SciFi Japan

    Underground police officer Saki Kubozuka (Shota Matsuda) hunts down a pair of killers in the live-action manga adaptation, DIAS-POLICE -DIRTY YELLOW BOYS-. Photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © Richard Woo, Shinichi Sugimura ? Kodansha / DiasPolice Film Partners

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    Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: dias-police.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from an upcoming movie. Toei has provided information and high-res images from their upcoming crime drama, DIAS-POLICE -DIRTY YELLOW BOYS- (??????? -DIRTY YELLOW BOYS-, Diasuporisu -DIRTY YELLOW BOYS-). The film is based on the manga series DiasPolice: Real Tokyo Underworld (???????-????-, Diasuporisu -Ihou Keisatsu-) by writer Richard Woo (aka Takashi Nagasaki) and artist Shinichi Sugimura, which was serialized in Kodansha`s Weekly Morning magazine from 2006-2009. The lead character in the manga is Saki Kubozuka, the sole member of the "Dias Police" (Gentiles Police), an unofficial police force created to protect the 150,000 illegal immigrants living in Tokyo. Not recognized by the Japanese government, the underground citizens have formed their own political, banking and health systems, with Kubozuka tasked to keep

    Rookie agent Aoki (Masaki Okada) accesses the memories of murder victims in the science fiction thriller THE TOP SECRET: MURDER IN MIND. Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co. © 2016

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    Sci-Fi Suspense from the Director of RUROUNI KENSHIN Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: himitsu-movie.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE The legendary manga is finally a movie. Shochiku has provided some information and images from their upcoming sci-fi suspense thriller, THE TOP SECRET: MURDER IN MIND (???THE TOP SECRET, Himitsu Toppu Shiikuretto). The film is based on Reiko Shimizu`s best-selling manga series Himitsu the Top Secret, which was originally serialized in Hakusensha`s Melody magazine. THE TOP SECRET: MURDER IN MIND is directed by Keishi Ohtomo, best known for the RUROUNI KENSHIN (??????) movie trilogy. STORY Unit No.9 is a special Police detective which uncover the unsolved cold cases by using a special MRI scanner that can scan the brains of dead people in order to visualize memories from their lifetimes. Rookie agent Aoki (Masaki Okada) and No.9 unit chief Maki (Toma Ikuta)

    Hapless samurai Masaatsu Naito (Kuranosuke Sasaki) is back on the run in the comedy SAMURAI HUSTLE RETURNS. Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co. © 2016 “Samurai Hustle Returns” Film Partners

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    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: cho-sankin.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE In 2014, Shochiku released the samurai comedy SAMURAI HUSTLE (????????, Chokousoku! Sankin Kotai) -- aka MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: SAMURAI -- starring Kuranosuke Sasaki (20TH CENTURY BOYS trilogy, SOLOMON`S PERJURY, THE INERASABLE) and Kyoko Fukada (SECOND VIRGINITY, WILD 7, ROOMMATE). Directed by Katsuhide Motoki (the KITARO movie series, BATTLE LEAGUE HORUMO), the film followed the misadventures of Masaatsu Naito (Sasaki), the head of a small and poor clan who is ordered by the shogun to come to the capital city, Edo, with his entire staff. The samurai had to complete the 8 day journey in just 4 days or his clan`s land would be taken away. SAMURAI HUSTLE was a critical and commercial success so the cast and crew have reunited for a sequel, tentatively titled SAMURAI HUSTLE RETURNS (??????????????, Chokousoku! Sankin

    Fumi Nikaido is Erika Shinohara and Kento Yamazaki is Kyouya Sata in the live-action movie version of WOLF GIRL & BLACK PRINCE. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. © Ayuko Hatta / Shueisha © 2016

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    Trailer and High-Res Photos for New Film Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Japan Official Site: warnerbros.co.jp/ookamishojo (Japan) The romantic comedy WOLF GIRL & BLACK PRINCE (??????????, Okami Shojo to Kuro Oji) opened today at the Shinjuku Piccadilly and other theaters across Japan. Directed by Ryuichi Hiroki (KABUKICHO LOVE HOTEL), the movie is based on Ayuko Hatta`s manga of the same name, which has sold more than 450 million copies since its 2011 debut. WOLF GIRL & BLACK PRINCE stars Fumi Nikaido (WHY DON’T YOU PLAY IN HELL?, HIBI ROCK: PUKE AFRO AND THE POP STAR) as "wolf girl" Erika Shinohara and Kento Yamazaki (LOVE FOR BEGINNERS, L?DK – LIVING TOGETHER) as "black prince" Kyouya Sata. The supporting cast features Nobuyuki Suzuki (THE KIRISHIMA THING, STRAYER’S CHRONICLE), Mugi Kadowaki (GASSOH), Ryusei Yokohama (MARUYAMA THE MIDDLE SCHOOLER), Elaiza Ikeda (THE VIRGIN PSYCHICS), Tina Tamashiro (SADAKO VS

    Nikkatsu`s new thriller HIMEANOLE opened on Saturday. © 2016 “HIMEANOLE” Film Partners

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    Source: Nikkatsu Corporation Official Movie Site: himeanole-movie.com (Japan) Which one are you? Predator or prey? Nikkatsu`s new thriller HIMEANOLE (??????, Himeano ~ ru) opened this weekend in Japan. Based on the manga series by Minoru Furuya, the film stars Go Morita (V-6), (ULTRAMAN GAIA: THE BATTLE IN HYPERSPACE, ONE PIECE FILM GOLD) and Aimi Satsukawa (SADAKO VS KAYAKO). Story Okada works part-time at a cleaning company. Recently he has been feeling frustrated about his go-nowhere life. One day his co-worker Mr. Ando asks Okada to help him in his quest to win the love of Yuka, a waitress at a nearby restaurant. Reluctantly Okada agrees and, by chance, meets high school classmate Shoichi Morita when at the restaurant. After seeing Okada and Morita talking, Yuka tells Okada that Morita has been stalking her. While Okada finds it hard to believe, he recalls how

    New York`s Japan Society kicks off their `Monthly Classics` series with Japan’s first-ever color film, CARMEN COMES HOME. Photo courtesy of Japan Society and Janus. © 1951/2012 Shochiku Co., Ltd.

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    Launches with Restoration of Japan’s First Color Film in September Source: Japan Society press release Special Thanks to Shannon Jowett Japan Society’s Film Program resurrects Monthly Classics to give New Yorkers regular screenings of beloved classics, hidden gems or recent discoveries of Japanese cinema on the first Friday of every month. Slated for September 2015 through June 2016, the first season of Monthly Classics launches Friday, September 4, 7:00 pm with Japan’s first-ever color film, CARMEN COMES HOME (1951), which was filmed during the end of the era of U.S. Occupation and addresses the issue of the influence of American culture in immediate postwar Japan. A “classic” in the traditional sense, the film was digitally restored in 2012 by Shochiku for Kinoshita’s centenary. This screening also marks the 120th anniversary of the renowned Shochiku studios. On Friday, October 2, at 7:00 pm, Monthly Classics screens PARADISE VIEW,

    The Terracotta Far East Film Festival returns this April. Image courtesy of Terracotta Distribution. © 2012 Terracotta Distribution

    Asian Cinema

    Author: Imogen Reed Official Site: terracottafestival.com Special Thanks to Claire Marty London, England -- ever the hub of Japan/Asia related goings-on -- is once again going to house the Terracotta Far East Film Festival, which -- as everyone should know -- plays host to some of the most exciting films to come out of Asia. Their official website may currently contain the barest of information, yet word on the street is that it’ll be the biggest and brightest iteration of the festival yet. With the festival reaching the shores of the UK, Japanese culture enthusiasts don`t need to worry about booking flights to Kyoto as they can immerse themselves in far Eastern film on their own doorstep. A New Face Along with the new dates for this year, there have been further substantial changes (the venue remains the same -- the festival will

    Ayako Fujitani (GAMERA Trilogy) stars in the award-winning MAN FROM RENO. Photo courtesy of Eleven Arts. © ELEVEN ARTS

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    Opens in Theaters March 27, 2015 Source: Strategy PR/Consulting press release Official Movie Site: manfromrenomovie.com Special Thanks to Emily Lu Nolan Gallagher, Founder and CEO of Gravitas Ventures, has announced the acquisition of North American rights to filmmaker Dave Boyle`s atmospheric thriller MAN FROM RENO which has been nominated for the "John Cassavetes" prize at this year`s Independent Spirit Awards (to be held February 21st at 2pm PT / 5pm ET). Commenting on his company`s acquisition of the film Mr. Gallagher said, "We are honored to continue our collaboration with Dave Boyle on his award winning MAN FROM RENO. His stylish and assured filmmaking have gained a considerable audience and we are excited to help new fans discover this film." MAN FROM RENO is already a multi-award winning film, having scored accolades and trophies from The Los Angeles Film Festival 2014 (Winner of "Best Dramatic Feature"),

    Jiji (Tomoe Shinohara), Chieko (Azusa Babazono), Tsukimi Kurashita (Rena Nounen), Banba (Chizuru Ikewaki) and Mayaya (Rina Ohta) in the first live action version of PRINCESS JELLYFISH. Photo courtesy of Asmik Ace. © 2014

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    Source: Asmik Ace Entertainment, Inc. Official Site: kuragehi.me (Japan) The live action adaptation PRINCESS JELLYFISH (???, Kuragehime) opens in Japanese cinemas on December 27th. Based on the manga series by Akiko Higashimura, the film is directed and co-written by Yasuhiro Kawamura (AKKO-CHAN: THE MOVIE). Jellyfish geek Tsukimi (Rena Nounen) shares an apartment with other nerdy girls who each have their own obsession. One day, the girls are thrown into a tizzy by the appearance of beautiful cross-dresser Kuranosuke (Masaki Suda) and his brother Shu (Hiroki Hasegawa). Plus, the sacred space of the apartment is menaced by an attack... Credits Japanese Theatrical Release: Saturday, December 27, 2014 (Nationwide Roadshow) Running Time: 126 Minutes Cast Tsukimi Kurashita: Rena Nounen Kuranosuke Koibuchi: Masaki Suda Shu Koibuchi: Hiroki Hasegawa Banba: Chizuru Ikewaki Mayaya: Rina Ohta Chieko: Azusa Babazono Jiji: Tomoe Shinohara Shoko Inari: Nana Katase Yoshio Hanamori:

    © 2014 INOUE SANTA/TOKYO TRIBE FILM PARTNERS

    Asian Cinema

    English Subtitled Version Also Screening in Japan Source: Nikkatsu Corporation Official Movie Site: tokyotribe-movie.com (Japan) The biggest domestic hit of director Sono Sion`s career, the manga adaptation TOKYO TRIBE (????? ????, Tokyo Toraibu, 2014) will soon be released outside Japan. Based on the legendary comic Tokyo Tribe 2 by Santa Inoue -- which has sold 2.5 million copies worldwide -- the film portrays the gangs and street culture of an alternate Tokyo. TOKYO TRIBE has screened to great success at film festivals and markets (including Toronto Film Festival and L’Étrange Festival 2014), with renowned director Alejandro Jodorowsky (EL TOPO, THE HOLY MOUNTAIN, SANTA SANGRE) singing the picture`s praises... "So exciting! This movie offers such freedom of expression, courage and humor. I enjoyed the perfect fighting scenes and stunning use of sound. Director Sion Sono, I thank you." Now distributor Nikkatsu Corporation has announced

    The Japanese box office smash RUROUNI KENSHIN 2: KYOTO INFERNO gets a UK theatrical release starting in late November. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. © Watsuki Nobuhiro/ Shueisha. © 2014

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    Live Action Manga Adaptation Opens Friday, November 28th Source: Warner Bros. Pictures UK, Maven Publicity press release Official Site: kuroshitsuji-movie.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Louise Rivers The release of RUROUNI KENSHIN (??????) in 2012 was the first of its kind -- taking in more than 3 billion yen at the box office, the Japanese film entered a new era. Based on the monumental manga by Nobuhiro Watsuki, Kenshin the Wanderer: The Romance of the Meiji Swordsman, which has sold more than 5.8 million copies and been translated into more than 20 languages, the commercial film combined unparalleled speed and overwhelming action in a moving human drama. Two years after the shocking prologue, Warner Bros. UK are releasing the brand new epic action sequel RUROUNI KENSHIN 2: KYOTO INFERNO (????????????, Rurouni Kenshin Kyoto Taika Hen, 2014). SYNOPSIS Kenshin Himura (Takeru Satoh) is a legendary

    Rocker Takuro Hibinuma (Shuhei Nomura) partners with pop star Saki Utagawa (Fumi Nikaido) in the manga adaptation HIBI ROCK: PUKE AFRO AND THE POP STAR. Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co. © 2014

    Asian Cinema

    New Manga Adaptation from Shochiku Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: hibirock.jp (Japan) Not good at school or sports, naturally no girlfriend... But I bow to nobody in my love for rock! HIBI ROCK: PUKE AFRO AND THE POP STAR (?????, Hibi Rokku), the latest music-themed movie from director Yu Irie (8000 MILES, RINGING IN THEIR EARS), will open in Japan on November 22nd. The film is based on Katsumasa Enokiya`s manga Hibi Rock, serialized in Shueisha`s Weekly Young Jump. Takuro Hibinuma (Shuhei Nomura) had no talent for sports or aptitude for studying throughout high school and never had a girlfriend. However, he found his true calling when he began playing rock music. While in high school, he formed a rock band named Rock`n Roll Brothers with his friends. After graduation, they move to Tokyo and begin playing live shows. One day, at

    A lonesome samurai (Kiichi Nakai) searches for his master`s assassin (Hiroshi Abe) in SNOW ON THE BLADES. Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co. © 2014

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    Press Notes and High-Res Photos from New Samurai Film Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: zakurozaka.com (Japan) After opening in Japan in September, Shochiku`s SNOW ON THE BLADES (???????, Zakuro-zaka no Adauchi) will have its international premiere on November 2nd at the Hawaii International Film Festival 2014. Directed by Setsuro Wakamatsu (WHITEOUT, THE UNBROKEN), the film is adapted from a short story by Jiro Asada which was included in the 2003 collection Goroji dono Oshimatsu. This story captures the 13 year struggle between two samurai, Kingo Shimura (Kiichi Nakai), a dedicated personal bodyguard of Naosuke Ii (Kichiemon Nakamura) who brought Japan into the modern era, and his enemy Jubei Sahashi (Hiroshi Abe), one of the assassins, over a tragedy which struck Naosuke. The old feudal society of Japan rapidly gave way to a modernized county, but Kingo didn’t abandon the spirit of the

    Drafthouse Films is bringing Sion Sono`s WHY DON`T YOU PLAY IN HELL? to US cinemas on November 7th. Photo courtesy of T-Joy. © 2013 WHY DON’T YOU PLAY IN HELL? Film Partners

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    Sion Sono`s Acclaimed Film Arrives in US Cinemas November 7th Source: Drafthouse Films Official Movie Site: play-in-hell.com (Japan), drafthousefilms.com/why-dont-you-play-in-hell (US) Special Thanks to Ted Geoghegan This article contains adult language. Drafthouse Films is immensely proud to present WHY DON`T YOU PLAY IN HELL? (???????, Jigoku de Naze Warui, 2013), the unbelievable new genre-defying epic from Japan`s legendary Sion Sono, which hits U.S. theaters November 7th. Master filmmaker Sono (LOVE EXPOSURE, COLD FISH) describes his frenzied, gleeful new masterpiece as “an action film about the love of 35mm.” Based on a screenplay he wrote nearly fifteen years ago, WHY DON’T YOU PLAY IN HELL? is among Sono’s very best work, as his trademark excess and outrageousness is infused with an affection for the previous century of Japanese cinema. This is Sion Sono with his talent and unique vision completely unleashed. There`s a war

    © Japan Film Society

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    Author: Andrew Nguyen Official Site: LA EigaFest Ever since December 2011, the Japanese Film Society has held its annual LA Eigafest at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, CA. During the festival, the US public gained access to the latest in Japanese films, which range from serious drama to comedy, to the latest in Japanese animation. Furthermore, panels that take place during the festival offer insight into the business relations between the Japanese and American film industries. In additional, the annual Matsuri festival takes place in conjunction with LA Eigafest on Saturday at the front of the Egyptian Theater. Unlike the last three LA Eigafests, which took place in December, this one took place in September (from the 12th to the 14th) so to take advantage of the better weather conditions during the opening ceremonies and such. Hayato Mitsuishi is the President and Co-Founder of the Japanese

    Director Daihachi Yoshida`s PALE MOON has been selected as the only Japanese film for the 27th Tokyo International Film Festival International Competition. Photo courtesy of Shochiku Co. © 2014

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    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd., Tokyo International Film Festival press release Official Site: kaminotsuki.jp (Japan) Tokyo International Film Festival is pleased to announce that the Japanese film, PALE MOON (???, Kami no Tsuki, 2014), has been selected as the only Japanese film for the 27th TIFF’s International Competition. PALE MOON is the eagerly anticipated new work from the talented Daihachi Yoshida, director of the award-winning THE KIRISHIMA THING (???????????, Kirishima, Bukatsu Yamerutteyo, 2013). A normal housewife unexpectedly becomes involved in a large embezzlement case in this film adaptation based on the novel by Naoki Prize-winning author Mitsuyo Kakuta, known for The Eighth Day (Yokame no Semi). The protagonist Rika Umezawa is played by Rie Miyazawa, one of Japan’s most accomplished actresses. This collaboration of the author, the director, and the actress Miyazawa represents the pinnacle of modern Japanese filmmaking, and delivers non-stop suspense. Prepare

    Director Sion Sono talks about TOKYO TRIBE and his other films. Photo courtesy of Frédéric Ambroisine.

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    Interviewer: Fabien Mauro Translator: Miyako Slocombe Special Thanks to Sion Sono, Xavier Fayet and Diane Malherbe (L’Étrange Festival), Frédéric Ambroisine L’Étrange Festival Official Website: etrangefestival.com/2014 (English) Sion Sono has become one of the most internationally acclaimed directors from Japan today, with award-winning works that include LOVE EXPOSURE (??????, Ai no Mukidashi, 2009), GUILTY OF ROMANCE (??????, Koi no Tsumi, 2011), COLD FISH (??????, Tsumetai Nettaigyo, 2011), HIMIZU (???, 2012), THE LAND OF HOPE (????, Kibou no Kuni, 2012), and WHY DON`T YOU PLAY IN HELL? (???????, Jigoku de Naze Warui, 2013). His latest film, TOKYO TRIBE (????? ????, Tokyo Toraibu), made its European Premiere on September 8th at the 20th edition of L’Étrange Festival at Le Forum des Images in Paris. Following the screening, Sion Sono spoke with interviewer Fabien Mauro to reveal some secrets behind the making of his new cinematic achievement,

    Theatrical posters for RUROUNI KENSHIN: KYOTO INFERNO and RUROUNI KENSHIN: THE LEGEND ENDS. Images courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. © Watsuki Nobuhiro/ Shueisha. © 2014

    Asian Cinema

    Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Japan Official Movie Site: warnerbros.co.jp/rurouni-kenshin (Japan) Two years after the blockbuster success of the first live-action RUROUNI KENSHIN (??????, 2012) movie, the story of Kenshin Himura returns to the big screen with the two-part sequel, RUROUNI KENSHIN: KYOTO INFERNO (????????????, Rurouni Kenshin Kyoto Taika Hen, 2014) and RUROUNI KENSHIN: THE LEGEND ENDS (?????? ??????, Rurouni Kenshin Densetsu no Saigo hen, 2014). KYOTO INFERNO opened nationwide in Japan on August 1st, knocking the new GODZILLA from the top spot at the box office. THE LEGEND ENDS will begin its Japanese theatrical run this Saturday, September 13th. STORY Kenshin Himura is a legendary swordsman in the wars accompanying the turbulent fall of Japan’s Shogunate in the 19th century. Once feared as ‘Battosai the Killer’, he has adopted a peaceful life since the arrival of the ‘new age’. But Makoto Shishio, the ‘Shadow Killer’ who succeeded

    Kumi Takiuchi. Photo courtesy of Japan Society. © 2013

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    See Two Great New Japanese Movies on the Big Screen for Free, Courtesy of Japan Society and SciFi Japan Source: Japan Society Official Site: japansociety.org/japan-cuts-2014 Special Thanks to Jason Serrano Our friends at Japan Society present their second contest for SciFi Japan readers to win free tickets to see some of the great new films at Japan Cuts: The New York Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema. This time, we have passes for two murderous movies premiering next weekend... GREATFUL DEAD or KILLERS starring Kazuki Kitamura (GODZILLA: FINAL WARS). Both screenings will take place at Japan Society, located at 333 East 47th Street between First and Second Avenues in New York City. GREATFUL DEAD (Gureitofuru Deddo) Friday, July 18 at 10:45 pm **East Coast Premiere Japan. 2014. 97 min. DCP, in Japanese with English subtitles. Directed by Eiji Uchida. With Kumi Takiuchi, Takashi Sasano,

    Kazuki Kitamura (THE RAID 2, GODZILLA: FINAL WARS) and Ayako Fujitani (GAMERA Trilogy) star in the award-winning US/Japan production MAN FROM RENO. Photo courtesy of Eleven Arts. © ELEVEN ARTS

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    Source: Eleven Arts Entertainment, Strategy PR/Consulting Official Movie Site: elevenarts.net/man-from-reno Special Thanks to Emily Lu Filmmaker Dave Boyle`s cross-cultural mystery MAN FROM RENO received the Best Narrative Feature Award at the 2014 Los Angeles Film Festival. The film follows a Japanese crime novelist (Ayako Fujitani, GAMERA Trilogy) as she investigates a murder in San Francisco. MAN FROM RENO was produced by Ko Mori of Eleven Arts Inc and written by Dave Boyle, Joel Clark, and Michael Lerman. The film also stars veteran actor Pepe Serna (SCARFACE) and popular Japanese film & television star Kazuki Kitamura (THE RAID 2, GODZILLA: FINAL WARS). Making its world premiere at this year`s LA Film Festival, MAN FROM RENO received high praises from festival attendees and critics alike this week and became one of the festival favorites selling out both screenings. Director Dave Boyle`s reaction: "It`s an incredible

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