SciFi Japan

    DVD and preliminary Blu-ray cover art for the UK release of HARA-KIRI: DEATH OF A SAMURAI. © 2011 Ichimei Film Partners

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Revolver Entertainment press release, Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: ichimei.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Helen Mullane The UK distributor Revolver Entertainment and acclaimed director Takashi Miike (AUDITION, 13 ASSASSINS) present a gripping tale of vengeance set in 17th Century Japan in HARA-KIRI: DEATH OF A SAMURAI (??, Ichimei, 2011), a remake of Masaki Kobayashi’s 1962 cult classic HARAKIRI (??, Seppuku). The film will be released by Revolver theatrically on May 4th and on DVD and Blu-ray May 7th. Poverty stricken samurai Hanshiro Tsukumo (Ebizo Ichikawa) requests to commit ritual suicide at the House of Ii, run by obstinate Lord -- Kageyu Saito (Koji Yakusho), in a desperate attempt for a honourable end. In an effort to persuade Hanshiro to rethink his request, Kageyu tells the tragic story of a similar plea from young ronin Motome (Eita). Hanshiro is stunned by the horrifying

    Commander Niren Fedrok takes charge of Flynn Scifo and Yuri Lowell in TALES OF VESPERIA ~THE FIRST STRIKE~ . © Namco Bandai Games Inc. / TOV Project. Original Character Design © Kousuke Fujishima

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: FUNimation Entertainment, Production I.G. Official Site: tov-movie.net (Japan), funimation.com/tales-of-vesperia (US) Special Thanks to Tim Baxter FUNimation Entertainment will release the anime feature film TALES OF VESPERIA ~THE FIRST STRIKE~ (???? ?? ?????? ?The First Strike?, Teiruzu obu Vesuperia ~The First Strike~, 2009) on June 26th. The movie was produced by the animation studio Production I.G. (GHOST IN THE SHELL, KILL BILL VOL. 1, EDEN OF THE EAST) and directed by veteran animator Kanta Kamei (TALES OF LEGENDIA, KILL BILL VOL. 1, INNOCENCE). It was theatrically distributed in Japan by Kadokawa Pictures on October 3, 2009. TALES OF VESPERIA ~THE FIRST STRIKE~ is the first anime film based on the hit TALES role playing video game series by Namco Bandai Games, which debuted in 1995 and now features more than a dozen titles. The movie acts as a prequel to the the events

    DVD cover art for LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE. Photo courtesy of Indomina Releasing. © 2011 Media Asia Films

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Director`s Critically-Lauded Thriller Debuts on DVD, Digital and Video on Demand May 29th Source: Indomina Releasing, MPRM Communications Official Site: mediaasia.com/lifewithoutprinciple Special Thanks to Leif Helland Three ordinary people -- a gangster, a broker and a police inspector -- find their destinies inextricably intertwined as lies, deceit and greed take them on a violent, wild heist when LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE (???, Dyut Meng Gam, 2011), legendary Hong Kong film director Johnny To’s (RUNNING OUT OF TIME, TRIAD ELECTION) critically-acclaimed film debuts on DVD, Digital and Video on Demand May 29th from Indomina Releasing. The riveting thriller boasts a stellar cast, including Ching Wan Lau (POKER KING, THE GREAT MAGICIAN), Richie Ren (ACCIDENT, PUNISHED), Denise Ho (MERRY-GO-ROUND), Hoi-pang Lo (DREAM HOUSE, SPARROW), Terrance Yin (LARA CROFT TOMB RAIDER: THE CRADLE OF LIFE) and Hang-shuen So (BULLET IN THE HEAD). Distributed by Vivendi Entertainment, LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE is

    A murdered girl runs a school paranormal investigation club in the anime series DUSK MAIDEN OF AMNESIA. © Maybe/ Square Enix, Dusk maiden of Amnesia Project

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: amnesia-tv.com (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams Join Sentai Filmworks for a mystery that must be solved from beyond the grave as they announce the North American licensing of DUSK MAIDEN OF AMNESIA (????×?????, Tasogare Otome × Amnesia, 2012). Director Shin Oonuma (ef ~ a tale of memories, ef ~ a tale of melodies) and character designer Yukiko Ban (.hack//SIGN) bring original creator Maybe’s tale of death and haunting to life. 60 years ago, a young woman was left to die in the abandoned school building behind the exclusive Seikyou Academy. No one knows why. No one knows how. But the horrifying tale and the legends of the ghostly haunting that followed live on to this day. Perhaps it’s not so surprising then, that among Seikyou’s many school clubs is one for students interested in “paranormal investigations.” What might

    DVD and Blu-ray cover artwork for DRAGON BALL Z KAI: SEASON 1, Part 8. © Bird Studio/Shueisha, Toei Animation. Film ©2009 Toei Animation Co., Ltd.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: FUNimation Entertainment Official Site: toei-anim.co.jp/tv/dragon_kai (Japan), dragonballzkai.com (US) Special Thanks to Tim Baxter The first season of DRAGON BALL Z KAI (?????????????, Doragon Boru Kai) concludes with the eighth volume, scheduled for both DVD and Blu-ray on June 5th from FUNimation Entertainment. For the first time in history, experience the legendary Z as the master intended: bigger, faster, stronger, and packed with the pulverizing power to blow your puny minds! Beef up your collection with this manga-centric, fresh take on Akira Toriyama’s original vision, featuring more action than you can handle, revitalized animation, and an amped-up audio experience that will make your ears beg for mercy! The last descendants of an evil race of warriors known as the Saiyans are on a collision course with Earth, and Goku, the strongest fighter on the planet, is all that stands between humanity and extinction. To save his friends

    The new sci-fi anime series TSURITAMA has been licensed for release in North America. © tsuritama partners

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: tsuritama.com (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams Sentai Filmworks is proud to announce their latest catch: Kenji Nakamura’s (AYAKASHI – SAMURAI HORROR TALES) TSURITAMA (???, 2012). Originally airing in Fuji Television’s prestigious noitaminA block, TSURITAMA is sure to be the catch of the day. You can’t catch fish if you don’t go fishing, and you can’t make friends if you don’t at least try. Which is how relationship-challenged student Yuki finds himself on a fishing trip to a tiny island with three other boys he barely knows. Well, two other boys and Haru, who claims that he’s an alien. Not that constantly stewing Natsuki or mysterious Akira are any more likely as prospects for good companionship. But there’s something about fishing that makes it unlike any other pastime, and maybe that quiet sense of companionship and hopeful expectation is

    Promotional art for QUEEN’S BLADE: REBELLION. © 2012 HobbyJapan/ Queen`s Blase Rebellion Partners

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: queensblade.tv (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams Sentai Filmworks is pleased to announce their acquisition of the season’s hottest swordswomen in QUEEN’S BLADE: REBELLION (????????? ?????, Kuiinzu Bureido Riberion, 2012). With series composition by Hideki Shirane (DREAM EATER MERRY, KILL ME BABY!) and music by Masaru Yokoyama (KIMIKISS: PURE ROUGE, FREEZING), five out five rebels agree that this series will kick some royal booty! Power corrupts, and it when it appears that the once noble Queen Claudette’s ways have turned to oppression and heretical persecution, it’s up to a new generation of warriors to step up to the plate armor to bear arms and bare their naked fury in open rebellion! The odds may seem unfairly stacked in favor of the Amazonian ranks of the queen, doubly supported by her power of writ and assassins. But the incredible wits

    Han Ki-Su (Lee Min-Ki) and Choon-Sim (Kang Ye-won) in QUICK, coming to Region 4 DVD next month. Image courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 2011 JK Film/ CJ Entertainment

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Madman Entertainment The Korean action movie QUICK (?, Qwik, 2011) will be released on Region 4 DVD in May by the Australian distributor, Madman Entertainment. Described as "SPEED on a motorcycle", QUICK was one of the biggest budget Korean blockbusters of 2011. The film was written and produced by JK Youn (aka the Korean Michael Bay), who had previously directed the hit disaster flick HAEUNDAE (TIDAL WAVE, 2009) and wrote the screenplay for the 3D monster movie SECTOR 7 (2011). A former motorcycle gang member named Ki-su (Lee Min-Ki) now makes a living as a bike messenger. His routine day is turned upside-down after witnessing an explosion downtown, but when his ex-girlfriend, Choon-Sim (Kang Hye-Won), puts on his motorcycle helmet they become stuck in the middle of a master terror plot. The helmet begins a countdown and will explode unless they complete

    Promotional art for MEDAKA BOX. © 2012 Nisio Isin ? Akira Akatsuki/ Shueisha ? School Student Council

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: medakabox.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams Sentai Filmworks is pleased to announce its acquisition of MEDAKA BOX (???????, Medaka Bokkusu, 2012), the newest production of the famed Gainax studio (NEON GENESIS EVANGELION, GURREN LAGGAN). Featuring series composition and direction by Shouji Saeki (HE IS MY MASTER, THIS UGLY YET BEAUTIFUL WORLD) and music by Tatsuya Katou (SAMURAI GIRLS, HORIZON IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE), MEDAKA BOX is sure to prove that good intentions don’t always matter. When newly elected Student Council President Medaka Kurokami institutes her idea for a suggestion box where people can submit problems that need to be solved, she’s expecting things like rescuing lost puppies and giving advice. What she and her best friend Zenkichi find instead, however, are the first hints of an unbelievable secret, and their school, Hakoniwa Academy, and Medaka herself are

    Madman Entertainment has partnered with FUNimation to bring the anime films DRAGON AGE: DAWN OF THE SEEKER and MASS EFFECT: PARAGON LOST to Australia. © EA International (Studio and Publishing) Ltd. © Dragon Age Project/© Mass Effect Project. All Rights Reserved by FUNimation/T.O. Entertainment.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Madman Partners with FUNimation on Upcoming DVD and Blu-ray Releases Source: Madman Entertainment press release Official DRAGON AGE: DAWN OF THE SEEKER Site: dragonagemovie.com (US), dragonagemovie.jp (Japan) Official MASS EFFECT: PARAGON LOST Site: masseffectparagonlost.com (US), masseffect-anime.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Ben Pollock Madman Entertainment announced today a partnership with FUNimation to distribute the upcoming animated feature films DRAGON AGE: DAWN OF THE SEEKER (??????? ??????????, Doragon Eiji: Buraddomeiji no Seisen, 2012) and MASS EFFECT: PARAGON LOST (????????????????, Masuefekuto ~ Ushinawa Reta Paragon, 2012) in Australia, for release on DVD and Blu-ray in 2012. Both films are based on the critically acclaimed DRAGON AGE and MASS EFFECT franchises, developed by award-winning developer BioWare, a label of Electronic Arts. “There are plenty of avid gamers at Madman, myself included, who are big fans of both the MASS EFFECT and DRAGON AGE games,” said Tim Anderson,

    The Criterion Collection`s Blu-ray and DVD Box Set cover art for THE SAMURAI TRILOGY. Photos courtesy of The Criterion Collection. © 1954-56 Toho Co., Ltd.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    New High-Definition Digital Restorations on Sale in June Source: The Criterion Collection, Image Entertainment Official Site: criterion.com/the-samurai-trilogy On June 26th, 2012, THE SAMURAI TRILOGY will be released in digitally restored DVD and Blu-ray box sets by The Criterion Collection. THE SAMURAI TRILOGY, directed by Hiroshi Inagaki (THE RICKSHAW MAN) and starring the inimitable Toshiro Mifune (SEVEN SAMURAI), was one of Japan`s most successful exports of the 1950s, a rousing, emotionally gripping tale of combat and self-discovery. Based on a novel that`s often called Japan`s Gone with the Wind, this sweeping saga fictionalizes the life of the legendary seventeenth-century swordsman (and writer and artist) Musashi Miyamoto, following him on his path from unruly youth to enlightened warrior. With these three films -- 1954`s Oscar-winning MUSASHI MIYAMOTO, 1955`s DUEL AT ICHIJOJI TEMPLE, and 1956`s DUEL AT GANRYU ISLAND -- Inagaki created a passionate epic that`s

    Sentai Filmworks has acquired North American rights to KIDS ON THE SLOPE, the anime adaptation of Yuki Kodama`s manga by the team behind COWBOY BEBOP and MACROSS PLUS. © Yuki Kodama ? Shogakukan/ Kids on the Slope Committee

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    New Watanabe/Kanno Team-Up Coming to North America Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: noitamina-apollon.com (Japan), noitamina-apollon.com/index_en (English) Special Thanks to David Williams Sentai Filmworks is proud to announce the acquisition of one of the most anticipated animated series of the decade, KIDS ON THE SLOPE (???????, Sakamichi no Apollon, 2012), the long awaited reunion of the team behind COWBOY BEBOP and MACROSS PLUS, director Shinichiro Watanabe (SAMURAI CHAMPLOO, THE ANIMATRIX ) and composer Yoko Kanno (RAHXEPHON, ESCAFLOWNE, GHOST IN THE SHELL S.A.C.). Produced for Fuji Televisions prestigious noitaminA block and based on the manga by Yuki Kodama, the 12 episode series’ already blockbuster list of production credits grows even more impressive with the addition of character designer Nobuteru Yuki (RECORD OF LODOSS WAR, ESCAFLOWNE, BATTLE ANGEL) and scripting by Yuko Kakihara (PERSONA 4- THE ANIMATION, TAYUTAMA- KISS ON MY DIETY,) and his

    Packaging for the HERO TALES: THE COMPLETE SERIES DVD Box. Image courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © Huang Jin-Zhou • Genco • Flag. © Hero Tales Production Partners.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Complete Set Streets June 5th Source: FUNimation Entertainment Official Site: jyushin.jp (Japan), funimation.com/hero-tales (US) Special Thanks to Tim Baxter FUNimation Entertainment will release the complete 26 episode series of HERO TALES (???? - HERO TALES -, Jyushin Enbu - Hero Tales, 2007) in a DVD box set on June 12th. The anime is co-written and features character design by Hiromu Arakawa, creator of FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST. For citizens of the Xian Empire, justice is a myth. Lord Keiro, the deranged General of the Imperial Army, blazes a trail of terror across the countryside in search of the sacred sword that will make him a god. Standing in his way is Taito, an omnipotent star reborn in human form -- a young hero who vows to use his celestial strength to avenge those slaughtered by the villainous General. Taito`s mystical powers steer him toward a violent showdown with

    Akira Tsubaki falls for a transfer student who keeps scissors tucked into her panties in the new anime series, MYSTERIOUS GIRLFRIEND X. © Riichi Ueshiba ? Kodansha, Ltd. © King Record Co.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: starchild.co.jp/nazokano_x (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams Just when you thought it couldn’t get any weirder, Sentai Filmworks proudly announces its acquisition of a tale of strange, sticky bonds and slobbering repercussions: Riichi Ueshiba’s MYSTERIOUS GIRLFRIEND X (????X, Nazo no Kanojo X, 2012)! Featuring direction by Ayumu Watanabe (SPACE BROTHERS), music by Tomoki Hasegawa (DNANGEL, NANA) and character designs by Kenichi Konishi (BOKURANO, FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: THE SACRED STAR OF MILOS), MYSTERIOUS GIRLFRIEND X is sure to be a hit with any self-respecting salivator. When the oddly peculiar Mikoto Urabe transfers into Akira Tsubaki’s class, he finds that life has thrown him the weirdest curve ball ever. Because while Urabe may be an anti-social loner who sleeps on her desk, carries a pair of scissors in her underwear and breaks out in sudden fits of insane laughter,

    THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY Blu-ray cover art. Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.© 2010 GNDHDDTW, © 2012 GNDHDDTW.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Walt Disney to Release Three Studio Ghibli Favorites on May 22nd Source: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, Inc. Press release Official Movie Site: disney.go.com/arrietty (US) On May 22nd, Walt Disney Studios and the legendary Studio Ghibli (PONYO, SPIRITED AWAY) proudly open the doors to the visually stunning animated masterpiece THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD. Also streeting that day are Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs of the Studio Ghibli classics CASTLE IN THE SKY and WHISPER OF THE HEART. THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY (????????????, Karigurashi no Arrietty, 2010) is a remarkable filmmaking achievement that families will want to add to their home entertainment collections and enjoy over and over. Based on the acclaimed children’s book series The Borrowers by Mary Norton, THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY is an imaginative tale of “little people” living furtively

    Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack and DVD cover artwork for DRAGON AGE: DAWN OF THE SEEKER. © EA International (Studio and Publishing) Ltd. © Dragon Age Project

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    New Animated Film Arrives May 29th Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Official Site: dragonagemovie.com (US), dragonagemovie.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Tim Baxter On May 29th, FUNimation Entertainment will debut the computer animated feature DRAGON AGE: DAWN OF THE SEEKER (??????? ??????????, Doragon Eiji: Buraddomeiji no Seisen) on DVD and in a Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack. Based on the hit RPG franchise, the film is an action-packed look at the origins of a character destined to shake the very foundations of the DRAGON AGE world. DRAGON AGE: DAWN OF THE SEEKER is a co-production between FUNimation, EA international and BioWare and was released in Japanese theaters on February 11th. In a land where battles are fought with swords and magic, a young heroine rises to glory as Templars, mages, and dragons clash. Cassandra Pentaghast, a brash and beautiful warrior, must stop a conspiracy that threatens

    Photo courtesy of Section23 Films.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    CLANNAD: AFTER STORY Blu-ray Available July 24th Source: Section23 Films press release Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff Home video distributor Section23 Films has provided details for its July slate of releases; including CLANNAD: AFTER STORY. The Complete Collection will be released on Blu-ray by Section23 client, Sentai Filmworks. Product details follow, in order of release... HIDAMARI SKETCH X SP (SPECIALS) Published by: Sentai Filmworks Distributed by: Section23 Films Run Time: 50 min. Street Date: 7/3/2012 Format: DVD Language: Japanese with English Subtitles SRP: $14.98 Even though studying at a prestigious art school like Yamabuki is hard work, the girls who live at the Hidamari Apartments always manage to squeeze in time for a little fun and exploration. And when they actually get a day off? Watch out world! Yuno, Sae, Hiro, Miyako and new students Nori and Nazuna return to create another masterpiece of life as

    © 2011 Ume Aoki ? Houbunsha/ Hidamari-sou Management Association

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: tbs.co.jp/hidamari (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams Sentai Filmworks is pleased to invite you along for another visit with everyone’s favorite art students in HIDAMARI SKETCH X SP (????????×SP???????, Hidamari Sukecchi Supesharu, 2011). These two special episodes feature the cast and staff that have brought the girls of the Hidamari Apartments to life, including direction by Akiyuki Shinbo (MARIA HOLIC, AND YET THE TOWN MOVES) and character designs by Yoshiaki Ito (ALICE ACADEMY). Even though studying at a prestigious art school like Yamabuki is hard work, the girls who live at the Hidamari Apartments always manage to squeeze in time for a little fun and exploration. And when they actually get a day off? Watch out world! Yuno, Sae, Hiro, Miyako and new students Nori and Nazuna return to create another masterpiece of life as art, with all new

    DVD cover art for THE DEVIL’S FEAST. Photo courtesy of Section23 Films. © 2007 Shin-Toho Pictures Co.,Ltd.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Section23 Films Official Movie Site: shin-toho.com/oni (Japan) Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff Switchblade Pictures has tied up the rights to THE DEVIL’S FEAST (????, Oni no Kaen, 2007), the suspense and shibari erotic thriller from the late, internationally acclaimed novelist and screenwriter Oniroku Dan (Flower and Snake, Rope Hell, Lady Black Rose). Widely considered to be Japan’s greatest master of dark erotica, Dan, who passed away in May of 2011, wrote over two hundred novels over his career, as well as the screenplays for many of Japan’s most successful and influential features, being especially known his popularization of the Japanese rope-bondage art of Shibari. Directed by Kenji Hanyu from an adaption by Hiroshi Yoshino, THE DEVIL’S FEAST was distributed theatrically in Japan by Shintoho and stars Chihiro Koganezaki (CRUEL RESTAURANT,) Yuya Matsuura (ZOMBIE HUNTER RIKA,) Hitoshi Kajiki (RINKO 18) and famed AV model Arisa Matsumoto.

    Photo courtesy of Section23 Films.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    FATE / STAY NIGHT UNLIMITED BLADE WORKS Available on June 12th Source: Section23 Films press release Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff Home video distributor Section23 Films has provided details on its June slate of releases. Packed with top titles by Section23 client, Sentai Filmworks, including FATE / STAY NIGHT UNLIMITED BLADE WORKS, K-ON! and TOWANOQUON, June promises to make this the hottest summer on record! Product details follow, in order of release... KURENAI COMPLETE COLLECTION Published by: Sentai Filmworks Distributed by: Section23 Films Run Time: 300 min. Street Date: 6/5/2012 Format: DVD Language: Japanese with English Subtitles SRP: $49.98 He`s only a teenager, but Kurenai Shinkurou is already both a master of an arcane martial art and an experienced professional mediator with a long track record of resolving disputes. Not bad for someone who`s just sixteen and still in school, but everyone has their limits and

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