilla artwork.
“We’re honored that an artist as iconic as Takashi Murakami has created artwork that so beautifully captures the essence of Godzilla,” said Keiji Ota, CGO (Chief Godzilla Officer) at Toho. “We’re celebrating Godzilla’s 65th anniversary starting on November 3rd and continuing throughout the year, and we couldn’t think of a better way to kick it off than with this sublime piece of art from Takashi Murakami.” Continued…
The ULTRAMAN ORB and ULTRAMAN GEED feature films have also been released in Walmart exclusive “movie-only” Blu-ray editions, currently available at select Walmart stores and on Walmart.com. The Walmart exclusives retail for $12.96 each, and present each movie with DTS-HD Master Audio of the original Japanese soundtrack with English subtitles. Continued…
In 2003, Sam Raimi’s (EVIL DEAD, SPIDER-MAN) production company Ghost House Pictures licensed the remake rights to JU-ON (呪怨), the Japanese horror film series from director Takashi Shimizu. Shimizu was hired to direct the US version, released in 2004 as THE GRUDGE. Continued…
Product Info and Exclusive GIANT High-Res Photos, Direct from X-Plus!
Author: Keith Aiken
Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd.
Special Thanks to Shingo Fujimoto
A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE
The Japanese collectibles company X-Plus Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with information and more than 100 daikaiju-sized photos of their monster figures scheduled for release in December 2019. Continued…
Toei Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with large, high-res images of the promotional artwork for their upcoming movie KAMEN RIDER REIWA THE FIRST GENERATION (仮面ライダー 令和 ザ・ファースト・ジェネレーション, Kamen Raidā Reiwa za Fāsuto Jenerēshon). Continued…
Highly-Anticipated New Film From Makoto Shinkai Will Play in U.S. Movie Theaters Prior to GKIDS Theatrical Run
Source: GKIDS Inc., Fathom Events, Scoop Marketing press release
Official Site: tenkinoko.com (Japan), WeatheringWithYouMovie.com (US)
Special Thanks to Jessica Nelson, Katherine Schwappach, Erik Stein and Lucy Rubin
GKIDS, the acclaimed distributor of multiple Academy Award-nominated animated features, and Fathom Events, the leading distributor of event cinema, will continue their partnership into 2020, bringing WEATHERING WITH YOU (天気の子, Tenki no Kodomo, 2019) to U.S. audiences nationwide for Special Fan Preview screenings over two nights only.
WEATHERING WITH YOU is the newest release from director Makoto Shinkai, and producer Genki Kawamura, whose previous film YOUR NAME (君の名は。, Kimi no Na wa., 2016) set box office records in Japan and around the world ($360 million worldwide box office), and is currently receiving a major studio live-action remake from JJ Abrams. WEATHERING WITH YOU held its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, and had a sold-out U.S. Premiere at this weekend’s Animation is Film Festival in Los Angeles, where Fathom is a major sponsor. The film is Japan’s official submission for the Academy Awardâ for Best International Film at the 92nd Academy Awards. The film has grossed over $125 million USD to date in its initial Japanese release, and will come to cinemas nationwide for Fan Preview Screenings on January 15 and 16 only, 2019, followed by a theatrical release by GKIDS starting January 17. Continued…
Anyone who is planning to visit Japan and is thinking about a place to stay, the first decision she/he would need to make is whether to stay in a modern-day hotel or a conventional inn (also referred to as ryokan). In the event that you opt for the former, you will next need to decide what type of a modern hotel you’d like to book a room in? Whether it will be a no-frills pro-level business hotel? A super luxury hotel? Or a compact kind of capsule hotel?
Or, an upcoming and fourth alternative — an eSports hotel?! Continued…
Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd. has announced that the Director’s Cut of their new Ultraman series, ULTRA GALAXY FIGHT: NEW GENERATION HEROES (ウルトラギャラクシーファイト ニュージェネレーションヒーローズ, Urutora Gyarakushī Faito Nyū Jenerēshon Hīrōzu, 2019), will be screened during a special event at the Shinjuku Piccadilly in Tokyo on November 14th. Continued…
In 1958, a playground slide shaped like a dinosaur was built at Tatarahama beach in Kanagawa Prefecture. The original plan for the slide was to use Godzilla design, but Toho did not allow the use Godzilla’s name or likeness. Despite that, people still called it the “Godzilla slide.” Continued…
FYE has collaborated with anime giant Funimation to create a brand-new collection of MY HERO ACADEMIA-themed exclusive products, arriving at FYE now. Continued…
Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with information and photos for the Japanese Blu-ray and DVD editions of their new Ultraman series, ULTRA GALAXY FIGHT: NEW GENERATION HEROES (ウルトラギャラクシーファイト ニュージェネレーションヒーローズ, Urutora Gyarakushī Faito Nyū Jenerēshon Hīrōzu, 2019). The first completely new Ultraman show to be produced exclusively for internet distribution, ULTRA GALAXY FIGHT: NEW GENERATION HEROES is currently streaming worldwide on the ULTRAMAN Official YouTube Channel, with the home video release scheduled for February 27, 2020. Continued…
Anime’s favorite pirates return to the big screen today to plunder North American audiences with a special 20th Anniversary feature film — ONE PIECE: STAMPEDE (ワンピーススタンピード, Wan Pīsu Sutanpīdo, 2019). Originally released in Japan and grossing more than $48M USD at the box office, ONE PIECE: STAMPEDE is now the most successful film ever for the global hit ONE PIECE franchise. And with strong advance ticket sales for the 550+ screen North American release, ONE PIECE: STAMPEDE will smash the franchise’s box office record here as well.
U.S.: Oct 24, 29 & 31 (Subtitled); October 26 & 30 (English Dub)
Canada: Oct 25 & Nov 5 (Subtitled); Oct 28 & Nov 8 (English Dub) Continued…
CASTLEVANIA Season 2 Arrives Alongside Second Set Of SAILOR MOON SAILOR STARS; Deluxe Art Books For DRAGON BALL And TRANSFORMERS And New Manga Series Also Debut
Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases
Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen
VIZ Media announces the anticipated home media release of Season 2 of the hit Netflix Original Anime Series CASTLEVANIA. All 8 episodes of Season 2 will be available on Blu-ray and DVD and conclude Trevor Belmont’s battle with Dracula. Continued…
Source: Funimation press release
Special Thanks to Scott Barretto
Leading global distributor Kew Media Distribution has licensed the highly successful original anime sensation ROBOTECH: THE SERIES (1985) and the sequel films ROBOTECH: THE SHADOW CHRONICLES (2006) and ROBOTECH 2: THE SENTINELS (1988) to Funimation, the global leader in sub and dub anime content and a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Television. Upon expiration of existing third-party deals, this expansive agreement gives Funimation all rights (including VOD, EST, home entertainment and merchandising) worldwide, excluding Japan, to over 45 hours of the cutting-edge CGI anime. Continued…
This past June, Tsuburaya Productions announced their new Ultraman KAIJU NO SUMIKA (かいじゅうのすみか) “Home of the Monsters” Project, which is set in a new world populated by the monsters and aliens from the Ultraman franchise. The first KAIJU NO SUMIKA live attraction will begin November 7, 2019 at Gallery AaMo in Tokyo Dome City. It will offer an interactive experience combining Tsuburaya’s special effects knowledge with the latest digital technology from Panasonic Corporation. Continued…
In September of 2019, Bandai released a new card game based on the King of the Monsters, Godzilla. The game was designed and created by Ryan Miller and runs on the new Chrono Clash game system.
Instead of traditional turn-based play, in this system players share a power resource track, moving the token back and forth based on the power value of the cards they play. The position of the token determines when play passes to the other player.
The game includes four pre-constructed 50-card decks (one deck for each player) plus a 16-card sideboard, as well as 24 double-sized cards, 4 turn sequence cards, 4 play mats, and a multi-language play manual. The Godzilla card game is intended for 2 to 4 players, ages 6 and up, and takes about half an hour to play. Continued…
The Academy Award-Winning Film From Hayao Miyazaki Returns To Select Theaters This Sunday
Source: GKIDS Inc., Fathom Events, Scoop Marketing press release
Official Site: ghiblifest.com
Special Thanks to Jessica Nelson, Katherine Schwappach, Erik Stein and Lucy Rubin
Throughout 2019, GKIDS and Fathom Events’ STUDIO GHIBLI FEST 2019 presents a series of Studio Ghibli’s celebrated animated masterpieces on cinema screens nationwide, along with some very special surprises. Up next is acclaimed director Hayao Miyazaki’s Academy Award-winner for Best Animated Feature, SPIRITED AWAY (千と千尋の神隠し, Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi, 2001). Miyazaki’s wondrous fantasy adventure is a dazzling masterpiece from one of the most celebrated filmmakers in the history of animation.
Chihiro’s family is moving to a new house, but when they stop on the way to explore an abandoned village, her parents undergo a mysterious transformation and Chihiro is whisked into a world of fantastical spirits ruled over by the sorceress Yubaba. Put to work in a magical bathhouse for spirits and demons, Chihiro must use all her wits to survive in this strange new place, find a way to free her parents and return to the normal world. Overflowing with imaginative creatures and thrilling storytelling, SPIRITED AWAY became a worldwide smash hit, and is one the most critically-acclaimed films of all time. Continued…
If you’re a die-hard anime fan who is constantly looking for the next fix, the video game industry has you covered. The past year has seen the release of some of the best anime games we’ve seen in years, consisting of original titles as well as ones based on the most popular anime franchises in the world. If you want to know what anime video games you need in your collection in 2019, read on to find out. Continued…
The re-mastered 1988 Mecha animated film MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM CHAR’S COUNTERATTACK (機動戦士ガンダム 逆襲のシャア, Kidō Senshi Gandamu Gyakushū no Shā) is coming to the U.S. for a special one-night event, “Gundam 40th Anniversary Celebration: CHAR’S COUNTERATTACK,” from Fathom Events and Sunrise Inc. Set in the Universal Century timeline of the celebrated franchise, MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM CHAR’S COUNTERATTACK was the first original Mobile Suit Gundam theatrical release and marks the culmination of the original saga started in MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM (機動戦士ガンダム, Kidō Senshi Gandamu, 1979-80) and continued in MOBILE SUIT ZETA GUNDAM (機動戦士Ζガンダム, Kidō Senshi Zēta Gandamu, 1985-86) and MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM ZZ (機動戦士ガンダムΖΖ, Kidō Senshi Gandamu Daburu Zēta, 1986-87). Continued…
Arrow Video US is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win their new Blu-ray of the Japanese horror classic RINGU (リング, 1998) — aka THE RING. The film is restored from the original negative in glorious high definition and supplemented by a wealth of archival and newly created bonus materials.
With RINGU, director Hideo Nakata (DARK WATER) unleashed a chilling tale of technological terror on unsuspecting audiences, which redefined the horror genre, launched the J-Horror boom in the West and introduced a generation of moviegoers to a creepy, dark-haired girl called Sadako. The film’s success spawned a slew of remakes, reimaginations and imitators, but none could quite boast the power of Nakata’s original masterpiece, which melded traditional Japanese folklore with contemporary anxieties about the spread of technology. Continued…
Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd. has announced that a live event devoted to the Netflix anime series ULTRAMAN (ウルトラマン, Urutoraman, 2019-20) will be held at the Tokyo Dome Hotel on Saturday, December 14, 2019 as part of TSUBURAYA CONVENTION 2019, the largest festival in the company’s history. The two-day TSUBURAYA CONVENTION will host a number of programs including ceremonies, stage shows, concerts and dinner parties with special guests from the Ultraman franchise. Continued…
