SciFi Japan

    The student filmmakers of the kaiju short film MIDNIGHT THE ERA have started a crowdfunding campaign. Photo courtesy of Studio Mujaku. ©Studio Mujaku

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    The student filmmakers of the kaiju short film MIDNIGHT THE ERA have started a crowdfunding campaign. Photo courtesy of Studio Mujaku. ©Studio Mujaku Professional voice-over recording for independent animation! Film production combining animation and special effects! Source: Studio MujakuSpecial Thanks to Avery Guerra Last December, SciFi Japan ran an exclusive preview of MIDNIGHT THE ERA, an independent kaiju short film that was being created through a combination of  animation and traditional Japanese tokusatsu FX techniques. One notable aspect of MIDNIGHT THE ERA is that it is being produced by Studio Mujaku, a group of 30 university students who have split their time between their school duties and making this movie.  Led by director Hanasuke Okada and producer Kakeru Taiga, the team is striving for "the highest level of perfection" and have decided they need to hire professional voice actors and sound engineers to do the dubbing

    Photo courtesy of Netflix. © Eiichiro Oda © 2023 Netflix, Inc.

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    Photo courtesy of Netflix. © Eiichiro Oda © 2023 Netflix, Inc. Source: Netflix Official Site: https://www.netflix.com/title/80217863 Netflix has released additional photos from their live action adapatation of ONE PIECE. The 8-episode series premieres worldwide August 31, 2023 at 12:00 am PDT. For more on netflix's ONE PIECE please see the earlier coverage here on SciFi Japan.   Taz Skylar as Sanji, Mackenyu Arata as Roronoa Zoro, Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero Gibson as Usopp. Photo courtesy of Netflix. © Eiichiro Oda © 2023 Netflix, Inc. Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy. Photo courtesy of Netflix. © Eiichiro Oda © 2023 Netflix, Inc. (L to R) Vincent Regan as Vice-Admiral Garp, Morgan Davies as Koby, Aidan Scott as Helmeppo. Photo courtesy of Netflix. © Eiichiro Oda © 2023 Netflix, Inc.

    The Kagoshima Passenger Ship Association is now running a tourism campaign with the Ultraman series. Photo courtesy of Kagoshima Passenger Ship Association. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS

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    The Kagoshima Passenger Ship Association is now running a tourism campaign with the Ultraman series. Photo courtesy of Kagoshima Passenger Ship Association. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS   Source: Kagoshima Passenger Ship Association press release Official Site: https://ultra-daikokai.com/ Beginning this Tuesday, August 8th, the Kagoshima Passenger Ship Association will run "Go! Go! Ultra Great Voyage"(ゴー!ゴー!ウルトラ大航海, Gō ! Gō ! Urutora Dai Kōkai), an Ultraman-themed event for parents and children taking the sight-seeing ferry around the Amami Islands southwest of Kyushu. The campaign runs through November 7th and includes Ultra Hero special cabins and a stamp rally to win limited edition Ultraman collectibles. The Kagoshima Passenger Boat Association released a statement: "We hope that many people will take a boat trip to the Amami Islands, including the World Natural Heritage sites of Amami Oshima and Tokunoshima. We hope that the tie-in campaign with the Ultraman series will provide an

    Photo courtesy of Toei. ⓒ2023 Revolver Lily Movie Production Committee

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    Photo courtesy of Toei. ⓒ2023 Revolver Lily Movie Production Committee Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: https://revolver-lily.com/ (Japan) Photo courtesy of Toei. ⓒ2023 Revolver Lily Movie Production Committee Toei has provided information and photos for their upcoming action film, REVOLVER LILY (リボルバー・リリー,  Riborubā Rirī). Based on the novel of the same name by Kyo Nagaura, the film is directed by award-winning filmmaker Isao Yukisada (PARADE, RIVER'S EDGE) and stars Haruka Ayase (CYBORG SHE, ICHI, CAUTION HAZARDOUS WIFE: THE MOVIE). REVOLVER LILY opens in Japanese cinemas on August 11, 2023.  STORY 1924, Yuri, a former competent spy who murdered 57 people in the past is working as a madam of a small brothel. There she encounters a boy who holds a key to find missing cash of the Imperial Japanese Army. Now, 1000 soldiers are after them; can they possibly survive six days of

    Photos courtesy of Cospa Co., Ltd. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

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    Photos courtesy of Cospa Co., Ltd. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.  T-Shirts and Tote Bags Featuring "Fictional Weapons," "Godzillas of the Past" and More! Source: Cospa Co., Ltd. press release Cospa Corporation, a Japanese company that designs and manufactures official character costumes and apparel goods, has announced a new wave of T-shirts and tote bags from the Godzilla series. The designs include familiar "fictional weapons" from the franchise, "Godzillas of the past," and "Infant Island," the legendary home of Mothra. These items will first be available from Toho's official Godzilla Store in mid-September 2023. Other hobby stores across Japan will begin stocking them in mid-October 2023, though some retailers-- including Cospa mail order -- are already accepting pre-orders.  View Cospa's full line of Godzilla goods and collectibles at https://cospa.co.jp/itemlist/id/01542/mode/series.   Photo courtesy of Cospa Co., Ltd. TM & © TOHO CO.,

    Photo courtesy of Diamond Select Toys. © LEGENDARY PICTURES

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    Photo courtesy of Diamond Select Toys. © LEGENDARY PICTURES Source: Diamond Select Toys press release Special Thanks to Zach Oat Comic-Con is over, and the reveals from Diamond Select Toys and Gentle Giant LTD set the world reeling! With new action figures, statues, busts and Minimates from such lines as Marvel, Star Wars, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, AEW, Avatar The Last Airbender, G.I. Joe, Pacific Rim and Lord of the Rings, it was the best of all worlds! Now you can pre-order these great reveals through your local comic shop or online. Read Diamond Select's report for details on the complete line-up of pre-orders, then find a store at comicshoplocator.com or order at diamondselecttoys.com and gentlegiantltd.com! PACIFIC RIM: UPRISING Special Ops DLX Action Figures Series 2 Asst. A Diamond Select Toys release! Time to get back to work! While still on the lookout

    Photo courtesy of Film Movement.

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    Photo courtesy of Film Movement. Source: Film Movement, Foundry Communications press release Special Thanks to Michael Krause Photo courtesy of Film Movement. Film Movement is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a DVD of Park Kang's Terrifying SEIRE (세이레, 2021). Heralding the arrival of a fresh new voice in Korean genre cinema, SEIRE was an Official Selection in the Fantasia New Flesh Competition, was nominated for Best Film and captured the New Currents FIPRESCI Prize at the Busan International Film Festival, and also received a nomination for a Golden Eye Best International Feature at the 2022 Zurich Film Festival. In Korean folk traditions, "seire" is the twenty-one days after a baby is born in which they're uniquely vulnerable to bad luck, curses - even evil spirits. Many superstitions surround these first three weeks in a baby's life, and new mother Hae-mi carefully follows

    The Meitetsu Department Store hosts a festival featuring the Zanenai Ikimono books and Chibi Godzilla. Photo courtesy of Meitetsu Department Store. Zanenai Ikimono TM Takahashi Shoten Co. Chibi Godzilla TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

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    The Meitetsu Department Store hosts a festival featuring the Zanenai Ikimono books and Chibi Godzilla. Photo courtesy of Meitetsu Department Store. Zanenai Ikimono TM Takahashi Shoten Co. Chibi Godzilla TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. Source; Meitetsu Department Store Co., Ltd. press release Official Site: https://www.e-meitetsu.com/mds/event/2023summerfes/ Through August 29th, the Meitetsu Department Store in Nagoya is hosting the "Meitetsu Summer Fest" (めいてつ夏フェス, Meitetsu Natsu Fesu), a summer vacation that has sold more than 5 million copies.event for children and parents alike. The main theme of the festival is based on Zannen na Ikimono Jiten (ざんねんないきもの事典, "Encyclopedia of All Things Zanena"), a popular children's book series published by Takahashi Shoten that has sold more than 5 million copies. The books offer humorous descriptions of animals and dispell common misconcenceptions about them, so the 7th floor of the Meitetsu Department Store has an exhibit featuring live animals from the

    Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. © 2023 WARNER BROS. ENT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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    Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. © 2023 WARNER BROS. ENT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Source: Warner Bros. PicturesOfficial Site: https://www.themeg.movie/ SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and photos from a new movie.   Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. © 2023 WARNER BROS. ENT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Get ready for the ultimate adrenaline rush this summer in “Meg 2: The Trench,” a literally larger-than-life thrill ride that supersizes the 2018 blockbuster and takes the action to higher heights and even greater depths with multiple massive Megs and so much more! Dive into uncharted waters with Jason Statham and global action icon Wu Jing as they lead a daring research team on an exploratory dive into the deepest depths of the ocean. Their voyage spirals into chaos when a malevolent mining operation threatens their mission and forces them into a high-stakes battle for survival. Pitted

    Graniph has partnered with the Ultraman Series for new clothing and collectibles. Photo courtesy of Graniph Co., Ltd. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS

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    Graniph has partnered with the Ultraman Series for new clothing and collectibles. Photo courtesy of Graniph Co., Ltd. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS   Source: Graniph Co., Ltd. press release Graniph Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, President: Akihiko Murata) will launch a collaboration with Tsuburaya Productions' Ultraman Series starting Tuesday, August 15, 2023. A total of 29 items including T-shirts, blousons, socks, hats, and kids' items featuring a wide range of Ultra Heroes and monsters will be available from Graniph's official online store and their retail locations across Japan. Pre-orders have begun on the official site and will run until 11:59 pm on August 14. Some Graniph stores in Japan will hold events to celebrate the release of the Ultraman Series product line. From Tuesday, August 15 - Monday, August 28, a 2.5-meter (8 foot) tall statue of Ultraman will be installed inside the flagship store located in the

    Photo courtesy of Graphic-sha Publishing Co. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

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    Source: Graphic-sha Publishing Co., Ltd. press release Photo courtesy of Graphic-sha Publishing Co. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. Graphic-sha Publishing Co., Ltd. will release Godzilla Great Anatomical Picture Book: The Abyss of Monsters Unraveled by Shinji Nishikawa (ゴジラ大解剖図鑑　西川伸司が紐解く怪獣の深淵, Gojira Dai Kaibō Zukan Nishikawa Shinji ga Himotoku Kaijū no Shinen) on August 8th. Godzilla Great Anatomical Picture Book is written and illustrated by Shinji Nishikawa, a popular artist who created the monster designs for many of the Godzilla movies produced by Toho from 1989 to 2004, drew storyboards for Tsuburaya Productions' Ultraman series and designed monsters for the anime series SSSS.GRIDMAN (SSSS.グリッドマン, SSSS.Guriddoman, 2018).Described by the publisher as "an unparalleled, in-depth Godzilla compendium," the Japanese book looks at the different live-action Godzilla designs from the first film (released in 1954) to SHIN GODZILLA (シン・ゴジラ, Shin Gojira, 2016) plus other monsters that appeared in those movies. In

    EVANGELION:3.0＋1.11 THRICE UPON A TIME will be released in a 4K Collector's Edition box set and a Standard Edition Blu-ray. Photo courtesy of GKIDS. © khara / Project Eva. © khara / EVA Production Committee © khara

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    Collector’s Edition 4K UHD and Standard Edition Blu-ray Disc Available October 17, 2023; Digital Download to Own Available October 3, 2023 Source: Shout! Factory press release, GKIDS Official Site: https://www.evangelion.co.jp/final.html (Japan) Special Thanks to Sarah J. De Bruin GKIDS, celebrating its 15th anniversary as producer and distributor of award-winning and artist-driven animation from around the world, with home entertainment distribution from Shout! Studios, announced it will issue the critically acclaimed fourth and final installment of the new theatrical “Rebuild” editions of the EVANGELION franchise in an expansive 4K UHD Collector’s Edition Set, Standard Edition Blu-ray; and as a digital download-to-own. To celebrate the acclaimed feature’s home entertainment release, GKIDS will be bringing the feature back to cinemas in select markets this fall.  EVANGELION:3.0+1.01 THRICE UPON A TIME (シン・エヴァンゲリオン劇場版𝄇, Shin Evangerion Gekijōban) was released in Japanese theatres in 2021, where it was a critical and box office

    Photo courtesy of Bandai Namco Filmworks. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS ©Eiichi Shimizu, Tomohiro Shimoguchi ©ULTRAMAN PRODUCTION CONSORTIUM 2

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    Photo courtesy of Bandai Namco Filmworks. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS ©Eiichi Shimizu, Tomohiro Shimoguchi ©ULTRAMAN PRODUCTION CONSORTIUM 2 Source: Bandai Namco Filmworks press release Official Sites: https://anime.heros-ultraman.com/ (Japan), https://www.netflix.com/title/80231373 (US) Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/heros_ultraman   Bandai Namco Filmworks has released the the 2nd Season of the Netflix ULTRAMAN  (ウルトラマン) anime series in a Japanese Blu-ray BOX Special Limited Edition. Based on the manga series by Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi, the series was directed by Kenji Kamiyama, director of the GHOST IN THE SHELL: S.A.C. series, and Shinji Aramaki, director of the APPLESEED series,. Production I.G and SOLA DIGITAL ARTS handled production of the animation, which presented a fusion  between the detailed texture of the Ultraman suit in 3DCG and the dynamic action unique to animation. Season 1 premiered on Netflix in 2019, and quickly became a hit in Japan and abroad. Season 2 followed in 2022, and the

    The 1962 Daiei film THE WHALE makes its long-awaited North American premiere on Blu-ray. Image courtesy of SRS Cinema. ©KADOKAWA CORPORATION 1962

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    Source: SRS Cinema LLC press releaseSpecial Thanks to Avery Guerra The 1962 Daiei film THE WHALE makes its long-awaited North American premiere on Blu-ray. Image courtesy of SRS Cinema. ©KADOKAWA CORPORATION 1962 Distributor SRS Cinema has announced the launch of preorders for their limited edition Blu-ray of THE WHALE GOD (鯨神, Kujiragami). Released by Daiei (now Kadokawa) in 1962, the film was directed by Tokuzo Tanaka, stars Kojiro Hongo (Gamera series) and Takeshi Shimura (SEVEN SAMURAI, GODZILLA), with music by Akira Ifukube (GODZILLA, RODAN), and features stunning life-size practical effects. This is the first official North American release for THE WHALE GOD-- thanks to SRS Cinema. Note: Fans can be a part of this release - submit a testimonial about what this release means to you, and maybe we will include it in the extras! Email Ron Bonk at This email address is being protected from

    The 57-year history of the Ultraman series is gathered in Kodansha's Ultraman & Monsters Notebook 2024. Photo courtesy of Kodansha Ltd. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS ©2023 KODANSHA LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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    The 57-year history of the Ultraman series is gathered in Kodansha's Ultraman & Monsters Notebook 2024. Photo courtesy of Kodansha Ltd. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS ©2023 KODANSHA LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Kodansha Ltd. press release The cover design depicts the familiar silhouette from the opening of ULTRASEVEN.Photo courtesy of Kodansha Ltd. ©TSUBURAYA PRODUCTIONS ©2023 KODANSHA LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Japanese publisher Kodansha has announced that their Ultraman & Monsters Notebook 2024 (ウルトラマン＆怪獣手帳 2024,Urutoraman ando Kaijū Techō 2024) will be released on September 11, 2023.  Featuring a stylish red vinyl cover with the silhouette of Ultraseven and the silver foil stamping of the Ultra Guard mark, the book acts as a daily planner, diary and comprehensive Ultra Series information guide. This year marks the third anniversary of the Ultraman & Monsters Notebook series, and the 2024 edition has been reworked to make it even more fun and

    Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.

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    Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. Source: Well Go USA, ddPR Special Thanks to Leif Helland Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. Well Go USA Entertainment is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a Blu-ray of the action-packed South Korean adventure NIGHT OF THE ASSASSIN (살수, Salsu, 2023). Set in Korea’s Joseon-era and featuring spectacular swordplay, the film follows a deadly assassin who comes out of retirement to exact revenge on a group waging a brutal campaign of terror against local villagers. NIGHT OF THE ASSASSIN is written and directed by first-time auteur Kwak Jeong-deok and stars Shin Hyun-joon (GUNS & TALKS, SON OF A GENERAL II & III), Lee Mun-sik (NIGHT IN PARADISE), and Kim Min-kyung (PIPELINE, SPIRITWALKER). Synopsis:        After a deadly, long-dormant health condition surfaces during a mission, Joseon’s most lethal assassin goes into hiding to seek

    Photo courtesy of Toy's King. Hedorah and Godzilla TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. Virus King ©Team Better Tomorrow

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    Photo courtesy of Toy's King. Hedorah and Godzilla TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. Virus King ©Team Better Tomorrow Source: Toy's King press release The toy purchasing company Toy's King (headquartered in Nakamura-ku, Nagoya; Yusuke Yamamoto, President), operator of T-BASE JAPAN, will be selling at the sculpture and figure festival, Wonder Festival 2023 [Summer], on Sunday, July 30, 2023, at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan. Photo courtesy of Toy's King. © TOY'S KING. T-BASE JAPAN sells original soft vinyl products from creators and artists. It carries many products that can only be purchased at the T-BASE stores in Shibuya and  Ginza, or at special events. For Wonder Festival,  T-BASE will exhibit and sell soft vinyl figures of special effects monsters such as Toho's Godzilla and Hedorah, Virus King from the indie daikaiju movie YUZO THE BIGGEST BATTLE IN TOKYO (『特撮喜劇　大木勇造　人生最大の決戦』, Tokusatsu Kigeki Ōki Yūzō Jinsei

    Photo courtesy of Sun-Star Stationery Co. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

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    Photo courtesy of Sun-Star Stationery Co. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. Photo courtesy of Sun-Star Stationery Co. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. Source: Sun-Star Stationery Co., Ltd. press release Sun-Star Stationery Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Taito-ku, Tokyo; President: Yukiyoshi Yoshimatsu) is now taking pre-orders for their Godzilla PET Bottle Holders (ゴジラ ペットボトルホルダー, Gojira Petto Botoru Horudā) on the Premium Bandai site. There are three cute plushie designs, featuring monsters from the 2004 film GODZILLA FINAL WARS (ゴジラ FINAL WARS, Gojira FINAL WARS), each made to hold standard PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic beverage bottles. The Godzilla and Gigan designs can hold 500-600ml (17-20 ounce) bottles, while Mothra is for 280-350ml (9.5-12 ounce) bottles. The inner fabric contains an aluminum sheet to reduce the risk of condensation droplets leaking from the bottles. The zipper and hook & loop fastener make it

    Photo courtesy of Playmates. © Legendary. All Rights Reserved. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. MONSTERVERSE TM & © Legendary

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    Photo courtesy of Playmates. © Legendary. All Rights Reserved. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. MONSTERVERSE TM & © Legendary Source: Playmates Toys Official Site: playmatestoys.com/godzilla-vs.-kong-movie Special Thanks to Sarah Gumina Playmates has provided SciFi Japan with product info and photos of their new Titan Tech Rodan. The figure is part of the Monsterverse Titan Tech Monsters series  that already includes Godzilla and Kong. Titan Tech Rodan is a Target Exclusive and will be arriving on store shelves across North America in September. Photo courtesy of Playmates. © Legendary. All Rights Reserved. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. MONSTERVERSE TM & © Legendary Photo courtesy of Playmates. © Legendary. All Rights Reserved. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. MONSTERVERSE TM & © Legendary Monsterverse: 8” Titan Tech Transforming Rodan Action Figure Legends collide as Godzilla, Kong and

    Photo courtesy of Kadokawa. ©2023 KADOKAWA/ GAMERA Rebirth Production Committee

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    Photo courtesy of Kadokawa. ©2023 KADOKAWA/ GAMERA Rebirth Production Committee Source: KADOKAWA Corporation Global Anime Business Official Sites: https://gamera-rebirth.com (Japan), https://www.netflix.com/title/81087387 (US) Official Twitter: @gamera_rebirth #Gamera Rebirth #gamera_rebirth Special Thanks to Anna Haas and Yuna Kishita KADOKAWA Corporation has provided SciFi Japan with English and Japanese language press notes for GAMERA -Rebirth-  (ガメラ リバース, Gamera Ribāsu), their new anime series based on the long-running daikaiju film franchise. The 6 episode series will be distributed worldwide on Netflix on September 7, 2023. A presentation this past weekend at Comic-Con International in San Diego revealed new details, artwork and a trailer (all included  in this article). Tie-in Japanese language novels and an online manga series have also be announced. For more on GAMERA -Rebirth- , please see the earlier coverage here on SciFi Japan... GAMERA -Rebirth- Official Press Release From

    Anime - Animation

    Ultraman - Tsuburaya

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