SciFi Japan

    Key art for THE GARDEN OF WORDS. © Makoto Shinkai/ CoMix Wave Films

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: kotonohanoniwa.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams A chance encounter becomes so much more in Sentai Filmworks’ newest acquisition: THE GARDEN OF WORDS (?????, Kotonoha no Niwa, 2013). From acclaimed filmmaker Makoto Shinkai (CHILDREN WHO CHASE LOST VOICES, THE PLACE PROMISED IN OUR EARLY DAYS), comes a new work of life, love and the spaces between. THE GARDEN OF WORDS is directed by Makoto Shinkai and features character designs by Kenichi Tsuchiya with music by KASHIWA Daisuke. When Takao, a young high school student who dreams of becoming a shoe designer, decides to skip school one day in favor of sketching in a rainy garden, he has no idea how much his life will change when he encounters Yukino. Older, but perhaps not much wiser, she seems adrift in the world. Despite the difference in their ages, they strike

    Cover art for Criterion`s upcoming Blu-ray and DVD editions of THE LIFE OF OHARU. Images courtesy of The Criterion Collection. © 1952 Shintoho Co., Ltd.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: The Criterion Collection, Image Entertainment Official Site: criterion.com/the-life-of-oharu On July 9th, Kenji Mizoguchi`s THE LIFE OF OHARU (?????, Saikaku Ichidai Onna) will be released in digitally restored DVD and Blu-ray editions by The Criterion Collection. A peerless chronicler of the soul who specialized in supremely emotional, visually exquisite films about the circumstances of women in Japanese society throughout its history, Kenji Mizoguchi (UGETSU) had already been directing movies for decades when he made THE LIFE OF OHARU in 1952. But this epic portrait of an inexorable fall from grace, starring the incredibly talented Kinuyo Tanaka (THE BALLAD OF NARAYAMA) as an imperial lady-in-waiting who gradually descends to street prostitution, was the movie that gained its director international attention, ushering in a new golden period for him. Cast Oharu: Kinuyo Tanaka Katusnosuke: Toshiro Mifune Kikuoji: Masao Shimizu Tomo, Oharu’s mother: Tsukie Matsura Shinzaemon,

    Artwork not final – mock-up. Photo courtesy of Section23 Films.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    THE GARDEN OF WORDS Available on August 6th Source: Section23 Films press release Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff Home video distributor Section23 Films today announced its August slate of releases; including the newest acquisition from acclaimed filmmaker Makoto Shinkai, THE GARDEN OF WORDS, which will be available on both DVD and Blu-ray. Product details follow, in order of release... THE GARDEN OF WORDS Published by: Sentai Filmworks Distributed by: Section23 Films Run Time: 45 min. Street Date: 8/6/2013 Format: DVD Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles SRP: $24.98 THE GARDEN OF WORDS BLU-RAY Published by: Sentai Filmworks Distributed by: Section23 Films Run Time: 45 min. Street Date: 8/6/2013 Format: Blu-ray Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles SRP: $34.98 When Takao, a young high school student who dreams of becoming a shoe designer, decides to skip school one day in favor of sketching in a

    Lionsgate Home Entertainment will release ROBOTECH: THE SHADOW CHRONICLES and ROBOTECH: LOVE LIVE ALIVE in the ROBOTECH: 2 MOVIE COLLECTION. Image courtesy of Content Media Corporation. © 1985 Tatsunoko Production Co. Ltd. © 1985-2013 Harmony Gold USA. Inc.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Lionsgate, Bender/Helper Impact press release The ROBOTECH saga continues as the celebrated characters that gained world-wide popularity in the original series return in an exciting new adventure debuting as part of the ROBOTECH: 2 MOVIE COLLECTION. Arriving on DVD July 23 from Lionsgate Home Entertainment, under license from A+E Networks Consumer Products, the ROBOTECH: 2 MOVIE COLLECTION DVD set includes the never-before-seen feature LOVE LIVE ALIVE (2013) as well as the timeless ROBOTECH hit THE SHADOW CHRONICLES (2006). The ROBOTECH chronicle continues with the unveiling of the all-new anime adventure LOVE LIVE ALIVE. Taking place during and after the events of ROBOTECH: THE NEW GENERATION (available in ROBOTECH: THE COMPLETE SERIES from Lionsgate Home Entertainment), this thrilling installment in the ROBOTECH saga follows the adventures of Lieutenant Lance "Lancer" Belmont as he recounts his journey from before his first encounter with Scott

    Kei Mizutani stars in WEATHERWOMAN. Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 1995 Tetsu Adachi, Kodansha, Tohokushinsha Film Corp.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Japan`s Most Famous Naughty Comedies Are Back Source: Madman Entertainment Special Thanks to Ben Pollock On May 8th, the Australian label Madman Entertainment will release a 2-DVD set of WEATHERWOMAN (???????, Otenki Oneesan, 1995) -- starring Kei Mizutani (GINGAMAN/POWER RANGERS LOST GALAXY) -- and the sequel WEATHERWOMAN RETURNS (???????R, Otenki Oneesan R, 1996). When an enterprising Weatherwoman fills in for a TV broadcast she signs off by flashing her underwear and a series of saucy and hilarious events follow. The WEATHERWOMAN films have become a cult hit in both Japan and the West. The first movie was a fan favorite on Australia`s SBS TV in the 1990s where it was played often. Release Date: May 8, 2013 Format: DVD (Region 4, PAL) SRP: $14.95 AUD Catalog: EYEB314 Number of Discs: 2 Language: Japanese, English (first film) Subtitles: English Running Time: 180 minutes

    © Tatsuhiko Hikagi, MEDIA FACTORY/ The Severing Crime Edge Production Committee

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Sentai Filmworks press releases Special Thanks to David Williams Sentai Filmworks has announced the acquisition of three brand-new anime series: THE SEVERING CRIME EDGE (????????????, Dansai Bunri no Kuraimu Ejji, 2013), YUYUSHIKI (???, 2013) and SAMURAI BRIDE (???? ????????, Hyakka Ryooran Samurai Buraido, 2013). Experience hair raising thrills, razor-edged suspense and shear insanity in THE SEVERING CRIME EDGE! This 13 episode series is directed by Yuji Yamaguchi (Fate / stay night TV) and features character designs by Katsuzo Hirata (Angel Beats!) with series composition by Tatsuhiko Urahata (Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere), sound direction by Yota Tsuruoka (CLANNAD) and music by Yasuharu Takanashi (Hell Girl). Kiri Haimura loves cutting hair. Actually, he doesn’t just love cutting hair, he obsesses over it and even has a special set of scissors he delights in using. But when his mane obsession for a bit of trim draws

    DVD cover art for GAIKING: THE MOVIE COLLECTION. Image courtesy of Shout! Factory. © Toei Animation.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Three Movies Edited From the Original Series, Plus a Brand-New English Language Track Source: Shout! Factory press release Special Thanks to Tom Chen Back in 2011, SciFi Japan reported that Toei Animation had contracted Winckler-Oya Inc. to produce 23 English dubbed feature films from the studio`s classic anime television series like CAPTAIN HARLOCK (??????????????, Uchuu Kaizoku Kyaputen Haarokku, 1978-79), PLANET ROBOT DANGUARD ACE (???? ?????A(???), Wakusei Robo Dangado Eesu, 1977-78) and FIST OF THE NORTH STAR (????, Hokuto no Ken, 1984-87). The goal of THE TOEI CLASSIC ANIME MOVIE COLLECTION was for Toei to directly offer ready-made English language versions to distributors and mainstream audiences in the United States for television, streaming and home video. Shout! Factory has licensed some of the TOEI CLASSIC ANIME MOVIE titles and announced that their first release will be GAIKING: THE MOVIE COLLECTION, featuring three movies -- imaginatively titled GAIKING

    Key art for FLOWERS OF EVIL. © King Record Co., Ltd. © Shuzo Oshimi ? Kodansha / Akunohara Production Committee

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: akunohana-anime.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams Discover what flowers bloom from the seeds of sin of Sentai Filmworks’ newest acquisition: FLOWERS OF EVIL (???, Aku no Hana, 2013). This 13 episode series is directed by Hiroshi Nagahama (MUSHI-SHI, DETROIT METAL CITY) and features series composition by Aki Itami with character designs by Hidekazu Shimamura, sound direction by Kazuya Tanaka (HIGH SCHOOL OF THE DEAD, MAGICAL SHOPPING ARCADE ABENOBASHI) and music by Hideyuki Fukasawa (INTRIGUE IN THE BAKUMATSU ~ IRONIHOHETO). Darkness lurks everywhere, in every human heart, and sometimes it takes just a second of weakness for it to take root. For Takao Kasuga, that germination begins when his obsession with his beautiful classmate Nanako meets the opportunity to “borrow” her used gym clothes. Unfortunately, his loathsome act of laundry theft is witnessed by Nakamura, the strange girl who

    The homicidal Shinozuke (Mari Hoshino) is dying to know who won Well Go USA`s DEADBALL Blu-ray contest. Photo courtesy of Sushi Typhoon. © 2011 Sushi Typhoon/Nikkatsu

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications Official Movie Site: sushi-typhoon.com/jp/deadball (Japan), sushi-typhoon.com/deadball-movie (US) 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 DEADBALL. The randomly chosen winners are: John Griffith Tom O`Leary Phillip Dishon Jeffrey Richardet Rebecca Greene Congratulations to the winners! Your prizes will ship soon. A follow-up to director Yudai Yamaguchi`s earlier zombie baseball classic BATTLEFIELD BASEBALL (?????, Jigoku Kooshien, 2003), DEADBALL stars Tak Sakaguchi (VERSUS, YAKUZA WEAPON, TOKYO GORE POLICE) as Jubeh Yakyu, a seventeen-year-old juvenile delinquent sent to reform school after killing over 50 people within a week. To escape the school, Jubeh agrees to join the facility’s baseball team in a battle to the death against the sexy “psycho butcher girls” of St. Black Dahlia High School. This

    Key art for DEVIL SURVIVOR 2 THE ANIMATION. © Index Corp./ Devil Survivor 2 the Animation Production Committee

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: ds2a.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams Make a deal with the Devil himself in Sentai Filmworks’ newest acquisition: DEVIL SURVIVOR 2 THE ANIMATION (????????2: The Animation, Debiru Sabaibaa Tsuu: The Animation, 2013). This 13 episode action series based on the hit game is directed by Seiji Kishi (PERSONA 4 THE ANIMATION, ANGEL BEATS!) and features series composition by Makoto Uezu (KAMISAMA DOLLS, QWASER OF STIGMATA) with character designs by Etsushi Sajima, sound direction by Satoki Iida (PERSONA 4 THE ANIMATION, INU X BOKU SS) and music by Kotao Nakagawa (INU X BOKU SS, S-CRY-ed). When the world is under attack by a monstrous and seemingly unstoppable enemy, the only way to fight back is with warriors who have already died! Sidestepping a gruesome fate in a subway crash during an earthquake, two young men and a girl find

    Left: Final front cover art for GUNBUSTER 2 - THE COMPLETE SERIES. Right: Artwork for the reverse side of the cover. Image courtesy of Discotek Media. © 2003 GAINAX/ TOP2 Committee

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Discotek Media Official Site: gainax.co.jp/top2 (Japan) Discotek Media has revised the cover art and title for their upcoming DVD release, GUNBUSTER 2 - THE COMPLETE SERIES (???????2?, Toppu o Nerae Tsuu!, 2004). The 2-Disc set was previously announced as GUNBUSTER 2: DIEBUSTER - THE COMPLETE SERIES. GUNBUSTER 2 - THE COMPLETE SERIES is scheduled to street on May 21st and has a suggested retail price of $29.95. For additional information please see the previous report on SciFi Japan.

    In 1994, Tsuburaya Productions` GRIDMAN was Americanized as SUPERHUMAN SAMURAI SYBER-SQUAD. Photo courtesy of Mill Creek Entertainment. © 1993 Tsuburaya Productions. © 1994 DIC Entertainment, L.P., a Cookie Jar company.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Mill Creek Entertainment Special Thanks to Barrett Evans and Chris Smith The television series SUPERHUMAN SAMURAI SYBER-SQUAD is now available on Region 1 DVD from Mill Creek Entertainment. The Americanized adaptation of Tsuburaya Productions` GRIDMAN (??????????, Denkoo Choojin Guriddoman, 1993-94) was produced by DIC Entertainment (now part of Cookie Jar Entertainment) and aired on TV and in syndication on ABC in 1994-95. SUPERHUMAN SAMURAI SYBER-SQUAD - Volume 1 collects the first 28 episodes of the series on 3 DVDs. A release date for Volume 2 (with Episodes 29-53) has yet to be announced. The following text and images are courtesy of Mill Creek... Let’s Samurize Guys! Time to kick some gigabutt! It’s Time to Samurize! Detect the cyber savors of the world in SUPERHUMAN SAMURAI SYBER-SQUAD Volume 1! Matthew Lawrence (MRS. DOUBTFIRE, THE HOT CHICK) stars as Sam Collins -- a whiz

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Lionsgate, Bender/Helper Impact Official Site: powerrangers.com Special Thanks to Geovani Rocha With POWER RANGERS SAMURAI: THE SIXTH RANGER Volume 4 arriving on DVD and Digital Download on May 14, Lionsgate Home Entertainment has provided a trailer for all of their POWER RANGERS SAMURAI DVD releases. About Saban Brands Formed in 2010 as a subsidiary of Saban Capital Group, Saban Brands (SB) was established to acquire and develop a world-class portfolio of properties and capitalize on the company’s experience, track record and capabilities in growing and monetizing consumer brands. SB applies a strategic transmedia management approach to enhancing and extending its brands in markets worldwide and to consumers of all ages. The company provides full-service management, marketing, promotion and strategic business development for its intellectual properties including comprehensive strategies unique to each brand, trademark and copyright management and enforcement, creative design, retail development,

    PLANZET, the computer animated alien invasion film from NEGADON director Jun Awazu, will be released on Australian Blu-ray and DVD this June. Images courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 2010 Jun Awazu/Media Factory/CoMix Wave Films

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    The Final Plan To Retake Planet Earth Source: Madman Entertainment Special Thanks to Ben Pollock On June 19th, the Australian label Madman Entertainment will release the computer animated sci-fi film PLANZET (??????, Puranzetto, 2010) on DVD and in a Limited Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo. Directed by Jun Awazu (NEGADON: THE MONSTER FROM MARS) and produced by CoMix Wave (CHILDREN WHO CHASE LOST VOICES, 5 CENTIMETERS PER SECOND), PLANZET features an All-Star Japanese voice cast including Mamoru MIYANO (DEATH NOTE) and Junko TAKEUCHI (NARUTO). In 2047, an unknown, alien lifeform descends upon the Earth, destroying all the major cities in one fell swoop. The survivors unite and build a Diffusor to stop the Februus, the invaders the military would later codename the FOS, and a temporary peace is achieved. Jump forward to 2053, the present. A last, desperate counterattack is being mounted against the enemy.

    Siblings Daigo (Takeru Shibuya) and Kiriko Imazato (Hikari Mitsushima) enter a living nightmare in TORMENTED, the horror-thriller from THE GRUDGE director Takashi Shimizu. © The Rabit Horror Film Committee 2011

    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 3D Blu-ray of TORMENTED. The randomly chosen winners are: Cameron Archer Marty Day Carlos Alonso Vince Holden John Stanowski Congratulations to the winners! Your prizes will ship soon. Directed by Takashi Shimizu (JU-ON, THE GRUDGE), and filled with his trademark atmospherics and spine-chilling, brain-bending sequences, TORMENTED (????????3D, Rabito Hora 3D, 2011) ventures into the terrifying corners of the mind where the lines between fact and fiction are blurred in this terrifying tale of a young boy whose family seems to be unraveling around him. The situation gets worse when he manifests a growing and dangerous friendship and reliance on a stuffed toy rabbit that comes to life... TORMENTED is now available

    Key art for HENNEKO - THE HENTAI PRINCE & THE STONY CAT. © 2013 Sou Sagara ? MEDIA FACTORY/ HENNEKO Project

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: henneko.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams When you ask a magical stone cat for help, don’t be surprised if the results are a little rocky in Sentai Filmworks’ newest acquisition: HENNEKO - THE HENTAI PRINCE & THE STONY CAT (???????????, Hentai Ooji to Warawanai Neko., 2013). This 12 episode series is directed by Youhei Suzuki and features character designs by Haruko Izuka (LITTLE BUSTERS!, INU X BOKU SS) with series composition by Michiko Itou (BODACIOUS SPACE PIRATES, SPECIAL A) and sound direction by Jin Aketagawa (KILL ME BABY, CANAAN). Koto is a complete and total pervert, but he doesn’t think that’s a problem. What bothers him is that every time he tries to bluff his way through one of his indiscretions, his inability to drop his façade inevitably digs him in even deeper. Tsukiko also has an issue

    Key art for PHOTO KANO. © ENTERBRAIN, INC. Developed by DINGO Inc./Photo Kano Production Committee

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: tbs.co.jp/photokano/ (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams Is it true that girls like a guy with a really big lens? Find out in Sentai Filmworks’ newest acquisition: PHOTO KANO (?????, Foto Kano, 2013)! This 12 episode series features direction and series composition by Akitoshi Yokoyama with character designs by Mae Shimada, sound direction by Kengo Kawazoe and music by Mina Kubota. During Kazuya Maeda’s first year of high school he felt like a nobody, just another forgotten face shuffling through the crowded hallways. Even his best friend from childhood, Nimi, seemed somehow more difficult to approach, since she had matured a little quicker in the unsettling way that girls have a habit of doing. However, this year, things will be different for Kazuya, and part of that change may just be because of the big new girl magnet hanging

    Toshiro Mifune (SEVEN SAMURAI) stars as the legendary swordsman Musashi Miyamoto in THE SAMURAI TRILOGY. Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © Toho Co., Ltd.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Madman Entertainment Special Thanks to Ben Pollock On May 8th, THE SAMURAI TRILOGY will be released on DVD by the Australian label, Madman Entertainment. Directed by Hiroshi Inagaki and starring the inimitable Toshiro Mifune (SEVEN SAMURAI, YOJIMBO, RASHOMON), THE SAMURAI TRILOGY was one of Japan`s most successful exports of the 1950s, a rousing, emotionally gripping tale of combat and self-discovery. Based on a novel that`s often called Japan`s Gone with the Wind, this sweeping saga fictionalizes the life of the legendary seventeenth-century swordsman (and writer and artist) Musashi Miyamoto, following him on his path from unruly youth to enlightened warrior. With these three films -- 1954`s Oscar-winning MUSASHI MIYAMOTO, 1955`s DUEL AT ICHIJOJI TEMPLE, and 1956`s DUEL AT GANRYU ISLAND -- Inagaki created a passionate epic that`s equal parts tender love story and bloody action. THE SAMURAI TRILOGY includes... · SAMURAI I:

    Johnny Sokko (Mitsunobu Kaneko) uses his wristwatch communicator to announce the winners of Shout! Factory`s JOHNNY SOKKO AND HIS FLYING ROBOT: The Complete Series contest. Photo courtesy of Fox Home Entertainment. © 1967 Toei Co., Ltd.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Who Won the 4-Disc Collector`s Edition from Shout! Factory? Source: Shout! Factory Special Thanks to Tom Chen Our thanks to everyone who entered Shout! Factory and SciFi Japan`s contest for a free DVD of JOHNNY SOKKO AND HIS FLYING ROBOT: The Complete Series. The randomly chosen winners are: Edwin Cordero Terri Schneider Olivier-Felix Dupuis Matt Sanchez Geoffrey Hybel Congratulations to the winners! Your prizes will ship soon. JOHNNY SOKKO AND HIS FLYING ROBOT, the Americanized version of the classic Toei tokusatsu television series GIANT ROBOT (????????, Jaianto Robo, 1967), is now available from retailers. The 4-Disc set includes all 26 episodes of the show; the first time the entire series will be officially available on home video in North America. About Shout! Factory Shout! Factory is a diversified entertainment company devoted to producing, uncovering and

    The acclaimed South Korean animated film THE KING OF PIGS is coming to DVD in the United Kingdom. Image courtesy of Terracotta Distribution. © 2011 King of Pigs Production Committee

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Terracotta Distribution Special Thanks to Claire Marty On May 13th, Terracotta Distribution will release the acclaimed South Korean animated film THE KING OF PIGS (??? ?; RR: Dae gi eui wang, 2011) on DVD in the United Kingdom. THE KING OF PIGS is an ultra-violent Korean animation set in a high-school world in which rich "dogs" rule over the "pigs". The film is directed by Yeun Sang-ho and stars the voices of familiar Korean actors, Yang Ik-june and Kim Kkobbi from the internationally acclaimed BREATHLESS. A festival favorite, this feature animation (aka Manwha) premiered at the 2011 Busan International Film Festival and has since played in various international festivals including the Director’s Fortnight 2012 making it the first animated Korean film to screen at the Festival de Cannes. THE KING OF PIGS was released theatrically in UK on January 2013. After murdering

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