Source: Arrow Films, Justin Cook Public Relations Special Thanks to Justin Cook Arrow Video has provided a new trailer for GAMERA: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION, a deluxe Blu-ray box set of the Gamera movie series. For the first time ever worldwide, all twelve tales of everyone’s favorite titanic terrapin are collected together, from the "friend of all children" in Gamera`s more lighthearted earlier films, to the Guardian of the Universe in the groundbreaking 1990s reboot series, often hailed as three of the best kaiju films ever made. GAMERA: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION is now streaming on the Arrow Video Channel, The Blu-ray set will be released in the UK on August 17, and in the US on August 18, 2020. For the complete product specs please see the previous report on SciFi Japan. About Arrow Films Arrow Films is a leading independent entertainment distribution company,
The daikaiju movie spoof NOTZILLA is coming to home video in August. Photo courtesy of Avery Guerra. © 2020 Notzilla Movie, LLC
Source: Avery Guerra Official Site: notzilla.movie Facebook: facebook.com/NotzillaMovie Creepy Ex-Boyfriend Productions has joined forces with distributors Indie Rights for digital and Allied Vaughn for the physical media releases of the hilarious award-winning kaiju comedy spoof NOTZILLA for an August 18, 2020 day and date release! This hilarious send-up of classic monster movies has won best comedy awards at multiple film festivals. SYNOPSIS When a scientist from Japan smuggles a monster’s egg into the United States, what could possibly go wrong when it actually hatches—and alcohol makes it grow taller than a skyscraper? The race is on as the monster drinks beer and wreaks havoc, the Japanese scientist tries to shrink it, and a crazed weapons physicist tries to nuke the monster—and possibly take the entire city of Cincinnati with it! CREDITS Director: Mitch Teemley Producers:
Blu-ray cover art, courtesy of Media Blasters. © 1994 Gaga/ Crowd Inc.
Source: Media Blasters press release Special Thanks to Carl Morano With a record number of people practicing social distancing and caution, quality home entertainment is more highly valued than ever before! With that in mind, Media Blasters Inc. is back at work and pleased to announce that the live-action sci-fi actioner ZEIRAM 2 (????2, Zeiramu 2, 1994) will makes its premiere on Blu-ray and finally return to DVD on September 22, courtesy of the Tokyo Shock label. ZEIRAM 2 comes from the imagination of filmmaker and prolific character designer Keita Amemiya (ZEIRAM, GARO, MECHANICAL VIOLATOR HAKAIDER). Upon successfully wrapping up an important case, the beautiful alien bounty hunter Iria returns to Earth. Along with her computer, Bob, and her assistant, Fujicrow, she is assigned a new android trainee. Unfortunately, inside the android resides the most evil, cunning combat life form known in the universe -- a
The Arrow Video Channel presents some exciting additions for July. Photo courtesy of Arrow Films.
New Titles Include ZOMBIE FOR SALE, The 12-Film GAMERA COLLECTION, CREEPSHOW 2, BLOODSTONE, BLACK RAINBOW & MERRY CHRISTMAS, MR. LAWRENCE Source: Arrow Video Channel press release Special Thanks to Justin Cook Arrow Video is excited to announce the July slate of titles on their subscription-based Arrow Video Channel, including acclaimed undead comedy ZOMBIE FOR SALE and GAMERA: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION, all twelve films starring mankind`s greatest defender: a fire-breathing mutant turtle. An infectiously funny slice of modern Korean cinema where TRAIN TO BUSAN, THE QUIET FAMILY and WARM BODIES collide to create ZOMBIE FOR SALE, a memorable rom-zom-com from debut director Lee Min-jae. For the first time ever, fans can trace the decades-long evolution of Gamera, from the "friend of all children" in his more light-hearted earlier films, to the Guardian of the Universe in the groundbreaking 1990s reboot series, often hailed as three of the best
Contents of the GAMERA: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION Limited Edition Blu-ray Set. Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. © KADOKAWA
Source: Arrow Films Special Thanks to James Flower Arrow Films has provided the complete product specs for GAMERA: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION, a deluxe Blu-ray box set of the Gamera movie series. For the first time ever worldwide, all twelve tales of everyone’s favorite titanic terrapin are collected together... the set includes GAMERA THE GIANT MONSTER (??????, Daikaij? Gamera, 1965), GAMERA VS. BARUGON (????? ????????, Daikaij? Kett?: Gamera Tai Barugon 1966), GAMERA VS. GYAOS (?????? ????????, Daikaijuu K?ch?-sen Gamera Tai Gyaosu, 1967), GAMERA VS. VIRAS (????????????, Gamera Tai Uch? Kaij? Bairasu, 1968), GAMERA VS. GUIRON (??????????, Gamera Tai Daiwaruj? Giron, 1969), GAMERA VS. JIGER (????????????, Gamera Tai Daimaj? Jaig?, 1970), GAMERA VS. ZIGRA (???????????, Gamera Tai Shinkai Kaij? Jigura, 1971), GAMERA SUPER MONSTER (???????, Uch? Kaij? Gamera, 1980), GAMERA THE GUARDIAN OF THE UNIVERSE (??? ???????, Gamera Daij? K?ch? Kessen, 1995), GAMERA 2: ATTACK OF LEGION (???2 ??????
Photo courtesy of Mill Creek. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.
Source: Mill Creek Entertainment Special Thanks to Barrett Evans and Noah Sawyer Mill Creek Entertainment is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win their new Blu-ray Double Feature of the Ishirô Honda/Eiji Tsuburaya Toho sci-fi classics THE H-MAN (???????, Bijo to Ekitai-ningen, 1958) and BATTLE IN OUTER SPACE (?????, Uch? Daisens?, 1959). The set presents both films in the 2.35:1 widescreen aspect ratio in high definition, with DTS-HD Master Audio for both English and Japanese tracks plus English subtitles. THE H-MAN/BATTLE IN OUTER SPACE Double Feature Blu-ray is now available (SRP: $19.99) from retailers. OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES and INFORMATION Prize: A. There are four (4) prizes, with each prize consisting of one (1) THE H-MAN/BATTLE IN OUTER SPACE Double Feature Blu-ray. B. Prizes will be shipped to the contest winners so entrants must include a valid mailing address. This contest is only open
Artwork not final – mock-up. Photo courtesy of Section23 Films.
WASTEFUL DAYS OF HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS Arrives September 22nd Source: Section23 Films press release Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff Home video distributor Section23 Films today announced its September slate of releases which includes Sentai Filmworks hit comedy series, WASTEFUL DAYS OF HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS available on Blu-ray September 22! Product details follow, in order of release... THE DEMON GIRL NEXT DOOR Published by: Sentai Filmworks Distributed by: Section23 Films Run Time: 300 min. Street Date: 9/1/2020 Format: BD Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles SRP: $69.98 When Yuko Yoshida wakes up one morning to discover that she`s sprouted horns and a tail, she learns something that her mother has been meaning to tell her. You know that battle between the Light and Dark that`s been going on since the dawn of time? Well, Yuko`s family are the bad guys. So now, Yuko has to defeat
Contents of the B: THE BEGINNING – THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION set. Photo courtesy of Shout! Factory. © Kazuto Nakazawa / Production I.G
Source: Shout! Factory press release Official Site: b-animation.jp (Japan), B: THE BEGINNING | Netflix (US) Special Thanks to Tom Chen From the renowned animation powerhouse Production I.G. (PSYCHO-PASS, GhHOST IN THE SHELL, ATTACK ON TITAN) and director Kazuto Nakazawa (PARASITE DOLLS, animation director of KILL BILL: Vol. 1) comes the popular action suspense anime series, B: THE BEGINNING (2018). Directed by Nakazawa and Yoshinobu Yamakawa (LITTLE BUSTERS!), this gripping, character-driven crime procedural uniquely blends the visual marvel of anime, dystopian sci-fi supernatural fantasy, and gritty mystery narrative in equal measures. The series music is composed by Yoshihiro Ike (BLOOD: THE LAST EMPIRE, TIGER & BUNNY), with the theme song provided by former Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman. Hailed by anime enthusiasts and worldwide fans for its distinctive genre-bending storytelling, B: THE BEGINNING SEASON ONE arrives on national home entertainment shelves and digital download to
Ultraman makes his television debut in the black & white special, BIRTH OF ULTRAMAN. The show will be released for the first time in North America as part of an exclusive UKTRAMAN Blu-ray collection. Photo courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. © TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS
Exclusive Release For Ultraman Day Featuring Cover Art By Alex Ross! Source: Mill Creek Entertainment Special Thanks to Barrett Evans and J.W. Starrett Minneapolis, MN (June 17, 2020) Mill Creek Entertainment is pleased to announce “The Birth of Ultraman Collection”, a Blu-ray set containing some of the best episodes of the original ULTRAMAN series with both the original Japanese language and the classic English dub audio tracks plus THE BIRTH OF ULTRAMAN – ULTRAMAN Pre-Premiere Special, the very first appearance of the hero that would become famous across the world as Ultraman. This exclusive Blu-ray release also features art created by Alex Ross which is also featured on The Rise of Ultraman cover for Marvel Comics and Tsuburaya Production’s recent collaboration with the debut issue releasing September 2020. This exciting, special-edition comes off the back of Mill Creek Entertainment’s license of the entire
Photo courtesy of Mill Creek. ©2016 UX FILM PARTNERS ©2015 UGS FILM PARTNERS
Walmart Exclusive ULTRAMAN X THE MOVIE/ULTRAMAN GINGA S THE MOVIE Double Feature Blu-ray Now On Sale
Source: Mill Creek Entertainment Special Thanks to Barrett Evans The ULTRAMAN X and ULTRAMAN GINGA S feature films have been released in a Walmart exclusive "Movies-Only" Double Feature Blu-ray from Mill Creek Entertainment. Both movies are presented with DTS-HD Master Audio of the original Japanese soundtrack with English subtitles plus the English dubs heard during their 2016 U.S. theatrical run. The Blu-ray can now be purchased in-store or ordered from Walmart.com. In ULTRAMAN X: THE MOVIE: HERE HE COMES! OUR ULTRAMAN (??? ??????? ??????????????, Gekij?-ban Urutoraman X Kita Zo! Ware-ra no Urutoraman, 2016), X is joined by his longtime ally Cyber Gomora and a team of Ultra Heroes (Ultraman, Ultraman Zero, Ultraman Max, Ultraman Victory, Ultraman Ginga, Ultraman Nexus and Ultraman Tiga) to stop the evil beast Zaigorg and a "powered up" army of classic monsters. ULTRAMAN GINGA S THE MOVIE: SHOWDOWN! THE 10 ULTRA WARRIORS!
Image courtesy of GKIDS. ©?2019 Daisuke Igarashi, Shogakukan/”Children of the Sea” Committee
Source: Shout! Factory press release Official Site: kaijunokodomo.com (Japan), ChildrenOfTheSeaMovie.com (US) Special Thanks to Sarah J. De Bruin From Japan’s cutting-edge STUDIO4°C (TEKKONKINKREET, MFKZ, MIND GAME) and director Ayumu Watanabe comes CHILDREN OF THE SEA (?????, Kaiju no Kodomo, 2019), a stunningly beautiful adaptation of the prize-winning manga. Featuring a score from legendary composer and long-time Studio Ghibli collaborator Joe Hisaishi (SPIRITED AWAY, MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO), this critically-acclaimed film will be available digitally, as a Blu-ray and DVD combo pack, and on DVD September 1, 2020 from GKIDS and Shout! Factory. CHILDREN OF THE SEA is scheduled for a nationwide theatrical release in select cinemas via Fathom Events on August 11 and 12, in subtitled and English dubbed versions, with more details to be revealed soon. All editions of the release will include a number of bonus features, including an interview with director Ayumu Watanabe and CGI
Director Nobuhiko Obayashi`s will be released on Blu-ray in the United Kingdom by Third Window Films. Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. © Karatsu Film Partners/PSC2017
Source: Third Window Films press release Special Thanks to Adam Torel UK distributor Third Window Films brings HANAGATAMI (??, 2017) to Blu-ray on July 6th. In 2016, Nobuhiko Obayashi, the director of the cult Japanese horror film HOUSE (???, Hausu, 1977), was diagnosed with lung cancer and given only a few months to live. Despite not much time left, for what was supposed to be his final film he adapted Kazuo Dan’s 1937 novella Hanagatami, his passion project 40 years in the making. In the spring of 1941, sixteen-year-old Toshihiko leaves Amsterdam to attend school in Karatsu, a small town on the western coast of Japan, where his aunt Keiko cares for his ailing cousin Mina. Immersed in the seaside’s nature and culture, Toshihiko soon befriends the town’s other extraordinary adolescents as they all contend with the war’s inescapable gravitational pull. With his
Image courtesy of SRS Cinema LLC. © 2007 iMages from the iD
Source: SRS Cinema LLC Special Thanks to Avery Guerra SRS Cinema is excited to keep bringing fans Tokusatsu/Kaiju movies they never thought would make it to North America. Their latest release is the independent sci-fi film THE iDol from Norman England. In THE iDol, a young toy collector named Ken happens upon a rare figure. Unknown to him, the figure is in fact an alien creature with designs on Ken’s fate. Presales have now begun, with THE iDol expected to ship approximately late July to early August 2020. Only 200 copies of the Limited Edition Blu-ray will be sold. However, if the title sells out by June 18, SRS Cinema will fully replicate the title. There will also be a limited run of 50 VHS. The first 200 copies sold in any format get a free, folded 11×17 mini-poster of the cover artwork. Order Links: •
Hayao Miyazaki’s THE WIND RISES will be released in a Blu-ray + DVD combo pack, DVD and on digital this September. Image courtesy of Shout! Factory. © 2013 Nibariki • GNDHDDTK
Source: Shout! Factory press release Special Thanks to Shannon Meehan Studio Ghibli and GKIDS, with distribution by Shout! Factory, will issue THE WIND RISES (????, Kaze Tachinu, 2013) on digital download and On Demand on September 1, 2020 and on Blu-ray + DVD combo pack and as a standalone DVD on September 22, 2020. The Blu-ray release includes an exclusive booklet, feature-length storyboards, and a 10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki documentary episode, which goes behind the scenes in the production of the film. THE WIND RISES is available for pre-order now at shoutfactory.com. Acclaimed filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki (SPIRITED AWAY) delivers a modern masterpiece with this Academy Award®-nominated exploration of creative passion in a hostile world. Jiro Horikoshi is fascinated by aviation but unable to become a pilot due to a medical condition. He moves to Tokyo in 1923, surviving the Great Kanto Earthquake to become a highly
The feature film ULTRAMAN GINGA S THE MOVIE: SHOWDOWN! THE 10 ULTRA WARRIORS! is included in the upcoming ULTRAMAN GINGA/ULTRAMAN GINGA S Blu-ray set from Mill Creek. Photo courtesy of Mill Creek. © TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS ©2015 UGS FILM PARTNERS
The North American debut for both series in stunning high-definition! Source: Mill Creek Entertainment Special Thanks to Barrett Evans, Jeff Hayne and J.W. Starrett Minneapolis, MN (June 9, 2020) Mill Creek Entertainment is pleased to announce the next release from the Ultraman superhero library! The ULTRAMAN GINGA and ULTRAMAN GINGA S Blu-ray set -- containing two complete television series, a movie, and a bonus special -- will be released on September 15, 2020 for $49.99 SRP. Originally released in 2013, the 12-episode ULTRAMAN GINGA (?????????, Urutoraman Ginga) was the 25th Ultra Series and the 1st of the "New Generation Heroes" shows. During a great war in space, a dark power turned the Ultramen and their foes into small figures called Spark Dolls, sending them across the universe. In present day Japan, a teenager named Hikaru Raidou finds the Ginga Spark, a mysterious device
The original Ultraman. Photo courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. © TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS
In 1966 the Japanese tokusatsu series ULTRAMAN premiered in Japan and soon afterward was broadcasted on television in the USA. It was so popular in the United States that it ran even into the 1980s. Yet, it may come as a surprise to the general American audience that ULTRAMAN has multiple sequels and spin-offs that continue even today. In the show, the Science Patrol tries to protect the earth from alien monsters. One of them, Hayata, can secretly transform into a huge alien Ultraman to help the Patrol in the most difficult situations. The first show in the Ultra series was ULTRA Q, which premiered in January 1966, and was dubbed in English but never reached the United States because it was black and white and the US stations chose the colored ULTRAMAN instead. Even though both were popular in Japan, ULTRAMAN was the one that inspired
Image courtesy of MVD Entertainment. ©2007
Source: FilmRise, MVD Entertainment Group Special Thanks to Clint Weiler FilmRise is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win their new Collector`s Edition Blu-ray of Takashi Miike`s SUKIYAKI WESTERN DJANGO (?????????? ????, Sukiyaki Uesutan Jango, 2007)! An epic tale of blood, lust and greed starring Hideaki Ito, Yusuke Iseya, Kaori Momoi and Quentin Tarantino (PULP FICTION), SUKIYAKI WESTERN DJANGO redefines the spaghetti Western. Two clans battle for a legendary treasure hidden in a desolate mountain town. One day, a lone gunman, burdened with deep emotional scars but blessed with incredible shooting skills, drifts into town. Two clans try to woo the lone gunman to their sides, but he has ulterior motives. Dirty tricks, betrayal, desire and love collide as the situation erupts into a final, explosive showdown. SUKIYAKI WESTERN DJANGO will be available on DVD (SRP $14.95), Blu-ray (SRP $29.95) and digital formats on June
Photo courtesy of Mill Creek. ©2016 UX FILM PARTNERS ©2015 UGS FILM PARTNERS
Source: Mill Creek Entertainment Special Thanks to Barrett Evans On June 16th, the ULTRAMAN X and ULTRAMAN GINGA S feature films will be released in a Walmart exclusive "Movies-Only" Double Feature Blu-ray from Mill Creek Entertainment. Both movies are presented with DTS-HD Master Audio of the original Japanese soundtrack with English subtitles plus the English dubs heard during their 2016 U.S. theatrical run. The Blu-ray can now be preordered on Walmart.com. In ULTRAMAN X: THE MOVIE: HERE HE COMES! OUR ULTRAMAN (??? ??????? ??????????????, Gekij?-ban Urutoraman X Kita Zo! Ware-ra no Urutoraman, 2016), X is joined by his longtime ally Cyber Gomora and a team of Ultra Heroes (Ultraman, Ultraman Zero, Ultraman Max, Ultraman Victory, Ultraman Ginga, Ultraman Nexus and Ultraman Tiga) to stop the evil beast Zaigorg and a "powered up" army of classic monsters. ULTRAMAN GINGA S THE MOVIE: SHOWDOWN! THE 10 ULTRA WARRIORS!
The KAIJU STEP WANDABADA anime is coming to DVD in Japan. Photo courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. © TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS © Kaiju Step Wandabada Production Committee
Source: Tsuburaya Productions Official Site: kaijustep.com Official Instagram?instagram.com/kaijustep Tsuburaya Productions has announced the Japanese DVD release of the anime series KAIJU STEP WANDABADA (????????? ?????, Kaij? Suteppu Wandabada). The stories feature monsters and aliens from the ULTRAMAN series such as Pigmon, Kanegon, and Dada, but reimagined as cute children. These “Kaiju Kids” (?????????, Ch?sana Kaij?) live on a little planet somewhere in space where they try new things, meet new friends and take their “first steps” in life. The second season is now in production. The 26 episode first season will be spread across 3 DVD volumes, available from retailers on September 2. Bonus features include a dance video performed by the popular children’s musical duo, Keropons, who sing the show`s opening theme song; stop-motion animation; anime shorts; and other new content. The DVDs also come with extras such as board games and magnets that the whole
Ultraman Taiga fights monsters unleashed by the evil Ultraman Tregear in the stage show ULTRA HEROES EXPO 2020 BATTLE STAGE. Photos courtesy of Tsuburaya Productions. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS
Source: Tsuburaya Productions Official Site: ultra-expo.com/2020/prism (Japan) Tsuburaya Productions has announced the Japanese home video release of ULTRA HEROES EXPO 2020 BATTLE STAGE: HEROES OF LIGHT (?????????EXPO 2020???????? ??????, `Urutora H?r?zu Ekisupo 2020` Batoru Sut?ji Hikari no Y?sha-tachi). The DVD will be available through retailers and rental outlets on September 11. Fans can also buy advance copies from select Ultraman Official Shop stores and Ultraman World M78 ONLINE starting July 17. The Battle Stage shows were a popular attraction during ULTRA HEROES EXPO 2020, which was held at Tokyo Dome City Prism Hall from December 28, 2019 to January 5, 2020. The 2020 show was based on the TV series ULTRAMAN TAIGA (?????????, Urutoraman Taiga, 2019-20), and featured live performances from Yuki Inoue as Taiga`s human host, Hiroyuki Kudo; Kou Nanase as Kirisaki, the human form of Taiga`s nemesis, Ultraman Tregear; Ryotaro as