Toho Heavy Metal Comedy To Screen This Month During J-Pop Summit Festival Source: VIZ Pictures Official Site: go-to-dmc (Japan), DMCtheMovie.com (US) Special Thanks to Rieko Fuji

Toho`s 2008 heavy metal comedy DETROIT METAL CITY will make its San Francisco theatrical debut this month during the J-Pop Summit Festival. The film opens at the VIZ Cinema with a special Premiere Event on Saturday, September 18th, followed by a dozen screenings through the 27th. DETROIT METAL CITY takes the zany rock antics inspired by films like SPINAL TAP to hilarious new extremes in this film directed by Toshio Lee and based on the popular manga comic created by Kiminori Wakasugi. It features notable appearances by Gene Simmons from the legendary band, KISS, and Marty Friedman of Megadeth, and stars Kenichi Matsuyama, one of the most adored actors in Japan today and also known widely for his role as `L` in the DEATH NOTE films (also available from VIZ Pictures). Soichi Negishi (Matsuyama), a sweet and shy young man who dreams of becoming a trendy singer songwriter. But for some reason, he is forced into joining the devil worshiping death metal band “Detroit Metal City” (DMC). In full stage make-up and costume, he transforms into Johannes Krauser II (Sir Krauser) the vulgar-mouthed lead vocalist of the band. Against Negishi’s will, DMC rises to stardom. Now the legendary king of death metal Jack Il Dark (Simmons) himself is challenging DMC to a duel. What is the fate of the innocent Negishi as he climbs to the top of the death metal world? In connection with the premiere, VIZ Pictures invites fans to a “Let’s Talk DMC” panel discussion led by Patrick Macias, Editor of Otaku USA magazine. A cosplay contest hosted by San Francisco anime convention Anime On Display will award free tickets for the premiere to contestants dressed as a DETROIT METAL CITY character. The Top DMC cosplayers will each win a free ticket to the movie premiere at 7:00pm, and the Top 2 DMC cosplayers will re-appear on the NEW PEOPLE stage at 5:00pm to battle for a Grand Prize package that includes a $50 gift card to VIZ Cinema, a DEATH NOTE Collection Blu-ray and more. Fans may pre-register for contest at aodsf.org or simply visit the Animation On Display booth at the J-Pop Summit Festival. VIZ Cinema is located in the NEW PEOPLE Building (1746 Post Street, San Francisco, CA 94115). The Premiere Event for DETROIT METAL CITY will include a screening of the film, a DMC poster giveaway, a prize raffle, and a reception with free food and drink. The movie will be shown in 35mm with Japanese audio and English Subtitles. DETROIT METAL CITY contains some explicit language, so viewer and parental discretion is advised. DETROIT METAL CITY Screening Schedule at VIZ Cinema: Premiere Event- $15 admission Saturday, 9/18: 6:00pm Reception with drinks and food, special raffle and poster giveaway 7:00pm Screening General admission- $10 Sunday, 9/19: 3:15pm Monday, 9/20 – Friday, 9/24: 5:00pm and 7:15pm Saturday, 9/25 – Sunday, 9/26: 7:15pm only Monday, 9/27 – Thursday, 9/30: 5:00pm and 7:15pm

About VIZ Pictures, Inc.

Based in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Pictures, Inc. distributes Japanese live-action films and DVDs, with particular focus on Japanese "kawaii (cute) and cool" pop culture. VIZ Pictures approaches each release from a J-pop fan`s point of view to serve manga and anime generation in North America . VIZ Pictures titles include DEATH NOTE, KAMIKAZE GIRLS, LINDA LINDA LINDA, PING PONG, THE TASTE OF TEA, TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO and others. The company will continue to offer the hottest visual entertainment straight from the "Kingdom of Pop" for audiences of all ages in North America . VIZ Pictures, Inc. is an affiliate of VIZ Media, LLC, the San Francisco-based leading U.S. publisher of Japanese mangaand merchandise licensor of Japanese animation such as the popular NARUTO animated TV series. For more information please visit VIZ Pictures or www.viz.com.

About VIZ Cinema

VIZ Cinema is the nation’s first movie theatre devoted exclusively to Japanese film and anime. The 143-seat subterranean theatre is located in the basement of the NEW PEOPLE building and features plush seating, digital as well as 35mm projection, and a THX-certified sound system.

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For more information on DETROIT METAL CITY please see the previous coverage here on SciFi Japan:

• Japanese Movies at American Film Market 2008
• VIZ Media Unleashes the Shockingly Funny Manga Detroit Metal City
• New York Premiere of Toho Comedy DETROIT METAL CITY on August 20
• Toho`s DETROIT METAL CITY Gets North American Release