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Arrow Video US is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win the new Blu-ray of ZOMBIE FOR SALE (기묘한 가족, Gimyohan Gajok, 2019), an infectiously funny slice of modern Korean cinema where TRAIN TO BUSAN, THE QUIET FAMILY and WARM BODIES collide to create a memorable rom-zom-com from first time director Lee Min-jae.
When the illegal human experiments of Korea’s biggest Pharmaceutical company go wrong, one of their “undead” test subjects escapes and ends up in a shabby gas station owned by the Park family — a band of misfits spanning three generations who hustle passers-by to make ends meet. When the Park family uncover their undead visitor, he bites the head of their household, who instead of transforming into an undead ghoul becomes revitalised and full of life! The family then hatch a plan to exploit this unexpected fountain of youth, allowing locals to pay to be bitten too, until things go wrong… With a cabbage-munching zombie who prefers ketchup over blood, and a dysfunctional family that gives the Kim family of PARASITE a run for their money, ZOMBIE FOR SALE will warm the deadest of hearts and breathe some new life into the zombie genre. Continued…
Well Go USA Entertainment is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a Blu-ray of SAMURAI MARATHON (サムライマラソン, 2019), the action-adventure flick with a samurai twist. Award-winning director Bernard Rose — whose wildly diverse career has spanned horror classics (CANDYMAN), historical romances (ANNA KARENINA) and indie dramas (IVANS xtc) — co-wrote the screenplay with Japan’s Hiroshi Saito and Kikumi Yamagishi based on the novel The Marathon Samurai: Five Tales of Japan’s First Marathon.
Inspired by a race still held yearly, the film follows an aging lord who challenges his samurai to a grueling marathon — joined covertly by his daughter — and the group must overcome deadly odds to survive. SAMURAI MARATHON stars Takeru Satoh (RUROUNI KENSHIN: FINAL CHAPTER), Nana Komatsu (THE WORLD OF KANAKO, SILENCE), Mirai Moriyama (RAGE, VISION), Shota Sometani (FIRST LOVE) and Danny Huston (X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE, TV’s YELLOWSTONE). Continued…
Source: Shout! Factory press release
Special Thanks to Shannon Meehan
Studio Ghibli and GKIDS, with distribution by Shout! Factory, will release MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO and PRINCESS MONONOKE, from the famed Studio Ghibli library of films, on October 20, 2020 in limited edition SteelBook packaging with striking new art. Each SteelBook will house a Blu-ray & DVD combo pack, presenting the film alongside hours of bonus features and a booklet with stunning art and statements from the filmmakers. Continued…
Source: NECA press release
Special Thanks to Peter de Leon
NECA has announced that their Godzilla 1989 and 2003 Action Figures are rolling out from their warehouse this week and will soon be available from retailers. Continued…
First Round of 2020 SDCC Exclusives Feature Dragon Ball and Godzilla Franchises and S.H.Figuarts, S.H.MonsterArts, FiguartsZERO, Dragon Stars and Final Blast Series Lines
Source: BANDAI NAMCO Collectibles (Bluefin) press release
Special Thanks to Scott Barretto
Fans need wait no longer because tonight BANDAI NAMCO Collectibles (Bluefin) officially drops this year’s collection of anime and kaiju San Diego Comic-Con exclusive figures. For 2020, Bluefin, the BANDAI NAMCO Group company and leading distributor of Japanese toys, collectibles, novelty and hobby products in North America, is offering nine different figures from the Dragon Ball and Godzilla franchises across five of the most popular figure lines from Tamashii Nations and Bandai America. Continued…
The Loot Company is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win July’s ‘Red, White and Blue!’ themed Anime Crate. Show off your Ultraman love, display your Mobile Suit Gundam pride and get cute with a Sailor Moon capsule containing a random collectible.
The July crate includes colorful items and gear from some of your favorite anime properties. Fans won’t want to miss out on getting an awesome Ultraman XL T-shirt, Mobile Suit Gundam figure, Sailor Moon capsule and more.
The Anime Loot Crate will ship in early August and retails for $28.95. Continued…
Source: Third Window Films press release
Special Thanks to Adam Torel
UK distributor Third Window Films brings the award-winning Japanese film MELANCHOLIC (メランコリック, Merankorikku, 2018) out in a Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack on September 7th. Winner of the Best Director Award at the 2018 Tokyo International Film Festival: Japanese Cinema Splash, this auspicious debut from writer/director Seiji Tanaka features an ingenious script full of unexpected shifts in genre and tone, effortlessly swinging between black comedy, coming-of-age romance and crime thriller. Continued…
The movie is set one year after the end of the ULTRAMAN R/B series. While visiting an old friend, Katsumi Minato (aka Ultraman Rosso) encounters a monstrous evil being called “Tregear.” As the threat escalates, Rosso and his brother Ultraman Blu are assisted by the returning Ultraman Geed, and their younger sister… who becomes a new hero, Ultrawoman Grigio! Continued…
The Mahoning Drive-In Theater in Lehighton, PA is sure to delight monster and sci-fi movies fans with great events this July and August.
First up is SCHLOCK-O-RAMA IV, a 10 film event the kicks off Friday, July 24 and features such greats as KING KONG VS GODZILLA, VALLEY OF GWANGI, FORBIDDEN PLANET, WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS and BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS.
Then on Tuesday, August 4, the Toho classic DESTROY ALL MONSTERS will be screened in 35mm. Continued…
Arrow Video US is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win the new Arrow Academy Blu-ray of HIROSHIMA (ひろしま, 1953). The film is a powerful evocation of the devastation wrought by the world’s first deployment of the atomic bomb and its aftermath, based on the written eye-witness accounts of its child survivors compiled by Dr. Arata Osada for the 1951 book Children Of The A Bomb: Testament Of The Boys And Girls Of Hiroshima.
Adapted for the screen by independent director Hideo Sekigawa (LISTEN TO THE VOICES OF THE SEA, TOKYO UNTOUCHABLE) and screenwriter Yasutaro Yagi (THEATRE OF LIFE, RICE), Hiroshima combines a harrowing documentary realism with moving human drama, in a tale of the suffering, endurance and survival of a group of teachers, their students and their families. It boasts a rousing score composed by Akira Ifukube (GODZILLA) and an all-star cast including Yumeji Tsukioka (LATE SPRING, THE ETERNAL BREASTS), Isuzu Yamada (THRONE OF BLOOD, YOJIMBO) and Eiji Okada (HIROSHIMA MON AMOUR, WOMAN IN THE DUNES), appearing alongside an estimated 90,000 residents from the city as extras, including many survivors from that fateful day on August 6, 1945. Continued…
One of the finest Japanese directors to emerge in the last decade, Kôji Fukada has earned renown for crafting suspenseful dramas. Following 2016’s HARMONIUM (淵に立つ, Fuchi ni Tatsu), which captured Cannes’ prestigious Un Certain Regard Jury Prize, he returns with A GIRL MISSING (よこがお, Yokogao, 2019), a tense portrait of a woman caught up in a spiral of defamation.
In this slow-burning thriller, also scripted by Fukada, Ichiko (HARMONIUM’s Mariko Tsutsui) works as a home-care nurse to the elderly matriarch of the Oisho family — long enough to feel like part of the family. She’s closest to the eldest sister, Motoko (Mikako Ichikawa), who’s studying to follow in Ichiko’s footsteps. However, their happy routine is disrupted when Motoko’s sister, Saki (Miyu Ogawa), is abducted. The girl is eventually returned, but it’s discovered that her kidnapper was Ichiko’s nephew — a fact that Motoko insists they keep between them. It’s this shared secret that forges an even closer bond between the two, yielding further confessions — some of which may be turned into weapons. Continued…
Keiichi Hara’s fantastical anime adventure THE WONDERLAND (バースデー・ワンダーランド, Bāsudē Wandārando, 2019), will be released on digital download, On Demand, on Blu-ray + DVD combo pack and as a standalone DVD on October 6, 2020 from Eleven Arts and Shout! Factory.
THE WONDERLAND is a showcase of incredible creative force, directed by Keiichi Hara, one of Japan’s leading animation film directors (MISS HOKUSAI, COLORFUL), and with visual and character designs by renowned artist Ilya Kuvshinov (GHOST IN THE SHELL: SAC_2045).
Bonus features on the release include interviews with the Japanese voice cast, featuring the talent of Mayu Matsuoka as protagonist Akane (Young Shoya, A SILENT VOICE) and audio commentary with character designer and concept artist Ilya Kuvshinov. Continued…
New manga acquisitions news today from publisher Yen Press as the company announces 3 new titles set for print and digital debut in November and December of this year. Continued…
In conjunction with the debut of Tsuburaya Productions’ new series, ULTRAMAN Z (ZETT) 『ウルトラマンＺ(ゼット), Urutoraman Z (Zetto)』, the Japanese toy company Bandai has introduced their line of figures based on the show. The ULTRAMAN Z characters are the latest additions to Bandai’s Ultra Hero and Ultraman Monster Series of 5 inch scale soft vinyl figures. Continued…
North America’s largest festival of contemporary Japanese cinema presents a robust slate of 42 films streaming online throughout the U.S., introduces inaugural Next Generation competitive festival section with Obayashi Prize, and offers dual CUT ABOVE Awards to actors Koichi Sato and Ken Watanabe. Continued…
The North American debut for the series and movie in stunning high-definition!
Source: Mill Creek Entertainment
Special Thanks to Barrett Evans, Jeff Hayne and J.W. Starrett
Mill Creek Entertainment is pleased to announce the next release from the Ultraman superhero library! The ULTRAMAN R/B Complete Series and Movie Blu-ray + Digital set will be released on October 13, 2020 for $49.99 SRP. This marks the North American debut for both the television series and subsequent feature film.
Originally released in 2018, the 25-episode ULTRAMAN R/B (RUEBE) [ウルトラマンＲ／Ｂ(ルーブ), Urutoraman R/B (Ruubu)] series revolves around the main theme of familial “Bonds” and “Love”. When Katsumi and Isami Minato, two brothers with clashing personalities, obtain incredible powers, they focus on overcoming their differences to defend Earth from giant monsters as the superhero team of Ultraman Rosso and Ultraman Blu!
The 2019 theatrical feature film, ULTRAMAN R/B THE MOVIE: SELECT! THE CRYSTAL OF BOND (劇場版ウルトラマンＲ／Ｂ セレクト！絆のクリスタル, Gekijō-ban Urutoraman R/B Serekuto! Kizuna no Kurisutaru), is set one year after the series end. While visiting an old friend, Katsumi encounters a monstrous evil being called “Tregear.” As the threat escalates, Rosso and Blu are assisted by the returning Ultraman Geed, and their younger sister… who becomes a new hero, Ultrawoman Grigio! Continued…
Source: The Op
Special Thanks to Jamie Scharbarth and Jake Davis
usaopoly (The Op) is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win their new JENGA: GODZILLA Extreme Edition game. The titan of terror is trying to bring your tower down with a heat ray. Featuring custom game play, players remove and replace blocks according to the directives to keep it standing through every threatening roll of the dice. Beware, Godzilla marches toward the tower raising the threat of destruction with every step! Continued…
In celebration of Ultraman Day (the anniversary of Ultraman’s first appearance on Japanese television on July 10, 1966), Tsuburaya Productions has released a new short film in which the new hero Ultraman Zett pays his respects to the original Ultraman. In the ULTRAMAN DAY SPECIAL MOVIE video, the nervous young Ultraman pays a visit to five of the original Ultra Brothers and also learns the “Cross Touch,” a symbol of the connection between Ultramen. Continued…
Multi-Year Agreement Grants Shout! Factory TV Streaming Rights to Renowned Live-Action Pop Culture Library
Source: Shout! Factory press release
Special Thanks to Shannon Meehan
Shout! Factory, a multi-platform media company, and Mill Creek Entertainment announced a landmark distribution alliance to bring Tsuburaya Productions’ iconic ULTRAMAN superhero library to streaming entertainment platforms in North America. The announcement was made today by Shout! Factory’s founders and CEOs Bob Emmer and Garson Foos; Jeff Hayne, SVP of Mill Creek Entertainment; Shout’s Senior Vice President of Digital Enterprises and Shout! Factory TV, Gene Pao; and Jordan Fields, Shout’s Vice President of Acquisitions. Continued…
The Iconic Japanese Superhero Will Be Celebrated With Live Streamed Events on Shu.Watch and Launch of The Official Ultraman Galaxy Online Store
Source: Alta Global Media press release
Official Site: Shu.Watch
Special Thanks to Theo Dumont
ULTRAMAN DAY has arrived. The iconic and celebrated classic Japanese superhero ULTRAMAN will be celebrated today, Friday, July 10 with a series of major virtual activations and talks with the leaders behind the Ultraman revival live on Shu.Watch. Ultraman Day will also feature the launch of the official online Ultraman Galaxy Store, which will display exclusive collectible Ultraman merchandise featuring the poster artwork of Marvel’s Alex Ross cover created for The Rise Of Ultraman issue #1, on sale this September. Continued…
Source: Bandai Namco Collectibles, Nerdist press releases (authored by Kyle Anderson and Amy Ratcliffe)
Official Site: bluefinbrands.com/heisei-week
Special Thanks to David Clarke (Team Kamen Rider)
This is a great time for Tokusatsu fans in America! Bandai Namco Collectibles’ Team Kamen Rider and Shout! Factory TV have teamed up with Nerdist for a Kamen Rider-themed streaming event called Heisei Week that leads up to the first ever Kamen Rider movie screening in the US!
The movie KAMEN RIDER HEISEI GENERATIONS FOREVER (平成仮面ライダー20作品記念 仮面ライダー平成ジェネレーションズ FOREVER, Heisei Kamen Raidā 20 Sakuhin Kinen Kamen Raidā Heisei Jenerēshonzu FOREVER, 2018) features a team up of all 20 Heisei Era (1989-2019) Riders.
Nerdist will also welcome Team Kamen Rider and Shout Factory TV to Nerdist House 2020, their virtual series of panels and discussions broadcast live over the internet. Saturday, July 11 is the big day, as Nerdist will host the panel at 4pm PST and follow with the movie screening at 5pm PST. Another first for the event will be a message from a mystery Kamen Rider actor, an exclusive prize, and sales for Kamen Rider shirts and other collectibles! Continued…
Kaiju Con-line press release
Source: Special Thanks to Kyle Yount
Mark your calendars, Monster Kids! Due to the cancellation of conventions and festivals around the globe, several dedicated daikaiju fans have joined forces to create a new event for the monster masses.
Kaiju Con-Line is a free “virtual” event being held on July 11th and 12th, the same weekend that would have hosted the annual gathering of Godzilla fanatics in Chicago; once that cancellation was announced, a clawful of motivated monster fiends converged to form this online convention that kaiju enthusiasts from around the world can enjoy from the comfort of their own home. Continued…
The incredible Sundance darling WE ARE LITTLE ZOMBIES (ウィーアーリトルゾンビーズ, Uīā Ritoru Zonbīzu, 2019) hits VOD and live cinemas — yeah, real movie theaters! — this Friday, July 10th from Oscilloscope Laboratories!
Director Makoto Nagahisa won the Grand Jury Prize (for short film) at the 33rd Sundance Film Festival, the first Japanese recipient of the award. The film, AND SO WE PUT GOLDFISH IN THE POOL (そうして私たちはプールに金魚を, Sōshite Watashitachiha Pūru ni Kingyo o), garnered attention both in Japan and around the world for its compelling cinematography, clever storytelling, and entrancing music, promising the birth of a new talent in the wake of Quentin Tarantino (KILL BILL), Damien Chazelle (LA LA LAND), Shunji Iwai (A BRIDE FOR RIP VAN WINKLE), and Tetsuya Nakajima (THE WORLD OF KANAKO). Now in 2020, director Nagahisa has made his long-awaited full-length debut. For his first feature film, Makoto Nagahisa chose a story about the adventures of 13-year-old children whose parents have passed away. They suddenly lose their parents and “should be sad but tears won’t fall.”
Will they be able to retrieve their ability to feel through music? Continued…
In celebration of Ultraman Day (the anniversary of Ultraman’s first appearance on Japanese television), Mill Creek Entertainment’s transaction-based streaming service movieSPREE is pleased to announce the availability of classic and new Ultraman complete series to purchase and stream exclusively in high-definition on movieSPREE’s website and apps, for only a special limited time price of only $7.10 each! Continued…
This Friday, July 10, Tsuburaya Productions, Elevated Games, Mill Creek Entertainment, The Licensing Group Ltd and Starlight Runner Entertainment present a special FOUR HOUR live multicast with interactive sessions and content, plus special guests. Read on for the complete schedule… Continued…
Author: Benjamin Chaffins*
Special thanks to Edward L. Holland
#KAIJUDEFEAT COVID
#Capsulemonster
The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the entire world to its core and the spread of the nasty virus has only gotten worse after countless cases have been confirmed across the globe. In order to address this pandemic, directors Shinji Higuchi, Katsuro Onoue, and many others participated in KAIJU DEFEAT COVID!, a project to help inspire kaiju and anime fans worldwide to be safe and get through this pandemic together. Continued…
ULTRAMAN DAY Live Streaming Event Shu.Watch
July 10, 2020
10am PDT to 2pm PDT
The Giant of Light arrived to save Earth 54 years ago and his name is ULTRAMAN. Raging monsters (Kaiju) and aliens roamed Earth, bound and determined to destroy everything in their path. It was up to the shining superhero to save everyone and everything.
To mark this occasion, Tsuburaya Productions, Elevated Games, Mill Creek Entertainment, The Licensing Group Ltd and Starlight Runner Entertainment will bring you a special FOUR HOUR live multicast at Shu.Watch with interactive sessions and content, and a special guest appearance by none other than ULTRAMAN himself. Continued…
Tsuburaya Productions has provided SciFi Japan with multiple updates containing more information and images for their ULTRAMAN (ウルトラマン, Urutoraman) anime series. A new promotional video has been released for Season 2, introducing the series’ newest cast member, Tatsuhisa Suzuki. In the video, after a scene where Ultraman, Seven and Ace continue their fierce battles from Season 1, a mysterious horned silhouette wreathed in flames appears with the lines, “I am Taro — Ultraman Taro!” delivered by Suzuki. Continued…
Well Go USA Entertainment is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a Blu-ray of ENTER THE FAT DRAGON (肥龍過江, 2020), the new action-comedy starring international martial arts icon Donnie Yen [IP MAN, MULAN (2020), ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY]. The film was directed by Kenji Tanigaki (LEGEND OF SEVEN MONKS) and costars Teresa Mo (HARD BOILED), Niki Chow (HEAVENLY MISSION) and Wong Jing (KUNG FU MAHJONG).
ENTER THE FAT DRAGON chronicles the events that transformed super-fit super-cop Fallon Zhu (Yen) into a records clerk with a major snack cake habit — and one shot to regain his job and his fiancée. A hilarious parody of Bruce Lee’s 1972 film WAY OF THE DRAGON and a reimagining of the popular comedy martial arts film starring Sammo Hung, Continued…
Aniplex of America is thrilled to announce the release of the PERSONA5 THE ANIMATION (ペルソナ5アニメ, Perusona 5 Anime) Complete Blu-ray Set on September 29, 2020. Fans will finally have a chance to own the electrifying anime adaptation of the best-selling JRPG series from developer ATLUS in a complete box set containing six Blu-ray discs with 26 episodes plus two supersized, special episodes: DARK SUN… and STARS AND OURS. The complete Blu-ray set also marks the release of the English dub, reuniting the immensely popular original cast members of the game. Also included are a stunning illustration card set, commercials, trailers, and textless versions of the show’s iconic opening and ending themes.
Produced by CloverWorks (THE PROMISED NEVERLAND, RASCAL DOES NOT DREAM OF BUNNY GIRL SENPAI) and directed by Masashi Ishihama (GARAKOWA -RESTORE THE WORLD-, FROM THE NEW WORLD ), this stylish series chronicles the supernatural adventures of a misfit group of students known as the “Phantom Thieves of Hearts.” Continued…
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