SciFi Japan
    Articulated Bandai Figures to be Sold in Japan and America Source: Bluefin Corp. S.H.Figuarts Official Site: tamashii.jp/shfiguarts (Japan) Special Thanks to Xavier Lim Distributor Bluefin Corp. has provided product specs and high-res photos for three S.H.Figuarts figures coming from Bandai`s Tamashii Nations in August. Fans of Toei`s Kamen Rider franchise will soon be able to purchase new Masked Rider No. 1 and Shocker Combatman figures, while Masked Rider V3 will be reissued. All three items will be released both in Japan and North America. Fans and collectors can purchase S.H.Figuarts figures from authorized Bluefin dealers, including SciFi Japan`s sponsors Anime Jungle and Toy Freakz. S.H.Figuarts - Masked Rider No. 1/ S.H.Figuarts ???????1? At last the timeless classic, the original Kamen Rider from MASKED RIDER (?????? Kamen Raidaa, 1971-73), joins the advanced S.H.Figuarts action figure line-up. Special rider kick effect parts are included along

    Source: Bluefin Corp. Official Site: Bluefin Special Thanks to Xavier Lim Distributor Bluefin Corp. has previewed two exclusive items coming from Bandai`s Tamashii Nations in August. The FiguartsZERO - Super Saiyan Goku statue and the S.H.Figuarts - Blue & Black Overdrive Rangers set will be released both in Japan and North America. FiguartsZERO - Super Saiyan Goku/ ???????ZERO ??????????? At last, your favorite DRAGON BALL characters will join the high-detail FiguartsZERO statue line-up! The first title will be Super Saiyan Son Goku from DRAGON BALL Z KAI (????????????, Doragon Boru Kai). This meticulously crafted sculpt faithfully captures details such as Goku’s battle damage, and depicts brilliant battle effects and Saiyan hair with translucent parts. The set also includes a special display stand. Made especially for the Western markets, this item will be available as a Web Shop Exclusive in Asia. Height: Approximately 160mm Material: ABS, PVC Shipping:

    Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: superhero-movie.com (Japan) Toei Materials Translated by: Elliot Gay The following article is translated from Toei`s press release for their new movie, SUPER HERO TAISEN Z, opening in Japan on April 27th... SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from a new movie. Official English Title: SUPER HERO TAISEN Z Original Japanese Title: ??????×??????×???????????????Z (Kamen Raidaa x Suupaa Sentai x Uchuu Keiji: Suupaa Hiiroo Taisen Zetto) Literal Translation: Kamen Rider × Super Sentai × Space Sheriff: Super Hero Wars Z Space War! A new all-star hero film is born. INTRODUCTION Kamen Rider and Super Sentai; the proud heroes of Japan. Last spring’s KAMEN RIDER X SUPER SENTAI: SUPER HERO TAISEN (??????×?????????????????, Kamen Raidaa × Suupaa Sentai: Suupaa Hiiroo Taisen, 2012) film was the first time both properties truly stood together onscreen. Last fall also

    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Shochiku Co., Ltd. has announced their theatrical releases schedule for 2013 and early 2014... 7 DAYS OF HIMAWARI & HER PUPPIES ????????7?? (Himawari to Koinu no Nanokakan) Release Date: March 16, 2013 Director: Emiko Hiramatsu Cast: Masato Sakai, Miki Nakatani Based on a miraculous true story, a film filled with love is born. From the crew who have worked for Yoji Yamada. That dog had quickly grown in an environment filled with the love of Grandpa and Grandma. But they both died all too soon, and she became all alone. She survive in the midst of nature with her strength, but had completely closed her heart towards humans. She gave birth to puppies, and soon they got captured at the Public Health Center. Shoji, an employee at the center, has done his best to raise his two kids as well since his

    Source: Tohokushinsha Film Corporation Official Movie Site: garo-project.jp/SOUKOKU (Japan) Additional Material: Dan Ross and Keith Aiken Special Thanks to Tommy Nobuki Ohnakatomi A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE From ancient times a type of demons known as “Horrors” have preyed upon mankind. But throughout history there has been a secret society of mystical warriors who have protected the human race. Only the Makai Knights whose powers are passed through family lineage have the strength to defeat the Horrors. A mysterious young man, Kouga Saejima, living in an old castle using the inherited sword and armor of the Golden Knight Garo, shines as one of the greatest Makai Knights. When fighting Horrors as Garo, Koga has a time limit of 99.9 seconds. When the time limit ends he must shed the armor or become a beast himself. Thus starts the ongoing saga of Garo and

    Film Series Highlights Rare Japanese Cult Classics from Famously Rogue Studio Source: Japan Society Special Thanks to Shannon Jowett and Pauline Ceraulo `Into the Shintoho Mind Warp: Girls, Guns & Ghosts from the Second Golden Age of Japanese Film` February 27-March 10, 2013, at Japan Society, Followed by a North American Tour Born of the fires of dissidence, pioneering Japanese film studio Shintoho was founded in 1947 by employees of the Tokyo-based Toho Company during a strike (Shintoho literally means “New Toho”). The fledgling studio promptly established itself as one of the major film producers of the second golden age of Japanese cinema, specializing in low- to no-budget productions that have become absolute cult classics. Japan Society’s 2013 Globus Film Series `Into the Shintoho Mind Warp: Girls, Guns & Ghosts from the Second Golden Age of Japanese Film` offers rare screenings of eight

    A Look at the Latest "Super Sentai VS Series" Movie, with Information and Images from Toei Author: Alicia Ashby Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: gobus-gokai.jp (Japan) Toei Materials Translated by: Jim Ballard SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from a new movie. Editor`s Note: This article uses the official English titles created and used by Toei Co., Ltd. for international sales and promotion of the Super Sentai movies, shows and videos. Official English Title: GO-BUSTERS VS GOKAIGER Original Japanese Title: ????????????????????????THE MOVIE (Tokumei Sentai Goobasutaazu Tai Kaizoku Sentai Gookaijaa Za Muubii) Literal Translation: Special Ops Sentai Go-Busters vs. Pirate Sentai Gokaiger The Movie INTRODUCTION Since 1975`s GORENGER (??????????, Himitsu Sentai Gorenjaa), the Super Sentai series has continued uninterrupted. 2011`s GOKAIGER (???????????, Gaizoku Sentai Gookaijaa), produced to commemorate the 35th anniversary, aimed to make a definitive statement

    AKB48`s Atsuko Maeda Stars in Tale of Isolation and Terror Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd., Nikkatsu Corporation Official Movie Site: kuroyuri-danchi.jp (Japan) SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from an upcoming Japanese movie. In 1998, director Hideo Nakata stunned audiences with THE RING (???, Ringu), the acclaimed horror hit that spawned multiples sequels and two American films. He delivered another J-Horror classic with DARK WATER (????????, Honogurai Mizu no Soko Kara, 2002) before moving on to direct KAIDAN (??, 2007), DEATH NOTE: L, change the worLd (L??????, L no Hontou no Himitsu, 2008) and THE INCITE MILL ?7 DAY DEATH GAME? (?????????????????, Inshite Miru: 7-Kakan no Desu Gemu, 2010). Nakata now returns to J-Horror with THE COMPLEX (??????, Kuroyuri Danchi). Described as a tale of terror, madness and despair born from solitude and isolation, the film stars Atsuko Maeda, former

    Now On Demand; Theatrical Run Starts February 8th Source: Magnolia Pictures Official Movie Site: magnetreleasing.com/thesorcererandthewhitesnake SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from a new movie. Jet Li stars in the martial arts fantasy THE SORCERER AND THE WHITE SNAKE (???????, 2011), coming to the United States from Magnet Releasing, a division of Magnolia Pictures (THE HOST, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, MONSTERS, TROLLHUNTER). The film is now available on Video On Demand and starts a limited theatrical run on February 8th. Check the theatrical release schedule for theater locations and dates. The following press notes and images are courtesy of Magnet Releasing/ Magnolia Pictures... SYNOPSIS Action director Ching Siu-Tung helms this fantasy film based on an old Chinese legend about an herbalist who falls in love with a thousand-year-old White Snake disguised as a woman. Jet Li

    Shochiku Updates Classic Anime/Manga Hero in New Movie Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from an upcoming movie. The fictional masked professional wrestler and timeless hero, Tiger Mask, is back in a new Marvel superhero-inspired costume for a new generation of movie lovers! The movie TIGER MASK focuses on the untold story of young Naoto Date`s early life leading up to his legend as Tiger Mask. This is how it all begins! --Shochiku publicity materials for TIGER MASK Created by manga writer Ikki Kajiwara and artist Naoki Tsuji, the Tiger Mask (???????, Taigaa Masuku) manga told the story of Naoto "Tiger Mask" Date, a former orphan who has become star of the Tiger`s Cave, a league of evil wrestlers. But Tiger Mask renounces his ways and fights for good in order to become

    A Force of 20,000 VS an Army of Just 500... Fools or Heroes? Source: Asmik Ace Entertainment, TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System) Official Movie Site: nobou-movie.jp (Japan) Directors Shinji Higuchi (SINKING OF JAPAN, Gamera trilogy) and Isshin Inudo (ZERO FOCUS) team up for THE FLOATING CASTLE (?????, Nobo no Shiro), based on Ryo Wada`s novel of the same name, which has sold more than 1.3 million copies since 2007. Originally scheduled for theatrical release in Japan on September 17, 2011, THE FLOATING CASTLE -- which features a flood as a key story point -- was delayed in aftermath of the March 11th, 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami and finally saw release this past November. The movie is also now playing at international film festivals. Feudal Japan in the year 1590... nearing the end of Japan’s long period of civil war, the all-powerful warlord Hideyoshi

    Cult 60`s Anime Comes to the Silver Screen with a New Live Action Adaptation Source: NTV (Nippon Television Network) Official Movie Site: bem-movie.jp (Japan) The Creatures Return! No one knows when and where these creatures were born. In murky silence, a cell divided and created 3 lives. They are neither human nor beast, but their hideous appearances belied a sense of justice as strong as the most noble man. "Someday we`ll become humans!" They long to be human, a longing never to be fulfilled. HUMANOID MONSTER BEM (??????, Yokai Ningen Bemu) was originally a 26 episode animated series broadcast on Fuji TV from October 7, 1968 - March 31, 1969. Written by Akira Adachi (PRINCE PLANET) and produced by Daichi Doga, the anime followed the adventures of three subhuman creatures -- Bem, Bela and Belo -- who protect people from evil creatures in

    Source: Kadokawa Pictures On May 12, 2012 Kadokawa relaunched the RING J-Horror franchise with the novel S (??) by author Koji Suzuki and the film SADAKO 3D (????) by director Tsutomu Hanabusa. Now the undying curse of the psychic girl Sadako Yamamura will continue in 2013 with a movie sequel, tentatively titled SADAKO 3D 2 (????2). The saga began with Suzuki`s novel Ring (???, Ringu), first published by Kadokawa Shoten in 1991, and exploded in popularity with director Hideo Nakata`s THE RING (???, Ringu) in 1998. The franchise would quickly expand to include three additional novels, three Japanese movie sequels, a TV movie and two series, a Korean remake and two big budget American films. Shortly before the release of the US remake of THE RING in 2002, the Japanese film series was symbolically laid to rest with a Tokyo funeral service for Sadako. But by

    Source: Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation press release Official Site: anime-expo.org Anime Expo, North America`s largest anime and Japanese pop culture convention, announces Johnny Yong Bosch and Eyeshine as Guests of Honor for AX2013! Johnny got his start as Adam Park, the Black Ranger in the original MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS -- a role that he played for three-and-a-half seasons on TV, two motion pictures and two special guest appearances in subsequent seasons. Johnny is also well-known for voice acting work in numerous anime titles, including Vash the Stampede in TRIGUN, Kaneda in AKIRA, Renton in EUREKA SEVEN, Claus in LAST EXILE, Sakaki in WITCH HUNTER ROBIN, Kiba in WOLF`S RAIN, Itsuki in THE MELANCHOLY OF HARUHI SUZUMIYA, Ichigo Kurosaki in BLEACH, Lelouch Lamperouge in CODE GEASS, Izaya in DURARARA, and Yukio in BLUE EXORCIST. Johnny’s voice can also be heard in numerous video

    Latest Kamen Rider "Movie Wars" Film Opens in Japan on December 8th Author: Alicia Ashby Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: movie-taisen.com (Japan) Toei Materials Translated by: Elliot Gay SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from an upcoming movie. Official English Title: KAMEN RIDER X KAMEN RIDER WIZARD & FOURZE: MOVIE WARS ULTIMATUM Japanese Title: ??????×?????? MOVIE?? ???????? (Kamen Raidaa × Kamen Raidaa Uizaado Ando Fooze Muubii Taisen Arutimeitamu) Magic x Space! An invincible collaboration! The curtain rises on Ultimatum! The plot to eliminate humanity begins now! Superheroes unite! KAMEN RIDER FOURZE (??????????, Kamen Raidaa Fooze, 2011) was designed as the 40th anniversary project for the legendary Kamen Rider series. Now, the era of the Space Rider has ended, and the Magic Rider era has begun. Despite having only just begun airing in September, KAMEN RIDER WIZARD (???????????,

    Promotional Images Begin to Appear for the New Korean Disaster Movie Author: Kim Song-ho Source: The Tower Pictures / CJ Entertainment The Tower Pictures and CJ Entertainment released three character posters and several stills from THE TOWER (??), the upcoming Korean disaster movie. The companies also announced that the movie will open in Korea in December. The exact release date has not yet been revealed, but will soon follow suit. THE TOWER is about a massive fire in a 108-story skyscraper in Seoul on Christmas Eve. The movie will depict the struggles for survival of the people trapped inside. It is said to be the second all-out Korean disaster movie after 2009`s HAEUNDAE (???, released on Blu-ray and DVD as TIDAL WAVE in the US market), which showed a great tsunami that struck the coastal city of Busan. The movie was directed by

    Lineup includes RUROUNI KENSHIN, KEY OF LIFE, THERMAE ROMAE and SPACE BROTHERS Source: Japan Foundation, Sydney press releases Official Site: japanesefilmfestival.net Special Thanks to Evon Fung and Amanda Thompson In less than one month, the 16th Japanese Film Festival opens in Sydney from 14 – 25 November at Event Cinemas George Street and MELBOURNE from 29 November – 9 December in two locations, Hoyts Melbourne Central and ACMI Cinemas, Australian Centre for the Moving Image. Tickets go on sale 22 October for the biggest line-up to date. This year’s ‘totally sweet’ program features many titles that are now showing in Japan, with some yet to be released. Within the programming of these two cities, award-winning manga turned live-action SPACE BROTHERS (????, Uchuu Kyodai, 2012) will be featured in this year’s line-up, along with Japanese Academy Award winning Director Takashi Yamazaki’s (ALWAYS 1, 2

    Source: Well Go USA, MPRM Communications press release Official Site: taichi0.com Special Thanks to Nicole Duong On October 19th, director Stephen Fung`s steampunk martial arts film TAI CHI ZERO (??????) begins its US theatrical run, courtesy of Well Go USA and Variance Films. From the creators of DETECTIVE DEE and SHAOLIN SOCCER, featuring martial arts choreography by the legendary Sammo Hung (IP MAN 2: LEGEND OF THE GRANDMASTER), and produced by international megastar Jet Li (HERO, THE EXPENDABLES, FEARLESS), TAI CHI ZERO tells the story of Yang Luchan, an uncommonly gifted child who has a fleshy abnormality that holds tremendous power growing on his forehead. However, being teased as the town fool, Yang’s mother spurs him to practice martial arts, and following her wishes, Yang travels to the distant Chen Village to learn TAI CHI. At this legendary village everyone practices TAI CHI

    Blu-ray and DVD Release on December 4th Source: Lionsgate press release Official Site: powerrangers.com The Power Rangers are SUPER powered with all new weapons and villains in the Lionsgate Home Entertainment release of the newest installment of the epic entertainment franchise, POWER RANGERS SUPER SAMURAI: THE COMPLETE SEASON available for the first time on Blu-ray Disc, DVD and Digital Download December 4. Follow the team as they are supercharged and ready to save the world, and relive all 20 episodes of the current Power Rangers series. In this exciting season, join the Rangers as they discover the power of the Black Box and are faced with their strongest opponents ever. Currently airing on Nickelodeon, POWER RANGERS SUPER SAMURAI: THE COMPLETE SEASON will be available on Blu-ray Disc and DVD, three days after the season finale. For the first time ever, the episodes will

    Featuring Special Appearance by Joel Hodgson, Crow T. Robot and Tom Servo from MST3K Source: Shout! Factory press release Special Thanks to Tom Chen Shout! Factory makes its foray at New York Comic Con 2012 with a stellar lineup, featuring a showcase of highly anticipated home entertainment products, exclusives, special signing, collectible giveaways and interactive fan activities at Shout! Factory booth (# 843) throughout the entire convention at the Javitz Center. Fan favorite icons Joel Hodgson (MST3K and CINEMATIC TITANIC), Crow T. Robot and Tom Servo from MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 will celebrate the excitement of this incredible pop culture gathering with Shout! Factory on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 3 PM. Loyal fans and convention attendees will have the opportunity to get up-close and personal with Joel and the hilarious robot pals from MST3K’s Satellite of Love! For the first time at New York Comic

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