SciFi Japan

    Iku Kasahara (Nana Eikura) battles oppressive censorship in LIBRARY WARS. Photo courtesy of TBS. ©

    Godzilla - Toho

    An Action-Packed Science-Fiction War Movie of the Near Future Source: TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System) Official Movie Site: toshokan-sensou-movie.com (Japan) Special Thanks to Eriko Miura and Yuhka Matoi ‘With our own hands, we will preserve freedom...’ Their battle for books and the freedom to know begins now. On April 27, 2013, Toho released the live action feature film LIBRARY WARS (?????, Toshokan Senso). The movie is based on the Library War young-adult fiction by best-selling novelist Hiro Arikawa, previously adapted as an anime series in 2008 and the animated film LIBRARY WAR: THE WINGS OF REVOLUTION (????? ??????, Toshokan Senso Kakumei no Tsubasa) in 2012. LIBRARY WARS is now being offered for international distribution by TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System). TBS has kindly provided the following English text as well as photos and artwork for the movie... Production Notes Library War is the first novel

    Koichi Fujita (Takeru Sato) enters the subconscious of his lover, Atsumi Kazu (Haruka Ayase), to save her life in REAL, the new film from internationally acclaimed director Kiyoshi Kurosawa. Photo courtesy of TBS. © 2013

    Godzilla - Toho

    Source: TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System) Official Movie Site: real-kubinagaryu.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Eriko Miura and Yuhka Matoi SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from an upcoming movie. Back in January, SciFi Japan previewed the upcoming Kiyoshi Kurosawa film REAL (?????????????, Riaru Kanzen Naru Kubinagaryu no Hi). With the movie opening in Japan on June 1st, we are pleased to present the English production notes and new images from the film courtesy of international sales agency, TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System)... The latest offering from one of Japan’s best-known filmmakers, director of TOKYO SONATA, RETRIBUTION, and BRIGHT FUTURE.? Psychological reality invades the realm of space-time in this elaborate SF fantasy puzzle. Production Notes Beginning with CURE (???, Kyua, 1997) and continuing through such films as PULSE (??, Kairo, 2001), BRIGHT FUTURE (???????, Akarui Mirai, 2003), DOPPELGANGER (????????, Dopperugenga, 2003),

    Tori Matsuzaka and Kilin Kiki star as a high school student and his grandmother -- each with the ability to connect the living and the dead -- in UNTIL THE BREAK OF DAWN. Image courtesy of NTV. © 2012 “Until the Break of Dawn” Film Partners

    Godzilla - Toho

    Source: NTV (Nippon Television Network) Official Movie Site: tsunagu-movie.net (Japan) SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from a Japanese movie not yet released in the United States. On October 6, 2012, Toho released UNTIL THE BREAK OF DAWN (???, Tsunagu) to theaters across Japan. NTV is now offering the film for international sales and has provided SciFi Japan with high-res images and English production notes... Introduction Who do you want to see one more time? Year 2011... It was perhaps a year that dramatically changed people’s values. Feeling the limits of a material society, they contemplated what is truly important. They sought to be connected with other people and realized the importance of human bonding and the warmth of family... This seems to be how many people feel today. The movie is based on a moving novel of

    © 2008 Toho Co., Ltd. / Hakusensha, Inc. /Sony Music Ent. (Japan) Inc. / Beyond C.

    Godzilla - Toho

    Both Series Debut this Week Source: Anime Network press release April is starting off on a high note, with two amazing new show premieres: the long awaited debut of DETROIT METAL CITY and the earth shattering first episode of TOKYO MAGNITUDE 8.0. Both shows are set to premiere on Anime Network Online as well as Anime Network VOD this week. Don`t miss them! DETROIT METAL CITY Rated: TV-MA Language: Subtitled VOD: Thur April 4, 2013 Online: Fri April 5, 2013 Get ready for the ear-splittingest, skull-smashingest band to ever assault your senses! They`re Detroit Metal City, the hottest ticket on the concert circuit! There`s just one catch. Beneath the makeup, these ultimate head bangers are hired doppelgangers who don`t even LIKE what they do! Jaggi is actually Wada, who wants to play Glam Rock; Camus is Nishida, an anime fan with an appalling weakness for curry and

    English promotional art for REAL. © 2013

    Godzilla - Toho

    Source: TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System) After a five year break, director Kiyoshi Kurosawa returns to the silver screen with the mystery REAL (?????????????, Riaru Kanzen Naru Kubinagaryu no Hi). The film is based on Rokuro Inui`s 2011 novel A Perfect Day for Plesiosaur (Kanzen Naru Kubinagaryu no Hi), which won the grand prize at the annual This Mystery is Excellent! (???????????! Kono Misuterii ga Sugoi!) mystery fiction competition. Toho will release REAL in Japan on June 1st. Kurosawa directed such highly regarded films as CURE (???, Kyua, 1997), SEANCE (??, Kourei: Ushirowo Miruna, 1999) and CHARISMA (????, Karisuma, 2001) before coming to international attention with the J-Horror hit PULSE (??, Kairo, 2001). His last movie before REAL was the Cannes Prix Un Certain Regard winner TOKYO SONATA (????????) in 2008. Heading the cast of REAL are Takeru Sato and Haruka Ayase. Sato previously starred in MASKED

    Japanese advance poster for LIBRARY WARS. © 'Library Wars' Movie Project

    Godzilla - Toho

    Source: TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System) Official Movie Site: toshokan-sensou-movie.com (Japan) Toho will release the live action feature film LIBRARY WARS (?????, Toshokan Senso) on April 27, 2013. The movie is based on the Library War novels written by Hiro Arikawa, previously adapted as an anime series in 2008 and the animated film LIBRARY WAR: THE WINGS OF REVOLUTION (????? ??????, Toshokan Senso Kakumei no Tsubasa) in 2012. In 2019, public anger at media excess has led to censorship of television, newspapers, the internet, books, movies, and music under the `Media Betterment Act`. To fight the armed `Betterment Squads` that go around destroying objectionable materials, the nation`s libraries have formed their own para-military `Library Corps`. Iku Kasahara is a new recruit to the corps, where her instructor and squad leader is Atsushi Dojo. At first repelled by his by-the-book approach to leadership, she is gradually won over

    UMIZARU`s Hideaki Ito plays a murderous high school teacher in LESSON OF THE EVIL, the new thriller from Takashi Miike. © 2012 Lesson of the Evil Film Partners

    Godzilla - Toho

    Latest Psycho Thriller from the Director of AUDITION, 13 ASSASSINS and ICHI THE KILLER Source: Toho Co., Ltd. Official Movie Site: akunokyouten.com (Japan) Internationally renowned director Takashi Miike -- the filmmaker behind ICHI THE KILLER, AUDITION, 13 ASSASSINS, HARA-KIRI: DEATH OF A SAMURAI 3D, ACE ATTORNEY and FOR LOVE`S SAKE -- returns to the classroom with the bloody thriller LESSON OF THE EVIL (????, Aku no Kyoten, 2012). Adapted from Yusuke Kishi`s 2010 novel of the same name, the movie stars leading man Hideaki Ito (252: SIGNAL OF LIFE, SUKIYAKI WESTERN DJANGO, THE LAST MESSAGE- UMIZARU, KAMUI), playing against type as a psychotic high school teacher. Prior to the movie`s release, the four episode television mini-series LESSON OF THE EVIL OPENING CHAPTER (???????, Aku no Kyoten Josho) aired on the mobile TV broadcasting service, BeeTV. The program introduced many of the characters and

    © POT (Yoshihiro Togashi) 1998-2012. © 2013

    Godzilla - Toho

    Source: NTV (Nippon Television Network) Official Movie Site: hxh-movie.jp (Japan) The ultra-popular Hunter x Hunter manga, with a legion of die-hard followers, goes into it`s 15th year with an exciting new chapter! The anime feature film HUNTER x HUNTER THE MOVIE: PHANTOM ROUGE (??? HUNTER×HUNTER ?????-??????????-, Gekijoo-ban HUNTER×HUNTER Hiiro no Genei -Fantomu Ruuju-) will open in theaters across Japan on January 12th, 2013. Introduction HUNTER x HUNTER is an epic saga of adventures. Penned by Yoshihiro Togashi, it has been serialized on Weekly Shonen Jump (Shueisha Inc.) magazine since 1998. It follows young Gon and his friends who aim to pass the demanding tests to become a Hunter. Their hopes and dreams touched a chord with young readers, pushing the manga to be a mega-hit, selling 60 million copies to date. The story of the first HUNTER x HUNTER movie, PHANTOM ROUGE, is

    Hayao Miyazaki`s KIKI`S DELIVERY SERVICE is one of fifteen Studio Ghibli films being shown at the IFC Center. Image courtesy of Disney. © 1989 Eiko Kadano • Nibariki • GN

    Godzilla - Toho

    Five Full Weeks at IFC Center; November 16-December 20 Source: GKIDS Inc. press release Official Site: gkids.tv/intheaters Back by popular demand, the 25 YEARS OF STUDIO GHIBLI retrospective returns to the IFC Center in New York (323 Sixth Avenue at West Third Street) from Friday, November 16 to Thursday, December 20, 2012. GKIDS, a distributor of award winning animation for both adults and family audiences, is bringing a complete retrospective of films from Japan’s renowned Studio Ghibli to The run features new 35mm prints of all fifteen Studio Ghibli feature films produced between 1984 and 2009, including Hayao Miyazaki’s Academy Award winning SPIRITED AWAY, PRINCESS MONONOKE, MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, NAUSICAA OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND, CASTLE IN THE SKY, PONYO, HOWL`S MOVING CASTLE, and KIKI`S DELIVERY SERVICE. Films will be presented in both subtitled and English language versions (where available), with subtitled versions playing 6pm and

    Key art for EBITEN: KORITSU EBISUGAWA KOKO TENMONBU. © 2012 ??????????????????????

    Godzilla - Toho

    Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: ebiten.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams Sentai Filmworks is proud to announce their newest acquisition: EBITEN: KORITSU EBISUGAWA KOKO TENMONBU (???? ???????????, 2012)! Sometimes friendship is all about chemistry, but in this zany comedy from Director Hideki Okamoto chemistry is just about blowing things up! Featuring series composition by Yuuko Kakihara (PERSONA 4 THE ANIMATION, HEAVEN`S LOST PROPERTY), character designs by Atsuko Watanabe (OKAMIKAKUSHI, ACCHI KOCCHI) and sound direction by Jin Aketagawa (CANAAN, BODACIOUS SPACE PIRATES). Take one group of rabid fan girls with tenuous grips on reality, toss out all rules of proper social behavior, mix them together in a basement with more twisted anime parodies and allusions than you can shake a schtick at, and what do you get? Well, besides a recipe for disaster, if borderline delusional Kyoko Todayama is in what passes for charge,

    Store front of the newly opened ToyFreakz. Photo courtesy of David Oaks.

    Godzilla - Toho

    Interview with David Oaks, Toy Freakz Author: Bob Johnson Special thanks to Kevin deAntonio Let’s start with you. What is your background and how did you start Toy Freakz? I spent my first ten years in Hawaii. I think I was watching KIKAIDER and MAZINGER Z before I knew who Mickey Mouse was! My love of Japanese toys comes from my older brother. He traveled quite a bit and always seemed to find the most amazing robots for me. He has since passed on, but I remember how these toys made me feel and it stuck with me. I started Toyfreakz because I think Japanese design is amazing. Unfortunately, it can be both difficult and expensive to get hold of these spectacular toys. My goal with the website is to make these toys readily available here in the U.S., without the crazy retail markup. We also ship

    © Fate/stay night

    Godzilla - Toho

    Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: staynight.com Special Thanks to David Williams Join the battle for the ultimate prize as Sentai Filmworks’ announces their latest acquisition, FATE / STAY NIGHT TV (???????????, Feito/Sutei Naito, 2005). Directed by Yuji Yamaguchi (ANGEL LINKS TV) with character designs by Megumi Ishihara, sound direction by Kouji Tsujitani (FREEZING) and music by Kenji Kawai (TOWANOQUON). Sentai Filmworks’ release will feature an all new, high definition transfer. Raised by a mysterious sorcerer after the horrific death of his parents, Shiro Emiya has only just begun to help others using the small tidbits of magic that he’s learned. However, when he’s suddenly caught in a battle between two more powerful Magus, Shiro finds himself performing a spell above his expected ability, summoning the beautiful spirit warrior Saber to protect him! But safety is only momentary as Shiro and Saber now find themselves

    Sony Movie Channel promos for September`s GODZILLA SMASH-A-THON. Photos courtesy of Sony Movie Channel. © Toho Co., Ltd.

    Godzilla - Toho

    Multiple Godzilla Movies Airing in September Source: Sony Movie Channel Throughout September, the Sony Movie Channel has been airing the GODZILLA SMASH-A-THON, featuring six different Godzilla films and one Mothra movie. Of particular interest to Godzilla fans is that two of the films -- GODZILLA VS SPACEGODZILLA and GODZILLA VS DESTOROYAH -- have been shown in their uncut Toho international English dubbed editions rather than the edited versions previously released on Region 1 DVD by Sony. The lineup has also included REBIRTH OF MOTHRA 3, which has never been released on home video in North America. The GODZILLA SMASH-A-THON concludes this weekend with GODZILLA 2000, GODZILLA, MOTHRA, AND KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK, GODZILLA AGAINST MECHAGODZILLA, GODZILLA: TOKYO S.O.S., GODZILLA VS SPACEGODZILLA, GODZILLA VS DESTOROYAH and REBIRTH OF MOTHRA 3. All of the movies are also now available for viewing from Sony Movie Channel Video On

    GODZILLA 2000 airs today on the Sony Movie Channel. © 1999 Toho Co., Ltd.

    Godzilla - Toho

    Publicity Materials from the 2000 US Release Source: Sony Pictures GODZILLA 2000 airs on the Sony Movie Channel today as part of September`s GODZILLA SMASH-A-THON. SciFi Japan thought this would make a good opportunity to take a look back at the production notes created by TriStar Pictures for the film`s US release on August 18, 2000. The following text has been slightly modified to update some information and correct factual errors. No opinions were changed, so Sony`s enthusiastic comments regarding their 1998 GODZILLA remake remain... Introduction A thick fog covers the seashore. Suddenly, as if out of a primeval dream of terror, a massive reptilian form obscures the window of a lonely lighthouse. It has razor-sharp teeth in a gargantuan mouth; claws that can cut through steel; a roar that echoes back through the centuries; dorsal fins that resemble crimson lightning bolts;

    September is a month of HD Godzilla movies on the Sony Movie Channel. Photo courtesy of Sony Movie Channel. © Toho Co., Ltd.

    Godzilla - Toho

    Multiple Godzilla Movies Airing in September Source: Sony Movie Channel The Sony Movie Channel presents the GODZILLA SMASH-A-THON with six different Godzilla films -- and one Mothra movie -- airing on the HD cable channel in September. Godzilla movies will be shown each Saturday, with random airings throughout the month. The movies are also now available for viewing from Sony Movie Channel Video On Demand. All of the films will be shown dubbed in English, though GODZILLA VS SPACEGODZILLA and GODZILLA VS DESTOROYAH will be presented in their uncut international editions rather than the edited versions previously released on Region 1 DVD. In a related note, GODZILLA VS MEGAGUIRUS (2000) and Sony`s American remake GODZILLA (1998) are playing this month on the Starz group of channels. GODZILLA SMASH-A-THON Lineup: GODZILLA VS SPACEGODZILLA (1994) Thursday, Sept 6: 10.00pm E | 7.00pm P Friday, Sept 7: 3.40am

    Harbour City, HK will host a special Doraemon celebration and exhibition this week. Photo courtesy of Harbour City. © Fujiko Fujio ? Shogakukan

    Godzilla - Toho

    Hong Kong Host Largest Doraemon Exhibition Source: Harbour City press release Official Site: “100 Years Before the Birth of Doraemon” Official Facebook Page While not well known in the west, the Japanese DORAEMON franchise has been a family favorite across Asia for decades. Introduced in December 1969 in the Doraemon manga series by the creative team Fujiko Fujio, the time-traveling robot cat has been featured in three anime TV series, the second of which ran for an amazing twenty-six years. Beginning in 1980, Toho began releasing Doraemon animated movies... thirty-two films have been released to date, with a new entry scheduled for March, 2013. In the Doraemon stories the character`s date of birth was established as September 3, 2112, meaning this year will be the start of a hundred year countdown to Doraemon`s birthday. Doraemon is tremendously popular in Hong Kong so this

    Universal Pictures trade ad touting the box office success of KING KONG VS GODZILLA. © 1962 Toho Co., Ltd.

    Godzilla - Toho

    Writer Discusses His Role in Americanizing the Japanese Monster Classic Author: Allen Perkins In the early 1960s, Toho was approached by American producer John Beck, who had permission from RKO Pictures to pitch a film treatment about King Kong battling another giant monster. Seeing the concept as the perfect vehicle to revive their own monster star, Godzilla, Toho came to an agreement with Beck in which Toho would produce the movie in exchange for all Asian rights while Beck would own the film rights for all English-speaking territories. Released in Japan on August 11, 1962 as part of Toho`s 30th anniversary celebration, KING KONG VS GODZILLA (??????????, Kingu Kongu tai Gojira) was a massive hit, selling more than 11 million tickets during its initial run. In April 1963, John Beck sold his KING KONG VS GODZILLA rights to Universal Pictures, who commissioned the

    The original Japanese version of MOTHRA plays in Jersey City on Friday. © 1961 Toho Co., Ltd.

    Godzilla - Toho

    Source: Landmark Loew`s Jersey Theatre On Friday, June 8th, the Landmark Loew`s Jersey Theatre in Jersey City will screen the Toho classic MOTHRA (???, Mosura, 1961) at 8:00 pm. The movie will be shown in Japanese with English subtitles. Directed by Ishiro Honda, with special effects by Eiji Tsuburaya and produced by Tomoyuki Tanaka -- the team behind the hits GODZILLA and RODAN -- MOTHRA introduced the giant monster who would quickly become one of Toho`s most famous characters, appearing in no less that thirteen movies from 1961-2004. This first film stars Frankie Sakai, Hiroshi Koizumi, Kyoko Kagawa and Jerry Ito with twins Emi and Yumi Ito as the tiny fairies, the Shobijin. MOTHRA 1961, 101 Minutes, Color, Japanese with English subtitles. June 8, 2012 8:00 pm The Landmark Loew`s Jersey Theatre 54 Journal Square Jersey City, NJ 07306 Admission Prices: $7 for Adults, $5 for Seniors

    Yukio Tonegawa (Teruyuki Kagawa), Kaiji Ito (Tatsuya Fujiwara), Kotaro Sakazaki (Katsuhisa Namase) and Hiromi Ishida gamble with their lives in KAIJI 2. Photo courtesy of NTV. © Nobuyuki Fukumoto, Kodansha / 2011 Kaiji 2 Film Partners

    Godzilla - Toho

    The Fatal Game Battles have Begun Again!! Source: NTV (Nippon Television Network) Official Movie Site: kaiji-movie.jp (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. DEATH NOTE`s Tatsuya Fujiwara returns in KAIJI 2 (???2 ???????, Kaiji 2: Jinsei Dakkai Geemu, 2011), the sequel to the 2009 box office hit KAIJI (???????????, Kaiji Jinsei Gyakuten Geemu). Based on Nobuyuki Fukumoto`s best-selling manga series about the ultimate gambler, KAIJI 2 was distributed theatrically in Japan by Toho on November 5, 2011. The movie will makes its US premiere at AM², running June 15-17 at the Anaheim Convention Center. SciFi Japan is pleased to present a look at KAIJI 2 with press notes and images courtesy of the film`s co-producer and international sales agent, NTV...

    ACE ATTORNEY, Takashi Miike`s live action film version of the Capcom game and manga series, will make its US premiere at AM² in June. © 2012 Capcom/ Ace Attorney Production Committee

    Godzilla - Toho

    One of Many U.S. Film Premieres Happening this June 15-17, 2012 at the Anaheim Convention Center and Anaheim Hilton! Source: BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions press release Official Site: am2con.org Official Movie Site: gyakutensaiban-movie.com Special Thanks to Chase Wang The ever popular ACE ATTORNEY (????, Gyakuten Saiban-2012/Mystery, Drama/Approx. 130 min) manga and video game comes alive in this live action feature film to be screened EXCLUSIVELY at this summer`s most anticipated Anime, Manga and Music event AM². Two screenings will be available -- one EXCLUSIVELY for Passport holders ONLY and the second for Passport holders preferred (with general attendees as seating permits). More info and attendee registration can be found at am2con.org. First released in 2001 for the Nintendo Game Boy, ACE ATTORNEY was ported for the DS, PC, Wii. With four games in the series, Ace Attorney has sold over 4.2 million copies worldwide. The

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