SciFi Japan » Superheroes http://www.scifijapan.com/articles Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:05:24 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Space Sheriff Spotlight Part 3: Hiroshi Tsuburaya http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/15/space-sheriff-spotlight-part-3-hiroshi-tsuburaya/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/15/space-sheriff-spotlight-part-3-hiroshi-tsuburaya/#comments Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:48:49 +0000 Bob Johnson http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=28308 Actor Hiroshi Tsuburaya in SPACE SHERIFF SHAIDER. © 2011 Toei Co., Ltd. Interview with Hiroshi Tsuburaya Translation by: Tetsuya Shima -The interviewer : 田神悠(Yu Tagami) From the book : "宇宙刑事大全 -ギャバン・シャリバン・シャイダーの世界- (Uchuu Keiji Taizen -Gavan Sharivan Shaider no Sekai-)" ISBN4-575-29080-7 Publisher : 双葉社 (Futabasha) Editors : 安藤幹夫＆スタジオハード(Mikio Ando & Studio Hard) In the third installment of our Space Sheriff Spotlight, we present an interview with actor Hiroshi Tsuburaya (part of the Tsuburaya family) about his role as Space Sheriff Shaider. -Please tell us why you wanted to become an actor. I had been a volleyball player since I was in junior high school, and I was going to be a college volleyball player. At that time, I heard the audition for NOGIKU NO HAKA whose leading actress was Seiko Matsuda would be held. I got interested in it so I auditioned for the opposite role. After all, I failed just before the final selection, but I was fascinated by the tension-filled atmosphere of the audition. The strain I felt through the audition was different from the one that I felt during playing volleyball. That is the start of my professional career as an actor. For your information, the director of this movie was Shinichirou Sawai. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/15/space-sheriff-spotlight-part-3-hiroshi-tsuburaya/feed/ 0 Happy Holidays from SciFi Japan! http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2011/12/25/happy-holidays-from-scifi-japan/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2011/12/25/happy-holidays-from-scifi-japan/#comments Sun, 25 Dec 2011 14:09:55 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=27576 Toei's Super Sentai and Kamen Rider Christmas displays at Akihabara. Photos by Daisuke Ishizuka. © 2011 Toei Co., Ltd. Authors: the SciFi Japan team Photos: Daisuke Ishizuka The staff of SciFi Japan to thank all of our readers, contributors, news sources and sponsors for their help and support this past year. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a wonderful holiday season as we head into 2012. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2011/12/25/happy-holidays-from-scifi-japan/feed/ 0 Space Sheriff Spotlight Part 2: Hiroshi Watari http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2011/12/11/space-sheriff-spotlight-part-2-hiroshi-watari/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2011/12/11/space-sheriff-spotlight-part-2-hiroshi-watari/#comments Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:27:09 +0000 Bob Johnson http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=27463 Actor Hiroshi Watari in SPACE SHERIFF SHARIVAN. © 2011 Toei Co., Ltd. Interview with Hiroshi Watari Translation by: Tetsuya Shima -The interviewer : 田神悠(Yu Tagami) From the book : "宇宙刑事大全 -ギャバン・シャリバン・シャイダーの世界- (Uchuu Keiji Taizen -Gavan Sharivan Shaider no Sekai-)" ISBN4-575-29080-7 Publisher : 双葉社 (Futabasha) Editors : 安藤幹夫＆スタジオハード(Mikio Ando & Studio Hard) SciFi Japan continues its coverage of the Space Sheriff series from Toei by presenting an interview with SHARIVAN actor Hiroshi Watari. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2011/12/11/space-sheriff-spotlight-part-2-hiroshi-watari/feed/ 0 Space Sheriff Spotlight Part 1: Gavan http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2011/11/23/space-sheriff-spotlight-part-1-gavan/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2011/11/23/space-sheriff-spotlight-part-1-gavan/#comments Thu, 24 Nov 2011 03:08:28 +0000 Bob Johnson http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=26856 Actor Kenji Ohba as Retsu Ichijouji. © 2011 Toei Co., Ltd. Interview with Kenji Ohba Translation by: Tetsuya Shima The interviewer : 秋田英夫　(Hideo Akita) From the book : "宇宙刑事大全 -ギャバン・シャリバン・シャイダーの世界- (Uchuu Keiji Taizen -Gavan Sharivan Shaider no Sekai-)" ISBN4-575-29080-7 Publisher : 双葉社 (Futabasha) Editors : 安藤幹夫＆スタジオハード(Mikio Ando & Studio Hard) In 2012, Toei Co. will be releasing the latest film based on its popular SUPER SENTAI franchise, called SPACE SHERIFF GYABAN VS GOKAIJA - THE MOVIE. The highlight of this film will be the return of Space Sheriff Gavan (Uchuu Keiji Gyaban), a popular Toei hero series from 1982. With the help of Tetsuya Shima, SciFi Japan will feature a series of articles we call Space Sheriff Spotlight, taking a look back at the SPACE SHERIFF series (Gavan, Sharivan and Shaider) through a series of interviews with the casts and crews that brought the series to life. We start off by presenting an interview with SPACE SHERIFF GAVAN star Kenji Ohba. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2011/11/23/space-sheriff-spotlight-part-1-gavan/feed/ 0 ZEBRAMAN 2: ATTACK ON ZEBRA CITY Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2011/11/07/zebraman-2-attack-on-zebra-city-blu-raydvd-combo-pack/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2011/11/07/zebraman-2-attack-on-zebra-city-blu-raydvd-combo-pack/#comments Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:27:11 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=25416 The Zebra Queen (Riisa Naka) will rule the world unless Zebraman (Show Aikawa) can stop her. Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2010 Zebraman- Attack on Zebra City Partners. Superhero Sequel Arrives November 29th Source: FUNimation Entertainment Official Movie Site: zeb2.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee
Combo Pack art for Takashi Miike's ZEBRAMAN 2: ATTACK ON ZEBRA CITY. Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2010 Zebraman- Attack on Zebra City Partners.
Fan favorite director Takashi Miike (AUDITION, ICHI THE KILLER) reunites with actor Show Aikawa (TOKYO ZOMBIE, GOZU) for ZEBRAMAN 2: ATTACK ON ZEBRA CITY (ゼブラーマン -ゼブラシティの逆襲-, Zeburaaman -Zeburaa Shiti no Gyakushuu, 2010), the sequel to their cult favorite superhero movie, ZEBRAMAN (ゼブラーマン, 2004). FUNimation Entertainment will release the film in a Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack on November 29th. The year is 2025. Tokyo has fallen and the world cries out for a hero. It cries for Zebraman. This striped crime fighter is the only hope for those who live in fear of the Zebra Queen, a hooved seductress out to conquer the world with the aide of her Miniskirt Zebra Police. The Queen has stolen Zebraman's powers and instituted Zebra Time: ten horrifying minutes each day when murder is legal! Without his super strength, Zebraman is just a guy with a mane - a broken-down hero unable to stop the onslaught of evil. Before he can take a bite out of the bad guys, Zebraman must find the young girl who holds the secret to regaining his ass-kicking powers and prove, once and for all, that a hero never changes his stripes! Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2011/11/07/zebraman-2-attack-on-zebra-city-blu-raydvd-combo-pack/feed/ 0 HENSHIN CONTEST in Los Angeles on November 5th http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2011/10/18/henshin-contest-in-los-angeles-on-november-5th/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2011/10/18/henshin-contest-in-los-angeles-on-november-5th/#comments Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:16:06 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=26046 Anime Jungle Special Thanks to Tetsu Shiota and Yoichi Kakuma
Photo courtesy of Anime Jungle.
On Saturday, November 5th, the collector's shop Anime Jungle in Los Angeles, CA will host their first HENSHIN CONTEST for costumers/cosplayers to perform a short onstage skit with a Kamen/Masked Rider, Super Sentai/Power Rangers, or other Costumed Heroes theme. The contest will take place at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) during the opening reception for the KAMEN RIDER VS SUPER SENTAI Anniversaries Tribute Exhibition (co-sponsored with with Q-POP) in downtown LA's Little Tokyo. Cosplayers who wish to participate in the Henshin Contest can register at either of Anime Jungle's Los Angeles locations or online. Complete contest details can be found at animejungle.net/henshin. The top three performances will have their choice of three prizes, all related to Kamen Rider or Super Sentai. Anime Jungle invites everyone to come see a great show by fans, for fans. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2011/10/18/henshin-contest-in-los-angeles-on-november-5th/feed/ 0 TOWANOQUON Begins Streaming this Month http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2011/10/10/towanoquon-begins-streaming-this-month/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2011/10/10/towanoquon-begins-streaming-this-month/#comments Mon, 10 Oct 2011 17:26:05 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=25849 Sentai Filmworks, Anime Network press releases Official Site: towanoquon.com (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams and Christian Lopez
Poster art for TOWANOQUON. © 2011 BONES/ Towa no Quon Production Committee
Sentai Filmworks has rewarded fans of dark heroic action everywhere with the eagerly awaited announcement of the company’s acquisition of TOWANOQUON (トワノクオン, Towa no Quon, 2011), the spectacular new series of animated features from anime powerhouse BONES (EUREKA SEVEN, NO. 6). Produced by a literal all-star lineup of creators, the first film in the series is directed by Umanosuke Iida (HELLSING, MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM: THE 08TH MS TEAM, MIGHTY SPACE MINERS), with script supervision by Saizo Nemoto (KIKAIDER, TOKYO MAIDEN 2) and character designs by Toshihiro Kawamoto (COWBOY BEBOP, WOLF'S RAIN, GOLDEN BOY), while music is in the legendary hands of Kenji Kawai (THE RING, DARK WATER, SKYCRAWLERS, PATLABOR, RANMA ½, BLUE SEED, SORCERER HUNTERS). Digital distribution of the 6-part mini-series will begin this month on Anime Network Online. Starting on Thursday, October 13, the first TOWANOQUON feature will begin streaming online at 1:00 PM Eastern, with a new part available every two weeks. TOWANOQUON will be shown in Japanese with English subtitles. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2011/10/10/towanoquon-begins-streaming-this-month/feed/ 0 CASSHERN SINS: THE COMPETE SERIES Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2011/07/27/casshern-sins-the-compete-series-blu-raydvd-combo-pack/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2011/07/27/casshern-sins-the-compete-series-blu-raydvd-combo-pack/#comments Wed, 27 Jul 2011 16:00:50 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=24146 The cybernetic hero Casshern returns in the anime series CASSHERN SINS, soon to be released in a Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack from FUNimation. Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2008 Tatsunoko Production/ Casshern Sins Project Ruin is the Salvation of Man and Machine this August Source: FUNimation Entertainment Official Site: casshern-sins.jp (Japan), funimation.com/casshernsins (US) Special Thanks to Jackie Smith
Cover art for CASSHERN SINS: THE COMPETE SERIES. Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2008 Tatsunoko Production/ Casshern Sins Project
FUNimation Entertainment will release the complete, 24 episode series of CASSHERN SINS (キャシャーン SINS, Kyashaan Shinsu, 2008) in a Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack on August 2nd. CASSHERN SINS is a millennial update of NEO-HUMAN CASSHERN (新造人間キャシャーン, Shinzo Ningen Kyashaan, aka CASSHAN, 1973) a beloved classic of Japanese animation which saw a lone cyborg hero opposing a robot empire that threatened to overthrow the Earth. This darker reimagining was produced by Tatsunoko Production (NEO-HUMAN CASSHERN, SPEED RACER, GATCHAMAN) with animation by Madhouse, the studio behind DEATH NOTE, GUNSLINGER GIRL, and SAIKANO. The series was directed by Shigeyasu Yamauchi (DRAGON BALL Z). The unique animation style of CASSHERN SINS was supervised by Yoshihiko Umakoshi (FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST, COWBOY BEEBOP). Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2011/07/27/casshern-sins-the-compete-series-blu-raydvd-combo-pack/feed/ 0 Wonderfest 2011 Report http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2011/07/24/wonderfest-2011-report/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2011/07/24/wonderfest-2011-report/#comments Sun, 24 Jul 2011 16:31:45 +0000 Bob Johnson http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=24096 The shoulder to shoulder crowds of Wonderfest. Photo courtesy of Clawmark Toys. Clawmark Does Wonderfest Author: Tom Dougherty, Clawmark Toys WONDERFEST! The name says it all! I have had the good fortune to experience many Japanese Toy and Model shows in both Osaka and Tokyo over the years, but nothing quite compares to Wonderfest. An enormous event like Wonderfest is of course held in the enormous complex called Makhuhari Messe. I only had to ride a train for about two and a half hours through Tokyo and past Disneyland to arrive at the station and begin the walk. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2011/07/24/wonderfest-2011-report/feed/ 0 New York Asian Film Festival and Japan Cuts 2011 (July 1-22) http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2011/06/17/new-york-asian-film-festival-and-japan-cuts-2011-july-1-july-22/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2011/06/17/new-york-asian-film-festival-and-japan-cuts-2011-july-1-july-22/#comments Fri, 17 Jun 2011 22:44:07 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=23487 Huge Festivals Return to New York City with Screenings of 70 Asian Films Source: Subway Cinema, Japan Society Special Thanks to Kristen Osborne, Grady Hendrix, and Shannon Jowett Beginning July 1st, New York City once again plays host to America's leading large-scale festival of popular Asian cinema. Subway Cinema's New York Asian Film Festival (July 1-14) and Japan Society's Japan Cuts: Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema (July 7-22) combined will feature 70 different movies, world and US premieres, exclusive Q&A’s with filmmakers, and other special events. This year also marks the fifth annual collaboration between Japan Cuts and NYAFF, who will co-present several films at the Japan Society from July 7-10. Continued...
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