SciFi Japan

    SFJ reporter Daisuke Ishizuka poses with Ultra actresses Anne Mari and Yuriko Hishimi. Photo courtesy of Daisuke Ishizuka.

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Ultra Series Actresses Party with Fans Author: Daisuke Ishizuka Ms. Yuriko Hishimi is well known to tokusatsu fans as the actress who played Anne Yuri in the classic ULTRA SEVEN television series. She also was the tough female lead in GODZILLA VS GIGAN and has appeared in Tsuburaya Productions` MIRROR MAN, ULTRAMAN LEO, ULTRAMAN ZEARTH 2, ULTRASEVEN X and SUPERIOR 8 ULTRAMAN BROTHERS. Ms. Anne Mari is an actress who I know better as a tokusatsu TV star than a movie star. I first saw her in ULTRAMAN Episode 32- THE ENDLESS COUNTERATTACK where she portrayed Pati (Patra in the American dub), a member of the Science Patrol`s India branch. She guest starred in many of the television shows from my childhood; ULTRA SEVEN Episode 34- THE DEAD INVADERS, MIGHTY JACK Episodes 11 and 12, EMERGENCY 10:4 10:10 Episode 1, MASKED RIDER Episodes

    The Father of Ultra poses with Ryoichi Fukuzawa, Peggy Hayama and Koichi Kawakita at Super Festival 62. Photo courtesy of Koichi Kawakita. © Tsuburya Productions, Inc.

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Koichi Kawakita Attends Ultraman Panel and Releases New Mechani-Kong Figure Author: Daisuke Ishizuka Source: Koichi Kawakita Official Site: Super Festival The toy and collector`s show Super Festival 62 was held on April 28th in Tokyo. The Festival included a promotional event for the remastered ULTRAMAN TARO Complete DVD Box (????????? COMPLETE DVD-BOX), which will be released in Japan on June 21st. Special guests Ms. Peggy Hayama, Mr. Ryoichi Fukuzawa and Mr. Koichi Kawakita took part in a panel and autograph session. Ms. Peggy Hayama is very famous singer in Japan, but is better known by tokusatsu (special effects) fans as the Mother of Ultra. She provided the voice also played the character`s human form in the ULTRAMAN TARO television series from 1973. Though she appeared in only a few episodes of ULTRAMAN TARO, Ms. Hayama said that she was proud to play the Mother of Ultra.

    Photos courtesy of X-Plus. Ultraman Nexus and Jamila © Tsuburaya Productions. Gamera © 1966 Kadokawa Shoten. Spectreman © P-Production.

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd. Special Thanks to Sachiko Ikenouchi A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Earlier this month, SciFi Japan posted information and photos of the giant monster figures scheduled for release by X-Plus Co., Ltd. in late June 2013. X-Plus was still waiting on final approvals for several of the figures so SFJ ran photos of the unpainted prototypes. X-Plus has now provided photos of the fully painted figures. X-Plus` monster figures can be purchased directly from the company`s official Shounen Ric website. Shounen Ric offers Limited Editions of the figures with exclusive features or bonus pieces not available from other retailers. The standard figures are also sold by stores and online retailers including amazon.com, amazon.co.jp and SFJ`s sponsors Anime Jungle and Toy Freakz. Daiei Large Monster Series: Gamera (1966 Version) GAMERA VS BARUGON /??????? ????? ?????1966??? ????? ????????? Product Size: Height

    Photos courtesy of X-Plus. Godzilla TM&© 1964, 1975, 2013 TOHO CO.,LTD. © PLEX 2013. Gamera © 1966 Kadokawa Shoten. Manda and Gotengo TM&© 1963, 2013 TOHO CO.,LTD. Ultraman Leo, Jamila, Astra, Ultraman Nexus and Muruchi © Tsuburaya Productions

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd. Special Thanks to Sachiko Ikenouchi A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE The Japanese toy company X-Plus Co., Ltd. presents a preview of their Toho, Kadokawa/Daiei and Tsuburaya Pro giant monster figures scheduled for release in late June 2013. X-Plus` monster figures can be purchased directly from the company`s official Shounen Ric website. Shounen Ric offers Limited Editions of the figures with exclusive features or bonus pieces not available from other retailers. The standard figures are also sold by stores and online retailers including amazon.com, amazon.co.jp and SFJ`s sponsors Anime Jungle and Toy Freakz. Toho Large Monster Series: Godzilla (1975 Version) TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA /????????? ?????1975??? ????????? Product Size: Height Approximately 23cm Material: PVC (Vinyl) Specifications: Painted; Some Assembly Required Package: Window Box Shipping: Late June - Early July, 2013 Sales Agency: Plex Co.,Ltd. Distributed by: X Plus Co.,Ltd. Shounen

    SciFi Japan now has photos of the painted Large Monsters Series: Birdon and King Maimai figures. Photo courtesy of X-Plus. © Tsuburaya Productions.

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd. Special Thanks to Sachiko Ikenouchi A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Early this month, SciFi Japan posted information and photos of the giant monster figures scheduled for release by X-Plus Co., Ltd. in late May 2013. X-Plus was still waiting on final approvals for several of the figures so SFJ ran photos of the unpainted prototypes. Tsuburaya Productions has just approved the last two figures, so X-Plus has provided photos of the fully painted items. Large Monsters Series: Birdon /??????? ?????? Product Size: Height Approximately 27cm Material: PVC (Vinyl) Specifications: Painted Package: Window Box Shipping: Late May - Early June, 2013 Shounen Ric Limited Edition Includes: Kemujira Larva (Length Approximately 6.5cm) Price: ¥14,490 (Tax Included) May`s Ultra Monster entry in the Large Monsters Series is the prehistoric monster bird Birdon from ULTRAMAN TARO (??????T(???), Urutoraman Taro, 1973). It comes

    The newest Ultra warrior... Ultraman Ginga. © Tsuburaya Productions

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Authors: Jim Ballard with Keith Aiken Source: Tsuburaya Productions Special Thanks to Daisuke Ishizuka On April 12th, Tsuburaya Productions revealed that their latest hero, Ultraman Ginga* (?????????), is set to appear in a new television series, THE NEW ULTRAMAN BIOGRAPHIES (?????????, Shin Urutoraman Restuden). The new show will premiere at 17:30 (5:30pm) on July 10th from TV Tokyo. July 10 is known as "Ultraman Day"; the anniversary of Ultraman`s debut on TV in 1966. The story of THE NEW ULTRAMAN BIOGRAPHIES begins a long time ago, deep in the cosmos. A dark power transformed all of the monsters and Ultra warriors into small puppets, spreading them throughout the universe. Some of the puppets eventually drifted to Earth, falling from the heavens like meteors. Time passed, and now in present day Japan, fate has chosen a young man named Hikaru Reidou to obtain the "Ginga Spark". This

    Photos courtesy of Bluefin.

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Articulated Bandai Figures to be Sold in Japan and America Source: Bluefin Corp. S.H.Figuarts Official Site: tamashii.jp/shfiguarts (Japan) Special Thanks to Xavier Lim Distributor Bluefin Corp. has provided product specs and high-res photos for figures and collectibles coming from Bandai`s Tamashii Nations in August. All items will be released both in Japan and North America. Fans and collectors can purchase Bandai Tamashii Nations products from authorized Bluefin dealers, including SciFi Japan`s sponsors Anime Jungle and Toy Freakz. Robot Spirits - Gundam Double X/ ROBOT? ?SIDE MS???????????? Gundam Double X, the main mobile suit in the second half of AFTER WAR GUNDAM X (?????????X, Kidoo Shinseiki Gandamu Ekkusu, 1996) series, joins the ranks of the Robot Spirits series with massive Twin Satellite Cannon and a full array of accessories. Boasting advance articulation, high-detail and stunning proportion, this deluxe robot action figure set

    SciFi Japan now has photos of the painted Large Monsters Series: Ultraman Dyna (Flash-type) figure. Photo courtesy of X-Plus. © Tsuburaya Productions. © PLEX 2013

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd. Special Thanks to Sachiko Ikenouchi A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Last week, SciFi Japan posted information and photos of the giant monster figures scheduled for release by X-Plus Co., Ltd. in late May 2013. X-Plus was still waiting on final approvals for several of the figures so SFJ ran photos of the unpainted prototypes. Tsuburaya Productions has just approved the Ultraman Dyna figure, so X-Plus has provided photos of the fully painted item. Large Monsters Series: Ultraman Dyna (Flash-type) /??????? ??????????(????????)? Product Size: Height Approximately 25cm Material: PVC (Vinyl) Specifications: Painted Package: Window Box Shipping: Late May - Early June, 2013 Sales Agency: Plex Co.,Ltd. Distributed by: X Plus Co.,Ltd. Shounen Ric Limited Edition Includes: Luminescent Pedestal Price: ¥12,600 (Tax Included) The second Ultraman figure for May is Ultraman Dyna. The second of the "ULTRA NEW GENERATION" Heisei Ultraman series, ULTRAMAN DYNA

    Photo courtesy of Bluefin. © Tsuburaya Productions

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Articulated Bandai Figure to be Sold in Japan and America Source: Bluefin Corp. Ultra-Act Official Site: tamashii.jp/ultra (Japan) Special Thanks to Xavier Lim The latest addition to Bandai`s Ultra-Act figure series will be the modified Junis Blue form of Ultraman Nexus. Worn under the mantle of Dunamist Ren Senjyu in the television series ULTRAMAN NEXUS (??????????, Urutoraman Nekusasu, 2004-05), Ultraman Nexus Junis Blue will be rendered in sleek proportion, with dynamic articulation and with a full-array of accessory and effect parts. The Ultra Act figure will be available in August 2013. The set includes effect parts for Storm Sword, Over Arrow Ray-Storm, and Cross-Ray Storm. Interchangeable core parts (red) and two sets of left/right hand parts are also included. Ultra-Act Ultraman Nexus Junis Blue/ ULTRA-ACT ?????????? ???????? Product Size: Height Approximately 160mm Material: ABS, PVC Shipping: August 2013 Distributed by: Tamashii Web Shop (Japan),

    Photos courtesy of X-Plus. Godzilla 2004 TM&© 2004,2013 TOHO CO.,LTD. © PLEX 2013. Gamera © 1995 Kadokawa Pictures. Ultraman Ace, King Maimai, Ultraman Dyna, Birdon and Zetton © Tsuburaya Productions

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd. Special Thanks to Sachiko Ikenouchi A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE The Japanese toy company X-Plus Co., Ltd. presents a preview of their Toho, Kadokawa/Daiei and Tsuburaya Pro giant monster figures scheduled for release in late May 2013. X-Plus`s monster figures can be purchased directly from the company`s official Shounen Ric website. Shounen Ric offers Limited Editions of the figures with exclusive features or bonus pieces not available from other retailers. The standard figures are also sold by stores and online retailers including amazon.com, amazon.co.jp and SFJ`s sponsors Anime Jungle and Toy Freakz. Toho 30cm Series: Godzilla 2004 /??30cm????????(2004??)? Product Size: Height Approximately 29cm Material: PVC (Vinyl) Specifications: Painted; Some Assembly Required Package: Blind Box Shipping: Late May - Early June, 2013 Sales Agency: Plex Co.,Ltd. Distributed by: X Plus Co.,Ltd. Shounen Ric Limited Edition Includes: Original Gotengo (Length

    Photo courtesy of Monsterpalooza. © 1966 Tsuburaya Productions, Co., Ltd.

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Stars of Original Series Coming to Burbank, CA Source: Eliot Brodsky, Monsterpalooza Official Site: monsterpalooza.com/april2013 Special Thanks to Jim Cirronella Created by Tsuburaya Productions, ULTRAMAN (???????????????, Urutoraman: Kuso Tokusatsu Shirizu, 1966) was a ratings phenomenon in Japan that launched an ongoing franchise of television shows, movies, videos and merchandising. The series also aired in America, with the 39 episodes broadcast in syndication from the late 1960s to the early 1980s. Now the stars of the original series are coming to California. Actors Susumu Kurobe (Hayata), Bin Furuya (Ultraman) and Hiroko Sakurai (Fuji) will be guests at the convention Monsterpalooza 2013 in Burbank, CA, meeting fans, signing autographs and taking part in a Q&A panel the weekend of April 12th -14th. "Two years ago Monsterpalooza brought in special guest Haruo Nakajima [the original Godzilla suit actor]," Monsterpalooza organizer Eliot Brodsky told SciFi Japan. "Being

    SciFi Japan now has photos of the painted Large Monsters Series: Giant Alien Zarab figure. Photo courtesy of X-Plus. © Tsuburaya Productions

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd. Special Thanks to Sachiko Ikenouchi A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Earlier this week, SciFi Japan posted information and photos of the giant monster figures scheduled for release by X-Plus Co., Ltd. in late April 2013. X-Plus was still waiting for final approvals for one of the figures -- the Giant Alien Zarab from the original ULTRAMAN (??????, Urutoraman, 1966) television series -- so SFJ ran photos of the unpainted prototype. Tsuburaya Productions has now approved the Giant Alien Zarab, so X-Plus has provided photos of the fully painted figure. Enjoy! Large Monsters Series: Giant Alien Zarab Product Size: Height Approximately 30cm Material: PVC (Vinyl) Specifications: Painted Package: Blind Box Shipping: Late April - Early May, 2013 Shounen Ric Limited Edition Includes: Translation Machine Price: ¥16,590 (Tax Included)

    GMK Godzilla was among the daikaiju models and toys available at Wonder Festival. Photo by Ed Godziszewski. © 2001 Toho Co., Ltd.

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Godzilla, Ultraman, Gamera and More Return for Tokyo Hobby Festival Author: Ed Godziszewski Official Site: wf.kaiyodo.net Translation Assist: Elliot Gay When the winter chill reaches its peak, it`s a sure sign that it`s time for Winter Wonder Festival. Taking place on Sunday, February 10 at the Makuhari Messe, a few stops down the Keio Line from Tokyo Disneyland, Wonder Festival is not unlike a theme park itself with its endless parade of costumed characters, merchandise for sale, incessant product promotion, and huge crowds. The only thing missing are the rides. Having attended Wonder Festival for several years in a row, I have to confess to be coming a bit fatigued by the experience with the unrelenting crush of people and merchandise. It`s still always fun to attend, especially if you can find that special item that you didn`t know existed and can`t live without. With the excessively

    Toho 30cm Series: Godzilla 1984. Photo courtesy of X-Plus. TM&© 1984,2013 TOHO CO.,LTD. © PLEX 2013

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd. Special Thanks to Sachiko Ikenouchi A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE The Japanese toy company X-Plus Co., Ltd. presents a preview of their Toho, Kadokawa/Daiei and Tsuburaya Pro giant monster figures scheduled for release in late April 2013. X-Plus`s monster figures can be purchased directly from the company`s official Shounen Ric website. Shounen Ric offers Limited Editions of the figures with exclusive features or bonus pieces not available from other retailers. The standard figures are also sold by stores and online retailers including amazon.com, amazon.co.jp and SFJ`s sponsors Anime Jungle and Toy Freakz. Toho 30cm Series: Godzilla 1984 Product Size: Height Approximately 29cm Material: PVC (Vinyl) Specifications: Painted; Some Assembly Required Package: Blind Box Shipping: Late April - Early May, 2013 Sales Agency: Plex Co.,Ltd. Distributed by: X Plus Co.,Ltd. Shounen Ric Limited Edition Includes: Shockiras Figure (Length Approximately 18cm)

    Toho Large Monster Series: Mechagodzilla (1975 Version). Photo courtesy of X-Plus. TM&© 1975,2013 TOHO CO.,LTD. © PLEX 2013

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd. Special Thanks to Sachiko Ikenouchi A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE The Japanese toy company X-Plus Co., Ltd. is now providing SciFi Japan with information and photos for their upcoming giant monster products. We kick things off with a preview of Toho and Tsuburaya Pro figures scheduled for release in late March 2013. X-Plus`s monster figures can be purchased directly from the company`s official Shounen Ric website. They are also sold by retailers including amazon.com,amazon.co.jp and SFJ`s sponsors Anime Jungle and Toy Freakz. Toho Large Monster Series: Mechagodzilla (1975 Version) Shounen Ric Limited Edition Product size: Height Approximately 26.5cm Includes: Electronic Brain Head Material: PVC (Vinyl) Specifications: Painted; Some Assembly Required Package: Window Box Price: ¥11,970 (Tax Included) Shipping: Late March - Early April, 2013 Sales Agency: Plex Co.,Ltd. Distributed by: X Plus Co.,Ltd. The March entry in X-Plus` Toho

    ULTRAMAN`s Alien Baltan, director Toshihiro Iijima and actress Hiroko Sakurai met fans yesterday in Machida City. Photo courtesy of Daisuke Ishizuka. © Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd.

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Actress Hiroko Sakurai and Alien Baltan Also Meet with Fans in Machida Author: Daisuke Ishizuka Official Site: machidamachinaka.blog (Japan) Mr. Toshihiro Iijima is well known among fans as a director of ULTRA Q (????Q, Urutora Kyuu, 1966), ULTRAMAN (???????????????, Urutoraman: Kuso Tokusatsu Shirizu, 1966), ULTRA SEVEN (???????, Urutora Sebun, 1967) and other Tsuburaya Procuctions’ tokusatsu TV series and movies. He also created dramas as well as tokusatsu films. In 2011, he directed the movie HOMECOMING (???????, Hoomukamingu), which was filmed in Machida City, Tokyo. On January 20th, 2013 Mr. Iijima was invited as guest of honor for an autograph session at Poppo-Machida in Machida City. The cast of HOMECOMING included such familiar faces as Mr. Susumu Kurobe who played Hayata in ULTRAMAN, Mr. Koji Moritsugu who played Dan Moroboshi in ULTRA SEVEN and Ms. Hiroko Sakurai who played Yuriko Edogawa in ULTRA Q

    The original Ultraman. Photo courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. ©1966 Tsuburaya Productions, Co., Ltd.

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Games Based on the Japanese Pop Culture Icon Coming Soon to Mobile Platforms Source: Animoca, Fluid PR press release Official Site: animoca.com Special Thanks to Matt McAllister Animoca, the mobile gaming developer and publisher behind hit apps such as Pretty Pet Salon, Pet Cafe, Top Models and many others, announced that it has secured the worldwide rights to develop and publish mobile games for Mr Bean, the hit British comedy television series, and Ultraman, the Japanese superhero and pop culture icon. The license to produce mobile games based on Ultraman was granted to Animoca by Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd., a Japanese special effects studio. As the title character of the Japanese Tokusatsu television series that first aired in 1966, Ultraman is a super-powered humanoid from outer space who fights to protect the Earth from sinister aliens and rampaging monsters. Ultraman became a major Japanese pop culture

    Photo by Andrew Nguyen. © Toho Co., Ltd.

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Author: Andrew Nguyen Official Site: qpopshop.com From September 15th through October 14th, the Q Pop shop in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles hosted "Tokusatsu: Japanese Science Fiction Art Show", an art gallery exhibition dealing with Japanese special effects. With more than 100 artists from all over the world participating, the presentations covered the whole gamut of tokusatu, including such favorites as Godzilla, Gamera and Ultraman. For the opening day, the store had a small party that included live music mainly of songs from kaiju movies and television shows as well as a kaiju costume contest, a photo booth and a merchandise booth set up by the Japanese collector`s shop, Anime Jungle. Arriving early in Little Tokyo for the opening reception (scheduled for 7:00pm), I waited outside Q Pop along with several other people who also wrote for blogs and websites dealing with the tokusatsu

    Monster Maker 28`s 30cm Godzilla 1964 prototype, just one of the incredible models and toys on display at this year`s Summer Wonder Festival. Photo by Ed Godziszewski. © 1964 Toho Co., Ltd.

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Tokyo Hobby Festival Features Godzilla, Ultraman, Gamera, Space Battleship Yamato 2199 and More Author: Ed Godziszewski Official Site: wf.kaiyodo.net Special Thanks to Yoichi Kakuma and Tetsu Shiota, Anime Jungle Wonder Festival is a semi-annual orgy of models kits, toys, product announcements, promotional events, and cosplay spearheaded by the good folks at Kaiyodo. My business schedule regularly affords me the opportunity to attend in winter, but ordinarily I do not have meetings scheduled during summer time. That’s not such a bad thing since July and August in Japan typically feature brutal heat and humidity. So when I was suddenly called to Japan for meetings at the end of July this year, I wasn’t exactly thrilled, but the silver lining was that my trip coincided perfectly with summer Wonder Festival. Although I had a business appointment that would require me to leave by noon, I

    Actress Yuriko Hishimi (Anne Yuri in ULTRA SEVEN) takes a tour of the exhibits at ULTRAMAN FESTIVAL 2012. Photo courtesy of Daisuke Ishizuka. © Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd.

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Tokyo Expo Ends September 2nd Author: Daisuke Ishizuka Official Site: ulfes.com/2012 (Japan) The annual event ULTRAMAN FESTIVAL (?????????????) continues at the Sunshine City complex in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. 2012 is the 45th anniversary of ULTRA SEVEN (???????, Urutorasebun, 1967), and special guests relate to ULTRA SEVEN were invited to celebrate the character`s anniversary. Ms. Yuriko Hishimi, who played Anne Yuri, and Mr. Kazuho Mitsuta, who was a director for many of Tsuburaya Productions` tokusatsu television series, gathered on the stage of ULTRAMAN FESTIVAL on August 17th. They had talk and autograph session in the afternoon. That night as special premium event was held in which Ms. Hishimi and Mr. Mitsuta walked with fans among the ULTRA SEVEN displays, sharing stories about the show. During the tour, the group was joined by Alien Pegassa. The alien first appeared in ULTRA SEVEN Episode 6: THE DARK

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