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Mill Creek Entertainment is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win their new ULTRAMAN GINGA + ULTRAMAN GINGA S Blu-ray + Digital set. The set includes Tsuburaya Productions’ 12-episode series ULTRAMAN GINGA (ウルトラマンギンガ, Urutoraman Ginga, 2013), the 16-episode sequel series, ULTRAMAN GINGA S (ウルトラマンギンガＳ, Urutoraman Ginga S, 2014), the feature film ULTRAMAN GINGA S THE MOVIE: SHOWDOWN! THE 10 ULTRA WARRIORS! (劇場版 ウルトラマンギンガＳ 決戦! ウルトラ10勇士!!, Gekijō-ban Urutoraman Ginga S Kessen! Urutora 10 Yuushi!!, 2015) and the special ULTRA FIGHT VICTORY (ウルトラファイトオーブ 親子の力、おかりします！, Urutorafaito Ōbu Oyako no Chikara, Okari Shimasu!, 2015). The two series are presented in Japanese with English subtitles while ULTRAMAN GINGA S THE MOVIE and ULTRA FIGHT VICTORY come with both the original Japanese audio and an English dub. Continued…
Source: KAIJU MASTERCLASS press release
Special Thanks to Steve Ryfle
Announcing KAIJU MASTERCLASS, a three-day online convention with guest lineup featuring composer Bear McCreary (THE WALKING DEAD, GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS), director Shinji Higuchi (SHIN GODZILLA, ATTACK ON TITAN), composer David Arnold (the JAMES BOND franchise, GODZILLA 1998), director Shusuke Kaneko (GODZILLA, MOTHRA, AND KING GHIDORAH, DEATH NOTE), composer Michiru Oshima (GODZILLA: TOKYO SOS), and long list of genre creators and scholars. Continued…
Arrow Video US and MVD Entertainment are offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win the new GRAVEYARDS OF HONOR Blu-ray Set. Two peerless masters of Japanese cinema — Kinji Fukasaku (BATTLES WITHOUT HONOR AND HUMANITY, BATTLE ROYALE) and Takashi Miike (DEAD OR ALIVE, AUDITION) — present their own distinctive adaptations of yakuza expert Goro Fujita’s gangster novel Graveyard of Honor, each tapping into the zeitgeist of a distinct period of Japanese history, in this exclusive two-disc set.
The GRAVEYARDS OF HONOR Blu-ray Set will be released September 8 by Arrow Video US. The movies feature a High Definition (1080p) presentation with the original Japanese soundtracks and optional English subtitles. Extras include new audio commentaries by author and critic Mark Schilling and Miike biographer Tom Mes, archival featurettes, trailers, image galleries, and a reversible sleeve featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Ian MacEwan. This first pressing also comes with an illustrated booklet featuring new writing on the films by Jasper Sharp. The suggested retail price is $69.95. Continued…
Arrow Video US and MVD Entertainment are offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win the new Blu-ray of Toei’s BLACK TEST CAR/THE BLACK REPORT from maverick director Yasuzo Masumura (BLIND BEAST).
BLACK TEST CAR (黒の試走車, Kuro no Shisō-sha, 1962) is a bitingly satirical espionage thriller set in the heart of the Japanese auto industry, which launched a series of similarly themed “Black” films. In a bitter, take-no-prisoners corporate war between the Tiger Motorcar Company and their competitors, the Yamato Company, undercover spies have infiltrated both sides. As Tiger prepares to launch its newest “Pioneer” car and a prototype bursts into flames, Toru Toru (Hideo Takamatsu, THE LAST EMPEROR) heads a secretive task force to root out Yamato’s spy, and find out what they can about the competitor’s familiar-looking new model.
Making its worldwide Blu-ray debut, BLACK TEST CAR is paired here with the English-language video premiere of its follow-up THE BLACK REPORT (黒の報告書, Kuro no Hōkoku-sho, 1963). Continued…
This September, the Riverside Drive In Theatre in Vandergrift, Pennsylvania will host the “Drive-In Super Monster-Rama” featuring cult classics like KING KONG VS GODZILLA, KING KONG ESCAPES, MAD DOCTOR OF BLOOD ISLAND and THE LEGEND OF BOGGY CREEK. Continued…
Creepy Ex-Boyfriend Productions is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a Blu-ray of the hilarious award-winning kaiju comedy spoof NOTZILLA.
When a scientist from Japan smuggles a monster’s egg into the United States, what could possibly go wrong when it actually hatches — and alcohol makes it grow taller than a skyscraper? The race is on as the monster drinks beer and wreaks havoc, the Japanese scientist tries to shrink it, and a crazed weapons physicist tries to nuke the monster—and possibly take the entire city of Cincinnati with it! Continued…
Crunchyroll, the world’s most popular anime brand, announced the first wave of guests, panels, and programming for this year’s Virtual Crunchyroll Expo including the the cast and creators from RENT A GIRLFRIEND, SO I’M A S;IDER, SO WHAT? and THE HIDDEN DUNGEON ONLY I CAN ENTER. Continued…
Well Go USA Entertainment is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a Blu-ray of the all-new animated adventure A DOG’S COURAGE (언더독, Eondeodog, 2019). Jacob — a feisty and playful dog abandoned by his owners — joins a pack of strays and embarks on a journey filled with fun adventures and life lessons in their pursuit to find a perfect place of safety and peace — the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea.
Perfect entertainment for the whole family, the film is available in both the original Korean language and an all-new English dub. Directed by Chun-Baek Lee and Oh Sung-Yoon (DAISY, A HEN INTO THE WILD), A DOG’S COURAGE was nominated as Best Animated Feature Film at the 2019 Asia Pacific Screen Awards. Continued…
Mill Creek Entertainment is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a free digital redemption code for NEO ULTRA Q (ネオ・ウルトラQ, Neo Urutora Kyū, 2013) on Mill Creek’s transaction-based streaming service movieSPREE. Winners will be able to own and stream the complete 12 episode series in high-definition on movieSPREE’s website and apps, now available on Roku, Apple TV / iOS, Amazon Fire TV, and Android devices. Continued…
Special Thanks to Avery Guerra
#KAIJUDEFEAT COVID
#Capsulemonster
The organizers of KAIJU DEFEAT COVID! have released a new trailer and TV spot for the project intended to help inspire kaiju and anime fans worldwide to be safe and get through the COVID-19 pandemic pandemic together. Continued…
Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with information, updated poster art, large photos andvideos for ULTRAMAN TAIGA THE MOVIE: NEW GENERATION CLIMAX (劇場版ウルトラマンタイガ ニュージェネクライマックス, Gekijō-ban Urutoraman Taiga Nyū Jene Kuraimakkusu). The latest Ultraman theatrical feature film was originally planned to open in Japanese cinemas on Friday, March 6, 2020, but was postponed until Friday, August 7, 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Tsuburaya has also released a revised theatrical trailer and a special message video from Ultraman Taiga, guiding fans on how to prevent the spread of coronavirus during screenings of the film.
ULTRAMAN TAIGA THE MOVIE continues from the ULTRAMAN TAIGA (ウルトラマンタイガ, Urutoraman Taiga) television series that aired from July 6-December 28, 2019. The son of the legendary Ultra Brother, Ultraman Taro., Taiga formed a team called the Tri-Squad with two other Ultramen, Titus and Fuma. The three heroes have integrated with Hiroyuki Kudo (Yuki Inoue), allowing the earthling to transform into multiple Ultramen. Continued…
Arrow Video US is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win the new Blu-ray of Toei’s INFERNO OF TORTURE (徳川いれずみ師 責め地獄, Tokugawa Irezumi-shi Seme Jigoku, 1969). Exploitation legend Teruo Ishii (HORRORS OF MALFORMED MEN, ORGIES OF EDO) delivers one of his most extreme visions of violent eroticism in this, the sixth in his abnormal love series.
Tattoos and torture await women forced into servitude. Unable to repay a local lender, Yumi (Yumika Katayama) takes up an offer to serve as a geisha for two years with a promise of freedom once her debt is repaid. She quickly realizes that this is less a house of geishas than an extremely cruel brothel specializing in supplying western visitors with tattooed playthings. Taken under the wing of one of the leading tattoo artists vying for a coveted spot in the Shogun’s good graces through his work, Yumi’s body becomes a battleground as a rival artist becomes determined not to lose his spot at the top. Continued…
Well Go USA Entertainment is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a Blu-ray of the action-packed GUNDALA (2019), the feature film adaptation of Indonesia’s preeminent comic book superhero. Based on a popular comic book by Harya Suraminata first published in 1969, GUNDALA was written & directed by Joko Anwar (IMPETIGORE) and stars Abimana Aryasatya (12:00 A.M.), Tara Basro (IMPETIGORE), Bront Palarae (BELUKAR), Ario Bayu (JAVA HEAT) and Lukman Sardi (ABRACADABRA).
GUNDALA is the first film in a proposed eight film franchise launching a new superhero cinematic universe in the vein of Marvel. In this origin story, Sancaka (Abimana Aryasatya) is a security guard who was struck by lightning, giving him superhuman powers and turning him into the superhero Gundala. Continued…
Arrow Video US is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win the new Blu-ray of ZOMBIE FOR SALE (기묘한 가족, Gimyohan Gajok, 2019), an infectiously funny slice of modern Korean cinema where TRAIN TO BUSAN, THE QUIET FAMILY and WARM BODIES collide to create a memorable rom-zom-com from first time director Lee Min-jae.
When the illegal human experiments of Korea’s biggest Pharmaceutical company go wrong, one of their “undead” test subjects escapes and ends up in a shabby gas station owned by the Park family — a band of misfits spanning three generations who hustle passers-by to make ends meet. When the Park family uncover their undead visitor, he bites the head of their household, who instead of transforming into an undead ghoul becomes revitalised and full of life! The family then hatch a plan to exploit this unexpected fountain of youth, allowing locals to pay to be bitten too, until things go wrong… With a cabbage-munching zombie who prefers ketchup over blood, and a dysfunctional family that gives the Kim family of PARASITE a run for their money, ZOMBIE FOR SALE will warm the deadest of hearts and breathe some new life into the zombie genre. Continued…
Well Go USA Entertainment is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a Blu-ray of SAMURAI MARATHON (サムライマラソン, 2019), the action-adventure flick with a samurai twist. Award-winning director Bernard Rose — whose wildly diverse career has spanned horror classics (CANDYMAN), historical romances (ANNA KARENINA) and indie dramas (IVANS xtc) — co-wrote the screenplay with Japan’s Hiroshi Saito and Kikumi Yamagishi based on the novel The Marathon Samurai: Five Tales of Japan’s First Marathon.
Inspired by a race still held yearly, the film follows an aging lord who challenges his samurai to a grueling marathon — joined covertly by his daughter — and the group must overcome deadly odds to survive. SAMURAI MARATHON stars Takeru Satoh (RUROUNI KENSHIN: FINAL CHAPTER), Nana Komatsu (THE WORLD OF KANAKO, SILENCE), Mirai Moriyama (RAGE, VISION), Shota Sometani (FIRST LOVE) and Danny Huston (X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE, TV’s YELLOWSTONE). Continued…
First Round of 2020 SDCC Exclusives Feature Dragon Ball and Godzilla Franchises and S.H.Figuarts, S.H.MonsterArts, FiguartsZERO, Dragon Stars and Final Blast Series Lines
Source: BANDAI NAMCO Collectibles (Bluefin) press release
Special Thanks to Scott Barretto
Fans need wait no longer because tonight BANDAI NAMCO Collectibles (Bluefin) officially drops this year’s collection of anime and kaiju San Diego Comic-Con exclusive figures. For 2020, Bluefin, the BANDAI NAMCO Group company and leading distributor of Japanese toys, collectibles, novelty and hobby products in North America, is offering nine different figures from the Dragon Ball and Godzilla franchises across five of the most popular figure lines from Tamashii Nations and Bandai America. Continued…
The Loot Company is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win July’s ‘Red, White and Blue!’ themed Anime Crate. Show off your Ultraman love, display your Mobile Suit Gundam pride and get cute with a Sailor Moon capsule containing a random collectible.
The July crate includes colorful items and gear from some of your favorite anime properties. Fans won’t want to miss out on getting an awesome Ultraman XL T-shirt, Mobile Suit Gundam figure, Sailor Moon capsule and more.
The Anime Loot Crate will ship in early August and retails for $28.95. Continued…
The Mahoning Drive-In Theater in Lehighton, PA is sure to delight monster and sci-fi movies fans with great events this July and August.
First up is SCHLOCK-O-RAMA IV, a 10 film event the kicks off Friday, July 24 and features such greats as KING KONG VS GODZILLA, VALLEY OF GWANGI, FORBIDDEN PLANET, WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS and BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS.
Then on Tuesday, August 4, the Toho classic DESTROY ALL MONSTERS will be screened in 35mm. Continued…
Arrow Video US is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win the new Arrow Academy Blu-ray of HIROSHIMA (ひろしま, 1953). The film is a powerful evocation of the devastation wrought by the world’s first deployment of the atomic bomb and its aftermath, based on the written eye-witness accounts of its child survivors compiled by Dr. Arata Osada for the 1951 book Children Of The A Bomb: Testament Of The Boys And Girls Of Hiroshima.
Adapted for the screen by independent director Hideo Sekigawa (LISTEN TO THE VOICES OF THE SEA, TOKYO UNTOUCHABLE) and screenwriter Yasutaro Yagi (THEATRE OF LIFE, RICE), Hiroshima combines a harrowing documentary realism with moving human drama, in a tale of the suffering, endurance and survival of a group of teachers, their students and their families. It boasts a rousing score composed by Akira Ifukube (GODZILLA) and an all-star cast including Yumeji Tsukioka (LATE SPRING, THE ETERNAL BREASTS), Isuzu Yamada (THRONE OF BLOOD, YOJIMBO) and Eiji Okada (HIROSHIMA MON AMOUR, WOMAN IN THE DUNES), appearing alongside an estimated 90,000 residents from the city as extras, including many survivors from that fateful day on August 6, 1945. Continued…
One of the finest Japanese directors to emerge in the last decade, Kôji Fukada has earned renown for crafting suspenseful dramas. Following 2016’s HARMONIUM (淵に立つ, Fuchi ni Tatsu), which captured Cannes’ prestigious Un Certain Regard Jury Prize, he returns with A GIRL MISSING (よこがお, Yokogao, 2019), a tense portrait of a woman caught up in a spiral of defamation.
In this slow-burning thriller, also scripted by Fukada, Ichiko (HARMONIUM’s Mariko Tsutsui) works as a home-care nurse to the elderly matriarch of the Oisho family — long enough to feel like part of the family. She’s closest to the eldest sister, Motoko (Mikako Ichikawa), who’s studying to follow in Ichiko’s footsteps. However, their happy routine is disrupted when Motoko’s sister, Saki (Miyu Ogawa), is abducted. The girl is eventually returned, but it’s discovered that her kidnapper was Ichiko’s nephew — a fact that Motoko insists they keep between them. It’s this shared secret that forges an even closer bond between the two, yielding further confessions — some of which may be turned into weapons. Continued…
North America’s largest festival of contemporary Japanese cinema presents a robust slate of 42 films streaming online throughout the U.S., introduces inaugural Next Generation competitive festival section with Obayashi Prize, and offers dual CUT ABOVE Awards to actors Koichi Sato and Ken Watanabe. Continued…
Source: The Op
Special Thanks to Jamie Scharbarth and Jake Davis
usaopoly (The Op) is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win their new JENGA: GODZILLA Extreme Edition game. The titan of terror is trying to bring your tower down with a heat ray. Featuring custom game play, players remove and replace blocks according to the directives to keep it standing through every threatening roll of the dice. Beware, Godzilla marches toward the tower raising the threat of destruction with every step! Continued…
The Iconic Japanese Superhero Will Be Celebrated With Live Streamed Events on Shu.Watch and Launch of The Official Ultraman Galaxy Online Store
Source: Alta Global Media press release
Official Site: Shu.Watch
Special Thanks to Theo Dumont
ULTRAMAN DAY has arrived. The iconic and celebrated classic Japanese superhero ULTRAMAN will be celebrated today, Friday, July 10 with a series of major virtual activations and talks with the leaders behind the Ultraman revival live on Shu.Watch. Ultraman Day will also feature the launch of the official online Ultraman Galaxy Store, which will display exclusive collectible Ultraman merchandise featuring the poster artwork of Marvel’s Alex Ross cover created for The Rise Of Ultraman issue #1, on sale this September. Continued…
Source: Bandai Namco Collectibles, Nerdist press releases (authored by Kyle Anderson and Amy Ratcliffe)
Official Site: bluefinbrands.com/heisei-week
Special Thanks to David Clarke (Team Kamen Rider)
This is a great time for Tokusatsu fans in America! Bandai Namco Collectibles’ Team Kamen Rider and Shout! Factory TV have teamed up with Nerdist for a Kamen Rider-themed streaming event called Heisei Week that leads up to the first ever Kamen Rider movie screening in the US!
The movie KAMEN RIDER HEISEI GENERATIONS FOREVER (平成仮面ライダー20作品記念 仮面ライダー平成ジェネレーションズ FOREVER, Heisei Kamen Raidā 20 Sakuhin Kinen Kamen Raidā Heisei Jenerēshonzu FOREVER, 2018) features a team up of all 20 Heisei Era (1989-2019) Riders.
Nerdist will also welcome Team Kamen Rider and Shout Factory TV to Nerdist House 2020, their virtual series of panels and discussions broadcast live over the internet. Saturday, July 11 is the big day, as Nerdist will host the panel at 4pm PST and follow with the movie screening at 5pm PST. Another first for the event will be a message from a mystery Kamen Rider actor, an exclusive prize, and sales for Kamen Rider shirts and other collectibles! Continued…
Kaiju Con-line press release
Source: Special Thanks to Kyle Yount
Mark your calendars, Monster Kids! Due to the cancellation of conventions and festivals around the globe, several dedicated daikaiju fans have joined forces to create a new event for the monster masses.
Kaiju Con-Line is a free “virtual” event being held on July 11th and 12th, the same weekend that would have hosted the annual gathering of Godzilla fanatics in Chicago; once that cancellation was announced, a clawful of motivated monster fiends converged to form this online convention that kaiju enthusiasts from around the world can enjoy from the comfort of their own home. Continued…
The incredible Sundance darling WE ARE LITTLE ZOMBIES (ウィーアーリトルゾンビーズ, Uīā Ritoru Zonbīzu, 2019) hits VOD and live cinemas — yeah, real movie theaters! — this Friday, July 10th from Oscilloscope Laboratories!
Director Makoto Nagahisa won the Grand Jury Prize (for short film) at the 33rd Sundance Film Festival, the first Japanese recipient of the award. The film, AND SO WE PUT GOLDFISH IN THE POOL (そうして私たちはプールに金魚を, Sōshite Watashitachiha Pūru ni Kingyo o), garnered attention both in Japan and around the world for its compelling cinematography, clever storytelling, and entrancing music, promising the birth of a new talent in the wake of Quentin Tarantino (KILL BILL), Damien Chazelle (LA LA LAND), Shunji Iwai (A BRIDE FOR RIP VAN WINKLE), and Tetsuya Nakajima (THE WORLD OF KANAKO). Now in 2020, director Nagahisa has made his long-awaited full-length debut. For his first feature film, Makoto Nagahisa chose a story about the adventures of 13-year-old children whose parents have passed away. They suddenly lose their parents and “should be sad but tears won’t fall.”
Will they be able to retrieve their ability to feel through music? Continued…
This Friday, July 10, Tsuburaya Productions, Elevated Games, Mill Creek Entertainment, The Licensing Group Ltd and Starlight Runner Entertainment present a special FOUR HOUR live multicast with interactive sessions and content, plus special guests. Read on for the complete schedule… Continued…
Author: Benjamin Chaffins*
Special thanks to Edward L. Holland
#KAIJUDEFEAT COVID
#Capsulemonster
The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the entire world to its core and the spread of the nasty virus has only gotten worse after countless cases have been confirmed across the globe. In order to address this pandemic, directors Shinji Higuchi, Katsuro Onoue, and many others participated in KAIJU DEFEAT COVID!, a project to help inspire kaiju and anime fans worldwide to be safe and get through this pandemic together. Continued…
ULTRAMAN DAY Live Streaming Event Shu.Watch
July 10, 2020
10am PDT to 2pm PDT
The Giant of Light arrived to save Earth 54 years ago and his name is ULTRAMAN. Raging monsters (Kaiju) and aliens roamed Earth, bound and determined to destroy everything in their path. It was up to the shining superhero to save everyone and everything.
To mark this occasion, Tsuburaya Productions, Elevated Games, Mill Creek Entertainment, The Licensing Group Ltd and Starlight Runner Entertainment will bring you a special FOUR HOUR live multicast at Shu.Watch with interactive sessions and content, and a special guest appearance by none other than ULTRAMAN himself. Continued…
Well Go USA Entertainment is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a Blu-ray of ENTER THE FAT DRAGON (肥龍過江, 2020), the new action-comedy starring international martial arts icon Donnie Yen [IP MAN, MULAN (2020), ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY]. The film was directed by Kenji Tanigaki (LEGEND OF SEVEN MONKS) and costars Teresa Mo (HARD BOILED), Niki Chow (HEAVENLY MISSION) and Wong Jing (KUNG FU MAHJONG).
ENTER THE FAT DRAGON chronicles the events that transformed super-fit super-cop Fallon Zhu (Yen) into a records clerk with a major snack cake habit — and one shot to regain his job and his fiancée. A hilarious parody of Bruce Lee’s 1972 film WAY OF THE DRAGON and a reimagining of the popular comedy martial arts film starring Sammo Hung, Continued…
