Photo courtesy of Marvel. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS Photo courtesy of Marvel. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS  Source: Marvel Entertainment Special Thanks to Anthony Blackwood Marvel has provided a preview of the next issue of their second Ultraman mini series. The Trials of Ultraman #3 will be available from comic shops and other retailers next Wednesday, May 19th. The Trials of Ultraman #3 Writers: Kyle Higgins, Mat Groom Artist: Francesco Manna Cover Artist: Art Adams It turns out that the forces aligned against the USP and Ultraman are far more widespread-and more organized!-than our heroes had ever suspected. If they're going to survive, they'll need a new ally of their own...and the man they're looking at just so happens to be one of the most powerful and influential people in the world. But what's his history with the USP,

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Teaser art courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions and Netflix. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS Source: Tsuburaya Productions, Netflix press releases Netflix is developing a CG-animated ULTRAMAN feature film in partnership with Tsuburaya Productions. The movie will be co-directed by Shannon Tindle (THE CROODS, KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS) and John Aoshima (GRAVITY FALLS, DUCKTALES). This project continues Netflix's relationship with Tsuburaya Productions following the release of the ULTRAMAN (ウルトラマン, Urutoraman, 2019) anime series which is currently in production on its second season. Quote from  Shannon Tindle: “Making this film is a dream come true. What began as an original story inspired by my love for Eiji Tsuburaya’s Ultraman somehow became an actual Ultraman film thanks to the incredible trust of the team at Tsuburaya Productions, and the support of the folks at Netflix Animation. We’ve assembled an all-star team and I can’t wait to share

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Source: Sentai press release Sentai announced today that it acquired the psycho-suspense thriller ALICE IN BORDERLAND (今際の国のアリス, Imawa no Kuni no Arisu, 2014-15) OVA series, based upon the manga series by Haro Aso. Sentai will distribute the three-episode ALICE IN BORDERLAND OVA series to audiences in the United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa as well as Latin America. Be careful what you wish for. Antisocial misfit Ryohei Arisu wanted nothing more than to leave his mundane life behind, but a careless wish on a firework transports him to the post-apocalyptic Borderland, a sinister parallel reality where danger lurks around every corner and survival is not guaranteed. To live to fight another day, Ryohei and other unwilling contestants must win a series of deadly games, each more dangerous than the last — but returning home

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Registration open now for ticketed livestream event running July 3 & 4; All proceeds to benefit Hate Is A Virus Source: SPJA, MediaLab Public Relations press release Official Site: www.anime-expo.org Special Thanks to Erik Jansen Photo courtesy of SPJA. © Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation 2021. All rights reserved. Anime Expo Lite 2021 adds a vivid array of video game and visual novel brands to this year’s two-day, livestream convention, commencing on Saturday, July 3rd and continuing through July 4th. Programming will include exclusive game related panels and special online content presented by Sekai Project and WayForward with additional participants to be announced shortly. Tickets to access this year’s Anime Expo Lite programming are $5 each, with all proceeds benefiting the Hate is a Virus commUNITY Action Fund. After the stream ends on July 4th, ticketholders will be able to

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Photo courtesy of Bluefin. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS ©ULTRAMAN Z PRODUCTION CONSORTIUM・TV TOKYO Photo courtesy of Bluefin. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS ©ULTRAMAN Z PRODUCTION CONSORTIUM・TV TOKYO Source: BANDAI NAMCO Collectibles (Bluefin) Tamashii Nations  Official Site: ultra.tamashii.jp (Japan) Official Movie Site: shin-ultraman.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Chuan Lu Bluefin, a subsidiary of Bandai Namco Collectibles, has provided SciFi Japan with product information and photos of their S.H.Figuarts Ultraman Z in his original form. The figure is now available for preorder from online retailers. Photo courtesy of Bluefin. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS ©ULTRAMAN Z PRODUCTION CONSORTIUM・TV TOKYO Photo courtesy of Bluefin. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS ©ULTRAMAN Z PRODUCTION CONSORTIUM・TV TOKYO S.H.Figuarts ULTRAMAN Z ORIGINAL /S.H.フィギュアーツ ウルトラマンゼット オリジナル Ultraman Z, from the series ULTRAMAN Z (ZETT) 『ウルトラマンＺ(ゼット), Urutoraman Z (Zetto), 2020』and ULTRAMAN CHRONICLE Z: HEROES' ODYSSEY (ウルトラマン クロニクルZ ヒーローズオデッセイ,

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Photo courtesy of Bandai. TM＆©TOHO CO., LTD. Source: Bandai Co., Ltd. This month, Bandai will release the "Movie Monster Series" soft vinyl figure of Godzilla Amphibia from the Netflix original anime series GODZILLA SINGULAR POINT (ゴジラ S.P ＜シンギュラポイント＞, Gojira S.P < Shingyura Pointo >). The show debuted in Japan on March 25 with a worldwide release on Netflix scheduled for this June. Movie Monster Series: Godzilla Amphibia -GODZILLA S.P-/ ムービーモンスターシリーズ　ゴジラアンフィビア-ゴジラS.P- Manufacturer: Bandai Item No.: 4549660477082000 Product Size: Length Approximately 35cm (13.8 Inches) Material: PVC Release Date: May 15, 2021 (Japan) Price: ¥ 2,200 (Approximately $ 20.20 US) About Bandai Co., Ltd. “Dreams and Creation” Since its founding in 1950, Bandai has been committed to promoting diverse forms of entertainment to customers worldwide. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Bandai creates toys with the hope of encouraging users of all

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Source: Comscore Official Movie Site: GodzillavsKong.com Special Thanks to Paul Dergarabedian Comscore has announced the official international box office estimates for the weekend of May 9, 2021, as compiled by the company’s theatrical measurement services. As the trusted official standard for real-time worldwide box office reporting, Comscore provides the only theater-level reporting in the world. Customers are able to analyze admissions and gross results around the world using Comscore's suite of products. Comscore – Global Sunday Estimates – Weekend Box Office Roundup – May 9, 2021      A re-cap of this weekend’s notable performers as reported by their respective distributors ■ Notable International Openers: Warner Bros.’ THOSE WHO WISH ME DEAD debuted to an estimated $1.3M in 12 overseas territories amid increasing COVID restrictions introduced as late as this week.The film played on roughly 1,700 screens, ranking #1 in 6 opening territories.

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Source: Comscore Official Movie Site: GodzillavsKong.com Special Thanks to Paul Dergarabedian Comscore has announced the official North American box office estimates for the weekend of May 9, 2021, as compiled by the company’s theatrical measurement services. As the trusted official standard for real-time worldwide box office reporting, Comscore provides the only theater-level reporting in the world. Customers are able to analyze admissions and gross results around the world using Comscore's suite of products. Please note that 57% of all North American Theaters are currently open. Comscore – Sunday Estimates – North American Weekend Box Office Roundup – May 9, 2021      A re-cap of this weekend’s notable performers as reported by their respective distributors ■ North American Openers: United Artists Releasing opened WRATH OF MAN starring Jason Statham and takes the number on spot with $8.1M in 2,875 theaters.  The R-rated

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  Source: Seibuen Amusement Park The Seibuen Amusement Park has released a promotional video for their new attraction, “Godzilla the Ride: Giant Monsters Ultimate Battle” (ゴジラ・ザ・ライド大怪獣頂上決戦, Gojira za Raido Daikaijū Chōjō Kessen). For more information on the ride, please see the earlier coverage here on SciFi Japan.

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Akira Toriyama Has Worked Passionately to Create a Dragon Ball Movie Unlike Any Other Source: Toei Animation Co., Ltd. press release Special Thanks to Scott Barretto #DBSuperMovie Photo courtesy of Toei Animation. ©BIRD STUDIO/SHUEISHA, TOEI ANIMATION Fans worldwide received a special surprise this Goku Day, the annual Dragon Ball celebration, when Toei Animation revealed today that a new DRAGON BALL SUPER movie will be released in 2022. The Dragon Ball phenomena began in 1984 when Japan’s well-known manga from Akira Toriyama premiered in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump – becoming a top ranked title throughout its 10 and a half years of publication. Since then, the manga’s popularity has continued to grow with an astonishing record of 260 million copies sold worldwide and counting. And with Dragon Ball’s ever-increasing popularity, it has expanded beyond manga to include TV animation, movies, games and merchandising. Now 37 years

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The Best Asian Horror Films vs Their Western Remakes Hollywood has tried to remake some of the great films over the years for American audiences. Here’s our top Asian horrors and the remakes you should avoid. Naomi Watts in the US remake of THE RING. Photo courtesy of Dreamworks. ©2002 Dreamworks LLC   Being stuck indoors for the foreseeable future has certainly lost its charm. If you’ve tapped out on all your Netflix, and want a break from the best fast payout casinos out there, we’ve got your back. You can click here for fast payout casino or read on for the best movies to treat your eyes to. Some of the all-time best horror movies have been remakes of even better Asian blockbusters. Some you will know, some you may not have seen and some you may

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  Official Site: https://yousayouji2021.pal-ep.com/ (Japan) Special Thanks to Avery Guerra The makers of PLANET PRINCE 2021 (遊星王子2021, Yūsei Oji 2021) have launched the official website for the film and released the first poster and trailer. PLANET PRINCE 2021 is a reboot of the tokusatsu classic PLANET PRINCE (known in America as PRINCE OF SPACE). The film is directed by Minoru Kawasaki, the filmmaker behind special effects comedies such as EVERYTHING SINKS EXCEPT JAPAN, EARTH DEFENSE WIDOW and MONSTER SEAFOOD WARS. © 2021 Planet Prince 2021 Production Committee        

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Source: Arrow Video US, MVD Entertainment Group Special Thanks to Clint Weiler Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. © KADOKAWA Arrow Video US and MVD Entertainment are offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win their new Blu-ray of Daiei's GIANTS AND TOYS (巨人と玩具, Kyojin to Gangu, 1958), a sharp and snappy corporate satire revolving around the ruthless machinations of a group of admen working in the confectionary industry. As a new recruit to the marketing department of World Caramel, fresh-faced graduate Nishi (Hiroshi Kawaguchi) is eager to impress his ambitious and hard-nosed boss Goda (Black Test Car’s Hideo Takamatsu), even if it strains his relationships with his college friend Yokoyama (Koichi Fujiyama) and budding love interest Masami (Michiko Ono), who work at the rival companies of Giant and Apollo. With World’s lead over its competitors slipping badly, the two spot a chance to get back

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Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. © KADOKAWA Source: Arrow Films, MVD Entertainment Special Thanks to Jasper Sharp and Clint Weiler Behind a Mask of Stone, the Fires of Vengeance Burn! Following their incredible GAMERA: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION release last fall, Arrow has announced another deluxe Blu-ray set... THE DAIMAJIN TRILOGY! The box set will be released in the United States and United Kingdom in late July. Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. © KADOKAWA   The Daimajin Trilogy saw Daiei’s Kyoto studios bringing its own iconic movie monster to life in a unique but short-lived series that transplants the Golem legend to Japan’s Warring States period of the late-16th century. In DAIMAJIN (大魔神), directed by Kimiyoshi Yasuda (YOKAI MONSTERS, ZATOICHI ON THE ROAD), the young son and daughter of the benevolent feudal lord Hanabusa flee to the mountains when their parents

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Source: Sentai press release Official Site: https://pripri-anime.jp/ (Japan) © Princess Principal Film Project Sentai announced today that it acquired distribution rights to the PRINCESS PRINCIPAL: CROWN HANDLER (プリンセス・プリンシパル クラウンハンドラー, Purinsesu Purinshiparu Kuraun Handorā, 2021), a new film series based on the hit franchise of the same name. Sentai will distribute the films to audiences in the Unites States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Nordics, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal. Following the attempted assassination of the Queen, manhunts for spies become a frequent occurrence within the Kingdom. In response, Control — the Commonwealth’s covert operations group — begins to suspect the presence of a double agent within the Kingdom’s royal family. In order to reveal the truth, Control dispatches spy ring “Team White Pigeon.” But danger lurks around every corner, and when you don’t know who you can trust, being a

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Photo courtesy of Bluefin. ©2021 SHIN ULTRAMAN PRODUCTION COMMITTEE ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS   Source: BANDAI NAMCO Collectibles (Bluefin) Tamashii Nations  Official Site: ultra.tamashii.jp (Japan) Official Movie Site: shin-ultraman.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Chuan Lu Bluefin, a subsidiary of Bandai Namco Collectibles, has provided SciFi Japan with product information and photos of their DYNACTION Ultraman figure from the upcoming movie SHIN ULTRAMAN ( シン・ウルトラマン) ... Photo courtesy of Bluefin. ©2021 SHIN ULTRAMAN PRODUCTION COMMITTEE ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS Photo courtesy of Bluefin. ©2021 SHIN ULTRAMAN PRODUCTION COMMITTEE ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS DYNACTION Shin Ultraman /DYNACTION シン・ウルトラマン ウルトラマン Illuminating eyes. A lustrous finish. Diecast and POM plastic joints for enhanced posability. And best of all, a titanic 40cm size. The DYNACTION Ultraman (Shin Ultraman) is the ultimate Ultra-figure! Painted to evoke the fierce glow of the character onscreen, it is

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Photo courtesy of The Loot Crate. ©SOTSU・SUNRISE Source: The Loot Company press release Special Thanks to George Roush Mobile Suit Gundam is one of the most popular anime franchises ever created and Loot Crate is honoring this groundbreaking anime with the release of the limited-edition Mobile Suit Gundam Life Crate Series. This collection takes the global Gundam fandom to the next level by delivering officially licensed exclusive lifestyle goods and gear that haven’t been available in this or any other universe! Loot Crate’s focus with this series is to give fans products that allow them to live their passion. This collection is a quarterly 4-crate curation with each crate focusing on a different popular Gundam series that have inspired legions of fans. The second crate in the series is titled “00,” will contain an assortment of epic items from the legendary series, MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM 00,

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Originating with the Dragon Ball manga in late 1984, the Dragon Ball canon runs popular to this very day. While the publication of the manga has been off and on for years, the original appeal has remained remarkably consistent. From the early stages of protagonist Goku’s life to his mastery of angel-level techniques, the Dragon Ball series has been one of the biggest international smashes in anime. Even today, with no animated series running, the property remains strong. So, what is it that made Dragon Ball stand the test of time where so many others blossomed, and then faded into obscurity? The OG The first series in what would become the Dragon Ball saga was much different from what the series would become. Starting out, the manga borrowed heavily from the Chinese classic Journey to the West, with Goku taking the place of the famed monkey king. This

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 Source: MVD Entertainment Group Special Thanks to Clint Weiler   Photo courtesy of MVD Entertainment. © Shinpei Hayashiya   SRS Cinema and distributor MVD Entertainment are offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win the new DVD edition of the independent daikaiju movie GOD RAIGA VS KING OHGA (深海獣雷牙 対 溶岩獣王牙, Shinkaijū Raiga tai Yōganjū Ōga, 2019) from director Shinpei Hayashiya (REIGO; KING OF THE SEA MONSTERS, RAIGA: GOD OF THE MONSTERS). The giant monster Raiga returns, rising in Atami Harbor and attacking the city. A second kaiju, Ohga, soon joins the chaos, and the two monsters clash, destroying large sections of the city. Defense forces launch two new weapons, the giant tank Kamikaze and the drill tank Gokumei, to meet the monster invasion head on. But as the beasts work their way to Tokyo, will they be enough to stop the monsters from

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Source: Comscore Official Movie Site: GodzillavsKong.com Special Thanks to Paul Dergarabedian Comscore has announced the official international box office estimates for the weekend of May 2, 2021, as compiled by the company’s theatrical measurement services. As the trusted official standard for real-time worldwide box office reporting, Comscore provides the only theater-level reporting in the world. Customers are able to analyze admissions and gross results around the world using Comscore's suite of products. Comscore – Global Sunday Estimates – Weekend Box Office Roundup – May 2, 2021      A re-cap of this weekend’s notable performers as reported by their respective distributors ■ Notable International Opener: RUROUNI KENSHIN: THE FINAL generated an estimated ¥404.4m ($3.7m) on 480 screens and ranking #2 behind DETECTIVE CONAN: THE SCARLET BULLET.  The cume to date in the market is now ¥1.6b ($14.5m). ■ Notable International/Global Performers: Now

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