SciFi Japan

    Director Yoshihiro Nishimura (left) and producer Yoshinori Chiba on the set of Sushi Typhoon`s HELLDRIVER. Photo by Norman England, courtesy of Yoshinori Chiba and Emiko Kawai. © 2010 Sushi Typhoon

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Author: Elliot Gay Official Site: Sushi Typhoon Special Thanks to Marc Walkow and Emiko Kawai A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE During the 2009 American Film Market, Japan’s oldest film studio Nikkatsu Corporation announced their new genre film label the Sushi Typhoon, which would produce and internationally release "extreme movies" by such controversial and acclaimed filmmakers as Takashi Miike (ICHI THE KILLER, AUDITION), Sion Sono (LOVE EXPOSURE), and Yoshihiro Nishimura (TOKYO GORE POLICE, VAMPIRE GIRL VS FRANKENSTEIN GIRL). The first two Sushi Typhoon titles— the action gore comedy film ALIEN VS. NINJA and the splatter action comedy MUTANT GIRLS SQUAD— have already played the film festival circuit in the United States and Canada and are now slated for release on North American DVD and Blu-ray by FUNimation Entertainment in early 2011. Sushi Typhoon was conceived by 44-year-old producer Yoshinori Chiba, a longtime behind-the-scenes creative

    The first promotional art released for SECTOR 7, the new 3D Korean monster movie scheduled for 2011. Photo courtesy of CJ Entertainment. © 2010 JK Film / CJ Entertainment

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Latest News on Upcoming 3D Korean Monster Movie Author: Kim Song-ho Source: CJ Entertainment The Korean 3D creature film SECTOR 7 (7??, Chil gwanggu) is now in the post-production stage. The movie, which began production on June 16 and wrapped on September 29, is about a group of workers on an oil prospecting platform (called the `Eclipse`) being terrorized by a hostile undersea creature. It is one of the most anticipated genre pictures in Korea since it was one of the first domestic 3D films announced by a major production company and features a list of prominent cast and crew members. SECTOR 7 is produced by Youn Je-kyun, who directed the disaster hit HAEUNDAE (released in the US as TIDAL WAVE) through Youn`s company JK Film and CJ Entertainment. HAEUNDAE attracted more than 11 million moviegoers during its domestic theatrical run, making it

    Godzilla gives readers an evil Halloween stare! Photo courtesy of Bob Johnson ©2010 Toho Co., ltd.

    Tokusatsu - FX

    SFJ Staff Choose Their Favorite Japanese Films for Halloween! Author: Bob Johnson Newspapers, television, radio, internet blogs, magazines and more. When Halloween rolls around everyone starts talking about the best horror films to watch for any Halloween celebration. Most of the usual suspects are mentioned, from Universal classic monster films to NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, THE EXORCIST or any number of slasher/gore films. However, here at SciFi Japan, we realize there are more choices to make and some you may not have thought about. So if you love Japanese cinema (and we assume you do if you are visiting this site), then here are some staff picks for Halloween. Treats from the East to liven up any Halloween feast! JU-ON (The Grudge) by Bob Johnson For a spooky Halloween I would suggest checking out one of the creepiest films to come

    Cover art for Ray Harryhausen - Master of the Majicks Volume 3: The British Films. Photo courtesy of Ernest Farino. © 2010 Archive Editions LLC.

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Amazing New Book Coming in November Source: Ernest Farino, Archive Editions LLC View the Trailer Ray Harryhausen - Master of the Majicks Vol. 3 - The British Films by Mike Hankin Foreword by Caroline Munro (star of THE GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD) Preface by Guillermo del Toro (director of HELLBOY and PAN`S LABYRINTH) Written and produced over the past 10 years with Ray Harryhausen`s cooperation and support, the complete 3-volume definitive 295,000-word career/biography features interviews with Ray and his colleagues and is profusely illustrated with several hundred rare photographs, artwork, and illustrations (many of which have never been previously published). Majicks Volume 3 covers THE THREE WORLDS OF GULLIVER, MYSTERIOUS ISLAND, JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS, FIRST MEN ’IN’ THE MOON, ONE MILLION YEARS BC, THE VALLEY OF GWANGI, THE GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD, SINBAD AND THE EYE OF THE TIGER, and CLASH OF THE TITANS. This

    Promotional art for THE LAST MESSAGE - UMIZARU, the Japanese blockbuster now playing both 2D and 3D versions. Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. © 2010 Fuji Television Network, ROBOT, Pony Canyon, Toho, Shogakukan, Team Agent FNS27 Inc.

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Toho Sails to the Top of the Box Office with a New 3D Chapter in Their Spectacular UMIZARU Series Author: Kevin Grays Official Movie Site: umizaru.jp Following the overwhelming international success of James Cameron`s AVATAR (2009), the Japanese film industry has made a bold move into the waters of 3D with its own challengers. Among the top 10 films in Japan in 2010 as of August, the leading four were grand scale 3D American productions with AVATAR winning the war of these foreign invaders. Domestic box office receipts in the first six months of this year, according to The Motion Pictures Producers Association of Japan, improved by over 1.5%. Theaters in Japan saw such a positive turnaround in the increase of audience numbers— despite the greater price in tickets for these films— that the new 3D movie technology made headline news across the

    The 3-D movie KAMEN RIDER DOUBLE FOREVER: A TO Z - THE GAIA MEMORIES OF FATE was a box office hit in Japan last month. © 2010 W - Goseiger Production Consortium

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Author: Kevin Grays Official Movie Site: w-gosei.com The second big screen motion picture film adaption of the popular KAMEN RIDER DOUBLE (Kamen Raidaa Daburu, 2009) TV series was released in Japanese theaters on August 7, 2010. Following the earlier triple feature crossover KAMEN RIDER DOUBLE & DECADE: MOVIE WAR 2010 (Kamen Raidaa × Kamen Raidaa: Daburu ando Dikeido Mubi Taisen Nisenjuu)— all released together back on December 12, 2009— Toei Company scored big with one of their greatest hits yet! As the first major new technology 3-D film in the vast Masked Rider series, KAMEN RIDER DOUBLE FOREVER: A TO Z - THE GAIA MEMORIES OF FATE (Kamen Raidaa Dabaru Forever: A to Z- Unmei no Gaia Memori, 2010) was the showpiece of 460 screens in Japan; 273 were in 2D and 187 focused on the full 3-D effect. The movie was a phenomenal smash throughout

    Ban Daisuke and Kikaida take part in the Nisei Week Parade in Los Angeles` Little Tokyo on August 15th. Photo courtesy of Richard Pusateri. Kikaida © 1972 Ishinomori Production Inc. and Toei Co., Ltd.

    Tokusatsu - FX

    KIKAIDA star appears at Los Angeles Nisei Week events Author: Richard Pusateri Official Sites: Anime Jungle, Generation Kikaida, www.bandaisuke.com Special thanks: Joanne Ninomiya, Tetsu Shiota, August Ragone Ban Daisuke`s recent visit to Los Angeles, hosted by Anime Jungle, demonstrated that the appeal of KIKAIDA is not limited to markets where the Japanese TV program aired in the United States. After much success at personal appearances in Hawaii, San Francisco and at San Diego Comic Con in years past, Mr. Ban met his enthusiastic Los Angeles fans August 14 and 15 during Little Tokyo`s Nisei Week celebration. Originally broadcast in Japan 1972, KIKAIDA (Jinzoningen Kikaida or ANDROID KIKAIDER) became a hit on Hawaiian television in 1974. Mr. Ban portrayed Jiro, the guitar-playing, motorcycle- riding hero who transformed into the android Kikaida. Mr. Ban soon started making wildly-received personal appearances in our 50th state. According

    The alien hunters return with a few new tricks in PREDATORS, the latest sequel to the hit Arnold Schwarzenegger film. © 2010 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Author: Kyle Byrd Source: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation Official Site: predators-movie.com SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details for a new movie. John McTiernan’s 1987 film PREDATOR was an original, fun film that blended the action, horror and sci-fi genres seamlessly and has gone on to be one of the most beloved (and quotable) genre films of the 1980s. Since then, Fox has been trying to figure out where to take the series next. What we’ve gotten since has been a below par sequel (PREDATOR 2) and two abominable ALIEN VS PREDATOR movies. With the backlash triggered by the AVP films, Fox has decided to take the ALIEN and PREDATOR franchises in other directions. With Ridley Scott working on two ALIEN prequels, Robert Rodriguez decided it was a good time to get a PREDATOR sequel off the ground. Produced by Rodriguez and

    A murderous ghost seeks revenge in NIGHTMARE DETECTIVE II, premiering next week at the Japan Cuts film festival in NYC. Photo courtesy of Japan Society. © 2009 Shinya Tsukamoto/ Kaijyu Theater

    Tokusatsu - FX

    J-Horror Film to Screen at JAPAN CUTS in New York City Source: Japan Society Official Site: Japan Cuts Special Thanks to Shannon Jowett and Tahmid Mannan SciFi Japan and Japan Society are pleased to present another contest for free passes to a new fantasy film premiering this month at Japan Cuts: Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema in New York City. Our third and final ticket giveaway for this year`s Japan Cuts and the New York Asian Film Festival will be the US premiere of the J-Horror movie NIGHTMARE DETECTIVE II. In the NIGHTMARE DETECTIVE movies, actor Ryuhei Matsuda (TABOO, CUTIE HONEY, BIG BANG LOVE: JUVENILE A) stars as Kyoichi Kagenuma, a dream analyst who has the very unwanted “gift” of being able to hear the thoughts of those around him, as well as the ability to enter peoples’ subconscious while they dream. Kyoichi’s rare talents make

    A master thief uncovers a prize that may decide who rules feudal Japan in the action epic GOEMON, coming to select UK cinemas this month. Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 2009 “Goemon” Film Partners.

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Epic Adventure from the Producers of THE GRUDGE and the Director of CASSHERN Opens July 23rd Source: The Associates press release Official Movie Site: Goemon (Japan) Five years ago, acclaimed Japanese fashion photographer and music video director Kazuaki Kiriya made an explosive and groundbreaking assault on the movie world with his directorial debut feature, the visually stunning and hugely ambitious sci-fi epic, CASSHERN. Now, Kiriya returns in his own inimitable style with the equally spectacular period, fantasy action-adventure, GOEMON. Produced by Kiriya and legendary producer Takashige Ichise (THE RING; DARK WATER; THE GRUDGE; SHUTTER) and boasting a star-studded cast that includes Yosuke Eguchi (SHAOLIN GIRL), Takao Osawa (ICHI; SKY HIGH), Jun Kaname (BLOOD; K-20; CASSHERN), Tetsuji Tamayama (NORWEGIAN WOOD; CASSHERN) and Susumu Terajima (CASSHERN; ICHI THE KILLER), GOEMON is based on the exploits of the film’s eponymous, ninja bandit hero – the Japanese

    A new and improved giant robot is unleashed 17 years after the events of the

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Sci-Fi Movie Trilogy Ends on a Strong Note Author: Elliot Gay Official Movie Site: 20thboysfilms.com (US), 20th Boys (Japanese) SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details for a new movie. For those of you who would rather avoid any and all spoilers concerning the third film in the 20TH CENTURY BOYS series, let me state here and now: if you at all enjoyed the first two movies you will enjoy the third and final film just as much as-- if not more than-- the previous. Director Yukihiko Tsutsumi provides a satisfying and all-encompassing finale to a trilogy that had a great deal of sub-plots and loose ends to tie up. Against all odds, Tsutsumi manages to provide the sort of closure that few manga adaptations are granted. So let out a big sigh of relief; 20Th CENTURY BOYS 3: REDEMPTION (20-Seiki Shonen: Saishusho-Bokura

    Genetic engineer Elsa Kast (Sarah Polley) comes face-to-face with the result of her latest experiment in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Dark Castle Entertainment’s newly-released science fiction thriller SPLICE. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. © 2010 Warner Bros. Entertainment

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Author: Kyle Byrd Official Movie Site: splicethefilm.com SPLICE is a “science gone wrong” tale concerning two scientists who dare to play God. The film is a Freudian biological nightmare revolving around Clive and Elsa (played by Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley), a romantically involved pair of scientists who have helped revolutionize genetic engineering by splicing together the DNA of different animals to create new hybrid creatures. When they try to experiment with human DNA, the company that funds their research won’t let them due to their fear of public outcry. Knowing that doing so could lead to breakthroughs in science and medicine, Clive and Elsa decide to conduct the experiments anyway. The result is Dren, a creature made up of human DNA, as well as the DNA of various animals. Dren appears and acts more human as she ages at an unusually fast

    Shopping frenzy at this year`s Super Festival. Photo by Ed Godziszewski.

    Tokusatsu - FX

    A Look at the International Model and Toy Show Held in Tokyo on January 10, 2010 Author: Ed Godziszewski Official Site: Super Festival In years past, it used to be a big deal to attend toy shows such as Super Festival— each show yielded not only its share of exclusive items, but they were a expeditious way to accomplish a good deal of shopping all in one place. Rather than spending time and train fare scurrying about Tokyo, Super Festival offered one-stop shopping where you could find not only most every current item, but also a nice selection of vintage (and sometimes otherwise unheard of) items. Due to a change in my business trip schedule, it had been almost 6 years since the last time I attended Super Festival, so attending this most recent incarnation this past January 10 impressed upon me just how much times

    Bigger than big! A full scale statue of the classic manga/anime robot Tetsujin 28 (aka Gigantor) has been built in Kobe, Japan. Photo by Daisuke Ishizuka. © 2009 Kobe Tetsujin Project.

    Tokusatsu - FX

    "Life Size" Statue of Giant Robot in Creator`s Hometown Author: Daisuke Ishizuka Official Site: Kobe Tetsujin Project (Japan) TETSUJIN 28-GO (Tetsujin Nijyu-Hachi-Go) is a popular robot comic (launched 1956) and animation TV series (1963) created by Mr. Mitsuteru Yokoyama. The animated series was aired in America as the English dubbed GIGANTOR (1966). Mr. Yokoyama was born in Kobe in 1934, and died at the of age of 69 in 1995. His works include Giant Robo (adapted as the live action series JOHNNY SOKKO AND HIS FLYING ROBOT), Babel II, Princess Comet (Comet-san) and Kamen no Ninjya Akakage (adapted several times, including the 2001 movie RED SHADOW). Tetsujin is considered to be his masterpiece. The character has become a beloved figure in Japan, starring in several animated series as well as a 2005 live action film. Imagi Studios, the animation house behind the CG

    Space Station Gamma III is menaced by THE GREEN SLIME. The Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention is hosting a 40th anniversary screening with stars Robert Horton and Luciana Paluzzi. © 1969 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc.

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Stars Robert Horton and Luciana Paluzzi to Attend Screening at the Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention Official Site: Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Japanese/US/Italian co-production THE GREEN SLIME with a special screening and appearance by two stars of the sci-fi cult classic at the Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention. The convention will show a rare film print of THE GREEN SLIME at 12:00pm on Sunday, November 8th. Actors Robert Horton and Luciana Paluzzi will attend from 11:00am-4:00pm to sign autographs and take part in post-screening interview about the making of the movie. THE GREEN SLIME has a rather interesting pedigree. In the mid-1960s, American producers Walter Manley (Shintoho`s "Starman" series) and Ivan Reiner made a handful of low budget sci-fi films overseas, including the Japanese co-production TERROR BENEATH

    The 13th annual Japanese Film Festival begins November 24 in Sydney, Australia. © 2009 The Japan Foundation, Sydney

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Twenty-one Films, Six Cities Source: Japan Foundation, Sydney Official Site: japanesefilmfestival.net Special Thanks to Evon Fung This year, the 13th annual Japanese Film Festival will be delivering another fantastic line-up of Japanese cinema to fans in Australia. The event begins November 24th at Event Cinemas George Street, Sydney, and December 3rd at ACMI Cinemas, Melbourne, and will include screenings in six major cities. The following text is courtesy of the Japan Foundation, Sydney... The Japanese Film Festival Returns The annual Japanese Film Festival (JFF) is full speed ahead for another exciting year of the latest Japanese cinema. On November 24, the Festival hits Event Cinemas George Street, Sydney for one short week before it heads to Melbourne on December 3 at ACMI Cinemas, Federation Square for another flurry of film festivity. 2008 ended with the Yojiro Takita’s Oscar-winning DEPARTURES, a sold-out success pre-Oscar win.

    New York-Tokyo presents the North American premiere of Kazuaki Kiriya`s new movie GOEMON next month in NYC. © 2009 “Goemon” Film Partners.

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Screening at the ImaginAsian Theater on November 4th Source: New York-Tokyo press release Official Movie Site: Goemon (Japan) The media company New York-Tokyo continues their "Nippon Eiga Series" with the North American premiere of GOEMON at the ImaginAsian Theater in New York City on November 4th. GOEMON is about the "Japanese Robin Hood" who tangles himself in a brutal warfare amongst the warlords, honor and love. This highly stylized film is directed by visionary director, Kazuaki Kiriya (CASSHERN). GOEMON Japan | 2009 | 128 min. | 35mm film | Japanese with English Subtitles Wednesday, November 4th Doors open 6:15pm - Film starts 7:00pm The ImaginAsian 239 East 59th Street (Bet. 2nd & 3rd Ave.), NYC RSVP to newyork-tokyo.com/wp/goemon Synopsis In 1582, the mighty warlord Nobunaga was betrayed by his retainer, Mitsuhide. The cruel Hideyoshi subjugated Mitsuhide’s warriors and took

    Celebrate Halloween early with the Asian Film Festival of Dallas` Asian Horror Double Header. Photo courtesy of AFFD.

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Source: Asian Film Festival of Dallas Special Thanks to Mike Keller In conjunction with Texas Frightmare Weekend, the Asian Film Festival of Dallas is holding a membership drive on October 24 at the Studio Movie Grill-Addison (5405 Beltline Rd. Dallas, TX, 75248). Scary movie fans are invited to celebrate Halloween early with a double feature of two excellent, spectacular, gory, fun Asian horror flicks, and participate in AFFD`s Costume Contest. Come dressed as your favorite Asian horror character. There will be a Prize for Best Costume plus lots of other door prizes. Ticket prices are $12.50 per screening or both films for $20. For more details, visit AFFD`s Asian Horror Double Header page. Theater info is available on the Studio Movie Grill-Addison website or by calling (972) 991-6684. The Films: 9:30PM - MACABRE (Rumah Dara, 2009) Written and Directed by The Mo Brothers. Starring Shareefa Daanish,

    The Tengu Police prepare to administer a little rough justice to Daddy Eyeball in KITARO, the live action adaptation of Shigeru Mizuki`s beloved yokai manga. Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 2007 KITARO Film Partners.

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Source: The Associates press release Official Movie Site: GeGeGe (Japan) Shochiku`s 2007 box office hit KITARO (Gegege no Kitaro) has been released on DVD in the UK by Manga Entertainment. The live action adaptation of the phenomenally popular manga series created in the late 1950s by Shigeru Mizuki, KITARO is a colourful, fun and highly inventive fantasy adventure about the Japanese folklore creatures known as yokai, or spirit monsters, and their interaction with the human world. Previously adapted several times as various animated TV series, movies and video games, this latest version brings vivid new life to Mizuki`s bizarre characters and creations. Written by Daisuke Habara (HULA GIRLS; THE PRINCE OF TENNIS) and directed by Katsuhide Motoki (DRUGSTORE GIRL), the film stars Eiji Wentz (CAPTAIN TOKIO; LOVE COM), Mao Inoue (KAIDAN), Lena Tanaka (DRUGSTORE GIRL) and Yo Oizumi (GAMERA 2, SPIRITED AWAY). When

    Advertisement for VIZ Cinema`s theatrical run of K-20: THE FIEND WITH 20 FACES. Photo courtesy of VIZ Pictures. © 2008 'K-20' Film Partners

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Now Playing at VIZ Cinema in Japantown Author: Dan Ross Source: VIZ Pictures Official Movie Site: k20themovie (US), K-20 (Japanese) In the 1920s eminent horror and detective fiction author Edogawa Rampo began writing a series of short stories that would go on to become a household name in Japan. Though inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle`s Sherlock Holmes, the case files of Kogoro Akechi followed the Tokyo detective down paths of a more fantastic and even occult nature. The exploits of Rampo`s most famous character have been adapted in comics, movies, television and has made guest appearances in other famous series such as LUPIN III. And like Holmes, Akechi had his own "Moriarty", an arch nemesis known only as Kaijin Niju Menso "The Fiend with 20 Faces". But in truth the character of Kaijin Niju Menso was more in the style of Maurice LeBlanc`s

    Page 19 of 24

    SciFi Japan
    4WeHelp Movers Cincinnati
    Copyright © 2025 | SCIFI JAPAN
    © 2025 Your Company. All Rights Reserved. Designed By JoomShaper