SciFi Japan

    Ed Godziszewski and Steve Ryfle have provided DVD audio commentaries and other supplemental features for several Toho science fiction films. Top row: Credits for the 2006 DVDs of GODZILLA from the British Film Institute and MOTHRA VS GODZILLA from Classic Media. Bottom row: BATTLE IN OUTER SPACE from Sony`s new DVD set ICONS OF SCI-FI: TOHO COLLECTION (2009), and the writing/producing credit for Classic Media`s documentary BRINGING GODZILLA DOWN TO SIZE (2008). © 1954, 1959, 1964, 2008 Toho Co., Ltd.

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    Interview by: Richard Pusateri Sharp-eyed fans of Japanese monster and science fiction films may have noticed the decidedly non-Japanese names Ed Godziszewski and Steve Ryfle repeatedly popping up in the credits of Toho DVDs, materials for theatrical screenings and releases, and various Godzilla-themed events over the past few years. Ed Godziszewski has been writing about Japanese FX productions for more than 30 years. Since 1977, he has been the editor and publisher of Japanese Giants, considered— along with Greg Shoemaker`s Japanese Fantasy Film Journal— among the best English language fanzines devoted to Japanese fantasy cinema. Issues of Japanese Giants can be purchased directly from the official website. Ed wrote the cover story (an overview of the Godzilla series) for the very first issue of Fangoria in 1979, and has contributed articles to Japanese Fantasy Film Journal, Retrovision, and G-Fan. G-Fan publisher Daikaiju Enterprises

    DVD cover art for the new Sentai Filmworks and Switchblade Pictures release ZOMBIE HUNTER RIKA. Photo courtesy of Section23 Films. © 2008 GP Museum Soft

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    Source: Section23 Films press release Special Thanks to Chris Oarr Distributor Section23 Films has released two new DVD titles; Switchblade Pictures` live action splatter film ZOMBIE HUNTER RIKA (Saikyo Heiki Joshikousei Rika, 2008) and Sentai Filmworks` anime series collection LEGENDS OF THE DARK KING: A FIST OF THE NORTH STAR STORY (Ten no Hao Hokuto no Ken Rao Gaiden, 2008). ZOMBIE HUNTER RIKA Written and directed by Kenichi Fujiwara, ZOMBIE HUNTER RIKA is the third installment of the "Nihombie" series which includes ATTACK GIRLS’ SWIM TEAM (available now from Switchblade Pictures) and ZOMBIE SELF-DEFENSE FORCE (coming October 13). The action sequences were by cult favorite stuntman, director, and action choreographer Tak Sakaguchi (VERSUS, AZUMI, GODZILLA: FINAL WARS, BE A MAN! SAMURAI SCHOOL). Synopsis: When typical Japanese high school student Rika (Risa Kudo) skips school to visit her grandfather, she fails to take into account the fact

    DVD cover art for HONEY AND CLOVER Box 1. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. ©2009 Chica Umino/Shueisha- Honey and Clover Committee

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    3-Disc Set Features 13 Episodes of the Animated Shojo Series Source: VIZ Media press release Official Site: honeyandclover Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC will release the first Uncut DVD Box Set for the animated Shojo title, HONEY AND CLOVER, on September 22, 2009. The 3-disc set featuring 13 episodes will be rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens and will carry an MSRP of $59.90 U.S. / $85.99 CAN. Based on the popular manga series created by Chica Umino, HONEY AND CLOVER is a romantic comedy about a group of art school students who try to find their way through college. But when an innocent and talented 19-year-old girl enters their lives, things get a lot more complicated as love triangles result. What do you get when you cross creativity with self-discovery and unrequited love? Art school! Yuta Takemoto has no idea

    Slipcase art for NABARI: THE COMPLETE SERIES PART 1. © 2008 Yuhki Kamatani/Square Enix, Nabari Project.

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    Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Special Thanks to Jackie Smith FUNimation has four new DVD collections of popular anime series scheduled for the last two weeks of September... NABARI: THE COMPLETE SERIES PART 1 September 22 SRP $59.98 In the shadows of this modern world, ninjas fight for control of an ancient technique which holds untold strength. This coveted power dwells within apathetic Miharu, a fact the guy really couldn`t care less about - until the clashing rival clans bring their battle to him. Now Miharu struggles to understand the mystery buried in his soul, and must choose a side if he hopes to survive. But when conflict is waged in secret, and lethal ninjas hide in plain sight, friend and foe prove difficult to tell apart. Episodes 1-13 Japanese Audio, English Audio, English Subtitles Episode 2 Commentary Textless Songs Trailers

    The American GODZILLA roars back in November with a new Blu-ray release from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. © 1998 Toho Co., Ltd./TriStar Pictures, Inc.

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    1998 American Remake Coming to Blu-ray High Def in US and UK Source: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Hollywood in Hi-Def Special Thanks to Scott Hettrick On November 10, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment brings their 1998 remake of GODZILLA from TriStar Pictures to Blu-ray Disc for the SRP of $24.95. Co-written and directed by Roland Emmerich (INDEPENDENCE DAY, DAY AFTER TOMORROW, 2012), this big budget take on the Toho Co. film series starred Mathew Broderick (FERRIS BUELLER`S DAY OFF, LECTION, THE PRODUCERS), Jean Reno (THE PROFESSIONAL, THE PINK PANTHER 1 and 2), Hank Azaria (THE SIMPSONS, NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: BATTLE OF THE SMITHSONIAN), Michael Lerner (BARTON FINK, LOVE AND OTHER DISASTERS), Harry Shearer (THIS IS SPINAL TAP, THE SIMPSONS), as well as Maria Pitillo (PROVIDENCE), Kevin Dunn (TRANSFORMERS, SAMANTHA WHO) and Arabella Field (PAPER MAN). The GODZILLA Blu-ray disc includes some new, exclusive

    DVD cover art for the new Sentai Filmworks/Section23 Films release DAPHNE IN THE BRILLIANT BLUE COLLECTION 2. Photo courtesy of Section23 Films. © 2004 NeSKes /

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    New DVDs on Sale Today Source: Section23 Films press release, Zen Pictures, Inc. Special Thanks to Chris Oarr Home video distributor Section23 Films has released their first DVDs since the closing of ADV Films. Going on sale today is the Sentai Filmworks anime DAPHNE IN THE BRILLIANT BLUE COLLECTION 2, plus the live-action Japanese horror double feature SLIT MOUTH WOMAN / ZOMBIE DEAD from Switchblade Pictures. Both titles were originally announced for the same date from ADV. DAPHNE IN THE BRILLIANT BLUE (Hikari to Mizu no Daphne, 2004) is a “fun, funny, and fast-paced piece of nonsense” (DVD Verdict) featuring sexy super-agents and plenty of action. Now, with the second 13 episode collection, fans can follow this madcap thrill ride to the bitter end – and beyond! Synopsis: Maia is having a very bad day. Her life-long dreams to join the elite Ocean Agency wither and

    UK DVD art for CHANBARA BEAUTY. Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 2008

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    Babes, Bikinis, Blades, Guns and Zombies on Region 2 PAL Disc Source: The Associates press release Official Movie Site: Onechanbara: The Movie (Japan) Special Thanks to Farhana Shaikh The 2008 Japanese "babes vs zombies" flick CHANBARA BEAUTY (Onechanbara: The Movie) goes on sale today in the UK from Manga Entertainment. The British publicity firm The Associates has provided a press release, DVD cover art, stills, and video clips from the film. Please note: the video clips do include violence and some brief nudity. From the press release... A bikini clad babe in a cowboy hat, armed with a samurai sword slashing her way through hordes of zombies as she seeks revenge on her patricidal kid sister who`s now playing sidekick to an evil scientist… What`s not to like? Based on the hit Japanese video game series THE ONECHANBARA, the directorial debut feature from

    KAZE NO STIGMA © 2007 Takahiro Yamato, Hanamaru Nanto/ FUJIMI SHOBO, Stigma of the Wind Partners

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    Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Special Thanks to Jackie Smith North American anime distributor FUNimation Entertainment will release no less than eleven DVDs in the first three weeks of September. KAZE NO STIGMA: SEASON 1, VOL. 2 September 1 SRP $59.98 The only person with a chance to melt Kazuma’s chilly exterior is the same red hot firebrand who incinerated his chances of a happy home life. Ayano is the smoldering redhead that issued a royal beat down to her cousin and staked her claim to the Kannagi Clan’s sacred sword. This stubborn flamethrower is a prodigy when it comes to making things explode, but she fights with a reckless abandon that could get her burned. Put her in the same as Kazuma, and there’s bound to be fireworks. Trouble looms on the horizon, and a pairing of Wind and Fire is Tokyo’s best bet to

    Former ADV titles will now be distributed by Section23 Films. © 2009 SXION 23, LLC.

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    Company Transfers Assets, Shuts Down Source: ADV Films press release Special Thanks to Chris Oarr Anime distributor A.D. Vision, Inc. (ADV Films) has closed following the transfer of its licenses and properties to a number of companies based in its hometown of Houston, Texas. Founded in 1992, ADV developed an extensive catalog of popular anime titles such as NEON GENESIS EVANGELION, RAHXEPHON, CHRONO CRUSADE, ROBOTECH, DNANGEL, FULL METAL PANIC, ELFEN LIED, HELLO KITTY, AZUMANGA DAIOH, and GANTZ; live-action science fiction programs including FARSCAPE, ANDROMEDA, and MUTANT X; plus a number of feature films like the 1990s Gamera trilogy and the classic Godzilla movie DESTROY ALL MONSTERS. The company launched the cable channel and VOD service Anime Network in 2002. ADV also published the US edition of the Japanese animation magazine Newtype from 2002-2008. In 2005, ADV Films was named “Best Anime Company” at the SPJA award ceremony

    Slipcase cover art for the NANA Uncut DVD Box Set. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. Based on the comic NANA by Ai Yazawa originally serialized in Cookie published by Shueisha Inc. © Yazawa Manga Seisakusho / Shueisha © NTV / VAP / Shueisha / Madhouse

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    Animated Romantic Rock and Roll Melodrama Goes on Sale September 8th Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: nana.viz.com Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC will release the Uncut DVD Box Set for the animated romantic rock and roll melodrama, NANA, on September 8th. The 3-disc set featuring 12 episodes will be rated ‘M’ for Mature Audiences and carry an MSRP of $59.90 U.S. / $85.99 CAN. The first box set will also include an exclusive NANA guitar pick. The NANA anime is based on the popular manga by Ai Yazawa, which has sold over 43 million copies in Japan and is published in North America by VIZ Media under its SHOJO BEAT imprint. NANA follows the adventures of two girls both named Nana. While they share the same name, they couldn`t be more different. Nana "Hachi" Komatsu follows her

    UK DVD art for DORORO. Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 2007

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    Japanese Theatrical Smash to be Released in Britain September 7th Source: The Associates press release Official Movie Site: Dororo (Japan) Special Thanks to Louise Rivers Based on the enduring 1960s manga series by the legendary Osamu Tezuka (creator of ASTRO BOY) and its subsequent anime television series adaptation, DORORO finally gets a big-budget, big-screen treatment as a live-action feature starring Japanese singing and acting superstar Kou Shibasaki (MEMORIES OF MATSUKO; ONE MISSED CALL; BATTLE ROYALE; SINKING OF JAPAN) in the title role. Directed by Akihiko Shiota (CANARY; HARMFUL INSECT), co-starring Satoshi Tsumabuki (THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT), Eita (MEMORIES OF MATSUKO) and Anna Tsuchiya (SAKURAN; KAMIKAZE GIRLS), and featuring action choreography by Hong Kong action maestro Siu-Tung Ching (CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER; HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS; HERO), this epic, supernatural fantasy proved to be a major box office smash in

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    Source: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Special Thanks to Kai Saari Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has provided a half dozen clips from their new DVD release ICONS OF SCI-FI: TOHO COLLECTION. About Toho Headquartered in Tokyo, Toho Company Ltd. is an independent film studio as well as one of Japan’s biggest entertainment conglomerates. The company is best known for producing many kaiju (monster) and tokusatsu (special effects) movies, as well as acclaimed films by Akira Kurosawa. The studio’s most famous international export is GODZILLA (1954), a film that created a worldwide sensation and is known as “King of the Monsters”. Toho has also been involved in the production of numerous anime titles and other films, and is currently the biggest motion picture distributor in Japan. Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah,

    The Japanese and US versions of the classic Toho films THE H-MAN, BATTLE IN OUTER SPACE, and MOTHRA have been restored for Sony`s new DVD set ICONS OF SCI-FI: TOHO COLLECTION. © 1958, 1959, 1961 Toho Co., Ltd.

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    An Interview with the Man Behind Sony Pictures` Restoration of MOTHRA, THE H-MAN, and BATTLE IN OUTER SPACE Author: Steve Ryfle Special Thanks Oki Miyano A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE The ICONS OF SCI FI: TOHO COLLECTION marks the first time that a Japanese genre film—in this case, three films—has been digitally restored for home video release in the United States. Overseeing the process, which lasted more than two years from start to finish, was Michael Friend, the former director of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences film archive, and a highly respected film preservationist, archivist, and historian. Friend, who currently works for Sony Pictures Entertainment in Asset Management and Film Restoration and teaches at UCLA in the Moving Image Archive Studies Program, has been involved with some of the most prestigious film restorations ever undertaken, including Akira Kurosawa’s RASHOMON, a

    DVD cover art for the UK release of BIG MAN JAPAN. © 2007 Yoshimoto Kogyo Co. Ltd.

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    Source: Revolver Entertainment Official Movie Site: dainipponjin.com (Japan), sixshooterfilmseries.com/bigmanjapan (US) Revolver Entertainment will release the 2007 mockumentary BIG MAN JAPAN (Dai Nipponjon) on DVD in the UK on September 21. A middle-aged slacker living in a rundown, graffiti-ridden slum, Daisoto’s (Hitoshi Matsumoto) job involves being shocked by bolts of electricity that transform him into a stocky, stick-wielding giant several stories high who is entrusted with defending Japan from a host of bizarre monsters. But while his predecessors were national heroes, he is a pariah among the citizens he protects, who bitterly complain about the noise and destruction of property he causes. And Daisato has his own problems – an agent insistent on branding him with sponsor advertisements, an Alzheimer-afflicted grandfather who transforms into a giant in dirty underwear, and a family who is embarrassed by his often cowardly exploits. A wickedly deadpan spin on the giant

    Promotional art for the Rankin/Bass- Tsuburaya co-production THE BERMUDA DEPTHS. © 1978 Rankin Bass Productions Inc.

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    Cult Favorite Rankin/Bass-Tsuburaya Co-production Now Available Author: Keith Aiken Source: Warner Archive Collection Special Thanks to Gabriel Vicuna, Garo Setian, and James Ballard What secret lurks 20,000 feet below the waves in the paranormal realm called The Bermuda Triangle? That’s the question a scientist (Burl Ives), his student (Carl Weathers) and a young man (Leigh McCloskey) haunted by nightmarish memories of his Bermuda childhood ask themselves. The answer involves a beauty (Connie Sellecca) who has sold her soul for eternal youth, and a giant sea turtle that leaves death in its wake. Eerie and hypnotic, THE BERMUDA DEPTHS was produced by Arthur Rankin, Jr. and Jules Bass, who meld their imaginative fantasy style with the live-action horror genre. -synopsis courtesy of Warner Bros. The 1978 cult classic THE BERMUDA DEPTHS— one of three movies produced by the American studio Rankin/Bass in association with

    DARKER THAN BLACK V6 © 2007 TBONES, Tensai Okamura / DTB Committee, MBS

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    Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Special Thanks to Jackie Smith North American distributor FUNimation Entertainment unleashes a huge selection of anime titles (and one live-action film) on DVD this month. DARKER THAN BLACK V6 August 11 SRP $29.98 A new and deadly breed of covert agent walks the streets. Known as Contractors, these assassins and spies wield bizarre supernatural powers to carry out the dirty work of others. One among these operatives is more mysterious than the rest – The masked killer BK201, the Black Reaper. The mysteries of his violent past have been revealed, but the future is still in question. Something big is on the horizon for those who dwell in the shadows. As the spotted sun rises over Hell’s Gate, the clock ticks toward imminent destruction. The final battle in the war between humanity and the Contractors has begun. Should the Black Reaper

    Sony Pictures Home Entertainment`s new ICONS OF SCI-FI: TOHO COLLECTION features three classic films directed by Ishiro (often billed as

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    First Look at New 3 Disc DVD Collection of THE H-MAN, BATTLE IN OUTER SPACE, and MOTHRA Author: Keith Aiken Source: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Special Thanks to Kai Saari and Oki Miyano SPOILER WARNING: This article contains screen shots from several movies made half a century ago. On August 18, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will release ICONS OF SCI-FI: TOHO COLLECTION, a three-disc DVD set containing THE H-MAN (1958), BATTLE IN OUTER SPACE (1959), and MOTHRA (1961). These three films were produced during what is known as the "Golden Age of Toho" by the same creative team responsible for GODZILLA (Gojira, 1954); producer Tomoyuki Tanaka, special effects director Eiji Tsuburaya, and director Ishiro Honda. Honda in particular seems to be the focus of this ICONS collection, with Sony`s advertising materials referring to him as "the Father of Japanese Sci-Fi Movies" and "the

    Cover art for the DEATH NOTE: L, change the WorLd DVD. Photo courtesy of VIZ Pictures. © 2008 L Film Partners. © 2008 L Plot Produce

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    Concluding Chapter Of Edgy DEATH NOTE Psychological Crime Drama Available August 18 Source: VIZ Pictures, MediaLab press releases Official Movie Site: Death Note Films: L Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen VIZ Pictures, an affiliate of VIZ Media, LLC that focuses on Japanese live-action film distribution, has announced the DVD release of the feature film DEATH NOTE: L, change the WorLd. The DVD will be distributed by VIZ Media, available on August 18th and will carry a MSRP of $24.92 US/$35.99 Canada. To celebrate this release, VIZ Pictures will have a special DVD Release Event at their brand-new VIZ Cinema in San Francisco on Tuesday, August 25th. The admission price includes a L movie screening (in Japanese with English Subtitles) and an exclusive L gift-box with the newly released DVD, a limited edition poster, and more. Visit vizcinema.com for ticket info and more details.

    Logo for the ASTRO BOY animated series. © 2004 Tezuka Productions Co., Ltd., Sony Pictures Entertainment (Japan) Inc. and Dentsu Inc.

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    Source: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment press release Official Site: Astro Boy Complete, Astro Boy Vol 1 With Imagi Studio`s CG ASTRO BOY movie scheduled for a October 23rd US theatrical release, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is taking the opportunity to re-issue the 2003-04 ASTRO BOY animated series on DVD. The anime based on the legendary Japanese comic series by Osamu Tezuka, known as the "Japanese Walt Disney", will be available on September 15. ASTRO BOY follows the adventures of a clever and resourceful atomic-powered robot with super strength and jet-rocket feet, who possesses a human-like personality and fights for justice and peace for humans and robots alike. Produced by Tezuka Productions and Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan, the fifty episode ASTRO BOY was inspired by the classic anime series that originally aired in Japan in 1963. The new show celebrated the 40th anniversary of

    The new Japanese daikaiju Geharha attacks Kanazawa Station in GEHARHA: THE DARK AND LONG HAIR MONSTER. © 2009 NHK `Geharha` Project.

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    New TV kaiju movie comes to DVD & Blu-ray Author: James Ballard & Keith Aiken Source: AV Watch Official Site: Geharha (Japan) SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from a new movie. NHK`s TV movie GEHARHA: THE DARK AND LONG HAIR MONSTER (Chouhatsu Daikaiju Gehara) will be released on DVD and Blu-ray in Japan on September 30th and will include English subtitles. Premiering on the NHK program PAPHOOO! (Perform!) this past February 24th, GEHARHA is an affectionate tribute to the classic Toho monster movies of the 1950s and 60s that liberally mixes comedy and daikaiju action. A fishing boat is attacked at sea by a gigantic, hairy monster. After examining the sole survivor (Kanji Tsuda from GAMERA THE BRAVE) of the assault— who has lost all his hair— scientific adviser Dr Murakami (Shiro Sano, GODZILLA 2000) suspects the culprit is

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