SciFi Japan http://www.scifijapan.com/articles Wed, 16 May 2012 18:24:56 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Anime Network Announces BOOK OF BANTORRA Collection 1 and 2 Giveaway http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/05/16/anime-network-announces-book-of-bantorra-collection-1-and-2-giveaway/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/05/16/anime-network-announces-book-of-bantorra-collection-1-and-2-giveaway/#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 18:24:56 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=31377 Win THE BOOK OF BANTORRA Collection 1 and 2 from Anime Network. © Ishio Yamagata • Shigeki Maeshima • Shueisha/ Bantorra Library Source: Anime Network press release Special Thanks to Toni Brown In celebration of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, Anime Network invites fans to enter this summer’s hit series THE BOOK OF BANTORRA (戦う司書 The Book of Bantorra, Tatakau Shisho - The Book of Bantorra, 2009) promotional giveaway. The first 13 episodes of this hit series are now airing on Video on Demand and Xfinity’s Top Picks. Successful entrants will watch the first six episodes of THE BOOK OF BANTORRA now through June 30 and visit the BOOK OF BANTORRA Contest Page to answer a few simple questions. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/05/16/anime-network-announces-book-of-bantorra-collection-1-and-2-giveaway/feed/ 0 August 2012 DVD and Blu-ray Releases from Section23 Films http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/05/15/august-2012-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-from-section23-films/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/05/15/august-2012-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-from-section23-films/#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 21:14:26 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=31362 Section23 Films press release Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff
Photo courtesy of Section23 Films.
Home video distributor Section23 Films today announced its August slate of releases; including THIS BOY CAN FIGHT ALIENS. Written and created by director Soubi Yamamoto, the newest and most innovating creator in the anime field, and produced by CoMix Wave Inc., THIS BOY CAN FIGHT ALIENS will be released on DVD & BLU-RAY by Section23 client, Sentai Filmworks. Additional releases for August include DVD and Blu-ray editions of NO. 6, K-ON! SEASON 2 COLLECTION 2 and THE WORLD GOD ONLY KNOWS SEASON 2 plus KOIHIME MUSO ULTIMATE COLLECTION, PARASITE DOLLS COMPLETE COLLECTION and the live action film SULTRY ASSASSIN: NINJA BRAINWASH on DVD. Read on for plot descriptions, DVD and Blu-ray specs, and cover art for all of these titles. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/05/15/august-2012-dvd-and-blu-ray-releases-from-section23-films/feed/ 0 Previews of New Studio Ghibli Blu-ray/DVD Combo Packs http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/05/15/previews-of-new-studio-ghibli-blu-raydvd-combo-packs/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/05/15/previews-of-new-studio-ghibli-blu-raydvd-combo-packs/#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 13:37:48 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=31345 Check out more than a dozen video clips from the upcoming THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY, CASTLE IN THE SKY and WHISPER OF THE HEART Blu-ray/DVD Combo Packs. Photos courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. Clips from THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY, WHISPER OF THE HEART and CASTLE IN THE SKY Source: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, Inc., Click Communications Special Thanks to Dre Birskovich In anticipation of the May 22nd Blu-ray & DVD Combo Pack releases of the legendary Studio Ghibli's THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY, WHISPER OF THE HEART, and CASTLE IN THE SKY, Walt Disney Studios has released clips from the films and bonus material. Enjoy! Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/05/15/previews-of-new-studio-ghibli-blu-raydvd-combo-packs/feed/ 0 Korea’s Action-Packed QUICK Hits BD/DVD August 21 http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/05/14/koreas-action-packed-quick-hits-bddvd-august-21/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/05/14/koreas-action-packed-quick-hits-bddvd-august-21/#comments Mon, 14 May 2012 21:30:08 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=31332 The high speed action movie QUICK is coming to Blu-ray and Region 1 DVD from Shout! Factory. Photos courtesy of Shout! Factory. © 2011 JK Film / CJ Entertainment. Shout! Factory to Release International Box Office Hit from the Makers of HAEUNDAE and SECTOR 7 Source: Shout! Factory, MPRM Communications press release Special Thanks to Leif Helland Spectacular street chases and pulse-pounding action are taken to new heights on August 21, 2012 when Shout! Factory, in collaboration with CJ E&M, fulfills viewers need for speed with Korea’s highly popular, action-packed motion picture QUICK (퀵, Qwik, 2011) on Blu-ray and DVD, as well as being made available on digital entertainment platforms. Both Blu-ray and DVD editions boast English and Korean audio tracks, English subtitles and extensive bonus content. The Blu-ray contains exclusive bonus features. A must have home entertainment addition for action fans, collectors and world cinema enthusiasts, QUICK Blu-ray is priced to own at $ 26.97 SRP; the DVD has a suggested retail price of $19.93. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/05/14/koreas-action-packed-quick-hits-bddvd-august-21/feed/ 0 Third Window Films Acquires Sogo Ishii’s ISN’T ANYONE ALIVE? http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/05/14/third-window-films-acquires-sogo-ishiis-isnt-anyone-alive/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/05/14/third-window-films-acquires-sogo-ishiis-isnt-anyone-alive/#comments Mon, 14 May 2012 17:07:31 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=31168 Shota Sometani (HIMIZU, SADAKO 3D) stars in Sogo Ishii's black comedy, ISN'T ANYONE ALIVE?, coming to the UK in 2012. Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. © 2011 Dragon Mountain, LLC. Source: Third Window Films Official Movie Site: ikiteru.jp (Japan), thirdwindowfilms.com/isnt-anyone-alive (UK) Special Thanks to Adam Torel Distributor Third Window Films has acquired the UK rights for ISN'T ANYONE ALIVE? (生きてるものはいないのか, Ikiteru mono inai noka, 2011). After nearly 10 years without a feature film, veteran director Sogo Ishii returns (now with the name Gakuryu Ishii) with a black comedy (based on the Shiro Maeda play of the same name) about strange deaths happening all over a college campus after talk of a curse spreads around it, and soon the world! Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/05/14/third-window-films-acquires-sogo-ishiis-isnt-anyone-alive/feed/ 0 BLOOD-C: THE LAST DARK Press Notes http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/05/13/blood-c-the-last-dark-press-notes/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/05/13/blood-c-the-last-dark-press-notes/#comments Sun, 13 May 2012 17:34:52 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=30839 The "Blood: The Last Vampire" saga continues with the new anime feature film BLOOD-C: THE LAST DARK. Image courtesy of Shochiku Co., Ltd. © 2012 Production I.G, CLAMP / Project BLOOD-C Movie New BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE Anime Film Opens June 2nd in Japan Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd., Production I.G Official Website: blood-c-movie.jp (Japan) The feature film BLOOD-C: THE LAST DARK (劇場版BLOOD-C The Last Dark [げきじょうばん ブラッド シー ザ ラスト ダーク], 2012) is the latest chapter in the world-famous "Blood: The Last Vampire" saga that has become one of animation house Production I.G's flagship titles. BLOOD-C: THE LAST DARK is a creative collaboration between Production I.G and popular all-female artist group CLAMP, supervised by Junichi Fujisaku, one of the key members of the team that developed the original concept for BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE （ブラッド ザ ラスト ヴァンパイア, 2000） and who later directed the TV series BLOOD+ （ブラッドプラス, 2005). Directed by Production I.G's enfant terrible, Naoyoshi Shiotani, BLOOD-C: THE LAST DARK is slated in Japan for a June 2nd, 2012 theatrical release. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/05/13/blood-c-the-last-dark-press-notes/feed/ 0 Madman Announces the Top 20 Anime of All Time http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/05/13/madman-announces-the-top-20-anime-of-all-time/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/05/13/madman-announces-the-top-20-anime-of-all-time/#comments Sun, 13 May 2012 13:51:48 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=31275 Madman Entertainment press release Official Site: madman.com.au/top20 Special Thanks to Ben Pollock
NEON GENESIS EVANGELION topped the fan poll of the Top 20 Anime of All Time. © Gainax / Project Eva. • TV Tokyo
In March, the Australian film and television distributor Madman Entertainment invited anime fans across the world to determine the ‘Top 20 Anime’ titles of all time. For the last two months, fans have rallied together to cast their vote in Madman’s poll. Along the way, there have been laughs, tears and triumphs -- but in the end, there can be only one to claim the top spot. As voted by the fan community, NEON GENESIS EVANGELION is the number one anime of all time. For many modern day Australian fans, their passion for anime can be traced back to the moment NEON GENESIS EVANGELION first arrived on SBS in the ‘90s. It was their first step into a bold new world -- one of epic science-fiction, deep philosophy, complex human relationships and, of course, awe-inspiring giant robot action. And to this day, it is still considered to be the series that broke the mold. Now, it starts all over again with the EVANGELION series of reboot films, which not only bring the legacy to a new generation of viewers, but also take the story -- which long-time fans know and love -- into mind-blowing new territory. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/05/13/madman-announces-the-top-20-anime-of-all-time/feed/ 0 THE INCITE MILL －7 DAY DEATH GAME－ Production Notes http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/05/12/the-incite-mill-%ef%bc%8d7-day-death-game%ef%bc%8d-production-notes/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/05/12/the-incite-mill-%ef%bc%8d7-day-death-game%ef%bc%8d-production-notes/#comments Sat, 12 May 2012 17:17:58 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=30136 Promotional art featuring the main cast of THE INCITE MILL －7 DAY DEATH GAME－. Photo courtesy of NTV. © 2010 “The Incite Mill - 7 Day Death Game -” Film Partners THE RING Director Hideo Nakata Presents the "Definitive Psychological Battle Movie" Source: NTV (Nippon Television Network) Official Site: warnerbros.co.jp/incitemill (Japan) Special Thanks to Asuka Kimura and Tzeling Huang

SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from a Japanese movie not yet released in the United States.

English language international promo art for THE INCITE MILL. Photo courtesy of NTV. © 2010 “The Incite Mill - 7 Day Death Game -” Film Partners
“What happens beyond this point is neither reasonable nor logical. Only those who are still interested should proceed.” In late 2010, Warner Bros, Japan released THE INCITE MILL －7 DAY DEATH GAME－ (インシテミル　７日間のデス・ゲーム, Inshite Miru: 7-Kakan no Desu Gemu), a new thriller directed by Hideo Nakata (THE RING, DARK WATER, L change the WorLd) and starring Tatsuya Fujiwara (BATTLE ROYALE, DEATH NOTE, KAIJI) and Haruka Ayase (CYBORG SHE, ICHI). Based on the novel The Incite Mill by mystery writer Honobu Yonezawa, the film was promoted by its producers as the "definitive "psychological battle movie". THE INCITE MILL is not yet available in the United States but was recently licensed by MVM Entertainment for release in the United Kingdom. SciFi Japan presents a look at THE INCITE MILL －7 DAY DEATH GAME－ with production notes and images courtesy of the film's co-producer and international sales agent, NTV. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/05/12/the-incite-mill-%ef%bc%8d7-day-death-game%ef%bc%8d-production-notes/feed/ 0 Switchblade Pictures Licenses SULTRY ASSASSIN 2 – NINJA BRAINWASH http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/05/11/switchblade-pictures-licenses-sultry-assassin-2-ninja-brainwash/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/05/11/switchblade-pictures-licenses-sultry-assassin-2-ninja-brainwash/#comments Fri, 11 May 2012 20:21:16 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=31264 Section23 Films Official Movie Site: takeshobo.co.jp/shohin (Japan) Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff
DVD cover art for SULTRY ASSASSIN 2 – NINJA BRAINWASH. Photo courtesy of Section23 Films. © 2011 Junichi Yagami / Take Shobo/ Shintoho Pictures
Switchblade Pictures has announced the newest addition to the company’s growing line of live action features: SULTRY ASSASSIN 2 – NINJA BRAINWASH (艶剣客 ２　～くノ一・色洗脳～, Tsuyakenkaku 2: ~ Kunoichi Shoku Sennou ~, 2011). The second in a new series of ero-ninja epics based on the novels by Junichi Yagami, SULTRY ASSASSIN 2 picks up where the previous installment, APHRODISIAC KILL, left off and is once again written and directed by Kenichi Fujiwara (ZOMBIE HUNTER RIKA, ZEROMAN R) and produced by the Take Shobo Company and Shintoho Pictures Co., Ltd. Akiho Yoshizawa (MAIDROID 1 & 2, INVADER 33D) reprises the titular lead role, joined once again by WKA and WPKC world kickboxing champion Yoshihiro Sato, also the two-time winner of the Japanese national K-1 tournament (2006, 2007). Adding new faces to the spectacular selection of stunning physical specimens on display are a new duo of daring damsels in varying stages of distress and undress: exploitation star Shijimi (HELLDRIVER, MAIDROID 02) and model/actress Yuzuka Kinoshita. When Yui Kusunoki, an undercover geisha secretly in the employ of the Inner Secret Guard, disappears while en route to deliver an oral message concerning rogue Koga Ninja penetrations in southern Hikone, there’s just one sword-mistress who can go down after her: the notorious but very easy on the eyes Rin Saejima a.k.a. the Sultry Assassin! Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/05/11/switchblade-pictures-licenses-sultry-assassin-2-ninja-brainwash/feed/ 0 Anime Expo 2012 Presents the U.S. Debut Concert of ANIMETAL USA http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/05/11/anime-expo-2012-presents-the-u-s-debut-concert-of-animetal-usa/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/05/11/anime-expo-2012-presents-the-u-s-debut-concert-of-animetal-usa/#comments Fri, 11 May 2012 18:03:32 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=31257 Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation press release Official Site: anime-expo.org Special Thanks to Jim Yeager and Roberta Silverman
The anime-inspired heavy metal band, ANIMETAL USA, will have their US concert debut at Anime Expo. © 2011 ANIMETALUSA
Anime Expo (AX), North America’s largest anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture celebration, will present the U.S. concert debut of the anime-inspired heavy metal band, ANIMETAL USA, when it returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 29 – July 2, 2012. ANIMETAL USA promises to take AX by storm with its furious combination of classic and original anime music, metallic riffs, solos, powerful vocals and futuristic make-up and costumes. As Official Guests of Honor, the band will also participate in a meet-and-greet, autograph signing and a focus panel. The phrase "metal super group" was custom-made for ANIMETAL USA whose members include singer Mike Vescera (Obsession/ex-Loudness), bassist Rudy Sarzo (Blue Öyster Cult, ex-Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot, Whitesnake, Dio), guitarist Chris Impellitteri (Impellitteri), and drummer Scott Travis (Judas Priest). Adding to the group’s stellar rock pedigree, former Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman has joined Impellitteri in arranging its tunes. ANIMETAL USA’s self-titled, October 12, 2011 debut album has been gold-certified in Japan and has hit the #1 spot on Amazon's Hard Rock Heavy Metal chart and #2 on Amazon's Anime chart in Japan. The band’s sophomore album entitled “W,” set to release in the U.S. in June 2012, includes “Give Lee Give Lee Rock Lee,” the opening theme song of the global anime marvel NARUTO spin-off series, NARUTO-SD-ROCK LEE & HIS NINJA PALS. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/05/11/anime-expo-2012-presents-the-u-s-debut-concert-of-animetal-usa/feed/ 0