Kinji Fukasaku’s crime drama THE THREAT will soon be available outside Japan for the first time ever. Photo courtesy of Arrow Video. © Toei Co., Ltd. Source: Arrow Video, MVD Entertainment Special Thanks to Derek Stubinski Photo courtesy of Arrow Video. © Toei Co., Ltd. Arrow Video’s September Slate features a rarely seen gem from the director of BATTLE ROYALE. THE THREAT (脅迫 おどし, Odoshi, 1966) is a gritty crime drama in the vein of Kurosawa's HIGH AND LOW, set against the backdrop of a rapidly modernizing Japan that has left many of its citizens behind. Misawa (Rentarō Mikuni; FUGITIVE FROM THE PAST, VENGEANCE IS MINE) appears to lead a charmed life, the very model of Japan's post-war economic miracle. His position as the account manager of a prestigious advertising agency is enough to pay the mortgage on the spacious modern house he

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Source: Sentai press release Sentai Home Video has announced its November 2024 slate of anime Blu-ray releases. Product details follow, in order of release...   Photo courtesy of Sentai. THE VEXATIONS OF A SHUT-IN PRINCESS COMPLETE COLLECTION Published by:    Sentai Distributed by:   Distribution SolutionsRun Time:         300 min.Street Date:      11/5/2024Format:             BDLanguage:        English Dub, Japanese with English SubtitlesSRP:                 $69.98 Romari Gandesblood is NOT your typical vampire. She's weak, can't use magic, dislikes blood, and prefers to hide in her room and pretend that the rest of the world isn't there. Unfortunately, as a Vampire of Important Parentage and her father's daughter, she's been assigned to the job she's least suited for: leading one of her nation's armies! Can Komari and her obsessive new maid Villhaze convince her new battalion of bloodthirsty brutes into believing that she's their fearless leader and totally in command?

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Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. Source: Arrow Films, MVD Entertainment Special Thanks to Derek Stubinski Remastered from the best available elements and packed with a host of new and archival extras, J-HORROR RISING presents seven of the genre's most distinctive titles in this limited edition set from Arrow Video. Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. In the ghostly pastoral horror of SHIKOKU (死国, 1999), a young woman returns after many years to her rural birthplace, only to find her best friend from childhood has died by drowning when just sixteen. The dead girl's mother, the local Shintoist priestess, has embarked on the region's famous pilgrimage - but why is she walking backwards? The aftermath of the devasting Kobe Earthquake of 1995 creates fissures in the already fractured mind of a high-school girl in ISOLA: MULTIPLE PERSONALITY GIRL (ISOLA 多重人格少女 ISOLA Taju-jinkaku Shojo, 2000), allowing

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Image courtesy of Crunchyroll. DRAGON BALL Z and DRAGON BALL SUPER Complete Series Blu-ray Box Sets Also Arrive to the Crunchyroll Store Exclusively in NovemberSource: Crunchyroll press release Image courtesy of Crunchyroll. The epic anime series finale of the decade will finally be available to own when ATTACK ON TITAN FINAL SEASON THE FINAL CHAPTERS arrives on Blu-ray on November 26 in North America from Crunchyroll. The limited edition Blu-ray and DVD combo pack version will include a 148-page art book, a 32-page digibook, several art cards, and two exclusive Titan enamel pins. This November, Crunchyroll’s lineup of Blu-rays will also include two complete series rereleases with immense power levels: DRAGON BALL SUPER (all 131 Episodes) and DRAGON BALL Z (all 291 episodes), launching exclusively at the Crunchyroll Store. Each will come with multiple special features that will provide fans with various behind-the-scenes

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  Photo courtesy of the Criterion Collection. TM & ©TOHO CO., LTD. Source: The Criterion Collection press release Special Thanks to Courtney Ott Photo courtesy of the Criterion Collection. TM & ©TOHO CO., LTD. The Criterion Collection has announced that Akira Kurosawa's SEVEN SAMURAI (七人の侍, Shichinin no Samurai,1954), one of the most thrilling warrior epics of all time, will be released November 12th in a 3-disc 4K UHD + Blu-ray set. The previously released two disc Blu-ray and three disc DVD editions are also available for purchase. SEVEN SAMURAI tells the story of a sixteenth-century village whose desperate inhabitants hire the eponymous warriors to protect them from invading bandits. This three-hour-plus ride from Akira Kurosawa—featuring legendary actors Toshiro Mifune and Takashi Shimura—seamlessly weaves philosophy and entertainment, delicate human emotions and relentless action, into a rich, evocative, and unforgettable tale of courage and hope. 1954

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  Photo courtesy of the Criterion Collection. TM & ©TOHO CO., LTD. Source: The Criterion Collection press release Special Thanks to Courtney Ott Cover by Bill Sienkiewicz. Photo courtesy of the Criterion Collection. TM & ©TOHO CO., LTD. The Criterion Collection has announced that Toho's classic GODZILLA (ゴジラ, Gojira, 1954) will be released November 5th in a 2-disc 4K UHD + Blu-ray set. The previously released single disc Blu-ray and two disc DVD editions are also available for purchase. GODZILLA is the roaring granddaddy of all monster movies. It’s also a remarkably humane and melancholy drama, made in Japan at a time when the country was reeling from nuclear attack and H-bomb testing in the Pacific. Its rampaging radioactive beast, the poignant embodiment of an entire population’s fears, became a beloved international icon of destruction, spawning more than thirty sequels. A thrilling, tactile spectacle that

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Photo courtesy of Shout! Studios. © Kenjiro Hata, Shogakukan/Tonikawa Committee FEATURES ALL TWELVE EPISODES OF THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON AND AN OVA, A 16-PAGE BONUS MANGA AND MORE! Source: Shout! Studios press release Special Thanks to Lizbeth Galeno Note: Article updated7/30/24 with mention of added English audio track.   The highly adored romantic comedy anime series, TONIKAWA: OVER THE MOON FOR YOU (トニカクカワイイ, Tonikaku Kawaii, 2020-21), a Seven Arcs production, arrives in select North American e-commerce stores from Anime Limited, with distribution by Shout! Studios. The refreshing romance anime has captured the hearts of many as they follow the sweet life and adventures of newlywed couple Nasa and Tsukasa.  Directed by Hiroshi Ikehata, the series is adapted from the popular manga of the same name, which is written and illustrated by Kenjiro Hata (Hayate the Combat Butler). The charming love story franchise centers around

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Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.  Source: Well Go USA, LBHpr  Special Thanks to Leif Helland Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. Well Go USA Entertainment is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a Blu-ray of the mind-bending, time-traveling, South Korean sci-fi action adventure ALIENOID: RETURN TO THE FUTURE (외계+인 2부; Euigye+in 2-bu, 2024). Writer/Director Choi Dong-hoon (THE THIEVES) and stars Ryu Jun-Yeol (A TAXI DRIVER), Kim Tae-ri (THE HANDMAIDEN), and Kim Woo-bin (MASTER) are together again for the epic sequel to the mind-bending, time-traveling, sci-fi action adventure​ that retains “… all the action, hilarity, and drama of the first film …” (Elements of Madness).  In the acclaimed sequel, after locating the Divine Blade, a shaman and a modern-day woman race through time to battle a powerful alien commander intent on destroying mankind. ALIENOID: RETURN TO THE FUTURE is now available

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Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.  Source: Well Go USA, LBHpr  Special Thanks to Leif Helland Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. Well Go USA Entertainment is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a Blu-ray of the Australian horror-thriller STING ( 2022). After her pet spider rapidly transforms into a giant flesh-eating monster, a 12-year-old girl must fight for her life—and her family’s survival in this exciting, elevated spin on the creature horror genre for contemporary audiences​​.  Written & Directed by Kiah Roache-Turner (WYRMWOOD: APOCALYPSE), with the monster special effects by the Academy Award-winning Weta Workshop (Special Visual Effects, KING KONG, 2005), the film stars Alyla Browne (THE LOST FLOWERS OF ALICE HART,  FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA, upcoming SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3), Penelope Mitchell (HELLBOY), Ryan Corr (HOLDING THE MAN), and Jermaine Fowler (COMING 2 AMERICA)​​. STING is now

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Image courtesy of Crunchyroll. Source: Crunchyroll press release From soccer to volleyball, climbing to water polo, and golf to boxing, Crunchyroll is in your corner with some of the most fan-favorite titles that inspire audiences to go the distance.   Starting this July 16 through August 15, Crunchyroll has added 20 sports-centric titles to its AVOD collection, including HAIKYU!!, BLUE LOCK, RUN WITH THE WIND, TSURUNE, KUROKO’S BASKETBALL, RE-MAIN, PING PONG THE ANIMATION, and more – full list below. Every title in this promotion will be available to marathon in this limited-time offer. This includes every season of each show, excluding any movies or OVAs (original video animation), in every language available.   For a limited time, audiences around the world can stream these titles for free with ads on Crunchyroll without

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  Photo courtesy of the Criterion Collection. © Shochiku Co., Ltd. Source: The Criterion Collection press release Special Thanks to Courtney Ott Photo courtesy of the Criterion Collection. © Shochiku Co., Ltd. The Criterion Collection has announced the Shochiku horror film DEMON POND (夜叉ヶ池, Yashagaike, 1979) will be released October 15th in a 2-disc 4K UHD + Blu-ray set, as well as single disc Blu-ray and DVD editions. Japanese New Wave renegade Masahiro Shinoda transforms a classic Kabuki tale with his own extravagant visual style in this dimension-shattering folk-horror fantasia. When a lone traveler (Tsutomu Yamazaki) stumbles upon a remote, drought-stricken village, he finds himself engulfed in a whirlpool of myth, mystery, and magic: in a nearby pond reside spirits who hold the fate of the town’s inhabitants—including lovers Akira (Go Kato) and Yuri (Kabuki legend Tamasaburo Bando, who also plays the ethereal princess reigning

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Image courtesy of Crunchyroll. Additional Releases Include ONE PIECE FILM: GOLD, GOBLIN SLAYER Season 2, OURAN HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB, and OUTLAW STAR, Among OthersSource: Crunchyroll press releaseSpecial Thanks to Tyler Schirado This October, Crunchyroll is reaching deep into its bag of treats and re-releasing four classic anime on Blu-ray, including OURAN HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB, OUTLAW STAR, AFRO SAMURAI - Director’s Cut, and AFRO SAMURAI: RESURRECTION - Director’s Cut. The AFRO SAMURAI - Director’s Cut and AFRO SAMURAI: RESURRECTION - Director’s Cut will come with a slew of special features, including interviews with the cast, discussions with RZA, behind-the-scenes looks, and more. Crunchyroll will also be releasing VINLAND SAGA Season 2 Part 2, GOBLIN SLAYER Season 2, THE ANCIENT MAGUS' BRIDE Season 2 Part 2, and more on Blu-ray this October.   Image courtesy of Crunchyroll. AFRO SAMURAI

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Photo courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS Source: Tsuburaya Productions press release Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President: Masayuki Nagatake) has announced the first Blu-ray BOX release of the series THE ULTRAMAN (ザ☆ウルトラマン, Za Urutoraman, 1979-80) and ULTRAMAN 80 (ウルトラマン80（エイティ), Urutoraman Eiti, 1980-81) to celebrate the 45th anniversary of their broadcast. The Blu-ray BOX of THE ULTRAMAN will be released in Japan on Friday, November 22, 2024, and the Blu-ray BOX of ULTRAMAN 80 on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. For this Blu-ray release, every episode of both works will be remastered in HD. The latest technology will allow viewers to enjoy these Showa era productions in high definition in the modern Reiwa era. As a bonus feature, THE ULTRAMAN will include FEATURE-LENGTH ANIME MOVIE THE ULTRAMAN: TO THE PLANET OF ULTRA!! (長篇アニメ映画 ザ☆ウルトラマン ウルトラの星へ!!, Chōhen Anime Eiga Za☆Urutoraman Urutora no Hoshi e!!), which combines

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The infamous 80s anime Roadbuster wheelman returns in a high-octane Original Video Animation adventure presented in HD for the first time! Source: AnimEigo press release Special Thanks to Erik Jansen (MediaLab) Image courtesy of AnimEigo. Anime distributor AnimEigo has announced the home media and streaming release on September 10th of the Original Video Animation RIDING BEAN OVA (ライディング・ビーン, Raidingu Bīn, 1989), a beloved 80s action adventure following the exploits of courier-for-hire Bean Bandit. The RIDING BEAN OVA will be available on Blu-ray as well as streaming on TVOD platforms including Google Play, YouTube, and Amazon. Pre-orders are open now at: https://www.mediaocd.com/product-page/riding-bean-blu-ray. From the high-octane imagination of famed anime creator Kenichi Sonoda (GUNSMITH CATS, OTAKU NO VIDEO) and the animation gearheads of studio AIC (BUBBLEGUM CRISIS, TENCHI MUYO) comes a classic tale of trouble in the windy city! This action-packed can of beautiful Bean Bandit

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  The GODZILLA MINUS ONE Godzilla Store Exclusive 4K Blu-ray set mirrors the deluxe box set from Japan with the addition of English menus and subtitles. Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. TM & ©TOHO CO., LTD. Source: Toho Co., Ltd press releaseOfficial Site: https://godzilla-movie2023.toho.co.jp/ (Japan), https://godzilla.com/ (US)Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/godzilla231103 (Japan), https://twitter.com/Godzilla_Toho (US) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godzilla231103/ (Japan), https://www.instagram.com/godzilla_toho/ (US) TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@godzilla.toho Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tohogodzillaofficial/ (US) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/Godzilla_Toho (US)  Godzilla Store Exclusive Featuring Both GODZILLA MINUS ONE and GODZILLA MINUS ONE/MINUS COLOR Estimated Ship Date: September 2024 Pre-Order Now at: https://godzilla.com/products/godzilla-minus-one-blu-ray-deluxe-japan-collectors-edition Be one of the first in the US to own GODZILLA MINUS ONE on Blu-ray with the “Deluxe Japan Collector’s Edition”! This Godzilla Store Exclusive mirrors the deluxe 4-disc box set released on May 1, 2024 in Japan, and includes both GODZILLA MINUS ONE (ゴジラ-1.0, ゴジラマイナスワン, Gojira Mainasu Wan, 2023) and GODZILLA MINUS ONE/MINUS COLOR

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Image courtesy of Crunchyroll. World Premiere First Looks at Witch Hat Atelier and Solo Leveling Season 2, TRIGUN STARGAZER, and More During Other Crunchyroll Hosted PanelsSource: Crunchyroll press releaseSpecial Thanks to Tyler Schirado Crunchyroll, the ultimate home for anime worldwide, held its Industry Panel at Anime Expo 2024 on Saturday, July 6 at 5:00 PM PT in the Los Angeles Convention Center in California. Image courtesy of Crunchyroll. During the panel, Crunchyroll announced multiple acquisitions of several hotly anticipated animated series from Japan that it will stream for fans around the world in the coming year. Those announcements included the following: It was announced to the world that Crunchyroll and Aniplex will be adapting the widely popular Korean web-novel turned webtoon OMNISCIENT READER into an anime series. In production and coming soon, key art and a first-look teaser debuted

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Photo courtesy of the Criterion Collection. TM ＆ © TOHO CO.,LTD. Source: The Criterion Collection press release Special Thanks to Courtney Ott and Isaac Davidson In July, the Criterion Channel will begin streaming the first four entries in the Heisei Series (1984-1995) of Godzilla films... Following a nine-year absence from the screen, the King of the Monsters roared back with a vengeance in 1984 with THE RETURN OF GODZILLA, inaugurating a new era in the romping reptile’s mythology. The ferociously entertaining kaiju spectaculars of the 1980s and ’90s—which brought back familiar favorites like Mothra and King Ghidorah and introduced a new adversary in the genetically engineered mutant Biollante—reestablished Godzilla as a fearsome force (after previous Showa-era films that had recast himself as a benevolent protector), while taking the series’ political commentary and vaunted special effects in bold new directions.   THE RETURN OF GODZILLA,

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Source: HIDIVE press release Official Site: https://bocchi-kouryaku.com/ (Japan)Special Thanks to Scott Barretto (AMCN Entertainment Group) Photo courtesy of HIDIVE. ©Shoji Goji, OVERLAP/Loner Life Production Committee Isekai fans received surprise news with HIDIVE’s announcement today that it has acquired the new fantasy adventure series LONER LIFE IN ANOTHER WORLD (ひとりぼっちの異世界攻略,  Hitoribotchi no Isekai Kōryaku, 2024). Based on the popular isekai light novel and manga created Shoji Goji, LONER LIFE IN ANOTHER WORLD will stream exclusively on the anime streaming service from AMC Networks as part of its Fall 2024 simulcast season “We’re thrilled to reveal that the eagerly anticipated isekai series LONER LIFE IN ANOTHER WORLD will stream exclusively later this year as part of HIDIVE’s Fall 2024 simulcast season,” said John Ledford, President of HIDIVE. “We may have a special sneak peek for fans next week at Anime Expo 2024, so stay tuned!” After getting

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Source: Mill Creek Entertainment Special Thanks to CJ Johnsen and Spencer Kopp Photo courtesy of Mill Creek. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS Mill Creek Entertainment is offering our readers a chance to win their new Blu-ray set of BATTLE KAIJU SERIES 03: ULTRAMAN VS GOMORA. This collection presents 16 Gomora-themed episodes from 11 different Ultraman series, plus the feature film, MEGA MONSTER BATTLE: ULTRA GALAXY THE MOVIE. The sets contains both HD and SD content on Blu-ray with the original Japanese soundtracks plus English subtitles. BATTLE KAIJU SERIES 03: ULTRAMAN VS GOMORA is on sale now and has a SRP of $19.99. The set can be ordered from deepdiscount.com,  amazon.com and other retailers (both online and in stores). OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES and INFORMATION Prize: A. There are five (5) prizes, with each prize consisting of one (1) BATTLE KAIJU SERIES 03: ULTRAMAN VS GOMORA Blu-ray set. B.

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Two Terrifying Titles Debut Exclusively on Digital June 25. Photos courtesy of Well Go USA.   Source: Well Go USA, lbhpr Special Thanks to Leif Helland Well Go USA Entertainment brings two terrifying titles exclusively to digital June 25. HOPELESS is a thriller focusing on a teenage boy who attempts to escape from his hellish reality but ends up in the world of crime, while TASTES OF HORROR is an omnibus-style film from five acclaimed South Korean directors (Sang-hoon Ahn, Johnny Chae [as Chae Yeojoon], Yoon Een-Kyoung, Yong-gyun Kim & Dae-wung Lim) who created six shorts compiled into one terrifying film.   HOPELESS (화란, Hwaran, 2023) Starring: Hong Xa Bin, Kim Jong-soo, Song Joong-ki Writer/Director: Kim Chang-hoon Synopsis: After spending his entire childhood in a town riddled with crime and violence, a teenage boy saves up his money in hopes of

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