SciFi Japan http://www.scifijapan.com/articles Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:27:16 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Sentai Filmworks Licenses PLANZET http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/02/06/sentai-filmworks-licenses-planzet/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/02/06/sentai-filmworks-licenses-planzet/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:26:24 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=28885 Earth forces attempt to repel alien invaders in PLANZET, the computer animated science fiction film from NEGADON director Jun Awazu. © 2010 Jun Awazu/Media Factory/CoMix Wave Films Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Movie Site: planzet.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams Sentai Filmworks is pleased to announce its license of PLANZET (プランゼット, Puranzetto, 2010), a science fiction tale of invasion and human struggle and survival. The creation of writer, director and character designer Jun Awazu (NEGADON: THE MONSTER FROM MARS), the movie is presented by industry innovator CoMix Wave (5 CENTIMETERS PER SECOND, Hoshizora Kiseki) and has been featured at festivals such as the 14th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival and SIGGRAPH Asia 2010. CGI is directed by Shin Miyahara (KARAS: THE PROPHECY) and music is by Shingo Terasawa with the main theme being sung by Chitose Hajime (BLOOD+). PLANZET will soon be available digitally through multiple outlets, with a home video release on DVD and BD scheduled for later this year. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/02/06/sentai-filmworks-licenses-planzet/feed/ 0 ALIEN VS NINJA Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/02/05/alien-vs-ninja-blu-raydvd-combo-pack/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/02/05/alien-vs-ninja-blu-raydvd-combo-pack/#comments Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:23:24 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=28748 Rin (Mika Hijii, foreground right) is one of the many ninja who must stop a killer alien in Sushi Typhoon's ALIEN VS NINJA. Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2010 Sushi Typhoon & “Alien vs. Ninja” Production Committee Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Official Site: funimation.com/avn, Sushi Typhoon (US), Sushi Typhoon (Japan) Special Thanks to Scott Lonski, Tim Baxter and Michelle Lee On February 21st, FUNimation Entertainment will reissue ALIEN VS NINJA (AVN, 2010), this time in a 2 disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack. Centuries ago, the fiercest ninjas of the Iga clan face their toughest enemies -- and they aren’t from this planet! A fiery mass crashes in the forest and soon horrifyingly savage creatures reduce the warriors to tasty snacks. But these extraterrestrials have bitten off more than they can chew. Swords and throwing stars may fail against unearthly goons, but ninja skills don’t stop at sharp stuff. If you’re into ARMY OF DARKNESS, you’ll be taking bets over who’ll win this over-the-top battle for survival! Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/02/05/alien-vs-ninja-blu-raydvd-combo-pack/feed/ 0 BATTLE ROYALE II: REQUIEM on Australian DVD in March http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/02/04/royale-ii-requiem-on-australian-dvd-in-march/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/02/04/royale-ii-requiem-on-australian-dvd-in-march/#comments Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:01:01 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=28486 Madman Entertainment press release
Australian DVD cover for BATTLE ROYALE II: REQUIEM. Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 2003 The “Battle Royale” Production Committee
BATTLE ROYALE II: REQUIEM (バトル・ロワイアル II～鎮魂歌（レクイエム）～, Batoru Rowaiaru II: Chinkonka, 2003), the follow-up to the cult classic BATTLE ROYALE (バトル・ロワイアル, Batoru Rouaiaru, 2000), will be released on Region 4 DVD in March by Madman Entertainment. The new release will be a "director's cut" (also known as BATTLE ROYALE II: REVENGE) with 25 minutes of extra footage. Never before seen in Australia, the extended version ups the stakes in every way. It's three years after the events of the original BATTLE ROYALE, and Shuya Nanahara (DEATH NOTE's Tatsuya Fujiwara) is now an internationally-known terrorist determined to bring down the government. His terrorist group, Wild Seven, stages an attack that levels several buildings in Tokyo on Christmas Day, killing 8000 people. Exactly one year afterward, the government enacts the "New Century Terrorist Counter-Measure Alternative" program, a.k.a. the BRII act, and sends the forty-two students of Shikanotoride Junior High Class 3-B to hunt Nanahara and his cohorts down in their island stronghold. Shiori Kitano (Ai Maeda, GAMERA 3), the daughter of the late headmaster of Nanahara's Battle Royale, signs up for the program, to avenge her father. In order for the government to study the benefits of "teamwork", the new students work in pairs, with their collars electronically linked so that if one of them is killed, the other dies as well. They must kill Nanahara in three days -- or die. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/02/04/royale-ii-requiem-on-australian-dvd-in-march/feed/ 0 Sentai Filmworks Licenses THE BOOK OF BANTORRA http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/02/03/sentai-filmworks-licenses-the-book-of-bantorra/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/02/03/sentai-filmworks-licenses-the-book-of-bantorra/#comments Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:55:18 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=28871 Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: bantorra.com, tsutaya.co.jp/shisho (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams
Promotional art for THE BOOK OF BANTORRA. © Ishio Yamagata • Shigeki Maeshima • Shueisha/ Library of Bantorra
Sentai Filmworks is glad to announce its licensing of THE BOOK OF BANTORRA (戦う司書 The Book of Bantorra, Tatakau Shisho - The Book of Bantorra, 2009), the action-packed anime where the story of your life is a book - literally! Based on the light novels written by Ishio Yamagata and illustrated by Shigeki Maeshima, the 27 episode series is directed by Toshiya Shinohara (BLACK BUTLER, INUYASHA movies) with character designs by Masaki Yamada (TIGER & BUNNY, APPLESEED: EX MACHINA) and music by Yoshihisa Hirano (DEATH NOTE, BROKEN BLADE). In another time and place, on a world of pain and sorrow, when someone dies, their soul doesn’t go to Heaven or Hell -- it becomes a book. A book that reveals the deceased’s innermost secrets... and can be read by anyone. Protecting these priceless treasures is the elite organization known as the Armed Librarians. It’s their job to keep the books and the knowledge within them safe from those who would misuse or destroy them. It’s a tough, dangerous job, so Chief Librarian Hamyuts Maseta recruits only the best and the brightest psychics to join her team of expert fighters. But will they be good enough to stop the fanatics of the Church of Drowning in God’s Grace from wrecking vengeance on the entire world? Only time will tell, but that book hasn’t been written yet. Welcome to the Library of Bantorra, where the past is an open book. THE BOOK OF BANTORRA will soon be available digitally through multiple outlets, with a home video release on bilingual DVD scheduled for later this year.
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/02/03/sentai-filmworks-licenses-the-book-of-bantorra/feed/ 0 FUNimation Entertainment Acquires Rights to PRETEAR http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/02/02/funimation-entertainment-acquires-rights-to-pretear/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/02/02/funimation-entertainment-acquires-rights-to-pretear/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:42:23 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=28861 FUNimation Entertainment press release Official Site: geneon-ent.co.jp/pretear (Japan), funimation.com/pretear (US) Special Thanks to Scott Lonski
Key art for PRETEAR. © Junichi Sato • Kaori Naruse/ Project PRETEAR
FUNimation Entertainment announced today that it has acquired the broadcast, home entertainment, merchandising, and streaming rights to the complete 13 episode anime series, PRETEAR (新白雪姫伝説プリーティア, Shin Shirayuki-hime Densetsu Puriitia, 2001). The series was created by Chief Director, Junichi Sato, best known for his work on KALIEDO STAR, SAILOR MOON and PRINCESS TUTU. PRETEAR was directed by Kiyoko Sayama, who had previously worked on VAMPIRE KNIGHT. A sixteen year old girl named Himeno Awayuki is struggling to adjust to a new step-family when seven guys appear on the scene. Calling themselves the Leafe Knights, the men reveal that Himeno is a Pretear, a girl who possesses a special magical power. Shying away from the strange group, she later joins them when a monster places her friend’s life in jeopardy. Without training, Himeno must prove herself capable to take up the sacred duty of the Pretear. She and the Leafe Knights must resolve their differences and work together to defeat the evil Princess of Disaster who is intent on destruction. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/02/02/funimation-entertainment-acquires-rights-to-pretear/feed/ 0 Sentai Filmworks Licenses GET BACKERS http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/02/02/sentai-filmworks-licenses-get-backers/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/02/02/sentai-filmworks-licenses-get-backers/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:32:23 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=28852 Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: tbs.co.jp/getbackers (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams
Promotional art for GET BACKERS. © Yuya Aoki • Rando Ayamine • Kodansha/ Team Get Backers
Sentai Filmworks proudly announces the licensing of the fan-favorite GET BACKERS (ゲットバッカーズ -奪還屋-, Gettobakkaazu Dakkan'ya, 2002), the anime where anything that’s been taken can be returned to its rightful owner by the Get Backers – Ban & Ginji. The 49 episode series was produced by Studio Deen (HELL GIRL, RUROUNI KENSHIN) with series composition by Akemi Omode (RUROUNI KENSHIN, KYO KARA MAOH!) and character designs by Atsuko Nkajima (HAKOUKI, YOU'RE UNDER ARREST). Whether it’s a favorite stuffed animal, a priceless painting or even your last shred of hope, if someone’s taken it from you, Ban and Ginji will get it back. They’re the Get Backers, an expert “recovery” service. And they’ll retrieve what’s been stolen, no matter what it is or who took it. Of course, with Ban’s special “Evil Eye” and Ginji’s lightning strike capability, they’ve got a head start on the crooks. No job is too big, no job is too small. At least not until they pay off their tab at the local coffee shop. It’s 49 episodes of non-stop action. It’s the GET BACKERS Complete Collection -- don’t let anyone take yours! GET BACKERS will soon be available digitally through multiple outlets, with a home video release on bilingual DVD scheduled for later this year. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/02/02/sentai-filmworks-licenses-get-backers/feed/ 0 Two SENGOKU BASARA Complete Series Sets Coming to Blu-ray and DVD http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/02/01/two-sengoku-basara-complete-series-sets-coming-to-blu-ray-and-dvd/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/02/01/two-sengoku-basara-complete-series-sets-coming-to-blu-ray-and-dvd/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:41:16 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=28734 FUNimation will release Blu-ray/DVD Combo sets of SENGOKU BASARA: SAMURAI KINGS and SENGOKU BASARA: SAMURAI KINGS 2 on February 7th. Image courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © Capcom/Team Basara Source: FUNimation Entertainment Official Site: funimation.com/sengoku-basara-samurai-kings (US) Special Thanks to Scott Lonski, Tim Baxter and Michelle Lee FUNimation Entertainment will release two SENGOKU BASARA: SAMURAI KINGS (戦国BASARA, 2009-2010) Complete Series Blu-ray/DVD Combo packs on February 7th. Based on the brutal video game world created by Capcom, the animated series was produced by the famed studio Production I.G. (GHOST IN THE SHELL, KILL BILL VOL. 1, EDEN OF THE EAST). Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/02/01/two-sengoku-basara-complete-series-sets-coming-to-blu-ray-and-dvd/feed/ 0 Mill Creek Offering Replacement Copies of GAMERA 3 Blu-ray http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/31/mill-creek-offering-replacement-copies-of-gamera-3-blu-ray/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/31/mill-creek-offering-replacement-copies-of-gamera-3-blu-ray/#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:27:16 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=28821 Mill Creek Entertainment Special Thanks to Chris Smith and Barrett Evans

UPDATE with additional information, 2/1/2012.

Send Mill Creek your GAMERA 3 Blu-ray cover sleeve to receive a free replacement disc with corrected subtitles. Photo courtesy of Mill Creek Entertainment. © 1999 Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.
Last September, Mill Creek Entertainment released the acclaimed daikaiju film GAMERA 3: REVENGE OF IRIS (ガメラ3 邪神〈イリス〉覚醒, Gamera 3: Jyashin Iris Kakusei, 1999) on Blu-ray, both as a single disc and as part of a GAMERA TRILOGY Collector's Edition set. The bargain priced (SRP: $9.98) release -- packed with nearly 3 hours of Gamera bonus features -- was unfortunately marred by subtitling problems, including subtitles which were out of sync with onscreen dialogue and text. Mill Creek is now offering free replacement copies of GAMERA 3 for people who are having issues with the subtitles. They've asked SciFi Japan to run the following message... GAMERA 3 Replacements now available! If you are having problems with the subtitles on GAMERA 3, please send your artwork wrap (as proof of purchase) with your contact and mailing information to Mill Creek and we will send you a new GAMERA 3 (with artwork). Mill Creek's address is: Mill Creek Entertainment 2445 Nevada Ave N Golden Valley, MN 55427 Mill Creek is to be commended for their excellent customer service. For additional information or answers to any questions, please email support@millcreekent.com. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/31/mill-creek-offering-replacement-copies-of-gamera-3-blu-ray/feed/ 0 Sentai Filmworks Licenses PSYCHIC SQUAD http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/31/sentai-filmworks-licenses-psychic-squad/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/31/sentai-filmworks-licenses-psychic-squad/#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:00:16 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=28800 Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: z-child.com (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams
Japanese promotional art for PSYCHIC SQUAD. © 2008 Takashi Shiina/ Zettai Karin Children Partners
Sentai Filmworks is glad to announce its license of PSYCHIC SQUAD (絶対可憐チルドレン, Zettai Karin Children, 2008) where, once upon a time, there were three little girls -- who were all considered national security risks and a danger to the human race! The 52 episode series is based on a manga by Takashi Shiina (Ghost Sweeper Mikami) with direction by Keiichiro Kawaguchi (HAYATE THE COMBAT BUTLER, NYANKOI) and music by Kotaro Nakagawa (CODE GEASS, INU x BOKU SS). They’re cute, adorable and three of the most powerful Espers the world has ever seen: Kaoru, the brash psychokinetic who can move objects with her mind; Shiho, the sarcastic and dark natured psychometric able to pick thoughts from people’s minds and read the pasts of inanimate objects like a book; and Aoi, the most collected and rational of the three, who has the ability to teleport herself and the others at will. So what to do with these potential psychic monsters in the making? PSYCHIC SQUAD will soon be available digitally through multiple outlets, with a home video release on subtitled DVD scheduled for later this year. Continued...
]]> http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/31/sentai-filmworks-licenses-psychic-squad/feed/ 0 Digital Manga Anthology Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha Debuts Today http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/30/digital-manga-anthology-weekly-shonen-jump-alpha-debuts-today/ http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012/01/30/digital-manga-anthology-weekly-shonen-jump-alpha-debuts-today/#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 04:01:48 +0000 Keith Aiken http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/?p=28809 VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: SJAlpha.com Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen
Contents page for issue 1. Image courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2012 VIZ Media LLC
The wait is finally over! VIZ Media, LLC, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, launches the debut issue of its new digital manga magazine -- Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha -- today! The first issue is available now through VIZManga.com; it will also be part of the upcoming update to the VIZ Manga apps for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. Each new digital edition of Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha treats manga fans in North America to the latest chapters of some of the world’s most popular manga series only two weeks after they debut in Japan’s massively popular Weekly Shonen Jump magazine. The first issue of Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha also includes part 1 of an exclusive of an interview with Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto, where he discusses the inner workings behind his creative process and how he creates a story that captivates audiences from all over the world. To further celebrate the launch, Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha has joined forces with Konami to delight Duelists and manga fans with a special offer! Fans that sign up for an annual membership to Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha will receive highly collectable YU-GI-OH! game cards four times a year, delivered right to their doorstep before anyone else has them. Continued...
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