Photo courtesy of GKIDS. © 1997 Madhouse Source: GKIDSOfficial Site: https://gkids.com/films/perfect-blue/   Photo courtesy of GKIDS. © 1997 Madhouse PERFECT BLUE (パーフェクトブルー, Pāfekuto Burū, 1997), the legendary first film from the late auteur director Satoshi Kon returns to cinemas nationwide in a gorgeous new 4K restoration, courtesy of GKIDS. PERFECT BLUE is the debut feature from the legendary director Satoshi Kon (PAPRIKA, MILLENIUM ACTRESS, TOKYO GODFATHERS). The groundbreaking feature is singular in its impact throughout the film world at large, and its influence can still be felt today. PERFECT BLUE has been hailed as one of the best animated features of all time and is only one of a handful of projects the late Satoshi Kon directed before his passing in 2010. The shocking debut feature remains relevant to this day, with a prescient vision of shattered identities formed by living in the

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Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. ©SHUICHI YOSHIDA/ASP ©2025 KOKUHO Film Partners Japan’s Official Selection for Best International Feature Confirms One Week Special Engagements at AMC Universal CityWalk Hollywood In Los Angeles starting November 14 & Angelika Film Center in New York on November 21 Source: GKIDSOfficial Site: kokuhou-movie.com (Japan), https://gkids.com/films/kokuho/ (US) Special Thanks to Hannah Kim   Photo courtesy of GKIDS. ©SHUICHI YOSHIDA/ASP ©2025 KOKUHO Film Partners Academy Award-winning producer and distributor GKIDS announced today special one-week-only theatrical engagements of KOKUHO (国宝, 2025) in New York and Los Angeles, and revealed new poster artwork. The film is set to play at the AMC Universal CityWalk Hollywood in Los Angeles on November 14, 2025 and Angelika Film Center in New York City on November 21, 2025, with a nationwide release to come.  Previously announced as Japan’s official submission for Best International Feature at

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Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. Source: Well Go USA, LBHpr  Special Thanks to Leif Helland Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. Famine and plague have decimated 15th century Japan, and the shogun watches as his country falls into chaos in the action-packed historical epic SAMURAI FURY (室町無頼, Muromachi Burai, 2025), debuting on Digital October 7, and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD October 28 from Well Go USA Entertainment. A rebellious wanderer gathers a small army of misfit warriors who are ready to fight back, but victory will be hard won. Adapted from the award-winning novel Muromachi Outsiders by Ryosuke Kakine and Directed by Irie Yu (A GIRL NAMED ANN, MEMOIRS OF A MURDERER)​, SAMURAI FURY stars Oizumo Yo (SPIRITED AWAY), Tsutsumi Shinichi (ALWAYS: SUNSET ON THIRD STREET), Nagao Kento (ROHAN AT THE LOUVRE), and Matsumoto Wakana (THE BLUE SKY AT YOUR FEET).

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Photo courtesy of Toei Animation. ©BIRD STUDIO/SHUEISHA, TOEI ANIMATION ©Eiichiro Oda/Shueisha, TOEI ANIMATION ©Akiyoshi Hongo, TOEI ANIMATION Programming Line-Up Celebrates Series with Special Guest Panels, Booth & Pop-Ups, Card Giveaways, Autograph Raffle and More Source: Toei Animation Inc. press release Special Thanks to Scott Barretto (Publicity Partners) ONE PIECE and Digimon will take center stage with Toei Animation next month at New York Comic Con 2025.  The legendary anime studio returns to New York’s Javits Center to celebrate these two hit global franchises beloved by fans for more than 25 years and counting.     At this year’s event, Toei Animation will showcase both its longest-running episodic series, “ONE PIECE,” and its newest episodic series, “DIGIMON BEATBREAK,” with mix of location-based entertainment experiences ― from its exhibition booth and pop-up stores to special guest panels and photo ops to card game giveaways and autograph raffle. For NYCC

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Photo courtesy of Super7. TM & ©TOHO CO., LTD. Source: Super7 Special Thanks to Brian Flynn and Ashley Anderson Super7's Super Duper Plush product line continues with Wave 2! Designed with the adult collector in mind, these 8” plush figures are crafted from super soft fabric, with beautifully embroidered details and felt accents that bring each character to life. Super Duper Plush captures the perfect balance of nostalgia and charm, making them a must-have for any collection. Whether displayed on your shelf or hugged close, these irresistibly soft character plushies are ready to brighten your day. Photo courtesy of Super7. TM & ©TOHO CO., LTD. Photo courtesy of Super7. TM & ©TOHO CO., LTD. Toho Super Duper Plush Wave 2: Godzilla '65  Price: $17.00   The cutest kaiju is ready to crash on your couch. Binge-watch Godzilla movies with

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New line of advent calendars, SD figures, playing cards and a tote bag are based on Attack on Titan, Fullmetal Alchemist, Dr. Stone, Fairy Tail, TokyoGhoul, On or Off and Star CrossedSource: TOKYOPOP press release Special Thanks to Erik Jansen (MediaLab) Publisher TOKYOPOP has debuted a new line of branded merchandise that includes advent calendars, playing cards, SD figurines and tote bags based on popular anime, manga, and manhwa properties including Attack on Titan, Dr. Stone, Fairy Tail, Tokyo Ghoul, Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, Sword Art Online, On or Off and Star Crossed. The products are available from leading retailers and for direct purchase from its website at: https://tokyopop.com/collections/all-merchandise    Photo courtesy of MediaLab. Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood: The Official Advent CalendarSRP: $39.99 · Available October 7th This 25-day advent calendar features high-quality collectible items - buttons, sticky notes, coasters, mini booklets, pencils, and more -

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Photo courtesy of capelight pictures. Source: capelight pictures press releaseOfficial Site: https://www.capelight.de/project-genesisSpecial Thanks to Richard Stafford   Photo courtesy of capelight pictures. Today capelight pictures announced the U.S. release of the visually stunning, genre-bending Thai sci-fi fantasy adventure PROJECT GENESIS (ตาคลี เจเนซิส, Taklee Genesis, 2024), available on digital platforms and in physical formats (UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD) on October 21, 2025. Directed by visionary Thai filmmaker Chookiat Sakveerakul (13 BELOVED, LOVE OF SIAM), the film is a breathtaking, high-concept journey that fuses time-travel science fiction with kaiju monsters, dinosaurs, cavemen, and zombies—a bold cinematic mashup that spans over 7,000 years of history. Project Genesis stars Paula Taylor (THE PARALLEL), Peter Corp Dyrendal (FABULOUS 30), Wanarat Ratsameerat (JACK & JOKER), and Nutthacha Jessica Padovan (DEATH WHISPERER 2). It was written by Chookiat Sakveerakul, Thanamas Dhalerngsuk, and Sorawit Muangkaew, and produced by Monaiya Tharasak, Nakorn

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Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. Source: Third Window Films, Terracotta Special Thanks to Adam Torel   Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. Third Window Films is pleased to announce the Blu-ray box set and Digital release of The Maiku Hama Trilogy, three films from director Kaizo Hayashi (CIRCUS BOYS, TO SLEEP AS TO DREAM), coming October 27th.   The Maiku Hama Trilogy Masatoshi Nagase stars as Yokohama private eye Maiku Hama—a Japanese approximation of Mike Hammer, in Kaizo Hayashi’s offbeat trilogy.  In THE MOST TERRIBLE TIME IN MY LIFE he gets embroiled in the disappearance of a Taiwanese immigrant’s brother, getting caught in the crosshairs of a gang war. In the 2nd film THE STAIRWAY TO THE DISTANT PAST he goes after a “Man in White” reigning over the embattled riverfront of Yokohama. The ominous final chapter THE TRAP straddles the line

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  Photo courtesy of Super7. TM & ©TOHO CO., LTD. Source:  Super7   Toho ULTIMATES! Final Battle Godzilla LED Lightup   Pre-Order Link: https://super7.com/products/toho-ultimates-wave-05-final-battle-godzilla-led Price: $105.00 Estimated Shipping: June 2026   One last stand for the King of the Monsters   In its final, fateful battle, Godzilla’s body seethes with uncontrollable energy, its form cracking and glowing as it nears the brink of destruction… Capturing the raw power and intensity of Godzilla’s last stand in the 1995 film GODZILLA VS. DESTOROYAH, this Toho ULTIMATES! figure of Final Battle Godzilla brings the King of the Monsters to life at the peak of its destructive might. Measuring an imposing 8” tall, 14” long, and 4.5” wide, this figure is highly articulated—and even has a hinged jaw—and will

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Location-Based Entertainment from Global Hit Anime Franchise to Kick-Off on Opening Day of NYCC 2025 and Will Run Through November 30Source: Toei Animation Inc. press release Special Thanks to Scott Barretto Photo courtesy of Toei Animation. ©Eiichiro Oda/Shueisha, TOEI ANIMATION Legendary studio Toei Animation and Mercer Labs, Museum of Art and Technology, are proud to unveil ONE PIECE x MERCER LABS, a groundbreaking immersive exhibition celebrating the iconic ONE PIECE anime franchise. Taking place at Mercer Labs (21 Dey Street, Manhattan), this highly anticipated experience will open to the public on Thursday, October 9, 2025, and run through Sunday, November 30, 2025. Prior to its official opening, a private preview of ONE PIECE x MERCER LABS will be held on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 for invited guests and media. Based on the globally beloved and best selling manga of all time created by Eiichiro Oda and

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Photo courtesy of Manga Mavericks. ⓒ2025 Manga Mavericks Books Food-focused travelogue by creator Muta Yuki debuts digitally in October with a print release scheduled for release in December Source: Manga Mavericks LLC press releaseSpecial Thanks to Erik Jansen (MediaLab) Manga Mavericks LLC, a new manga publisher serving North America, announces the digital debut of the delectable one-shot manga travelogue, FIRST TIME IN TAIWAN: A DELICIOUS ADVENTURE, on October 22nd. A print release will follow on December 16th. The manga, by Muta Yuki, explores the wonders of Taiwanese cuisine told via a cast of whimsical animal characters that journey across the country while savoring a variety of dishes and new experiences.   Photo courtesy of Manga Mavericks. FIRST TIME IN TAIWAN: A DELICIOUS ADVENTURE, by Muta Yuki Print SRP: $7.99 / Digital SRP: $3.99 ·  44 pages · ISBN: 9781968054120 ·

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  Photo courtesy of Crunchyroll. Offering Fans the Ultimate Manga Experience, the App Will Include Favorites Such as One Piece, Jujutsu Kaisen, Daemons of the Shadow Realm, The Apothecary Diaries, Delicious in Dungeon, My Dress-Up Darling, and Many More from Multiple Publishers Source: Crunchyroll  Photo courtesy of Crunchyroll. Manga has long been the gateway to anime, and Crunchyroll is now launching a new service to serve the legions of fans who live and breathe their love of manga. Crunchyroll announced today that its new premium add-on, Crunchyroll Manga, will launch on October 09, 2025, across iOS and Android in the U.S. and Canada, with web to follow on October 15, 2025.  At launch, the ad-free experience will feature hundreds of titles from leading publishers, including AlphaPolis, COMPASS, Square Enix, VIZ Media, and Yen Press, with additional partners like Shueisha, J-Novel Club,  ThirdlineNEXT, highstone and

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Photo courtesy of the Criterion Collection. ©2024 CLOUD FILM PARTNERS Source: The Criterion Collection  Special Thanks to Courtney Ott  Japan’s master of psychological tension Kiyoshi Kurosawa (CURE, CHIME, PULSE) delivers one of his most audacious genre experiments to date with this dizzying revenge thriller. Hailed as “a hyper-lucid, fantastically kinetic, brilliant action movie” (IndieWire) that “shows the master filmmaker at his meanest and leanest” (The Film Stage), CLOUD (クラウド, Kuraudo, 2024) will make its exclusive streaming debut on the Criterion Channel on October 7, the same day it becomes available for TVOD rentals on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.  Plus: A new interview with director Kiyoshi Kurosawa, part of Criterion's Meet the Filmmakers series, will be available to stream on October 7. A home-video release will follow next February.  Yoshii (Masaki Suda) quits a factory job to pursue his side business reselling questionably

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Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. © Shunichiro Miki Source: Third Window Films press release Special Thanks to Adam Torel Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. © Shunichiro Miki Third Window Films is pleased to announce the Blu-ray release of Toshiaki Toyoda’s THE WARPED FOREST (あさっての森 , Asatte no Mori , 2011) on September 29, 2025. Directed by Shunichiro Miki, the follow-up to the 2005 cult classic FUNKY FOREST: THE FIRST CONTACT (ナイスの森: The First Contact, Naisu no Mori: The First Contact) is also the lead actress debut of SHOGUN star Fumi Nikaido. Six years after directors Shunichiro Miki, Katsuhito Ishii and Hajime Ishimine teamed up to deliver FUNKY FOREST, Shunichiro Miki, flying solo this time, is back to deliver THE WARPED FOREST, a film full of nipple guitars, giant store owners, wiener guns and the Pinkie Pankie monster.   Running Time: 82 Minutes 

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Source: TOKYOPOP press release Special Thanks to Erik Jansen (MediaLab) Publisher TOKYOPOP announces a compelling collection of new manga titles set to debut in Q4. These include new BL and shojo romance manga set for release under the LoveLove imprint, as well as a box set for ASSASSINS CREED DYNASTY, which is based on the action role-playing video game series developed and published by Ubisoft. The new releases open in October with the manga debuts of the paranormal BL romances, MONSTER AND GHOST and MY FLUFFY MOODY CRUSH, followed by the shojo series launch of I’LL NEVER FALL IN LOVE WITH AMANO! and the Edo period shojo romance MY NEW WIFE’S FAKE SMILE. The ASSASSIN’S CREED DYNASTY BOX SET also hits in October and is a must-read for any fan of the legendary action franchise.  November begins with the debut of the Spanish edition of HEAVEN OFFICIAL’S

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Photo courtesy of Iconic Releasing. © 2000 The Battle Royale Production Committee Source: Iconic Events Releasing Official Site: https://www.iconicreleasing.com/events/battle-royale/tickets/Special Thanks to Erik Jansen (MediaLab)   Photo courtesy of Iconic Releasing. © 2000 The Battle Royale Production Committee. Iconic Events Releasing, a company specializing in distributing limited-engagement theatrical events to movie theaters, in partnership with Lionsgate, celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the acclaimed Japanese horror-thriller BATTLE ROYALE ( バトル・ロワイアル, ,Batoru Rowaiaru, 2000) with a special series of 4K theatrical-cut screenings set for October across North America. A rare interview with Kenta Fukasaku, BATTLE ROYALE screenwriter and the son of the movie’s director Kinji Fukasaku, will also be presented. For the 25th anniversary, Battle Royale will be presented with a crisp new 4K restoration that delivers all the onscreen action with stunning updated resolution. Catch the BATTLE ROYALE trailer at: https://youtu.be/AbmmkiiqD5c Tickets are on sale

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64th Japan Professional Golf Senior Championship, Featuring a Special Appearance from Ultraman!Source: Tsuburaya Fields Holdings, Inc. Official Site: https://www.tsuburayafields-ultramancup.com/   Photo courtesy of Tsuburaya Fields Holdings. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS The 64th Japan Professional Golf Senior Championship TSUBURAYA FIELDS HOLDINGS ULTRAMAN CUP (sponsored by the Japan Professional Golf Association and specially sponsored by TSUBURAYA FIELDS HOLDINGS, boasting a total prize purse of ¥50 million) will be held from September 25th to 28th, 2025. This tournament, which commenced in 1962 and is now celebrating its 64th anniversary, is a major event on the domestic senior tour designed to crown Japan’s top senior professional golfer. Similar to last year, it will take place at the Eagle Point Golf Club (Ami-cho, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki Prefecture). As part of the “Ultra Series 60th Anniversary Project,” which commenced in July this year, Ultraman will make a special appearance at the Eagle Point

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Photo courtesy of Comscore. Source: Comscore Special Thanks to Paul Dergarabedian Sony Reports Crunchyroll/Sony Pictures’ DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA INFINITY CASTLE (劇場版「鬼滅の刃」無限城編, Gekijō-ban `Kimetsu no Yaiba' Mugen-jō Hen) once again took the top spot at the North American box office in its second of release. For the weekend of September 19-21, 2025,  the movie earned $17.3 million from 3,342 locations for a PTA of $5,177 and a domestic cume through Sunday of $104.730 million. After opening at #1 internationally, this weekend  saw DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA INFINITY CASTLE drop to the 2nd spot with a take of $44.565 million (behind Chinese title 73” which made $121.202 million).  The colossal worldwide total stands over $665.830 million. Crunchyroll/Sony markets delivered $36 million. The film expanded to German-speaking and French-speaking markets and set new records as the #1 anime opening of all time across each new territory. France debuted

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Photo courtesy of the Criterion Collection. TM ＆ © TOHO CO.,LTD. Source: The Criterion Collection press release Special Thanks to Courtney Ott  In October, the Criterion Channel will stream Toho's horror classic MATANGO (マタンゴ,1963), starring Hiroshi Koizumi, Kumi Mizuno, and Kenji Sahara. Leaving behind the kaiju genre for which he was best known, director Ishiro Honda took a detour into hallucinogenic science fiction with this disturbing psychological survival thriller that stands as perhaps the director’s darkest and most complex work. When their yacht washes ashore a remote island, a group of vacationing youths soon find themselves giving in to the temptation of the strange mushrooms that grow there—initiating a grotesque transformation and descent into surreal terror. MATANGO is part of a sci-fi and horror-heavy lineup for October, which also includes more than a dozen films from director John Carpenter (THE FOG, CHRISTINE, ESCAPE FROM NEW

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Source: Sentai press release Sentai Home Video has announced its December 2025 slate of anime Blu-ray releases. Product details follow, in order of release...   Photo courtesy of Sentai. GUSHING OVER MAGICAL GIRLS SEASON 1 STEELBOOK Published by:    Sentai Distributed by:   Distribution SolutionsRun Time:         325 min.Street Date:      12/2/25Language:        Japanese with English SubtitlesSRP:                 $129.98 Utena was obsessed with her city’s Magical Girls, so when she was offered the chance to become a MG herself, she agreed without reading the fine print… and now she’s an EVIL magical girl in a scandalously brief costume, who has to fight her beloved heroines! And even more embarrassing? It seems Utena’s MG obsession was nowhere near as innocent as she’d believed, and her relationships with Magical Girls take on a very twisted turn once her sadistic side is set

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