SciFi Japan
    Epic Finale Opens in the United Kingdom on Friday, April 17th Source: Warner Bros. Pictures UK, Maven Publicity Official Site: kuroshitsuji-movie.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Louise Rivers Warner Bros. UK celebrates the April 17th UK release of RUROUNI KENSHIN 3: THE LEGEND ENDS (?????? ??????, Rurouni Kenshin Densetsu no Saigo hen, 2014) with six new character posters. All good things must come to an end and in Keishi Ohtomo`s live-action final chapter of Nobuhiro Watsuki`s best-selling manga. Following on from the RUROUNI KENSHIN 2: KYOTO INFERNO (????????????, Rurouni Kenshin Kyoto Taika Hen, 2014) cliff-hanger; in this final chapter, Shishio (Tatsya Fujiwara) has set sail in his ironclad ship to bring down the Meiji government and return Japan to chaos, carrying Kaoru (Emi Takei) with him. After jumping overboard into the sea,

    Information and High-Res Images from the Live-Action Theatrical Series Source: Tohokushinsha Film Corporation, Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: patlabor-nextgeneration.com Japanese Material Translations: John Paul Cassidy Special Thanks to Mai Kato and Kentaro Yoshida A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE THE NEXT GENERATION -PATLABOR- (? ???? ???????? -??????-, Za Nekusuto Jenereeshon – Patoreibaa -), the live-action series based on the MOBILE POLICE PATLABOR (??????????, Kidoo Keisatsu Patoreibaa) manga and anime, released its final episode on January 10, 2015. THE NEXT GENERATION -PATLABOR- is an original story set in the timeline of the anime movies. Supervised by director Mamoru Oshii (GHOST IN THE SHELL, THE SKY CRAWLERS), the series ran for thirteen episodes (numbered 0-12) which were released in seven chapters. In Japan, each chapter received a two week run in theaters -- where limited edition Blu-rays were also sold -- followed by a regular Blu-ray

    From WWII Propaganda to Postwar Reincarnations, Film Series Reveals How Roles of Two of Japan`s Greatest Actresses Transformed with the Nation Source: Japan Society All Film Descriptions Written by Markus Nornes Special Thanks to Shannon Jowett The Most Beautiful: The War Films of Shirley Yamaguchi & Setsuko Hara March 21-April 4, 2015, at Japan Society New York, NY -- Japan Society continues its Stories from the War series, marking the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII, with the 2015 Globus Film Series The Most Beautiful: The War Films of Shirley Yamaguchi & Setsuko Hara, Saturday March 21 through Saturday, April 4, at Japan Society. The series title, a reference to an early Kurosawa film of the same name, pays tribute to two of the most powerful actresses in Japanese cinema: Shirley Yamaguchi (aka Pan Shuhua, Ri Koran, Li Hsianglan, Yoshiko Yamaguchi, and

    "Burnt Rodent" Coming from the Director of CHAW Author: Kim Song-ho Source: Taewon Entertainment Jung Woo-sung stars in the new Korean creature feature JAKSEOUI BYEON: MULGOEUI SEUPGYEOK (??? ?: ??? ??). The official English title is not yet available, but can literally be translated into "THE INCIDENT OF BURNT RODENT: ATTACK OF THE STRANGE CREATURE". The film is helmed by Shin Jung-won, who brought us CHAW (??, Chaw, 2009), in which a giant killer boar terrorizes a small mountain town. Shooting begins at the end of February. Taewon Entertainment is producing. JAKSEOUI BYEON is a hybrid of the creature film and the period drama. Set in 1527, the 22nd year since Jungjong, then the king of Joseon Dynasty, began ruling the nation. A strange creature appears in the palace where the king resides, and there are also threats of treason. The film is

    Source: NECA, Inc. Official Site: necaonline.com/licenses/pacific-rim Official Movie Site: pacificrimmovie.warnerbros.com The action figure line for Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures` PACIFIC RIM continues to go strong. As a special holiday treat for collectors, NECA has created a brand-new visual guide for the line. Enjoy! About NECA, Inc. NECA Inc. operates as a media and entertainment company worldwide. It now operates in three segments: Consumer Products, Traditional and New Media Entertainment and Online Retailing/Digital Distribution. For more information on PACIFIC RIM, please see the earlier coverage here on SciFi Japan: Legendary Pictures Previews GODZILLA and PACIFIC RIM at Comic-Con Warner Bros. Previews PACIFIC RIM Japanese Trailer and Images for PACIFIC RIM PACIFIC RIM Production Notes and Images PACIFIC RIM Final Credits PACIFIC RIM: Warner Bros. and Legendary Organize Monster-ous Sized Beach Clean-Up

    Source: Bandai Co., Ltd. Official Site: summon-ride.bngames.net Bandai Namco`s new KAMEN RIDER SUMMONRIDE! (????????????, Kamen Raidaa Samonraido) for the PlayStation 3 and Wii U uses Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to link the game with physical Kamen Rider figures and toys. When a NFC-enhanced figure is set upon the (separately sold) Rider Gate, that Kamen Rider is imported into the virtual world of the game. Each figure also represents one of five different elements (light, darkness, wind, water or fire) which impact how that Kamen Riders can be used in the game. A bonus feature are the Ride Chips, which allow a Kamen Rider to either change to a more powerful form or bring in another Kamen Rider character as an ally. This month, Bandai released several sets of Kamen Rider Summonride! Figures and Chips. Most sets include two figures, two chips and

    Source: Bandai Co., Ltd. Celebrate the holidays with Chara Deco (Character Decoration) Christmas cakes based on Toei`s hero shows RESSHA SENTAI TOQGER (????????????, Ressha Sentai Tokkyuujaa, 2014-2015) and KAMEN RIDER DRIVE (??????????, Kamen Raidaa Doraibu, 2014-2015). Available in a variety of flavor combinations, the cakes will be sold by Japanese retailers, convenience stores, pastry shops and Bandai`s premium mail order site, Chara Deco SHOP, in late December. Chara Deco Christmas Ressha Sentai ToQger/ ?????????? ???????????? The Chara Deco Christmas Ressha Sentai ToQger set contains an ornament with a removable hyper special grade figure of the team`s red ranger, ToQ 1Gou. Also included is a "Christmas Ver." of the original Red Ressha, which can be connected with other ToQger Ressha toys (sold separately). Contents ? Cake (Diameter Approximately 15cm) ? ToQ 1Gou Figure Ornament ? Ressha Sentai ToQger Side Paper ? Ressha Sentai ToQger

    New Photos from Upcoming Kamen Rider Movie Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: movie-taisen.com (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE SciFi Japan has additional high-res images from Toei for their latest Kamen Rider "Movie War" film, KAMEN RIDER X KAMEN RIDER DRIVE & GAIM: MOVIE WAR FULL THROTTLE (??????×?????? ????&?? MOVIE?????????, Kamen Raidaa × Kamen Raidaa Doraibu & Gaimu Muubii Taisen Furusurottoru). The movie opens in Japan on December 13, 2014. For more information on KAMEN RIDER X KAMEN RIDER DRIVE & GAIM: MOVIE WAR FULL THROTTLE, please see the previous coverage here on SciFi Japan: KAMEN RIDER X KAMEN RIDER DRIVE & GAIM: MOVIE WAR FULL THROTTLE

    Bandai Figures and Collectibles to be Sold in Japan and America Source: Bluefin Corp. Bandai Tamashii Nations Official Site: tamashii.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Xavier Lim Distributor Bluefin Corp. has provided product specs and high-res photos for figures and collectibles coming from Bandai`s Tamashii Nations in January and February 2015. Fans and collectors can purchase Bandai Tamashii Nations products from authorized Bluefin dealers, including SciFi Japan`s sponsor Anime Jungle. Tamashii Stage Act: Ring Corner/ ?STAGE ACT.??????? Did you ever wonder which of your favorite action figures would come out the champion in the ring? Well, now you can, with the Tamashii Stage Act. Ring Corner! Attach the special support arm (x2) to the ring post to show off spectacular aerial techniques. With this arm, you will never have to worry about botched flying techniques. The two included clip

    Official Site: kaijugaiden.com Kickstarter Campaign Page: Kaiju Gaiden Special Thanks to Mark Jaramillo A new documentary entitled KAIJU GAIDEN is currently in production and in the middle of a Kickstarter campaign. KAIJU GAIDEN is a documentary film spotlighting independent kaiju films and the filmmakers behind them. Many of these films are relatively unknown, obscure, or exist only as a rumor even among hardcore tokusatsu fans. It is the first time that the public will hear from the filmmakers and actually see footage from their films. KAIJU GAIDEN began as part of the Independent Kaiju Project, an endeavor by producer Mark Jaramillo to track down, catalog, and promote independent and amateur tokusatsu films such as LEGENDARY GIANT BEAST WOLFMAN VS GODZILLA and GAMERA 4: TRUTH. Directors Shizuo Nakajima and Shinpei Hayashiya were brought to events in the United States to meet fans and screen

    Win the Complete Reference Guide to Godzilla and Japanese Science Fiction Posters From Around the World Source: Sean Linkenback The softcover edition of The Art of Japanese Monsters is now available from Amazon and other retailers. In celebration of the release, author Sean Linkenback is offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win a free copy of this great book! Written by Linkenback (Unauthorized Guide to Godzilla Collectibles) with a new cover illustration by Alex Wald (American Splendor, Japan’s Favorite Mon-Star), this reference guide to Japanese science fiction film posters from 1954 to present contains artwork from over 60 different films, including the Godzilla, Gamera, and Mothra series; RODAN, GAPPA, the Majin films, WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS, THE H-MAN, and many more. Running 208 full color pages, The Art of Japanese Monsters has a retail price of $39.99... but here is your chance to get the

    Monthly Film Series Highlights Lesser-known and Overlooked Works from Six Japanese Directors Source: Japan Society Special Thanks to Shannon Jowett The Dark Side of the Sun: John Zorn on Japanese Cinema October 18, 2014-February 20, 2015, at Japan Society New York, NY - Japan Society`s 2014-15 Monthly Film Series invites cinephiles to discover or re-discover Japanese cinema through the eyes of one of its most ardent fans. Maverick avant-garde composer, musician and arranger John Zorn calls upon his deep love and knowledge of Japanese cinema to spotlight lesser-known or overlooked works from six Japanese directors. The Dark Side of the Sun: John Zorn on Japanese Cinema launches with Atsushi Yamatoya`s psychedelic INFLATABLE SEX DOLL OF THE WASTELANDS (October 18), followed by Teinosuke Kinugasa`s 1928 avant-garde silent drama CROSSROADS (November 15), screened with a live improvised score by master shamisen player Yumiko Tanaka; Yoshimitsu

    Source: Sean Linkenback Unauthorized Guide to Godzilla Collectibles author Sean Linkenback has announced a new softcover edition of his latest book, The Art of Japanese Monsters, will be available starting October 13th. Featuring a new cover illustration by Alex Wald (American Splendor, Japan’s Favorite Mon-Star), this reference guide to Japanese science fiction film posters from 1954 to present contains artwork from over 60 different films, including the Godzilla, Gamera, and Mothra series; RODAN, GAPPA, the Majin films, WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS, THE H-MAN, and many more. Linkenback explains... "After the amazingly quick sell-out of the hardcover edition of The Art of Japanese Monsters (less than one month at both wholesale and retail), I`ve been fielding calls and emails from collectors all over the world who are just now hearing about the book and wondering how they can get a hold of a copy. Wanting to

    Takashi Miike`s Latest to Screen at Toronto International Film Festival Source: Toei Co., Ltd., Mongrel International, Toronto International Film Festival, SEDIC International Production Notes: Giovani Fulvi, Toronto International Film Festival Official Movie Site: kuime.jp (Japan) After opening last month in Japan, Takashi Miike`s OVER YOUR DEAD BODY (??-???-, Kuime) comes to North America with the international premiere, September 11th at the Toronto International Film Festival. The cinematic master Miike outdoes himself with this new horror movie. Ebizo Ichikawa of HARA-KIRI: DEATH OF A SAMURAI 3D (??, Ichimei, 2011) and ASK THIS OF RIKYU (???????, Rikyu ni Tazune yo, 2013) plays the charismatic villain. Opposite him, Ko Shibasaki of 47 RONIN plays Oiwa, Japan`s deadliest heroine. Handsome Hideaki Ito of LESSON OF THE EVIL (????, Aku no Kyoten, 2012) plays the ugly blind man. Together they realize a tale of love, obsession and insanity.

    Toei Publicity Materials for New Double Feature Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: gaim-toq.jp (Japan) Translations: John Paul Cassidy For the fourteenth year in a row, Toei has released a theatrical double feature starring the current incarnations of their top henshin hero franchises; the Super Sentai and the Kamen Riders. The 2014 entry pairs the heroes of the new Super Sentai television series RESSHA SENTAI TOQGER (????????????, Ressha Sentai Tokkyuujaa, 2014-2015) with a soccer-themed adventure for the characters of KAMEN RIDER GAIM (?????????????, Kamen Raidaa Gaimu, 2013-2014). As is customary for the Toei hero double features, the two films are separate stories rather than a crossover between Kamen Rider Gaim and the Toqgers. Generally the Sentai film in the fall double bills is designed as a stand-alone adventure that often feels like a big-budget TV episode, while the modern Rider films tend to

    Source: Bluefin Corp. S.H.Figuarts Official Site: tamashii.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Xavier Lim Bluefin Distribution has announced their exclusives for 2014 San Diego Comic-Con. The company will once again have 2 booths at the convention -- Booth #140 and Booth #3545 -- each offering their own Bandai exclusives. Booth #3545 S.H. Figuarts: Vegeta Original Animation Colors In this classic S.H.Figuarts rendition of Vegeta, he appears as you’ve only seen him in the original DRAGON BALL anime! Flash back to when Vegeta had reddish-brown hair and a completely different green and orange coloring for his Saiyan combat suit. Set comes with a rich variety of accessories for the ultimate action figure experience! Parts include folded arms, four interchangeable hand sets, including a special interchangeable “scouter crushing” hand part, three interchangeable face parts and head part with attachable scouter, tail parts,

    Source: Toei Co., Ltd., Fuji Television Network, Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival Official Site: bakumatsu-kokosei.jp (Japan) Toei and Fuji Television have released a plot synopsis and several high-res photos from their new movie, TIME TRIP APP (?????, Bakumatsu Kokosei, 2014). The film will have its world premiere at the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival in South Korea on July 18th, with the Japanese theatrical run beginning on July 26th. STORY The year is 1868, Year 1 of Japan’s ‘modern’ period of history. The nation faces one of the most dramatic times in its history, with forces loyal to the Shogun pitted against modernizers who wish political power restored after many centuries to the Emperor. This new imperial army has defeated the Shogun’s forces near Kyoto, and now plans a full-scale assault on his capital of Edo -- modern Tokyo -- to take

    Week-Long Live-Action and Anime Festival at NEW PEOPLE Cinema in Conjunction with 2014 J-POP SUMMIT Source: MediaLab press release Official Site: jffsf.org Special Thanks to Erik Jansen The 2014 Japan Film Festival of San Francisco, the only fully-dedicated annual Japanese film celebration for the S.F. Bay Area, returns for its second consecutive year and kicks off during the 2014 J-POP SUMMIT Festival. Set to open on Saturday, July 19th and running thru Sunday, July 27th, the Japan Film Festival of San Francisco (JFFSF) will showcase a variety of unique programs, many as first-run U.S. premieres. The 2014 JFFSF takes place at the NEW PEOPLE Cinema, located inside the NEW PEOPLE J-POP entertainment complex at 1746 Post St., San Francisco, CA 94115. Tickets are $15.00 for most films, unless otherwise noted. Film summaries, trailers, screening times and advance tickets are available at jffsf.org. The

    Source: Bluefin Corp. press release Special Thanks to Xavier Lim From the MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS, Tamashii Nations is proud to announce the release of the great Green Ranger (aka Dragon Ranger from ZYURANGER)! He is the first Ranger to make his debut in the FiguartsZERO statue series, portrayed in splendid detail from his armor down to the vivid green coloring in the dynamically cracked earth display base. Green Ranger is impressively posed, holding his trusty Dragon Dagger as a flute just as he summons the mighty Dragonzord! This Tamashii Web Exclusive has been created with the U.S. market in mind and will be available through U.S. affiliated Bluefin retailers. FiguartsZERO Green Ranger/ ???????ZERO ????????? Product Size: Height Approximately 160mm (Including Display Stand) Material: ABS, PVC Shipping: November 2014 (Japan), December 2014 (United States) Distributed by: Tamashii Web Shop (Japan), Bluefin (United States) Price:

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