Source: Crunchyroll press release Special Thanks to Bianca Doria   Global anime brand Crunchyroll has announced the first slate of series heading to the platform as part of the upcoming anime season, including the returns of TOKYO REVENGERS and TO YOUR ETERNITY alongside Crunchyroll and Adult Swim Original series FENA: PIRATE PRINCESS and other highly-anticipated series like MISS KOBAYASHI'S DRAGON MAID S, and THAT TIME I GOT REINCARNATED AS A SLIME Season 2  New simulcast series streaming on Crunchyroll for the upcoming anime season include: FENA: PIRATE PRINCESS - After an orphan escapes to the high seas, she takes her place as captain of a pirate crew for a swashbuckling adventure! FENA: PIRATE PRINCESS is a Crunchyroll and Adult Swim Original premiering this summer. MISS KOBAYASHI'S DRAGON MAID S

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Source: Crunchyroll Games press release Special Thanks to Bianca Doria Crunchyroll Games, the interactive division of the world’s most popular anime brand, is announcing today the launch of co-op fantasy RPG “Mitrasphere,” published in partnership with Bank of Innovation, Inc., game developer, and liveops manager, JetSynthesys. “Mitrasphere” is a world where a massive sea blankets the skies. Golden crystals rain down from a cryptic tree in the ocean sky, altering the lives of everyone and everything. This is a tale of those cursed by fate and the decision to rise against it. The game received over 100,000 pre-registrants unlocking player rewards including 800 Sea Crystals, a 4☆ Magic Device "Heroic Upa”, and a free special 10-pull with a guaranteed 4☆ weapon. “Mitrasphere” is available for download on Android and iOS devices. It will feature a variety of game modes including the main story, boss battles,

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Photos courtesy of 3Y Film and Avery Guerra. THE GREAT BUDDHA ARRIVAL ©2019 3Y Film. NEZURA 1964 ©2020 3Y Film, KADOKAWA Source: SRS Cinema LLC Special Thanks to Avery Guerra A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Photo courtesy of 3Y Film and Avery Guerra. ©2020 3Y Film, KADOKAWA Distributor SRS Cinema has licensed North American home media rights to the independent kaiju films THE GREAT BUDDHA ARRIVAL (大仏廻国, Daibutsu Kokaiku, 2019) and NEZURA 1964 (ネズラ1964, 2020). Limited Edition VHS and Blu-rays will be made available soon with wide-release DVDs to follow. Directed by Hiroto Yokokawa, THE GREAT BUDDHA ARRIVAL is a remake of the long-lost 1934 film by Yoshiro Edamasa, which was quite possibly the first-ever daikaiju film from Japan. The film boasts an all-star cast of tokusatsu/kaiju actors that includes Akira Kubo (INVASION OF ASTRO MONSTER/MONSTER ZERO, SON OF GODZILLA), Akira Takarada (star of

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Famed anime producer Michihiko Suwa joins writer Toshinari Shinohe and producer Uko Oshia to offer insights on new film exploring Japanese mythology Source: SPJA, MediaLab Public Relations press release Official Site: www.anime-expo.org Special Thanks to Erik Jansen   Photo courtesy of Anime Expo. ©2021 Child of Kamiari Month Movie Production Anime Expo Lite proudly presents a special first look at the upcoming anime feature film, CHILD OF KAMIARI MONTH (神在月のこども, Kamiari no Kodomo, 2021), as part of this year’s two-day, livestream convention running Saturday, July 3rd th through Sunday, July 4. Join the prolific anime producer, Michihiko Suwa (DETECTIVE CONAN, CITY HUNTER, INUYASHA, MAGIC KNIGHT RAYEARTH), as he shares insights about CHILD OF KAMIARI MONTH. Based on Japanese mythology, the feature film explores the root of the nation’s history and explores what it means to follow destiny. Suwa will be joined by writer Toshinari Shinohe and fellow producer,

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GIRLS UND PANZER DAS FINALE – Part 1 Available September 14th Source: Section23 Films press release Special Thanks to Mike Bailiff Home video distributor Section23 Films has announced its September slate of releases which includes Sentai Filmworks highly anticipated film follow-up to the GIRLS UND PANZEr anime series. GIRLS UND PANZER DAS FINALE – Part 1 will be available on English dubbed Blu-ray September 14th. Product details follow, in order of release... Photo courtesy of Section 23 Films. HEAVEN'S MEMO PAD Published by:    Sentai Filmworks Distributed by:  Section23 Films Run Time:         325 min. Street Date:      9/7/2021 Format:             BD Language:         English & Japanese with English Subtitles SRP:                $59.98 Narumi Fujishima has never fit in with his classmates.  Joining the gardening club didn't make him Mr. Popularity, as there was only one other member… but when he's introduced

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Photo courtesy of SPJA. © Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation 2021. All rights reserved. Source: SPJA, MediaLab Public Relations press release Official Site: www.anime-expo.org Special Thanks to Erik Jansen Anime Expo Lite 2021 teams with anime music media outlet, LisAni!, to present – Anime Expo Lite x LisAni!LIVE L.A. – a very special live online concert featuring performances by ASCA, BURNOUT SYNDROMES, JO☆STARS, Liella! (LOVE LIVE! SUPERSTARS!!) and Morfonica (BANG DREAM!) to complement this year’s two-day, livestream convention running Saturday, July 3rd through Sunday, July 4th. This year’s online live Anime Expo Lite x LisAni!LIVE L.A. concert event is a special edition of “LisAni!,” a festival event that has been held annually in Japan since 2010 featuring a wide array of the latest ani-song music artists and groups. Anime Expo Lite x

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Source: MVD Entertainment Group Special Thanks to Clint Weiler     Photo courtesy of MVD Entertainment. ©LosGatos Works   SRS Cinema and distributor MVD Entertainment are offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win the new DVD edition of the  independent daikaiju film HOWL FROM BEYOND THE FOG (狭霧の国 Sagiri no Kuni, 2019). The movie was written and directed by Daisuke Sato (GODZILLA MOTHRA KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL OUT ATTACK, GODZILLA: FINAL WARS, GAMERA THE BRAVE, ULTRAMAN MEBIUS & ULTRAMAN BROTHERS) and features work by legendary Toho monster maker Keizō Murase (MOTHRA, KING KONG VS GODZILLA, FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD, GAMERA).   Set in Kyushu during the Meiji era, a blind girl, named Takiri, and the blind monster from a nearby lake, named Nebula, fight against greedy developers who threaten to take over her family's land. Using an all puppet human cast

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Source: IDW Publishing Special Thanks to Keith Davidsen Photo courtesy of IDW. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. IDW Publishing has announced solicitations for the second issue of their Godzilla Rivals quarterly one-shot series. Godzilla Rivals: Vs. Mothra Writer: Mary Kenney Artist: SL Gallant Cover A: E.J. Su Cover B: Jeffrey Veregge Tentative In-Store Date: September 2021 Pages: 52 Cover Price: $7.99 The Monster in the Lake! Nature can't be contained in this brand-new issue of Godzilla Rivals! Something is trapped in Lake Ikeda—Mothra, the ancient and beautiful guardian of nature and humanity! But when one kaiju awakens, Godzilla is sure to be close behind... And each stand-alone issue features special wrestling poster-themed retailer incentive variants Retailer incentives: Order 10 copies and get one free special wrestling poster-themed variant cover by fan-favorite artist Jeffrey Veregge (Transformers, Judge Dredd)!

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Software providers are always looking for inspiration for new games. The continued incorporation of unique aspects in the gambling industry provides players with crucial options in the current industry. Since all developers are competing to stay relevant in a growing and expanding world, you will find games inspired by various things such as history, myths, nostalgia, and pop culture such as Science Fiction films. Most games inspired by pop culture, whether it’s an artist or a movie, tap into the already established sense of loyalty that fans have. For instance, when it comes to science fiction, most people who interact with games in that category have an already established understanding of that alternative reality entails. They have gotten lost in it a few times, and the casino games allow players to be part of it. Gambling in Science Fiction Often, it is easy to

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Photo courtesy of Toho and Netflix. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. Source: Toho Co., Ltd., Netflix Official Site: godzilla-sp.jp (Japan), Godzilla Singular Point | Netflix (US) Official Twitter: twitter.com/GODZILLA_SP (Japan) In celebration of the global premiere of the highly-anticipated, 13-episode anime series GODZILLA SINGULAR POINT on Netflix, SciFi Japan presents a gallery of images courtesy of the streamer and Toho. Fans can stream GODZILLA SINGULAR POINT at http://www.netflix.com/godzilla_sp   Photo courtesy of Toho. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. Photo courtesy of Toho and Netflix. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. ▩ Story Brought together by a mysterious song, a grad student and an engineer lead the fight against an unimaginable force that may spell doom for the world… GODZILLA SINGULAR POINT is an original anime series featuring character designs by BLUE EXORCIST’s Kazue Kato

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3y Film presents GHOST-CAT RHAPSODY, a new take on the classic ghost cat movies. Photo courtesy of 3Y Film. ©3Y Film Source: 3Y FilmSpecial Thanks to Avery Guerra  A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE      3Y Film, makers of THE GREAT BUDDHA ARRIVAL and NEZURA 1964, have announced their next project...GHOST-CAT RHAPSODY (怪猫狂騒曲, Kaibyō Kyōsō Kyoku). Directed by Hiroto Yokokawa (THE GREAT BUDDHA ARRIVAL, NEZURA 1964), the film will be a musica/film collaboration with living icon Chumei Michiaki Watanabe, the composer for such classic series as KIKAIDA, GREAT MAZINGER and GORENGER!   GHOST-CAT RHAPSODY is a fresh take on the classic legend of the ghost cat. The popular horror tale was once popular with Japoanese studios, who released dozens of movies such as THE GHOST CAT AND THE MYSTERIOUS SHAMISEN (1938), GHOST CAT OF NABESHIME (1949), THE GHOST CAT OF

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Source: Sentai press release Official Site: https://mahoushoujyo-anime.com/ (Japan) © Kentaro Sato (Akita Shoten) / Magical Girl Site Production Committee Sentai announced today that it acquired MAGICAL GIRL SITE (魔法少女サイト, Mahō Shōjo Saito, 2018), the darkly surreal, reality mangling series that flips the magical girl genre completely on its head. Sentai will distribute Magical Girl Site in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Spain and Portugal. Aya Asagiri’s life could not get any worse. Relentlessly bullied by peers and family, she spirals into darkness and despair. Nearing rock bottom, she receives a mysterious invitation from Magical Girl Site, a website promising to grant her lifechanging magical powers. At first, Aya dismisses the lure as just another cold-hearted prank, but a fateful choice makes clear that dark abilities now grow within her.    As she discovers dangerous new powers, Aya

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If not the most popular among other gaming industries, the Japanese industry has grown and impacted the world in different ways possible. A lot of people are fans of Japanese anime and cartoon video games from the early 60s till today. The amount of innovation the Japanese gaming industry has contributed to the world is unmeasurable. Starting from the time of Nintendo, Sega, Sony Computer Entertainment, Konami, and Capcom, they have boosted the world gaming system to another level. According to our expert Daniel Bennet here, the Japanese gaming industry has continued to dominate the world gaming system and will still continue as there are tons of promising futures for them ahead. Why are Japanese gamers so good? You don’t need to keep asking yourself why are Japanese gamers so good. Even though the Japanese were not the first to invent a video game, they

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  Source: Toho Co., Ltd. press releaseOfficial Site: godzilla-sp.jp (Japan), Godzilla Singular Point | Netflix (US) Official Twitter: twitter.com/GODZILLA_SP (Japan) Special Thanks to Jennifer Cruz Photo courtesy of Toho and Netflix. TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.   Following its successful Japan and Mexico releases, the highly-anticipated, 13-episode anime series GODZILLA SINGULAR POINT is making its global premiere June 24th on Netflix. In the wake of the success of Godzilla anime films, GODZILLA: PLANET OF THE MONSTERS, GODZILLA: CITY ON THE EDGE OF BATTLE and GODZILLA: THE PLANET EATER comes an all new original anime series from director Atsushi Takahashi (DORAEMON THE MOVIE 2017: GREAT ADVENTURE IN THE ANTARCTIC KACHI KOCHI). Anime studio bones (MY HERO ACADEMIA) in partnership with studio Orange (BEASTARS, LAND OF THE LUSTROUS), serve as series producers, combining hand-drawn and CG animation styles. In addition to director

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Source: Comscore Official Movie Site: GodzillavsKong.com Special Thanks to Paul Dergarabedian Comscore has announced the official North American and Global box office estimates for the weekend of June 20, 2021, as compiled by the company’s theatrical measurement services. As the trusted official standard for real-time worldwide box office reporting, Comscore provides the only theater-level reporting in the world. Customers are able to analyze admissions and gross results around the world using Comscore's suite of products. Please note that 78% of all North American Theaters are currently open. Comscore – Sunday Estimates - Weekend Box Office Roundup – June 20, 2021    A re-cap of this weekend’s notable performers as reported by their respective distributors ■ Notable North American Openers: Lionsgate opened the killer sequel THE HITMAN’S WIFE’S BODYGUARD to grab the top spot with $11.675 million in 3,331 locations and

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Image courtesy of Shochiku. © SOTSU • SUNRISE Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd., Netflix Translation: Benjamin Chaffins Editors: Keith Aiken and Andrew Nguyen Official Site: gundam-hathaway.net (Japan), https://www.netflix.com/title/81439253 (US)   A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Image courtesy of Shochiku. © SOTSU • SUNRISE Japanese distributor Shochiku has provided information and selection of more than 50 large, high-res images from the new anime feature film MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM: HATHAWAY (機動戦士ガンダム 閃光のハサウェイ, Kidō Senshi Gandamu Senkou No Hasauei) -- aka MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM: HATHAWAY’S FLASH -- the first chapter of a planned theatrical trilogy. from Sunrise. Set 12 years after the events depicted in the movie MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM: CHAR’S COUNTERATTACK (機動戦士ガンダム 逆襲のシャア, Kidō Senshi Gandamu: Gyakushū no Shā, 1988),  HATHAWAY is the second film adaptation of UC NexT 0100, the 40th anniversary project that incorporates anime, manga, novels and merchandising to depict the next 100 years

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Source: Arrow Video US, MVD Entertainment Group Special Thanks to Clint Weiler Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. © KADOKAWA Arrow Video US and MVD Entertainment are offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win their new Blu-ray of Daiei's GIANTS AND TOYS (巨人と玩具, Kyojin to Gangu, 1958), a sharp and snappy corporate satire revolving around the ruthless machinations of a group of admen working in the confectionary industry. Masumura's muse Ayako Wakao (THE BLUE SKY MAIDEN, RED ANGEL) stars as Otsuya, the daughter of a rich merchant, who is tempted by her lover, Shinsuke, a lowly employee of her father's, to elope. During their flight, Otsuya's beauty attracts the gaze of Seikichi, a mysterious master tattooist who sees her pristine white skin as the perfect canvas for his art. The image of the large demonic spider that he emblazons across Otsuya's back marks her as the

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Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. ©2020 Beimo Film LLC Source: Well Go USA, ddPR Special Thanks to Leif Helland Photo courtesy of Well Go USA. ©2020 Beimo Film LLC Well Go USA Entertainment is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a Blu-ray of THE PAPER TIGERS, a homage to feel-good martial arts films like THE KARATE KID.  The audience-pleasing film shows how three dedicated kung fu disciples grew into washed-up, middle-aged men—now one kick away from pulling their hamstrings. But when their master is murdered, they must juggle their dead-end jobs, dad duties, and old grudges to avenge his death. The award-winning feature film debut of Director Tran Quoc Bao,  THE PAPER TIGERS stars Alain Uy (HELSTROM, TRUE DETECTIVE), Ron Yuan (MULAN, MARCO POLO), and Mykel Shannon Jenkins (THE GODS, UNDISPUTED III: REDEMPTION). Following its world premiere at the Fantasia Film

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Source: Sentai press release ©Hiroshi Fukuda/Shogakukan Sentai announced tthat it has acquired the MUSHIBUGYOU (ムシブギョー, 2014-15) OVA collection, based upon the shonen anime series of the same name. Sentai will distribute the three-part OVA to audiences in the United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa as well as Latin America. As giant insects lay waste to the land of Edo, the Insect Magistrate Office gathers powerful warriors to defend the populace from the invading threat. A rookie swordsman named Jinbee Tsukishima seeks to atone for past sins by joining their ranks, but he’ll need to prove his worth if he wants to find redemption and curb the insect infestation. Produced by Seven Arcs Pictures (TRINITY SEVEN, MUSHIBUGYOU, VIVID STRIKE!), the MUSHIBUGYOU OVA is directed by Takayuki Hamana (ERIN, LIBRARY WARS, ARTE) with character design

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Photo courtesy of Toho. © TOHO CO., LTD. Pre-registrations Surpass 250,000! 3-minute monster all-star battles! Source: Toho Co., Ltd. press release Official Site: godzillagames.jp Special Thanks to Jessa Xie In 2021, TOHO Games, the game label of Toho Co., Ltd. (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Yoshishige Shimatani), will release three Godzilla Games for mobile worldwide: "Run Godzilla," "Godzilla Destruction," and "Godzilla Battle Line." Godzilla's path of destruction is set to expand even further alongside the Hollywood movie GODZILLA VS. KONG, along with the anime TV series GODZILLA SINGULAR POINT, which gets a global release on Netflix June 24th. "Godzilla Battle Line," the new Godzilla game for mobile, is available worldwide now! The game's collaboration with the exciting anime GODZILLA SINGULAR POINT is also set to begin today! To celebrate the collab, Toho prepared a special collab visual featuring Godzilla and Jet Jaguar. In Part I of the

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