SciFi Japan

    Manga Entertainment celebrates its 20th anniversary with Katsuhiro Otomo’s masterpiece AKIRA on DVD and— for the first time ever in the United Kingdom—Blu-ray. Cover art courtesy of The Associates. © 1988 Akira Committee

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    The Anime Classic Gets a Major UK Re-release Source: The Associates press release To coincide with Manga Entertainment’s 20th anniversary celebrations, in June 2011 the company will be releasing on Blu-ray— for the first time ever in the United Kingdom— the movie that started it all and defined the Manga brand as one of the world’s leading anime distributors... Katsuhiro Otomo’s classic AKIRA! Prior to the Blu-ray release, the film will also open at selected UK cinemas, giving fans the chance to see this “lavish animation extravaganza” (Variety) in all its big screen glory. Universally acclaimed as one of the greatest anime features of all time and hailed as “a visionary, game-changing masterpiece” (News of the World), the film has been digitally restored and remastered in full HD with super dynamic “Hypersonic” audio especially for this long-awaited Blu-ray release. Acknowledged as a hugely

    The worldwide releases of EVANGELION: 2.22 YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE continue as the film comes to DVD and Blu-ray in Australia. Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 2009 Khara

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Second "Rebuild of Evangelion" Film Streets June 15th Source: Madman Entertainment Official Movie Site: evangelion.co.jp (Japan), funimation.com/evangelion (US), madman.com.au/nge (Aus) Special Thanks to Ben Pollock and Philippa Lamb The impressive 21st Century makeover of one of the most revered and influential anime series of all time continues apace with the Australian DVD and Blu-ray release of the feature-length EVANGELION: 2.22 YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE (????????????: ?, Evangelion Shin Gekijoban: Ha, 2009) from Madman Entertainment. The second of four planned movies based on the original anime series NEON GENESIS EVANGELION (???????????, Shin Seiki Evangelion, 1995), this latest instalment introduces new pilots, new Evas and new Angels as the ongoing story involves to new heights of intensity. Written by NEON GENESIS EVANGELION creator Hideaki Anno and directed by regular EVANGELION collaborator Kazuya Tsurumaki, EVANGELION: 2.22 YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE presents a thrilling and visually spectacular

    The popular UK label Manga Entertainment celebrates their 20th Anniversary with new DVD/Blu-ray releases, product lines, and events. Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 2011 Manga Entertainment, LLC

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    UK Anime Label Celebrates Two Decades as Market Leader Source: The Associates press release Official Site: manga.co.uk Manga Entertainment, the UK’s leading purveyor of Japanese animation, celebrates two decades as film producers, market leaders and video distributors for such acclaimed animation classics as AKIRA, BLEACH and DEATH NOTE. The first and best anime distributor in the UK, Manga Entertainment remains at the forefront of modern media, part of a whirlpool of social networking trends and new forms of fun. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of AKIRA on UK video, Manga Entertainment is releasing Katsuhiro Otomo’s classic in an all-new Blu-ray edition. But that’s not all! • Uniqlo team assemble! Manga Entertainment joins forces with Japanese clothes company Uniqlo to help promote their line of T-shirts based on popular anime characters. • Manga Entertainment is a sponsor and participant in We Love Anime, a

    KING OF EDEN, the first of two EDEN OF THE EAST theatrical films, will be released on DVD and Blu-ray in the United Kingdom by Manga Entertainment. Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 2009 EDEN OF THE EAST.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Special Edition Comes with Bonus Feature Film: EDEN OF THE EAST: AIR COMMUNICATION Source: The Associates press release Official Site: juiz.jp (Japan) 2009`s Most Intriguing New Anime Returns With A Brand New Movie! The story of EDEN OF THE EAST THE MOVIE 1: THE KING OF EDEN (????? ????The King of Eden, Higashi no Eden Gekijooban I: The King of Eden, 2009) continues where it left off from the EDEN OF THE EAST TV series, and brings Saki Morimi back to the USA in order to find Akira Takizawa. The other Selecao however are actively moving to take part in the game, and a few in particular are making dangerous moves in order to eliminate Takizawa or move towards their picture of a better Japan. The EDEN OF THE EAST THE MOVIE 1: THE KING OF EDEN Blu-ray also includes a very special

    Contents for the 2-Disc Collector`s Edition of EVANGELION: 2.22 YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE, available June 20th in the United Kingdom. Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 2009 Khara

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Second "Rebuild of Evangelion" Film Streets June 20th Source: The Associates press release Official Movie Site: evangelion.co.jp (Japan), funimation.com/evangelion (US) New Pilots, New Evas, New Angels. The landmark anime NEON GENESIS EVANGELION (???????????, Shin Seiki Evangerion, 1995) evolves, reaching new heights of intensity in the new feature film EVANGELION: 2.22 YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE, coming to DVD and Blu-ray in the UK from Manga Entertainment on the 20th of June, 2011. The home video editions present the theatrical anime movie EVANGELION: 2.0 (????????????: ?, Evangelion Shin Gekijoban: Ha, 2009), digitally mastered and with upgraded scenes. In this explosive new story, brutal action and primal emotion clash as a group of young pilots maneuver their towering, cyborg Eva Units into combat against a deadly and disturbing enemy. In the battle to prevent the apocalyptic Third Impact, Shinji Ikari and Rei Ayanami were forced to

    The samurai assassin Aya (Eri Otoguru) hunts the living of the living dead. Clip courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 2008

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Babes, Bikinis, Blades, Guns and a Fistful of Zombies on Region 4 DVD Source: Madman Entertainment Special Thanks to Ben Pollock and Philippa Lamb The live action Japanese feature film CHANBARA BEAUTY (??????? The Movie, Onechanbara: The Movie, 2008) is now on DVD (Region 4, PAL) in Australia from Madman Entertainment. The film is based on the hit video game series THE ONECHANBARA for PS2, Xbox360, Wii; created by Tamsoft and D3. CHANBARA BEAUTY was the directorial debut of cinematographer Yohei Fukuda (GROTESQUE), and stars Eri Otoguro (VAMPIRE GIRL VS. FRANKENSTEIN GIRL; SHUTTER), Tomohiro Waki (INITIAL D – DRIFT RACER) and Taro Suwa (UZUMAKI; END CALL; THE MACHINE GIRL). The bikini-clad samurai chick, Aya (Eri Otoguru), roams a chaotic and desolate future world where the streets are filled with zombies. In search of her sister, Saki (Chise Nakamura), she meets a mysterious gun-toting

    DVD and Blu-ray cover art for the first volume of CASSHERN SINS. Photos courtesy of The Associates. © 2008 Tatsunoko Production/ Casshern Sins Project

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: The Associates press release Official Site: casshern-sins.jp (Japan), funimation.com/casshernsins (US) Ruin is the salvation of man and machine! CASSHERN SINS (?????? SINS, Kyashaan Shinsu, 2008) is a millennial update of NEO-HUMAN CASSHERN (??????????, Shinzo Ningen Kyashaan, aka CASSHAN, 1973) a beloved classic of Japanese animation which saw a lone cyborg hero opposing a robot empire that threatened to overthrow the Earth. This darker reimagining mixes frantic action with heartfelt humanity, as Casshern fights to survive a bleak dystopian future - little realizing that he caused the end of the world! The new series was produced by Tatsunoko Production (NEO-HUMAN CASSHERN, SPEED RACER, GATCHAMAN) with animation by Madhouse (PAPRIKA, MONSTER). The series was directed by Shigeyasu Yamauchi (DRAGON BALL Z). The animation was supervised by Yoshihiko Umakoshi (FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST, COWBOY BEEBOP). CASSHERN SINS: PART ONE of two (containing Episodes 1-12) will be released

    POKÉMON DP GALACTIC BATTLES GIFT SET 2. Photo courtesy of Warner Home Video. © 2009 Pokémon. © 1997-2009 Nintendo, Creatures, Game Freak, TV Tokyo, ShoPro, JR Kikaku.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC has announced an array of upcoming new anime DVD releases scheduled for May and June 2011. New DVD releases in May include the latest from VIZ Media’s top selling anime properties, POKÉMON and VAMPIRE KNIGHT GUILTY. Two brand new series, HERO: 108 and KEKKAISHI, will make their long-awaited debut on DVD in June in addition to the latest box set installment of BLEACH. May Anime Releases: POKÉMON DP GALACTIC BATTLES Volumes 3 & 4 Rated “A” for All Ages MSRP: $14.97 U.S. each / $21.99 CAN each Available May 10th POKÉMON DP GALACTIC BATTLES GIFT SET 2 Rated “A” for All Ages MSRP: $24.92 U.S. / $35.99 CAN Available May 10th Ash and his friends are headed to Sinnoh’s snow country, where the weather is the least of their

    The Korean monster movie CHAW has been released on DVD and Blu-ray in North American with a slightly modified title. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures. © 2009 Polygon Entertainment LLC/Soo Jack Films

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Magnolia Home Entertainment press release, Bender/Helper Impact Official Movie Site: chawzmovie.com When a wild, man-eating boar goes on a rampage in a small Korean village, all bets are off in the inventive black comedy horror romp CHAWZ (??, 2009), now on Blu-ray and Region 1 DVD from Magnolia Home Entertainment under the Magnet Releasing label. From the acclaimed CGI specialists at Polygon Entertainment and directed by Jeong-won Shin, CHAWZ pays homage to the classic monster movies of the past with intertwined hilarity. The movie was shown in Korea and internationally as CHAW, with the name both a play on the English word `chew` and meaning `to trap` in the Korean dialect of the Gyeonggi and Chungcheong provinces. For the American release, Magnet slightly altered the film`s title to CHAWZ as a very intentional reference to the 1975 classic JAWS. The US distributor

    A clandestine organization combats evil plots in the years leading up to WWII in the anime series NIGHT RAID 1931. © 2010 A-1 Pictures/ Night Raid Partners

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: 1931.tv (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams Sentai Filmworks announces its acquisition of the spectacular anime series NIGHT RAID 1931 (?????????, Senkoo no Night Raid, 2010). Directed by Jun Matsumoto (PERSONA – TRINITY SCROLL) with script supervision by Shinsuke Onishi (THE THIRD, SHIN GETTER ROBO,) the 17 episode series was produced by A-1 Pictures and Aniplex and features character designs by acclaimed manga master Akimine Kamijyo (SAMURAI DEEPER KYO). Sentai’s forthcoming release will include episodes 0-13, plus two unaired episodes as well as a special bonus recap episode. The year is 1931. The City is Shanghai. Ten years before America will enter World War II, the hydra’s teeth planted by the first great global conflict are beginning to germinate, hatching into spiders weaving the complex web of plots and conspiracies destined to inevitably draw entire nations,

    Akira Takizawa takes a fall in THE KING OF EDEN, the first of two EDEN OF THE EAST theatrical films. Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2009 EDEN OF THE EAST.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    US Release Streets April 26th Source: FUNimation Entertainment Official Site: juiz.jp (Japan), funimation.com/edenoftheeast (US) Special Thanks to Jackie Smith The intrigue goes international in EDEN OF THE EAST THE MOVIE 1: THE KING OF EDEN (????? ????The King of Eden, Higashi no Eden Gekijooban I: The King of Eden, 2009), a feature-length conspiracy thriller that continues the action of the acclaimed anime EDEN OF THE EAST (?????, Higashi no Eden, 2009). The deadly game that began in Japan now intensifies on the streets of New York City. The rules are the same: Do whatever it takes to win. Die if you lose. Takizawa prevented Japan’s destruction – and then he vanished. Six months later, clues lead Saki to the Big Apple in search of her missing friend. Meanwhile, the remaining Seleção are plotting their final move. Some of them would prefer Takizawa dead

    Photo courtesy of Section23 Films.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    GUIN SAGA COLLECTION 2 Available on May 31st Source: Section23 Films press release Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff Home video distributor Section23 Films has provided details on its May 2011 slate of releases, including the 2nd collection of GUIN SAGA to be released on DVD by Section23 client Sentai Filmworks. Product details follow, in order of release... GHOST SWEEPER MIKAMI COLLECTION 4 Published by: Sentai Filmworks Distributed by: Section23 Films Run Time: 275 min. Street Date: 5/3/2011 Format: DVD Language: Japanese with English Subtitles SRP: $49.98 Yes, despite all common logic or sense of self preservation, the Mikami Detective agency continues to ply their occult trade, dousing spirits, vaporizing vapors and generally not giving the supernatural a ghost of a chance. Of course, once you`ve gotten into this profession, it`s really hard to get out, since you`re actually busiest when your business is dying. And it

    High school student Akari Yoshiyama (Riisa Naka) travels back nearly 40 years in TIME TRAVELLER: THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME, the live-action adaptation of the classic novel. Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 2010 Time Traveller Film Partners

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: The Associates press release, Pictures Dept. Official Movie Site: tokikake.jp (Japan) TIME TRAVELLER: THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME (???????, Toki o Kakeru Shojo, 2010), the latest live-action movie incarnation of Yasutaka Tsutsui`s frequently adapted 1967 sci-fi/fantasy novel The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, gives the tale a contemporary spin as Akari, the teenage daughter of the novel`s protagonist, Kazuko Yoshiyama, travels back in time from the present in search of a mystery man from her mother`s past. TIME TRAVELLER: THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME is the debut feature of director Masaaki Taniguchi, a longtime assistant to some of Japan`s most eminent directors; Kichitarou Negishi, Kazuyuki Izutsu, Yojirou Takita, Hideyuki Hirayama, and Tetsuo Shinohara. The film stars Riisa Naka (female star of Takashi Miike`s ZEBRAMAN 2: ATTACK ON ZEBRA CITY), who provided the voice for Makoto Konono, Kazuko`s time-travelling niece, in

    GOEMON, the action film from the director CASSHERN and the producers of THE GRUDGE, has been released on DVD and Blu-ray in North America. Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2009 “Goemon” Film Partners.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: FUNimation Entertainment Official Movie Site: Goemon (Japan), funimation.com/goemon (US) Special Thanks to Jackie Smith The enterprising director of CASSHERN weaves Japanese folklore and history into GOEMON (????, 2009), a tour de force evocative of the classic Robin Hood tale. The film is now available on DVD and Blu-ray in North America, courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. Both home video editions present GOEMON in its original theatrical aspect ratio, with Japanese and English dub audio tracks, supplemented by an hour of extra features. After the infamous ninja-turned-thief Goemon cracks a deputy’s stronghold, he discovers a conspiracy that proves the poverty-stricken country is under the thumb of a false, warmongering ruler. Armed with the blade of truth, Goemon tears a warrior’s path to cut down the decadent king. Saturated with captivating visual effects and explosive action, the fantastical world of GOEMON surpasses the reaches of

    The Japanese monster movie classics MAJIN, RETURN OF MAJIN, and MAJIN STRIKES AGAIN are coming to Blu-ray in North America from Mill Creek Entertainment. © 1966 Kadokawa Pictures, Inc.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Author: Keith Aiken Source: Golden Media Group, Tower PR Special Thanks to Roy McAree and Amy Gorton A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE The North American sales agent for Kadokawa Pictures has revealed that the classic Daimajin monster movie series has been licensed to distributor Mill Creek Entertainment for a home video release in 2011. The Daiei Motion Picture Co. released all three films— MAJIN (???, Daimajin), RETURN OF MAJIN (?????, Daimajin Ikaru), and MAJIN STRIKES AGAIN (?????, Daimajin Gyakushu)— in 1966. But unlike the studio`s Gamera franchise, the Daimajin series were period films set during Japan`s Sengoku (Warring States) period, and combined elements of the kaiju eiga (monster movie) genre with Daiei`s extremely popular jidai-geki (period stories) and chanbara (sword-fighting) films. These movies each followed a similar pattern; telling the story of a giant statue of Daimajin (the name roughly meaning "Great Angry God") that would

    Doctors Eiko Kobayashi (Rei Dan) and Tsuyoshi Matsuoka (Satoshi Tsumabuki) race to stop a plague threatening to wipe out mankind in PANDEMIC, a sci-fi thriller from TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System) and Toho. Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 2009 PANDEMIC` Production Committee

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    The End of the World is Near in Japanese Sci-Fi Thriller Source: The Associates press release Japanese director Takahisa Zeze (FLYING RABBITS; MOON CHILD) combines the apocalyptic excitement of the disaster movie with the high tension of a medical thriller in PANDEMIC (????, Kansen Retto, 2009), which stars Satoshi Tsumabuki (DORORO; THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT), Kanningu Takeyama (MEMORIES OF MATSUKO) and celebrated veteran actor Tatsuya Fuji (IN THE REALM OF THE SENSES; EMPIRE OF PASSION) in a terrifyingly topical tale of a world threatened by a mysterious virus. When a lethal avian flu outbreak hits a small village in the Northern Philippines, the international medical team working to contain the virus hears unconfirmed reports that one of the residents has left the village to attend a relative’s wedding and has taken a chicken as a gift. Three months later, a

    UK DVD and Blu-ray covers for the Japanese Academy Award-winning CONFESSIONS. Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 2010 Confessions Production Committee

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Third Window Films to Release Acclaimed Psychological Thriller on April 25th Source: Third Window Films, The Associates press release Official Movie Site: kokuhaku-shimasu.jp (Japan), thirdwindowfilms.com/confessions (UK) Special Thanks to Adam Torel Following the critical acclaim of his previous features, KAMIKAZE GIRLS (Shimotsuma Monogatari, 2004) and MEMORIES OF MATSUKO (Kiraware Matsuko no Issho, 2006), genre-busting auteur Tetsuya Nakashima returns with CONFESSIONS (??, Kokuhaku, 2010), a notably darker but equally absorbing and typically idiosyncratic work, this time adapted from the award winning debut novel by Kanae Minato. Written and directed by Nakashima, CONFESSIONS was selected as Japan’s official entry in the Best Foreign Film category of the 83rd Annual Academy Awards and was the winner of the awards for Best Film, Best Screenplay and Best Director (Tetsuya Nakashima) at the 34th Japanese Academy Awards earlier this year. Reigning in his impulse to create surreal candy-coloured

    It looks like North American Godzilla fans will have to keep waiting for an official GODZILLA VS MEGALON DVD. © 1973 Toho Co., Ltd.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Media Blasters Not Releasing Special Edition Disc of 1973 Godzilla Film Author: Keith Aiken Source: Media Blasters, Inc., Toho Co. Ltd, various Special Thanks to Steve Ryfle, Carl Morano, and Emiko Jade Frost Over the past few days, Godzilla fandom has been abuzz over rumors that the 1973 film GODZILLA VS MEGALON was being readied for a deluxe release on US DVD and/or Blu-ray. Well known Japanese film historian August Ragone (author of Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters) broke the news, providing details in several online postings and an article which ran on his blog March 31st. Stressing that the report was "not some April Fool`s post", Ragone stated that his source was "a relative of one of the people who worked on MEGALON" who had revealed that "a licensed DVD is being prepped, replete with special features — including an audio commentary

    Ten SciFi Japan readers have won free copies of EVANGELION: 2.22 YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE on Region 1 DVD or Blu-ray. © 2009 Khara

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: FUNimation Entertainment Official Movie Site: funimation.com/evangelion (US), evangelion.co.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Jackie Smith A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Thank you to everyone who entered FUNimation Entertainment and SciFi Japan`s EVANGELION 2.22 Blu-ray and DVD contest. We received hundreds of entries, and the ten randomly drawn winners are: Willie L. Calvert (DVD) Bret Lonsway (Blu-ray) Will Frazier (Blu-ray) Robert Haney (Blu-ray) Mike Palumbo (Blu-ray) Christopher Monk (Blu-ray) Thomas Singleton (Blu-ray) Derek Shepard (DVD) Robert Wright-Stasko (Blu-ray) Helen McNamara (Blu-ray) Congratulations to the winners! FUNimation will be shipping the prizes soon so keep an eye on your mailboxes. EVANGELION 2.22 is the upgraded home video release of the second chapter in the four part "Rebuild of Evangelion" (Evangelion Shin Gekijoban) film series by Hideaki Anno and Studio Khara, which re-imagines Anno`s blockbuster sci-fi animated series NEON GENESIS EVANGELION. Now the landmark anime

    Sentai Filmworks has acquired the North American rights to the hit anime series ANGEL BEATS! Promo art featuring the characters Otonashi, Yuri, and Angel. © 2009 VisualArt`s/ Key/ Angel Beats! Project

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: angelbeats.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams Sentai Filmworks has announced its acquisition of Japan’s white-hot anime series, ANGEL BEATS! (????????!, Enjeru B?tsu!, 2009). A multi-media mega-franchise with two manga volumes, a series of illustrated short stories, an OVA (original video animation) and two internet radio shows, each new volume of ANGEL BEATS! has consistently ranked in the top three nationwide bestselling Blu-ray releases in Japan. Now the series is coming to the U.S. on both DVD and Blu-ray. Both releases will include an all new English dub, with the first episodes of the dub set to premiere at Anime Boston, April 22-24 at the Hynes Convention Center. Synopsis: It sucks being dead. Sucks even more to be trapped in a surreal afterlife where you’re caught between the living and the dead— where a mysterious, violent

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