SciFi Japan

    Anime Network video can now been seen on iPhone and iPod Touch. Photo courtesy of Rhythm NewMedia. © 2008 Rhythm NewMedia

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    Anime Clips Available with Free vSNAX Videos App Source: Rhythm NewMedia, ADV Films Special Thanks to Lisa Friedrichs The best shows from Anime Network, America’s #1 Anime Channel, are now available on the Anime channel of vSNAX Videos, a free app for the Apple iPhone and iPod touch. vSNAX is the destination for video on the iPhone, aggregating and refreshing short video clips from over 25 premium media partners every day. Anime Network titles, including AZUMANGA DAIOH, SAIYUKI and MYTHICAL DETECTIVE LOKI, are now accessible on the iPhone with updates throughout the day so that Anime fans will always have their favorite shows with them. The shows are available as short three to five minute clips, which are perfect for the mobile environment as a snack sized bite of entertainment on the go. Anime fans can download the FREE vSNAX Videos app at phobos.apple.com. “We chose

    The Terrasaur Armodax battles the giant warrior Zor-Raiden in promotional art for MONSTERPOCALYPSE. © 2008 Privateer Press, Inc.

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    Collectible Miniatures Game Starter Sets Sell Out; European Release Announced Source: Privateer Press press releases Official Site: Monsterpocalypse.com Privateer Press has made a pair of major announcements concerning their new collectible miniatures game MONSTERPOCALYPSE. First up comes word that starter sets for MONSTERPOCALYPSE Series 1: Rise (PIP 50001) have sold out at the manufacturer level prior to the product’s upcoming launch date of October 10th, 2008. “We have seen such an overwhelming demand,” said Sherry Yeary, President of Privateer Press. “That we already have a re-stock of starter sets ordered and due to arrive in November.” Currently, Privateer Press still has Series 1: Rise Monster boosters and Unit boosters in stock to accommodate the ever-increasing demand for the game. In addition, starter sets will be readily available at the distribution and retail level to support the launch since the majority of initial distributor

    Cover art for the MONSTERPOCALYPSE: Rise Strategy Guide. Photos courtesy of Privateer Press. © 2008 Privateer Press, Inc.

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    Source: Privateer Press press release Official Site: Monsterpocalypse.com Special Thanks to Bobby Stickel Privateer Press has announced additional products for its new collectible miniatures game, MONSTERPOCALYPSE. These products include the MONSTERPOCALYPSE Series 1: Rise Strategy Guide, two varieties of Accessory Packs and the MONSTERPOCALYPSE: Rise Map Pack. The MONSTERPOCALYPSE Series 1: Rise Strategy Guide (PIP 50008) contains 64 full-color pages of tips, tactics, spoilers, and commentary on every figure, faction, map, and format. Also included is an EXCLUSIVE double-sided battle map. MSRP for the Strategy Guide is $14.99 and will be available in October. “We’ve created more than just a resource for players and tournament organizers,” said Erik Yaple, Lead Game Developer for MONSTERPOCALYPSE. “The Strategy Guide compiles all the tricks and inside knowledge straight from the designers behind the game. A lot of the ‘nasty stuff’ that came out of our R&D and play test sessions

    Cover art for Black Lagoon Volume 1. Photo courtesy of VIZ Media and MediaLab. © 2002 by Rei Hiroe

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    Both Titles Now on Sale Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press release Special Thanks to Evelyn Dubocq and Erik Jansen VIZ Media has announced the North American debut of the manga series Black Lagoon, as well as the DVD debut of BLUE DRAGON, a new animated series based on the popular Microsoft Xbox 360 Role Playing Game. The Black Lagoon manga by Rei Hiroe follows a misfit group of mercenaries and their adventures on the high seas of Southeast Asia. Black Lagoon is available now from the VIZ Media imprint and is rated “M” for Mature audiences. It carries an MSRP of $12.99 U.S./$15.00 CAN. Readers will lock ‘n’ load with Dutch the Boss, Benny the Mechanic, Revy Two Hand, and Rock as they seek adventure and fortune aboard their World War II-era torpedo boat, the Black Lagoon. In the treacherous underworld of the Russian Mafia, Chinese

    These limited edition Mega Form figures of Defender X, Cthugrosh, and Gorghadra will be sent to retailers who have ordered the MONSTERPOCALYPSE Launch Event Kit. Photos courtesy of Privateer Press. © 2008 Privateer Press, Inc.

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    Giant Monsters Attack in new Collectible Miniatures Game Source: Privateer Press press release Official Site: Monsterpocalypse.com Special Thanks to Bobby Stickel Privateer Press has announced that MONSTERPOCALYPSE, their new collectible miniatures game, has an official street date of October 10th, 2008. The long-awaited, action packed strategy game has already riveted the attention of the hobby game industry, making a big impression at the GAMA Trade show, International Comic Con in San Diego, Gen Con in Indianapolis and PAX in Seattle. “The attention that this game has received so far has been huge,” stated Matt Wilson, Creative Director for Privateer Press. “We already have a huge audience burning to get their hands on MONSTERPOCALYPSE.” More good news followed as Privateer Press also recently announced that MONSTERPOCALYPSE will be fully supported by free Organized Play at the launch of the game on October 10th. Retailers

    Writers... or mysterious Japanese yokai? Yokai Attack! authors Matt Alt and Hiroko Yoda. Photo courtesy of Matt Alt.

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    Author: Dan Ross Special thanks to Gregory Starr, Kodansha International Ltd. A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE A new book has arrived in the English speaking world on the Japanese phenomena known as "yokai". These are the goblins that haunt the night in modern cities and reside in classic folktales. They are as old as Japanese mythology itself and as new as the latest urban legends. Yokai Attack!: The Japanese Monster Survival Guide takes a look at a selection of the mythical beasties and brings them to the Western world. Matt Alt and Hiroko Yoda are co-writers and creators of this field guide and they will take us behind the scenes on the creation of this book. SciFi Japan: Matt, you`ve been working in Japan for a while now and in 2003 co-founded AltJapan Co., Ltd., a translation and localization service for entertainment production in video games,

    Cover art for the new book Yokai Attack!: The Japanese Monster Survival Guide. Photo courtesy of Kodansha International. © 2008 Kodansha International Ltd.

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    Source: Kodansha International Ltd. Special Thanks to Matt Alt and Gregory Starr The legends of Japan are replete with tales of the strange creatures known as yokai. Not quite apparitions, monsters, or ghosts, the yokai are mystical beings that secretly live in the world of men. Mostly unseen, they come in a variety of bizarre forms— some hideous, some cute— and have incredible supernatural powers. They tend to be mischievous and playful, but they are sometimes dangerous towards humans because the yokai are not restrained by the laws of nature. Most avoid people and simply haunt the province where they were “born”, but others enjoy the company of men and travel all over Japan. Following their prominent place in Japanese folklore, the yokai have been the subject of numerous films over the years. Notable examples include the classic trilogy produced by Daiei Motion Picture Company in

    Scarecrow Press has published the complete reference guide to Toho films by Stuart Galbraith IV. © 2008 Stuart Galbraith IV

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    Author Stuart Galbraith IV Details Every Toho Film from 1933-2007 Source: Scarecrow Press, Inc. Official Site: The Toho Studios Story Author`s Blog: Stuart Galbraith IV Since its inception in 1933, Toho Co., Ltd., Japan`s most famous movie production company and distributor, has produced and/or distributed some of the most notable films ever to come out of Asia, including SEVEN SAMURAI, GODZILLA, WHEN A WOMAN ASCENDS THE STAIRS, KWAIDAN, WOMAN IN THE DUNES, RAN, SHALL WE DANCE?, RINGU, and SPIRITED AWAY. While the western world often defines Toho by its iconic classics, which include the Godzilla franchise and many of the greatest films of the legendary director Akira Kurosawa and actor Toshiro Mifune, these pictures represent but a tiny fraction of Toho`s rich history. The Toho Studios Story: A History and Complete Filmography provides a complete picture of every Toho feature the Japanese studio produced and released—as

    First look at Bandai`s new Radio Controlled Chogokin Mechagodzilla 1974. This is the prototype model; final design subject to change. Photos courtesy of Dream Planet Japan, Inc. © 1974 Toho Co., Ltd./© 2008 Bandai Co., Ltd.

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    Author: Daisuke Ishizuka Source: Dream Planet Japan, Inc. Special Thanks to Koichi Kawakita A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Among the most popular toys in Japan are the Chogokin (super metal) line; die-cast metal figures of robot, anime, and movie characters. In 2003, Bandai made the Chogokin Mechagodzilla 1974 (based on the design from GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA), which was followed in 2006 by the Chogokin Mechagodzilla 1975 (from TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA). Both had big success in quality and sales. Now, a high-specification model Mechagodzilla is coming from Bandai... the Radio Controlled-type Mechagodzilla (1974 model). Specifications: Approx. 50cm (20 inches) tall Rotating head (action for making energy shield) Mouth opens/closes Arms move up/down Hands rotate at the wrists Flashing lights in eyes, mouth and fingertips Chest opens and flashes light (but it cannot shoot the cross-attack beam lasers) Installed sound effects for each action

    The GATCHAMAN OVA is now available as streaming media. © 1997 Tatsunoko Productions

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    Fireworks International Brings Classic Tatsunoko Productions Anime to Global Online Media Distribution Giant Source: BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions Press Release From the press release... GATCHAMAN, the 90`s Original Video Animation, will officially stream from July 2008 on the online airwaves of media distribution platform, Crunchyroll to audiences in both the U.S. and Canada, after a licensing deal with Fireworks International, a ContentFilm company, for this classic Harmony Gold mini-series. More information can be found at www.crunchyroll.com. “We are excited and proud to work with Fireworks International and Harmony Gold on this project. Not only do we bring all three (3) episodes of this legendary anime to the public, but we will also be providing an additional gift of free virtual ‘badges’ for people who purchase the download” states Kun Gao, CEO and President of Crunchyroll. Gao continues with “we are very pleased to bring another

    Character pieces from the new MONSTERPOCALYPSE Collectible Miniatures Game. © 2008 Privateer Press, Inc.

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    Source: Privateer Press Official Site: Monsterpocalypse.com The MONSTERPOCALYPSE is upon us! Join Privateer Press and celebrate the world premiere of the MONSTERPOCALYPSE Collectible Miniatures Game. A limited amount of sneak preview starters and boosters will go on sale for the first time ever on Thursday, August 14th. The sneak preview contains a sampling of the figures in Series 1: Rise. The figures are not limited edition and are identical in all respects to the figures in Rise due out October 2008. Be among the very first to play MONSTERPOCALYPSE in its debut event at Gen Con Indy! Purchase your product at the Privateer Press booth 1201, grab a ticket to play, bring a desire to level cities, and join us in rooms 105/106 for this participation event! This is not a sealed box event, so boosters are allowed and encouraged. You can participate

    Rodan and Mothra are the latest additions to the “Godzilla Destroy All Monsters Battlezone Collectible Series”. Licensor Toho has just okayed the sculpt for the figurine, with approval pending for the painted version. Photo courtesy of Far East Monsters. © 1968 Toho Co., Ltd./© 2008 Far East Monsters Ltd.

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    Source: Bill Kerner and Tom Tvrdik Official Site: Far East Monsters Ltd. The Cleveland, Ohio-based company Far East Monsters Ltd. has sent an early look at the latest additions to their “Godzilla Destroy All Monsters Battlezone Collectible Series” line. First up is the Wizard World Chicago Exclusive Godzilla Battlezone Figurine. Limited to only 50 pieces, the figurine will only be available at Booth #834 at the Wizard World Chicago convention, running June 26-29 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont, IL 60018. The exclusive version has the same features as the standard Godzilla Battlezone Figurine but comes with a rock that can be placed in Godzilla`s hand or on the figure`s base. The figure also has working lights and sound, batteries included. Each figurine is hand painted, signed and numbered by artists Tom Tvrdik

    Godzilla 1954, Godzilla 1962, and a closer look at the Buring Godzilla 1995 from the new Godzilla: Yuji Sakai`s Concept Works 'Ka-Ma-E' set. © 1954-2008 Toho Co., Ltd./2008 Bandai Co., Ltd.

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    Source: Anime Jungle This past February, Bandai released Godzilla: Yuji Sakai`s Concept Works "Ka-Ma-E", a collection of Godzilla figures sculpted by the popular Yuji Sakai (Godzilla Complete Works). The series has four separate pieces (plus variant color versions), each depicting a fan favorite Godzilla design. Each figure stands approximately 88mm (3.5 inches) tall and comes with a base featuring the logo for the film depicted... 1. Godzilla 1954 from GODZILLA 2. Godzilla 1962 from KING KONG VS GODZILLA 3. Godzilla 1964 from MOTHRA VS GODZILLA/GODZILLA VS THE THING 4. Burning Godzilla 1995 from GODZILLA VS DESTOROYAH The standard four piece set is now in stock and can be ordered from Anime Jungle in Los Angeles, CA. Tell them SciFi Japan sent you!

    Sample photos from the new Collectible Miniatures Game MONSTERPOCALYPSE. © 2008 Privateer Press, Inc.

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    Site Launched for New Kaiju-Themed Collectible Miniatures Game and Comic Book Series Source: Privateer Press Official Site: Monsterpocalypse.com Introduction: Kevin de`Antonio The year is 19XX, you are young again, and you and another kid that you used to call your “best friend” are in a titanic struggle for supremacy! An Aurora Godzilla model on one side, and an Aurora King Kong (or any one of your other Aurora Monster kits) on the other side, utilizing any number of toy tanks, jet planes, Hot Wheels cars, and LEGO structures to be demolished along the way. If you were like me, then the scenario above may bring back some cool childhood memories and probably some slightly disappointing ones as well, like the fact that we didn’t have any Giant Monster games or toys to play with back then. Some of us may have been lucky

    The KOC Godzilla 2000 model kit, built by Sean Kotz ©2000 Toho Co., Ltd

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    Mean, Green, Stompin` Machine! Author: CreatureScape If you are a novice at model building or need to look up any of the terms used in this article, you can click on this link to access CreatureScape`s Model Builders Dictionary Through most of Godzilla`s lengthy history, he was gray . . . not green . . . though few people (especially toy makers) realized that. However, in late 1999, Toho finally gave people a mean, green stompin` machine in GODZILLA MILLENNIUM, a.k.a. GODZILLA 2000. They also amped up the costume in general, giving big G a more draconian face, larger more jagged fins, and some impressive red radiation breath. All in all, this is the most menacing G-suit ever and the kit we are about to build, the huge 1:144 scale G2000 vinyl kit from KOC (Kingdom of Curiosity) is the first model of that suit ever made.

    Godzilla battles Far East Monsters` latest addition to their Battlezone set, King Ghidorah! © 1968 Toho Co., Ltd./© 2007 Far East Monsters Ltd.

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    Far East Monsters Releases Massive 12" King Ghidorah! Author: Thomas Tvrdik Source: Far East Monsters King Ghidorah, is the second offering in Far East Monsters Ltd`s Destroy All Monsters Battlezone Collectible Series. He stands over a foot tall! Great attention is paid to every detail. Each scale was placed on individually, to make it as realistic as possible. The paint job is supreme. Comes with two light up mouths, one expelling it`s gravity beam. Includes awesome sound sequence of King Ghidorah`s signature roar, beam blasts and explosions, to "sound off" against Collectible 1 Godzilla`s sound and light sequence. Together, they form the beginning of the greatest monster battle ever! This highly detailed, kaiju beauty is very limited edition (only 1500 pcs.) at a great price, so get your orders in fast. Far East Monsters will begin pre-orders next week on their website and expect to have a

    Tom Tvrdik sits on his deck, at home with his work. © Toho Co., Ltd.

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    Interview with Godzilla sculptor Thomas Tvrdik Author: Bob Johnson Source: Far East Monsters, American Greetings Many Godzilla fans, well to be honest, just about all Godzilla fans rabidly collect Godzilla figures, toys and merchandise. A few move on to the next step and get involved in selling or dealing. An even smaller percentage get into the actual creation of the products. Thomas Tvrdik is one of the lucky few in this country that has a hand in the design, creation and eventual marketing of Godzilla goods! Working for American Greetings and then co-creating Far East Monsters, Thomas has been responsible for not only the Godzilla ornaments coming out each year, but also the DESTROY ALL MONSTERS diorama that is being sold piece by piece, allowing fans to recreate the epic battle atop Mt. Fuji in the safety of their own homes. We recently caught up with

    An early look at the cover for Teruyoshi Nakano, The Tokugi Director, the new book focusing on the Toho fx director. Photo courtesy of Daisuke Ishizuka. © 2007 Wides Shuppan

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    Author: Daisuke Ishizuka Official Site: Wides Shuppan Mr. Teruyoshi Nakano is well known as the Tokusatsu (SPFX) director for Toho movies from the 1970s and 80s; his credits include SUBMERSION OF JAPAN, PROPHECIES OF NOSTRADAMUS (a.k.a. CATASTROPHE- 1999 and LAST DAYS OF PLANET EARTH), ESPY, THE WAR IN SPACE, and THE RETURN OF GODZILLA (a.k.a. GODZILLA 1985). Mr. Nakano was first employed by Toho in 1959 and his career started as an assistant director of live-action scenes rather than Tokusatsu. He worked under director Jun Fukuda on THE SECRET OF THE TELEGIAN, with Ishiro Honda on MOTHRA, and Shue Matsubayashi for THE LAST WAR. In 1961, he moved over to Team Tsuburaya and worked on all of Toho Tokusatsu movies under Mr. Eiji Tsuburaya. His first movie as Tokusatsu director was the Crazy Cats film THE CRAZY’S BIG EXPLOSION in 1969. In 1973,

    The new collectibles line launches with the sound and light “Godzilla Battlezone Figure” from DESTROY ALL MONSTERS. Photos courtesy of Far East Monsters. © 1968 Toho Co., Ltd./© 2007 Far East Monsters Ltd.

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    Author: Keith Aiken Source: Bill Kerner and Tom Tvrdik Official Site: Far East Monsters Ltd. This summer, fans and collectors can look forward to a brand-new wave of Godzilla products. The Cleveland, Ohio-based company Far East Monsters Ltd. has signed an agreement with Toho to produce a line of officially licensed collectibles starring the King of the Monsters and his many kaiju co-stars. Godzilla fans and artists Tom Tvrdik and Bill Kerner are kicking off with the “Godzilla Battlezone Figure”, the first piece of the “Godzilla Destroy All Monsters Battlezone”. The Battlezone will be a limited edition series re-creating the climactic battle from the 1968 classic DESTROY ALL MONSTERS. Far East Monsters is promising museum quality reproductions at affordable prices, all with different and unique extras. Each piece will come with features such as sound, lights and poseable parts. The bases for each figure fit together to

    Godzilla 2000 battles Kiryu in the new video game GODZILLA: UNLEASHED. Photo courtesy of Atari, Inc. © 2007 Atari, Inc./© 2007 Toho Co., Ltd.

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    Atari Unveils it’s New Godzilla Game at New York Comic Con 2007 Author: John “Dutch” DeSentis Source: Atari, Inc. Special Thanks to Jeremiah Cohn and Alissa Bell of Atari, Greg Cordaro, Kevin Frederick A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE This past weekend at New York Comic Con, Godzilla fans jam packed the Classic Media booth for chances to win great raffle prizes, find out the skinny on the new Godzilla DVDs and– most of all– be witness to an early demonstration that Atari was so kind to put together for their upcoming game for Nintendo Wii, GODZILLA: UNLEASHED. The demonstrations were held throughout all three days that the show was going on. At the helm of the demonstrations was Atari representative Jeremiah Cohn. He greeted fans enthusiastically and answered any and all questions that were thrown at him and there were plenty as the

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