SciFi Japan

    Image courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd and Lucky Red. © LEIJI MATSUMOTO/CAPTAIN HARLOCK Film Partners

    Anime - Animation

    Source: Toei Co., Ltd., Lucky Red, GFM Films Official Site: harlock-movie.com (Japan) Toei Animation`s 3D CG anime feature HARLOCK: SPACE PIRATE (??????????, Kyaputen Haarokku, 2013), has been selected to represent Japan at the 2014 International 3D Society Awards. The movie opens today (as CAPITAN HARLOCK - 3D) in Italy from distributor Lucky Red, and is being offered for worldwide distribution by international sales agent, GFM Films. The Japanese Blu-ray and DVD will be released on February 21st. SciFi Japan is pleased to present a gallery of high-res images from the film, courtesy of Toei and Lucky Red.

    Image courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © Bird Studio/ Shueisha. © 2013 Dragon Ball Z Production Committee

    Anime - Animation

    Source: Toei Co., Ltd., Lucky Red Official Site: dragonball2013.com (Japan) The international release of Toei Animation`s box office hit DRAGON BALL Z: BATTLE OF GODS (???????Z ???, Doragon Booru Zetto: Kami to Kami, 2013) continues into 2014. Distributor Lucky Red will open the film in Italy on February 1st, and Madman Entertainment will release the movie to theaters in Australia and New Zealand early next year. A North American release has yet to be announced. The following production notes and images from DRAGON BALL Z: BATTLE OF GODS are courtesy of Toei and Lucky Red... INTRODUCTION The strongest start moving. Now, the wish of all mankind will be fulfilled. 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),

    Anime - Animation

    Filmmakers to Attend World Premiere at the Louvre Museum in January Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: buddha-anime.com (Japan) Toei will release OSAMU TEZUKA`S BUDDHA 2 (BUDDHA 2 ????????????????, BUDDHA 2 Tezuka Osamu no Budda ~ Owarinakitabi ~) nationwide in Japan on February 8, 2014. Produced by Toei Animation in association with Tezuka Productions, the film continues the life story of Siddhartha -- later known as Buddha -- begun in OSAMU TEZUKA`S BUDDHA -THE GREAT DEPATURE- (???????? -?????????-, Tezuka Osamu No Budda Akai Sabaku Yo! Utsukushiku, 2011). After Siddhartha witnesses the deaths of his friends, he struggles with the questions "Why must mankind suffer? Why we do live?" BUDDHA 2 is directed by Toshiaki Komura, who made his debut with the television anime GENJI TSUUSHIN AGEDAMA (?????????, Murasaki Shikibu Genji Monogatari)

    Left to right: The Knights of the Zodiac Hyoga, Shun, Seiya and Shiryu return in the CG anime film, SAINT SEIYA: LEGEND OF SANCTUARY. Image courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 2014 Masami Kurumada/Saint Seiya Production Committee

    Anime - Animation

    CG Anime Film to Open in Early Summer 2014 Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: saintseiya2014.com (Japan) The Seiya legend began here... Toei has released advance images from their upcoming computer animated theatrical feature SAINT SEIYA: LEGEND OF SANCTUARY (????? LEGEND of SANCTUARY, Seinto Seiya Legend of Sanctuary). The film will open in Japanese cinemas in early summer 2014. LEGEND OF SANCTUARY is the sixth movie -- but the first CG film -- based on Masami Kurumada`s manga Saint Seiya. Originally serialized in Shueisha`s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine from January 1986 to December 1990, the series was later collected in 28 volumes. Toei adapted the manga in an animated series which aired on TV Asahi from October 11, 1986 to April 1, 1989. The SAINT SEIYA anime continued with theatrical films, an OVA series, and the current TV series, SAINT SEIYA OMEGA (??????????????????,

    Images courtesy of Aniplex of America. NISEKOI © Naoshi Komi/SHUEISHA, ANIPLEX, SHAFT, MBS. WORLD CONQUEST ZVEZDA PLOT © hunting cap brothers/Aniplex,Project ZP

    Anime - Animation

    NISEKOI and WORLD CONQUEST ZVEZDA PLOT to Stream in January 2014 Source: Aniplex of America press release NISEKOI Official Site: nisekoi.jp (Japan), NisekoiUSA.com (US) WORLD CONQUEST ZVEZDA PLOT Official Site: sekaiseifuku-zzz.com (Japan), AniplexUSA.com/zvezda (US) Special Thanks to EJ Rivera Starting 2014 with brand new titles, Aniplex of America Inc. has announced that they will be simulcasting two highly-anticipated shows for this winter anime season: NISEKOI (????, 2014) and WORLD CONQUEST ZVEZDA PLOT (???? ???????????, Sekai Seifuku: Booryaku no Zvezda, 2014). Both titles are set to start streaming in January just hours after its original broadcast in Japan. Both titles will be produced by animation studios that have produced multiple hit anime series including popular Aniplex of America titles. In addition to their streaming plans, Aniplex of America is also planning on a home video release of these titles. Details about the physical releases will be announced at

    Key art for the upcoming anime film TAMAKO LOVE STORY. Image courtesy of Shochiku Co. © Kyoto Animation /Usagiyama Shoten Machi

    Anime - Animation

    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: tamakolovestory.com (Japan) Shochiku will release the anime feature film TAMAKO LOVE STORY (??????????, Tamako Rabusutoorii) on April 26, 2014. Produced by Kyoto Animation (CLANNAD, K-ON!), the movie is a sequel to the 12 episode series TAMAKO MARKET (????????, Tamako Maaketto, 2013). Both the film and show are directed by Naoko Yamada (K-ON!) and feature scripts by Reiko Yoshida (LA CORDA D’ORO) and character designs by Yukiko Horiguchi (K-ON!, LOVE, CHUNIBYO & OTHER DELUSIONS). Advance tickets will be available from the Kyoto Animation booth at Comiket 85, running December 29-31, 2013 at Tokyo Big Sight. CAST Tamako: Aya Suzaki Mochizou: Atsushi Tamaru Midori: Yuki Kaneko Kanna: Juri Nagatsuma Shiori: Yurie Yamashita CREW Director: Naoko Yamada Screenplay: Reiko Yoshida Character Design: Yukiko Horiguchi Production: Kyoto Animation Distributor: Shochiku © Kyoto Animation/ Usagiyama Shoten Machi

    Anime - Animation

    Heartwarming Movie to Screen in 28 U.S. Theaters and 35 Canadian Theaters Source: Aniplex of America press release Official Site: anohana.jp (Japan), aniplexusa.com/anohanamovie (US) Special Thanks to Joanna Metoki Aniplex of America has announced their plans of screening ANOHANA THE MOVIE: THE FLOWER WE SAW THAT DAY (????????????????????, Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae o Boku-tachi wa Mada Shiranai., 2013) in theaters across the U.S. and Canada. The film will premiere on January 18, 2014 in select U.S. theaters and on February 9, 2014 in select theaters in Canada. Aniplex of America has also announced that ANOHANA Producer, Hiroyuki Shimizu, will be coming to Los Angeles for a special appearance. For details on theater locations, showtimes, and ticket purchases please visit Aniplex of America’s official ANOHANA THE MOVIE website. Ticketholders have the opportunity to receive

    Episodes of the new anime series K will debut on the same day in Japan and the US. Image courtesy of VIZ Media. © GoRA ? GoHands/k-project

    Anime - Animation

    Complete 13-Episode Anime Action Series Launches on the Leading Online Video Streaming Service Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: k-project.jpn.com (Japan) Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media has announced a special limited run of the psychological thriller “K” on the free, ad-supported Hulu video streaming service and the Hulu Plus subscription service. The complete series (13 episodes) is now available with dubbed English dialogue and will run until Wednesday, January 15th. Please visit Hulu.com/k for complete details. K introduces fans to Shiro, an easygoing teenager content with just being a student -- until his seemingly perfect life is suddenly halted when a bloodthirsty clan, glowing red with fire, attempts to kill him in the streets. Unbeknownst to Shiro, he is suspected of murdering a member of their clan and will need a miracle to escape their vengeance. Miraculously, a young man

    Image courtesy of AniplexUSA. © Kazue Kat?/Shueisha, Blue Exorcist Production Committee

    Anime - Animation

    Source: AniplexUSA press release Official Site: 6109.jp/aoex (Japan), blueexorcist.com (US) Special Thanks to Joanna Metoki Aniplex of America has announced on their Aniplex Live Show that their popular title, BLUE EXORCIST (?????????????, Ao no Exorcist, 2011) TV Series, will be making its U.S. network television debut on Adult Swim’s TOONAMI in March 2014. Details of the air date and time will be announced on a later date. The BLUE EXORCIST TV Series is based on Kazue Kato’s hit manga published in Jump Square (by SHUEISHA) and it saw a multi-stream simulcast on websites such as Hulu, Crunchyroll (subtitled version), and as well as on Neon Alley (English dub version). In response to its worldwide popularity, the series was also adapted into a film and theatrically released across North America this past August. Produced by the highly-acclaimed studio A-1 Pictures, (SWORD ART ONLINE, MAGI: THE LABYRINTH OF MAGIC,

    Anime - Animation

    FUNimation Presents Sneak Preview with Guests Ian Sinclair and Zach Bolton Source: FUNimation press release Official Site: space-dandy.com (Japan), funimation.com/space-dandy (US) Special Thanks to Scott Lonski FUNimation will present the first episode of the highly anticipated new anime SPACE DANDY (?????????, Supeesu Dandi, 2014) in a special launch event at Otakon Vegas on Saturday, January 4, 2014, featuring the US voice of Space Dandy, Ian Sinclair, as well as ADR director Zach Bolton. The anime will premiere in English on Adult Swim Toonami block at 11:30 pm that same day, and in Japan and throughout Asia hours later. SPACE DANDY, the new anime from the entire creative team behind COWBOY BEBOP, was announced at Otakon this past August by Shinichiro Watanabe (COWBOY BEBOP, SAMURAI CHAMPLOO), who serves as general director for the series. Also

    Anime - Animation

    Source: Production I.G press release Official Website: momo-letter.jp (Japan) Hiroyuki Okiura`s award-winning second directorial effort, A LETTER TO MOMO (??????, Momo e no Tegami, 2012) has been nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 41st annual Annie Awards. The winners will be announced at the award ceremony to be held in Los Angeles, CA on February 1, 2014. The Annie Awards celebrate accomplishments in animation, and are considered the Academy Awards of the animation industry. The Annie Awards have been presented by the Los Angeles branch of the International Animated Film Association, ASIFA-Hollywood since 1972. The Annie Award for Best Animated Feature was introduced in 1992. A LETTER TO MOMO is the third Production I.G feature film nominated for Best Animated Feature, along with BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE and GHOST IN THE SHELL 2: INNOCENCE.

    Anime - Animation

    The Movie that Moved the Hearts of Millions in Japan to Play U.S. Theaters January 2014 Source: AniplexUSA press release Official Site: anohana.jp (Japan), aniplexusa.com/anohanamovie (US) Special Thanks to Joanna Metoki On their Live Show last Friday, Aniplex of America announced their plans of bringing the heart-warming tale of ANOHANA THE MOVIE: THE FLOWER WE SAW THAT DAY (????????????????????, Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae o Boku-tachi wa Mada Shiranai., 2013) to U.S. theaters next January. The movie will be presented with English subtitles and will be distributed by ELEVEN ARTS in select theaters. Details on theater listings and screening dates will be announced at a later date. Aniplex of America has also announced that those who attend the showings will receive an exclusive item called “Letters from Menma” featuring a replica of the letters

    Anime - Animation

    Source: AniplexUSA Official Site: swordart-online.net (Japan), SwordArt-OnlineUSA.com (US) Special Thanks to EJ Rivera During a talk show at Anime Festival Asia 2013 in Singapore, Aniplex Inc. announced their plans of a worldwide simulcast of the special year-end program, SWORD ART ONLINE EXTRA EDITION (???????????? Extra Edition, Soodo Aato Onrain Extra Edition). In Japan, SWORD ART ONLINE EXTRA EDITION is scheduled for broadcast on 12/31/2013 at 10PM (Japan Time), on TOKYO MX, BS11, and Nico Nico Douga. Fans of SWORD ART ONLINE all over the world will now be able to welcome the New Year while enjoying this special episode right alongside their fellow fans in Japan! Worldwide Simulcast Details Simulcast in Japan Date & Time: 12/31/2013 (Tues) 10PM~ (Japan Time) • Simulcast on 3 channels: TOKYO

    NARUTO SHIPPUDEN will begin airing on Adult Swim`s Toonami in January. Image courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2002 Masashi Kishimoto/ 2007 Shippuden

    Anime - Animation

    Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: pierrot.jp/naruto (Japan), naruto.com (US) Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media has announced the debut of the NARUTO SHIPPUDEN (??? ???) anime series on Adult Swim’s Toonami programming block beginning in January 2014. North American fans can catch dubbed and uncut adventures featuring the world’s most popular ninja from the beginning with a new episode airing each week. Check local listings for specific airtimes and channel availability. Adult Swim, launched in 2001, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s network offering original and acquired animated and live-action series for young adults. Airing nightly from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. (ET/PT), Adult Swim is basic cable’s #1 network with persons 18-34 and 18-49, and is seen in 99 million U.S. homes. Created by Masashi Kishimoto, NARUTO was first introduced in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in Japan in 1999

    SPACE DANDY, the new anime series from the studio behind COWBOY BEBOP, will air on Adult Swim the same day as in Japan. © 2014 BONES/ Project SPACE DANDY

    Anime - Animation

    Source: FUNimation press release Official Site: space-dandy.com (Japan), funimation.com/space-dandy (US) Special Thanks to Scott Lonski Get ready to blast off with SPACE DANDY (?????????, Supeesu Dandi, 2014), a dazzling new anime from the entire creative team behind COWBOY BEBOP! FUNimation Entertainment (a Group 1200 Media Company) has announced that it has acquired the home entertainment, digital, theatrical, and merchandise rights to the animated sci-fi action series. English production will be done by FUNimation Entertainment, in association with the Space Dandy Production Committee in Japan. Adult Swim will broadcast the English dub version of SPACE DANDY on television in North America beginning January, 2014. This is the first time an anime series on Adult Swim will have a simultaneous TV broadcast with Japan. In addition to Japan and North America, the show will have a simulcast broadcast in numerous countries in Asia. Space Dandy

    A young boy named Age tries to help Patema fight the pull of reversed gravity in the anime feature film PATEMA INVERTED. Image courtesy of Asmik Ace. © Yasuhiro YOSHIURA/Sakasama Film Committee 2013

    Anime - Animation

    Witness the Spectacle of an Upside-Down Journey Source: Asmik Ace Entertainment, Inc. Official Site: patema.jp (Japan) Additional Material: Annecy, Tokyo International Film Festival, Scotland Loves Animation PATEMA INVERTED (????????, Sakasama no Patema) is a powerfully unique feature-length animation from Yasuhiro Yoshiura, a director from the world of independent animation who has also drawn attention for his abilities as an original storyteller. With his indies background, he is at home throughout the entire production process, creating the story, writing the script, directing, performing as a voice actor, and editing this dramatic tour de force of a unique upside-down world. In 2012, the backstory for the film was introduced in the four episode ONA (Original Net Animation) series PATEMA INVERTED: BEGINNING OF THE DAY (???????? Beginning of the Day, Sakasama no Patema: Beginning of the Day). Story If you let go of her hand, she

    Anime - Animation

    North American Theatrical Release Starts with Premiere Event in Los Angeles Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Japan, AniplexUSA, Eleven Arts Official Site: madoka-magica.com (Japan), MadokaMagicaUSA.com/rebellion (US) Special Thanks to EJ Rivera and Erika T. Wright PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA THE MOVIE -REBELLION- (??? ????????????????????, Gekijoo-ban Mahoo Shojo Madoka Magica Shinpen: Hangyaku no Monogatari, 2013), the highly anticipated third film based on the PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA (???????????, Maho Shojo Madoka Magika, 2011-2012) anime series, will open in Japan on October 26, 2013. Madoka Kaname has changed the world. In this new reality, is what the magical girls see a world of hope... or despair? Featuring a brand new story written by Gen Urobuchi (FATE/ZERO, PSYCHO PASS) of Nitroplus, the original storyline begins after the events of PART 2 -ETERNAL- (???

    Advance artwork for Production I.G.`s GIOVANNI`S ISLAND. © 2014 JAME

    Anime - Animation

    Source: Production I.G On August 15th, they told us we had lost the war. At that time, we did not really understand. Then one day, everything changed. Many soldiers, wearing uniforms we had never seen before, arrived on the island. That was the day I met Tanya. Production I.G announces GIOVANNI`S ISLAND (???????, Giovanni no Shima) a new hand-drawn animated feature film directed by Mamoru Oshii`s longtime collaborator, Mizuho Nishikubo, and penned by Shigemichi Sugita (FROM THE NORTHERN LANDS) and Yoshiki Sakurai (GHOST IN THE SHELL: S.A.C.). The film is presented by the Japan Association of Music Enterprises (JAME) to celebrate its 50th anniversary, and it is planned to be theatrically released in Japan early spring 2014 by Warner Entertainment Japan. Production I.G is handling international sales worldwide. Story In the aftermath of the most devastating conflict mankind had ever experienced, the tiny island of Shikotan

    The anime feature film BAYONETTA: BLOODY FATE will premiere this month at the Tokyo International Film Festival. Image courtesy of Showgate Inc. © SEGA/BAYONETTA FILM CLUB

    Anime - Animation

    Source: Showgate Official Site: bayonetta-movie.com (Japan) Introduction GONZO and internationally acclaimed director Fuminori Kizaki have teamed up to create BAYONETTA: BLOODY FATE (????? ?????????, Beyonetta Buraddi Feito), a feature-length animated film based on the hugely popular video game BAYONETTA. The film faithfully captures the extreme action and sexiness of the original, crafting a storyline that expands and further establishes the world of BAYONETTA. Bayonetta is a witch with an incredible body and insane supernatural powers. She mercilessly and stylishly shoots down her enemies with her pistols and decimates them. With stunning battle sequences and an unforgettable climax, feel the pleasure of going up to hell! Synopsis The angel hunter Bayonetta remembers nothing but the fact she is a witch. One day she heads to the sacred city of Vigrid to find her lost memory.There she meets a mysterious lady who knows her past, a journalist who tries

    The latest Pretty Cure film, DOKIDOKI! PRETTY CURE THE MOVIE: MEMORIES FOR THE FUTURE, opens this month in Japan. Image courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd. © 2013 DokiDoki! Pretty Cure the Movie Production Committee

    Anime - Animation

    Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: precure-movie.com (Japan) Additional Material: Tokyo International Film Festival Let`s go to the world of the future! On October 20th, the 26th Tokyo International Film Festival will host the world premiere of DOKIDOKI! PRETTY CURE THE MOVIE: MEMORIES FOR THE FUTURE (???????????? ????!!?????????????, Eiga Dokidoki! Purikyua Mana Kekkon!!? Mirai ni Tsunagu Kiboo no Doresu) for its Special Screenings section. Based on DOKIDOKI! PRETTY CURE (??????????, Dokidoki! PuriKyua, 2013), the 10th series of the popular TV anime PRETTY CURE, the movie is an original story enjoyable for both parents and children. The evil Matthew tries to manipulate the future by destroying everyone`s precious memories. To protect the future, Pretty Cure must give an outstanding performance! Participatory screenings for the audience will feature the Miracle Light where children can join the ending dance. Director Naoyuki Ito Naoyuki Ito worked at

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