SciFi Japan

    The Sundance Film Festival favorite WE ARE LITTLE ZOMBIES comes to VOD and movie theaters this Friday. Photo courtesy of Oscilloscope Laboratories. ©2019 “WE ARE LITTLE ZOMBIES” FILM PARTNERS

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Source: Oscilloscope Laboratories press release Official Site: littlezombies.jp (Japan), littlezombies.oscilloscope.net (US) Special Thanks to Ted Geoghegan The incredible Sundance darling WE ARE LITTLE ZOMBIES (?????????????, U?? Ritoru Zonb?zu, 2019) hits VOD and live cinemas -- yeah, real movie theaters! -- this Friday, July 10th from Oscilloscope Laboratories! Director Makoto Nagahisa won the Grand Jury Prize (for short film) at the 33rd Sundance Film Festival, the first Japanese recipient of the award. The film, AND SO WE PUT GOLDFISH IN THE POOL (???????????????, S?shite Watashitachiha P?ru ni Kingyo o), garnered attention both in Japan and around the world for its compelling cinematography, clever storytelling, and entrancing music, promising the birth of a new talent in the wake of Quentin Tarantino (KILL BILL), Damien Chazelle (LA LA LAND), Shunji Iwai (A BRIDE FOR RIP VAN WINKLE), and Tetsuya Nakajima (THE WORLD OF KANAKO). Now in

    American and Japanese promotional art for the new J-Horror series JU-ON: ORIGINS. Photo courtesy of Netflix. ©2020 “Ju-On: Origins” Production Committee

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Season Premieres United States on July 3, 2020 Source: Netflix Official Site: JU-ON: Origins | Netflix The legendary horror franchise JU-ON (aka THE GRUDGE) is set to once again shake the world as Netflix Japan presents its first-ever horror original series, JU-ON: ORIGINS (呪怨: 呪いの家, Ju-On: Noroi no Ie). The 6 episode season will premiere in the United States on July 3, 2020. According to publicity materials from Netflix, JU-ON: ORIGINS will focus on the true events which inspired the films. The series details the beginning of the curse and gives a raw look at the chain of terror that befalls all of those who come into contact with the house of horror. The episodes were written by Hiroshi Takahashi (screenwriter for THE RING series) and producer Takashige Ichise (JU-ON and THE RING franchises). JU-ON: ORIGINS Release Date:

    The 2020 JAPAN CUTS: Festival of New Japanese Film will open with Shinichiro Ueda`s SPECIAL ACTORS. Photo courtesy of Shochiku. ©Shochiku Broadcasting Co., Ltd.

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Source: Japan Society press release Special Thanks to Allison Rodman In light of the ongoing international situation with COVID-19, the organizers behind JAPAN CUTS: Festival of New Japanese Film have decided to take this popular annual event at Japan Society out of its usual form and craft a completely online version of the festival. Partnering with Festival Scope and Shift72 as the streaming platform and technology service, the festival team is hand-crafting 14 days of unique screening opportunities for Japanese cinema lovers, serving the Society’s dedicated audiences in New York City but also, for the first time, making the festival available to viewers throughout the United States. “While nothing can replace the thrill of welcoming filmmakers and audience members together into our auditorium, we are excited by the new possibilities opened up by putting the festival online this summer,” says K. F. Watanabe, Deputy Director of Film

    Writing Japanese Monsters. Photo courtesy of John LeMay. ©John LeMay

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Special Thanks to John LeMay Author John LeMay is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a signed paperback copy of his Writing Japanese Monsters: From the Files of the Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies, perhaps the first tome to take an in-depth look at both the writers and the writing process behind these films. This book charts the wild developmental process of all of Japan’s many monster films. Learn how Gamera was born when the Daiei Studios president looked out his airplane window and saw a cloud shaped like a turtle; how KING KONG VS. GODZILLA began as King Kong vs. Frankenstein; and how Ultraman originally started out with the name and design of one his future opponents! Discover a floppy-eared Godzilla; a blue-scaled, rainbow-winged King Ghidorah; and a transforming Mechagodzilla! Marvel at Gorgo’s roots as a Japanese co-production called Kuru Island;

    GODZILLA. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

    Tokusatsu - FX

    From the 1950s to the present day, Japan has released a wide variety of fantastic science-fiction movies over the decades. Here is a look at five of the very best. THE CLONE RETURNS HOME When Japanese film critics first watched THE CLONE RETURNS HOME in 2008, it was immediately hailed as a classic, and the critics were right. Besides being a visually-stunning movie with ethereal imagery, THE CLONE RETURNS HOME is a profoundly philosophical tale that will make you think about life, death, and memories. The premise of the film concerns a clone being created from a dead person. It asks questions regarding whether the clone can have a deceased person’s personality and memories. BATTLE ROYALE Just because a movie is controversial, it does not always mean it is a fantastic film. But BATTLE ROYALE is both. The 2000 movie follows a group of high-school students who

    The Lost Films: Mutated Edition. Photo courtesy of John LeMay. ©John LeMay

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Special Thanks to John LeMay Author John LeMay is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a signed paperback copy of his The Big Book of Japanese Giant Monster Movies: The Lost Films: Mutated Edition. This newly released second edition runs 470 pages and measures 7 x 10?, and is packed with information about movies that went uncompleted like BATMAN MEETS GODZILLA starring Adama West and a DAIMAJIN remake starring Steven Seagal. This book covers: Unproduced scripts like BRIDE OF GODZILLA (1955), GAMERA VS. THE ICE MEN FROM OUTER SPACE (1966), ULTRAMAN: OPERATION GIANT (1966), KING KONG VS. EBIRAH (1966), GAMERA VS. TWO-HEADED MONSTER W (1971), THE TIME MACHINE II (1979), GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS IN 3-D (1983), IT ATE CLEVELAND! (1984), COO FROM A DISTANT SEA (1989), MOTHRA VS. BAGAN (1990), GAMERA VS. PHOENIX (1993), GODZILLA VS. GHOST GODZILLA (1995), YAMATO TAKERU II

    Photo courtesy of Shochiku. ©2020 Shochiku Co., Ltd. Fuji Television Network, Inc.

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: shochiku.co.jp/ichidoshindemita (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Shochiku has provided information and large, high-res photos from NOT QUITE DEAD YET ( ???????, Ichido Shindemita), a science fiction comedy about the ruckus caused by a rebellious daughter who is always upset with her dad and the father who randomly ends up as a ghost. NOT QUITE DEAD YET is the feature film directorial debut of Shinji Hamasaki. The film is written by Yoshimitsu Sawamoto, a producer, director and writer known for popular national advertising campaigns including SoftBank`s “Shirato Family” and KDDI`s “Au no Santaro” commercial series. Suzu Hirose (OUR LITTLE SISTER, YOUR LIE IN APRIL, CHIHAYAFURU film series) tries her hand at comedy for the first time. Her father is played by Shinichi Tsutsumi (ALWAYS- SUNSET ON THIRD STREET- series, THE MOLE SONG, THE 47 RONIN IN DEBT),

    Photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. ©

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: zero-one-kiramager.com (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Toei Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with large, high-res images of the promotional artwork for their upcoming theatrical release, KAMEN RIDER ZERO-ONE THE MOVIE/ MAJIN SENTAI KIRAMAGER THE MOVIE (??? ?????????????????????? THE MOVIE, Gekij?-ban Kamen Raid? Zero Wan/ Mashin Sentai Kirameij? THE MOVIE). The 20th annual Super Sentai/Kamen Rider double feature opens in Japan on July 23rd. Japanese Release Date: Friday, July 23, 2020 (Roadshow) Production: "Zero-One ? Kiramager" Movie Production Committee Distributor: Toei International Sales: Toei ©"Zero-One ? Kiramager" Movie Production Committee ?Ishimori Pro ? TV Asahi ? ADK EM ? Toei ?2020 TV Asahi ? Toei AG ? Toei About Toei Company, Ltd. Established in 1951, Toei Company is not only producing and

    Patren 1gou, Ryusoul Red and Lupin Red team up in KISHIRYU SENTAI RYUSOULGER VS LUPINRANGER VS PATRANGER THE MOVIE, part of SUPER SENTAI MOVIE PARTY. Photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. ©2020

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: super-sentai-vs-2020.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Toei Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with info, large high-res photos and poster art for SUPER SENTAI MOVIE PARTY (????????????????, S?p? Sentai M?b? P?t?), the first new entry in their "Super Sentai VS" film series in three years. The movie opened in Japanese cinemas this past weekend. SUPER SENTAI MOVIE PARTY is divided into two chapters. The first is KISHIRYU SENTAI RYUSOULGER VS LUPINRANGER VS PATRANGER THE MOVIE (??? ????????????????????????????????, Gekij?-ban Kishiry? Ryuusouj? VS Rupanrenj? VS Patorenj?), which brings together the heroes of the two most recent Sentai television shows, LUPINRANGER VS PATRANGER (???????????? VS ???????????, Kait? Sentai Rupanrenj? VS Keisatsu Sentai Patorenj?, 2018-19) and KISHIRYU SENTAI RYUSOULGER (?????????????, Kishiry? Sentai Ry?s?j?, 2019-20). The Ryusoulgers` latest adventure begins as Tyramigo and the other Kishiryu are captured by Ganima, one

    Kamen Rider Zi-O and Kamen Rider Zero-One team up in the new movie KAMEN RIDER REIWA THE FIRST GENERATION. Photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 'Zero One / Zi-O' Production Committee © Ishimori Pro?TV Asahi?ADK EM?Toei © TOEI COMPANY, LTD. All Rights Reserved.

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: kamenrider-winter.com (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Toei Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with several large, high-res photos and promotional artwork for their upcoming movie KAMEN RIDER REIWA THE FIRST GENERATION (????????? ????????????????, Kamen Raid? Reiwa za F?suto Jener?shon). The film is a crossover between the heroes of the television series KAMEN RIDER ZI-O (?????????, Kamen Raid? Ji?, 2018-19) and KAMEN Rider ZERO-ONE (??????????, Kamen Raid? Zero Wan, 2019-20). KAMEN RIDER REIWA THE FIRST GENERATION will open in Japanese cinemas on December 21. 2019. About Toei Company, Ltd. Established in 1951, Toei Company is

    Lin Shaye and Tara Westwood in THE GRUDGE, the reboot/sequel to the long running Japanese and American horror film series. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment. © 2018 CTMG, All Rights Reserved.

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Source: Sony Pictures Entertainment Official Movie Site: thegrudge.movie In 2003, Sam Raimi’s (EVIL DEAD, SPIDER-MAN) production company Ghost House Pictures licensed the remake rights to JU-ON (呪怨), the Japanese horror film series from director Takashi Shimizu. Shimizu was hired to direct the US version, released in 2004 as THE GRUDGE. Starring Sarah Michelle Gellar (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER), THE GRUDGE was a box office hit, grossing $188 million worldwide. Shimizu returned for the less successful sequel, THE GRUDGE 2 (2006), starring Amber Tamblyn (JOAN OF ARCADIA). A straight-to-video sequel, THE GRUDGE 3 followed in 2009. That appeared to be the end of THE GRUDGE series in America, but Sam Raimi is back with what is promised to be “a twisted new take of the horror classic.” Directed by Nicolas Pesce (THE EYES OF MY MOTHER), the new

    Photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 'Zero One / Zi-O' Production Committee © Ishimori Pro?TV Asahi?ADK EM?Toei © TOEI COMPANY, LTD. All Rights Reserved.

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: kamenrider-winter.com (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Toei Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with large, high-res images of the promotional artwork for their upcoming movie KAMEN RIDER REIWA THE FIRST GENERATION (????????? ????????????????, Kamen Raid? Reiwa za F?suto Jener?shon). The film is a crossover between the heroes of the television series KAMEN RIDER ZI-O (?????????, Kamen Raid? Ji?, 2018-19) and KAMEN RIDER ZERO-ONE (??????????, Kamen Raid? Zero Wan, 2019-20). KAMEN RIDER REIWA THE FIRST GENERATION will open in Japanese cinemas on December 21. 2019. About Toei Company, Ltd. Established in 1951, Toei Company is not only producing and distributing films, but is also one of the major exhibitors in Japan. The company owns two film studios located in Tokyo and Kyoto. The films produced cover a

    Photo courtesy of Funimation Films. © 2019 “Tokyo Ghoul 2” Film Partners © Sui Ishida/Shueisha.

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Source: Funimation Official Site: tokyoghoul.jp (Japan), funimationfilms.com/tokyo-ghoul (US) Special Thanks to Scott Barretto Funimation Films has provided a gallery of photos from TOKYO GHOUL S (???? ?????????S?, T?ky? G?ru [S], 2019), the sequel to the original 2017 live action adaptation of Sui Ishida`s popular dark fantasy manga. TOKYO GHOUL S will have a limited theatrical release in the U.S. and Canada on September 16, 18 and 20, 2019. Visit funimationfilms.com/tokyo-ghoul for details. About Funimation Funimation, a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Television, is a global leader in the world of anime. A fully integrated, next-generation entertainment studio, the company`s fan-first philosophy is anchored in its omnichannel approach to its immersive offerings. From streaming and

    Photo courtesy of Funimation Films. © 2019 “Tokyo Ghoul 2” Film Partners © Sui Ishida/Shueisha.

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Source: Funimation press release Official Site: tokyoghoul.jp (Japan), funimationfilms.com/tokyo-ghoul (US) Special Thanks to Scott Barretto The ghouls return to North America this September with TOKYO GHOUL S (???? ?????????S?, T?ky? G?ru [S ]), the next thrilling live action adaptation -- true to Sui Ishida`s original manga and the sequel to the original 2017 movie. Set in Tokyo where man-eating creatures called Ghouls lurk, the film depicts the struggles of a half-human and half-ghoul university student. TOKYO GHOUL S opens Monday, September 16 in 400 theaters across the U.S. and Canada. The film will have a three-day limited theatrical run (September 16, 18 & 20) and will screen in Japanese with English subtitles. Synopsis Now a member of Anteiku, Ken Kaneki (Masataka Kubota) grows closer to the ghouls around him. Determined to protect his new home against anti-ghoul forces, he trains his powers in

    Photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. ©“Zi-O · Ryusoulger

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: zi-o-ryusoul.com (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Toei Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with info, large high-res photos and poster art for their 19th annual Super Sentai/Kamen Rider theatrical double feature, KAMEN RIDER ZI-O THE MOVIE: OVER QUARTZER / KISHIRYU SENTAI RYUSOULGER THE MOVIE: TIME SLIP! DINOSAUR PANIC!!. The movies open in Japan on July 26th. Japanese Release Date: Friday, July 26, 2019 (Roadshow) Production: “Zi-O · Ryusoulger" Movie Production Committee Distributor: Toei International Sales: Toei ©“Zi-O · Ryusoulger" Movie Production Committee. © Ishimori Pro · TV Asahi · ADK EM · Toei © 2019 TV Asahi · Toei AG · Toei Co., Ltd. KAMEN RIDER ZI-O THE MOVIE: OVER QUARTZER (??? ????????? Over Quartzer, Gekij?-ban Kamen Raid? Ji? ?v? Kw?ts?) After they

    CASSHERN © 2005 CASSHERN PARTNERS. ATTACK ON TITAN © 2015 'Attack on Titan' Movie Production Committee © Hajime Isayama / Kodansha. BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE © 2009 East Wing Holdings Corp. and SAJ.

    Tokusatsu - FX

    For a Westerner, Japan is such a different world that it could well be on another planet. It has its own long history, usually free from the influence of other cultures, it has its own music, game show culture, entertainment, and even Japanese gambling has its own rules that are nothing like any other in the world. The same goes for anime -- it has its own rulebook to play from and doesn`t support tampering. This didn`t stop filmmakers from all over the world to try their hands on adapting beloved anime movies and series to the West with live actors playing the parts. The success of these attempts was, as you might expect, fluctuating, to say the least. The Best CASSHERN was the big-screen debut of Kazuaki Kiriya, who has previously directed music videos for artists like The Back Horn, Shunsuke

    An alien monster and a giant high school teacher battle in the old-school tokusatsu movie, ATTACK OF THE GIANT TEACHER. Photo courtesy of Avery Guerra. © 2019 Attack of the Giant Teacher Film Partners

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Source: Avery Guerra The new independent daikaiju film ATTACK OF THE GIANT TEACHER (??????????????????????, Atakku Obu Za Jaianto T?ch?, 2019) will have its premiere at this year`s G-Fest, running Friday, July 12 through Sunday, July 14 at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare in Rosemont, IL. The movie will screen on both Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. ATTACK OF THE GIANT TEACHER is a classic style tokusatsu film that tells the story of Kenzo Miyazawa, an earnest teacher who works at a night high school. His class is filled with unique and slightly odd students. Suddenly, the night school witnesses a drop in student numbers and has no choice but to shut down by the end of the year. Mr. Miyazawa’s class decides to create a musical for the school’s last festival. Then, an alien beast invades Earth and begins destroying the town. Mr. Miyazawa challenges the alien

    Photo courtesy of Shout! Factory. © Toei Company, Ltd. © SCG Power Rangers LLC.

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Source: Shout! Factory press release Special Thanks to Shannon Meehan This Sunday, Shout! Factory TV presents the live finale to Super Sentai Madness! The conclusion to an epic tournament of Super Sentai villains and their corresponding Sentai episodes will be livestreamed beginning April 7 at 6 p.m. PT on Shout! Factory TV’s site, Twitch channel and Pluto TV channel Karan Ashley (MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS), Andre Meadows (POWER RANGERS: HYPERFORCE) and Shout! Factory’s Brian Ward will break down the results of the three-week Super Sentai Madness tournament. Accompanied by Sentai experts like Shamus Kelley, the live show will break down all of the villain match-ups, explore the relationship between Super Sentai and Power Rangers, stir interaction with fans on Twitter and Twitch, and reveal the ultimate winner of the tournament. Additionally, the bracket contest winner will be picked live, and the winner receives a Shout! Factory shopping

    Mayu Akikawa (Elaiza Ikeda) discovers the curse of

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Source: Kadokawa Pictures Official Site: sadako-movie.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Kadokawa Pictures has provided SciF Japan with photos from their new J-Horror film, SADAKO (??), the latest chapter in THE RING series. The movie is directed by Hideo Nakata, who first brought Japan’s most popular horror franchise to theaters with the smash hit THE RING (???, Ringu, 1998). SADAKO opens in Japanese cinemas on May 24th. About Kadokawa Pictures, Inc. Kadokawa Pictures is part of Kadokawa Shoten, which forms the axis of the expansive KADOKAWA CORPORATION. Kadokawa Shoten has maintained the company’s traditions since its founding, while continuously seeking to innovate at the same time. With their core operations based in publishing and film, represented by the Kadokawa Paperback,

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