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Although the CW has parted ways with KAMEN RIDER DRAGON KNIGHT, the series continues to receive the notice of fans and now television peers. Recently it was announced that KAMEN RIDER DRAGON KNIGHT has been nominated for a daytime Emmy award for Outstanding Stunt Coordination. The nomination came for episode 18, in which Len (aka; Kamen Rider Wingknight) battles the Cho Brothers.
On June 25th, the winners of the Daytime Emmys were announced and the winner of the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Stunt Coordination went to, KAMEN RIDER DRAGON KNIGHT!
In a SciFi Japan Exclusive, producer/director Michael Wang discusses the series and what lead to the Emmy nomination. Continued…
Last December, Fox Home Entertainment launched a DVD on Demand program through online retailer Amazon.com’s CreateSpace service. Similar to Warner Bros’ Warner Archive Collection, CreateSpace DVD on Demand will allow Fox to make available classic titles from the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) film and television library that would would most likely not be released as mass-market entries, particularly in today’s tough and over-crowded home video market. While mass-produced retail DVDs are manufactured by a factory stamping process, the CreateSpace program individually burns NTSC format, Region 1 DVD-Rs sourced from archived studio materials.
“MGM has a vast library of classic films and TV shows, which up until now have never been available for purchase,” said Eric Doctorow, general manager MGM Worldwide at Fox. “Working with CreateSpace gives us the opportunity to preserve and release some of these films and TV shows for fans everywhere.”
One title particularly of interest to SciFi Japan readers will be JOHNNY SOKKO AND HIS FLYING ROBOT (1967), the Americanized version of the Japanese FX show GIANT ROBO (Jaianto Robo). Fox Home Entertainment has announced that the complete 26 episode series will be released in a seven disc set through MGM DVD on Demand. 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…
KICK-ASS is a superhero film without superheroes. The masked and costumed vigilantes appearing in KICK-ASS are all normal, without super powers. For example, our protagonist Dave, who later becomes the titular hero, is a less-than-average geek. He is not so athletic, has no relationships with girls and sometimes he is picked on by the local thugs along with his equally nerdy friends. One distinctive feature Dave has is a vision. A vision that changes his life forever – having been frustrated by the fact no one ever tries to be a superhero, he decided to become one himself.
SciFi Japan is pleased to present another look at the new hit superhero film. Continued…
KICK-ASS is the story of a nerdy high school kid named Dave (played by Aaron Johnson), who becomes obsessed with the idea of becoming a real life superhero. While his friends laugh at the idea, Dave becomes determined to prove that such a feat is possible. He orders a wetsuit online and becomes Kick-Ass. While he doesn’t do much of what his name would imply, he becomes an Internet sensation practically overnight.
On the other end of the spectrum are Big Daddy (Nicolas Cage) and his daughter Hit-Girl (Chloe Moritz), who he has trained to become a vigilante killing machine like himself. Big Daddy is working on taking down the group of mobsters responsible for his wife’s death. The mobsters are lead to believe that Kick-Ass is to blame for their current difficulties. Subplots develop from there including a blooming romance with Dave’s crush from school, as well as the mob boss’s son becoming the hero Red Mist (SUPERBAD’s Christopher Charles Mintz-Plasse) to help draw Kick-Ass, Big Daddy and Hit-Girl out to be caught by his father.
Based on Mark Millar’s graphic novel of the same name, KICK-ASS is an extremely fun, crowd-pleasing film with great action scenes and inspired direction. Continued…
VIZ Media will be releasing the much anticipated 8th and final volume of Naoki Urasawa’s manga masterpiece Pluto: Urasawa X Tezuka on April 6th.
Pluto: Urasawa X Tezuka is a modern reinterpretation of the work by the master of manga, Osamu Tezuka. In an ideal world where man and robots coexist, someone or something is after the seven great robots of the world. Interpol assigns robot detective Gesicht to this most strange and complex case – and he eventually discovers that he is one of the targets!
In the final volume Atom is back, and the fate of the earth is in his hands! Now that Atom has all the answers to the unsolved mysteries around Pluto, Bora and more, he’s prepared to put everything on the line. With the memory of his fallen brethren – Gesicht, Mont Blanc, North No. 2, Brando, Hercules and Epsilon – etched deeply into his heart, Atom is headed for one last battle to save the world!
Pluto: Urasawa X Tezuka is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens and has a MSRP $12.99 U.S. / $16.99 Canada. Continued…
After far too long an absence, the popular fanzine Monster Attack Team returns!
Edward Holland and the late Joe Riley began Monster Attack Team (the name taken from the anti-monster team in RETURN OF ULTRAMAN) in the early 1990s as a fan club for aficionados of Japanese science fiction and fantasy. It soon evolved into a Dallas, Texas cable access television show and a small newsletter that grew to become a fan favorite mag. The print version of Monster Attack Team ran for seven issues, edited by Ed Holland with the assistance of David May and Michael G Keller, and featured articles and contributions by authors such as Ed Godziszewski, Kip Doto, Bob Johnson, Kevin Grays, August Ragone, Daisuke Ishizuka, Norman England, and Damon Foster.
Nearly 15 years after the last issue, Ed Holland and Michael Keller have brought back Monster Attack Team with Issue 8. The editors have rounded up an “all star” group of tokusatsu writers and historians and produced a massive, 132 page edition that matches the quality of those truly great English language genre publications The Japanese Fantasy Film Journal, Markalite, and Japanese Giants. Continued…
Toei Hero Dies at Age 59
Author: Keith Aiken and Oki Miyano
Translations: Oki Miyano and Hiro Sono
Source: Yahoo Japan, various
Special Thanks to JR Lipartito
SciFi Japan is sad to report the passing of actor Yusuke Natsu, one of the stars of the 1976 Toei Co., Ltd. television series SPACE IRONMEN KYODYNE (Uchu Tetsujin Kyodain), who died at a Tokyo hospital from stomach cancer on January 27th. He was 59 years old.
Besides KYODYNE, Natsu appeared in a number of television shows and movies from Toei, Nikkatsu, Toho, and other studios. A partial list of credits includes CHARGE! HUMAN!! (Totsugeki! Human!!, 1972), SWEET REVENGE (Kiri no Hata, 1977), NEVER GIVE UP (Yasei no Shomei, 1978), THE YAKUZA WIVES 2 (Gokudo no Onna-Tachi 2, 1987), and AFTERNOON WHEN FLOWERS FELL (Hana no Furu Gogo, 1989). He is best known for the TV drama SPECIAL CRIME INVESTIGATION (Tokusou Saizensen, 1977), in which he co-starred with Hiroshi Fujioka of MASKED RIDER fame.
Fujioka only learned of his old friend’s illness shortly before Natsu’s death, when one of his acquaintances told him that Natsu had only a few days to live. On the 27th he told a reporter that, “Natsu’s serious attitude towards acting was impressive. He was still so young… I’ve lost my comrade.” Continued…
SPECTREMAN Star Passes Away
Author: Bob Johnson
Additional Research and Translations: Daisuke Ishizuka
Source: Yahoo Japan, various
Special Thanks to Oki Miyano and Keith Aiken
2010 got off to a sad and shocking start with the loss of the star of one of Japan’s more unique superhero series. Actor Tetsuo Narikawa died of lung cancer on January 1 in Tokyo, Japan. He was 65 years old.
Narikawa is best known for his leading role as Joji Gamou (aka; George) in the P Productions TV series SPECTREMAN (Supekutoruman) from January 2, 1971 through March 25, 1972. After SPECTREMAN, he went on to guest star in a few other superhero series, notably LION MARU (Kaiketsu Raion-Maru, 1972) episodes 3 and 5, MASKED RIDER (Kamen Raidaa, 1972) episode 63, ROBOT DETECTIVE (Robot Keiji, 1973) episode 25, and ULTRAMAN LEO (Urutoraman Leo, 1974) episode 36. Continued…
A Conversation with the Production Crew of the Upcoming Korean SFX Hero TV Show
Author / Translator: Kim Song-ho
Official website: T3 Entertainment (RAYFORCE website coming soon)
RAYFORCE demo footage on YouTube
Special Thanks to Ko Jeong-jin, Jun Jae-hoon, Hong Gi-hun and the members of Big Monster Club
On October 22, 2009, the Korean game company T3 Entertainment announced the production of a new SFX Hero TV Show called RAYFORCE, WAR RECORD OF TIME AND SPACE (Shigongjeongi Reifosu). Shortly before the official announcement, T3 released a 4-minute video demo of the show on YouTube. The quality of the demo was enough to attract attention from genre fans, and RAYFORCE has become one of the most anticipated SFX shows in Korea.
According to initial news reports, RAYFORCE will be a 2-season show, consisting of 26 episodes for each season. T3 will begin principal photography in next March and the first season of the show will air in September. Continued…
A superhero television series is only as good as the villain they have to confront. For KAMEN RIDER DRAGON KNIGHT, the producers turned to a veteran television and movie actor who they felt could carry the series as a villain that would appear from the very first to very last episode.
William O’Leary spoke with SciFi Japan as we looked into just what makes a good villain bad and what it is like to go through the hectic and manic schedule of an independently produced television series. Continued…
“Life Size” Statue of Giant Robot in Creator’s Hometown
Author: Daisuke Ishizuka
Official Site: Kobe Tetsujin Project (Japan)
TETSUJIN 28-GO (Tetsujin Nijyu-Hachi-Go) is a popular robot comic (launched 1956) and animation TV series (1963) created by Mr. Mitsuteru Yokoyama. The animated series was aired in America as the English dubbed GIGANTOR (1966).
Mr. Yokoyama was born in Kobe in 1934, and died at the of age of 69 in 1995. His works include Giant Robo (adapted as the live action series JOHNNY SOKKO AND HIS FLYING ROBOT), Babel II, Princess Comet (Comet-san) and Kamen no Ninjya Akakage (adapted several times, including the 2001 movie RED SHADOW). Tetsujin is considered to be his masterpiece. The character has become a beloved figure in Japan, starring in several animated series as well as a 2005 live action film. Imagi Studios, the animation house behind the CG films TMNT and ASTRO BOY, has produced test footage for a potential computer animated TETSUJIN 28 movie.
The Kobe area was hit by the Great Hanshin earthquake on January 17th, 1995. Nearly 6,500 people were killed and 300,000 lost their homes. As the 15th anniversary of the tragedy draws near, a full scale, 18 meter (59 foot) tall statue of Tetsujin has been built in Kobe as a symbol of the city’s revival and as a guardian from future disasters. Continued…
Godzilla, King Ghidorah and Gigan feature in classic Toho TV series
Author: Jim M. Ballard
Special Thanks to Keith Aiken, John Paul Cassidy and Oki Miyano
RYUUSEI NINGEN ZOON (Zone The Meteor Man) was a superhero TV series produced by Toho Eizo that aired weekly on the Nippon Television Network (NTV) between April 2nd and September 24th 1973. Toho has registered the series with the United States copyright office under the English title ZONE FIGHTER.
The series is centered around a family of aliens known as the Zone Family, whose home planet Peaceland was destroyed by the villainous Garoga Baron aliens. Seeking refuge on Earth, they take on their new identity as the Sakimori family, but are soon followed by the Garoga who are on a new mission of a conquest!
The series is best remembered for featuring appearances by Toho’s big screen monsters Godzilla, King Ghidorah and Gigan. The events of ZONE FIGHTER were reportedly part of the Showa Godzilla series, taking place between the movies GODZILLA VS. MEGALON (Gojira tai Megaro, 1973) and GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA (Gojira tai Mekagojira, 1974). The series features the final onscreen appearances of the original incarnations of King Ghidorah and Gigan.
Join SciFi Japan as we look back at this unique episode of Godzilla’s history! Continued…
Last year, the Tokyo-based camera design, production, and distribution company PowerShovel, Ltd. introduced the Blackbird Fly, a new Twin-Reflex 35mm Plastic Camera made in several different colors. The highly anticipated Blackbird Fly has received glowing reviews from camera and photography aficionados worldwide, and the model has been a strong seller for PowerShovel.
In 2009, the Blackbird Fly received some unexpected and highly visible publicity from MASKED RIDER DECADE (Kamen Raidaa Dikeido), the 19th television series is the popular “Kamen Rider” franchise. Premiering this past January 25 on TV Asahi, the show stars Masahiro Inoue as Kamen Rider Decade’s alter ego, Tsukasa Kadoya. Tsukasa suffers from amnesia and tries to hold onto the world around him by photographing it with his camera of choice… a pink Blackbird Fly.
The camera was featured in many episodes and during the opening credits of MASKED RIDER DECADE. The resulting attention— and consumer interest— convinced PowerShovel to make a Limited Edition production run of a Blackbird Fly inspired by the show. From the “Masked Rider Decade” Blackbird Fly production run, only 50 units will be sold outside of Japan, with Freestyle Photo Supplies in Hollywood, CA the exclusive retailer for this camera in the United States. Continued…
Revolver Entertainment will release the 2007 mockumentary BIG MAN JAPAN (Dai Nipponjon) on DVD in the UK on September 21.
A middle-aged slacker living in a rundown, graffiti-ridden slum, Daisoto’s (Hitoshi Matsumoto) job involves being shocked by bolts of electricity that transform him into a stocky, stick-wielding giant several stories high who is entrusted with defending Japan from a host of bizarre monsters. But while his predecessors were national heroes, he is a pariah among the citizens he protects, who bitterly complain about the noise and destruction of property he causes.
And Daisato has his own problems – an agent insistent on branding him with sponsor advertisements, an Alzheimer-afflicted grandfather who transforms into a giant in dirty underwear, and a family who is embarrassed by his often cowardly exploits. A wickedly deadpan spin on the giant Japanese superhero, BIG MAN JAPAN is an outrageous portrait of a pathetic, but truly unique hero. Continued…
All Masked Riders Return For Heisei Series 10th Anniversary Movie
Author: James M. Ballard
Official Movie Site: www.dcd-shin.jp
With the successful revivial of the Masked Rider franchise with 2000′s MASKED RIDER KUUGA (Kamen Raidaa Kuuga), Toei Company has continued to produce new Masked Rider TV series every year. The current series MASKED RIDER DECADE (Kamen Raidaa Dikeido), which began airing in January this year, celebrates 10 years of the new era of Masked Rider productions, with the titular hero traveling between alternate Masked Rider worlds.
Now, the new movie MASKED RIDER DECADE: ALL RIDERS VS. GREAT SHOCKER (Kamen Raidaa Dikeido Ooru Raidaa tai Daishokkaa) brings together all the leading Riders since the original MASKED RIDER (Kamen Raidaa, 1971) through to the upcoming series MASKED RIDER DOUBLE (Kamen Raidaa Daburu, 2009), due to air in September. Continued…
KAMEN RIDER TV Producer to Make Major Announcement at Special Panel Presentation and Screening on July 26
Source: Kamen Rider Productions press release
Official Site: kamenridertv.com
The hit live action series KAMEN RIDER DRAGON KNIGHT will hold a special panel presentation and screening at San Diego Comic-Con International set for Sunday, July 26 from 2:45 to 3:45pm at Room 6DE. There will also be an autograph session on the same day from 1-2pm in the autograph area of the convention center.
The KAMEN RIDER Comic-Con presentation kicks off with never-before-seen footage from upcoming KAMEN RIDER DRAGON KNIGHT episodes, followed by a panel session featuring stars Stephen Lunsford (Kit/Kamen Rider Dragon Knight), Matt Mullins (Len/Kamen Rider Wing Knight), Yvonne Arias (Maya), Scott Bailey (JTC/Kamen Rider Strike), William O’Leary (General Xaviax) and members of the series’ award-winning creative team including directors Steve and Mike Wang. The event closes with an audience Q&A and a raffle drawing awarding 200 Bandai bags including action figures from the eagerly anticipated KAMEN RIDER toy line and KAMEN RIDER packs that include a backpack, cap, and t-shirt. All in attendance will be able to take home a Comic-Con exclusive KAMEN RIDER DRAGON KNIGHT poster. Continued…
AX has now greatly expanded the Rangers event with the addition of several more heroes and villains from POWER RANGERS: ZEO, POWER RANGERS: TURBO, POWER RANGERS IN SPACE, POWER RANGERS: LOST GALAXY, POWER RANGERS: TIME FORCE, and POWER RANGERS: SPD. With seventeen actors currently scheduled, this event will be one of the largest POWER RANGERS gatherings ever held in the United States.
Anime Expo 2009′s POWER RANGERS reunion will include a panel as well as a booth in the Anime Expo Exhibit Hall where fans can meet, take pictures with and obtain autographed head shots of their favorite convention-attending Rangers. Continued…
Dai Nipponjin is a sixth-generation superhero guarding his country from these outlandish “baddies,” as Daisatou calls them. But while his predecessors were national heroes, Daisatou is a pariah among the citizens he protects. His battles are broadcast late at night to diminishing television ratings while the public bitterly complains about the noise and destruction of property he causes.
And Daisatou has his own problems— an agent insistent on branding him with sponsor advertisements, an Alzheimer-afflicted grandfather who transforms into a giant in dirty underwear, and an ex-wife and daughter who are embarrassed by his often cowardly exploits.
A wickedly deadpan spin on the giant Japanese superhero, BIG MAN JAPAN is an outrageous portrait of a pathetic but truly unique hero.
After an enthusiastically received premiere at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival, a successful theatrical run in Japan, and appearances at festivals both in the US and abroad, BIG MAN JAPAN will be released to theaters across America on May 15, 2009. SciFi Japan presents an early look at the film with press notes, photos, poster art and the theatrical trailer, courtesy of US distributor Magnet Releasing. Continued…
Blast off with Anime Expo and members of the MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS dynasty as they storm into the Los Angeles Convention Center for one of the biggest Ranger Reunions to date at the nation’s largest anime and manga convention held July 2-5, 2009. More information can be found on the website anime-expo.org.
Power Rangers in attendance include:
· Karan Ashley: Aisha Campbell, the Yellow Power/Ninja Ranger (1994-96)
· Steve Cardenas: Rocky DeSantos, the Red Power/Ninja Ranger (1994-96)
· Walter Jones: Zack Taylor, the original Black Power Ranger (1993-94)
· Catherine Sutherland: Kat Hillard, the Pink Power/Ninja Ranger (1995-96)
· Johnny Yong Bosch: Adam Park, the Black Power/Ninja Ranger (1994-98)
· Robert Axelrod: Lord Zedd (1993-96)
In addition to attending Anime Expo 2009, the MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS Reunion event will include a panel on as well as a booth in the Anime Expo Exhibit Hall where fans can meet, take pictures with and obtain autograph head shots of their favorite convention attending Rangers! Continued…
An interview with KAMEN RIDER DRAGON KNIGHT Producer/Director Steve Wang
Author: Bob Johnson
Official Sites: kamenridertv.com, Kamen Rider Productions
Special Thanks to Loren Portillo
On the opposite side of every mirror on Earth lies the parallel dimension of Ventara – a world destroyed by the evil alien, General Xaviax. The Kamen Riders were warriors from Ventara who fought Xaviax with armor and abilities powered by their Advent Decks. Unfortunately, Xaviax stole the Advents Decks and defeated all the Riders but one.
Kamen Rider Wing Knight is the sole surviving Kamen Rider – the only man who can stop Xaviax from destroying Earth the same way he destroyed Ventara. To defeat Wing Knight, Xaviax brought the Advent Decks to Earth and tricked ordinary citizens into becoming new Kamen Riders – super-powered soldiers who will carry out his evil plans.
On our Earth, there are also what sometimes seems to be two parallel dimensions, the United States and Japan. Many pieces of each culture cross the Pacific Ocean and become a part of the other, whether it is Japanese eating hamburgers and watching the latest US blockbuster movie or Americans eating sushi and watching anime.
Now Steve and Michael Wang are attempting to bring Japan’s motorcycle riding heroes to the US in a big way with the CW’s new Saturday morning TV series KAMEN RIDER DRAGON KNIGHT, a show inspired by Ishimori Production and Toei Co., Ltd.’s MASKED RIDER RYUKI (Kamen Raidaa Ryuuki, 2002). Continued…
New York Comic Con, Subway Cinema, and Nikkatsu Present World Premiere of New Japanese Feature Film
Source: Roger Bilheimer Associates press release
Official Site: New York Comic Con
New York Comic Con (NYCC) today revealed that maverick Japanese director Takashi Miike will appear at its 2009 event as a Guest of Honor and superstar actor and pop star Sho Sakurai will attend as a Special Guest. Miike and Sakurai will be at NYCC to speak about their upcoming feature film YATTERMAN—and then present the world premiere of the highly-anticipated movie, produced by Nikkatsu Studios and scheduled for release in Japan in early March. The 2009 New York Comic Con takes place February 6-8 in the Jacob Javits Center in New York, NY. Miike and Sakurai join Guests of Honor including Brian Michael Bendis, Carmine Infantino, Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, J. Michael Straczynski, and Bruce Timm and Special Guests including Seth Green, J.J. Sedelmaier, Matt Senreich, and Art Spiegelman.
“New York Comic Con is honored to have Miike-san and Sakurai-san join us this year,” NYCC Show Manager Lance Fensterman said. “New York Comic Con seeks to celebrate pop culture from around the world, and Yatterman is a stunning example of this. YATTERMAN’s nothing short of legendary, and we’re excited to be part of it!” Continued…
Let’s Rumble in the Jungle!
Author: Aaron Cooper
Source: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, Inc.
Official Site: Jungle Fury
It is hard to imagine that the Power Rangers franchise is 16 years old! There are really not a lot of kid’s shows out there that can lay that type of claim for constant original programming. Us old fogies at SciFi Japan realized we’ve been ignoring this particular area of Japanese-influenced action for a little too long, so I took a look at the first two volumes of POWER RANGERS JUNGLE FURY entitled “Into the Jungle” and “Way of the Master”, which comprise the first 12 episodes of the series as seen on Jetix through Toon Disney in 2008. Continued…
Peter Fernandez is probably one of the more famous of the many behind the scenes heroes that work hard so we can enjoy movies and television shows from other countries. Most people who have heard of him think about SPEED RACER when Peter’s name is mentioned. And why not? Peter was the producer, director and writer of the series, as well as the voices of Speed Racer and Racer X.
However, there is so much more to the man than just one series or two characters. Since the 1940s, Peter has been a child model, a Broadway and movie actor, and a key figure responsible for most of the dubbing for movies and shows we’ve all grown up watching from Japan, China, Italy, Mexico and other countries. In addition to SPEED RACER, his long list of voice credits includes GODZILLA VS THE SEA MONSTER, ASTROBOY, ULTRAMAN, THE SPACE GIANTS, SON OF GODZILLA, GIGANTOR, STAR BLAZERS, the Sergio Leone/Clint Eastwood spaghetti westerns… and even a “clean version” of George Romero’s DAY OF THE DEAD!
In this interview we tried to touch on all aspects of his life and work to give readers a better understanding of the remarkable career he has had. Even so, I feel we only managed to scratch the surface. Continued…
Riding on the success and popularity of the Toei tokusatsu (live-action) series of the 70′s KIKAIDA, JN Productions and Generation Kikaida will release another action-packed Japanese superhero DVD box set INAZUMAN on November 21, 2008. Inazuman, the Fighter for Freedom, battles mutant monsters of the evil Bamba Empire who are threatening the world.
Watari Goro, a college student, saves two youngsters from the Neo-Human Empire’s Fantom Army. The youngsters bring him to the base of the Youth League, a group of pure-hearted young mutants with psionic powers. Their leader, Capt. Sarra, awakens Goro to his own super powers that allow him to turn first into Sanagiman, then into Inazuman. After he defeats a Neo-Human monster, Goro is accepted into the Youth League, and presented with the amazing vehicle, Raijingo. Continued…
Latest News Includes New Manga Titles for 2009, an Eisner Award, and the Launch of Stan Lee & Hiroyuki Takei’s ULTIMO
Source: VIZ Media
Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC is one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content. Owned by three of Japan’s largest creators and licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa and is a global ex-Asia licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including magazines such as SHONEN JUMP and SHOJO BEAT, graphic novels, and DVDs, and develops, markets, licenses, and distributes animated entertainment for audiences and consumers of all ages.
VIZ has made several recent announcements about new and upcoming projects that includes an Eisner Award win for Tekkonkinkreet: Black & White, the launch of several major titles in 2009 (such as Naoki Urusawa’s 20th Century Boys and the Astro Boy update Pluto: Urasawa X Tezuka), and the new Shonen Jump magazine series ULTIMO, which was co-created by comic book legend Stan Lee. Continued…
Source: Paramount Home Entertainment and Click Communications
Official Website: Iron Man Movie
Special Thanks to Scott Neumyer
From Paramount Home Entertainment…
On September 30th, Paramount Home Entertainment will release the critically acclaimed box office smash IRON MAN: 2-DISC ULTIMATE EDITION on DVD and Blu-ray! What more can be said about this enormous blockbuster hit Super Hero film? IRON MAN is easily one of the year’s most exciting, inventive, and entertaining cinematic thrill rides. Directed by Jon Favreau (Elf) and boasting an all-star cast full of Academy Award nominees Robert Downey Jr. (Zodiac, Chaplin), Jeff Bridges (The Contender) and Terrence Howard (Hustle & Flow) and Oscar winner Gwyneth Paltrow (Shakespeare In Love). With several hours of exciting bonus features, this is easily a “can’t miss” release! Get ready as IRON MAN: 2-DISC ULTIMATE EDITION blasts off on DVD and Blu-ray September 30th!!
Packaging art, pricing info and complete DVD specs for the 2-DISC ULTIMATE EDITION DVD and Blu-ray plus the Single-disc DVD are now on SciFi Japan. Continued…
After successfully adapting the original Kamen Rider for older audiences with 2005’s MASKED RIDER THE FIRST (Kamen Raidaa Za Faasuto), Toei followed up with the next saga in the story of Kamen Rider, bringing Kamen Rider V3 into the mix with MASKED RIDER THE NEXT (Kamen Raidaa Za Nekusuto, 2007).
In this one, Chiharu Kazami (Erika Mori) is a Japanese pop-idol, but with a difference… her newest song is cursed! Anyone who listens to it dies shortly after. In a twisted take on today’s disposable pop stars, Shocker is behind the scheme, using plastic surgery and cyborg science to turn out Chiharu after Chiharu as each one burns out. However, the original Chiharu (or is it the ghost of the original?) has other plans.
Now wait a minute… isn’t this a Kamen Rider movie? So far it sounds like a Japanese horror film. Well, as it turns out Kamen Rider Takeshi Hongo (Masaya Kikawada) is teaching high school science to a class that is less than attentive. One student turns out to be one of Chiharu’s best friends and sets out to find Chiharu and unravel the mystery of what is happening, with Hongo close behind. Continued…
Batman returns in the sequel to BATMAN BEGINS
Source: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
Official Website: THE DARK KNIGHT
Special Thanks to Gemma Cacho and Donna Elyassian
The follow-up to the action hit “Batman Begins,” “The Dark Knight” reunites director Christopher Nolan and star Christian Bale, who reprises the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman.
With the help of Lieutenant Jim Gordon and the committed new District Attorney, Harvey Dent, Batman sets out to destroy organized crime in Gotham City for good. The triumvirate initially proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a rising criminal mastermind known as The Joker, who thrusts Gotham into anarchy and forces The Dark Knight ever closer to crossing the fine line between hero and vigilante.
Academy Award nominee Heath Ledger (“Brokeback Mountain”) portrays arch-villain The Joker, and Aaron Eckhart plays District Attorney Harvey Dent. Maggie Gyllenhaal joins the cast in the role of Rachel Dawes. Returning from “Batman Begins” are Gary Oldman as Lieutenant Jim Gordon; Oscar winner Michael Caine (“The Cider House Rules”) as Alfred; and Oscar winner Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby”) as Lucius Fox.
Take a look behind the scenes of THE DARK KNIGHT with extensive production notes and more than 50 photos from the film! Continued…
SciFi Japan Presents an Exclusive Look at the New GODMAN DVD Special; Plus a Guide for the Original TV Series
Authors: Ed Godziszewski and John Paul Cassidy
Official Site: GODMAN & GREENMAN
Additional Information and Translations by Oki Miyano and Tetsu Shiota, Anime Jungle
A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE
On May 23, Toho will release a Region 2 DVD box set of episodes from the 1972-73 children’s shows GO! GODMAN and GO! GREENMAN. The set also includes New Production: GO! GODMAN, a brand new adventure in which the superhero battles five classic foes; Tsunojiras, Jilarji, Kappalge, Green-Mask… and Gaira the Green Gargantua from the classic monster movie WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS.
SciFi Japan previews the new GODMAN with an exclusive “on the set” report and photos from Ed Godziszewski. In addition, John Cassidy provides an overview and episode list for the original GO! GODMAN television show, and DVD specs for the new box set. Continued…
