Source: Tohokushinsha Film Corporation Official Site: patlabor-nextgeneration.com Special Thanks to Mai Kato Tohokushinsha Film Corporation has released an advance trailer for the live-action feature film, THE NEXT GENERATION -PATLABOR- CAPITAL CITY SHOWDOWN (THE NEXT GENERATION ?????? ????, Za Nekusuto Jenereeshon – Patoreibaa - Shuto Kessen). Directed by Mamoru Oshii (GHOST IN THE SHELL, THE SKY CRAWLERS) and continuing from the recently concluded THE NEXT GENERATION -PATLABOR- theatrical series, the movie opens in Japan on May 1, 2015. For more information on THE NEXT GENERATION -PATLABOR-, please see the previous coverage here on SciFi Japan: THE NEXT GENERATION -PATLABOR- New THE NEXT GENERATION -PATLABOR- High-Res Photos THE NEXT GENERATION -PATLABOR- /Part 2
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Advance theatrical poster. Image courtesy of Shochiku Co. © Nagomu Torii ? Kyoto Animation / Beyond the Boundary Production Committee
Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: anime-kyokai.com The television anime BEYOND THE BOUNDARY (????? Ky?kai no Kanata, 2013) comes to theaters next year with a pair of films. The first -- BEYOND THE BOUNDARY THE MOVIE: -I`LL BE HERE- THE PAST (??? ????? -I`LL BE HERE- ???, Gekijooban Kyokai no Kanata -I`LL BE HERE- Kako-hen) -- will be released on March 14, 2015 while the second -- BEYOND THE BOUNDARY THE MOVIE: -I`LL BE HERE- THE FUTURE (??? ????? -I`LL BE HERE- ???, Gekijooban Kyokai no Kanata -I`LL BE HERE- Mirai-hen) -- opens on April 25, 2015. The anime is based on the light novel series by Nagomu Torii and debuted on October 2, 2013. THE PAST looks back at the events of the TV series with a focus on the heroine, Mirai Kuriyama. THE FUTURE will be an all-new story set one
Theatrical poster. © 2014 “Five Minutes to Tomorrow” Film Partners
Source: Toei Co., Ltd., Busan International Film Festival Official Site: mayonaka5.jp (Japan) Following releases in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan in late October, the mystery FIVE MINUTES TO TOMORROW (???????, Mayonaka no Gofun Mae, 2014) opens in Japanese cinemas on December 27th. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Takayoshi Honda (published October, 2004 by Shinchosha Publishing Co, Ltd.). STORY Born as identical twins, RuoLan and RuMei (both played by Liu Shishi) used to swap their clothes to trick people. Now as grownups, RuMei has become a famous star, while her older sister RuoLan lives an ordinary life and intensely envies her sister. Ryo (Haruma Miura) is a Japanese man who works as a clockmaker in China. After losing a loved one, he feels trapped in the past. RuMei and Ryo develop a romantic relationship after
The heroes of the two most recent Super Sentai television series share the screen in the upcoming movie, TOQGER VS KYORYUGER. Photo courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © “ToQger VS Kyoryuger” Production Committee © TV Asahi · Toei AG · Toei Co., Ltd.
A Look at the Next "Super Sentai VS Series" Movie Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: tqg-vs-kyoryu.jp (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Toei Co., Ltd. has provided press notes and exclusive high-res photos for RESSHA SENTAI TOQGER VS KYORYUGER (????????????VS????????? THE MOVIE, Ressha Sentai Tokkyuujaa Tai Kyouryuujaa Za Muubii). The latest film in the "Super Sentai VS Series" opens in Japanese cinemas on January 17, 2015. The creative team for RESSHA SENTAI TOQGER VS KYORYUGER is made up of several veterans of the Super Sentai franchise. Director Katsuya Watanabe`s credits include several Sentai series and films, including SUPER SENTAI WORLD (??????????, 1994), ABARANGER VS HURRICANEGER (???????????VS???????, 2004), GOGO SENTAI BOUKENGER VS SUPER SENTAI (???????????VS??????, 2007) and GOKAIGER THE MOVIE (???????????THE MOVIE ??????, 2011). Screenwriter Yasuko Kobayashi has provided scripts for SHINKENGER THE MOVIE (?????????????????????, 2009), GO-BUSTERS THE MOVIE (????????????THE MOVIE???????????!, 2012) and
Theatrical poster for DRAGON BALL Z: REVIVAL OF `F`. Image courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © Bird Studio/ Shueisha. © '2015 Dragon Ball Z' Production Committee
Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: dragonball2015.com (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Toei has provided SciFi Japan with high-res images, press notes and a teaser trailer for their upcoming anime film, DRAGON BALL Z: REVIVAL OF `F` (???????????????, Doragon Booru Zetto: Fukkatsu no `F`). The movie will be released in both 3D and 2D formats on April 18, 2015. INTRODUCTION ? 2 years after BATTLE OF GODS... the long-awaited new DRAGON BALL Z adventure is born!! The top-selling comic for more than 10 years in a row after its start as a serial in Weekly Shonen Jump (????????, Shuukan Shonen Janpu) in 1984... Dragon Ball (???????, Doragon Booru), the legendary comic that needs no introduction. Adapted as both a hit TV anime -- which maintained viewer ratings of over 20% for more than 11 years -- and and a record-breaking
Image courtesy of Animoca. © Tezuka Productions
New Shoot ’Em Up Game and Strategy Defense Game on the App Store and Google Play Source: Animoca, Fluid PR press release Official Site: animoca.com Special Thanks to Matt McAllister Animoca Brands, the developer and publisher of mobile games based on globally loved brands such as Garfield, Ben10, Doraemon and Ultraman, has expanded its Astro Boy franchise with the launch of two new games -- ASTRO BOY FLIGHT and ASTRO BOY SIEGE: ALIEN ATTACK. The new apps join the running game ASTRO BOY DASH and the edutainment app ASTRO BOY DASH PIANO as the company’s third and fourth titles based on Osamu Tezuka’s famous manga and anime. ASTRO BOY SIEGE: ALIEN ATTACK is now available for free on the App Store and Google Play; ASTRO BOY FLIGHT is currently on the App Store and coming soon to Google Play. In the arcade-style shoot
Director Mami Sunada. Photo courtesy of Wild Bunch. © 2013 dwango
A Look Inside the Fantastically Mad World of the People Behind Studio Ghibli Source: Wild Bunch, GKIDS Inc. Official Movie Site: yumetokyoki.com (Japan), gkidsfilms.com/kingdom (US) GKIDS, a distributor of award-winning animation for both adult and family audiences, is handling the North American release of the Studio Ghibli documentary, THE KINGDOM OF DREAMS AND MADNESS (???????, Yume to Kyoki no Ohkoku, 2013). The film is now playing at the IFC Center in New York, with additional theaters and cities to be announced. The following English language production notes are courtesy of Wild Bunch, the international sales agent for THE KINGDOM OF DREAMS AND MADNESS... ABOUT THE FILM There have been numerous documentaries about Studio Ghibli made for television and for DVD features, but no one had ever conceived of making a theatrical documentary feature about the famed animation studio. That is precisely what filmmaker
Image courtesy of Shochiku. © 2014 Space Battleship Yamato 2199 Production Committee
Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Author: Tim Eldred, Cosmo DNA Official Site: yamato2199.net The history of SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO is dotted with unusual product tie-ins, and the new collaboration with the Sendai City Transportation Bureau easily fits into that category. From November 22 to December 19, six subway stations in Sendai are playing host to promotional displays for the upcoming film SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO 2199: THE STAR-VOYAGING ARK (???????2199 ?????, Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2199 Hoshi Meguru Hakobune), and visitors to all six could win prizes in a "stamp rally." Participants would collect ink stamps in a booklet and turn them in for a special clear file and a STAR-VOYAGING ARK card case to hold an I.C. transit swipe card. In return, Sendai`s public transportation system got a special boost from Starsha Iscander herself in a promotional video played on the LCD monitors in trains and stations. Anime footage
UK theatrical poster, courtesy of courtesy of Warner Bros. UK. © Watsuki Nobuhiro/ Shueisha. © 2014
Live Action Manga Adaptation Opens Friday, November 28th Source: Warner Bros. Pictures UK, Maven Publicity Official Site: kuroshitsuji-movie.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Louise Rivers The brand-new epic action sequel RUROUNI KENSHIN 2: KYOTO INFERNO (????????????, Rurouni Kenshin Kyoto Taika Hen, 2014) will be released in the United Kingdom this week by Warner Bros. UK. SYNOPSIS The epic live-action sequel fans have been waiting for! Kenshin Himura (Takeru Satoh) is a legendary swordsman, a hero in the wars preceding the turbulent fall of Japan’s Shogunate in the 19th century. Once feared as ‘Battosai the Killer’, with the arrival of the new Japanese age and nursing the pain of losing many of his companions he is now a lone wanderer, roaming the land seeking to be of service to those in need. Fate however, had taken hold of Kenshin’s future and was now guiding him
Sanrio`s stop-motion animated film, THE NUTCRACKER, returns in a new remastered 3D version. Image courtesy of Asmik Ace Entertainment, Inc. © 1979, 2014 SANRIO CO.,LTD. TOKYO, JAPAN
Source: Asmik Ace Entertainment, Inc., Crei, Inc. Official Site: kurumiwari-movie.com (Japan) A girl searches for her doll in a land cursed by the two-headed Mouse Queen... Let the vibrant colors and sound of this visual spectacle envelope and transport you to a world of wonder yet unseen. In 1979, Sanrio released the stop-motion animated film, THE NUTCRACKER (???????, Kurumiwari Ningyoo). Adapted from E.T.A. Hoffman`s story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King and Tchaikovsky`s ballet "The Nutcracker", the movie was directed by Takeo Nakamura (the Rankin/Bass holiday special SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN). An English dubbed version was released in the United States as NUTCRACKER FANTASY. 2014 marks the 40th anniversary of Sanrio`s most popular franchise, Hello Kitty. As part of the company`s celebrations, Sanrio is releasing a restored and remastered version of THE NUTCRACKER in 3D. Popular illustrator and kawaii (cute) culture pioneer Sebastian Masuda directed
Key art for EXPELLED FROM PARADISE. Image courtesy of AniplexUSA. © TOEI ANIMATION, Nitroplus / EFP Society
Urobuchi and Mizushima’s State-of-the-Art CG Masterpiece to Premiere in Select Theaters this December Source: Aniplex of America, Inc. press release Official Site: rakuen-tsuiho.com (Japan), AniplexUSA.com/expelledfromparadise (US) Special Thanks to Joanna Metoki and EJ Rivera Aniplex of America, Inc. had just announced on their Aniplex Live Show that they will be screening the highly-anticipated science fiction feature EXPELLED FROM PARADISE (???? -Expelled From Paradise-, Rakuen Tsuihoo -Expelled From Paradise-, 2014) in theaters across the U.S. this December. Even before its Japanese theatrical debut, critics have praised EXPELLED FROM PARADISE for its groundbreaking themes and fluid animation. Tickets will be available through the Aniplex of America’s official website starting November 20th. Moviegoers will also receive an exclusive theatrical poster featuring the title’s keyart with their ticket purchase while supplies last. EXPELLED FROM PARADISE will be distributed by ELEVEN ARTS and will be featured in the
Theatrical poster. © 2014
Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: omoinokoshi.com (Japan) Imagine that you will disappear from this world tomorrow... What thoughts would you share today? After premiering last month at the Busan International Film Festival`s Asian Film Market, Toei`s LINGERING SPIRITS (?????, Omoi no Koshi) will open in Japanese cinemas this Saturday, November 22nd. Based on the novel Kanojo Tono Jozuna Wakarekata by Takaya Okamoto, LINGERING SPIRITS is being promoted as a "heart-tugging masterpiece" in the tradition of RESURRECTION (?????, Yomigaeri, 2002), BE WITH YOU (??????????, Ima, Ai ni Yukimasu, 2004) and UNTIL THE BREAK OF DAWN (???, Tsunagu, 2012). Okamoto co-wrote the screen story and screenplay, while UNTIL THE BREAK OF DAWN director helmed the film. Masaki Okada (CONFESSIONS, VILLAIN, AKKO-CHAN: THE MOVIE, BEYOND THE MEMORIES, THE APOLOGY KING) stars as Gajirou Honda. Described in publicity materials as "a scumbag", Honda is a self-centered
Advance poster. Image courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. © 2015 'Ultraman Ginga S The Movie' Film Partners
Source: Tsuburaya Productions Official Site: m-78.jp/ginga/movie Official English Title: ULTRAMAN GINGA S THE MOVIE Japanese Title: ??? ?????????? ??! ????10??!! (Gekijoo-ban Urutoraman Ginga S Kessen! Urutora 10 Yuushi!!) Literal Translation: Ultraman Galaxy S The Movie: Decisive Battle! 10 Ultra Warriors!! On November 10th, Tsuburaya Productions announced the next Ultraman film, ULTRAMAN GINGA S THE MOVIE, will be released on Saturday, March 14, 2015. Based on the current ULTRAMAN GINGA S (??????????, Urutoraman Ginga S) television series, the movie features the show`s heroes Ultraman Ginga and Ultraman Victory alongside the "New Generation" of Ultra Warriors -- Ultraman Tiga, Ultraman Dyna, Ultraman Gaia, Ultraman Cosmos, Ultraman Nexus, Ultraman Max, Ultraman Mebius and Ultraman Zero (in his first appearance in the ULTRAMAN GINGA franchise). ULTRAMAN GINGA S THE MOVIE stars Takuya Negishi as Hikaru Raido (Ultraman Ginga) and Kiyotaka Uji as Shou (Ultraman Victory), who are
Image courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 2014 'Drive & Gaim' Production Committee © Ishimori Pro · TV Asahi · ADK · Toei
Latest Kamen Rider "Movie War" Film Opens in Japan on December 13th Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: movie-taisen.com (Japan) Translation: John Paul Cassidy Non-stop! The Fruit-Car Battle explodes! From the strongest to the fastest. This Winter, the Detective Rider will appear with his car!! The 6th entry in Toei`s "Movie War" series, KAMEN RIDER X KAMEN RIDER DRIVE & GAIM: MOVIE WAR FULL THROTTLE (??????×?????? ????&?? MOVIE?????????, Kamen Raidaa × Kamen Raidaa Doraibu & Gaimu Muubii Taisen Furusurottoru), brings together the stars of the two most recent Kamen Rider television series -- KAMEN RIDER GAIM (?????????????, Kamen Raidaa Gaimu, 2013-14) and KAMEN RIDER DRIVE (??????????, Kamen Raidaa Doraibu, 2014-15). The film will open in Japanese cinemas on December 13, 2014. KAMEN RIDER X KAMEN RIDER DRIVE & GAIM: MOVIE WAR FULL THROTTLE is directed by Takayuki Shibasaki (KAMEN RIDER OOO WONDERFUL: THE
Photo courtesy of T-Joy. © 2013 WHY DON’T YOU PLAY IN HELL? Film Partners
Sion Sono`s Acclaimed Film Arrives in US Cinemas November 7th Source: Drafthouse Films Official Movie Site: play-in-hell.com (Japan), drafthousefilms.com/why-dont-you-play-in-hell (US) Special Thanks to Ted Geoghegan Drafthouse Films has released a new trailer for WHY DON`T YOU PLAY IN HELL? (???????, Jigoku de Naze Warui, 2013), the unbelievable new genre-defying epic from Japan`s legendary Sion Sono, which hits U.S. theaters November 7th. About Drafthouse Films Drafthouse Films, the film distribution arm of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, is a curated brand of provocative, visionary and artfully unusual films new and old from around the world. Following the earnestly simple motto of “sharing the films we love with widest audience possible,” Drafthouse Films distributes films theatrically, through home video, VOD and their direct-to-consumer platforms integrating into the ever-growing Alamo Drafthouse entertainment lifestyle brand. For more information on WHY DON’T YOU
Source: ACTV Japan Turn off the lights and put on your headphones, the SciFi Japan TV team’s short horror film NO FACE (??????) is online now! Written and directed by JR Lipartito, NO FACE is about a man who plays a survival horror game that becomes a true matter of life and death. This film was shot at the YouTube Space “House of Horrors” set with Legendary Entertainment (GODZILLA, THE DARK KNIGHT trilogy). Partnering with director Guillermo del Toro (PACIFIC RIM, PAN’S LABYRINTH), YouTube Spaces around the world and Legendary Entertainment built unique “House of Horrors” sets inspired by del Toro’s visual style. Qualifying creators were able to access the House of Horrors set on an application basis. NO FACE was one of two films produced at the Tokyo YouTube Space to have its rough reviewed by Guillermo del Toro himself via Google Hangout. NO
BLACK BUTLER theatrical poster, courtesy of courtesy of Warner Bros. UK. © 2014 Yana Toboso/ Square Enix © 2014
In Cinemas October 17th from Warner Bros. Source: Warner Bros. Pictures UK, Maven Publicity press release Official Site: kuroshitsuji-movie.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Louise Rivers Based on the best-selling comic series written and illustrated by Yana Toboso, the long awaited live-action film BLACK BUTLER (???, Kuroshitsuji, 2014) finally arrives in UK cinemas. Hiro Mizushima of BECK (2010), portrays the perfect, but arrogant, demonic butler, Sebastian, in this stylish action film directed by Kentaro Otani of the NANA series, and Keiichi Sato of ASURA (????, Ashura, 2012). Mummified dead bodies of various dignitaries from around the world are being discovered, a mysterious tarot card left beside them at the scene. The world is headed towards chaos... Kiyoharu is the young head of the Genpo noble family, owners of a massive toy manufacturing enterprise. He also functions as a secret watchdog for the Queen, a
New key art for SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO 2199: THE STAR-VOYAGING ARK. Image courtesy of Shochiku. © 2014 Space Battleship Yamato 2199 Production Committee
Videos, High-Res Images and News on the Two Feature Films Author: Tim Eldred, Cosmo DNA Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: yamato2199.net Besides watching a fantastic remake unfold into a modern anime SF masterpiece, one of the most interesting things about SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO 2199 (???????2199, Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2199) was observing its growth as a marketing phenomenon in Japan. That growth continues non-stop with two new movies, the first of which opens today. YAMATO 2199 Chapter 1 arrived in theaters April 7, 2012 -- noteworthy for syncing with the date of IJN Battleship Yamato`s demise in 1945 -- with an all-or-nothing campaign. Knowing that their core audience could only be fans of the 1974 original, the YAMATO 2199 Production Committee focused all the initial marketing energy on them rather than the unsold youth, and that decision proved to be the right one.
Production Info, trailer and Hugh-Res Photos from Kadokawa Source: Kadokawa Pictures Official Site: zero-movie.jp (Japan) This week, Kadokawa Pictures will release ZERO THE MOVIE (??? ?????, Gekijooban Rei ~Zero~) in theaters across Japan. The film is an adaptation of the novel Rei ~Zero~ Onnanoko Dake ga Kakaru Noroi by Eiji Otsuka, author of MPD Psycho (?????????, Tajuu-Jinkaku Tantei Saiko, 1997) and The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service (???????, Kurosagi Shitai Takuhaibin, 2002), and is based on the hit horror video game series FATAL FRAME (known as ZERO in Japan) that has sold more than 1.3 million copies. Kadokawa is promoting the movie as "the birth of unprecedented paranormal mystery." The lead character in ZERO THE MOVIE is played by Ayami Nakajo, well-known as an exclusive model for the Japanese edition of Seventeen magazine. This will be Nakajo`s first film, though she has acted in
Image courtesy of Magnolia Pictures. ? 2014 Magnolia Pictures, LLC & ABC`S OF DEATH Film Limited.
Source: Magnolia Pictures press release Official Site: magnetreleasing.com/theabcsofdeath2 Magnet Releasing, the genre arm of US film distributor Magnolia Pictures, has released a new red band trailer for the international horror anthology ABC’S OF DEATH 2. The film will open on iTunes / On Demand October 2, 2014 and in North American theaters October 31, 2014. ABC’s OF DEATH 2 is the follow-up to the most ambitious anthology film ever conceived with productions spanning from Nigeria to UK to Brazil and everywhere in between. It features segments directed by over two dozen of the world`s leading talents in contemporary genre film. The film is comprised of twenty-six individual chapters, each helmed by a different director assigned a letter of the alphabet. The directors were then given free rein in choosing a word to create a story involving death. Provocative, shocking, funny and at times