SciFi Japan

    The award-winning Japanese cyberpunk novel Mardock Scramble is now available in English. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2003 Tow Ubukata

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    A Murdered Girl Gets a Second Chance at Life and Revenge in Futuristic Mardock City Source: VIZ Media press release Official Site: haikasoru.com Special Thanks to Jane Lui This week, VIZ Media, LLC presents the North American debut of the Japanese sci-fi novel, Mardock Scramble. The novel, written by Tow Ubukata, has been published under the company’s Haikasoru imprint and will carry an MSRP of $17.99 U.S. / $21.00 CAN. Haikasoru is VIZ Media’s unique literary imprint with a dedicated focus on publishing some of the most compelling contemporary Japanese science fiction and fantasy for English-speaking audiences. Why me? It was to be the last thought a young prostitute, Rune-Balot, would ever have...as a human anyway. Taken in by a devious gambler named Shell, she became a slave to his cruel desires and would have been killed by his hand if not for the self-aware All-Purpose

    Cover art for Volume 2 of Cross Game. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2005 Mitsuru Adachi/ Shogakukan

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    Sample the Latest Manga and Anime Releases, New from VIZ Media Source: VIZ Media press release Special Thanks to Jane Lui VIZ Media has just announced new additions to its critically acclaimed CROSS GAME property. On the manga side, Cross Game Volume 2 (bundling Vols. 4 and 5 of the original series as released in Japan) will be published under the Shonen Sunday imprint. The latest volume releases on January 11th, is rated ‘T’ for Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $14.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN. On the anime side, to celebrate the Cross Game Vol. 2 manga release, two new episodes (episodes 39 and 40) will be available to stream – for free – beginning the week of January 10th on VIZAnime.com, the company’s premiere website for anime content. CROSS GAME is a moving drama that is heartfelt and true, yet in the brilliant

    Logo for GODZILLA: THE SERIES. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Family Entertainment. © 1998 Toho Co., Ltd./Adelaide Productions, Inc.

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    Author: Jonathan Shyman and Keith Aiken Special Thanks to Andrew Wong, Bill Bronson and Brian Weinstock Article updated with additional photos, May 2012. Editor`s Note: Back in 1998, I was a storyboard artist working for Sony Pictures Family Entertainment on GODZILLA: THE SERIES, the Saturday morning animated show spun-off from the studio`s big budget GODZILLA movie released worldwide that May. During my time on the show I saw photos and illustrations for a variety of proposed G:TS merchandise ranging from T-shirts to lunchboxes to video games. As both a lifelong Godzilla fan and a part of the creative team for the show I was intrigued by all the different products being considered for release, but what most caught my eye were images of GODZILLA: THE SERIES action figures developed by Trendmasters, the St Louis, MO-based company that had already produced extensive toy lines

    Cover for the Death Note Black Edition Volume 1. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2003 by Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata/ Shueisha Inc.

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    Larger Size Edition of the Riveting Supernatural Crime Mystery Features Added Full Color Pages Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: Deathnote.viz.com Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC has announced the release of Death Note Black Edition, an oversized version of the acclaimed supernatural crime thriller. Volume 1 hits stores on December 28th and includes the first two editions of the popular manga series as well as added full-color pages. The Death Note Black Edition will be offered under the Shonen Jump Advanced imprint, is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens, and will retail for $14.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN. Light Yagami is an ace student with great prospects— and he’s bored out of his mind. But all that changes when he finds the Death Note, a notebook dropped by rogue Shinigami death god. Any human whose name is written in

    Cover art for Volume 1 of Itsuwarabito. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © Itsuwarabito Utsuho © 2009 Yuuki Iinuma/ Shogakukan

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    Honesty is Not Always the Best Policy in New Manga Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC will release creator Yuuki Iinuma’s manga series Itsuwarabito on December 14th. The new series will be published under the company’s Shonen Sunday imprint, is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens, and will carry and MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN. Utsuho’s truthfulness as a child resulted in an enormous catastrophe, and he decided to lie from that day forward. Raised in a village of orphans by a monk, Utsuho is an unrepentant troublemaker. The monk eventually inspires him to help people, but there’s no way Utsuho’s going to lead an honest life! Instead, he’s going to use his talents for mischief and deception for good! “Creator Yuuki Iinuma uses the dichotomy of integrity and lying as the basis for

    Cover art for Volume 1 of Kamisama Kiss. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © Kamisama Hajimemashita © Julietta Suzuki 2008/ Hakusensha, Inc.

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    A Kiss On The Forehead Is A Girl’s Ticket To A New Home And An Unexpected Life As A Deity Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media) will release the shojo manga (graphic novels for female readers) romantic comedy, Kamisama Kiss, on December 7th. The new series, created by Julietta Suzuki, will be published under the company’s Shojo Beat imprint, is rated ‘T’ for Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN. Nanami Momozono is alone and homeless after her dad skips town to evade his gambling debts and the debt collectors kick her out of her apartment. So when a mysterious man she`s just saved from a dog attack offers her his home, she jumps at the opportunity. But it turns out that his place is a shrine, and

    A dynamic theme is now available for FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: BROTHERHOOD. © 2009 Hiromu Arakawa/FA Project?MBS

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    First Anime Title Theme Available Today Source: FUNimation Entertainment press releases Special Thanks to Manny Alcala FMA fans take note: a FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: BROTHERHOOD-based dynamic theme hits the North American PlayStation® Store, a service that is part of PlayStation Network, this week. Fans of the anime series can download the theme, available for PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, for $2.99. Both the theme itself and the icons will be themed with FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: BROTHERHOOD imagery. Some of the dynamic elements include the sound, change of light in the background from day to night, eye and clothing movements, as well as a look at how Al and Ed age from children to adults. Watch video of the theme on FUNimation`s Youtube page. About FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST: BROTHERHOOD Edward and Alphonse Elric’s reckless disregard for alchemy’s fundamental laws ripped half of Ed’s limbs from his body and

    Cover art for Volume 1 of Kurozakuro. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2004 Yoshinori Natsume/Shogakukan

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    Be Careful Who You Bully Because They Might Be An Ogre! Source: VIZ Media press release Special Thanks to Jane Lui VIZ Media, LLC release award-winning artist Yoshinori Natsume’s manga series Kurozakuro on November 9th. The new series, offered under the Shonen Sunday imprint, is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN. Mikito Sakurai is tired of being a punching bag for all the delinquents on campus. But what can he do? By nature he`s a gentle and easygoing high school student. That all changes the night he swallows a mysterious orb and meets Zakuro, a strange kid who promises to grant his most heartfelt desire. "When you wake up," says the pint-sized apparition, "you`ll be stronger and better than a human." “The kids who bully Mikito are in for a rude awakening when he starts displaying

    Cover art by Michael Kupperman for Jim Shepard`s new novella Gojira, King of the Monsters. Photo courtesy of Solid Objects. Godzilla © 2010 Toho Co., Ltd.

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    Source: Solid Objects press release Special Thanks to Max Winter and Brad Warner Solid Objects, a newly launched fiction, drama, poetry, and nonfiction publisher based in New York, will release the novella Gojira, King of the Monsters on November 8th. Written by Jim Shepard, the book presents a fictionalized account on the personal and professional struggles of special effects director Eiji Tsuburaya during the production of the original GODZILLA (Gojira, 1954). Jim Shepard is the author of numerous novels and short stories, including the collections Like You’d Understand, Anyway; Love and Hydrogen; and Batting Against Castro, as well as the novels Project X and Nosferatu. He has won the Story Prize and been nominated for the National Book Award. He lives in Massachusetts and teaches at Williams College. Gojira, King of the Monsters By Jim Shepard Paperback 56 pages $12 5" by 7" Cover design by

    Cover art for the Naruto Illustration Book. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2009 Masashi Kishimoto

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    Full Color Character Portraits By Creator Masashi Kishimoto Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC has announced the release of the vividly colored Naruto Illustration Book on October 26th. The new soft cover edition is offered by the Shonen Jump imprint, features nearly 100 pages of original illustrations by creator Masashi Kishimoto, and will carry an MSRP of $19.99 U.S. / $27.00 CAN. Naruto is a young shinobi (or ninja) with an incorrigible knack for mischief. He’s got a wild sense of humor, but Naruto is completely serious about his ongoing mission to be the world’s greatest ninja! The Naruto Illustration Book features a variety of character portraits depicting the young ninja in action, as well as his cohorts including Sasuke, Sakura and Kakashi. A color pull-out double-sided poster and a sticker sheet are also included.

    Cover art for Volume 1 of March Story. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2008 Hyung Min Kim, Kyung Il Yang/ Shogakukan

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    Beautiful Works of Art are Haunted in Latest Action Series from the VIZ Signature Imprint Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, will release the supernatural manga series March Story on October 19th. The latest addition to the VIZ Signature imprint, by Hyung Min Kim with artwork by Kyung Il Yang, is rated ‘M’ for Mature readers and will carry an MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $16.99 CAN. Among the quiet villages and towns of 18th century Europe, demons known as the Ill hide within the most beautiful works of art and are sparked to life by the torment of their creators. Attracted by their jewel-like allure, unwary viewers can find themselves possessed by the Ill and will be driven

    Godzilla cover art by Eric Powell. © 2010 IDW Publishing/ Toho Co., Ltd.

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    The King of the Monsters Returns to Comics... and This Time, He`s Not Alone Source: IDW Publishing press release Special Thanks to Lyle Huckins The biggest star in motion pictures prepares to wreak havoc once again! IDW Publishing is thrilled to announce a partnership with Toho Co., Ltd. to create all-new Godzilla comics. Starting in 2011, Godzilla will smash his way back onto the scene with a cast of characters from his films never before seen in comics. "This new series will be monsters and mayhem, but most importantly, it`s going to be a lot of fun," said Yukio Kotaki of Toho. "Godzilla has been gone from comics for too long and we feel that IDW is the perfect company to welcome him back in 2011." In addition to the King of the Monsters himself, the new comics from IDW Publishing and Toho Co., Ltd. will

    Toho`s flying monster Rodan is just one of many great new figures coming to Kaiyodo`s popular Sci-Fi Revoltech Series of fully articulated toys. Photo courtesy of Anime Jungle. © 1956 Toho Co., Ltd. © 2010 Kaiyodo Co., Ltd.

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    Highly Detailed, Fully Poseable Figures Go on Sale in December Source: Anime Jungle Official Site: kaiyodo.co.jp/revoltech Special Thanks to Tetsu Shiota Kaiyodo Company`s Sci-Fi Revoltech Series of super-articulated figures of popular science fiction, horror, and fantasy characters continues in December with the Alien Queen from James Cameron`s classic ALIENS (1986) and one of Toho`s "Big Five" daikaiju stars; Rodan the flying monster. The Alien Queen while be the largest figure released in the line to date and will retail for slightly more than the other toys. Sci-Fi Revoltech figures can be ordered from online retailers, including SciFi Japan sponsor Anime Jungle in Los Angeles. Tell them we sent you! SERIES NO. 018: ALIEN QUEEN From ALIENS (1986) Due December 1st, 2010 Price: ¥3,300 Sculpted by Yuki Watanabe Total Height: 320 mm (Approx. 12.5 inches) Movable Parts: 32 Movable Joints: 25 Bonus Parts: -

    Cover art for NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Box Set 4. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2002 Masashi Kishimoto /2007 Shippuden

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    New Manga and Anime, Special Contests, and Events Scheduled for this Month Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen It’s Naruto’s birthday October 10th, and VIZ Media invites fans to help celebrate the birth of the world’s most popular ninja with the release of the latest volume of the Naruto manga series, the next NARUTO SHIPPUDEN box set, special coverage in Shonen Jump magazine, and a series of fun events planned around the 2010 New York Comic Con and Anime Festival. Naruto Volume 49, the latest manga installment, hits retailers on October 5th (rated ‘T’ for Teens, MSRP $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN). In this volume, The Gokage Summit commences, and the five leaders of the strongest villages in the ninja world meet to discuss the fate of their universe and how to deal with the ever-looming threat of

    Ieyasu Tokugawa fights to unify Japan in Capcom`s new game SENGOKU BASARA SAMURAI HEROES. Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 2010 Capcom Co., Ltd.,

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    Source: The Associates press release Official Site: samuraiheroes.com Special Thanks to Farhana Shaikh The next evolution from the producer of DEVIL MAY CRY 4, Hiroyuki Kobayashi’s BASARA series is coming to PLAYSTATION 3 and Wii with SENGOKU BASARA SAMURAI HEROES. Set during a tumultuous period of Japanese history, SENGOKU BASARA SAMURAI HEROES follows players as they fight their way to the dramatic battle of Sekigahara. Players will take up the swords and spears of more than a dozen fierce samurai warriors in huge battles against hundreds of opponents in many exciting stages that lead up to the main event. Featuring unique playable characters, as well as supporting generals who will make it easier to command and lead armies, players will see the battle from the perspective of each military commander with the ultimate goal of re-writing history to rule all of 16th century

    Cover for White Rabbit Press` Akihabra audio tour. © 2010 White Rabbit Press

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    New Audio CD Acts as Your Guide to Akihabara Source: White Rabbit Press press release Official Website: www.TokyoRealtime.com White Rabbit Press is proud to release the world’s first professionally produced audio guided walking tour for Tokyo’s Akihabara district. With TOKYO REALTIME: Akihabara, visitors and residents alike can experience a unique behind-the-scenes tour of Tokyo’s ‘Electric Town’, a subculture hotspot for anime, games, manga, maids and more. Assisted by his sentient GPS ‘Navi’, Akihabara expert Patrick W. Galbraith, author of The Otaku Encyclopedia, guides visitors through all the must-see places. Patrick provides historical background and cultural insight along the way, as well as breaking down insider jargon such as otagei, moé and itasha. The release of TOKYO REALTIME: Akihabara marks the second volume in the highly-acclaimed Tokyo Realtime audio tour series. Interweaving narration and interviews within a soundscape of location ambience and music, Tokyo Realtime audio travel

    Haruo Nakajima sucker punches Gaira (the monster he played in WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS) during the publishing party for his autobiography Kaiju Jinsei. Photo courtesy of Daisuke Ishizuka.

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    Godzilla Suit Actor Celebrates Launch of New Book Author: Daisuke Ishizuka Source: Yosensha Co., Ltd. A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Today a publishing party was held for the autobiography Kaiju Jinsei (Kaiju Life) by Mr. Haruo Nakajima. Mr. Haruo Nakajima is a pioneer of monster suit acting who is well known as the suit actor who played Godzilla and various Toho monsters. He has often been invited to conventions in America; Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, etc. and he is familiar with Tokusatsu fans in the U.S. I attended the G-Fest convention in Hollywood in 2000 and it was my first time to see him. I had chance to hear about his career at that time. In 2010, we now have a chance to know about him more deeply because his autobiography was published in July by Yosensha Co., Ltd. In Kaiju Jinsei,

    More than 100,000 fans flocked to last month`s Anime Expo in Los Angeles.

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    Photos from America`s Largest Anime and Manga Convention Authors: Chris Taylor and Daisy Evans, Not Interested Entertainment Official Site: anime-expo.org Anime Expo was held again this year at the Los Angeles Convention Center in downtown Los Angeles, California. The event was, as always, attended by many thousands of fans from across the country (more than 100,000 people attended according to official statements from the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation). Many of these fans were wearing everything from simple to stunningly elaborate costume creations from a wide range of sources including anime, manga, Japanese culture (such as many Morning Musume and various visual kei bands), as well as those dressed in the style of Elegant Gothic Lolita (EGL). Anime Expo featured a huge vendor room with hundreds of vendors selling a wide range of wares, including clothing, accessories, posters, figures, manga and

    Disney/Pixar and Toho characters are the focus of the next two waves of figures in Kayodo`s Sci-Fi Revoltech line. Mogera and Mothra © Toho Co., Ltd. Buzz Lightyear and Woody © Disney/Pixar. © 2010 Kaiyodo Co., Ltd.

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    The Latest Series Brings Two more Characters from Toho’s Tokusatsu Universe Plus an Exclusive Author: John “Dutch” DeSentis Official Site: kaiyodo.co.jp/revoltech The Kaiyodo Company`s Sci-Fi Revoltech series continues to bring great, super-articulated figures of popular science fiction characters to the hands of collectors. Thus far, the only Toho character represented has been the monster Baragon from Wave 2. Thankfully, that will change on September 1st, as a figure based on Mothra (1961 style) will join Mogera (1957 style). The previous month sees Buzz Lightyear and Woody from the Disney/Pixar TOY STORY movies. Reportedly the Tyrannosaurus Rex from JURASSIC PARK, Jason Vorhees from the FRIDAY THE 13TH series, and a Type-1966 Maser Tank from WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS will follow in the next few months. Paperwork included with the Gamera and Gyaos Revoltech figures listed Mothra as being series number 010, Woody and Buzz as 011 and 012

    Cover for the award-winning novel Harmony by the late Project Itoh. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media. © 2008 Project Itoh. Originally published in Japan by Hayakawa Publishing, Inc.

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    The Best In Critically Acclaimed Japanese Science Fiction And Fantasy Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: haikasoru.com Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC will deliver out-of-this-world summer science fiction and fantasy reading with the release of three new novels under its Haikasoru imprint this summer – Harmony by Project Itoh, Rocket Girls by Housuke Nojiri and Summer, Fireworks, and My Corpse by Otsuichi. Haikasoru is a unique imprint with a dedicated focus on publishing some of the most compelling contemporary Japanese science fiction and fantasy for English-speaking audiences. For more information on Haikasoru, please visit the dedicated website haikasoru.com. Harmony by Project Itoh Price: $14.99 U.S. / CAN $19.99 · Available July 20th In the distant future, Utopia has finally been achieved thanks to medical nanotechnology and a powerful ethic of social welfare and mutual consideration. But this perfect

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