12 Months of Exclusive Content Direct From Studios and Distributors! Author: Keith Aiken SciFi Japan is proud to remain the one and ONLY English language website devoted to Japanese fantasy films and TV that is officially press registered with all five major Japanese studios (Toho, Toei, Shochiku, Nikkatsu and Kadokawa), several Japanese production companies, plus their distributors and licensees. While other sites will run information and images taken from Japanese news sources and publications, SciFi Japan regularly posts content provided directly to us by the companies and people making and releasing Japanese movies, programs and merchandise. This allows us to present our readers with accurate, verified information rather than rumors and speculation, and also run larger and higher quality photos and artwork than can be found elsewhere. Thanks to all our writers, contributors, sources and readers for your support! Be sure to check

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Hit Japanese Mecha Anime Comes to Movie Theaters for One Night Source: Fathom Events press release Official Site: gundam-nt.net (Japan), fathomevents.com/gundam-nt (US) Following a successful run in its native Japan, the animated mecha film MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM NT (NARRATIVE) (??????????(?????), Kid? Senshi Gandamu Naratibu, 2018) is coming to the U.S. with a new English-language dub for one night in February. Produced by Sunrise Inc.’s 1st Studio, directed by Toshikazu Yoshizawa and written by Harutoshi Fukui (MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM UC), MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM NT is a new work in the Universal Century saga and depicts what lies beyond GUNDAM UC. As an exciting bonus to viewing the highly-anticipated feature, fans will get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look, PLUS the first 50 attendees at each cinema will receive a GUNDAM NT double-sided poster (quantities limited, first-come, first-served).

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HUNTER X HUNTER’s Second Feature Film To Screen In Select Theaters Across The U.S. Starting On January 30th; Tickets On Sale Now! Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC, a premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing, announces the theatrical release of the second HUNTER X HUNTER film, HUNTER X HUNTER: THE LAST MISSION (??? HUNTER×HUNTER -The LAST MISSION-, Gekij?-ban Hant? Hant? Za Rasuto Misshon, 2013), with screenings beginning January 30th. A list of participating theater locations and advance ticket sales for all screening dates is available at (more theaters and screenings added daily) cinelifeentertainment.com/event/hunter-x-hunter-the-last-mission. Presented in partnership with CineLife Entertainment, the event cinema and alternative programming division of Spotlight Cinema

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Source: HIDIVE press release Official Site: neverland-anime.com (Japan), neverland-animeusa.com (US) HIDIVE announced that it acquired streaming rights to a new thrilling sci-fi adventure from animation studio CloverWorks (DARLING in the FRANXX, FAIRY TAIL: FINAL SERIES, RASCAL DOES NOT DREAM OF BUNNY GIRL SENPAI), THE PROMISED NEVERLAND (?????????, Yakusoku no Neb?rando, 2019), for audiences in the United States, Canada and other select territories. Fans can watch the premiere on Wednesday, January 9 at 15:00 UTC and catch new episodes every Thursday starting on January 17 at 17:25 UTC. The orphans of Grace Field House live a peaceful and happy life, filled with love and affection provided by their dear “Mom.” They know no hunger and receive a world-class education, all to prepare them for the day when caring foster parents come to adopt them. They only have to abide by one cardinal rule: never leave the orphanage. However,

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Fight your destiny in this world. Source: Aniplex of America press release Official Site: neverland-anime.com (Japan), neverland-animeusa.com (US) Special Thanks to Aiko Makino Aniplex of America has acquired the rights in North, Central, and South America for the supernatural thriller, THE PROMISED NEVERLAND (?????????, Yakusoku no Neb?rando, 2019), and released a new trailer revealing all of the streaming platforms the show will be available on. Based on the popular manga written by Kaiu Shirai with illustrations by Posuka Demizu, the anime has quickly become one of the most highly anticipated series debuting this season since the anime adaptation was first announced in Weekly Shonen Jump in May of 2018. The anime will be produced by animation studio CloverWorks (PERSONA5 THE ANIMATION, RASCAL DOES NOT DREAM OF BUNNY GIRL SENPAI) with Mamoru Kanbe (ELFEN LIED, THE PERFECT INSIDER) serving as the director for the series. Toshiya Ono

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Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: wz-anime.net (Japan) Sentai Filmworks has announced that it acquired distribution rights to W’Z (???, U~izu, 2019) for the United States, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Spain and Portugal. Inspired by house music from a young age, Yukiya spends his free time as a DJ for a crowd of one and uploads his videos online. Like any young teenager, he yearns for something greater than his current life. He wants recognition and importance, but breaking out of his comfort zone means he runs the risk of getting hurt, so the cycle continues. That is, until the day he crosses the line of no return and stumbles across a mysterious live broadcast that will change his world forever. The series stars Katsumi Fukuhara (HUG! PRETTY CURE, IN ANNOTHER WORLD WITH MY SMARTPHONE) as Yukiya,

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In romance, the first one to confess their love is the loser. Source: AniplexUSA press release Official Site: kaguya.love (Japan), kaguyasama-anime.com (US) Special Thanks to Aiko Makino Aniplex of America’s brand new romantic comedy, KAGUYA-SAMA: LOVE IS WAR (????????? ????????????, Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai - Tensai-tachi no Renai Zun?sen, 2019), has been confirmed to begin streaming on Hulu, Crunchyroll, and FunimationNow. The hilarious and quick-witted anime is based on Aka Akasaka’s manga series published in Shueisha’s Young Jump magazine. The manga is on its eleventh volume in Japan, amassed over 2.8 million copies and currently holds the title for the number one selling romantic comedy series currently still being serialized in a weekly manga magazine. The anime series will be produced by A-1 Pictures (SWORD ART ONLINE, BLUE EXORCIST) and has signed on RECORD OF GRANCREST WAR’s Mamoru Hatakeyama as director with Yuko Yahiro (HAIKYU!!, ATTACK ON

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Source: ELEVEN ARTS press release Official Site: elevenarts.net/a-silent-voice, fathomevents.com/a-silent-voice (US) #ASilentVoice Director Naoko Yamada`s anime hit A SILENT VOICE (?? ???, Eiga Koe no Katachi, 2016) returns to U.S. cinemas for two nights only in January 2019, courtesy of ELEVEN ARTS and Fathom Events. After transferring into a new school, a deaf girl, Shoko Nishimiya, is bullied by the popular Shoya Ishida. As Shoya continues to bully Shoko, the class turns its back on him. Shoko transfers and Shoya grows up as an outcast. Alone and depressed, the regretful Shoya finds Shoko to make amends. Based on the highly regarded, award-winning manga by Yoshitoki Oima, A SILENT VOICE is a moving coming-of-age drama that depicts the struggles of adolescence through its memorable characters and beautiful animation.

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MEGALOBOX trailer courtesy of VIZ Media. © MEGALOBOX Project Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media proudly announces the North American broadcast debut of the hit boxing series, MEGALOBOX (??????, Megaro Bokusu, 2018), on Adult Swim’s Toonami. The first episode of the sports action drama premieres on Saturday, December 8th at 12 a.m. EST/PST, with future episodes scheduled to air each Saturday. Toonami is the anime programming block on Adult Swim, which offers a variety of original and acquired animated and live-action series for young adults. The protagonist of the series is a young man with no origin and known only by his ring name: “JNK.DOG.” He survives by fighting in rigged, underground matches of a sport called MEGALOBOX, a form of fighting utilizing powered exoskeletons. JD is bored, resigned and unfulfilled --

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In Hulu’s Largest Deal for Anime Programming to Date, Funimation to Become a Primary Supplier for Hulu’s Subtitled and Dubbed Content Source: Funimation press release Official Site: hulu.com Special Thanks to Scott Barretto Today Hulu and Funimation, a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Television (SPT), announced a multi-year partnership and output deal. The monumental deal marks Hulu’s largest agreement for anime programming to date and will significantly expand its anime collection with new subtitled and dubbed titles from Funimation, the leading anime distributor, each year. With millions of hours of anime streamed over the past year, Hulu is streaming home to one of the most comprehensive collections of anime programming in the U.S. The new deal will grant Hulu a first look at U.S. streaming video on-demand rights to future anime series produced and released by Funimation beginning in 2019, and will make Hulu

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Celebrate Valentine’s Day Early With the Heartwarming Japanese Anime Hit in Select Big Screens Nationwide Source: Fathom Events press release Official Site: kimisui-anime.com (Japan), fathomevents.com/events/i-want-to-eat-your-pancreas (US) Special Thanks to Katherine Schwappach, Erik Stein and Aiko Makino #PancreasAnime Fathom Events in partnership with Aniplex of America brings the uplifting, coming-of-age tale that has captured the hearts of millions in Japan, “I want to eat your pancreas” (?????????, Kimi no Suizoo o Tabetai, 2018). Based on the bestselling, award-winning novel by Yoru Sumino, the anime adaptation beautifully explores the relationship between the terminally ill Sakura and the unnamed protagonist, “Me,” as they embark on an emotional journey during an unforgettable spring. As these two opposites try to learn to find happiness, they in turn discover the true meaning of compassion. In addition to the poignant feature,

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POKÉMON DETECTIVE PIKACHU Trailer 1 courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. © 2018 Pokémon. © 1997-2018 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK, TV Tokyo, ShoPro, JR Kikaku. TM, ® Nintendo. Source: Warner Bros. Pictures #DetectivePikachuMovie Warner Bros. Pictures has released the first trailer and poster for POKÉMON DETECTIVE PIKACHU. Directed by Rob Letterman (GOOSEBUMPS, MONSTERS VS ALIENS), the first-ever live-action Pokémon adventure stars Ryan Reynolds as Pikachu, the iconic face of the global Pokémon phenomenon -- one of the world’s most popular, multi-generation entertainment properties and the most successful media franchise of all time. The movie also stars Justice Smith (JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM) as Tim; Kathryn Newton (LADY BIRD, TV’s BIG LITTLE LIES) as Lucy, a junior reporter following her first big story; and Oscar nominee Ken Watanabe (GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS, THE LAST SAMURAI) as Lt. Yoshida. POKÉMON DETECTIVE PIKACHU is set for

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Source: HIDIVE press release HIDIVE announced that it acquired exclusive streaming rights to the English dub of REAL GIRL (3D?? ??????, 3D Kanojo Riaru Gaaru, 2018) for the USA, the UK, Ireland, Canada and other select territories. HIDIVE subscribers can watch the premiere on October 30, 2018 at 17:00 UTC with subsequent episodes released every Tuesday. The reclusive Hikari Tsutsui wants nothing to do with real-world girls. According to him, fictional girls like Ezomichi are much better. But one day, he finds himself paired up with Iroha Igarashi, who is nothing but trouble according to the school’s rumor mill. The couple develops a close bond, which challenges their preconceived notions of others. Soon, this leads to something more between the two. For more information, a full list of plan features, or to sign up for HIDIVE, visit HIDIVE.com and follow them on social media: Twitter: twitter.com/hidiveofficial Facebook:

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GKIDS and Fathom Events Partner to Bring Miyazaki Biopic to Big Screens Nationwide on December 13 and 18 Source: GKIDS Inc., Fathom Events press release Official Site: NeverEndingMan.com Special Thanks to Annalee Paulo, Chrissie Bock, Todd Nickels, Kabeer Malhotra, Tahajah Samuels, Katherine Schwappach and Erik Stein #MiyazakiDoc GKIDS, the acclaimed producer and distributor of multiple Academy Award-nominated animated features, and Fathom Events are proud to announce the U.S. debut of NEVER-ENDING MAN: HAYAO MIYAZAKI (?????? ???, Owaranai Hito Miyazaki Hayao, 2016). This documentary follows the formerly-retired film director and animator Hayao Miyazaki as he experiments for the first time with CGI. Miyazaki is a Japanese film director, producer, screenwriter, animator, author, and manga artist. In 1985 he co-founded Studio Ghibli and went on to direct highly influential and

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Source: Warner Bros. Pictures #DetectivePikachuMovie The world of Pokémon comes to life! The first-ever live-action Pokémon adventure, POKÉMON DETECTIVE PIKACHU stars Ryan Reynolds as Pikachu, the iconic face of the global Pokémon phenomenon — one of the world’s most popular, multi-generation entertainment properties and the most successful media franchise of all time. Fans everywhere can now experience Pikachu on the big screen as never before, as Detective Pikachu, a Pokémon like no other. The film also showcases a wide array of beloved Pokémon characters, each with its own unique abilities and personality. The story begins when ace private eye Harry Goodman goes mysteriously missing, prompting his 21-year-old son Tim to find out what happened. Aiding in the investigation is Harry’s former Pokémon partner, Detective Pikachu: a hilariously wise-cracking, adorable super-sleuth who is a puzzlement even to himself. Finding that

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Source: Azoland Pictures press release Official Site: anime-chu-2.com (Japan), azolandpictures.com/chunibyo-takeonme (US) Special Thanks to Erika T. Wright Azoland Pictures and Sentai Filmworks announced the forthcoming theatrical release of the highly anticipated anime feature film, LOVE, CHUNIBYO AND OTHER DELUSIONS! - TAKE ON ME (?? ?????????? -Take On Me-, Eiga Chuunibyoo Demo Koi Ga Shitai -Take On Me-, 2018). Following the North American premiere at Los Angeles Anime Film Festival in Los Angeles, California, the film will be released in select theaters across North America starting November 2, 2018. Theater patrons will receive an exclusive giveaway item with each purchased ticket at participating theaters, while supplies last. The film will be shown with Japanese audio and English subtitles. LOVE, CHUNIBYO AND OTHER DELUSIONS! is based off the light novel, of the same name, written by Torako.

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Source: HIDIVE press release HIDIVE announced today that it acquired the streaming rights to MONOCHROME FACTOR (??????·?????, Monokuroomu Fakutaa, 2008) for the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, the UK, Ireland and other select territories. HIDIVE subscribers can watch the premiere on October 17, 2018 with new episodes added every Wednesday. High schooler Akira Nikaido is living a normal, predictable life. That changes when he meets a mysterious man, Shirogane, who tells him that beings from the Shadow World are invading the Human World. Shirogane asks Akira to become a "Shin,“ a creature from the Shadow World, to help him hunt down these invaders and restore balance. Add to that having to juggle school work, teenage drama and Shirogane’s feeling towards him, Akira now has plenty to keep him busy. For more information, a full list of plan features, or to sign up for HIDIVE visit HIDIVE.com

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Source: HIDIVE press release HIDIVE announced today that it acquired streaming rights to the English-language dub and home video versions of THE SEVEN HEAVENLY VIRTUES (?????, Nanatsu no Bitoku, 2018) and will make the series available for its subscribers in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland and other select territories. The Seven Heavenly Virtues English-dub and home video versions premiere on October 16, 2018 with subsequent episodes released weekly every Tuesday. As sin begins to take over the world, it’s up to seven scantily-clad angels to find the new messiah and deliver humanity from evil. Of course, this is no easy task, and the voluptuous angels quickly find themselves in risqué situations in hopes of finding the true savior. Has the lover of cream-filled sweets Raphael found a true hero or does humanity’s one hope lie in buxom Sariel’s slacker office employee? For more

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Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: nanoha.com/detonation (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Shochiku Co. has provided SciFi Japan with information and pics for MAGICAL GIRL LYRICAL NANOHA DETONATION (??????????? Detonation, Maho Shojo Ririkaru Nanoha Detonation), the fourth feature film in the anime franchise. STORY The planet Eltoria which is quietly dying because of devastation. The Florian family, consisting of a researcher couple and their two daughters, Amitie and Kirie, remain on Eltoria with the dream of revitalizing it. However, the father, Grants Florian, collapses from his illness. Then their dream crumbles. Kirie decides to go in search of a way to save her father and to revive the planet into a "different world far away." Amitie tries to stop her, but Kirie rejects her older sister`s control and goes to the different world with her childhood best friend, Iris. Their destination is

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Source: HIDIVE press release HIDIVE announced today that it acquired simulcast streaming rights to BLOOM INTO YOU (???????, Yagate Kimi ni Naru, 2018) for the Fall 2018 simulcast season. The series will be available to HIDIVE subscribers in the USA, Canada, the UK, and other select territories and premieres Friday, October 5, 2018, at 14:00 UTC. HIDIVE is scheduling a DUBCAST edition of BLOOM INTO YOU for weekly rollout within three weeks of the premiere date. Series Description Yuu loves shoujo manga and waits for a love confession to make her feel like a character from her favorite stories but when a classmate admits his feelings, she feels nothing. Time passes and Yuu begins high school feeling lost and confused. Things begin to look up when she witnesses Nanami, the beautiful student council president, effortlessly turn down a boy. Yuu reaches out to Nanami

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