Author: Andrew Nguyen Special Thanks to Jeff Guba From July 18 to the 22, the San Diego Convention Center hosted the annual event known as San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC). Although primarily focused on comic books since its beginnings in 1970, SDCC has in recent years become an enormous entertainment industry trade show where the biggest names in entertainment go to interact with fans. In recent years, multiple conventions all over the country have adapted the name Comic-Con in the hope of attracting more visitors. From 2010 to 2014, the Godzilla series has had a presence at SDCC due to the movie GODZILLA that was produced by Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures and released in 2014. The biggest presence of Godzilla in the lead-up to the release of the first movie was in 2013 with a Godzilla museum and Virtual Reality experience hosted by Legendary Pictures.

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Source: Toho Co., Ltd. Official Site: pokemon-movie.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Toho has provided press notes and a gallery of high-res images from the 21st feature-length Pokémon anime, POKÉMON THE MOVIE: THE POWER OF US (???????????? ??????, Gekijoo-ban Poketto Monsutaa Minna no Monogatari), opening in theaters across Japan on July 13th. INTRODUCTION One year from the success of the 20th feature film, POKÉMON THE MOVIE: I CHOOSE YOU! (???????????? ???????, Gekijoo-ban Poketto Monsutaa Kimi ni Kimeta!, 2017), a young, talented production team presents a completely new Pokémon story. This summer, let‘s all step towards an adventure never seen before! STORY The “Wind Festival” is held annually in Fura City, a place where the locals live with the wind. The legendary Pokémon Lugia is expected to appear on the final day of the festival, and the attendees hope to receive its

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International Hit Anime Series Scheduled to Premiere in July 2018 in Japan Source: Funimation Entertainment press release Official Site: shingeki.tv/season3 (Japan), funimation.com/shows/attack-on-titan (US) Special Thanks to Scott Barretto On April 27th, Funimation announced its acquisition of Season 3 of ATTACK ON TITAN (?????, Shingeki no Kyojin), one of the top global anime franchises and a fan favorite with North American audiences from the moment it first premiered in 2013. As part of its agreement with Kodansha, Funimation has secured the international rights to home entertainment, video on demand and broadcast distribution of the series in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. The new season will premiere this July in Japan. “We’re thrilled to be bringing back ATTACK ON TITAN for its third season in 2018 and on the heels of the series’ long awaited and exciting return last year,” said Gen Fukunaga, CEO

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Source: Fathom Events press release Official Site: digimon-adventure.net (Japan), fathomevents.com/digimon-adventure-tri (US) Special Thanks to David Syatt Following the exciting February cinema debut broadcast of DIGIMON ADVENTURE tri.: LOSS (???????????tri.?4?????, Dejimon Adobenchaa Torai Dai 4-shoo `Sooshitsu’, 2017), Fathom Events and Toei Animation Inc. will partner again to bring the next installment -- DIGIMON ADVENTURE tri.: COEXISTENCE (???????????tri.?5?????, Dejimon Adobenchaa Torai Dai 5-shoo `Kyousei’, 2017) -- to the big screen on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. local time. In addition to the electrifying anime feature, moviegoers will watch exclusive recaps from the previous features before the screening and will also be treated to taped interviews with cast talent. Meicoomon once again begins to rampage when she sees her partner Meiko injured by a mysterious man. Meicoomon, who disappeared into the Real World, is a distortion itself -- in possession of too much power, and a key

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Author: Andrew Nguyen On October 3, 2017, Wesleyan University Press, a subsidiary of Wesleyan University which is based in Connecticut, released a long-awaited biography on director Ishiro Honda by long time Japanese film historians Steve Ryfle and Ed Godziszewski. Titled ISHIRO HONDA: A LIFE IN FILM FROM GODZILLA TO KUROSAWA, the biography, nearly a decade in the making, dealt with Japanese director Ishiro Honda in his film work and in his personal life. Well known as the director of the Godzilla movies and other Japanese Sci-Fi Films, Honda also worked on documentaries, dramas, comedies, and later in life films that were directed by the legendary Akira Kurosawa, who Honda had been a lifelong friend all the way back to the 1930s when they worked under director Kajiro Yamamoto. As the book became available to the public, several organizations that dealt with Science fiction and horror held

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Source: Toho Co., Ltd. Official Site: eiga-yokai.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Distributor Toho Co., Ltd. has provided additional high-res images from YO-KAI WATCH THE MOVIE 2017 (?? ?????? ??????? ?????, Eiga Yokai Uotchi Shadousaido Onio no Fukkatsu), opening in Japan on December 16th. The fourth film in the anime franchise features the classic yokai of GEGEGE NO KITARO. About Toho Company. Ltd. Founded in 1932 and headquartered in Tokyo, Toho Company, Ltd. is one of the leading entertainment conglomerates in Japan. Toho is best known worldwide as the producer of twenty-nine Godzilla motion pictures, based upon a character the company unleashed on the world back in 1954, and masterpiece films directed by Akira Kurosawa. Toho has been the number one distributor of motion pictures in Japan for twelve

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Info and High-Res Images from Toho Source: Toho Co., Ltd. Official Site: eiga-yokai.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Distributor Toho Co., Ltd. has provided information and high-res images from their upcoming release, YO-KAI WATCH THE MOVIE 2017, the fourth feature film in the anime franchise based on the hugely successful video games by LEVEL-5 Inc. YO-KAI WATCH THE MOVIE 2017 is set 30 years after the adventures of the young boy Kenta Amano in the anime series. It features a new cast of supporting characters and will be both more serious and funnier than previous entries. The Yo-Kai now have two forms; their traditional "lightside" appearance and a new "shadowside" for going into battle. In a move sure to delight fans, the film will also feature the legendary yokai Kitaro and his friends. Introduced in the manga GeGeGe no Kitaro (???????) created by Shigeru Mizuki,

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20th Pokémon Film Now Playing in Japan Source: Toho Co., Ltd. Official Site: pokemon-movie.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Toho has provided press notes and high-res images from the 20th feature-length Pokémon anime, POKÉMON THE MOVIE: I CHOOSE YOU! (???????????? ???????, Gekijoo-ban Poketto Monsutaa Kimi ni Kimeta!), opening in theaters across Japan this weekend. INTRODUCTION A new adventure, with a new friend... and the discovery of the new Pokémon! The 20th anniversary Pokémon movie celebration is here! POKÉMON THE MOVIE: I CHOOSE YOU! was made for "Pokémon Masters" of all ages; from young children to those fans who have followed Pokémon from the start. This anniversary work features the Legendary Pokémon Ho-Oh, seen by Satoshi and Pikachu in the first anime broadcast two decades ago. Picking up on the promise the two swore -- "Someday, we will set on a journey to

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Tickets On Sale Now For Exclusive North American One-Night Theatrical Event On June 19 Source: Sony Pictures, Fathom Events press releases Official Site: biohazard-vendetta.com (Japan), residentevilvendetta.com (US) Based on the worldwide video game phenomenon, the CG animated film RESIDENT EVIL: VENDETTA -- aka BIOHAZARD: VENDETTA (??????? ??????, Baiohazaado Vendetta) -- will hit movie theaters worldwide this year. The film will be released internationally on May 27, 2017, and in the U.S. and Canada on Monday, June 19 for a special one-night event from Fathom Events, Park Circus and Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions. RESIDENT EVIL: VENDETTA is the third installment in the massively popular CG animated film franchise, following RESIDENT EVIL: DEGENERATION (?????????????????? Baiohazaado Dijenereeshon, 2008) and RESIDENT EVIL: DAMNATION (??????? ???????, Baiohazaado Damuneeshon, 2012). Derived from Capcom’s RESIDENT EVIL, one of the bestselling video game franchises of all time (72 million + copies

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Source: Warner Bros. Pictures press release Official Site: kongskullislandmovie.com (US), kingkong-dokuro.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Jack Horner Warner Bros. Pictures, Legendary Pictures and Tencent Pictures’ global blockbuster KONG: SKULL ISLAND has crossed the $500 million mark at the worldwide box office, it was announced April 6 by Sue Kroll, President of Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures, and Mary Parent, Vice Chairman, Worldwide Production for Legendary. The acclaimed action adventure -- certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes -- opened at the top of the domestic box office on March 10, and has grossed more than $150 million, and climbing. Internationally, KONG: SKULL ISLAND was released day-and-date in 65 markets, including Vietnam, one of the movie’s primary filming locations, where it has become the highest-grossing picture of all time. Hugely successful openings followed in Japan, as well as China. Continuing to demonstrate broad appeal that transcends borders, KONG:

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Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Official Site: kongskullislandmovie.com (US), kingkong-dokuro.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Marlena Green A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Bring home a piece of the Number 1 Movie in America! Warner Bros. Pictures is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a double sided KONG: SKULL ISLAND theatrical poster. Measuring 27 x 40", this high-quality poster was produced for display in a light box, and features the film`s key art printed on the front and in reverse on the back. The producers of GODZILLA reimagine the origins of one the most powerful monster myths of all in KONG: SKULL ISLAND from Warner Bros. Pictures, Legendary Pictures and Tencent Pictures. In this compelling, original adventure from director Jordan Vogt-Roberts (THE KINGS OF SUMMER), a diverse team of explorers is brought together to venture deep into an uncharted island in the Pacific -- as beautiful as

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Source: Funimation Entertainment press release Official Site: shingeki.tv/season2 (Japan), funimationfilms.com/attackontitan (US) Special Thanks to Scott Barretto To prepare fans for the long awaited arrival of ATTACK ON TITAN (?????, Shingeki no Kyojin) Season 2, Funimation has acquired and will be releasing the ATTACK ON TITAN Season 1 recap movies (Part 1: GUREN NO YUMIYA and Part 2: JIYUU NO TSUBASA) this March. These two full length movies (120-minute run-time each) will cover the first and second half of ATTACK ON TITAN Season 1 respectively and will each screen for one night only. Part 1 will screen on March 27, 2017. Part 2 will screen on March 28 or 29, 2017 depending on theater location. Part 2 features a special Season 2 teaser following the film’s credits. This limited release will be shown in 19 select Reading and Alamo Drafthouse theater locations across the U.S. Dates for each

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Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Official Site: kongskullislandmovie.com (US), kingkong-dokuro.jp (Japan) Warner Bros. Pictures has provided the complete final credits for KONG: SKULL ISLAND, opening March 10, 2017. For much, much more on this film, please see the KONG: SKULL ISLAND Production Notes and High-Res Photos here on SciFi Japan. Warner Bros. Pictures/Legendary Pictures and Tencent Pictures present A Legendary Pictures Production A Jordan Vogt-Roberts Film KONG: SKULL ISLAND CAST James Conrad.............................................................................................................TOM HIDDLESTON Preston Packard............................................................................................................SAMUEL L. JACKSON Mason Weaver ...................................................................................................................BRIE LARSON Hank Marlow ...................................................................................................................JOHN C. REILLY Bill Randa..............................................................................................................JOHN GOODMAN Houston Brooks.............................................................................................................COREY HAWKINS Victor Nieves ...................................................................................................................JOHN ORTIZ San ...................................................................................................................JING TIAN Jack Chapman ...................................................................................................................TOBY KEBBELL Mills..............................................................................................................JASON MITCHELL Cole...............................................................................................................SHEA WHIGHAM Slivko ...................................................................................................................THOMAS MANN Reles..............................................................................................................EUGENE CORDERO Landsat Steve ...................................................................................................................MARC EVAN JACKSON Young Marlow/Marlow’s Son ...................................................................................................................WILL BRITTAIN Gunpei Ikari..............................................................................................................MIYAVI Senator Willis ...................................................................................................................RICHARD JENKINS Secretary O’Brien............................................................................................................ALLYN RACHEL Athena Captain............................................................................................................ROBERT TAYLOR Voice of General Ward ...................................................................................................................JAMES MICHAEL CONNOR Voice

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Source: Kadokawa Pictures Official Site: biohazard-vendetta.com (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Kadokawa Pictures has provided information and high-res images from their upcoming computer animated film, BIOHAZARD: VENDETTA (??????? ??????, Baiohazaado Vendetta). The movie is based on CAPCOM’s multi-million dollar video game series -- known internationally as RESIDENT EVIL-- that established the “survival horror” genre and has shipped over 71 million units worldwide (the latest entry, RESIDENT EVIL: BIOHAZARD, goes on sale January 23rd), and the live-action film franchise that has grossed more than $900 million at the worldwide box office. VENDETTA is the third BIOHAZARD/RESIDENT EVIL animated feature, following DEGENERATION (?????????????????? Baiohazaado Dijenereeshon) in 2008 and DAMNATION (??????? ???????, Baiohazaado Damuneeshon) in 2012. The new movie is directed by Takanori Tsujimoto (THE NEXT GENERATION -PATLABOR-, ULTRAMAN X) with a screenplay by Makoto Fukami (PSYCHO-PASS, THE TORTURE CLUB) and music from Kenji Kawai (GHOST IN THE

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Agreement with Kodansha Brings Global Hit Anime Series Back to U.S. & Canada Source: Funimation Entertainment press release Official Site: shingeki.tv/season2 (Japan), funimation.com/shows/attack-on-titan (US) Funimation Entertainment is proud to announce its acquisition of ATTACK ON TITAN (?????, Shingeki no Kyojin) Season 2 and the return of the worldwide hit anime series which was first introduced to U.S. and Canadian audiences in 2013. ATTACK ON TITAN Season 2 is scheduled to premiere in April 2017 in Japan. “ATTACK ON TITAN became an instant hit since it first streamed in 2013 and we are thrilled to bring fans the long-awaited Season 2 of the series,” said Gen Fukunaga, CEO and founder of Funimation. “ATTACK ON TITAN is truly a worldwide phenomenon that has continued to grow at a non-stop pace. Fans can look forward to an exciting second season.” “ATTACK ON TITAN is based on the New York

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Special Event Includes Never Before Seen Studio Ghibli Short Film! Source: GKIDS Inc. press release Official Site: spiritedaway15.com By popular demand -- a third show has been added to the 15th Anniversary Celebration of Hayao Miyazaki’s Academy Award-winning classic, SPIRITED AWAY (????????, Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi, 2001) on December 8th! Don’t miss the film`s return to select cinemas nationwide for THREE days only: December 4th (English dub), December 5th (Japanese w/ English subtitles), and December 8th (English)! Stay after the show for an exclusive screening of the short film GHIBLIES: EPISODE 2, never before released in North America! This special event is presented by Fathom Events, GKIDS, Studio Ghibli, and Hot Topic. For theater details and to purchase tickets, please visit fathomevents.com/event/spirited-away. And, in celebration of SPIRITED AWAY, win exclusive Studio Ghibli merchandise from Gund, Kinokuniya, and GKIDS! Click here to enter to win!

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Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Japan Official Site: hirunehime.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Distributor Warner Bros. Pictures Japan have released a new trailer and poster for ENSHEN AND HER MAGIC TABLET (???? ????????????, Hirune Hime ?Shiranai Watashi no Monogatari?), the first feature film from anime studio Signal.MD. The movie will open in Japan on March 18, 2017. For more information on ENSHEN AND HER MAGIC TABLET, please see the earlier coverage here on SciFi Japan: ENSHEN AND HER MAGIC TABLET (Hirune Hime) Anime Film Trailer & Images from Warner Bros. Japan

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Author: Bob Johnson Sources: Benevolent Monster Productions, Bay Area Film Events Bay Area Film Events and Benevolent Monster Productions/Studio 7 Entertainment present LONG LIVE THE KING, a brand new feature length documentary about the enduring appeal of the character King Kong, and how he has inspired so many great filmmakers and artists since 1933. The documentary covers the 1933 classic, in addition to SON OF KONG, Dino De Laurentiis’ KING KONG (1976), Peter Jackson`s KING KONG (2005), as well as the Rankin Bass Cartoon series of the 1960s and from the Far East, Toho`s Japanese incarnations of Kong, from KING KONG VS. GODZILLA (1962) and KING KONG ESCAPES (1967)! The evening will be about all things KONG and along with the documentary, BAFE will be showing the original 1933 classic KING KONG, the film that started it all! Special guests will be on-hand, including documentary producers Frank

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New “Monster” Cross-Media Hobby, Game and TV Animation Project Source: Toei Co., Ltd. press release Official Site: b-boys.jp/apm (Japan) Toei Animation Co., Ltd. (President: Katsuhiro Takagi, headquartered in Nakano-ku, Tokyo), Bandai Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Masaru Kawaguchi, headquartered in Taito-ku, Tokyo) and Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. (President: Satoshi Oshita, headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo) have announced that they are to start a new joint project entitled DIGIMON UNIVERSE: APPLI MONSTERS (???????????????????, Dejimon Yunibaasu Apuri Monsutaazu), aimed primarily at young male audiences. The project is set to commence as of Fall 2016. The new DIGIMON UNIVERSE: APPLI MONSTERS television animation is scheduled to begin airing terrestrially in fall 2016. Related merchandise, games and magazines, etc., including toys and children’s digital card games will also be released across various different media. At the same time, new information is also being made continuously available via the official DIGIMON UNIVERSE:

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Special One-Night Fathom Events Screening and Multi-City Theatrical Release Planned Nationwide Source: Source: ELEVEN ARTS press release Official Site: digimon-adventure.net (Japan) Special Thanks to Emma Griffiths Leading Los Angeles based Film Distribution Company ELEVEN ARTS and Toei Animation announced today that they will release the English language version of internationally acclaimed anime film DIGIMON ADVENTURE tri. – CHAPTER 1: REUNION (???????????tri.??, Dejimon Adobenchaa Torai Sakai, 2015). ELEVEN ARTS and Toei Animation plan a one-night Fathom Events screening in 300+ US movie theaters on September 15, 2016, followed by a traditional multi-city national theatrical release in major cities. DIGIMON ADVENTURE tri. is a Japanese action-adventure anime film series produced by Toei Animation. DIGIMON ADVENTURE tri. – CHAPTER 1: REUNION is the first English language feature film in the wildly popular series, which has not yet been released to American audiences. This release marks the first DIGIMON English

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