SciFi Japan

    Director Hideo Nakata and actress Haruka Shimazaki at the world premiere of their new Japanese horror film, GHOST THEATER. Photo courtesy of Frédéric Ambroisine.

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Interviewer: Fabien Mauro Translator: Shoko Takahashi L’Étrange Festival Official Website: etrangefestival.com/2015 (English) Official Movie Site: gekijourei.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Hideo Nakata, Haruka Shimazaki, Xavier Fayet & Estelle Lacaud, Frédéric Ambroisine J-Horror master Hideo Nakata (THE RING 1 & 2, DARK WATER) and singer/actress Haruka Shimazaki from AKB48 attended the World Premiere of GHOST THEATER (???, Gekijourei) on September 11th at the 21st édition of L’Étrange Festival at Le Forum des Images in Paris. This film is an update of Nakata`s 1996 movie, GHOST ACTRESS (???, Joyuurei, aka DON`T LOOK UP). Nakata-san and Shimazaki-san were welcomed by a standing ovation in a packed screening room. The director and the star share some secrets about the film, which will be released in Japanese theaters on November 21. HIDEO NAKATA Fabien Mauro: Twenty years after GHOST ACTRESS, why did you choose to reinvent this

    Director Shinji Higuchi and stars Haruma Miura and Kiko Mizuhara greet fans at the world premiere of Toho`s ATTACK ON TITAN in Hollywood. Photo by Richard Pusateri. © 2015

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    Shinji Higuchi Feature Film of Manga/Anime Phenomenon Thrills Fans Author: Richard A. Pusateri Source: FUNimation Entertainment, Anderson Group Public Relations Official Site: shingeki-seyo.com (Japan) Special Thanks to Scott Barretto, Whitney Peterson and Caitlin Owens SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details from a new movie. Two weeks before Toho`s ATTACK ON TITAN (?????, Shingeki no Kyojin, 2015) topped the Japanese box office in its opening weekend, the live-action feature film had its world premiere in Hollywood, CA. Hosted by the movie`s North American distributor, FUNimation Entertainment, the event began at 3:00pm on Tuesday, July 14 with a cast and crew press conference at the Loews Hollywood Hotel. The festivities then moved to the Egyptian Theater for the red carpet walk at 6:00pm, followed by the 7:30pm screening of the film. SciFi Japan`s Richard Pusateri attended the premiere. We are pleased to present his ATTACK ON

    Image courtesy of Diamond Comic Distributors. © BANDAI 2015

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    Leading Toy Manufacturer Signs with Diamond to Distribute and Market Its Products in the U.S. Source: Diamond Comic Distributors Special Thanks to Deborah Moreland Diamond Comic Distributors has finalized negotiations with Bandai America Incorporated to become a Master Distributor for the leading toy manufacturer. The deal makes Diamond the preferred distributor on behalf of Bandai America to select retailers throughout the United States. Bandai America is home to some of the most powerful entertainment toy brands, including Power Rangers, Big Hero 6, GODZILLA, and SprüKits, as well as extremely successful Japanese hobby and collector lines. “We have a long standing strategic partnership with Diamond,” said Michael Ciminera, Bandai America’s Vice President of Sales. “We fully believe in their ability to distribute and market Bandai products far and wide into the U.S. market.” “We’re gratified by the trust Bandai America has placed in us to be their

    Photo courtesy of Fantasia. © Watsuki Nobuhiro/ Shueisha. © 2014

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    Source: Fantasia International Film Festival press release Official Movie Site: warnerbros.co.jp/rurouni-kenshin (Japan) Special Thanks to Ted Geoghegan Even as Fantasia 2015 enters its final week of films, it`s not done offering up surprises! The Japanese mega-blockbuster RUROUNI KENSHIN: THE LEGEND ENDS (?????? ??????, Rurouni Kenshin Densetsu no Saigo hen, 2014) will celebrate its North American Premiere in Montreal on August 4th! The RUROUNI KENSHIN trilogy has laid waste to box office records since beginning in 2012, becoming three of the biggest blockbusters in the history of Japanese cinema. The acclaimed first film and its stunning sequel, KYOTO INFERNO, have both screened to sold-out crowds at previous editions of Fantasia, and the festival is immensely proud to celebrate the North American Premiere of this action-packed trilogy`s conclusion. Adapted from Nobuhiro Watsuki’s hit manga, the saga of a killer who will not kill, the live-action RUROUNI KENSHIN films have

    Win SNOW GIRL AND THE DARK CRYSTAL on Blu-ray from Well Go USA! © 2015 International Media Group Co

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    Li Bingbing & Chen Kun Star in the Romantic Fantasy Epic From Co-Directors Peter Pau & Zhao Tianyu Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications Official Movie Site: zk.youxi.com (China) Special Thanks to Leif Helland Well Go USA Entertainment is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win their Blu-ray edition of the romantic fantasy epic SNOW GIRL AND THE DARK CRYSTAL (?????????, Zhong Kui fu mo: Xueyao moling, 2015). Academy Award winning cinematographer Peter Pau (CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON, 2000) makes his third bow as a director (alongside co-director Zhao Tianyu) with the story of legendary hero Zhong Kui, a fabled warrior with mysterious powers, who is forced to conquer the realms of Heaven and Hell to save his people and the woman he loves. The film stars Chen Kun (YOUNG DETECTIVE DEE: RISE OF THE SEA DRAGON, FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE)

    Lionsgate Home Entertainment will release a collection of Halloween-themed POWER RANGERS episodes in September. Image courtesy of Lionsgate Entertainment. © 2015 SCG Power Rangers LLC.

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    Source: Lionsgate, Bender/Helper Impact press release Official Site: powerrangers.com It’s all tricks and treats in Saban’s POWER RANGERS: TRICKSTER TREAT, arriving on DVD and Digital HD on September 15th from Lionsgate Home Entertainment. From the top-rated kid’s live-action series, these fright-fueled, spine-tingling Halloween adventures follow the Rangers as they have a strange encounter with a mysterious medium who conjures “visions” of monsters past! The Saban’s POWER RANGERS: TRICKSTER TREAT DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $14.98. It’s Halloween, and the Power Rangers’ biggest foes are determined not to let them ruin any of their ghastly mayhem! And there’s no time for treats, as the team must outwit Trickster’s nightmare-inducing dream beams, visit a mysterious fortune teller who summons visions of past opponents and escape the haunted forest, all while battling the creepiest of creatures and keeping humanity safe. But is there a

    The 2015 SDCC exclusive PACIFIC RIM – Replica Mini-Figures Box Set. Photo courtesy of NECA, Inc. © 2013 WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC. AND LEGENDARY PICTURES FUNDING, LLC. © NECA, Inc.

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    Source: NECA, Inc. press release Official Site: necaonline.com/licenses/pacific-rim Official Movie Site: pacificrimmovie.warnerbros.com During the 2015 San Diego Comic-Con International, NECA will be offering an exclusive set of five mini-figures from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures` PACIFIC RIM. The sets will be available for purchase at booth #3145. However, there are TWO ways to procure one DURING Comic Con WITHOUT GOING TO Comic-Con... if you’re ready for a little excitement, that is! 1. IN STORE: From July 9th through 12th, NECA will seed a very small number of sets in random Toys ‘R’ Us and Hastings stores all across the U.S. Which ones? That would ruin all the fun... 2. ONLINE FLASH SALE: During the show (exact time will be announced soon), a small amount will be available online at necaonline.com -- and once they’re gone, the sale’s over! Please note that you will not be able

    FUNimation Entertainment will theatrically release Toho`s ATTACK ON TITAN in North and South America. Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2015

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Source: FUNimation Entertainment Official Site: shingeki-seyo.com (Japan) Special Thanks to Scott Barretto On Monday, FUNimation Entertainment announced their distribution of the theatrical, home entertainment, video on demand and broadcast rights to the feature film ATTACK ON TITAN (?????, Shingeki no Kyojin) across the Americas (North America, Central America and South America). FUNimation has now provided SciFi Japan with a selection of high-res images from the live-action movie directed by Shinji Higuchi (Gamera trilogy, Godzilla 2016). About FUNimation Entertainment FUNimation Entertainment is the leading anime company in North America. FUNimation has a proven formula for launching and advancing brands. They manage a full spectrum of rights for most of their brands including broadcasting, licensing, production, Internet, and home video sales and distribution. For

    Bluefin Distribution will be selling several exclusives at 2015 San Diego Comic-Con. Photos courtesy of Bluefin.

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Leading Toy And Hobby Distributor Offers Special Products For Star Wars, Iron Man, Batman, Dragon Ball, Gundam, And More! Source: Bluefin Corp., MediaLab press release Special Thanks to Erik Jansen Bluefin, the leading North American distributor of toys, collectibles, and hobby merchandise from Japan, Hong Kong and more, has announced a wide array of exciting new and exclusive products to be showcased and also available for purchase at the 2015 San Diego Comic-Con International. San Diego Comic-Con is North America’s largest dedicated pop-culture convention and takes place July 8th-12th at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, CA. Each year, manufacturers create a variety of show exclusive collectibles and other limited edition products that attendees specifically seek out. More details are available at comic-con.org. Bluefin products will be located on the Main Hall in Booths #3545 and #140. Bluefin will delight Comic-Con

    FUNimation Entertainment will release Toho`s ATTACK ON TITAN in North and South America. © 2015

    Tokusatsu - FX

    World Premiere to Be Held July 14, 2015 at Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles, CA Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Official Site: shingeki-seyo.com (Japan) Special Thanks to Scott Barretto FUNimation Entertainment is proud to announce today its distribution of the theatrical, home entertainment, video on demand and broadcast rights to the upcoming Japanese live-action feature film ATTACK ON TITAN (?????, Shingeki no Kyojin) across the Americas (North America, Central America and South America). The film will be released by Toho Co. Ltd. in two parts in Japan on August 1 and September 19, 2015. Series creator Hajime Isayama worked directly with the film’s producers to create the screen adaptation. ATTACK ON TITAN is based on the popular manga series of the same name, which tells the story of a world where most of humanity has been destroyed by giants and where the last

    An extended director`s cut of Mamoru Oshii`s live-action movie THE NEXT GENERATION PATLABOR -TOKYO WAR- will be released in October. Photo courtesy of Shochiku. © 2015 HEADGEAR/ 'THE NEXT GENERATION -PATLABOR-' PARTNERS

    Tokusatsu - FX

    New High-Res Images from the Live-Action Movie Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: patlabor-nextgeneration.com (Japan) Distributor Shochiku Co. has released the poster art and additional images for the live-action feature film THE NEXT GENERATION PATLABOR -TOKYO WAR- DIRECTOR`S CUT (THE NEXT GENERATION ?????? ???????????????, Za Nekusuto Jenereeshon Patoreibaa Shuto Kessen Direkutaazukatto). The new extended version -- featuring 27 minutes of additional footage -- will open in Japanese cinemas on October 10th. THE NEXT GENERATION -PATLABOR- (? ???? ???????? -??????-, Za Nekusuto Jenereeshon – Patoreibaa -) theatrical series ran in seven chapters from 2014-2015. The story concluded with the 94 minute long movie, THE NEXT GENERATION PATLABOR -TOKYO WAR- (THE NEXT GENERATION ?????? ????, Za Nekusuto Jenereeshon Patoreibaa Shuto Kessen), which opened in 12th place at the box office for the May 1-3 weekend. At the end of the 20th century, there was a

    Teaser poster. Photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © “Drive · Ninninger” Movie Production Committee. © Ishimori Pro · TV Asahi · ADK · Toei © 2015 TV Asahi · Toei AG · Toei Co., Ltd.

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    Toei Publicity Materials for New Double Feature Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: drive-ninnin.jp (Japan) The 15th annual Super Sentai/Kamen Rider theatrical double feature will be released in August. The film stars the characters from Toei`s current henshin hero shows, SHURIKEN SENTAI NINNINGER (????????????, Shuriken Sentai Nin’ninjaa, 2015-16) and KAMEN RIDER DRIVE (??????????, Kamen Raidaa Doraibu, 2014-15). Japanese Release Date: Saturday, August 8, 2015 (Roadshow) Production: “Drive · Ninninger” Movie Production Committee (Ishimori Pro, TV Asahi, ADK, Toei) Distributor: Toei International Sales: Toei © “Drive · Ninninger” Movie Production Committee. © Ishimori Pro · TV Asahi · ADK · Toei © 2015 TV Asahi · Toei AG · Toei Co., Ltd. KAMEN RIDER DRIVE: SURPRISE FUTURE Japanese Title: ??? ??????????????????????? (Gekijooban Kamen Raidaa Doraibu Sapuraizu Fuyuuchaa) A time traveler tells Shinnosuke Tomari that the Drive System will cause great despair

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    Huge Festivals Return to New York City with Screenings of 80 Asian Films Source: Subway Cinema, Japan Society Special Thanks to Emma Griffiths and Shannon Jowett Beginning Friday, June 26th, New York City once again will host a month-long festival of popular Asian cinema. Subway Cinema`s New York Asian Film Festival (June 26-July 11) and Japan Society`s Japan Cuts: Festival of New Japanese Film (July 9-19) combined will feature 80 different movies, world and US premieres, exclusive Q&A’s with filmmakers, and other special events. This year also marks the ninth annual collaboration between Japan Cuts and NYAFF. Festival Venues Film Society of Lincoln Center`s Walter Reade Theater: June 26-July 8 165 West 65th Street, Upper Level (between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue) Box office: (212) 875-5601 America`s pre-eminent film presentation organization, The Film Society of Lincoln Center was founded in 1969 to celebrate American and international

    The reportedly final movie in THE GRUDGE franchise will be screened at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal. Photo courtesy of Showgate. © 2015

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    Source: Fantasia International Film Festival, Showgate Official Movie Site: juon-movie.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Ted Geoghegan JU-ON -THE FINAL- (??-???????-, Juon -Za Fainaru-, 2015), the 11th film in the long-running THE GRUDGE J-Horror franchise, will have its International Premiere at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal. The movie is being marketed with the English title, JU-ON: THE FINAL CURSE. Directly following last year`s JU-ON: THE BEGINNING OF THE END, this harrowing conclusion of Director Masayuki Ochiai`s reboot of J-Horror`s most beloved franchise generously brings all the goodies expected from fans. Prepare to squirm, screech and shudder because Toshio and Kayoko are determined to finish business with panache. The 19th edition of the Fantasia International Film Festival, presented by Ubisoft and Anchor Bay, features three weeks of cinematic ingenuity from July 14 until August 4, 2015. For more

    The members of the girl “geek-idol” group Dempagumi.inc return for the fantasy sequel INNOCENT LILIES: THE END AND THE BEGINNING. Photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 2015 'Innocent Lilies' Student Council

    Tokusatsu - FX

    Sequel to the 2013 Toei/TV Asahi Fantasy Opens in June Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: shiromajo.jp (Japan) Change the world, white witch or a black witch? Again, those girls descend. Withstand the pain, overcome grief--! In 2013, TV Asahi and Toei partnered for the “Action-Fantasy Heroine Movie”, INNOCENT LILIES (?????, Shiro Majo Gakuen) starring the members of the Japanese idol girl group Dempagumi.inc (Mirin Furukawa, Risa Aizawa, Nemu Yumemi, Eimi Naruse, Ayane Fujisaki and Moga Mogami). Now the story continues with INNOCENT LILIES: THE END AND THE BEGINNING (????? ????????, Shiro Majo gakuen Owaritohajimari), coming to theaters across Japan on June 13th. INNOCENT LILIES director Koichi Sakamoto and screenwriter Reiko Yoshida return for the sequel. Sakamoto worked abroad as an action director director of the POWER RANGERS series before returning to Japan with MEGA MONSTER BATTLE ULTRA GALAXY: THE MOVIE (?????? ????????

    40 girls kill each other at a girl`s only school in TAG, the latest film from internationally renowned director Sion Sono. Photo courtesy of Asmik Ace. © 2015 “Tag” Film Committee?

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    Source: Asmik Ace Entertainment, Inc., Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Movie Site: realonigokko.com (Japan) No men in sight, only women... and something unthinkable is killing girls! Internationally acclaimed director Sion Sono (LOVE EXPOSURE, COLD FISH, WHY DON`T YOU PLAY IN HELL?, TOKYO TRIBE) is back at his best and craziest with TAG (???????, Real Onigokko). Described as "a film that depicts young women`s fragile and sometimes dangerous emotional turbulence and their fear of being chased by the unknown", the movie is based on the best-selling novel Real Onigokko by Yusuke Yamada with more than two million copies in print. In Yamada`s story the victims all have the family name "Sato". For the movie adaptation, Sono has changed the focus to joshi kokosei -- female high school students -- abbreviated in Japan as "JK". TAG stars Reina Triendl (JU-ON: THE BEGINNING OF THE END), Mariko

    GHOST THEATER, the latest Japanese horror film from director Hideo Nakata, opens this November. Photo courtesy of Shochiku. © 2015

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    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd., Nikkatsu Corporation Official Movie Site: gekijourei.jp (Japan) In 1998, director Hideo Nakata drew international attention with his acclaimed J-Horror hit THE RING (???, Ringu). In more recent years he directed DEATH NOTE: L, change the worLd (L??????, L no Hontou no Himitsu, 2008) and THE INCITE MILL ?7 DAY DEATH GAME? (?????????????????, Inshite Miru: 7-Kakan no Desu Gemu, 2010) before returning to the J-Horror genre in 2013 with THE COMPLEX (??????, Kuroyuri Danchi). Nakata`s latest horror film is GHOST THEATER (???, Gekijourei), an update of his legendary 1996 movie, GHOST ACTRESS (???, Joyuurei, aka DON`T LOOK UP). As with THE COMPLEX, GHOST THEATER is a co=production of the Japanese studios Nikkatsu and Shochiku, and stars a member of the girls` group AKB48. GHOST THEATER opens nationwide in Japan on November 21st. Story When the curtain falls, it rises... Sara,

    Photo courtesy of Showgate. © 2015

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    Source: Showgate Official Site: juon-movie.jp (Japan) Showgate has released additional high-res photos featuring the main cast from JU-ON -THE FINAL- (??-???????-, Juon -Za Fainaru-), the 11th film in the long-running THE GRUDGE J-Horror franchise. The movie opens at the Shinjuku Wald 9 and other Japanese cinemas on June 20th. For more information on JU-ON -THE FINAL- please see the earlier coverage here on SciFi Japan: THE GRUDGE Series to End With JU-ON -THE FINAL-

    Advance poster. Image courtesy of Showgate. © 2015

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    Source: Showgate Official Site: juon-movie.jp (Japan) The "Cursed House" of the Saeki family, who met a gruesome end... All who set foot within are cursed and will die. The long-running JU-ON/THE GRUDGE J-Horror franchise will reportedly come to an end with JU-ON -THE FINAL- (??-???????-, Juon -Za Fainaru-). The 11th film in the series will open June 20th at the Shinjuku Wald 9 and other cinemas across Japan from distributor Showgate. Alongside THE RING (???, Ringu, 1998), JU-ON kicked off the Japanese Horror boom of the late 1990s. Created by Takashi Shimizu, the story was introduced in a pair of television shorts in 1998, then expanded in two direct-to-video films in 2000 before being launched as a theatrical series in 2002. In 2004, Shimizu directed the American adaptation THE GRUDGE for Sony Pictures, a box office hit that spawned both a theatrical and video sequel. After

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