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
Photo courtesy of MVD Entertainment. © Shinpei Hayashiya
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
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
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 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. Please note that 57% of all North American Theaters are currently open. Comscore – Sunday Estimates – North American Weekend Box Office Roundup – May 2,, 2021 A re-cap of this weekend’s notable performers as reported by their respective distributors ■ North American Openers: Opening in 1751 locations, Open Road/Briarcliff’s SEPARATION took in an estimated weekend gross of $1,831,000 and a PTA of $1,046. Universal’s repertory
Photo courtesy of Bay Area Film Events. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.
Movie theaters are back and so is Bay Area Film Events! Source: Bay Area Film Events press release Official Site: bayareafilmevents.com/godzillafest Photo courtesy of Bay Area Film Events. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. Join Bay Area Film Events for the reopening of the Balboa Theater in San Francisco on the weekend of May 14-16 as we present 10 different movies featuring Godzilla, his friends and foes.We will also be celebrating the 60th anniversary of MOTHRA and the 50th anniversary of GODZILLA VS HEDORAH (THE SMOG MONSTER).Vendors, Prizes and more!Individual movie tickets will be sold to control seating for Covid restrictions. Theater will be sanitized between films.TITANIC MEGA KAIJU LINE UP! Friday May 14: Theater 1 (The Big Theater)3pm: GODZILLA (1954) (96 min)7pm: MOTHRA (1961) (101 min) Theater 24pm: GODZILLA VS HEDORAH (Godzilla vs The Smog Monster) (1971) (85 min)8pm: GODZILLA VS GIGAN
The Japanese release of GODZILLA VS. KONG has been delayed. Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. ©2021 WARNER BROTHERS ENTERTAINMENT INC. LEGENDARY PICTURES PRODUCTIONS LLC. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. MONSTERVERSE TM & © Legendary
The Japanese release of GODZILLA VS. KONG has been delayed. Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. ©2021 WARNER BROTHERS ENTERTAINMENT INC. LEGENDARY PICTURES PRODUCTIONS LLC. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. MONSTERVERSE TM & © Legendary Source: Toho Co., Ltd.press release Official Movie Site: GodzillavsKong.com (US), godzilla-movie.jp (Japan) Official Facebook: @GodzillaVsKong Official Instagram: @GodzillaVsKong Official Twitter: @GodzillaVsKong Toho Co., Ltd. has announced that they are postponing the Japanese theatrical release of Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ worldwide box office smash GODZILLA VS. KONG (ゴジラvsコング, Gojira vs Kongu). Scheduled to open in Japan on Friday, May 14th, the film has been delayed indefinitely due to the Covid-19 pandemic. On Friday, April 23rd, Japan's Cabinet Office declared a state of emergency due to a "fourth wave" surge of infections. Toho responded by closing nearly two dozen cinemas across Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo Prefecture. The theaters are tentatively
Photo courtesy of MVD Entertainment. ©LosGatos Works
Source: SRS Cinema LLC, Official Site: sagirinokuni.com (Japan) Special Thanks to Clint Weiler Photo courtesy of MVD Entertainment. ©LosGatos Works This July, SRS Cinema and distributor MVD Entertainment present the independent daikaiju film HOWL FROM BEYOND THE FOG (狭霧の国 Sagiri no Kuni, 2019) on DVD.The movie was written and directed by Daisuke Sato (GODZILLA MOTHRA KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL OUT ATTACK, GODZILLA: FINAL WARS, GAMERA THE BRAVE, ULTRAMAN MEBIUS & ULTRAMAN BROTHERS) and features work by legendary Toho monster maker Keizō Murase (MOTHRA, KING KONG VS GODZILLA, FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD, GAMERA). Set in Kyushu during the Meiji era, a blind girl, named Takiri, and the blind monster from a nearby lake, named Nebula, fight against greedy developers who threaten to take over her family's land. Using an all puppet human cast and a fantastic monster suit, it offers a new
Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. © KADOKAWA
Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. © KADOKAWA Source: Arrow Video US, MVD Entertainment Group press release Special Thanks to Clint Weiler Arrow Video US and MVD Entertainment are offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win their GAMERA: THE HEISEI TRILOGY Limited Edition Steelbook. The three disc Blu-ray collection includes the acclaimed 1990s trilogy of GAMERA THE GUARDIAN OF THE UNIVERSE (ガメラ 大怪獣空中決戦, Gamera: Daikaijū Kūchū Kessen, 1995), GAMERA 2: ATTACK OF LEGION (ガメラ2 レギオン襲来, Gamera Tsū: Region Shūrai, 1996) and GAMERA 3: REVENGE OF IRIS (ガメラ3 邪神〈イリス〉覚醒, Gamera Surī: Irisu Kakusei, 1999). The GAMERA: THE HEISEI TRILOGY SteelBook includes High Definition (1080p) transfers of all three movies, Japanese and English audio tracks, newly recorded audio commentaries, Japanese and American trailers, image galleries, featurettes and much more. The GAMERA: THE HEISEI TRILOGY SteelBook is now available from Arrow Video US. The suggested retail price
Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. ©2019 THE GREAT WAR OF ARCHIMEDES FILM PARTNERS
Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. ©2019 THE GREAT WAR OF ARCHIMEDES FILM PARTNERS Sinking of the World's Largest Battleship Source: Well Go USA, ddPR press release Special Thanks to Leif Helland Based on the acclaimed 2015 manga series Archimedes no Taisen, THE GREAT WAR OF ARCHIMEDES (アルキメデスの大戦, 2019) debuts on Digital, Blu-ray and DVD June 15 (just in time for Father’s Day) with an all-new English dub from Well Go USA Entertainment. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Takashi Yamazaki (THE ETERNAL ZERO), the film is a fictionalized depiction of the behind-the-scenes struggles of building the Yamato, the largest battleship in the world, during WWII. From renowned producer/distributor Toho (GODZILLA; MY HERO ACADEMIA, YOUR NAME), THE GREAT WAR OF ARCHIMEDES stars Suda Masaki (DROWNING LOVE), Emoto Tasuku (AND YOUR BIRD CAN SING), Hamabe Minami (THE PROMISED NEVERLAND), Shofukutei Tsurube (FAMILY OF STRANGERS), and Kobayashi Katsuya (THE
Photo courtesy of The Asylum. ©2021 Asylum, All Rights Reserved.
Source: The Asylum Special Thanks to Avery Guerra Photo courtesy of The Asylum. ©2021 Asylum, All Rights Reserved. APE VS. MONSTER, The Asylum's homage to GODZILLA VS. KONG, will be released theatrically and on VOD this Friday, April 30th. The studio promises "An epic kaiju showdown in the verin of RAMPAGE and PACIFIC RIM!" SYNOPSIS An ape, lost in space, crash-lands back to Earth. The vessel oozes a sludge that triggers massive growth in both the ape as well as a passing Gila Monster. Once the creatures reach titanic size their paths cross again, leading to a giant brawl in which mankind hangs in the balance.
The Seibuen Amusement Park will soon reopen with a new Godzilla ride attraction. Image courtesy of Seibu Railway Co. © SEIBU Railway Co., LTD. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.
The Seibuen Amusement Park will soon reopen with a new Godzilla ride attraction. Image courtesy of Seibu Railway Co. © SEIBU Railway Co., LTD. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. Source: Seibuen Amusement Park press release SciFi Japan is pleased to share – direct from Seibu Railway Co. -- the press release and large images for the new "Seibuen Amusement Park" that will open next month with new Godzilla and Osamu Tezuka character attractions. Read on for the full details… Seibu Railway Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture, President: Kimio Kitamura) and Seibuen Yuenchi Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture, President: Takumi Fujii) have announced the grand opening of the new Seibuen Amusement Park on Wednesday, May 19, 2021. Photo courtesy of Seibu Railway Co. © SEIBU Railway Co., LTD. First opening in 1950, Seibuen Amusement Park became a popular tourist
Photo courtesy of Toho. © TOHO CO., LTD.
Photo courtesy of Toho. © TOHO CO., LTD. Become Godzilla and Crush Cities Around the World Underfoot in Toho Co., Ltd.’s Latest Thrilling Action Game Source: Toho Co., Ltd. press release Official Site: godzillagames.jp Special Thanks to Jacara Jenkins Today, April 27 (Tue.), TOHO Games, the game label of Toho Co., Ltd., announces the worldwide release of its mobile game "Godzilla Destruction”. Accompanying the game's release is a new promo video introducing some of its key elements. "Godzilla Destruction" is an exciting and easy to play mobile game where players become the King of the Monsters himself and embark on a global rampage. Players control Godzilla and a host of other monsters with the tap of a finger to crush historical buildings in cities across the globe. The destruction begins today with the game's worldwide release. The latest promo video provides insight into
CHIHAYAFURU SEASON 3 Available July 27th Source: Section23 Films press release Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff Home video distributor Section23 Films today announced its July slate of releases which includes Sentai Filmworks’ third season of the CHIHAYAFURU franchise, available on English dubbed Blu-ray July 27th with a Limited Edition Premium Box Set to be released soon. Product details follow, in order of release… KNIGHTS OF SIDONIA Published by: Sentai Filmworks Distributed by: Section23 Films Run Time: 742 min. Street Date: 7/6/2021 Format: BD Language: English, Spanish & Japanese with English Subtitles SRP: $89.98 The alien Gauna may have destroyed Mankind's original home, but aboard the asteroid-based spaceship Sidonia, the human race has found ways to adapt, change and survive in the endless depths of space. Now the former people of Earth can photosynthesize
Source: Sentai press release Sentai announced today that it acquired exclusive rights to SCHOOL LIVE! ~THE MOVIE (がっこうぐらし!, Gakkō Gurashi!, 2019), the live-action adaptation of the popular horror anime School-Live! that captivated audiences with its unique premise and chilling visuals. Sentai will distribute the film in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Nordic countries, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal. On any normal day, high school can be a terrifying place. But in an apocalyptic world overrun by murderous undead, this school is salvation. In it, Yuki and her friends take shelter and do their best to live and to keep their sanity as strong as their friendship. Sentai has also licensed GAKKO*** SCHOOL-LIVE! ANOTHER STORY, a four-episode prequel series to the live-action film that stars Hinako Sakurai as Yukari Sawatari, a character original to the miniseries. SCHOOL LIVE!
Logo for the new series, ULTRAMAN TRIGGER: NEW GENERATION TIGA. Image courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS ©ULTRAMAN TRIGGER PRODUCTION CONSORTIUM・TV TOKYO
Logo for the new series, ULTRAMAN TRIGGER: NEW GENERATION TIGA. Image courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS ©ULTRAMAN TRIGGER PRODUCTION CONSORTIUM・TV TOKYO 25 Years After ULTRAMAN TIGA, the Legend of the Giant of Light is Revived in the World of Reiwa! Source: Tsuburaya Productions Official Site: ani.tv/ultraman_trigger, m-78.jp/trigger (Japan) Official Twitter: twitter.com/ultraman_series ULTRAMAN TRIGGER key art, courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS © ULTRAMAN TRIGGER PRODUCTION CONSORTIUM・TV TOKYO Tsuburaya Productions has provided SciFi Japan with press notes and large high-res images from ULTRAMAN TRIGGER: NEW GENERATION TIGA (ウルトラマントリガー NEW GENERATION TIGA, Urutoraman Torigā Nyū Jenerēshon Tiga), their upcoming television series featuring a new Ultra Hero set in the ULTRAMAN TIGA (ウルトラマンティガ, Urutoramant Tiga, 1996-97) timeline. Introduction Tsuburaya Productions will begin broadcasting their latest TV series ULTRAMAN TRIGGER: NEW GENERATION TIGA on the TV Tokyo Network,
Photo courtesy of Aniplex of America. © Magica Quartet／Aniplex, Madoka Partners, MBS
Photo courtesy of Aniplex of America. © Magica Quartet／Aniplex, Madoka Partners, MBS The renowned Magical Girl series celebrates its 10th anniversary with a special movie trilogy Blu-ray release! Source: Aniplex of America press release Official Site: anime.magireco.com (Japan), 10th.madokamagicausa.com (US) Special Thanks to Aiko Makino Photo courtesy of Aniplex of America. © Magica Quartet／Aniplex, Madoka Partners, MBS Aniplex of America is thrilled to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the popular series PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA with the Blu-ray release of PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA: THE MOVIE TRILOGY on July 20, 2021! This special release includes the two theatrical adaptations of the hit TV series, PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA THE MOVIE PART 1: BEGINNINGS (劇場版 魔法少女まどか☆マギカ 始まりの物語, Gekijōban Mahō Shōjo Madoka Magika Hajimari no Monogatari, 2012) and PART 2: ETERNAL (劇場版 魔法少女まどか☆マギカ 永遠の物語, Gekijōban Mahō Shōjo Madoka Magika Eien no Monogatari, 2012), as well
Source: Comscore Official Movie Site: GodzillavsKong.com Special Thanks to Paul Dergarabedian Comscore has announced the official worldwide weekend box office estimates for the weekend of April 25, 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 – Sunday Estimates – Global Weekend Box Office Roundup – April 25, 2021 A re-cap of this weekend’s notable performers as reported by their respective distributors ■ Notable Global Performers: Warner Bros.’ MORTAL KOMBAT took in an estimated $28.8M from 38 global markets in bringing its worldwide cume to $50.115M. Please note, the film opened this weekend to $22.5M to lead the box
Source: Bandai Co., Ltd. Bandai has released more "Movie Monster Series" soft vinyl figures 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 series debuted in Japan on March 25 with a worldwide release on Netflix scheduled for this June. Movie Monster Series: Godzilla Aquatilis -GODZILLA S.P-/ ムービーモンスターシリーズ ゴジラアクアティリス-ゴジラS.P- Standard Japanese soft vinyl figure of Godzilla Aquatilis from Bandai’s long-running “Movie Monster Series”. Manufacturer: Bandai Item No.: 4549660477013000 Product Size: Length Approximately 34.5cm (13.6 Inches) Material: PVC Release Date: April 17, 2021 (Japan) Price: ¥ 2,200 (Approximately $ 20.22 US) Movie Monster Series: Manda -GODZILLA S.P-/ ムービーモンスターシリーズ マンダ-ゴジラS.P- Standard Japanese soft vinyl figure of Manda from Bandai’s long-running “Movie Monster Series”. Manufacturer: Bandai Item No.: 4549660477051000 Product Size: Length Approximately 33cm (13 Inches) Material:
Source: Sentai press release Sentai announced that it acquired distribution rights to MY LITTLE MONSTER (となりの怪物くん, Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun, 2012), a romcom anime series based on the manga of the same name, for audiences in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Latin America, Spain, Portugal, Turkey plus all Nordic and Scandinavian countries. Standoffish, reclusive Shizuku Mizutani cares far more about earning stellar grades than cultivating friendships. But her opinions on friendship and relationships begin to change when she meets habitual truant Haru Yoshida, who happens to have a rather fearsome reputation. Like Shizuku, Haru’s reputation has made it difficult to make friends. And yet through their budding friendship and stirrings of attraction the unlikely pair learns to understand one another, the world around them, and the tenor of their own emotions. MY
Comics Publisher ABLAZE Reveals New Space Pirate Captain Harlock Variant Covers
Comics Publisher ABLAZE Reveals New Space Pirate Captain Harlock Variant Covers Legendary creator Leiji Matsumoto teams with French artist Jerome Alquié for a new space adventure; 5 variant covers to mark Issue 2’s release on July 7th Source: ABLAZE, MediaLab press release Special Thanks to Erik Jansen Comics publisher ABLAZE gives readers and fans another special sneak peek of its forthcoming series, Space Pirate Captain Harlock, with cover reveals for Issue 2. A total of 5 variant covers have been created for the sophomore release of the new sci-fi series by legendary creator, Leiji Matsumoto, and French artist, Jerome Alquié. Issue 1 launches in print and digitally on June 9th. Each installment of Space Pirate Captain Harlock is published as full-color, 32-page issue with special variant covers by renowned artists from the comics world. The variants for Issue 2 include artistic homages from