SciFi Japan

    GODZILLA VS. SELF-DEFENSE FORCES cover art. Photo courtesy of Bungeishunju Ltd. Godzilla TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

    News

    Japan's Top Class Military Experts Discuss War in Anime and Special Effects FilmsSource: Bungeishunju Ltd. press releases GODZILLA VS. SELF-DEFENSE FORCES cover art. Photo courtesy of Bungeishunju Ltd. Godzilla TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. Bungeishunju Ltd.. (Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Shigeyuki Iikubo) will release a new paperback book, Godzilla vs. Self-Defense Forces: The ‘Theory of War’ in Anime (ゴジラvs.自衛隊　アニメの「戦争論」, Gojira vs. Jieitai Anime no Sensō-ron), by Yu Koizumi, Sugio Takahashi, Hiroyuki Ohta, and Marei Mentlein, on January 17, 2025.    How did the capital air defense communication in MOBILE POLICE PATLABOR actually look to the eyes of the Self-Defense Forces? In the world of NEON GENESIS EVANGELION, the Soviet Union has not collapsed. The Bakagarasu aircraft in NAUSICAÄ OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND is operated in the same way as the Messerschmitt Me 323 Gigant developed in Nazi Germany.

    Photo courtesy of Trends International. TM & ©TOHO CO., LTD.

    News

      Photo courtesy of Trends International. TM & ©TOHO CO., LTD. Source: Trends InternationalSpecial Thanks to Pam Fettig and Jeff Loeser Photo courtesy of Trends International. TM & ©TOHO CO., LTD. Godzilla fans in North America can now purchase the Godzilla 2025 Wall Calendar from Trends International. Revisit your favorite Japanese kaiju film every day this year with the Godzilla 2025 Wall Calendar featuring 13 high-quality images from the Godzilla series printed on premium paper. Part of Trends International's DateWorks Wall Calendars line, it is made to hang on a wall, cork board, or bulletin board at home, school, or the office. Each monthly calendar spread features enough room to mark important dates or write down reminder notes - making them perfect for staying organized and productive all year long. The Godzilla 2025 Wall Calendar is available from retailers, including Amazon.

    Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. ©2025 THE SOLITARY GOURMET Film Partners

    News

    Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. ©2025 THE SOLITARY GOURMET Film Partners Source: Toho Co., Ltd.Official Site: https://gekieiga-kodokunogurume.jp/ (Japan)   A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. ©2025 THE SOLITARY GOURMET Film Partners SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details for an upcoming film. Toho Co., Ltd. has provided information and photos from their new movie THE SOLITARY GOURMET (劇映画 孤独のグルメ, Gekieiga Kodoku no Gurume), which opens in Japanese cinemas on January 10th.   INTRODUCTION The hit manga The Solitary Gourmet by writer Masayuki Kusumi and artist Jiro Taniguchi debuted in 1994 and ran through 2015.  It told the story of Goro Inogashira, an independent trader importing household and fashion goods from France, who travels all over Japan and abroad for his true passion -- food. In each of the manga's 32 chapters, Inogashira would dine at

    GAMERA VS VIRAS star Carl Craig has been cast in the new film, KAIJU: ISLAND OF FIRE. GAMERA VS VIRAS ©KADOKAWA

    News

    GAMERA VS VIRAS star Carl Craig has been cast in the new film, KAIJU: ISLAND OF FIRE. GAMERA VS VIRAS ©KADOKAWA Source: North Star Pictures JPOfficial Site: https://www.kaijumultiverse.com/Special Thanks to Avery Guerra  A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Gamera series actor Carl Craig has joined the all-star genre cast of upcoming monster movie, KAIJU: ISLAND OF FIRE.  Born in 1956, Carl was the son of a US military officer stationed in Japan when he was cast by director Noriaki Yuasa in the co-lead role of Boy Scout Jim Morgan in Daiei's GAMERA VS. VIRAS (ガメラ対宇宙怪獣バイラス, Gamera Tai Uchū Kaijū Bairasu, 1968), originally released in America as DESTROY ALL PLANETS. He later served in the US Air Force and Air Force Reserves as a pilot and was a federal law enforcement officer in the Department of Homeland Security. KAIJU: ISLAND OF FIRE is the first

    HOSHI 35 Blu-ray artwork by Matt Frank. Image courtesy of SRS Cinema. ©2023 3Y

    News

    Source: SRS Cinema LLC Special Thanks to Ron Bonk HOSHI 35 Blu-ray artwork by Matt Frank. Image courtesy of SRS Cinema. ©2023 3Y Distributor SRS Cinema has announced the launch of preorders for their Blu-ray and VHS editions of HOSHI 35 (星35, 2023). Written and directed by Hiroto Yokokawa (THE GREAT BUDDHA ARRIVAL, NEZURA 1964), and co-directed by Kazuma Yoneyama and Daisuke Sato, with effects by Sato, the movie uses traditional Japanese FX techniques (aka tokusatsu) in the tradition of the classic Godzilla and Gamera films. HOSHI 35 has attracted fan attention in both Japan and the United States for its cast, which is made up of a veritable 'who's who' of genre veterans, starting with Godzilla Heisei Series star Megumi Odaka (GODZILLA VS BIOLLANTE to GODZILLA VS DESTOROYAH). The movie, whose title is derived from the Japanese word for "star" (hoshi), is a celebration

    Promo art for the Ultraman Zero POP UP STORE feat. Ultraman Leo in JUNGLE. Photo courtesy of JUNGLE. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS

    News

    Source: Entertainment Hobby Shop JUNGLE press release Promo art for the Ultraman Zero POP UP STORE feat. Ultraman Leo in JUNGLE. Photo courtesy of JUNGLE. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS Jungle Co., Ltd. (Head office: Nipponbashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture; CEO: Koji Shiota) will host the Ultraman Zero POP UP STORE feat. Ultraman Leo in JUNGLE (ウルトラマンゼロ POP UP STORE feat.ウルトラマンレオ in JUNGLEを大阪, Urutoraman Zero POP UP STORE feat. Urutoraman Reo in JUNGLE) at their Entertainment Hobby Shop JUNGLE location in Osaka from Friday, January 24th to Sunday, February 23rd, 2025. Jungle regularly holds special events at their Japan stores, while their US branch recently ran the Godzilla 70th Anniversary POP UP STORE in Los Angeles.   ■ Event Description Connect the Future! The 15th Anniversary of Ultraman Zero and 50th Anniversary of Ultraman Leo! Ultraman Zero, the son of Ultraseven, made his shocking debut in the 2009

    Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. ©2024 DOCTOR-X THE MOVIE Film Partners

    News

    Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. ©2024 DOCTOR-X THE MOVIE Film Partners Source: Toho Co., Ltd.Official Site: https://doctor-x-movie.jp/ (Japan)   Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. ©2024 DOCTOR-X THE MOVIE Film Partners SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details for a new film. Toho Co., Ltd. has provided information and photos from their movie DOCTOR-X THE MOVIE (劇場版ドクターX FINAL, Gekijō-ban Dokutā X FINAL), which opened in Japanese cinemas in early December.   INTRODUCTION The television series DOCTOR-X (ドクターX　～外科医・大門未知子～ , Dokutā X ~Gekai Daimon Michiko~) debuted on TV Asahi in 2012 and ran for seven seasons through 2021. It followed the exploits of the lone-wolf genius surgeon, Michiko Daimon, who stuck true to her words: "I never fail." DOCTOR-X recorded the highest average viewership ratings over a ten-year period, and has now been adapted into its first movie. Daimon, who has

    Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. ©2025 1ST KISS Film Partners

    News

    Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. ©2025 1ST KISS Film Partners Source: Toho Co., Ltd.Official Site: https://1stkiss-movie.toho.co.jp/ (Japan)   A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. ©2025 1ST KISS Film Partners SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details for an upcoming film. Toho Co., Ltd. has provided information and photos from their new fantasy romance movie FIRST KISS (ファーストキス　1ST KISS, Fāsuto Kisu 1ST KISS), which opens in Japanese cinemas on February 7, 2025.   INTRODUCTION A masterpiece spun by a master of love stories. Yuji Sakamoto wrote an original screenplay for the film WE MADE A BEAUTIFUL BOUQUET (花束みたいな恋をした, Hanataba Mitaina Koi o Shita, 2021) which became a huge hit, grossing 3.8 billion yen. The universal love story of young people resonated with people of all ages and became a social phenomenon. Next, hois screenplay for MONSTER

    Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. ©Shuhei Nire/KODANSHA ©2024 Sunset Sunrise Film Partners

    News

    Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Japan. ©Shuhei Nire/KODANSHA ©2024 Sunset Sunrise Film Partners Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Japan Official Site: http://sunsetsunrise-movie.jp (Japan)   Warner Bros. Pictures Japan has provided information and photos for SUNSET SUNRISE (サンセット・サンライズ , Sansetto Sanraizu), a new comedy film that will open in Japanese cinemas on January 17th. A salaryman in Tokyo tries a “trial migration” to a coastal town, and finds an unexpected life awaiting him! The film adaptation of the novel Sunset Sunrise written by Shuhei Nire stars Masaki Suda (GINTAMA, THE GREAT WAR OF ARCHIMEDES), with a screenplay by Kankuro Kudo (BAKUMAN, ICHIKEI'S CROW) and direction by Yoshiyuki Kishi (DOUBLE LIFE, (AB)NORMAL DESIRE). This humanistic comedy humorously depicts the interaction between a businessman who has emigrated from the city and the residents of Minamisanriku, Miyagi Prefecture, and turns it into rich entertainment while confronting social issues such as

    Photo courtesy of MVD Entertainment. ©Showa Tokusatsu Monster Film Cooperation Corps

    News

    Source: SRS Cinema LLC, MVD Entertainment Special Thanks to Derek Stubinski   Photo courtesy of MVD Entertainment. ©Showa Tokusatsu Monster Film Cooperation Corps SRS Cinema and distributor MVD Entertainment present the DVD release of Shinpei Hayashiya`s WAR OF THE NINJA MONSTERS: JARON VS. GOURA (忍獣大戦記 蛇龍対號羅, Shinobu Kemono Daisenki Daryū Tai Goura, 2024), coming in March 2025.   Two men, tired from work, visit the town of Chichibu to enjoy their favorite hobby - exploring caves. But little do they know, the town has been secretly protected by the descendants of the righteous Shinobi ninja since the Sengoku period. The two unlucky friends accidentally break a spell that awakens two colossal beasts, Jaron and Goura. The area's rival clans manipulate them into a fierce battle, bringing chaos to the area. But a righteous female ninja steps up, wanting to stop the destruction and restore the seal.

    Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. ©2024 Grand Maison Paris Film Partners

    News

    Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. ©2024 Grand Maison Paris Film Partners Source: Toho Co., Ltd.Official Site: https://grandmaison-project.jp/ (Japan)   A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Photo courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd. ©2024 Grand Maison Paris Film Partners Toho Co., Ltd. has provided information and photos from their new movie GRAND MAISON PARIS (グランメゾン・パリ, Guranmezon Pari), which opens in Japanese cinemas on December 30th.   INTRODUCTION The television series LE GRANDE MAISON TOKYO (グランメゾン東京, Guranmezon Tōkyō) aired on the TBS Sunday Theatre in the fall of 2019. The story revolved around the unconventional French chef Natsuki Obanai (Takuya Kimura) and chef Rinko Hayami (Kyoka Suzuki) who, along with the staff of the restaurant Grand Maison Tokyo strive to become the world's best "three-star restaurant". The show was a hit, and now the story continues on the big screen. Set and filmed in

    Teruo Ishii's LOVE AND CRIME gets a limited edition Blu-ray release next month. Photo courtesy of 88 Films and MVD Entertainment. ©Toei

    News

    Director Teruo Ishii delivers four dramatized tales of real-life crimes of passion involving women across the ages in this grotesque anthology Source: MVD Entertainment press release Special Thanks to Derek Stubinski 88 Films will release Toei's LOVE AND CRIME (明治大正昭和 猟奇女犯罪史, Meiji Taisho Showa Ryoki Onna Hanzaishi, 1969), an infamous anthology sure to appeal to fans of KWAIDAN, THREE EXTREMES, and TRICK 'R TREAT, in January 2025. This limited edition Blu-ray/DVD set includes an individually numbered obi strip, audio commentary and collector’s booklet.    Japan's legendary "King of Cult" Teruo Ishii (HORRORS OF MALFORMED MEN, SHOGUN'S JOY OF TORTURE) delivers four dramatized tales of real-life crimes of passion involving women across the ages in this grotesque anthology featuring the stories of the "Hotel Nihonkaku Murders", the notorious "poison wife" and last woman in Japan to be executed by beheading, Oden Takahashi, the brutal serial killer

    Jacket art for Hikigaeru, the debut record from Lekkazan 3rd. Photo courtesy of Booming. ©Office Lekkazan

    News

    Source: Booming Co. press release Jacket art for Hikigaeru, the debut record from Lekkazan 3rd. Photo courtesy of Booming. ©Office Lekkazan The visual fitness pop group "Lekkazan 3rd" (三代目レッカザン, Sandaime Lekkazan), known for their connection to Tsuburaya Music, have released their first record. The group's new music distribution is backed by Booming Co. (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo/CEO Hidehiro Masuda), producers of the YouTube LIVE series NO. 1 BEAUTIFUL BODY CHANNEL: LEKKAZAN 3rd's EKUCHAN (NO.1美BODYチャンネル：三代目レッカザンのエクチャン,  NO. 1 Bi Bodi Shanneru: Sandaime Rekkazan no Ekuchan), which boasts over 600 live broadcasts to date. Lekkazan 3rd is a three-member fitness artist group based on the themes of beauty, music, and health. The members consist of SINH, the group leader in charge of “Literary Aesthetics,” KO-TA, in charge of “Body Makeup and Physical Aesthetics,” and SEAN, in charge of “Diet and Analytical Aesthetics." All members hold “NO.1 titles” in their respective

    Limited Edition. Image courtesy of Crunchyroll.

    News

    Additional Blu-rays Arriving from Crunchyroll Include THE APOTHECARY DIARIES Season 1 Part 2 and THE 100 GIRLFRIENDS WHO REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY LOVE YOU Season 1, Among OthersSource: Crunchyroll press release As winter ends and spring begins, Crunchyroll will be sowing its next crop of highly anticipated anime TV series and movies in March 2025 on Blu-ray, which include JUJUTSU KAISEN SHIBUYA INCIDENT, SPY x FAMILY CODE: WHITE, SPY x FAMILY Season 2, AKIRA, A SIGN OF AFFECTION, SHANGRI-LA FRONTIER Season 1, THE APOTHECARY DIARIES Season 1 Part 2, and more. The treats of Halloween arrive early on March 18, 2025 when JUJUTSU KAISEN SHIBUYA INCIDENt releases on Blu-ray with updated animation. Complete the JUJUTSU KAISEN Season 2 Blu-ray set with the critically acclaimed, action-packed blockbuster that currently holds the Guinness World Record for the most popular anime series. The Limited Edition Blu-ray and DVD combo box

    Radio personality Misaki Kuroe and SHIN GODZILLA director Shinji Higuchi at the FM AICHI entrance after the recording. Photo courtesy of FM AICHI. © FM AICHI BROADCASTING. Godzilla © TOHO CO., LTD.

    News

    Radio personality Misaki Kuroe and SHIN GODZILLA director Shinji Higuchi at the FM AICHI entrance after the recording. Photo courtesy of FM AICHI. © FM AICHI BROADCASTING. Godzilla © TOHO CO., LTD. Source: FM AICHI Co. press release Fans in Japan should be sure to tune into FM AICHI (FM Aichi Co., Ltd. Nagoya FM 80.7MHz / Toyohashi FM 81.3MHz) from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. JST on Monday, December 30, 2024 as the station will broadcast a special program called  TOKUSATSU RADIO DAISAKUSEN! (特撮ラジオ大作戦!, Tokusatsu Rajio Daisakusen!) - the title translates to "Special Effects Radio Mission!" - at that time. The program will be hosted by FM AICHI personality Misaki Kuroe and director Shinji Higuchi, a leading Japanese special effects filmmaker who won the Best Director Award at the Japan Academy Prize for SHIN GODZILLA (シン・ゴジラ, Shin Gojira, 2016). This will be the second annual TOKUSATSU RADIO

    Photo courtesy of Hagoromo. TM & ©TOHO CO., LTD. ©FUJITA KANKO INC. All Rights Reserved.

    News

    Source: Hagoromo press releaseOfficial Site: https://item.rakuten.co.jp/calenavi/25-0039/ Photo courtesy of Hagoromo. TM & ©TOHO CO., LTD. ©FUJITA KANKO INC. All Rights Reserved. Publisher Hagoromo Co., Ltd. has has announced that, due to strong sales, their 2025 Godzilla 70th Anniversary Calendar (2025年版　ゴジラ70周年記念カレンダー, 2025 Nenban Gojira 70 Shūnen Kinen Karendā) has already gone into a third printing. This follows the success of the 2024 Calendar, which also received three printings one year ago. Released in Japan on November 2, 2024, this premium calendar condenses 70 years of Godzilla history with carefully selected famous scenes and stunning photographs. It has received great praise from Godzilla fans and ranked first in the Amazon calendar rankings on the day pre-orders began. When Hagoromo announced the 2025 Godzilla 70th Anniversary Calendar they provided pics of the cover artwork and some of the interior pages. But they teaased the November page, which

    Photo courtesy of Bandai. TM & ©TOHO CO., LTD.

    News

    Photo courtesy of Bandai. TM & ©TOHO CO., LTD. Photo courtesy of Bandai. TM & ©TOHO CO., LTD. Source: MegaHouse press releases In 2025, MegaHouse, a division of Bandai Namco Group, will release two non-articulate figures of Godzilla (2023) for their UA (Ultimate Article) Monsters series.  The Godzilla who terrorized postwar Japan in the smash hit film GODZILLA MINUS ONE (ゴジラ-1.0/ゴジラマイナスワン, Gojira Mainasu Wan, 2023) has been sculpted in an overwhelmingly realistic and powerful pose. The kaiju's distinctive style is faithfully reproduced from the movie; the unique shape of the dorsal fins has been sharply sculpted from root to tip, and the surface of the entire body is a vivid reproduction of the horrifying layers of epidermis that are repeatedly destroyed and regenerated.   Photo courtesy of Bandai. TM & ©TOHO CO., LTD. UA Monsters

    Toho Studios is eliminating all CO2 emissions from electricity usage. Photo courtesy of Toho Co.; Ltd. © TOHO CO., LTD.

    News

    Toho Studios is eliminating all CO2 emissions from electricity usage. Photo courtesy of Toho Co.; Ltd. © TOHO CO., LTD. Source: Toho Co., Ltd. press release In June 2023, Toho Co., Ltd. and JERA Co., Inc. announced their plan of achieving zero CO2 emissions from power consumption at Toho Studios in Japan. JERA recently revealed that it has started supplying electricity generated by hydrogen to Toho Studios through its subsidiary, JERA Cross. This is the first commercial use of electricity generated by a hydrogen-only, zero-emission thermal power plant in Japan. Toho, internationally known for its business in the entertainment field centered on movies, and JERA, an energy company pioneering efforts to eliminate CO2 emissions in the energy field, have been working toward the realization of "24/7 Carbon Free Electricity"「24/7（twenty-four seven）カーボンフリー電力, 24/7 (twenty-four-seven) Kābon Furī Denryoku」* at Toho Studios from FY2024 as part of efforts to achieve zero CO2

    Photo courtesy of CRAZY BUMP. TM & ©TOHO CO., LTD.

    News

    Source: CRAZY BUMP Inc. press release   Photo courtesy of CRAZY BUMP. TM & ©TOHO CO., LTD. Crazy Bump Inc., a company that organizes and manages special exhibitions themed on subcultures such as manga, anime, and special effects, has provided information on the Giant Mechagodzilla POP UP STORE in Gallery of Hakaba (大メカゴジラPOP UP STORE in 墓場の画廊, Dai Mekagojira Poppu Appu Sutoa in Hakaba no Garō) to be held at the Gallery of Hakaba store in Nakano, Tokyo, from January 16 to February 25, 2025. Among the many monsters that appear in the Godzilla series, the world-famous special effects film masterpieces that are the pride of Japan, the mechanical monster Mechagodzilla reigns as Godzilla's absolute rival. Since its first appearance in 1974's GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA (ゴジラ対メカゴジラ, Gojira Tai Mekagojira), Mechagodzilla has been an indispensable character in the Godzilla series, boasting overwhelming popularity to

    Photo courtesy of Crunchyroll. ©Solo Leveling Animation Partners

    News

    Photo courtesy of Crunchyroll. ©Solo Leveling Animation Partners New footage and the ending theme song “UN-APEX” by TK are unveiled ahead of the highly anticipated returnSource: Crunchyroll press release Crunchyroll, the ultimate destination for anime, in collaboration with Aniplex, is excited to announce that SOLO LEVELING SEASON 2 -ARISE FROM THE SHADOW-  will officially premiere on January 4, 2025, only on Crunchyroll. This news was shared alongside the release of the main trailer, giving fans a fresh look at new footage from the upcoming second season. The trailer also revealed the ending theme song, “UN-APEX” performed by TK (best known for TOKYO GHOUL’s “Unravel”), promising another emotional and powerful musical centerpiece for the series. Watch the trailer HERE. Adapted from the best-selling Korean web novel written by Chugong, SOLO LEVELING follows Sung Jinwoo, the world’s weakest hunter. After being brutally slaughtered by monsters in a high-ranking dungeon, Jinwoo

    Anime - Animation

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

    Page 9 of 67

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