Opens March 15 in New York, March 22 in Los Angeles and Toronto, Additional Cities on March 29 Source: GKIDS Inc. press release Official Site: gkids.tv/intheaters GKIDS is extremely proud to present FROM UP ON POPPY HILL (???????, Kokuriko-Zaka Kara, 2011), the highly anticipated new film from Studio Ghibli, creators of SPIRITED AWAY, MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, KIKI`S DELIVERY SERVICE, PONYO, THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY and many other animated masterpieces. Written by legendary studio founder Hayao Miyazaki and directed by Goro Miyazaki, FROM UP ON POPPY HILL marks the first feature film collaboration between father and son. The results are stunning -- a pure, sincere, nuanced and heartfelt film that signals yet another triumph for the esteemed studio. The top-grossing Japanese film of 2011 and winner of the Japan Academy Prize for

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Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: dragonball2013.com (Japan) Toei has just released several high-res images from their new movie, DRAGON BALL Z: BATTLE OF GODS (???????Z ???, Doragon Booru Zetto: Kami to Kami), opening in theaters across Japan on March 30th. For more information and pics from the film, please see the previous coverage on SciFi Japan.

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Latest Installment of Multi-Part Interview with Famed FINAL FANTASY Character Designer Source: MediaLab press release Official Site: newpeople.jp/travel/eng Special Thanks to Erik Jansen NEW PEOPLE, Inc, a San Francisco-based entertainment company bringing the latest examples of Japanese popular culture to North American shores, has just posted its latest edition of NEW PEOPLE Travel, an intriguing free Japanese pop culture web magazine. Readers are invited to catch the latest installment of an ongoing multi-segment interview with famed anime creator, character designer, and pop culture artist Yoskitaka Amano. The interview is available now at newpeople.jp/travel/eng/amano.html. NEW PEOPLE Travel is a unique web magazine that introduces Western audiences to a variety of Japanese creators that work across borders and the diverse scenery of Japan and journeys they have experienced. It provides an opportunity to see Japan through the eyes of artistic visionaries recognized around the world. In the latest

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Source: Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation press release Official Site: anime-expo.org Anime Expo is happy to announce our first Guest of Honor from Japan: Mari Okada! As an award-winning screenwriter, Ms. Okada has helped contribute to the world of anime since 1998 and worked on some of our favorite titles, from TORADORA! and BLACK BUTLER to our newest love, AKB0048! You should recognize a couple of the other anime she’s worked on: BASILISK, anohana: THE FLOWER WE SAW THAT DAY, CANAAN, DARKER THAN BLACK, ROZEN MAIDEN, TRUE TEARS, VAMPIRE KNIGHT, and the increasingly popular HANASAKU IROHA ~ BLOSSOMS FOR TOMORROW ~. If you don’t recognize these titles, be sure to come by our film rooms and introduce yourself to the work of the lovely Mari Okada! So join us

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Source: Nikkatsu, IRH Press Official Movie Site: shinpi2012.com (Japan), mystical-laws.com (International) THE MYSTICAL LAWS (????, Shinpi no Hoo, 2012) is an odd new anime feature film conceived by religious leader Ryuho Okawa to promote the teachings and philosophies of his controversial Happy Science organization. Following close on the heels of the live action film THE FINAL JUDGEMENT (?????????????, Fuuinaru Jajjimento, 2012), THE MYSTICAL LAWS is Ozawa`s second movie prophesying a near future Japan under siege from foreign invaders. Released in Japan by Nikkatsu, THE MYSTICAL LAWS was given a limited US theatrical run last November by distributor Eleven Arts in a failed bid to qualify for a 2013 "Best Animated Feature" Oscar nomination. Official Plot Description Year 202X. A military and economic superpower of Asia is rocked by coup. Tathagata Killer, a man from the military division, has assumed the position of emperor

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Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Movie Site: neragaku.com (Japan) SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from a new anime movie. From the young and talented director Ryosuke Nakamura of the BOX OF GOBLINS television animation series comes PSYCHIC SCHOOL WARS (???????, Nerawareta Gakuen), a new feature animation based on a popular Sci-Fi novel. It’s spring which is a start of the new school year at a junior high school in Kamakura (Kanagawa Prefecture). A new transfer student, the handsome boy Ryoichi Kyogoku, joins the 8th grade class. He has a mission ordered by his father... to take over the school, using his "telepathy" to read other people`s mind. Kyogoku instantly gains popularity at school from his charismatic character and presence, and also provides his followers with "telepathy", which strengthens the solidarity among his group, just as he intends. As

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Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Special Thanks to David Williams This Saturday, December 29th through Monday, December 31st, Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) will be hosting an animation booth at Comic Market 83, to be held at Tokyo Big Sight (Tokyo International Exhibition Center). TBS and Sentai Filmworks cordially invite you to stop by Booth 341 in the Corporate Dealer Area, West Hall 4F for the latest news and information on all of TBS’ popular animation series. Rikka and Yuta from this season’s hit show LOVE, CHUNIBYO & OTHER DELUSIONS (??????????, Chuunibyoo demo Koi ga Shitai!) will be at the booth to meet fans and provide them with flyers and merchandise* for popular titles. In addition, TBS will be holding special presentations for overseas customers of their upcoming titles TAMAKO MARKET (????????, Tamako Maaketto)

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Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: dragonball2013.com (Japan) SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from an upcoming movie. On December 3, 1984, Weekly Shonen Jump (????????, Shuukan Shonen Janpu) debuted the manga Dragon Ball (???????, Doragon Booru). Created by Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball`s battle action and flashy, compelling characters quickly built up a strong and devoted fanbase, making the series a top draw throughout it`s 10 year run. It also became tremendously popular overseas, with the collected editions having sold more than 230 million volumes worldwide. In 1986, Toei Animation began their DRAGON BALL anime television and movie series, which also became an international hit. Seventeen years after the manga ended, Dragon Ball continues to entertain a new generation of enthusiastic fans. And in 2013, DRAGON BALL will be revived on the big screen with a brand-new story... DRAGON

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Latest Studio Ghibli Hit Debuts in Australian Cinemas Source: Madman Entertainment press release Official Site: reelanime.com Special Thanks to Ben Pollock Madman proudly presents the world premiere of the English language version of Studio Ghibli’s FROM UP ON POPPY HILL (???????, Kokuriko-Zaka Kara, 2011), in Australian cinemas for a limited time from December 20, 2012. From the highly celebrated studio that gave us SPIRITED AWAY, PONYO and ARRIETTY, comes the highly anticipated English language version of FROM UP ON POPPY HILL, a uniquely inspired coming-of-age story from Goro Miyazaki and Hayao Miyazaki. Set in Yokohama in 1963, this lovingly hand-drawn film centers on Umi (voiced by Sarah Bolger, ONCE UPON A TIME) and Shun (voiced by Anton Yelchin, STAR TREK) and the budding romance that develops as they

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Australian Anime Festival Runs December 6-9 Source: Madman Entertainment press release Official Site: reelanime.com Special Thanks to Ben Pollock Following a successful summer tour, the Australian label Madman Entertainment proudly brings the REEL ANIME festival to Wellington (Reading Cinemas, Wellington) and Christchurch (Hoyts Cinemas, Westfield Riccarton). Showcasing four of the freshest anime feature films this side of Japan, REEL ANIME will screen from December 6th to December 9th. REEL ANIME brings the spectacle of Japanese animation back to the big screen, providing hardcore fans, cinephiles and casual crowds alike the rare opportunity to relish the eye-popping action, masterful storytelling and moving moments that anime has to offer. All films in the REEL ANIME program will screen in original Japanese language with English subtitles. The hand-picked suite of cutting-edge films selected for the

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Films Premiering in Australian Cinemas in December Source: Madman Entertainment press release Official Site: madoka-magica.com (Japan), MadokaMagicaUSA.com (US), madman.com.au/puella-magi-madoka-magica (Australia) Special Thanks to Ben Pollock Madman Entertainment, in collaboration with Aniplex of America, are proud to announce the acquisition of the PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA movies, PART 1: BEGINNINGS (??? ??????????? ??: ??????, Gekijoo-ban Maho Shojo Madoka Magika Zenpen: Hajimari no Monogatari, 2012) and PART 2: ETERNAL (??? ????????????????????, Gekijoo-ban Maho Shojo Madoka Magika Shinpen: Hangyaku no Monogatari, 2012). Both films will premiere in cinemas across four states on December 9th, 2012. The exclusive, one day only screenings will take place in Sydney (Dendy Newtown), Melbourne (Cinema Nova), Brisbane (Dendy Portside) and Canberra (Dendy Canberra) on December 9th, 2012. Tickets to the double-feature screenings will be available to purchase from the venues. PUELLA

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New Anime Feature Film also Launching on DVD and Blu-ray Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: bleach.viz.com Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC, the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, delivers the supernatural anime action of the latest BLEACH feature film to fans with the premiere of BLEACH THE MOVIE: HELL VERSE (???BLEACH ???, Buriichi Jigoku-Hen, 2010) on Neon Alley on Sunday, November 25th at 8:00pm EST / 5:00pm PST. The film will repeat 12:00am EST November 26th / 9:00pm PST November 25th, and will air again throughout the week. BLEACH THE MOVIE: HELL VERSE will also be released on DVD and Blu-ray on December 4th with both English-subtitled and dubbed dialogue options. The new film carries a DVD MSRP of

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First Installment of New Anime Film Trilogy Debuts at One of The Midwest’s Largest Film Festivals Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: berserkfilm.com (Japan) Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media is proud to announce a theatrical premiere of its highly anticipated new anime feature film, BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC I – THE EGG OF THE KING (????? ?????? ????, Berserk Oogon Jidai-Hen I: Haoo no Tamago, 2012), at the 2012 Whitaker Saint Louis International Film Festival (SLIFF), taking place November 8th-18th in St. Louis, MO. BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC I is scheduled to screen on Tuesday, November 13th at 9:30pm at the Hi-Pointe Theatre, located at 1005 McCausland Ave. Advance tickets are $12 each and are available online through Brown Paper Ticket. Now in

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Third Film Featuring the World’s Most Popular Teen Ninja also Available on DVD and Blu-ray Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: naruto.com Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen The world’s most popular ninja returns to face a menacing new threat in the Neon Alley debut of NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: THE WILL OF FIRE (??? NARUTO-???- ??? ????????,Gekijooban Naruto Shippuuden Hi no Ishi wo Tsugumono, 2009) on Sunday, November 4th at 8:00pm EST / 5:00pm PST. The film (rated TV-14) will repeat at 12:00am EST November 5th / 9:00pm PST November 4th, and will air again throughout the week. Neon Alley is VIZ Media’s new 24-hour anime channel featuring the world’s best titles (dubbed in English and uncut). For a limited time only, the subscription-based service is offering

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Source: Anime Network press release Next month the girls come out to play, and Anime Network will be the place to find them! Anime Network has 3 red hot shows for our fans just in time for cold weather, featuring a bevy of beautiful ladies all vying for your undivided attention. Tread carefully, though: some of these gals don`t play nice, and some aren`t even...well, you`ll see. Check out what`s in store for you this November on Anime Network: MAJIKOI ~ OH! SAMURAI GIRLS! English Dub starts onDemand: November 29th Subtitled Version available to watch online now! In Kawakami City, having a samurai ancestor and enormous ‘fighting spirit’ is a huge factor in one`s social standing. At school, Yamato and his friends are a tight gang, ready to stand against any rivals. However, the addition of two new girls disrupts the delicate sexual balance of the group

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First Installment of Anime Feature Film Trilogy Premieres on New 24-Hour Anime Channel Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: berserkfilm.com (Japan) Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen Don’t miss the visceral clash of arms and armor as VIZ Media premieres BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC I – THE EGG OF THE KING exclusively on Neon Alley this Sunday, October 28th at 8:00pm EST / 5:00pm PST. The highly anticipated anime film repeats at 12:00am EST / 8:00pm PST, and will air again throughout the week. Neon Alley is VIZ Media’s new 24-hour anime channel featuring the world’s best titles (dubbed in English and uncut). For a limited time only, the subscription-based service is offering a one-week free trial, available for fans who sign up at NeonAlley.com.

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Source: Anime Network press release Official Site: theanimenetwork.com/Chunibyo-Demo-Koi-Ga-Shitai Special Thanks to Toni Brown Anime Network is pleased to announce the upcoming online release of CHUNIBYO DEMO KOI GA SHITAI (??????????!, 2012) this week on Anime Network Online. Yuta has a problem. First, Rikka has told him that they’re officially dating, but she’s... a little bit delusional. There’s also the fact that he used to be a little delusional himself, one of the thousands of Japanese students afflicted with “Chunibyo”, so desperate to stand out that they’ve literally convinced themselves that they have secret knowledge and hidden powers. Unfortunately, that’s not the main part of Yuta`s problem. No, the REAL problem is that, even though HE’s no longer delusional, and Rikka MIGHT have been getting better, his OTHER female “friend,” Satone, his one true soul mate, has ripped back into his life and she’s still epically and

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Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Official Site: toei-anim.co.jp/toriko/ (Japan), funimation.com/toriko (US) Special Thanks to Scott Lonski FUNimation Entertainment announced Sunday at New York Comic-Con that it has acquired the broadcast, home entertainment, video on demand and theatrical rights to TORIKO (???, 2011), the next great anime adventure from Toei Animation Inc , the legendary force behind DRAGON BALL Z and ONE PIECE! Welcome to the Gourmet Age, a time when the world is full of deliciously deadly ingredients that the wealthiest appetites in existence can’t wait to devour. But only a mighty masticating mercenary like Toriko can track down the rarest animals on the planet and put them on a plate! This gluttonous gourmet hunter is one of the four Legendary Kings, superhuman warriors born to battle the likes of Troll Kongs, Gararagators, and Devil Pythons! Accompanied by his loyal Battle Wolf and the promising young

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Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Official Site: ookamikodomo.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Scott Lonski FUNimation Entertainment announced Sunday at New York Comic-Con that it has acquired the broadcast, home entertainment and theatrical rights to WOLF CHILDREN AME AND YUKI (???????????, Ookami Kodomo no Ame to Yuki, 2012). From the visionary, award-winning creator of SUMMER WARS and THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME, Mamoru Hosoda, comes a beautiful tale of love and triumph. 19 year old college student Hana falls in love with a wolf-man. Their love is consummated, and Hana gives birth to two babies. The older child, a girl, born on a snowy day is named Yuki for "snow," and the younger child, a boy, born on a rainy day is named Ame for "rain." These two small children harbor a big secret -- they are "wolf children" who are both human and wolf. To

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Coming this November to Anime Network Online Source: Sentai Filmworks, Anime Network press releases Official Site: girls-und-panzer.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams and Toni Brown You’re cordially invited to find out if size really does matter in Sentai Filmworks’ newest acquisition: GIRLS UND PANZER (????&?????, Gaaruzu ando Pantsaa, 2012). Directed by Tsutomu Mizushima (ANOTHER, BLOOD-C) with series composition by Reiko Yoshida (K-ON!, KALEIDO STAR), sound direction by Yoshikazu Iwanami (THE WORLD ONLY GOD KNOWS, HAKUOKI) and music by Shiroh Hamaguchi (TARI TARI, ONE PIECE). You may have heard of kung fu, but the girls at Oarai High School practice gun-fu -- really, really BIG 75mm gun-fu, in fact. It’s called Sensha-do, and it’s the martial art of operating armored tanks! They take it seriously too, and since winning the national Sensha-do championship is such a huge deal at Oarai, they sometimes go to extreme ends

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