SciFi Japan

    Key art for SASAMI-SAN@GANBARANAI. © Akira ? Shogakukan/ Production Committee@Ganbaranai

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Coming Soon to Anime Network Online Source: Sentai Filmworks, Anime Network press releases Official Site: tbs.co.jp/sasami (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams and Toni Brown Sentai Filmworks is proud to announce their newest acquisition: SASAMI-SAN@GANBARANAI (?????@??????, 2013). Based on the light novels by Akira, this 12 episode series is directed by Akiyuki Shinbo (HIDAMORI SKETCH, MARIA HOLIC) and features series composition by Katsuhiko Takayama (EF: A TALE OF MEMORIES, AND YET THE TOWN MOVES), character designs by Hiroki Harada (ROMEO X JULIET), sound direction by Yota Tsuruoka (CLANNAD, HORIZON IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE) and music by Yukari Hashimoto (MAYO CHIKI!, TORADORA!). The Japanese call them hikikomori -- people who’ve become so withdrawn socially that they refuse to leave their homes for weeks and even months at a time. For Sasami Tsukuyomi, who’s attempting to pass her first year of high school despite being a shut

    A damaged boy named Yuichi Sumida (Shota Sometani) struggles in the aftermath of Japan`s 2011 earthquake. Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 2012 Himizu Film Partners

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Madman Entertainment Official Movie Site: himizu.gaga.ne.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Ben Pollock Nobody can touch his future... HIMIZU (???, 2012), the new film from director Sion Sono (SUICIDE CLUB), tells a powerful story of two teenagers` struggle to live against the backdrop of the Japan tsunami and earthquake. Based on the manga Himizu by Minoru Furuya, this was the first film to be set and even filmed in the aftermath of Japan`s 2011 earthquake. Both of the lead actors won the grand acting prize, Marcello Mastroianni Award, at the 2011 Venice Film Festival. HIMIZU also won the Audience Award at UK`s 2012 Terracotta Far East Film Festival and was an Official Selection for the 2012 Melbourne International Film Festival, 2011 Venice Film Festival and 2011 Toronto International Film Festival. 14 year old Yuichi aims to live a normal life but constantly faces

    Key art for TAMAKO MARKET. © Kyoto Animation

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Premieres January 10th on Anime Network Online Source: Sentai Filmworks, Anime Network press releases Official Site: tamakomarket.com (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams and Toni Brown Welcome to a place where the unexpected happens every day in Sentai Filmworks’ newest acquisition: TAMAKO MARKET (????????, Tamako Maaketto, 2013). Join mochi expert Tamako as she tries to make life a little sweeter in this 12 episode series directed by Naoko Yamada (K-ON!) and featuring series composition by Reiko Yoshida (LA CORDA D’ORO), character designs by Yukiko Horiguchi (K-ON!, LOVE, CHUNIBYO & OTHER DELUSIONS), sound direction by Yota Tsuruoka (CLANNAD) and music by Tomoko Kataoka. Anime Network will debut TAMAKO MARKET online this Thursday. Tamako knows just about everything there is to know about mochi, the traditional Japanese dessert treats. When she’s not attending her first year of high school, she even invents new flavors and varieties for Tama-ya,

    Key art for PSYCHIC DETECTIVE YAKUMO. © Bee Train

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: nhk.or.jp/yakumo/ (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams Sentai Filmworks is proud to announce its newest acquisition: PSYCHIC DETECTIVE YAKUMO (???? ??, Shinrei Tantei Yakumo, 2010). Get ready for 13 episodes of mystery and death, based on the novel of the same name by Manabu Kaminaga. Directed by Tomoyuki Kurokawa (MURDER PRINCESS), with series composition by Hiroyuki Kawasaki (BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL), sound direction by Takeshi Takadera (KAMISAMA DOLLS) and music by R?O?N (KURENAI). Haruka Ozawa’s sophomore year is getting seriously scary. One of her friends is possessed, another has committed suicide and Haruka could be the next one to flunk the still-breathing test. Her only way out of this potentially lethal dead end? Yakumo Saito, an enigmatic student born with a mysterious red eye that allows him to see and communicate with the dead. But the deceased don’t always

    Five SciFi Japan readers have won the Korean sci-fi anthology DOOMSDAY BOOK on Blu-ray from Well Go USA. © 2012 ZIO Entertainment

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications Special Thanks to Leif Helland A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Our thanks to everyone who entered Well Go USA and SciFi Japan`s contest for a free Blu-ray of the Korean sci-fi anthology film DOOMSDAY BOOK. The randomly chosen winners are: Jesse Davenport Paul Angelosanto Schaun McCormack Marsha Kerr Bob Lee Congratulations to the winners! The prizes will ship soon. DOOMSDAY BOOK (???????, Inlyumyeolmangbogoseo, 2012) presents three apocalyptic tales by internationally renowned directors Kim Ji-woon (I SAW THE DEVIL; THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE WEIRD) and Yim Pil-sung (HANSEL & GRETEL). The movie won “Best International Film” at the 2012 Fant-Asia Film Festival. DOOMSDAY BOOK is now available on Blu-ray (SRP $29.98), DVD (SRP $24.98) and Digital. About Well Go USA Well Go USA, Inc. is a theatrical and home entertainment

    Key art for TEGAMI BACHI: REVERSE. © Hiroyuki Asada/ Shueisha, LBP, TV Tokyo

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: tv-tokyo.co.jp/tegamibachi Special Thanks to David Williams Return to the Bee Hive with Sentai Filmworks and their newest acquisition: TEGAMI BACHI: REVERSE (????? REVERSE, 2010). Director Akira Iwanaga returns to the helm for this 25 episode sequel to the popular TEGAMI BACHI: LETTER BEE. Series composition is by Masanao Akahoshi (LA STORIA DELLA ARCANA FAMIGLIA) with character designs by Minako Shiba (BLACK BUTLER), sound direction by Katsunori Shimizu (NADIA: SECRET OF BLUE WATER) and music by Kunihiko Ryo (EMMA: A VICTORIAN ROMANCE). After Niche carries the wounded and stunned Lag back to the Bee Hive, the Letter Bee finally begins to piece the puzzle together. Now he knows what’s happened to Gauche, why the Marauders are so focused on stealing mail and the actual intent of the group controlling both, Reverse. However, when he’s forbidden to reveal the truth, Lag

    Australian Blu-ray and DVD cover art for BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC I – THE EGG OF THE KING. Images courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © Kentaro Miura (Studio Gaga), Hakuensha/Berserk Film Partners

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Return of the Dark Fantasy Masterpiece Source: Madman Entertainment Official Site: berserkfilm.com (Japan) Special Thanks to Ben Pollock On February 5th, 2013, the acclaimed, epic dark fantasy anime feature film, BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC I – THE EGG OF THE KING (????? ?????? ????, Berserk Oogon Jidai-Hen I: Haoo no Tamago, 2012), will be released in DVD and Blu-ray editions by the Australian label, Madman Entertainment. Like EVANGELION, this new BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC film trilogy remasters a popular anime for modern audiences. The movies are a remake of the Madman best-selling BERSERK anime series, and is based on the best selling manga which has sold over 30 million copies sold worldwide plus video games, figures and music soundtracks. BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC features cutting edge animation by the masterful Studio 4C (HALO LEGENDS, ANIMATRIX, KILL BILL VOL 1, SPRIGGAN).

    15 SciFi Japan readers have won copies of the new GODZILLA VS BIOLLANTE Blu-ray or DVD, courtesy of Echo Bridge. Photo courtesy of Echo Bridge Entertainment. © 1989 Toho Co., Ltd.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Echo Bridge Entertainment Special Thanks to Julie Haas Our thanks to everyone who entered Echo Bridge Entertainment and SciFi Japan`s GODZILLA VS BIOLLANTE Blu-ray and DVD contest . We`ve received hundreds of entries, and the randomly chosen winners are... Karley Osterhold (Blu-Ray) Rob Hicks (Blu-Ray) Tom Hernandez (DVD) Joseph Madden (DVD) Ray Weiss (Blu-Ray) Jimmy Crozier (DVD) Jill Wagner (DVD) Yoko Higuchi (DVD) Michael Jones (Blu-Ray) Evan Schmidt (DVD) Joseph Ellis (Blu-Ray) Robert Silva (DVD) Kevin Hemsworth (Blu-Ray) Dorothy Brighton (Blu-ray) Eddie Anderson (Blu-Ray) Congratulations to the winners! Each of you has won a copy of GODZILLA VS BIOLLANTE in the format of your choice. Prizes will ship soon. GODZILLA VS BIOLLANTE is now available from stores and online retailers. The Blu-ray has a suggested retail price is $14.99 and the DVD retails for $6.99. About

    © Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 Production Committee

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Section23 Films Official Site: tokyo-m8.com Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff Maiden Japan has announced its acquisition of the compelling animated drama TOKYO MAGNITUDE 8.0 (?????????8.0, Tokyo Magunichuudo 8.0, 2009). Based on extensive research into the potential effects of a massive earthquake, TOKYO MAGNITUDE 8.0 is an 11 episode study into human courage and the will to survive which originally debuted in Fuji TV’s powerhouse anime block noitaminA. Direction is by Masaki Tachibana (.hack//QUANTUM) with series composition by Natsuko Takahashi (07-GHOST), character designs by Atsuko Nozaki (THE LEGEND OF HEROES: TRAILS INTHE SKY), sound direction by Kazuya Tanaka (HIGH SCHOOL OF HE DEAD) and music by Kow Otani (HAKUOKI, GMK). The devastation is unleashed in the span of seconds. Yielding to centuries of unrelenting pressure, an ancient rift in the Earth gives way and a force equivalent to over a thousand atomic bombs erupts beneath the

    MAD BULL 34 cover art. Image courtesy of Discotek Media. © Magic Bus Studios • Shueisha

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Complete Anime Series Streets February 26th Source: Discotek Media On February 26th, 2013, the complete four part OVA series MAD BULL 34 (??????34, Maddo Buru Sanjuuyon, 1990) will be released on Region 1 DVD by Discotek Media. Encoded from the original masters, the DVD set will include both the English dub and the original Japanese audio track with English subtitles. America -- land of freedom. But on its dark streets prowl those who abuse its freedoms, and nowhere is as crime-ridden as New York City. It is the job of the New York Police Department to protect society from the evil on its streets, and this is the tale of New York`s finest cops, serving in its toughest district: the 34th Precinct. Into this melting pot of crime and corruption comes a raw young recruit named Diazaburo. His new partner is one of the most notorious

    Australian Blu-ray and DVD cover art for the GANTZ Movies 1 & 2 Collection. Images courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © Hiroya Oku/Shueisha © 2011 Gantz Film Partners

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    To Continue Life, Play the Game of Death Source: Madman Entertainment Official Movie Site: gantz-movie.com (Japan), gantzmovies.com (US) On January 9th, the Australian label Madman Entertainment will release a double feature collection of the box office hits GANTZ (??, Gantsu, 2011) and GANTZ: PERFECT ANSWER (?? PERFECT ANSWER, Gantsu Pafekuto Ansaa, 2011) on DVD (Region 4, PAL) and Blu-ray (Region B). The discs will feature an extended version of PERFECT ANSWER with new scenes added, not seen in cinemas. Based on the manga Gantz written by Hiroya Oku (the 27 volume manga has sold over 10 million copies worldwide) the multi-million dollar live-action adaptation topped Japan`s box office on its opening weekend, raking in over $7.5 million USD. Two students are hit by a train and awaken in a mysterious apartment, where they learn that they now belong to "Gantz", an enigmatic spherical

    Cover art for Criterion`s upcoming THE BALLAD OF NARAYAMA Blu-ray and DVD editions. Images courtesy of The Criterion Collection. © 1958 Shochiku Co., Ltd.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: The Criterion Collection, Image Entertainment Official Site: criterion.com/the-ballad-of-narayama On February 5th, 2013, Keisuke Kinoshita`s THE BALLAD OF NARAYAMA (????, Narayama Bushiko, 1958) will be released in digitally restored DVD and Blu-ray editions by The Criterion Collection. This haunting, kabuki-inflected version of a Japanese folk legend is set in a remote mountain village where food is scarce and tradition dictates that citizens who have reached their seventieth year must be carried to the summit of Mount Narayama and left there to die. The sacrificial elder at the center of the tale is Orin (UGETSU`s Kinuyo Tanaka), a dignified and dutiful woman who spends her dwindling days securing the happiness of her loyal widowed son with a respectable new wife. Filmed almost entirely on cunningly designed studio sets, in brilliant color and widescreen, THE BALLAD OF NARAYAMA is a stylish and vividly formal work

    LUPIN THE 3RD: MYSTERY OF MAMO cover art. Image courtesy of Discotek Media. © Monkey Punch. © TMS

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Anime Film Streets February 26th Source: Discotek Media On February 26th, 2013, the anime film LUPIN THE 3RD: MYSTERY OF MAMO (????? ???VS????(????), Rupan Sansei: Rupan tai Kuroon, 1978) will be released on Region 1 DVD by Discotek Media. The DVD will include four different English dubs (the 1978 Toho dub, 1995 Streamline Pictures dub, 1996 Manga Entertainment dub, 2003 Fuse Entertainment dub) plus the original Japanese audio track with English subtitles. The world`s most wanted master thief, Lupin the Third, is dead! Despite a coroner`s report, Interpol Inspector Zenigata is skeptical and discovers that Lupin is actually alive and well and stealing! But who had set up Lupin`s death and why? For now, questions are set aside, as Lupin, Jigen, and Goemon immediately embark to Egypt to pilfer a stone artifact from a pyramid, with Zenigata in hot pursuit. But Fujiko, lured by the promise

    Packaging for the Blu-ray and DVD editions of THE THIEVES. Photos courtesy of Well Go USA. © 2012

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    All for the Money. One for the Revenge. Every Man for Himself. Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications Special Thanks to Leif Helland Debuting on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital February 12th from Well Go USA Entertainment, THE THIEVES (???, Dodookdeul, 2012) made box office history as Korea’s highest-grossing movie to date, with more than a half-million tickets sold on the first day and over 10 million tickets sold in the first three weeks. Director Dong-hoo Choi’s (WOOCHI, THE BIG SWINDLE, TAZZA: THE HIGH ROLLERS) high stakes heist film follows five thieves at the top of their game as they plan to plan to pull off a major Casino robbery. The all-star ensemble includes Gianna Jun (SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN), Kim Hae-suk (THIRST), Kim Hye-su (MODERN BOY), Kim Soo Hyun (TV’s THE THIRD HOSPITAL), Kim Yun-seok (PUNCH), Angelica Lee (SLEEPWALKER), Lee Jung-Jae (THE ACCIDENTAL GANGSTER), Oh

    College student Shiina (Gaku Hamada) befriends his odd new neighbor Kawasaki (Eita) in director Yoshihiro Nakamura`s THE FOREIGN DUCK, THE NATIVE DUCK AND GOD IN A COIN LOCKER. Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. © “2 Ducks” Film Partners.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    From FISH STORY and GOLDEN SLUMBER Director Yoshihiro Nakamura Source: Third Window Films press release Official Movie Site: thirdwindowfilms.com/the-foreign-duck-the-native-duck (UK) Special Thanks to Claire Marty On January 11th, 2013, THE FOREIGN DUCK, THE NATIVE DUCK AND GOD IN A COIN LOCKER (?????????????, Ahiru to Kamo to Koinrokka, 2007) comes to DVD in the United Kingdom from distributor Third Window Films. Yoshihiro Nakamura, the internationally acclaimed director and writer behind FISH STORY and GOLDEN SLUMBER brings another topsy-turvy tale that will have you guessing till the thrilling climax! Moving into his new apartment in Sendai, college student Shiina (Gaku Hamada from ULTRAMAN GAIA: THE BATTLE IN HYPERSPACE, FISH STORY, SPACE BROTHERS) meets his new neighbor Kawasaki (Eita from HARA-KIRI: DEATH OF A SAMURAI, MEMORIES OF MATSUKO). Tall, confident Kawasaki and short, mild-mannered Shiina seem to be unlikely candidates for friendship, but they click over

    Packaging for the Blu-ray and DVD editions of the Chinese adaptation of DANGEROUS LIAISONS. Photos courtesy of Well Go USA. © 2012

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Director Jin-ho Hur Re-Imagines the Classic 18th-Century French Novel Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications Special Thanks to Leif Helland 1930s Shanghai: the glamorous, tumultuous “Paris of the East” whose salons, streets and bedrooms frame this Chinese adaptation of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ Les Liaisons Dangereuses into a lush, new vision of DANGEROUS LIAISONS ( ????, Woheomhan Gwangye, 2012), debuting on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital February 12th from Well Go USA Entertainment. Zhang Ziyi (MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA, TIL DEATH DO US PART), Jang Dong-Gun (MY WAY, FRIEND) and Cecilia Cheung (LEGENDARY AMAZONS) embody the classic triangle under the direction of Jin-ho Hur (A GOOD RAIN KNOWS) in the timeless story about an aging socialite`s infatuation with her ex-boyfriend that manifests itself as a risky game, where her former lover agrees to seduce, then abandon a naive young woman. Bonus materials include two behind-the-scenes featurettes. Aging socialite

    Shota Matsuda and Shido Nakamura star in Toei`s gangster drama HARD ROMANTICKER, coming to DVD and VOD in North America January. Photo courtesy of Japan Society. © 2011

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Also Available on VOD Source: Artsploitation Films press release Artsploitation Films, the rising American film distribution company, continues to deliver edgy international movies to North American audiences with its third release, HARD ROMANTICKER ( ??????????, Hadoromanchika, 2011). Based on director Gu Su-yeon’s semi-autobiographical novel, HARD ROMANTICKER is a spectacular and violent gangster movie that delivers its story with equal amounts style and carnage. Dripping James Dean style cool, the bleach blond Gu (Shota Matsuda) is a young cocky-Korean Japanese hoodlum living in Tokyo. When someone accidently kills the grandmother of a ruthless rival thug. Gu soon finds himself on the receiving end as he becomes the target for bloody, even deadly revenge. And it doesn’t help that the police are on his tail as well. What’s a snarling cigarette puffing thug to do? With tons of ultra-violence, rampaging youths and nihilistic retribution HARD

    Photo courtesy of Section23 Films.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Section23 Films press release Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff Home video distributor Section23 Films has announced its March slate of releases; including Sentai Filmworks newest acquisition from Aniplex Inc.: RUROUNI KENSHIN ~ NEW KYOTO ARC, which will be available on both DVD and Blu-Ray. Product details follow, in order of release... BODACIOUS SPACE PIRATES COLLECTION 2 Published by: Sentai Filmworks Distributed by: Section23 Films Run Time: 325 min. Street Date: 3/5/2013 Format: DVD Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles SRP: $59.98 BODACIOUS SPACE PIRATES COLLECTION 2 BLU-RAY Published by: Sentai Filmworks Distributed by: Section23 Films Run Time: 325 min. Street Date: 3/5/2013 Format: Blu-ray Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles SRP: $69.98 Marika is finally settling in to her role as captain of a pirate ship and earning the respect of her crew members. But just when things are looking jaunty, the crew

    THE HOST and CLOUD ATLAS actress Bae Doo-na stars in in the Korean sci-fi anthology DOOMSDAY BOOK. © 2012 ZIO Entertainment

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications Special Thanks to Leif Helland A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Well Go USA Entertainment is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win the Korean sci-fi anthology film DOOMSDAY BOOK (???????, Inlyumyeolmangbogoseo, 2012) on Blu-ray. Named “Best International Film” at the 2012 Fant-Asia Film Festival, DOOMSDAY BOOK presents three apocalyptic tales by internationally renowned directors Kim Ji-woon (I SAW THE DEVIL; THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE WEIRD) and Yim Pil-sung (HANSEL & GRETEL). In the first film, Director Yim Pil-Sung opens with BRAVE NEW WORLD, starring Ryoo Seung-bum (THE SERVANT) as a young man trying to survive in a world infected by biological toxins. The centerpiece of the film, HEAVENLY CREATURE, directed by Kim Ji-woon, stars Kim Kang-woo (A BETTER TOMORROW), Kim Gyu-ri (PORTRAIT OF A BEAUTY) and Park Hae-il (WAR OF THE ARROWS) as citizens of

    Packaging for the Blu-ray and DVD editions of TAI CHI ZERO. Photos courtesy of Well Go USA. © 2012 Huayi Brothers & Taihe Film Investment Co., Ltd.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications press release Special Thanks to Leif Helland The first chapter in a planned trilogy, Director Stephen Fung’s (HOUSE OF FURY, JUMP) steampunk-infused martial arts epic TAI CHI ZERO (??????, 2012) debuts on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital January 22nd from Well Go USA Entertainment. Featuring martial arts choreography by the legendary Sammo Hung (IP MAN 2: LEGEND OF THE GRANDMASTER), the film follows Yang Luchan, a young genius who, tired of being picked on, travels to legendary Chen Village to learn the art of Tai Chi. Luchan finds out the hard way that it is forbidden for a villager to teach an outsider when they do their best to discourage him by challenging him to a series of fights. Everyone, from strong men to young children, defeats him easily using their Tai Chi moves. But when a man from the village`s past

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