SciFi Japan

    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

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    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

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    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

    Masaru Kato (Kenichi Matsuyama) and Kei Kurono (Kazunari Ninomiya) in publicity art for GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER. Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © Hiroya Oku/Shueisha © 2011 Gantz Film Partners

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    Author: Elliot Gay Official Movie Site: gantz-movie.com (Japan), gantzmovies.com (US) Source: NTV (Nippon Television Network) Photos: NEW PEOPLE Entertainment, The Associates, Madman Entertainment Special Thanks to Asuka Kimura and Shio Toyoda A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Following a successful theatrical run in Japan, the sci-fi thriller GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER (?? PERFECT ANSWER, Gantsu Pafekuto Ansaa, 2011) will soon be available on Blu-ray and/or DVD in key English-speaking territories... January 17th sees the North American release from NEW PEOPLE Entertainment, the UK discs by Manga Entertainment street February 6th, and Madman Entertainment will release the film in Australia on February 15th. Based on the hit manga series, GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER concludes the story begun in GANTZ (??, Gantsu, 2011), and stars leading Japanese actors Kazunari Ninomiya (LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA) and Kenichi Matsuyama (DEATH NOTE, DETROIT METAL CITY). Both GANTZ movies were

    The King of the Monsters raids Japan for the first time --again!-- in The Criterion Collection`s DVD and Blu-ray release of GODZILLA. © 1954 Toho Co., Ltd.

    DVD Blu-ray Digital

    Bringing the Japanese Sci-Fi Classic to DVD and Blu-ray Author: Keith Aiken Source: The Criterion Collection, Image Entertainment Official Site: criterion.com/godzilla A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE On January 24th, The Criterion Collection will release the Toho classic GODZILLA (???, Gojira, 1954) on special edition DVD and Blu-ray. The high-anticipated discs feature high-def digital restorations of both the original Japanese film and its Americanized edit GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS (1956), plus a wealth of bonus content including trailers, cast and crew interviews, audio commentaries and featurettes. Supervising the new release is Criterion producer Curtis Tsui, who recently discussed the project with SciFi Japan... Keith Aiken: Would you please provide some details about your background at Criterion? Curtis Tsui: I joined Criterion around 2000 or so, after a job at a New York-based optical house came to an end when the company went

    Two assassins must join forces to break free from a vicious crime syndicate in PHANTOM: REQUIEM FOR THE PHANTOM. Image courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2009 Nitroplus/ Project Phantom.

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    Complete Series Streets January 31st Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Official Site: phantom-r.jp (Japan), funimation.com/phantom (US) Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee On January 31st, FUNimation Entertainment will release a Complete Series Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack of PHANTOM: REQUIEM FOR THE PHANTOM (????? ~ PHANTOM OF INFERNO ~ , 2009). A young man with no memories fights to salvage his humanity when he`s forced into a life of murder by a dangerous crime syndicate called Inferno. The organization gives him a new name, Zwei, and molds him into a perfect killing machine, a meticulous instrument of death created to obey his masters` every deadly command. Zwei`s not the only puppet controlled by Inferno; Ein is a girl as beautiful as she is brutal and as lethal as she is lost. While mafia violence escalates around them, the two assassins grow closer, and

    The mysterious men in black are looking for a fight in GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER, playing January 14th at NEW PEOPLE Cinema. © Hiroya Oku/Shueisha © 2011 Gantz Film Partners

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    NEW PEOPLE in San Francisco to Screen GANTZ and GANTZ II on January 14th Source: NEW PEOPLE Entertainment, MediaLab press release Official Movie Site: gantz-movie.com (Japan), gantzmovies.com (US) Special Thanks to Erik Jansen NEW PEOPLE Entertainment celebrates the recently announced release of GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER on DVD/Blu-ray with a special series of screenings of the entire GANTZ film saga on Saturday, January 14th at the S.F. Film Society | NEW PEOPLE Cinema located in San Francisco’s Japantown. Tickets are $10. Additional ticket and film info is available at newpeopleworld.com/#gantz2. GANTZ (Dubbed) 1:00pm GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER (Dubbed) 4:00pm GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER (Subtitled) 7:00pm All those attending the screenings of GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER will receive a free full-color GANTZ poster. A special ticket bundle is also available for $25 (DVD) or $30 (Blu-ray) that includes a movie pass, poster, and either the DVD or Blu-ray

    A boy-crazy girl will stop at nothing to lose her virginity in YAMADA`S FIRST TIME- B GATA H KEI. The complete 12 episode anime series is coming to DVD and Blu-ray from FUNimation. Image courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2010 Yoko Sanri/ Shueisha Inc. B-Gata H-Kei Project

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    Complete Series Streets January 31st Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Official Site: bgata-hkei.com (Japan), funimation.com/b-gata-h-kei-yamada-s-first-time (US) Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee On January 31st, FUNimation Entertainment will release a Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack of YAMADA`S FIRST TIME- B GATA H KEI (B?H? Bii Gata Etchi Kei, Type: B; Style: H, 2010). Based on the comedic romance manga by Yoko Sanri, the anime series was directed by Yusuke Yamamoto (RANMA ½, WELCOME TO THE NHK, VANDREAD). FUNimation`s series description is as follows... OMG! There`s this girl at school, Yamada, who wants to make like a hundred sex friends. She totally thinks she can devirginize one hundred different boys! Can you believe that? That`s like every boy in the school. Who does she think she is? I heard from my friend`s neighbor`s cousin`s lab partner that Yamada`s never even been kissed. Oh. My.

    A class of 42 high school students is chosen for a deadly game in the cult classic BATTLE ROYALE. Photo courtesy of Madman Entertainment. © 2000 The “Battle Royale” Production Committee

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    42 Students, Three Days, One Survivor, No Rules Source: Madman Entertainment Kinji Fukasaku`s acclaimed and controversial cult hit BATTLE ROYALE (?????????, Batoru Rouaiaru, 2000) will be released on Region 4 DVD in February by Madman Entertainment. The new release will be a "director`s cut" version never before available in Australia. In the near future, Japan is in a state of collapse. With high unemployment and a generation of youth out of control, the government enacts the Battle Royale programme. Each year, a randomly chosen school class is pitted against itself on an abandoned island in a cruel game of survival. With a former teacher (Takeshi Kitano) overseeing the game, this is a fight to the death with only one winner. The rules are simple: It lasts 3 days - Each player starts with food, water and a random weapon - If more than

    Packaging for the DVD and Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack of WAR OF THE ARROWS. Photos courtesy of Well Go USA. © 2011 Lotte Entertainment

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    The $40 Million International Box Office Smash Comes to North America Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications Special Thanks to Leif Helland Award-winning writer/director Kim Han-Min (HANDPHONE, PARADISE MURDERED) unsheathes the lavish historical action epic WAR OF THE ARROWS (???? ?, Choejongbyungki Hwal, 2011) on Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack and DVD February 21st from Well Go USA Entertainment. The international box office success stars Hae-il Park (THE HOST) as the best archer in Korea who is forced to go up against the Qing Dynasty in order to save his younger sister (Moon Chae-Won) from Mongolian invaders. Set in 1636, the second Manchurian invasion of Korea rages chaos, as villages are attacked by overpowering Manchurian soldiers. The Manchurians kidnap childhood sweethearts, Ja-in and Seo-Goon on their wedding day. In an effort to save his sister, Ja-in’s brother Nam-Yi sets out to defeat the

    The complete supernatural anime series X will be reissued in DVD set with 24 episodes plus an OVA. Image courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © Clamp · Kadokawa Shoten/ TV

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    Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Official Site: funimation.com/x (US) Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee On January 3rd, FUNimation Entertainment will reissue the supernatural anime X: THE COMPLETE SERIES on DVD as part of their Anime Classics line. Based on the series from the international manga powerhouse CLAMP, the X (????, Ekkusu, 2001) anime was directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri (NINJA SCROLL, VAMPIRE HUNTER D: BLOODLUST) with animation by Madhouse (BLACK LAGOON, DEATH NOTE). Kamui stands alone at the crossroads between salvation and armageddon. Destiny demands that this tormented young man decide the fate of a world he no longer belongs in. Torn between rival orders of superhuman warriors, the time has come for Kamui to choose his side. Either he fights with the Dragons of Heaven to save civilization and the two friends he swore to always protect, or he must

    Cover art for the upcoming North American DVD and Blu-ray/DVD Combo Set of the Japanese live action sci-fi adventure GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER. Photos courtesy of NEW PEOPLE Entertainment. © Hiroya Oku/Shueisha © 2011 Gantz Film Partners

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    Concluding Chapter of Japanese Action Epic Debuts in January; Theatrical Release Event in San Francisco Announced Source: NEW PEOPLE Entertainment, Warner Home Video, MediaLab press release Official Movie Site: gantz-movie.com (Japan), gantzmovies.com (US) Special Thanks to Erik Jansen NEW PEOPLE Entertainment, a film division of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. that focuses on the licensing and distribution of Japanese films and media, has announced the highly anticipated release of the live-action film sequel to GANTZ. GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER (?? PERFECT ANSWER, Gantsu Pafekuto Ansaa, 2011) will debut on Region 1 DVD (SRP $24.92) and Blu-ray/DVD combo-pack (SRP $29.99) on January 17th, 2012. The film, which is unrated, features both English and Japanese dialogue options and includes a bonus disc with an exclusive director’s interview, cast profiles, and theatrical film trailers. NEW PEOPLE DVD/Blu-ray titles are distributed in the U.S and Mexico by Warner Home Video.

    Photo courtesy of Section23 Films.

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    THE WORLD GOD ONLY KNOWS Available on January 24th Source: Section23 Films press release Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff Home video distributor Section23 Films has provided details on its January slate of releases including THE WORLD GOD ONLY KNOWS. The devilishly fun anime will be released on both DVD and Blu-Ray by Section23 client, Sentai Filmworks. Product details follow, in order of release... AND YET THE TOWN MOVES COMPLETE COLLECTION Published by: Sentai Filmworks Distributed by: Section23 Films Run Time: 300 min. Street Date: 1/3/2012 Format: DVD Language: Japanese with English Subtitles SRP: $49.98 Hotori Arashiyama loves mysteries, but there`s one she just can`t solve: Why does the solution to one problem inevitably seem to lead to another? Like how when Hotori has to start working at the Seaside Maid Café after school to pay off a debt and her friend Toshiko fortunately knows exactly how

    Packaging for the DVD and Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack of OCEAN HEAVEN. Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. © 2010 Edko Films Limited

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    Jet Li in His First Starring Dramatic Role Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications Special Thanks to Leif Helland Martial arts superstar Jet Li (THE EXPENDABLES, HERO, LETHAL WEAPON 4) reveals his talent for heartfelt drama in OCEAN HEAVEN (????, H?iyáng Tiántáng, 2010), debuting on Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack and DVD February 7th from Well Go USA Entertainment. Bonus features include deleted scenes, an extensive photo gallery and a poignant interview with Jet Li on Autism. The film, which screened at five major North American festivals including the Toronto International Film Festival, features Li as a terminally ill father attempting to teach his autistic son the necessary life skills to survive on his own before he himself passes away. First time writer/director Xue Xiaolu based the film on her experiences over the last 14 years as a volunteer with Beijing Stars and

    The twelve episode anime series SAMURAI GIRLS will be released on DVD next month in the United Kingdom. Image courtesy of The Associates. © 2010 Akira Suzuki, Ni?, Hobby Japan/ Hyakka-Ryoran Partners

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    Disc Streets January 30th Official Site: hyakka-ryoran.tv (Japan) Source: The Associates press release The complete twelve episode anime series SAMURAI GIRLS (???? ????????, Hyakka Ryoran Samurai Girls, 2010) will be released on DVD (Region 2, PAL) in the United Kingdom by Manga Entertainment on January 30, 2012. Based on the popular Hobby Japan light novel series of the same name— written by Akira Suzuki and illustrated by Ni?— SAMURAI GIRLS was produced by the animation studio Arms Corporation (QUEEN`S BLADE, ELFEN LIED, HIMAWARI!) and directed by Kobun. The series aired in Japan on TV Kanagawa and Chiba TV from October 3rd to December 19th, 2010. The story of SAMURAI GIRLS takes place in Japan in the early 21st century, in an alternate reality where the Tokugawa Shogunate has remained in power. In this reality, student councils are tasked with oppressing schools. Yagyuu Muneakira

    A disturbed 14 year old boy named Yuichi Sumida (Shota Sometani) is loved by his equally damaged classmate Keiko Chazawa (Fumi Nikaido) in director Sion Sono`s HIMIZU. © 2012 Himizu Film Partners

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    UK Theatrical Release Coming in April 2012 Source: Third Window Films Official Movie Site: himizu.gaga.ne.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Adam Torel Third Window Films are pleased to announce the acquisition of Sion Sono`s latest work HIMIZU (???, 2012). Sion Sono`s LOVE EXPOSURE and COLD FISH have both been previously released by Third Window Films, and they are proud to continue promoting the works of one of the most talented directors in contemporary Japanese cinema. HIMIZU had its world premiere at the 2011 Venice Film Festival where it played in competition and won the Marcello Mastrioanni award for Best Young Actor and Best Young Actress. Based on the famous manga of the same name by Minoru Furuya (Ping-Pong Club), the film tells the story of a teenager who aspires to be “ordinary” and “normal” in this world of chaos. But after an incident that

    The Decepticon Starscream schemes in the CGI animated series TRANSFORMERS PRIME, coming to DVD and Blu-ray in March 2012. Photo courtesy of Shout! Factory. © 2011 Hasbro, Inc.

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    4-Disc Blu-ray Collection Packed With 96-Page IDW Graphic Novel Streets March 6, 2012 Source: Shout! Factory press release Special Thanks to Tom Chen Prepare to experience the world of TRANSFORMERS PRIME like never before with perfect picture visuals and the purest digital sound available when the entire first season of the award-winning CGI animated series TRANSFORMERS PRIME arrives in stores everywhere in North America on March 6, 2012 in a deluxe 4-DVD set and a Limited Edition 4-Disc Blu-ray collection from Shout! Factory, in collaboration with Hasbro Studios. Both the DVD and Blu-ray collections of TRANSFORMERS PRIME: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON boast all 26 action-packed episodes (including the 5-part miniseries DARKNESS RISING) and special bonus content. For a limited time only, TRANSFORMERS PRIME: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON Limited Edition 4-Disc Blu-ray contains a 96-page IDW graphic novel based on this hit series. Fans

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    Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Special Thanks to Scott Lonski FUNimation Entertainment has acquired the U.S. home video rights to the Hong Kong live action feature GIRL$ (??, Nam Nam, 2010). Directed by Kenneth Bi (RICE RHAPSODY), GIRL$ follows four young women— Icy (Michelle Wai), Ronnie (Seli Xian), Gucci (Minyi Wang) and Lin (Una Lin)— and their experiences in the world of “compensated dating”, where the girls are paid to date and not necessarily have sex. Of course, sex is an inevitable byproduct of the business, and the girls are subject to the same dangers: diseases, perverted clients, and even a killer who’s out there murdering and dismembering the working girls. Nonetheless, the girls forge on because they need to pay the bills and make a living. FUNimation Entertainment will release the DVD in fall 2012. About FUNimation Entertainment FUNimation Entertainment is

    Packaging for the DVD and Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack of Sushi Typhoon`s YAKUZA WEAPON. Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. © 2010 Ken Ishikawa/ Dynamic Planning, Yakuza Weapon Film Partners

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    The Team Behind VERSUS Return with Another Blood-Soaked Gore Fest from Sushi Typhoon Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications Official Site: sushi-typhoon.com/films/yakuza-weapon Special Thanks to Leif Helland and Marc Walkow From the director of MUTANT GIRLS SQUAD (Tak Sakaguchi), and MEATBALL MACHINE (Yûdai Yamaguchi) comes the “bloody awesome” YAKUZA WEAPON (????, Gokudo Heiki, 2011), debuting on Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack and DVD February 7th from Well Go USA Entertainment. Another warped film from the prolific Japanese production company Sushi Typhoon, YAKUZA WEAPON is based on the cult manga by Ken Ishikawa and stars stuntman-turned-director Tak Sakaguchi as a one-man, butt-kicking army out to avenge the death of his father with built-in firepower. The extensive bonus features include the behind-the-scenes featurette “The Making of YAKUZA WEAPON,” a discussion with Director Tak Sakaguchi and the spinoff short film TAKUZO WEAPON. YAKUZA WEAPON will be

    Ring in the new year with some Hong Kong mutant mayhem! Photo courtesy of FUNimation Entertainment. © 2010

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    Hong Kong Sci-Fi Action Flick Arrives December 27th Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Official Movie Site: funimation.com/city-under-siege (US) Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee On December 27th, the Hong Kong science fiction action movie CITY UNDER SIEGE (????, Chun Sing Gai Bei, 2010) will be released in a 2-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack by FUNimation Entertainment. The film follows a group of circus performers who go on a rampage after accidental exposure to chemical gas left by the Japanese army in WWII grants them superhuman abilities. Innocent citizens flee mutant marauders in this electrifying tale from famed director – and frequent Jackie Chan collaborator – Benny Chan (NEW POLICE STORY, FIST OF FURY, HEROIC DUO) Featuring a star-studded cast including Aaron Kwok (seven-time Hong Kong Film Awards nominee), Shu Qi (Hong Kong Film Award winner), Collin Chou (THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM, THE MATRIX

    TRANSFORMERS: THE JAPANESE COLLECTION is now available for pre-order from ShoutFactoryStore.com. Photo courtesy of Shout! Factory. © 2011 Hasbro, Inc.

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    HEADMASTERS, SUPER-GOD MASTERFORCE and VICTORY in 13-DVD Box Set, only from ShoutFactoryStore.com Source: Shout! Factory press release Special Thanks to Tom Chen and Scott Neumyer Early happy New Year 2012! Fans and collectors can finally bring home TRANSFORMERS: THE JAPANESE COLLECTION DVD box set from Shout! Factory, in collaboration with Hasbro. This is the rare Japanese trilogy that followed the popular “Generation 1” animated series. Available for the first time in North America, this 13-DVD box set is fully loaded with over 42 hours of entertainment, including all episodes that originally aired from the three Japanese series — HEADMASTERS, SUPER-GOD MASTERFORCE and VICTORY — each with their original Japanese audio tracks, English subtitles, and an art gallery. TRANSFORMERS: THE JAPANESE COLLECTION DVD box set is finally available exclusively at Shout! Factory’s official online store and shipping to customers beginning January 2, 2012. The set can be

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