SciFi Japan

    Loan shark Aiichiro Fukuhara (Tomokazu Miura) and slacker law school student Fumiya Takemura (Joe Odagiri) walk across Tokyo in director Miki Satoshi`s award-winning comedy ADRIFT IN TOKYO. Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. © 2007 Adrift in Tokyo Film Partners

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    Acclaimed Comedy Streets February 27th Source: Third Window Films Official Movie Site: tokyosanpo.jp (Japan), thirdwindowfilms.com/adrift-in-tokyo (UK) Special Thanks to Adam Torel Joe Odagiri (MASKED RIDER KUUGA, BRIGHT FUTURE, AIR DOLL) stars in director Miki Satoshi`s (TURTLES ARE SURPRISINGLY FAST SWIMMERS, INSTANT SWAMP) comedy ADRIFT IN TOKYO (??, TenTen, 2007), coming to DVD in the United Kingdom on February 27th from distributor Third Window Films. The film has not been released on DVD or Blu-ray in the United States. Leading a lazy life, Fumiya Takemura (Odagiri) has been a university student for 8 years and owes money to loan sharks. One day, a man named Aiichiro Fukuhara (Tomokazu Miura - ALWAYS -SUNSET ON THIRD STREET) comes to collect the loan, which Fumiya cannot pay. So Fukuhara makes a proposition: He will cancel the debt as long as Fumiya agrees to walk with him across

    Key art for HAGANAI. © 2011 Yomi Hirasaka ? Media Factory/ Hanagai Production Committee

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    Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Official Site: tbs.co.jp/anime/haganai/ (Japan), funimation.com/haganai (US) Special Thanks to Scott Lonski FUNimation Entertainment announced yesterday at Ohayocon that it has acquired the broadcast, home entertainment, merchandising, mobile and streaming rights to the anime series, HAGANAI (????????, Boku wa Tomodachi Ga Sukunai, 2011). Based on the novels by Yomi Hirasaka, HANAGAI was directed by Hisashi Saito (BAMBOO BLADE, HEAVEN`S LOST PROPERTY) and produced by the animation studio AIC Build (Anime International Company Inc.). Kodaka Hasegawa has just transferred to St. Chronica`s Academy and he`s having a hard time making friends. With his naturally blond hair and fierce looking eyes, people constantly mistake him for a delinquent. One day, he runs into his bad-tempered loner of a classmate, Yozora, while she`s talking to her imaginary friend, Tomo. Since neither of them have any friends, they decide to form a club and start recruiting

    .hack fans will return to The World R:X in the three part series .hack//QUANTUM, coming Region 1 DVD and Blu-ray. © 2011 .hack Conglomerate?© Quantum Project

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: FUNimation Entertainment Official Sites: hack.channel.or.jp/quantum (Japan), FUNimation.com/hackquantum (US) Special Thanks to Scott Lonski, Tim Baxter and Michelle Lee Distributor FUNimation Entertainment will release the complete OVA (original video animation) series .hack//QUANTUM (?????? ?????, Dotto Hakku Kuwantamu, 2010) in a Blu-ray/DVD Combo pack on February 14th. .hack//QUANTUM is the latest installment in the .hack franchise from Showgate, adapted from the .hack role-playing games created by Bandai Namco Games. This three episode OVA is animated by Kinema Citrus Studio and directed by Masaki Tachibana (TOKYO MAGNITUDE 8.0). Tobias, Mary, and Sakuya are way into the world’s largest online fantasy role-playing game known as The World R:X. Together, they form an inseparable group, grinding toward the break of day and running dungeons in search of the artifacts of adventure. But when the trio becomes lost in this virtual labyrinth, a chance encounter with the mysterious

    Australian DVD and Blu-ray cover art for GANTZ: PERFECT ANSWER. Photos courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © Hiroya Oku/Shueisha © 2011 Gantz Film Partners

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    Second Installment of the Popular GANTZ Franchise Streets February 15th Source: Madman Entertainment Official Movie Site: gantz-movie.com (Japan), gantzmovies.com (US) The Australian label Madman Entertainment will release the box office hit GANTZ: PERFECT ANSWER (?? PERFECT ANSWER, Gantsu Pafekuto Ansaa, 2011) on DVD (Region 4, PAL) and Blu-ray (Region B) in February 2012. The discs will feature a never-before seen extended version of the film with new scenes added. Based on the manga Gantz written by Hiroya Oku, the GANTZ movies were directed by Shinsuke Sato (THE PRINCESS BLADE) and produced by Takahiro Sato. Sato had previously produced the DEATH NOTE trilogy, which have sold over 10,000 units in Australia. In GANTZ, two students, Kei Kurono (Kazunari Ninomiya) and Masaru Kato (Kenichi Matsuyama), are hit by a train in an attempt to save a homeless man`s life. The pair awaken in a mysterious

    © 2009 Takeshobo Inc.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Asian Crush, Media Blasters, Inc. The home video label Asian Crush, a division of Asian Media Rights, has announced the Region 1 DVD release of the Japanese horror films END CALL (??????, Endokoru, 2008) and LUST IN HELL – EDGE OF THE WORLD (???? ?? ???? ? ??????, Bi Denki Shinsetsu Botandourou Ichi Kono Yono Hate, 2009). Asian Crush titles are distributed by Media Blasters. LUST IN HELL – EDGE OF THE WORLD Director: Tadashi Shimizu Cast: Mari Sakurai, Ryo Ishii After losing her parents in a tragic traffic accident, Koto (Mari Sakurai, BIG TITS ZOMBIE) develops the ability to communicate with the souls of the dead. Hospitalized for extreme trauma, Koto escapes to return to the place where her parents died. There she meets Shinji, whose lover also died in a car accident, and they begin a torrid and tempestuous affair. The pair embark

    FUNimation`s plans to release DRAGON BALL Z on Blu-ray are now on hold. © 1989 Toei Animation Co., Ltd.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Official Site: toei-anim.co.jp/dragonz (Japan), funimation.com/dragon-ball-z (US) Special Thanks to Michelle Lee and Scott Lonski FUNimation Entertainment has officially confirmed they have suspended production of all future planned Blu-ray releases of DRAGON BALL Z including Level 2.1 scheduled to be released on March 27, 2012. Blu-ray editions of DRAGON BALL Z went into production based on fan demand, however due to technical challenges of restoring from the original film frame by frame, we are unable to continue these releases by way of this process. FUNimation will be re-evaluating the current process and researching more efficient methods of restoration. Specific questions may be directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. About FUNimation Entertainment FUNimation Entertainment is the leading anime company in North America. FUNimation has a proven formula

    Packaging for the DVD and Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack of BLADE OF KINGS. Photos courtesy of Well Go USA. © 2004 Emperor Entertainment Group

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    Donnie Yen, Jackie Chan and Bing Bing Fan Star in an Epic Tale with Cutting Edge Martial Arts Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications Special Thanks to Leif Helland Donnie Yen (IP MAN), Jackie Chan (SHAOLIN, 1911) and Bing Bing Fan (SHAOLIN, MY WAY) star in the epic action adventure BLADE OF KINGS (???II????, Chin gei bin 2: Fa dou daai jin, aka THE TWINS EFFECT II, 2004), debuting on Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack and DVD March 6th from Well Go USA Entertainment. The all-star cast also includes Charlene Choi (TRIPLE TAP, THE JADE AND THE PEARL), Gillian Chung (VAMPIRE EFFECT), and Hong Kong Film Award nominee for Best Newcomer Jaycee Chan (1911) in the tale of Charcoal Head, a humble boy born to rule an empire who must first undertake his journey to claim his throne in the mythical land of

    The director of ALIEN VS NINJA and NINJA GIRL is back in action with NINJA BATTLE. Image courtesy of The Associates. © 2010 Studio Bicolor

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    It`s Time for the Final Showdown Official Site: tekken-bloodvengeance.com (Japan) Source: The Associates press release Seiji Chiba, director of the cult hits NINJA GIRL, ALIEN VS NINJA and ROGUE NINJA, brings a further helping of period-set ninja action to the screen with NINJA BATTLE (??, Sengoku: Iga No Ran, 2010), starring Aiko Ito (ULTRAMAN MENIUS & ULTRAMAN BROTHERS; BLAST-DRAGON TASK FORCE ABARANGER), Shuji Kashiwabara (ALIEN VS NINJA), Daisuke Nagakura (BIG MAN JAPAN), Kentaro Shimazu (ROBO-GEISHA; TOKYO GORE POLICE; THE MACHINE GIRL) and Ben Hiura (ALIEN VS NINJA; ZATOICHI). In 1581, the Iga province of Japan was annihilated by Oda Nobunaga and the Koga allied forces with many blaming the Iga’s downfall on the treachery of the Iga shinobi Shimoyama Kai. Prior to these events, a team of ninja agents were dispatched on a covert mission to prevent Oda and the Koga from gaining

    Modern girl Akari Yoshiyama (Riisa Naka) travels back in time to 1974 in TIME TRAVELLER: THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME, the live-action adaptation of the classic novel. © 2010 Time Traveller Film Partners

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    Source: Asian Crush, Media Blasters, Inc. Official Movie Site: tokikake.jp (Japan) The live-action feature film TIME TRAVELLER: THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME (???????, Toki o Kakeru Shojo, 2010) is coming to DVD in North America on January 24th. It is the newest adaptation of the original 1967 novel The Girl Who Leapt Through Time by Yasutaka Tsutsui, previously the basis for a classic 1983 live-action movie and an award winning 2006 animated film. TIME TRAVELLER: THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME is the first movie from director Masaaki Taniguchi (SNOW FLAKE). The film stars Riisa Naka (ZEBRAMAN 2: ATTACK ON ZEBRA CITY), who provided the voice of the lead character, Makoto Konono, in the anime adaptation. Riisa was named “Rookie of the Year” at the 2011 Japanese Academy Awards and “Best New Artist” at the 2010 Nikkan Sports Film Awards. In TIME

    Key art for LISTEN TO ME, GIRLS. I AM YOUR FATHER! © 2012 King Record Co., Ltd.

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    Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: starchild.co.jp/papakiki (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams Sentai Filmworks has announced the licensing of LISTEN TO ME, GIRLS. I AM YOUR FATHER! (?????????????! Papa no Iu Koto o Kikinasai!, 2012), the wild new anime series that takes the classic sit-com premise of ‘a bachelor being forced to adopt three young children and discovering a whole new outlook on life’ and turns it completely on its head! Based on the series of novels by Tomohiro Matsu and the subsequent manga series illustrated by Yuka Nakajima, the 12 episode series is directed by Itsuro Kawasaki (LICENSED BY ROYALTY, RENTAL MAGICA, ARC THE LAD,) while series composition is handled by veteran Naruhisa Arakawa (STEEL ANGEL KURUMI, DNANGEL, BLUE SEED) while key animator Takashi Mamezuka (INFINITE STRATOS, EDEN OF THE EAST,) takes up the task of adapting Nakajima’s original designs. Whoever said little

    Cover art for the CINEMA ASIA DVD. Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 2010 Scannáin Inbhear

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    New Documentary Series Examines the Dynamic Film Scene of China, Taiwan, India, Korea and Iran Source: Madman Entertainment press release CINEMA ASIA is a five-part documentary series that takes the viewer into the most dynamic film scene on the planet. Asia houses some of the world’s biggest film industries: India boasts that it is the Number One film producing country in the world, while China, at Number Three is nipping closely at Hollywood’s heels. Taiwan, Korea and Iran have film industries that are smaller, but no less vibrant. Punching far above their weight these national cinemas have taken their place on the international stage. Long trapped within their own national boundaries, these national cinemas have in recent years burst onto international screens. They have even taken the charts Number One slot in the home of cinema itself - Hollywood. CINEMA ASIA offers the viewer a rich

    The computer animated feature film TEKKEN: BLOOD VENGEANCE will be released on DVD next month in the United Kingdom. Image courtesy of The Associates. © 2011 Namco Bandai Games, Inc.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Visually Stunning CG Animated Feature Based on the Smash Hit Video Game Series Source: The Associates press release Official Site: tekken-bloodvengeance.com (Japan) Prepare yourself for a severe case of eye candy overload courtesy of director Youichi Mouri’s brand new, full-length CG feature film, TEKKEN: BLOOD VENGEANCE (?? ???????????, Tekken Buraddo Benjensu, 2011), based on the phenomenally successful video game franchise and coming to DVD (Region 2, PAL) in the United Kingdom on February 6th, 2012. Scripted by the hugely talented Dai Sato, whose impressive list of previous writing credits includes GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX, COWBOY BEBOP, EDEN OF THE EAST, CASSHERN and SAMURAI CHAMPLOO, TEKKEN: BLOOD VENGEANCE is a visually stunning work of CG animation that brings together sexy ass-kicking heroes and heroines, winged mutant monsters, awesome mecha weaponry, bone-crunching martial arts action, a super-hot android and a panda (yes,

    Photo courtesy of Section23 Films.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    BROKEN BLADE Available on February 21st Source: Section23 Films press release Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff Home video distributor Section23 Films has provided details on its February slate of releases; including BROKEN BLADE. The heavy metal mecha action series will be released on both DVD and Blu-Ray by Section23 client, Sentai Filmworks. Product details follow, in order of release... XAM`D: LOST MEMORIES COMPLETE COLLECTION Published by: Sentai Filmworks Distributed by: Section23 Films Run Time: 650 min. Street Date: 2/7/2012 Format: DVD Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles SRP: $79.98 XAM`D: LOST MEMORIES COMPLETE COLLECTION BLU-RAY Published by: Sentai Filmworks Distributed by: Section23 Films Run Time: 650 min. Street Date: 2/7/2012 Format: BD Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles SRP: $89.98 Combining hard-hitting mecha action and fantastic supernatural elements, XAM`D is a thrilling new benchmark in anime. Set on a peaceful island during a

    The women in Rito Yuki’s life take center stage in MOTTO TO LOVE RU. © Kentaro Yabuki ? Saki Hasemi/ Shueisha ? Ru Production Committee

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    Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: j-toloveru.com (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams Sentai Filmworks is pleased to announce the acquisition of MOTTO TO LOVE RU (???To LOVE? -????-, To LOVEru -Toraburu-, 2010), the sequel series to the company’s previous hit TO LOVE RU. Based as before on the manga by Kentaro Yabuki (BLACK CAT) and Saki Hasemi (MOETAN,) the new 12 episode series is helmed by Atsushi Otsuki (who directed the final episode of the original series as well as episodes of FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST, the second season of WAGNERIA and LADIES VS. BUTLERS), working from series composition by SLAYERS and VENUS VS. VIRUS vet Yasutomo Yamada, while Yuichi Ouka once again adapts Yabuki’s original character designs for animation. The insanity that began when a very naked (and very female) alien teleported into Rito Yuki’s bathtub (while he was in it) continues,

    Cover art for the upcoming UK DVD and Blu-ray editions of GANTZ: PERFECT ANSWER. Photos courtesy of The Associates. © Hiroya Oku/Shueisha © 2011 Gantz Film Partners

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    Source: The Associates press release Official Movie Site: gantz-movie.com (Japan), gantzmovies.com (US) GANTZ (??, 2011) is based on a hit manga series created by Hiroya Oku and stars leading Japanese actors Kazunari Ninomiya (LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA) and Kenichi Matsuyama (KAMUI; the DEATH NOTE trilogy). The sequel GANTZ: PERFECT ANSWER (?? PERFECT ANSWER, Gantsu Pafekuto Ansaa, 2011) begins several months after the events of the first film. Kei Kurono (Ninomiya) is still fighting aliens under the order of Gantz and he is close to reaching the score he needs to resurrect his friend Masaru Kato (Matsuyama). As the missions begin to get increasingly dangerous for both the alien fighters and the general public, Kurono discovers that the endgame for Gantz is quickly approaching. GANTZ: PERFECT ANSWER (cert. 15) will be released on DVD (Region 2, PAL) and Blu-ray (Region B) in the UK

    Key art for the new horror anime series ANOTHER. © 2012 Yukito Ayatsuji/ [Another] Production Committee

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    Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: another-anime.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams Sentai Filmworks is ghoulishly pleased to announce the acquisition of ANOTHER (????, Anazaa, 2012), the eagerly awaited new anime series that dares to ask the question: What do you do when your classmate’s school locker is a locker in the morgue? Based on the hit novel by Yukito Ayatsuji, the 12 episode series joins the manga, written by Ayatsuji and illustrated by The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya’s Noizi Ito, and the forthcoming live action feature film (due Summer 2012) as part of the latest hit horror franchise to erupt from Japan. Tsutomu Mizushima (BLOOD C, KOBATO, XXXHOLIC) directs from series composition by Ryo Higaki (MORIBITO-GUARDIAN OF THE SPIRIT) while Yuriko Ishii (PERSONA – TRINITY SOUL) adapts Ito’s original character designs for animation. Mei Misaki was cute, athletic and one of the most

    A new Gamera comes to mankind`s aid in GAMERA THE BRAVE, available on Blu-ray this may from Media Blasters. © 2006 Chiisaki Yushatachi-GAMERA-Film Partners

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    HD Release Goes on Sale May 22nd Source: Media Blasters, Inc. Special Thanks to Carl Morano Distributor Media Blasters has announced plans to release the 2006 daikaiju movie GAMERA THE BRAVE (????????????, Chiisaki Yusha-tachi Gamera) on Blu-ray in North America this May. The twelfth film in the long-running Gamera series -- and the first to be produced by Kadokawa Pictures -- GAMERA THE BRAVE takes the monster back to his “The Friend of All Children” roots. The movie opens forty years ago, as the giant fire-breathing turtle Gamera disappears during a battle against the flying monsters called Gyaos. In 2006, a young boy named Toru Aizawa (Ryo Tomioka) discovers a turtle egg on a beach. The egg hatches in his hand, and Toru decides to keep the tiny newborn as a pet. But when the little turtle starts flying and breathing fire, Toru

    Happy and Natsu Dragneel get into more trouble in the FAIRY TAIL: PART 3 Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack, streeting January 31st. Image courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2009 Fairy Tail Guild Production Committee: Hiro Mashima/ Kodansha/ TV Tokyo

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    Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Official Site: tv-tokyo.co.jp/fairytail (Japan), funimation.com/fairy-tail (US) Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee FUNimation Entertainment will release the Blu-ray/DVD Combo set of the action/adventure anime FAIRY TAIL: PART 3 (????????, Fearii Teiru, 2009) on January 31st. Based on the hit manga by Hiro Mashima (each new manga volume published since 2007 has debuted in the Top 5), the long running series is co-produced by A-1 Pictures and Satelight, and directed by Shinji Ishihira. The third Blu-ray/DVD Combo set contains episodes 25-36. Across the Fiore kingdom, wizards join guilds and make their pay by filling magical needs - but one guild has a reputation as the roughest, rowdiest, most dangerous of all: Fairy Tail! The guild-on-guild mayhem continues as Fairy Tail struggles to fend off Phantom Lord - whose Element 4 must be defeated in order to disable

    The international cult classic BATTLE ROYALE will finally be released on Blu-ray and DVD in North America. Photos courtesy of Anchor Bay Entertainment. © 2000 The “Battle Royale” Production Committee

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Available for the First Time in North America on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Download Source: Anchor Bay Entertainment, Sue Procko Public Relations press release Special Thanks to Ed Peters and Eric Becker ONE OF THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL FILMS IN HISTORY FINALLY ARRIVES! BATTLE ROYALE. A title that has shocked, thrilled and unnerved audiences. A film whose fiendishly simple premise has inspired many imitations, including the upcoming THE HUNGER GAMES motion picture. Based on the 1999 global best-seller by Koushun Takami, the futuristic tale first came to the screen in 2000, directed by the legendary Kinju Fukasaku. The violently poetic epic about an innocent group of Junior High students forced by the government to hunt and kill their classmates for sport was nominated for 10 Japanese Academy Awards, launched a global phenomenon, and banned from screens by frightened civic groups and distributors across America.

    Key art for POLYPHONICA CRIMSON S. © 2009 Ichiro Sasaki

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Source: Section23 Films press release Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff Entertainment label Maiden Japan has announced the license of the action comedy series POLYPHONICA CRIMSON S (?????????? ?????S, Shinkyoku Sookai Polyphonica Crimson S, 2009). Although based on the same light novel series as a previous POLYPHONICA series created by Ichiro Sakaki (released in North America by Sentai Filmworks), CRIMSON S is a newer and completely different series, set at a much earlier timeframe in the franchise chronology. Director Toshimasa Suzuki (HEROIC AGE) heads the all new creative team, while composition of the series is in the capable hands of Kenichi Kanemaki (PRETEAR, HELL GIRL). To bring law and order you need police, to make music you need musicians, and to make the former using the latter, you need a Dantist! Ever since he was visited by a mysterious spirit as a boy, Phoron’s wanted to become

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