SciFi Japan

    Ban Daisuke and Kikaida take part in the Nisei Week Parade in Los Angeles` Little Tokyo on August 15th. Photo courtesy of Richard Pusateri. Kikaida © 1972 Ishinomori Production Inc. and Toei Co., Ltd.

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    KIKAIDA star appears at Los Angeles Nisei Week events Author: Richard Pusateri Official Sites: Anime Jungle, Generation Kikaida, www.bandaisuke.com Special thanks: Joanne Ninomiya, Tetsu Shiota, August Ragone Ban Daisuke`s recent visit to Los Angeles, hosted by Anime Jungle, demonstrated that the appeal of KIKAIDA is not limited to markets where the Japanese TV program aired in the United States. After much success at personal appearances in Hawaii, San Francisco and at San Diego Comic Con in years past, Mr. Ban met his enthusiastic Los Angeles fans August 14 and 15 during Little Tokyo`s Nisei Week celebration. Originally broadcast in Japan 1972, KIKAIDA (Jinzoningen Kikaida or ANDROID KIKAIDER) became a hit on Hawaiian television in 1974. Mr. Ban portrayed Jiro, the guitar-playing, motorcycle- riding hero who transformed into the android Kikaida. Mr. Ban soon started making wildly-received personal appearances in our 50th state. According

    The alien hunters return with a few new tricks in PREDATORS, the latest sequel to the hit Arnold Schwarzenegger film. © 2010 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

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    Author: Kyle Byrd Source: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation Official Site: predators-movie.com SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details for a new movie. John McTiernan’s 1987 film PREDATOR was an original, fun film that blended the action, horror and sci-fi genres seamlessly and has gone on to be one of the most beloved (and quotable) genre films of the 1980s. Since then, Fox has been trying to figure out where to take the series next. What we’ve gotten since has been a below par sequel (PREDATOR 2) and two abominable ALIEN VS PREDATOR movies. With the backlash triggered by the AVP films, Fox has decided to take the ALIEN and PREDATOR franchises in other directions. With Ridley Scott working on two ALIEN prequels, Robert Rodriguez decided it was a good time to get a PREDATOR sequel off the ground. Produced by Rodriguez and

    A murderous ghost seeks revenge in NIGHTMARE DETECTIVE II, premiering next week at the Japan Cuts film festival in NYC. Photo courtesy of Japan Society. © 2009 Shinya Tsukamoto/ Kaijyu Theater

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    J-Horror Film to Screen at JAPAN CUTS in New York City Source: Japan Society Official Site: Japan Cuts Special Thanks to Shannon Jowett and Tahmid Mannan SciFi Japan and Japan Society are pleased to present another contest for free passes to a new fantasy film premiering this month at Japan Cuts: Festival of Contemporary Japanese Cinema in New York City. Our third and final ticket giveaway for this year`s Japan Cuts and the New York Asian Film Festival will be the US premiere of the J-Horror movie NIGHTMARE DETECTIVE II. In the NIGHTMARE DETECTIVE movies, actor Ryuhei Matsuda (TABOO, CUTIE HONEY, BIG BANG LOVE: JUVENILE A) stars as Kyoichi Kagenuma, a dream analyst who has the very unwanted “gift” of being able to hear the thoughts of those around him, as well as the ability to enter peoples’ subconscious while they dream. Kyoichi’s rare talents make

    A master thief uncovers a prize that may decide who rules feudal Japan in the action epic GOEMON, coming to select UK cinemas this month. Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 2009 “Goemon” Film Partners.

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    Epic Adventure from the Producers of THE GRUDGE and the Director of CASSHERN Opens July 23rd Source: The Associates press release Official Movie Site: Goemon (Japan) Five years ago, acclaimed Japanese fashion photographer and music video director Kazuaki Kiriya made an explosive and groundbreaking assault on the movie world with his directorial debut feature, the visually stunning and hugely ambitious sci-fi epic, CASSHERN. Now, Kiriya returns in his own inimitable style with the equally spectacular period, fantasy action-adventure, GOEMON. Produced by Kiriya and legendary producer Takashige Ichise (THE RING; DARK WATER; THE GRUDGE; SHUTTER) and boasting a star-studded cast that includes Yosuke Eguchi (SHAOLIN GIRL), Takao Osawa (ICHI; SKY HIGH), Jun Kaname (BLOOD; K-20; CASSHERN), Tetsuji Tamayama (NORWEGIAN WOOD; CASSHERN) and Susumu Terajima (CASSHERN; ICHI THE KILLER), GOEMON is based on the exploits of the film’s eponymous, ninja bandit hero – the Japanese

    A new and improved giant robot is unleashed 17 years after the events of the

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    Sci-Fi Movie Trilogy Ends on a Strong Note Author: Elliot Gay Official Movie Site: 20thboysfilms.com (US), 20th Boys (Japanese) SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details for a new movie. For those of you who would rather avoid any and all spoilers concerning the third film in the 20TH CENTURY BOYS series, let me state here and now: if you at all enjoyed the first two movies you will enjoy the third and final film just as much as-- if not more than-- the previous. Director Yukihiko Tsutsumi provides a satisfying and all-encompassing finale to a trilogy that had a great deal of sub-plots and loose ends to tie up. Against all odds, Tsutsumi manages to provide the sort of closure that few manga adaptations are granted. So let out a big sigh of relief; 20Th CENTURY BOYS 3: REDEMPTION (20-Seiki Shonen: Saishusho-Bokura

    Genetic engineer Elsa Kast (Sarah Polley) comes face-to-face with the result of her latest experiment in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Dark Castle Entertainment’s newly-released science fiction thriller SPLICE. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. © 2010 Warner Bros. Entertainment

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    Author: Kyle Byrd Official Movie Site: splicethefilm.com SPLICE is a “science gone wrong” tale concerning two scientists who dare to play God. The film is a Freudian biological nightmare revolving around Clive and Elsa (played by Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley), a romantically involved pair of scientists who have helped revolutionize genetic engineering by splicing together the DNA of different animals to create new hybrid creatures. When they try to experiment with human DNA, the company that funds their research won’t let them due to their fear of public outcry. Knowing that doing so could lead to breakthroughs in science and medicine, Clive and Elsa decide to conduct the experiments anyway. The result is Dren, a creature made up of human DNA, as well as the DNA of various animals. Dren appears and acts more human as she ages at an unusually fast

    Shopping frenzy at this year`s Super Festival. Photo by Ed Godziszewski.

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    A Look at the International Model and Toy Show Held in Tokyo on January 10, 2010 Author: Ed Godziszewski Official Site: Super Festival In years past, it used to be a big deal to attend toy shows such as Super Festival— each show yielded not only its share of exclusive items, but they were a expeditious way to accomplish a good deal of shopping all in one place. Rather than spending time and train fare scurrying about Tokyo, Super Festival offered one-stop shopping where you could find not only most every current item, but also a nice selection of vintage (and sometimes otherwise unheard of) items. Due to a change in my business trip schedule, it had been almost 6 years since the last time I attended Super Festival, so attending this most recent incarnation this past January 10 impressed upon me just how much times

    Bigger than big! A full scale statue of the classic manga/anime robot Tetsujin 28 (aka Gigantor) has been built in Kobe, Japan. Photo by Daisuke Ishizuka. © 2009 Kobe Tetsujin Project.

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    "Life Size" Statue of Giant Robot in Creator`s Hometown Author: Daisuke Ishizuka Official Site: Kobe Tetsujin Project (Japan) TETSUJIN 28-GO (Tetsujin Nijyu-Hachi-Go) is a popular robot comic (launched 1956) and animation TV series (1963) created by Mr. Mitsuteru Yokoyama. The animated series was aired in America as the English dubbed GIGANTOR (1966). Mr. Yokoyama was born in Kobe in 1934, and died at the of age of 69 in 1995. His works include Giant Robo (adapted as the live action series JOHNNY SOKKO AND HIS FLYING ROBOT), Babel II, Princess Comet (Comet-san) and Kamen no Ninjya Akakage (adapted several times, including the 2001 movie RED SHADOW). Tetsujin is considered to be his masterpiece. The character has become a beloved figure in Japan, starring in several animated series as well as a 2005 live action film. Imagi Studios, the animation house behind the CG

    Space Station Gamma III is menaced by THE GREEN SLIME. The Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention is hosting a 40th anniversary screening with stars Robert Horton and Luciana Paluzzi. © 1969 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc.

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    Stars Robert Horton and Luciana Paluzzi to Attend Screening at the Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention Official Site: Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Japanese/US/Italian co-production THE GREEN SLIME with a special screening and appearance by two stars of the sci-fi cult classic at the Los Angeles Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention. The convention will show a rare film print of THE GREEN SLIME at 12:00pm on Sunday, November 8th. Actors Robert Horton and Luciana Paluzzi will attend from 11:00am-4:00pm to sign autographs and take part in post-screening interview about the making of the movie. THE GREEN SLIME has a rather interesting pedigree. In the mid-1960s, American producers Walter Manley (Shintoho`s "Starman" series) and Ivan Reiner made a handful of low budget sci-fi films overseas, including the Japanese co-production TERROR BENEATH

    The 13th annual Japanese Film Festival begins November 24 in Sydney, Australia. © 2009 The Japan Foundation, Sydney

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    Twenty-one Films, Six Cities Source: Japan Foundation, Sydney Official Site: japanesefilmfestival.net Special Thanks to Evon Fung This year, the 13th annual Japanese Film Festival will be delivering another fantastic line-up of Japanese cinema to fans in Australia. The event begins November 24th at Event Cinemas George Street, Sydney, and December 3rd at ACMI Cinemas, Melbourne, and will include screenings in six major cities. The following text is courtesy of the Japan Foundation, Sydney... The Japanese Film Festival Returns The annual Japanese Film Festival (JFF) is full speed ahead for another exciting year of the latest Japanese cinema. On November 24, the Festival hits Event Cinemas George Street, Sydney for one short week before it heads to Melbourne on December 3 at ACMI Cinemas, Federation Square for another flurry of film festivity. 2008 ended with the Yojiro Takita’s Oscar-winning DEPARTURES, a sold-out success pre-Oscar win.

    New York-Tokyo presents the North American premiere of Kazuaki Kiriya`s new movie GOEMON next month in NYC. © 2009 “Goemon” Film Partners.

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    Screening at the ImaginAsian Theater on November 4th Source: New York-Tokyo press release Official Movie Site: Goemon (Japan) The media company New York-Tokyo continues their "Nippon Eiga Series" with the North American premiere of GOEMON at the ImaginAsian Theater in New York City on November 4th. GOEMON is about the "Japanese Robin Hood" who tangles himself in a brutal warfare amongst the warlords, honor and love. This highly stylized film is directed by visionary director, Kazuaki Kiriya (CASSHERN). GOEMON Japan | 2009 | 128 min. | 35mm film | Japanese with English Subtitles Wednesday, November 4th Doors open 6:15pm - Film starts 7:00pm The ImaginAsian 239 East 59th Street (Bet. 2nd & 3rd Ave.), NYC RSVP to newyork-tokyo.com/wp/goemon Synopsis In 1582, the mighty warlord Nobunaga was betrayed by his retainer, Mitsuhide. The cruel Hideyoshi subjugated Mitsuhide’s warriors and took

    Celebrate Halloween early with the Asian Film Festival of Dallas` Asian Horror Double Header. Photo courtesy of AFFD.

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    Source: Asian Film Festival of Dallas Special Thanks to Mike Keller In conjunction with Texas Frightmare Weekend, the Asian Film Festival of Dallas is holding a membership drive on October 24 at the Studio Movie Grill-Addison (5405 Beltline Rd. Dallas, TX, 75248). Scary movie fans are invited to celebrate Halloween early with a double feature of two excellent, spectacular, gory, fun Asian horror flicks, and participate in AFFD`s Costume Contest. Come dressed as your favorite Asian horror character. There will be a Prize for Best Costume plus lots of other door prizes. Ticket prices are $12.50 per screening or both films for $20. For more details, visit AFFD`s Asian Horror Double Header page. Theater info is available on the Studio Movie Grill-Addison website or by calling (972) 991-6684. The Films: 9:30PM - MACABRE (Rumah Dara, 2009) Written and Directed by The Mo Brothers. Starring Shareefa Daanish,

    The Tengu Police prepare to administer a little rough justice to Daddy Eyeball in KITARO, the live action adaptation of Shigeru Mizuki`s beloved yokai manga. Photo courtesy of The Associates. © 2007 KITARO Film Partners.

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    Source: The Associates press release Official Movie Site: GeGeGe (Japan) Shochiku`s 2007 box office hit KITARO (Gegege no Kitaro) has been released on DVD in the UK by Manga Entertainment. The live action adaptation of the phenomenally popular manga series created in the late 1950s by Shigeru Mizuki, KITARO is a colourful, fun and highly inventive fantasy adventure about the Japanese folklore creatures known as yokai, or spirit monsters, and their interaction with the human world. Previously adapted several times as various animated TV series, movies and video games, this latest version brings vivid new life to Mizuki`s bizarre characters and creations. Written by Daisuke Habara (HULA GIRLS; THE PRINCE OF TENNIS) and directed by Katsuhide Motoki (DRUGSTORE GIRL), the film stars Eiji Wentz (CAPTAIN TOKIO; LOVE COM), Mao Inoue (KAIDAN), Lena Tanaka (DRUGSTORE GIRL) and Yo Oizumi (GAMERA 2, SPIRITED AWAY). When

    Advertisement for VIZ Cinema`s theatrical run of K-20: THE FIEND WITH 20 FACES. Photo courtesy of VIZ Pictures. © 2008 'K-20' Film Partners

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    Now Playing at VIZ Cinema in Japantown Author: Dan Ross Source: VIZ Pictures Official Movie Site: k20themovie (US), K-20 (Japanese) In the 1920s eminent horror and detective fiction author Edogawa Rampo began writing a series of short stories that would go on to become a household name in Japan. Though inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle`s Sherlock Holmes, the case files of Kogoro Akechi followed the Tokyo detective down paths of a more fantastic and even occult nature. The exploits of Rampo`s most famous character have been adapted in comics, movies, television and has made guest appearances in other famous series such as LUPIN III. And like Holmes, Akechi had his own "Moriarty", an arch nemesis known only as Kaijin Niju Menso "The Fiend with 20 Faces". But in truth the character of Kaijin Niju Menso was more in the style of Maurice LeBlanc`s

    The halfling Saya (Gianna) battles the armies of the undead in BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE. © 2009 East Wing Holdings Corp. and SAJ.

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    Hit Horror Action Film to be Screened for Free at the Monterey Park Harmony Festival Source: Japan Film Society press release Official Movie Site: Blood The Last Vampire Special Thanks to Andrea Prieto The Japan Film Society, in conjunction with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and the City of Monterey Park, is proud to showcase the all-new action film, BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE at this year’s Monterey Park Harmony Festival! Based on the hit animation of the same name, and brought to audiences by a producer of CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON, this martial arts action thriller will be shown for FREE, at a one-night-only screening in the city of Monterey Park, City Council Chambers* on October 17th, 2009, at 5:00pm, just in time for Halloween. Demons have infested Earth. And only one warrior stands between the dark and the light: Saya, a half-human, half-vampire

    The

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    Now Available in the United States Source: Freestyle Photographic Supplies Special Thanks to Michael Tullberg Last year, the Tokyo-based camera design, production, and distribution company PowerShovel, Ltd. introduced the Blackbird Fly, a new Twin-Reflex 35mm Plastic Camera made in several different colors. The highly anticipated Blackbird Fly has received glowing reviews from camera and photography aficionados worldwide, and the model has been a strong seller for PowerShovel. In 2009, the Blackbird Fly received some unexpected and highly visible publicity from MASKED RIDER DECADE (Kamen Raidaa Dikeido), the 19th television series is the popular "Kamen Rider" franchise. Premiering this past January 25 on TV Asahi, the show stars Masahiro Inoue as Kamen Rider Decade`s alter ego, Tsukasa Kadoya. Tsukasa suffers from amnesia and tries to hold onto the world around him by photographing it with his camera of choice... a Blackbird Fly. One amusing

    Catch the rarely seen GOKE, BODYSNATCHER FROM HELL and HOUSE on the big screen this month in Hollywood! GOKE, BODYSNATCHER FROM HELL © 1968 Shochiku Co., Ltd. HOUSE © 1977 Toho Co., Ltd.

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    Horror Double Feature in Hollywood on September 23 Source: American Cinematheque Special Thanks to Chris D and Kevin Pyrtle On September 23, the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, CA presents two rarely seen Japanese horror cult classics; Toho`s 1977 fantasy masterpiece HOUSE and Shochiku`s 1968 sci-fi terror GOKE, BODYSNATCHER FROM HELL. Neither film is available on R1 DVD, and both will be shown in their original Japanese language with English subtitles. The screenings are preceded by a booksigning at 6:30 PM with author Chris Desjardins and his re-released book Outlaw Masters of Japanese Film, a detailed look at Japanese cult, action and exploitation cinema from the early 1950s to the present day. The Egyptian Theatre is located at 6712 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood CA 90028. Ticket prices to the theater are $10.00 general, $8.00 students and seniors, and $7.00 for American Cinematheque members. Tickets can

    All Masked Riders join forces against the world`s ultimate adversary, Great Shocker! ©2009 DECADE/SHINKENGER Production Consortium

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    All Masked Riders Return For Heisei Series 10th Anniversary Movie Author: James M. Ballard Official Movie Site: www.dcd-shin.jp With the successful revivial of the Masked Rider franchise with 2000`s MASKED RIDER KUUGA (Kamen Raidaa Kuuga), Toei Company has continued to produce new Masked Rider TV series every year. The current series MASKED RIDER DECADE (Kamen Raidaa Dikeido), which began airing in January this year, celebrates 10 years of the new era of Masked Rider productions, with the titular hero traveling between alternate Masked Rider worlds. Now, the new movie MASKED RIDER DECADE: ALL RIDERS VS. GREAT SHOCKER (Kamen Raidaa Dikeido Ooru Raidaa tai Daishokkaa) brings together all the leading Riders since the original MASKED RIDER (Kamen Raidaa, 1971) through to the upcoming series MASKED RIDER DOUBLE (Kamen Raidaa Daburu, 2009), due to air in September. The film opens as Tsukasa, Natsumi and Yusuke

    Horror and comedy crash head-on in CHAW, the new South Korean monster movie about a massive, man-eating mutant wild boar. © 2009 Polygon Entertainment LLC/Soo Jack Films

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    Updates and Review of the Korean Killer Wild Boar Movie Author: Kim Song-ho Source: Various official press materials Official Movie Site: CHAW Korean box office figures courtesy of the Korean Film Council SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from a new movie. One day in Sammae-ri, a small and peaceful village in Jirisan National Park that has not experienced a serious crime for 10 years, a terrible incident happens. Parts of a cruelly mutilated dead body are discovered by ecologists who are staying in the mountains to study the local wildlife. Policeman Kim Kang-su (Eom Tae-woong), newly transferred to Sammae-ri from Seoul, joins the case. The victim turns out to be a granddaughter of Cheon Il-man (Jang Hang-seon), who was once a legendary hunter. He is convinced that the girl was not killed by human hands but instead by the

    Kyoto University freshman Akira Abe (Takayuki Yamada) is distracted from his studies. Photo courtesy of VIZ Pictures. © 2009 Kamogawa Horumo Film Partners

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    Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. press release Official Movie Site: horumo.jp (Japan), horumo.com (US) Special Thanks to Junko Kawaguchi The combat action comedy BATTLE LEAGUE HORUMO (Kamogawa Horumo) will have its international premiere this week at the 2009 Fantasia Festival in Montreal, Canada. The movie, called "the strangest film ever made", won the competition "Grand Prix" at the 1st Okinawa International Film Festival in Japan earlier this year. Fantasia`s BATTLE LEAGUE HORUMO screening will take place at 5:00pm on July 24th at the Concordia Hall Theatre, 1455 de Maisonneuve O. Based on the best-selling fantasy novel Kamogawa Horumo written by Manabu Makime, BATTLE LEAGUE HORUMO is a story about a group of university students who get involved in playing a game of "Horumo" - a combat match where each team manipulates 100 spirits (referred to as Oni) to fight their opponents. Akira Abe (Takayuki Yamada), a freshman

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