SciFi Japan

Toho’s New GO! GODMAN: On the Set Report– Gaira Returns!

Keith Aiken — Fri, 16 May 2008 18:00:26 +0000

The Green Gargantua is back! 42 years after WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS, Gaira returns in New Production: GO! GODMAN. Fuyuki Shinada and the suit staff put the finishing touches on the monster and prepare him for action. Photos by Ed Godziszewski. ©2008 Toho Co., Ltd

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...

The Aftermath of Speed

Bob Johnson — Tue, 13 May 2008 19:20:04 +0000

Part 4: What Came Next? Sequels and Remakes by James Long Once MACH GO GO GO finished its initial Japanese broadcast run in March of 1968, the series remained popular and well remembered thanks to it being shown in syndicated reruns. As a result, toys and model kits based on the series continued to sell quite well, and were readily available for many years after the show ceased production. There were even attempts to expand these lines by creating new items like model kits of vehicles that never appeared in the series, such as a Mach 6 racing car and a motorcycle named "Gallant." With that kind of long-term popularity, it certainly made sense that Tatsunoko Productions would try to recapture the same kind of magic they’d had with MACH GO GO GO by building a new series around a similar concept. Join SciFi Japan and James Long for Part 4 of our look back at the classic SPEED RACER series! Continued...

GODZILLA: YUJI SAKAI’S CONCEPT WORKS “KA-MA-E”

Keith Aiken — Sun, 11 May 2008 23:01:49 +0000

Source: Anime Jungle This past February, Bandai released Godzilla: Yuji Sakai's Concept Works "Ka-Ma-E", a collection of Godzilla figures sculpted by the popular Yuji Sakai (Godzilla Complete Works). The series has four separate pieces (plus variant color versions), each depicting a fan favorite Godzilla design. Each figure stands approximately 88mm (3.5 inches) tall and comes with a base featuring the logo for the film depicted... 1. Godzilla 1954 from GODZILLA 2. Godzilla 1962 from KING KONG VS GODZILLA 3. Godzilla 1964 from MOTHRA VS GODZILLA/GODZILLA VS THE THING 4. Burning Godzilla 1995 from GODZILLA VS DESTOROYAH The standard four piece set is now in stock and can be ordered from Anime Jungle in Los Angeles, CA. Tell them SciFi Japan sent you!

The Concept Works "Ka-Ma-E" set features four beautifully sculpted Godzilla figures by Yuji Sakai. Pictured here are the 1954, 1962, and 1964 Godzilla designs. © 1954-2008 Toho Co., Ltd./2008 Bandai Co., Ltd.

First 7 Minutes of SPEED RACER

Keith Aiken — Sat, 10 May 2008 18:51:51 +0000

SPEED RACER: Interview with Rain

Keith Aiken — Fri, 09 May 2008 21:55:44 +0000

The Korean Superstar Discusses His Role in the New SPEED RACER Film Author: Keith Aiken Source: Warner Bros. Official Site: Speed Racer The Movie Special Thanks to Gemma Cacho, Warner Bros. As Warner Bros’ SPEED RACER movie opens in theaters today, audiences will be reintroduced to the wonderful cast of characters from the classic anime series. The film brings back a slew of familiar faces, from Speed, Trixie, Racer X and Chim-Chim to supporting players such as Inspector Detector and recurring villains like Snake Oiler. SPEED RACER’s writing/directing team of Andy and Larry Wachowski have also introduced several new characters created specifically for the movie. One of the most important of these new creations is Taejo Togokahn, the lead driver and heir apparent of Togokahn Motors. In an attempt to prevent a hostile takeover of his family’s business, Teijo brings together Speed Racer and Racer X for the Casa Cristo 5000, a race so dangerous that it has been nicknamed “The Crucible”. The three racers form a team against some of the most violent and deadly drivers the World Racing League has ever seen. Playing the part of Taejo Togokahn is the Korean R&B/pop singer Rain (aka Jung Ji-hoon), who has been a sensation across Asia and is now breaking into the American spotlight. As part of the publicity tour for SPEED RACER, Rain took part in a round table interview to talk about the film and his upcoming project NINJA ASSASSIN. Continued...

SPEED RACER Production Notes

Keith Aiken — Thu, 08 May 2008 05:02:39 +0000

A Detailed Look at the New Live Action Film! Source: Warner Bros. Official Site: Speed Racer The Movie Photos courtesy of Gemma Cacho, Warner Bros. SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details for a new film.

Hurtling down the track, careening around, over and through the competition, Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch) is a natural behind the wheel. Born to race cars, Speed is aggressive, instinctive and, most of all, fearless. His only real competition is the memory of the brother he idolized—the legendary Rex Racer, whose death in a race has left behind a legacy that Speed is driven to fulfill. Based on the classic series created by anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida, the live-action SPEED RACER marks the Wachowski brothers’ first writing/directing collaboration since THE MATRIX movies. SciFi Japan takes a look behind the scenes of the much-anticipated movie with production notes and more than three dozen photographs, courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. SPEED RACER opens nationwide this Friday, May 9. Continued...

Speed Racer is Born!

Bob Johnson — Fri, 02 May 2008 03:13:55 +0000

MACH GO GO GO Comes to the U.S. Author: James Long One problem that Tatsunoko Productions faced during the production of MACH GO GO GO was the budget. By switching to color, the cost of each episode nearly doubled from that of an episode of SPACE ACE. A single episode of SPACE ACE cost roughly 1,800,000 yen, while an episode of MACH GO GO GO would run about 3,500,000 yen (Approximately $4,970 per episode compared to $9,660 per episode, at 1967 exchange rates). The money from sponsors helped to cover much of the deficit, but not all of it. For additional financial support, the Yoshidas turned to an idea that had been in the back of their minds when developing the series. They looked to sell the series to foreign countries -- America in particular. Join SciFi Japan and James Long for Part 3 of our look back at the classic SPEED RACER series! Continued...

IRON MAN Production Notes

Keith Aiken — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 08:01:14 +0000

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Upcoming Marvel Superhero Movie Source: Paramount Pictures Official Website: Iron Man Movie

Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment Present Marvel Studios’ soaring action-adventure IRON MAN, the story of billionaire industrialist and genius inventor Tony Stark (ROBERT DOWNEY JR.). As CEO of Stark Industries, the U.S. Government’s top weapons contractor, Tony has achieved celebrity status by protecting American interests around the globe for decades. Tony’s carefree lifestyle is forever changed when his convoy is attacked following a weapons test he oversees and he is held hostage by a group of insurgents. Injured by life-threatening shrapnel embedded near his already weakened heart, Tony is ordered to build a devastating weapon for Raza (FARAN TAHIR), the mysterious leader of the insurgents. Ignoring his captors’ requests, Tony uses his intellect and ingenuity to build a suit of armor that keeps him alive and enables him to escape captivity. Upon his return to America, Tony must come to terms with his past and vows to take Stark Industries in a new direction. Despite the resistance from Obadiah Stane (JEFF BRIDGES), his right-hand man and top executive, who has taken over the reigns of the company in his absence, Tony spends his days and nights in his workshop developing and refining an advanced suit of armor that gives him superhuman strength and physical protection. With the help of his longtime assistant Pepper Potts (GWYNETH PALTROW) and his trusted military liaison Rhodey (TERRENCE HOWARD), Tony uncovers a nefarious plot with global implications. Donning his powerful new red and gold armor, Tony vows to protect the world and right its injustices as his new alter-ego, Iron Man. IRON MAN opens in the United States on Friday, May 2. Continued...

TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA and ALL MONSTERS ATTACK Now on Sale

Keith Aiken — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 20:48:02 +0000

Source: Classic Media, Inc. Official site: Godzilla on DVD A quick reminder that Classic Media’s last two Godzilla DVDs— ALL MONSTERS ATTACK (aka GODZILLA’S REVENGE) and TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA— went on sale today. The discs were originally released last November as part of THE GODZILLA COLLECTION DVD box set but are now available separately for the first time from stores and online retailers. ALL MONSTERS ATTACK and TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA have a suggested retail price of $16.93 each. Continued...

ROARing Onto iTunes

Bob Johnson — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:03:03 +0000

The Highly Popular CLOVERFIELD End Credits Music to Be Released on iTunes Author: John “Dutch” DeSentis Source: Soundtrack Net, Film Score Monthly Online, CLOVERFIELD DVD On April 29th, iTunes will make available for download “ROAR!” the CLOVERFIELD overture. Written by frequent J.J. Abrams composer Michael Giacchino, “ROAR!” is a tribute to the classic style of monster movie scoring and has become a much sought after track among fans who enjoyed it during the closing credits of the 2008 film. Continued...