SciFi Japan
    The Stakes are High at U.S. Convention Film Premiere this June 15-17 at the Anaheim Convention Center Source: BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions press release Official Site: am2con.org Official Movie Site: kaiji-movie.jp Special Thanks to Chase Wang The extremely popular and highly anticipated sequel KAIJI 2 (???2, 2011) is to be screened EXCLUSIVELY at this summer’s most anticipated Anime, Manga and Music event AM². Two screenings will be available -- one EXCLUSIVELY for Passport holders ONLY and the second for Passport holders preferred (with general attendees as seating permits). Ever since first appearing in 1996 as a serial manga in Kodansha’s Young Magazine, KAIJI has amassed a cult-like following, recording book sales of over 18 million copies and leading to a box office hit film adaptation in 2009 entitled KAIJI (???????????, Kaiji Jinsei Gyakuten Geemu). More info and attendee registration can be found

    Production Details for the Studio Ghibli Animated Feature Source: Madman Entertainment Official Movie Site: karigurashi.jp (Japan), arrietty.com.au (Australia), disney.go.com/arrietty (US) The animated feature ARRIETTY (????????????, Karigurashi no Arrietty, 2010) was another smash hit for Studio Ghibli, topping the Japanese box office for 2010. Based on Mary Norton’s novel The Borrowers, ARRIETTY is now being released theatrically in two major English language markets; Madman Entertainment will open the film in Australian cinemas on January 12, 2012, and Walt Disney Studios will release it in North America as THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY on February 17. The following English language press notes for ARRIETTY are courtesy of Madman Entertainment... ARRIETTY A film by HIROMASA YONEBAYASHI 2010 · JAPAN · RUNNING TIME 94 MINS · 35 MM · 1:1.85 · DOLBY SR-SRD · COLOR SYNOPSIS This is a story of a family of

    Source: GKIDS Inc. press release Official Event Site: gkids.tv/intheaters Official Movie Site: karigurashi.jp (Japan), disney.go.com/arrietty (US) SPECIAL NYICFF EVENT - ONE SHOW ONLY! THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY Saturday, January 21, 1:00pm Symphony Space 2537 Broadway New York, NY 10001 In English Recommended for All Ages TICKETS ON SALE NOW NYICFF (New York Int’l Children’s Film Festival) is thrilled to present a special preview screening of Studio Ghibli`s THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY (????????????, Karigurashi no Arrietty, 2010), based on Mary Norton`s classic children`s book The Borrowers. Co-written by Hayao Miyazaki and directed by Miyazaki protégé Hiromasa Yonebayashi, the film is a gorgeous and entertaining treat - a beautiful story, sumptuously animated with all the loving detail, warmth, and humanity we have come to expect from Studio Ghibli`s finest works. THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY is currently certified 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

    Discover a Secret World Within Our Own Source: Madman Entertainment Official Movie Site: karigurashi.jp (Japan), arrietty.com.au (Australia) The Studio Ghibli animated feature ARRIETTY (????????????, Karigurashi no Arrietty, 2010) will open in Australian cinemas on January 12, 2012, courtesy of distributor Madman Entertainment. Based on Mary Norton’s novel The Borrowers, ARRIETTY is a story of a family of little people. Beneath the floorboards of a sprawling mansion set in a magical, overgrown garden in the suburbs of Tokyo, tiny 14-year-old Arrietty lives with her equally tiny parents. The house is occupied by two old ladies, who are absolutely unaware of the existence of their miniature tenants. Arrietty and her family live by borrowing. Everything they have, they borrow or make from the things they have borrowed. Essentials like gas, water and food. Tables, chairs, cooking utensils. And treats - a sugar cube here, a

    Anime Film Opens February 17, 2012 Source: Walt Disney Studios press release Official Movie Site: karigurashi.jp (Japan), disney.go.com/arrietty (US) Residing quietly beneath the floorboards are little people who live undetected in a secret world to be discovered, where the smallest may stand tallest of all. From the legendary Studio Ghibli (SPIRITED AWAY, PONYO) comes THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY (????????????, Karigurashi no Arrietty, 2010), an animated adventure based on Mary Norton’s acclaimed children’s book series The Borrowers. Arrietty (voice of Bridgit Mendler), a tiny, but tenacious 14-year-old, lives with her parents (voices of Will Arnett and Amy Poehler) in the recesses of a suburban garden home, unbeknownst to the homeowner and her housekeeper (voice of Carol Burnett). Like all little people, Arrietty remains hidden from view, except during occasional covert ventures beyond the floorboards to “borrow” scrap supplies like sugar cubes from her

    World Premiere this Weekend at New York International Children’s Film Festival Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Special Thanks to Scott Lonski The English language version of the anime feature film OBLIVION ISLAND (??????? ????????, Hottarake no Shima - Haruka to Maho no Kagami, 2009) will have its world premiere this weekend at the New York International Children’s Film Festival. Production I.G., the creators of GHOST IN THE SHELL, mix exquisitely detailed 2D backgrounds with modern 3D character designs in a dazzling animated adventure that plays like Alice’s fall through the rabbit hole into a world of topsy-turvy, anime dream-logic. When Haruka misplaces a hand-mirror that was a keepsake from her mother, she stumbles upon a portal to the subterranean world of Oblivion Island, a place where strange masked creatures gather up all the childhood trinkets humans abandon as they grow older, and attend Dream Theaters where they

    Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Michelle Lee FUNimation Entertainment has acquired the home entertainment, broadcast, digital, and mobile rights to the Production I.G. full length animated film, OBLIVION ISLAND: HARUKA AND THE MAGIC MIRROR (??????? ????????, Hottarake no Shima - Haruka to Maho no Kagami, 2009). Directed and co-written by Shinsuke Sato (the GANTZ live action films), the film was nominated for the award for Excellent Animation of the Year at the 33rd Japan Academy Prize. OBLIVION ISLAND: HARUKA AND THE MAGIC MIRROR is the first full length film from Production I.G. (GHOST IN THE SHELL, KILL BILL VOL. 1) done completely in 3D computer generated animation. To separate the film from American computer animated productions, the character designs have a unique “anime” style to them while the look and feel of the animation bear a closer

    A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE GODZILLA`S ANIMATED ADVENTURES The Cast and Characters of GODZILLA: THE SERIES GODZILLA: THE SERIES – THE DEFINITIVE EPISODE GUIDE GODZILLA`S ANIMATED ADVENTURES The Making of GODZILLA: THE SERIESAuthor: Bob JohnsonSource: Sony Pictures Family EntertainmentOfficial Site: sony.com/tv/kids/godzillaSpecial thanks to Keith Aiken, Fil Barlow, Jeff Kline, Audu Paden and John Russel “The fearsome franchise continues this Fall with the debut of GODZILLA: THE SERIES. Just as Manhattan and the rest of America recover from the chaos and havoc the world’s most famous monster wreaked this Summer, a series of new catastrophes appear. Only our hero Nick Tatopoulos and his enormous new ally, Godzilla, can prevent further destruction. Riding the crest of the monstrous success of the feature film, GODZILLA: THE SERIES will build upon the huge following of the world’s favorite monster with ‘A whole

    Source: Third Window Films, Rabbit Publicity Official Movie Site: akunin.jp (Japan), thirdwindowfilms.com/villain (UK) Special Thanks to Adam Torel and Davide Previti VILLAIN (??, Akunin) A film by Lee Sang-il (HULA GIRLS) UK RELEASE DATE: 19 August 2011 Certificate: 15 Running time: 140 mins In Japanese with English subtitles Colour/35mm and Digital release NOMINATED for 15 Japanese Academy Awards WINNER of 5 Japanese Academy Awards including: Best Actress, Actor, Supporting Actress, Supporting Actor and Music Score WINNER ‘Best Actress – Eri Fukatsu’ – Montreal Film Festival WINNER ‘Best Actor – Satoshi Tsumabuki’ – 53rd Blue Ribbon Awards WINNER ‘Best Japanese Film of 2010’ – Kinema Junpo Starring: Eri Fukatsu (THE MAGIC HOUR, BAYSIDE SHAKEDOWN) Satoshi Tsumabuki (TOKYO!, VILLON`S WIFE, PANDEMIC) Hikari Mitsushima (LOVE EXPOSURE, DEATH NOTE, SAWAKO DECIDES) Masaki Okada (CONFESSIONS) With over twenty companies bidding for the film adaptation rights, and many of

    Source: Media Blasters, Inc., Golden Media Group Special Thanks to Carl Morano and Roy McAree SciFi Japan has received some news updates today that should be of interest to daikaiju fans... • Media Blasters informed us that GODZILLA VS. MEGALON is scheduled for DVD and Blu-ray on November 29, 2011. • In response to demand, the GooHead.com Internet Channel will add the original Japanese (with English subtitles) versions of the Gamera films to their lineup, beginning with GAMERA vs GYAOS (English dubbed versions are already available). All of the Gamera movies will be streamed for free. For much more information on these topics, please see the previous coverage here on SciFi Japan: GODZILLA VS MEGALON Region 1 DVD/Blu-ray Rumors False Media Blasters Discusses DVD and Blu-ray Plans for DESTROY ALL MONSTERS and GODZILLA VS MEGALON And: Gamera

    Toho Monster Makers Attend Convention in Burbank, CA Source: Tetsu Shiota and Shinichi Wakasa Filmmakers, fans, collectors, and dealers from around the world flocked to Monsterpalooza 2011, held April 8-10 at the Marriott Burbank Hotel and Convention Center. Among the guests were two key figures from Toho`s Godzilla movie series: Haruo Nakajima and Shinichi Wakasa. Mr Nakajima played the title role in the original GODZILLA (Gojira, 1954) and would go on to portray the King of the Monsters in twelve films. He was also the "man in the monster suit" for such films as RODAN (Sora no Daikaiju Radon, 1956), THE MYSTERIANS (Chikyuu Boeigun, 1957), MOTHRA (Mosura, 1961), and KING KONG ESCAPES (Kingu Kongu no Gyakushu, 1967), as well as episodes of Tsuburaya Productions` ULTRA Q (Urutora Kyuu, 1966) and ULTRAMAN (Urutoraman, 1966). Haruo Nakajima spent much of the weekend signing autographs, with the proceeds going to

    Author: Sean Kotz THE VOICE IN THE NIGHT: The Story that Inspired MATANGO For all the artistic beauty of ONIBABA, the graphic intensity of JIGOKU, and the genre-blending impact of GOKE: BODYSNATCHER FROM HELL (Kyuketsuki Gokemidoro), Ishiro Honda’s MATANGO is probably the most significant, disturbing and influential of Japan’s 60s horror/sci-fi psychodramas. Often cited as an anti-drug film, MATANGO is more significant in its conscious embrace of psychology. In its original language form, MATANGO is a creepy and intelligent film that stands in sharp contrast to Toho’s generally optimistic sci-fi of the decade. With a slow-boiling tension, smart writing, convincing portrayals and some simple but effective special effects, MATANGO deftly explores the limits of human will and the lengths of social restraints. At the same time it directly questions the fabric of reality and the nature of happiness.

    Complete Animated Series Now Available Online Official Site: sony.com/tv/kids/godzilla Special Thanks to Zen Faulkes Netflix subscribers can now watch all forty episodes of Sony Pictures Television`s animated program GODZILLA: THE SERIES. Spun off from the studio`s big budget GODZILLA (1998), the show aired Saturday mornings on the Fox Network from 1998 to 2000. Netflix has also made available two episodes of GODZILLA: THE SERIES, 126- THE BALLAD OF GENS DU MARAIS and 139- TOURIST TRAP, which were not broadcast on US television. To view the GODZILLA: THE SERIES episodes, visit netflix.com/Godzilla-The-Complete-Series. For more on the series check out SciFi Japan`s The Ultimate Guide to GODZILLA: THE SERIES.

    Director Takashi Yamazaki Discusses Godzilla’s Cameo Appearance in ALWAYS 2Author: Keith Aiken Source: NTV (Nippon Television Network), ASCII Media Works, Midnight Eye, various Official Site: Always 2Translations by Oki Miyano Special Thanks to James Ballard In November 2005, Japanese moviegoers flocked to see the drama ALWAYS- SUNSET ON THIRD STREET (Always San-Chome no Yuhi). Adapted from the popular manga by Ryohei Saigan, the film told the story of the residents of Third Street— a small Tokyo neighborhood in late 1958. The rosy, nostalgic tale was a tremendous box office success that triggered a national fad for the “Showa Era” of Japan (1926-1989). ALWAYS was also a critical hit, winning 33 awards domestically and internationally, including Picture of the Year, Director of the Year, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress at the 2006 Japan Academy Prize. The cast and crew

    Source: Japan Society JAPAN CUTS: Festival of New Japanese Film JUNE 30 - JULY 12 at Japan Society JAPAN CUTS: FESTIVAL OF NEW JAPANESE FILM is a diverse selection of the most notable recent films from Japan, giving New Yorkers a first look at blockbusters and cinematic landmarks from cutting-edge independents to highly innovative animations. In its third year, JAPAN CUTS is the only large-scale annual Japanese film festival in North America that brings a sizable slice of Japan`s contemporary film scene to New York City. The program is replete with exclusive Q&As with filmmakers, special events and more. Launched in Summer 2007 to celebrate Japan Society`s centennial, the first annual JAPAN CUTS was one of the most successful single events in Japan Society`s 2007-08 centennial celebration. Noted for its "rich and varied selection of recent Japanese films” (David Kehr, The New York Times),

    Author: Ed Godziszewski Official Site: yamato2009 SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO: RESURRECTION (Uchu Senkan Yamato: Fukkatsu Hen) Executive Producers: Shoji Nishizaki, Yoshinobu Nishizaki, Toshiaki Nakazawa Director: Yoshinobu Nishizaki Original Story: Yoshinobu Nishizaki Original Concept: Shintaro Ishihara Script: Buryu Ishihara, Atsuhiro Tomioka. Yoshinobu Nishizaki Music: Naoto Otomo, Hiroshi Miyagawa Theme Song: The Alfee Cast Susumu Kodai: Koichi Yamadera Yuki Kodai: Noriko Yume Miyuki "Miho" Kodai: Ayumi Fujimura Gorui: Masatoh Ibu Shiro Sanada: Takeshi Aono Dr. Sakezou Sado: Ichiro Nagai Narrator: Michio Hazama Distribution: Toho Co., Ltd., Emotion Released: December 12, 2009 (Japan) Running Time: 131 minutes Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details for a new movie. Synopsis: 2220 A.D.: Seventeen years have passed since the space battleship Yamato was destroyed while saving Earth from the flood waters of Planet Aquarius. Earth has enjoyed a period of peace and prosperity, and

    DEATH NOTE`s Kenichi Matsuyama and Gene Simmons of KISS Star in Adapatation of Hit Manga Source: New York-Tokyo press release Official Site: go-to-dmc NY Premiere of DETROIT METAL CITY Directed by Toshio Lee Starring Kenichi Matsuyama, Gene Simmons Japan/2008/103 min./35mm film/Japanese with English Subtitles Thurs., Aug. 20 - Doors open 6:15pm - Film starts 7:00pm The ImaginAsian Theater, 239 East 59th Street (Bet. 2nd & 3rd Ave.), NYC For RSVP, newyork-tokyo.com/wp/dmc Detroit Metal City (DMC) is a manga series started in 2005 for Young Animal magazine. It soon earned a cult following for its eccentric setting, distinctive characters, radical story and funny jokes. As soon as it was released as a comic book, it quickly sold out at every bookstore, and those who couldn`t get the comic were called "DMC refugees". The rumor was spread by word of mouth as well as the blog/message board on

    Rare 35mm Showing of the Original US Version of GODZILLA VS GIGAN Source: Timothy Price, Plaza Theatre GODZILLA ON MONSTER ISLAND (aka GODZILLA VS. GIGAN) 1972, Toho, 89 min. Directed by Jun Fukuda. Starring Hiroshi Ishikawa, Tomoko Umeda and Yuriko Hishimi. Special Effects by Teruyoshi Nakano. English dubbed version. From a secret base hidden inside a life-sized Godzilla-shaped office building in a children`s amusement park, alien cockroaches (!!) launch an assault on earth using King Ghidorah and the cyborg monster Gigan. While a comic book artist and his friends attempt to foil the invaders` plans, Godzilla and Angilas battle the space monsters. Despite a remarkably low budget and lots of obviously recycled stock footage, this entry is a high- energy slug-fest that introduces one of Toho`s most colorfully imaginative monsters: the sickle-armed evildoer Gigan. It is also your only chance to hear Godzilla

    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

    U.S. Premiere Opens August 13, 2010 Source: TKO Entertainment press release Official Site: freddie.co.jp (Japanese) FREDDIE THE LEAF An all ages Japanese musical about the importance of every life, narrated by legendary Godzilla film actor Akira Takarada. Fri 8/13 at 7pm, Sat 8/14 at 2pm and 7pm, Sun 8/15 at 2pm New York, NY – Freddie Company in association with TKO Entertainment proudly presents the U.S. Premiere of the Japanese musical FREDDIE THE LEAF, written and directed by Takashi Inuishi, conceived by Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara, with music and lyrics by Shoichi Tama and starring popular Japanese film actor, Akira Takarada, and a cast of 21 Japanese teens and children. FREDDIE THE LEAF runs from August 13 – 15, 2010 in a limited engagement at John Jay College’s Gerald W. Lynch Theater, located at 899 Tenth Avenue, between 58 and 59 Streets, in NYC.

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