SciFi Japan
    The cast of LAST SAMURAI STANDING. Photo courtesy of Netflix. Source: Netflix press releaseOfficial Site: https://www.netflix.com/lastsamuraistanding The pieces are coming together for LAST SAMURAI STANDING with the announcement of 14 top actors from Japan joining the cast. Set to premiere this November on Netflix, this gripping series promises an intense life-and-death game between samurai warriors, heralding a new era for Japanese dramas. Leading the cast is Junichi Okada (THE ETERNAL ZERO), who not only stars as the protagonist Shujiro Saga but also serves as the action choreographer and first-time producer. Joining him is Riho Yoshioka (FUKUSHIMA 50, FIRST KISS) as Shujiro's wife, Shino, and Yumia Fujisaki (THE GREATEST TEACHER) as Futaba Katsuki, a young girl caught in the desperate battle. Shujiro's sworn allies, Iroha Kinugasa, Shikura Adashino, and Sansuke Gion, are portrayed by Kaya Kiyohara (CHIHAYAFURU PART 3), Taichi Saotome (BLEACH, PROMARE), and Yuya

    TRILLION GAME protagonists Haru Tennoji (Ren Meguro) and Manabu Taira (Hayato Sano) make the jump from television to the big screen in the new movie adaptation of the popular series. Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. Ⓒ2025 TRILLION GAME Film Partners ⒸRiichiro Inagaki, Ryoichi Ikegami/Shogakukan Source: Toho Co., Ltd.Official Site: https://trilliongame-movie.jp/ (Japan)   A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Theatrical poster. Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. Ⓒ2025 TRILLION GAME Film Partners ⒸRiichiro Inagaki, Ryoichi Ikegami/Shogakukan SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details for an upcoming film. Toho Co., Ltd. has provided information and photos from TRILLION GAME THE MOVIE (劇場版『トリリオンゲーム』, Gekijō-ban “Toririon Gēmu”), which opens in Japanese cinemas on February 14th.   INTRODUCTION Market capitalization of the world's largest company = 1 trillion dollars.Earn 1 trillion dollars and get everything in the world. The unbeatable buddy team of the

    Photo courtesy of Bandai. TM & ©TOHO CO., LTD. Source: Bandai Burning Godzilla 30th Anniversary logo. Photo courtesy of Bandai. TM & ©TOHO CO., LTD. In March, Bandai will release the Gabutto ("Gulp") Burning Godzilla as part of their toy line based on the classic game ITAI WANI (イタイワニー). Also known as "Crocodile Doctor/Crocodile Dentist", the original ITAI WANI involved players trying to find and remove the bad tooth from the mouth of a plastic crocodile without being 'bitten'.  The newer version has players push down on the creature's teeth until the toy's mouth chomps down on an unlucky finger, replicating the excitement of the original game play in a compact toy that is easy to hold and carry. Godzilla has already been included in the Gabutto series, but the new release will be the "Burning Godzilla" incarnation from GODZILLA VS. DESTOROYAH (ゴジラVSデストロイア, Gojira VS

    Photo courtesy of Tsuburaya Fields Holdings. ©2022 SHIN ULTRAMAN Production Committee ©Tsuburaya Productions ©OK!! Source: Tsuburaya Fields Holdings Inc. press release Tsuburaya Fields Holdings Inc. has announced that their consolidated subsidiary, Fields Corporation, will be releasing a new pachinko machine, "e SHIN ULTRAMAN" (e シン・ウルトラマン, e Shin Urutoraman), to pachinko halls throughout Japan in April. This game will be the first smart pachinko machine (スマパチ, (Sumapachi) to feature a new "P-Skip" (P-スキップ, P-Sukippu) function that allows players to enjoy quicker play. e SHIN ULTRAMAN is not only for pachinko and pachislot enthusiasts but a wide range of people, including movie and Ultraman series fans. Photo courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. ©2022 SHIN ULTRAMAN Production Committee ©Tsuburaya Productions ■ About SHIN ULTRAMAN SHIN ULTRAMAN (シン・ウルトラマン, Shin Urutoraman) is a recent film adaptation of Japan's iconic sci-fi special effects hero Ultraman, released in 2022, by Hideaki

    The Hotel Gracery Shinjuku's first diorama of 2025 depicts Godzilla and Mothra facing off. Photo courtesy of Fujita Kanko, Inc. TM & © TOHO CO. Hotel Presents Latest Installment of the Popular Giant Godzilla Diorama with Realistic Sounds Source: Fujita Kanko, Inc. press release Official Site: https://gracery.com/shinjuku/ Special Thanks to Honda-san (Shinjuku Washington Hotel) The Hotel Gracery Shinjuku, a landmark of Tokyo, popular with domestic fans as well as foreign visitors to Japan for its Godzilla-themed rooms and the almost life-size Godzilla head (approx. 12m) on its 8th floor terrace, has updated the special Godzilla diorama installed on the building's 8th floor lobby. The Godzilla suit from the movie GMK. Photo courtesy of Fujita Kanko, Inc. TM & © TOHO CO. The diorama debuted in early 2023 with a Godzilla design based on the Heisei "VS" Series of the 1990s. Later that year, it was replaced with

    Source: CCP JAPAN press release Photo courtesy of CCP JAPAN. TM & ©TOHO CO., LTD. CCPJAPAN will exhibit at the “Wonder Festival 2025 [Winter]” event to be held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan on Sunday, February 9, 2025. They will be selling a large selection of products, including figures exclusive to the event. There will also be displays of prototypes and coloring samples of upcoming Godzilla, Gamera, Ultraman, Kinnikuman and Evangelion products that wil be released in the near future. Booth Number: 8-03-02                     Wonder Festival 2025 [Winter] Exclusives Photo courtesy of CCP JAPAN. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS Photo courtesy of CCP JAPAN. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS ■CCP Japan 1/6 Tokusatsu Series Ultraman Leo Water Battle Ver. With LED Light-Up Gimmick

    Photo courtesy of Godzilla The Art Exhibition Public Relations Office. © TOHO CO., LTD. Source: Godzilla The Art Exhibition Public Relations Office press releaseExhibition Official Site: https://godzillatheart.com/exhibitionGODZILLA THE ART Project Official Site: https://godzillatheart.com/Official X: https://twitter.com/godzillatheartInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/godzillatheart   Photo courtesy of Godzilla The Art Exhibition Public Relations Office. © TOHO CO., LTD. From Saturday, April 26, 2025 to Sunday, June 29, 2025, the "Godzilla 70th Anniversary Godzilla The Art Exhibition" (ゴジラ生誕70周年記念 ゴジラ・THE・アート展,  Gojira Seitan 70 Sshūnenkinen Gojira THE Āto-ten) will be held at the Mori Arts Center Gallery (52nd floor, Roppongi Hills Mori Tower) (organized by The Asahi Shimbun Company, PARCO, and Toho). Godzilla celebrated his 70th anniversary in 2024. A global icon since his first theatrical release in 1954, Godzilla has shown the world various, ever-changing expressions over the past 7 decades with a total of 38 films  produced and released, including

    Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. ©2024 Samurai Time Slipper. All Rights Reserved. Source: Third Window Films press release Special Thanks to Adam Torel Third Window Films is pleased to announce the release of the smash hit A SAMURAI IN TIME (侍タイムスリッパー, Samurai Taimu Surippā, 2024). The movie will be available worldwide on Blu-ray and Digital on April 28th.   A SAMURAI IN TIME is a bona fide phenomenon in its native Japan. Junichi Yasuda, whose real job is that of a rice farmer who runs a ramen restaurant, took on the vast majority of crew roles (producing, financing, script, directing, cinematography, lighting, editing, VFX, etc) to make a period film completely independently. Despite having a tiny budget, just 10 crew members and opening on just 1 cinema screen, A SAMURAI IN TIME went on to be such a word-of-mouth success that it ended up

    Scene from THE MAGNIFICENT TRIO. Photo courtesy of Eureka Entertainment and MVD Entertainment. Source: MVD Entertainment press release Special Thanks to Derek Stubinski Photo courtesy of Eureka Entertainment and MVD Entertainment. Eureka Entertainment is proud to announce the release of THE MAGNIFICENT CHANG CHEH, two ‘magnificent’ films from the maestro of martial arts cinema. Available on Blu-ray as part of the Eureka Classics range from 29 April 2025 in North America. Presented in a Limited edition of 2000 copies (per territory) exclusively featuring an O-card slipcase and collector’s booklet.    One of the Shaw Brothers Studio’s most prolific directors, Chang Cheh – or the “Godfather of Hong Kong Cinema” – is the filmmaker behind FIVE DEADLY VENOMS, CHINATOWN KID, and BOXER REBELLION. Collected here are two films by this maestro of martial arts cinema that showcase his considerable talents at both ends of

    Photo courtesy of Crunchyroll. ©Solo Leveling Animation Partners Source: Crunchyroll press release Crunchyroll, the ultimate destination for anime, announced today that global music superstar and GRAMMY-nominated artist J Balvin will voice an important role in English and Spanish in the current season of SOLO LEVELING SEASON 2 -ARISE FROM THE SHADOW-. The entrepreneurial Colombian artist will now add voice acting to his stellar and expansive portfolio as he voices a key character in the acclaimed series, making his debut in anime later this season. The series began airing on January 4, 2025 and is now available to stream only on Crunchyroll. “I’m beyond thrilled to join the cast of Solo Leveling! This series has such a passionate fanbase and getting the chance to be part of the anime world, after being a fan for such a long time, is an absolute honor,” said J Balvin. “I

    Photo courtesy of Bandai Namco Filmworks. ©SOTSU・SUNRISE Source: Bandai Namco FilmworksOfficial Site: https://www.gundam.info/feature/gquuuuuux/ (Japan), https://gkids.com/films/mobile-suit-gundam-gquuuuuux/ (North America)Special Thanks to Mariko Takagi, Maiku Nishimura, Neo Takaoka and Oki Miyano   Bandai Namco Filmworks has provided SciFi Japan with press notes and pics from the highly-anticipated new anime series, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX (機動戦士Gundam GQuuuuuuX, Kidō Senshi Gundam GQuuuuuuX). The show will air on Japanese television later this year, with a US release TBA. On January 17th, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- (機動戦士Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-, Kidō Senshi Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-) -- a feature film comprised of select episodes of the series -- opened in Japanese theaters. GKIDS has acquired North American rights to the movie and will release it in American theaters on February 28th. The following text is courtesy of Bandai Namco Filmworks... Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- movie art. Photo courtesy of Bandai Namco Filmworks.

    Source: Asobism Co., Ltd. press releaseOfficial Castle & Dragon | Godzilla Collaboration Special Site: https://www.asobism.co.jp/social/shirodora/collabo_godzilla/ (Japan)Official X: https://x.com/shirotodoragon Asobism Co. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Tomoyuki Ote)has shared an update for their "Castle & Dragon | Godzilla Collaboration" (『城とドラゴン』|『ゴジラ』コラボ,  Shiro to Doragon|Gojira Korabo), clebrating the 10th anniversary of the Japanese real-time battle strategy game CASTLE & DRAGON (城とドラゴン, Shiro to Doragon), available on the App Store and Google Play. For additional information, please see the earlier report here on SciFi Japan. Running through February 28, 2025, the collaboration includes multiple events plus exclusive Toho monster costumes for large CASTLE & DRAGON characters as well as cute Chibi Kaiju costumes for swordsmen characters. The super rare costumes "Godzilla -1.0 Set" (ゴジラ -1.0セット, Gojira - 1.0 Setto) and "Shin Godzilla Set" (シン・ゴジラセット, Shin Gojira Setto ) will be released for the the game's Legend Dragon. The exclusive costumes "Chibi

    The live-action manga adaptation SUICIDE NOTES LAID ON THE TABLE is now playing in Japan. Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co., Ltd. ©2025 SUICIDE NOTES LAID ON THE TABLE Film Partners ©️ Toutarou Minami / SQUARE ENIX Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: https://movies.shochiku.co.jp/ishokoukai-movie/ (Japan)   Shochiku has provided information and photos for their new film, SUICIDE NOTES LAID ON THE TABLE (遺書、公開。, Isho, Kōkai.), based on the manga of the same name by Toutarou Minami. The movie opened this weekend in Japan.   Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co., Ltd. ©2025 SUICIDE NOTES LAID ON THE TABLE Film Partners ©️ Toutarou Minami / SQUARE ENIX Introduction Rank...1. To arrange things in order. To line up in order. 2. An order arranged according to a set standard. A set order. This hierarchy, as described in the Japanese dictionary, is established in schools,

    The GODZILLA SERIES COMPLETE COLLECTION offers images from the films that can be printed at Japanese convenience stores. Photo courtesy of Samurai Sword. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. ;© SAMURAISWORD Source:  Samurai Sword Co. press releaseOfficial Site: http://myseries-collab.com/godzilla (Japan) As part of their GODZILLA SERIES COMPLETE COLLECTION (ゴジラ シリーズ コンプリートコレクション, Gojira Shirīzu Konpurīto Korekushon), Samurai Sword Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Toshima-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Yoshimasa Hiki) is now selling printable images from the 30 live-action films in the Godzilla series. Each month, carefully selected images from the Godzilla movies will be available through the “My Series IP Collaborations” (マイシリーズ IPコラボレーションズ, Mai Shirīzu IP Koraborēshonzu) convenience store print service in Japan. The images, carefully selected so that customers can enjoy the appeal of all 30 films, are available for printing at Family Mart, Lawson, and other stores nationwide.   The first installment includes images

    Source: Keith Sherman and Associates press releaseOfficial Site: https://sailormoonsuperlive.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sailormoon_thesuperlive/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SailorMoonTheSuperLive YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sailormoonsuperlive Special Thanks to Scott Klein Photo courtesy of Keith Sherman and Associates. ©Naoko Takeuchi・PNP / “Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon” The Super Live Production Committee 2025 Tickets are now on sale for U.S. National Tour of PRETTY GUARDIAN SAILOR MOON: THE SUPER LIVE, the world-wide smash hit 2.5D musical sensation based on the wildly popular Manga (comic book). Produced by Makoto Matsuda (appare) and Kumiko Yoshii (Gorgeous Entertainment), the tour previews on March 12 in Pittsburgh, PA, with an official opening on March 15 in Austin, TX. The tour runs through April 26 in New York City. For the most up-to-date tour roster, and to sign up for the mailing list, please visit www.sailormoonsuperlive.com. This newly staged version of PRETTY GUARDIAN SAILOR MOON: THE SUPER LIVE features an all-female Japanese cast: Riko Tanaka (Sailor

    Photo courtesy of Crunchyroll. ©Hajime Isayama, KODANSHA/ATTACK ON TITAN The Final Season Production Committee In Theaters on February 10 Source: Crunchyroll press release Photo courtesy of Crunchyroll. ©Hajime Isayama, KODANSHA/ATTACK ON TITAN The Final Season Production Committee Crunchyroll has announced that tickets are now on sale for ATTACK ON TITAN: THE LAST ATTACK (劇場版「進撃の巨人」 ~THE LAST ATTACK~, Gekijōban Shingeki no Kyojin ~Za Rasuto Attaku~, 2024), coming to theatres for one-day-only on February 10 in North America. This film brings together the last two episodes of the critically acclaimed anime series – that originally aired in 2023 – into one monumental theatrical experience on the big screen for fans to re-experience the emotional ending and celebrate the series – just as Director Yuichiro Hayashi always imagined.  Debuting in 2013, the ATTACK ON TITAN anime has become both a critical and commercial success worldwide garnering praise

    Photo courtesy of Marvel. © 2025 MARVEL. GODZILLA TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. Iconic X-Men writer Fabian Nicieza and artist Emilio Laiso’s GODZILLA VS. X-MEN, part of the series of six one-shots where Marvel heroes battles Godzilla across different eras, arrives in May Source: Marvel Entertainment press release Special Thanks to Anthony Blackwood Godzilla’s march across the Marvel Universe begins next month! Over six groundbreaking one-shots, the King of Monsters faces off against iconic Marvel super heroes in battles set during different periods of both Godzilla and Marvel Comics history. Following a Silver Age bout with Marvel’s First Family, an Earth-trembling ‘70s slugfest with the strongest there is, and a pulse-pounding encounter with a Black suited wallcrawler, Godzilla catches the attention of mutantkind in GODZILLA VS. X-MEN #1! Arriving in May, GODZILLA VS. X-MEN takes place during the X-Men’s ‘90s heyday and will be written

    Photos courtesy of Photos courtesy of Cinema Novencento. WAR OF THE NINJA MONSTERS: JARON VS. GOURA ©Showa Tokusatsu Monster Film Cooperation Corps. GAMERA 4: TRUTH ©2003 Shinpei Hayashiya Source: Cinema Novencento Co., Ltd. The Japanese indie kaiju movie WAR OF THE NINJA MONSTERS: JARON VS. GOURA (忍獣大戦記 蛇龍(ジャロン)対號羅(ゴウラ), Shinobu Kemono Daisenki Daryū Tai Goura, 2024) has already been released to home video in the United States, but will receive its Japanese theatrical premiere in March with a pair of screenings at Cinema Novecento in Yokohama. Billed as "Japan's smallest movie theater," Cinema Novecento will host special events for the film on Saturday, March 15th and Sunday, March 16th, 2025.   Shinpei Hayashiya. Photo courtesy of Cinema Novencento. WAR OF THE NINJA MONSTERS: JARON VS. GOURA was made by Shinpei Hayashiya, a rakugo storyteller who entertains audiences with his comedic live performances. In addition to his stage work,

    Photo courtesy of CCP JAPAN. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS Photo courtesy of CCP JAPAN. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS Source: CCP JAPAN press release   Tsuburaya Productions' official web store, Ultraman World M78 ONLINE, is now taking pre-orders for the limited edition Ultraman (B Type) figure, part of the 1/6 scale Tokusatsu Series from CCP JAPAN.   ■CCP Japan 1/6 Tokusatsu Series Ultraman (B Type) Spacium Beam Tokyo Night Battle Ver. With LED Light-Up Gimmick (1/6特撮シリーズ ウルトラマン (Bタイプ) スペシウム光線 東京夜間戦闘Ver. LED発光ギミック付き, 1/6 Tokusatsu Shirīzu Urutoraman (Bī Taipu) Supeshiumu Kōsen Tōkyō Yakan Sentō Ver. Reddo Hakkō Gimikku-Tsuki)   Photo courtesy of CCP JAPAN. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS This Ultraman (B Type) figure is inspired by the nighttime battle with Alien Zarab from ULTRAMAN Episode 18: BROTHER FROM ANOTHER PLANET (遊星から来た兄弟, Yūsei Kara Kita Kyōdai). This sequence was recreated in the hit movie SHIN ULTRAMAN

    Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.  Source: Well Go USA, LBHpr  Special Thanks to Leif Helland Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. Martial arts superstar Xie Miao (IP MAN: THE AWAKENING)​ returns as “Cheng Xiazi” and re-teams with writer/director Bingjia Liu for the action-packed sequel to the international box office hit EYE FOR AN EYE: THE BLIND SWORDSMAN, with this entry named EYE FOR AN EYE 2: BLIND VENGEANCE (目中無人2, Mùzhōngwúrén 2, 2024). This second installment kicks off with Cheng running into a young orphan (Yang Enyou) while both are running from the authorities. He reluctantly agrees to shelter her, leading to a series of violent battles featuring some of China’s finest martial arts in years.  EYE FOR AN EYE 2: BLIND VENGEANCE debuts on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital March 4 from Well Go USA Entertainment.  Bonus materials include an all-new English dub.  

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